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If I haven’t made, or Harry Kroto, or R j, Arch, and Electra haven’t made, completely clear then this book will or you simply can’t face the obvious.
A must for every child this holiday season as it is an excellent introduction to science. Show you care about children and give this as a gift to every child you can.
Wow, R j. I didn’t expect such a vehement reaction, but I can see why you would be so concerned. I hope the picture is not as black as you paint it.
Steven Pinker thinks we are getting less violent as a species (his new book, The better angels of our nature, is just out). Confession: I haven’t read it, just some of the reviews. Let’s hope he’s right.
How many of us actually have a moment of ‘clear thinking’, what is that, and to what degree can we be omniscient? I think we are all limited by the vast areas of our ignorance and false beliefs. I just try to keep learning to be less mistaken.
Rj- While I’ve debated the worth and prospects of humans with myself on both sides I’ve yet to decide, you may be right. However, I think your statement on drugs is simplistic and shows ignorance and prejudice on the subject.
R J, The laws on what drugs are legal are about like what sexual and other declared taboo practices have been ‘legal’ under various religions, it’s a rather dogma based and capricious thing with little connection to science and rationality or freedom. You might look into: http://norml.org/ http://www.erowid.org/psychoactives/psychoactives.shtml
October 11th, 2011 at 1:56
well DUHHH !!!!
October 11th, 2011 at 8:12
True, as far as I can tell. But looking around at what is going on in the world, what hope does this give for us as a species?
October 11th, 2011 at 12:19
I think that’s why churches are so keen on regular attendance to supplemental brainwashing sessions.
October 11th, 2011 at 15:00
I think therefore I am, and for the same reason I know no god exists.
That no god exists or could exist is obvious.
Santa, Bigfoot, the Easter Bunny, Loch Ness, et cetera.
I just got Richard Dawkins new book
The Magic of Reality: How We Know What’s Really True by Richard Dawkins http://amzn.com/1439192812
If I haven’t made, or Harry Kroto, or R j, Arch, and Electra haven’t made, completely clear then this book will or you simply can’t face the obvious.
A must for every child this holiday season as it is an excellent introduction to science. Show you care about children and give this as a gift to every child you can.
October 11th, 2011 at 15:43
sin………………………….
i got the dawkins book too !!!! it’s great isnt it ??
October 11th, 2011 at 16:03
I got it too, and finished it today. Great fun, made even better by Deepak Chopra’s review cited on Pharyngula today!
October 11th, 2011 at 16:54
ARCH……………………..at 812
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
well, arch, i think that’s a very pointed and relevant
question.
what hope , indeed ??
my answer is “NOT MUCH .”
if there were fighting weights for cynics and pessimists, i guess i’d fall
under “heavyweight.”
i am not a believer in the ” basic goodness of man”…..or
any of that useless puke.
i’ve said this before………………. i think humans are the worst
and most dangerous creatures on the planet. they INSIST
on maintaining and following insane SOCIAL and POLITCAL
ideologies that are brimming over with failure….and
RELIGIOUS divisions that only vie with each other in their
distance from reality and sanity. and speaking of sanity,
i happen to believe there is an almosr gossamer psychic
membrane separating relative sanity and calm, from
RAGING LUNACY IN every HUMAN BEING !!!!!………………..
…………………………………………………………………………
there are lunatic luminaries rising to prominence all
over the globe……………africa, the middle east,
parts of asia , south america, korea , the US
…………………..it’s a good list….and growing.
the international market for drugs never gets smaller,
and currently caters to ALL ages. and the research
and development of new substances for this market
is some of the most sophisticated science on earth……
isnt that charming ???
wars are no longer the same composition and color
that they were . they have become an horribly
expensive, yet vital component in interlocking
world economies. and the exhaust vapor from these
violent economic engines is human life and liberties.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
i am completely convinced that there is a coming nuclear
global disaster. there’s just too many assh–les running
around with access ( or soon-to-be access) to the buttons.
the nuclear arsenals are huge , and beyond belief in their
destructive power. and you can bet your butt if ONE of
these cowboys throws the first pitch,,,,,,they’re A:LL
Gonna Play !!
i personally find this idea sad……not for destroying
billions of humans …………….BUT along with them will
go the most heart-breakingly beautiful life forms .
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
so, Arch……i dont think there’s hope. humans are insane, their leaders are
liars and murderers,. they CANT get along…and they WONT get along…..
and ethical philosophers have produced VOLUMES of healthy
speculation that NO ONE PAYS ATTENTION TO.
i think mankind is doomed….and i dont really have any
specifiic reaction other than to say to my fellow men,
just as the detonation occurs…..” YOU EARNED IT.”
October 11th, 2011 at 17:51
Wow, R j. I didn’t expect such a vehement reaction, but I can see why you would be so concerned. I hope the picture is not as black as you paint it.
Steven Pinker thinks we are getting less violent as a species (his new book, The better angels of our nature, is just out). Confession: I haven’t read it, just some of the reviews. Let’s hope he’s right.
October 11th, 2011 at 18:03
Pinker’s book http://amzn.com/0393064476
I agree Arch!
October 11th, 2011 at 18:05
Stephen Greenblatt’s book I mean.
October 11th, 2011 at 18:06
This is Pinker’s book http://amzn.com/0670022950
October 12th, 2011 at 0:27
How many of us actually have a moment of ‘clear thinking’, what is that, and to what degree can we be omniscient? I think we are all limited by the vast areas of our ignorance and false beliefs. I just try to keep learning to be less mistaken.
Rj- While I’ve debated the worth and prospects of humans with myself on both sides I’ve yet to decide, you may be right. However, I think your statement on drugs is simplistic and shows ignorance and prejudice on the subject.
October 12th, 2011 at 0:30
defiant……………..
how so ??
October 12th, 2011 at 4:09
defiant…………………….
i was not clear about the fact that i was speaking about ILLEGAL
drugs.
October 12th, 2011 at 4:33
R J, The laws on what drugs are legal are about like what sexual and other declared taboo practices have been ‘legal’ under various religions, it’s a rather dogma based and capricious thing with little connection to science and rationality or freedom. You might look into:
http://norml.org/
http://www.erowid.org/psychoactives/psychoactives.shtml