Aardvark

Doubtful, but an amusing idea.

No one is denying the role of skin in the synthesis of vitamin D. Just that, to extrapolate from that , that the darkness of human skin is primarily a climatic adaptation is a step too far. Originally posted by Glider Sunlight is NOT the only source of vitamin D, eggs, fish, liver and milk all contain vitamin D. Also humans have other adaptations to deal with such problems as sun burn, they are called clothes. Even cavemen knew how to wear animal skins. You present an interesting hypothesis, but thats all it is, a hypothesis, NOT fact.

Good luck and remember to send us a post card.

Thinking machines are our evolutionary enemies. At best we shall become childishly dependent upon them, never making serious decisions for ourselves, being allowed to do some things and not others, our civilization in the hands of another species, all major plans and decisions made without reference to our opinions by intellectually superior thinking machines. At worst, an absolute irrelevance, mankind will be placed in the role of mere biological specimen. The rise of the thinking machines is unstoppable. The material gains to be had from them will cause widespread adoption and use. Standing aside will merely cause a relevant culture to relatively decline, economically and technologically. The machines will become ubiquitous and we shall become utterly dependent upon them. As they will be far more competent then us we shall allow them to take greater and greater control. To argue against them will be seen as arguing for unemployment, waste, disease, conflict and poverty. The machines dominion shall be complete and we shall no longer own our own civilization. It is so much more logical, cost effective for machines to explore deep space, no need for complex life support systems. A self contained machine with self duplication is the most effective way to spread, explore. The machines shall replace us, and ultimately it will be because we asked them to.

What wrong with being selfish if you're not hurting anyone else?

I seriously doubt that a few Mammoths eating a lot of grass in Sibera is the worse ecological threat ever. Somehow i am sure we would find a way to suvive.

Simple solution, Just build a load of powerful nuclear powerstations to provide the energy for the hydrogen. Problem solved, no pollution, no oil dependency. Just clean, green, safe nuclear power.

Just a quick note, primates have white skin, shave a chimp and have a look. Also black skin's probably not primarily an environmental adaptation to the sun. Current theory suggests skin colour is more dependant on sexual selection. An example being Tasmanian Aboriginals who lved in a relatively cool shaded climate and yet maintained just as dark skins as Aboriginals in Northern tropical Australia. As for the question, did the first true humans have dark skin, personally i doubt it but no strong evidence either way.

We ( our homo sapien ancestors ) entered Europe at the end of the last Ice Age. This coincided with the extinction of the Neanderthals who had existed there for thousands of years. What happened? Are we to blame? Ancient ethnic cleansing? Natural displacement of an inferior species? or another reason, disease? or the changing climate at the end of the ice age. Any comments, suggestions or questions?

That's true, it not an easy matter. However Japanese scientists are spending every summer searching Siberia for frozen mammoth remains. Several well preserved specimens have been found. So far no sperm but fingers crossed!

Do you have any inside knowledge to that effect, or simply an educated ( or otherwise ) guess?

On the Nasa terraforming websites there is no mention of the problem of a magnetic field. Recommend any sources of info?

Hey, PogoC7. Just a quick note, You wrote that you didnt think the UK could understand terrorism until it had suffered from it like the US has. The UK has suffered from terrorism long before the US and has taken more causalties from terrorism. I personally have been within hearing distance of two terrorist bomb explosions. You might like to remember that the IRA terrorist organisation was largely funded by sentimental American idiots. Think about that the next time you want to complain about Britains stance on terrorism.

Interesting stuff, i'd also heard that St Johns Wort was effective, unfortunately when i try to check the evidence on the internet i get a lot of conflicting evidence and advice. Anyone know of any good sources of info on the latest evidence?

Very good, just a small point, the dark grey on light grey font is a little indistinct. ( odd music!)

Calm down! In the immortal words of the hitchhikers guide to the galaxy, DONT PANIC. The economy isnt that bad, this isnt the 1930's. and lets not exaggarate about crime, its easy to alow alarmist TV and media to scare us. As for Iraq, no one is talking about using nuclear weapons. We know Iraq doesnt have them ( yet ) . Any war will be conventional. The most Iraq could do is fire a cannister or two of mustard gas at a neighbour, and i very much doubt any Iraqi would be mad enough to obey such a suicidal order. As for terrorists, yes, they love to create fear and panic. We just have to stay calm. Remember, these guys are losers. and your chances of being killed in a terrorist attack are far less than of dying in a car accident, keep a sense of perspective. Stay calm and enjoy life, its sweet!

No Rossonero, Displaying contempt for the oppressed people of Iraq doesnt make you racist against yourself, it implies that you might be racist against Arabs.

Racists? Look in the mirror. You're the ones who seem to think its fine to leave the Iraqis in the grips of a brutal dictactorship. I wonder if you would feel the same way if they were white rather than arab?

Does anyone have any real info on if any of these herbs lke gingseng and ginkgo biloba really have any effects. Or is it all a load of hippy crap?

I hope so. But when i read articles like this and look back on the human races record i can't help worrying. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/1835951.stm Maybe we can learn, lets hope.

I'm amazed that anyone is still seriously challenging the evidence for evolution. Or are you just trying to provoke a reaction?

Just hope this doesnt mean people start mining coral reefs and ripping yet more life out of the seas. Our record here is bad, From the collapse of the Grand Banks fishery to the Danes vacuuming the North Sea for sand eels to burn in power stations. Its time we woke up and realised what we might be losing.

I wonder which is the lesser evil?

Peaceful resolution with Saddam Hussein? Dream on.