Comments by dlitt

Comment #140795 by dlitt on March 8, 2008 at 3:55 pm

A couple of questions to ponder...

If this artificial brain is turned off, will it regain it's previous sense of self, or become a different conscious being altogether when reactivated (rebooted)?

If this thing is limited to electrical switching(binary), how do we simulate the effect of hormones, and proteins on this 'brain's' activity - and are hormones and proteins necessary for consciousness?

52. Richard Dawkins' US Tour begins this week

Comment #138658 by dlitt on March 4, 2008 at 4:57 pm

Comment #138095 by JamesDB on March 3, 2008 at 11:03 pm

Hey how about a trip to Vancouver B.C. Canada.

How about coming to ski at Whistler? :-)

53. Fleabytes

Comment #130039 by dlitt on February 20, 2008 at 12:34 am

Paula,

I think your avatar needs a halo!

54. Fleabytes

Comment #130037 by dlitt on February 20, 2008 at 12:29 am

Wow! It is a book - 68 pages in MS Word.

55. Fleabytes

Comment #130036 by dlitt on February 20, 2008 at 12:20 am

Comment #130022 by 601 on February 19, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Excellent Work.

Write a book, you can reach further into the target audience than most.

I'd say she just did. What a read! Sure glad I have 20 pounds of toner for my printer - I can read it again at work - as a book. :-)

56. State Approves Evolution As 'Scientific Theory'

Comment #130028 by dlitt on February 19, 2008 at 11:48 pm

Or a quote from Mark Twain...

"God created the idiot for practice - then he created the School Board."

57. A match made on RichardDawkins.net?

Comment #128777 by dlitt on February 17, 2008 at 11:21 pm

Darn! Just as I was about to come to Australia and propose to you, Veronique.
Congratulations!
I wondered why your posts petered out.

58. The Search for Truth, God and Braver Scientists in 'Expelled'

Comment #128744 by dlitt on February 17, 2008 at 9:47 pm

Comment #128223 by jbacsa on February 16, 2008 at 3:07 pm
[edit] It also seems to me that a notable exception are a wealthy, privileged minority who have no use for God.

It is unfortunate that the 'privileged minority' can better afford the 'higher education' that gives them a better understanding of science and the requirement of some evidence to support a theory. It isn't about not having a "use for God," it is about a lack of evidence to support a God hypothesis or more bluntly, not having a use for nonsense.

59. Machines 'to match man by 2029'

Comment #128716 by dlitt on February 17, 2008 at 6:34 pm

I guess I wasn't clear. I'm only skeptical of the date (2029). I tend to take a 'wait and see' position. I don't see any limits to technology.

60. Study: Religion colors Americans' views of nanotechnology

Comment #128711 by dlitt on February 17, 2008 at 6:15 pm

Comment #128337 by Diacanu on February 16, 2008 at 6:50 pm
quill-

Nah, I never despair for the US.

We may churn out more crap percentage wise, but our good stuff makes up for in quality what it doesn't in quantity.

I'll agree with this statement - except... just when I get to liking an American made product, you farm it out to cheap labour in South Korea or China and the quality drops considerably.

61. Machines 'to match man by 2029'

Comment #128708 by dlitt on February 17, 2008 at 6:03 pm

When looking at the high frequency of past technological predictions that have not come true, I will remain skeptical of this one.
What I look forward to is artificial consciousness - but I doubt we'll see it any time soon.

62. Pleas for condemned Saudi 'witch'

Comment #128043 by dlitt on February 15, 2008 at 10:53 pm

Among her accusers was a man who alleged she made him impotent.

Good - one less woman raped.

63. US military accused of harboring fundamentalism

Comment #128041 by dlitt on February 15, 2008 at 10:44 pm

Comment #127487 by MaxD on February 15, 2008 at 10:40 am
I ship off to basic in April. This will be annoying to say the least.

Tell them you're Quaker - they'll let you go home.

64. Dumb and Dumber: Are Americans Hostile to Knowledge?

Comment #128037 by dlitt on February 15, 2008 at 10:33 pm

What's "Cash Cab?"

65. Ayaan Hirsi Ali asks for protection

Comment #128033 by dlitt on February 15, 2008 at 10:23 pm

Try Canada, Ayaan - we'll have ya! Eh?

66. Map reveals extent of human damage to oceans

Comment #128031 by dlitt on February 15, 2008 at 10:18 pm

The 'Rapture-ready' aren't worried.

67. Ben Stein Wins Intelligent Design Money

Comment #128017 by dlitt on February 15, 2008 at 9:47 pm

I will probably watch it. I'll wait for the 'torrent' though, so I don't contribute to their coffers.

68. Dumb and Dumber: Are Americans Hostile to Knowledge?

Comment #128009 by dlitt on February 15, 2008 at 9:25 pm

Diacanu,

I'm not trying to offend. I'm merely stating my perception of American public education. I'm aware of your terrific universities - Harvard, Berkley, M.I.T. - to name the most famous.

Check out:
http://richarddawkins.net/article,1796,American-kids-dumber-than-dirt-Warning-The-next-generation-might-just-be-the-biggest-pile-of-idiots-in-US-history,Mark-Morford-SF-Gate

69. Dumb and Dumber: Are Americans Hostile to Knowledge?

Comment #127997 by dlitt on February 15, 2008 at 9:06 pm

Comment #127992 by Diacanu on February 15, 2008 at 8:51 pm
dlitt-

Why you snotty limey son of a....!!!

Why are you so offended? You didn't write it.

70. Ben Stein Wins Intelligent Design Money

Comment #127995 by dlitt on February 15, 2008 at 9:01 pm

Comment #127972 by Richard Morgan on February 15, 2008 at 8:18 pm
[edit] ...I've just finished reading the thread "Dum and Dumber : Are Americans hostile to knowledge."
This seems to contradict the notion that a majority are going to flock to see a film because of it's (apparently) intellectual appeal.
Doesn't it?

The majority who see the film will be the needy 'choir' looking for something they naively believe is an intelligent point of view.
Many Americans are hostile to 'evidence based' knowledge. The film will probably appeal to a slightly older demographic than the 'wannabe dumb' teenager.

71. Ben Stein Wins Intelligent Design Money

Comment #127987 by dlitt on February 15, 2008 at 8:39 pm

Comment #127957 by Diacanu on February 15, 2008 at 7:44 pm
dlitt-

"Smashin' of the Christ."

ROTFLMAO!!!

That's great, can I use that?

Feel free... I plagiarized it myself.

72. Dumb and Dumber: Are Americans Hostile to Knowledge?

Comment #127980 by dlitt on February 15, 2008 at 8:29 pm

Comment #127826 by righton on February 15, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Did not major in english but I do have a masters degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Oh ya, and I also have my name on one research article along with a first author paper coming out later this year.
My punctuation on a blog has nothing to do with my inteligence.

America is like Rome. The roman empire fell, therefore America will fall.

PS. Canada? HAHAHAHAH

I can't help but comment on this post.

The thought that one could get a Master's Degree and be illiterate is, in itself, a testament to the quality of American education.

73. Ben Stein Wins Intelligent Design Money

Comment #127944 by dlitt on February 15, 2008 at 7:19 pm

It is depressing that the majority of Americans are going to flock to the theatre in search of something (mistakenly perceived as intellectual) to help support their dogma - just as they flocked to see the shit-kicking of their Jesus in the "Smashin' of the Christ." We can only hope for well published bad reviews and good attendance for "Religulous."

74. Inventor Doesn't Dare Say 'Perpetual Motion Machine'

Comment #124656 by dlitt on February 10, 2008 at 1:20 am

I hope he patents it before a corporate toy manufacturer gets wind of it.

75. The challenge of finding peace in Lourdes

Comment #124652 by dlitt on February 10, 2008 at 12:44 am

"You cannot prove a miracle and, in this day and age, everyone needs proof to believe."

Nope... Just the testimony of liars.

76. Battle of the Chambersburg billboards

Comment #124625 by dlitt on February 9, 2008 at 10:57 pm

Comment #124551 by rod-the-farmer on February 9, 2008 at 7:39 pm
[edit]If there were some way to get a rebuttal billboard up, I would contribute. But in the U.S., the religious nutters have way more money than atheists - or at least they are more willing to spend theirs.

Good luck. The "religious nutters" have instilled a 'Taliban' like fear on one billboard company. I'm sure other advertisers will be reluctant to offer space for atheistic messages.

77. Battle of the Chambersburg billboards

Comment #124618 by dlitt on February 9, 2008 at 10:48 pm

What offends me is the cowardly disclaimer by the billboard company posted after the FFRF message.

Maybe they need a few complaints from atheists. There is an email link from their website.

http://kegerreis.com/

78. Letters: Theology has no place in a university

Comment #121663 by dlitt on February 3, 2008 at 10:55 pm

Comment #121649 by LorienRyan on February 3, 2008 at 10:09 pm
I doubt that hes2@usa is a bad person or even stupid for that matter. Placing a high value on things that make us feel awe or wonder I believe is integral in motivating us to seek meaning in our lives, although, the religious make the mistake, I believe, in equating that sense of awe in the concept of god with truth claims about the nature of reality.

Stupid:

1. Lacking in intelligence.

Intelligent:

1. Of high or especially quick cognitive capacity, bright.
Well thought-out, well considered.

2. Characterized by thoughtful interaction (an intelligent conversation).

I thought 'stupid' was the appropriate word. I suppose 'ignorant' would have been less disrespectful.

79. Letters: Theology has no place in a university

Comment #121657 by dlitt on February 3, 2008 at 10:24 pm

The irony of my life and death is; I will never know I once lived.

80. Letters: Theology has no place in a university

Comment #121656 by dlitt on February 3, 2008 at 10:21 pm

Comment #121650 by the_assayer on February 3, 2008 at 10:10 pm
dlitt, Isn't it ironic that even atheists like us have to come up with some not so rational justifications for death? The Mark Twain quote is cute, but it has its holes. The state of not being alive yet and the state of being dead after having lived is not the same.

Personally, I see it as one and the same. I am nothing but a scattering of molecules yet to be assembled before birth, and after death I'm a lump of molecules slowly scattering toward the same state I was before birth.

81. Letters: Theology has no place in a university

Comment #121643 by dlitt on February 3, 2008 at 9:50 pm

Or... As I do, you could believe in nothing after death.

As Mark Twain said, "I'm not afraid of death. I've been dead billions and billions of years before I was born."

82. Letters: Theology has no place in a university

Comment #121640 by dlitt on February 3, 2008 at 9:40 pm

Comment #121637 by righton on February 3, 2008 at 9:29 pm
dlitt,

explain you avatar, is that you?

Yup. That's my handsome face. :-)

PhotoShoped onto Hagrid.

I am trying to achieve the look, though - only the hair is mostly white.

83. Letters: Theology has no place in a university

Comment #121636 by dlitt on February 3, 2008 at 9:27 pm

Comment #121634 by freethnkr on February 3, 2008 at 9:21 pm
I find it odd that people who are religious always ask about morality without religion. hes2@usa (above post) says that if there is no god then he is missing out on immoral activities. We call people who do immoral activities without the care of other humans psychopaths and psychotics. These people deserve to be in a padded room, not out in public around all the sane people of this world. If you say that you only act morally because you fear god or believe in eternal reward, then you are indeed insane. I fear these people

I fear those who look forward to the 'Rapture.' Without these psychotic loons - it won't happen.

84. Letters: Theology has no place in a university

Comment #121632 by dlitt on February 3, 2008 at 9:21 pm

I'm sure you have all the social support you need every Sunday. Without your social network - you might take the time to bite the 'forbidden fruit of knowledge' - so despised by those wishing to perpetuate antiquated nonsense.

85. Letters: Theology has no place in a university

Comment #121625 by dlitt on February 3, 2008 at 8:58 pm

Yup, It's like seeing Jesus in a waterfall.

I listen to his point of view - via the Discovery Institute. Maybe he should listen to some of the more enlightening podcasts.

itms://ax.phobos.apple.com.edgesuite.net/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=107134018

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=152788201

86. Letters: Theology has no place in a university

Comment #121619 by dlitt on February 3, 2008 at 8:31 pm

Comment #121608 by hes2@usa on February 3, 2008 at 7:50 pm
[edit]That fact hasn't changed yet since creation, 6,000 years ago. There are no transition species. Even the scientists who study the stars have proven over and over by the mathematics involved in them, that the story of creation is true.[edit]

I'm sorry, but you are an embarassment to the human intellect. I listen to the "Creation Science" podcast, too - just to listen to the psudoscientific effort of a group of 'educated' morons trying to keep Americans stupid, so the fleecing of their wallets can continue unabated.
The 'Truth' is in an ancient book written by a bunch of perverted, sexist, homophobic, stupid old men - what rubbish!

87. Some non-Christians feel left out of election

Comment #121590 by dlitt on February 3, 2008 at 6:25 pm

Republican hopeful Mike Huckabee, who scooped up strong evangelical support but whose campaign is fading ahead of next Tuesday's nominating contests across the country, is a Baptist preacher who peppers his speeches with Biblical allusions.

I see a spelling error it the last word. It should be "illusions"

88. Letters: Theology has no place in a university

Comment #121588 by dlitt on February 3, 2008 at 6:19 pm

Religion is like Microsoft.

We'd be far more technologically advanced without either.

89. Letters: Theology has no place in a university

Comment #121581 by dlitt on February 3, 2008 at 6:03 pm

Comment #116653 by hes2@usa on January 27, 2008 at 12:47 am
Rawandi,

[edit]Again, your living, with a lack of morality, points out to me your real reason for living as if there is no God.

I find that statement mildly offensive - that, by default, non-believers are immoral.

90. God vs. Gridiron

Comment #121563 by dlitt on February 3, 2008 at 5:15 pm

A Superbowl game is the unfortunate but necessary vessel of a good Budweiser commercial.

91. Female Muslim medics 'disobey hygiene rules'

Comment #121556 by dlitt on February 3, 2008 at 4:43 pm

I would have thought the more radical Islamists would object to the education of women and this wouldn't be an issue.

92. MySpace: No place for Atheists?

Comment #118514 by dlitt on January 30, 2008 at 6:13 pm

"Packet" them.

93. Three Little Pigs 'too offensive'

Comment #117862 by dlitt on January 29, 2008 at 9:12 pm

Why do pigs offend?

Have you ever seen the pink genitals of a sow?
Draw your own conclusion.

I'd give you my theory but I want to stay alive. :-)

94. Dawkins is third most prolific internet Briton

Comment #117857 by dlitt on January 29, 2008 at 8:40 pm

Comment #117677 by Peacebeuponme on January 29, 2008 at 11:14 am
Who the hell is Imogen Heap?!

Sweet Religion...

No idea how she is top though

The internet demographic is mostly fluff-brained kids.

95. Ore. Court: Boy Has Say in Circumcision

Comment #116973 by dlitt on January 27, 2008 at 11:44 pm

"Secondly, that although the circumcision procedure on a baby undoubtedly hurts -- so do vaccinations -- we do not consider those to be child abuse."

I was going to make a point about that sentence a couple of hours ago...

Tug your brass zipper into your foreskin and tell me that is no more painful than a vaccination. Then imagine cutting it right off.

96. Atheists in Jail

Comment #116970 by dlitt on January 27, 2008 at 11:36 pm

There is only one conclusion that I can draw from this rigorous scientific analysis: Atheists are lazy.

I'll certainly agree with that conclusion. I've been meaning to write a 'guide to laziness' - except I'm just too lazy.

97. A Letter From Hell

Comment #116966 by dlitt on January 27, 2008 at 11:25 pm

You won't believe what I just found on 'godtube.com'... An advertisment for Ian Flemming's site, 'thegodmovie.com.'

This just made my day! These twits obviously don't check who's advertising.
"Hmm, the god movie dot com - sounds like a good movie to me."

98. Ore. Court: Boy Has Say in Circumcision

Comment #116909 by dlitt on January 27, 2008 at 7:03 pm

Something I read in Hitchens' book got me to wondering about the need for a Rabbi(t) to insert the freshly de-skinned willy into his mouth.

99. A Letter From Hell

Comment #116904 by dlitt on January 27, 2008 at 6:49 pm

Double Bass Atheist,

Here's my own personal diatribe:

http://richarddawkins.net/articleComments,2108,Six-Reasons-to-be-an-Atheist,The-Little-Book-of-Atheist-Spirituality,page4#108432

100. A Letter From Hell

Comment #116902 by dlitt on January 27, 2008 at 6:29 pm

I was 'moved' by that story.

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