Comments by mesomodel

151. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #161649 by mesomodel on April 15, 2008 at 1:23 pm

SeekerOfKnowledge:

Can't ask a couple of questions that science has no way of answering.

Yeah, questions like: who left the light on inside the platypus?

152. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #161597 by mesomodel on April 15, 2008 at 12:43 pm

Comment #161591 by Steve Zara

"Dash those piffling theists".

As a Yankee, I could visualize your avatar speaking those words with the accent of proper English, and I laughed my ass off. Oh crap. Does that mean I'm hearing voices?

153. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #161590 by mesomodel on April 15, 2008 at 12:34 pm

Comment #161579 by Steve Zara

I just only have so much daily reserve of patience :)

Try a few expletives. I find it to be cathartic, occasionally. I'll never become a master like Diacanu or the Rev. Dark, but it doesn't hurt to aspire. Besides, a few choice words would probably just blend into this thread today.

154. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #161576 by mesomodel on April 15, 2008 at 12:17 pm

Comment #161568 by Steve Zara

On a blog where I have been posting, a theist has accused my approach of being unscientific. I guess I am just so demoralised by that.

I wouldn't let it get to you. Look at the source.

Perhaps to be fair, you ought to tell him his approach is irreverent.

155. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #161559 by mesomodel on April 15, 2008 at 12:07 pm

Aw, c'mon Steve. Where's your spirit? Seeker is claiming the Universe is at least 50 billion years old. That's right up your alley, isn't it? What's a few dozen billion years among friends?

156. Rep. Davis: The Worst Person in the World

Comment #158352 by mesomodel on April 10, 2008 at 11:31 am

(sarcasm)
Sorry for hurling that racial epithet at you and telling you to get to the back of the bus. I was just having a bad day.
(/sarcasm)

157. Rep. Davis: The Worst Person in the World

Comment #158349 by mesomodel on April 10, 2008 at 11:27 am

I'm not so sure I'd so easily forgive, although we'll probably never know exactly what she said on the phone. While Sherman may be satisfied, her comments were an affront to atheists, and she should make a public apology.

Furthermore, having a "bad day" is just not an acceptable excuse, particularly for an elected official. If she truly knew and understood how inappropriate and obscene her comments were, she would have apologized immediately rather than waiting almost a week. It seems obvious that she succumbed to public outrage and negative publicity rather than to her own conscious.

158. Rep. Davis: The Worst Person in the World

Comment #158256 by mesomodel on April 10, 2008 at 9:01 am

eepist wrote:

It must be possible to produce a correlation matrix providing we come to some sort of classification.

Sounds fun. Perhaps an equally interesting matrix would be one that determines the cause of death for the offspring of these various posters. For example, what would be the cause of death for the offspring of a wooter mated with a sockpuppet? Would cause of death be an equal mixture of its parents or is one cause of death dominate? Is the cause of death even inherited? Does natural selection allow certain types of posters to evolve or for new and better causes of death to emerge?

159. Rep. Davis: The Worst Person in the World

Comment #158245 by mesomodel on April 10, 2008 at 8:53 am

kjmastaw wrote:

but I'd venture to guess that very few of you really understand what the scientific method is, could explain the difference between scientific fact vs. scientific theory

I'd suggest that you apply a little more rigor--perhaps the scientific method--before you go off half-cocked with unsubstantiated "guesses" about the posters on RD.net. It wouldn't hurt to apply such rigor to your views on religion, too.

Mesomodel, Ph.D. Atmospheric Science

160. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #151300 by mesomodel on March 28, 2008 at 12:58 pm

Jon Sociologist

...we are an incredibly unlikely outcome

This is a false premise. In the last decade we have discovered numerous extrasolar planets. In the last couple of years, we've found Earth-like extrasolar planets. With new instrumentation coming on line, we'll almost certainly discover in the near future a very large number of other terrestrial-like planets in an untold number of other solar systems in our galaxy and beyond. This all just emphasizes how extraordinarily mundane the Earth is.

Given all these other "Earths", perhaps billions or zillions of them, it is not at all a stretch to imagine life, even intelligent life, elsewhere in the universe. So, life may not be an unlikely outcome; we may not be "unlikely", but rather typical and extraordinarily ordinary. The anthropic principle (and god) is unnecessary under this scenario.

However, if it really does turn out that we are the only life in the universe, the shear number (almost incomprehensible in magnitude) of potential habitable worlds now and in the past easily permits the statistical possibility of life emerging on just one of them. The anthropic principle applies in this case.

161. Fleabytes

Comment #147865 by mesomodel on March 21, 2008 at 1:06 pm

The UK/US tends NOT to be like East Africa, circa 1985-86.

The UK/US is not like East Africa now, but the Hepatitis virus is, more or less, the same everywhere. Sure, it's probably evolved a bit and there may be some regional differences, but it's very likely close to it's form in the 80's. So, are you saying that branding won't cure the virus unless you're in E. Africa? Or, are you saying the Hep A virus in E. Africa in '85 is somehow different than it is now? I don't believe it was a miracle cure. But, hey, if it works, why not let the world know?

162. Fleabytes

Comment #147857 by mesomodel on March 21, 2008 at 12:42 pm

The problem is, the disease I'm talking about tends not to be that prevalent in the West.

Our pediatrician just recommended (today! must be a miracle) we immunize our kids for HepA, because it is becoming increasingly common. So, there's a need for a quick and effective cure in the west. Why hold it back?

163. Fleabytes

Comment #147845 by mesomodel on March 21, 2008 at 12:20 pm

religious charlatans! 99.9% are fakes

This is where you and I most definitely part ways. When it comes to charlatans, I think they are 100% fakes. I suggest you stop believing in the 0.1% of religious charlatans. That's where you're going wrong.

164. Fleabytes

Comment #147844 by mesomodel on March 21, 2008 at 12:17 pm

What have i got to do to convince you MIRACLES HAPPEN?

Easy. Verifiable evidence. Sounds like you've found a cure for Hepatitis A. Share it with the world. That's what Jesus would do.

SURELY, science cannot answer everything?

"Everything" covers a lot of ground. Let's just say that pretty much everything I can think of at the moment can be answered by science. It may not have the answers now, but it will in the future, however far off that may be. Science is certainly the better alternative to god did it.

you're f****** demented!

Evidence please? Did you see it with your own eyes?

165. Fleabytes

Comment #147834 by mesomodel on March 21, 2008 at 11:53 am

Pathfinder:

Tell you what...Your so-called cure for hepatitis must be reproducible. After all, the witch doctor knew how to get rid of it, so the same procedure must have worked before and the assumption was that it would work in the future. Go find this doctor, bring him back to the west where verifiable cases of the disease exist, and let him work his stuff. I do suggest that you first patent the methodology, as you'll be able to make a bundle. Oh, and let's not forget the Nobel prize that awaits you. Certainly, with the fortunes that will rain down upon you, you can travel back to Africa and eradicate all the other terrible diseases.

Let me know how it goes. Good luck!

P.S., when you're done, you might also want to partner up with some of the perpetual motion machine folks. They're in the same boat as you right now. I'm sure they could use some helpful advice.

166. Fleabytes

Comment #147480 by mesomodel on March 20, 2008 at 3:11 pm

I'm quite prepared, in the interests of inquiry, to cede the fact that there IS a medical explanation for curing hepatitis A by branding.

Back up a little further. Can you be sure, absolutely sure, that the original diagnosis of HepA was correct? It's a lot easier to cure something that isn't there in the first place.

And, on a related note: Since god can apparently cure viral infections, why hasn't he bothered to regenerate the limbs of amputees? Surely he is all powerful enough? Maybe he doesn't care? Maybe he doesn't exist?

167. Fleabytes

Comment #146312 by mesomodel on March 18, 2008 at 11:44 pm

Listen carefully. Give up your nubile sheep and other farm animals. Stop fondling all that lives and breathes.

...So, the guy in the back of the sheriff's car with his pants down around his ankles exclaims, "No officer, really, I was just helping that sheep over the fence!"

168. In Britain, creationist theory is evolving

Comment #145570 by mesomodel on March 17, 2008 at 6:02 pm

An autodidact implies that you've taught yourself *something*. But, clearly, that can't be the case, because it appears you know nothing, self-taught or otherwise.

169. Fleabytes

Comment #145464 by mesomodel on March 17, 2008 at 3:48 pm

Comment #145437 by Steve Zara "Good future health to you!"

Thanks and right back at ya. Be sure to eat your veggies!

170. Fleabytes

Comment #145430 by mesomodel on March 17, 2008 at 3:12 pm

Steveroot:

Thanks for the link. I had no idea of the story behind the book.

As for the M.I.: I'm 40 yrs old, not overweight, exercise, reasonable cholesterol and b.p. According to the doctors, the only good explanation according for my condition is genetics. Well, it could be that god is a f*cker and thinks it's fun to leave kids with no father.

171. Fleabytes

Comment #145416 by mesomodel on March 17, 2008 at 2:50 pm

You know, the California courts' recently rooled that home skooling is illegal, becuz parents' are not qualiffied teacher's. I'm fairly sertain that rooling covers' autodidacts, two. Now we no y.

172. Fleabytes

Comment #145405 by mesomodel on March 17, 2008 at 2:40 pm

Actually, since you asked, I recently had a near death experience, having suffered a heart attack. While laying in the hospital bed getting ready for cardiac catheterization I wondered whether I would get to see my wife and two young kids again. However, I can assure you I didn't once even think about calling a priest or praying to a fairy god. I wasn't afraid of death, but I was afraid that my family wouldn't see me again, that I wouldn't be there to provide for my family, and that I wouldn't be there for my kids when they needed me most.

So, I guess that blows your b.s. out of the water.

By the way, have you seen my apostrophe spray gun?

173. Fleabytes

Comment #145383 by mesomodel on March 17, 2008 at 2:19 pm

Pathfinder:

Scientists also opened our eyes to the wonder of the semiconductor and ultimately computers, which you are using to display your ignorance. So, do us all a favor and stop using the Devil's instrument less you end up in Hell. (Note the proper use of apostrophe. And, you still haven't answered my question. Have you seen my apostrophe spray gun? It went missing about the time you showed up.)

174. Fleabytes

Comment #145290 by mesomodel on March 17, 2008 at 1:06 pm

Pathfinder:

A bit off topic, but have you seen my apostrophe spray gun? If you happen to have it, I'll gladly provide you my spell-checker in exchange.

Thanks.

175. Full house captivated by atheist Dawkins' take on religion

Comment #142904 by mesomodel on March 13, 2008 at 7:27 am

comment #22 LeeC
Of course, we cannot "blame" religion can we for one nutter can we? He was only human after all.

In this case, I think we can. It's pretty clear in his letter to Jesus that he's figured out that religion (and Christianity in particular) is a sham. He's just unable to take the final step to recognizing he's an atheist. Instead, his mind has meltdown trying to reconcile his indoctrination (aka parental child abuse) and reality.

If you read some of the additional links, you'll notice various clergy stating that this is how the devil works. It's the devil's fault. And, when you realize that this kid was brought up in this environment, it's pretty clear to me that if he accepts the reality of atheism, he's basically evil. The emotional baggage was too much and he went postal.

176. Full house captivated by atheist Dawkins' take on religion

Comment #142569 by mesomodel on March 12, 2008 at 6:52 pm

drive1: I think Richard needs to update this part of his talk, in the light of the recent Pew Forum Survey.

Yeah. He could update it with something that has more punch. Like discussing this kid. His reason couldn't override his parents' indoctrination. Solution? Kill.

Edit: in-line link doesn't seem to want to work. Try http://tinyurl.com/3depq6

177. Bill Moyers Interviews Susan Jacoby

Comment #129170 by mesomodel on February 18, 2008 at 7:20 pm

Quill,

The cartoon depicts what would happen if the ACLU fairy made wishes come true. A gay and/or transexual/transgender scout leader and an atheist ringing the bell for the religious charity organization. The Scouts have actively denied and kicked out atheist scouts and have removed gay scout leaders. Salvation Army...well the name says it all.

178. Smaller Version of the Solar System Is Discovered

Comment #127967 by mesomodel on February 15, 2008 at 8:11 pm

Rational G,

I'm a Titan-phile, but I'll take Europa in a pinch.
Titan also probably has a water ocean beneath the crust. And it has an atmosphere. And it isn't subject to intense Jovian radiation.

NASA is (re-)undertaking three flagship studies this year. One for Europa, one for Titan, and for a general Jupiter icy moon mission. One is expected to be selected shortly thereafter. So, hopefully, we'll see something heading to the outer solar system by ~2016.

I do hope that we find ET life, hopefully in my lifetime. It would be just another indication of how insignificant and perhaps ordinary we are in the grand scale of the universe.

179. Smaller Version of the Solar System Is Discovered

Comment #127949 by mesomodel on February 15, 2008 at 7:28 pm

Rational G,

It's not easy, but it could happen. Just very unlikely. It is more plausible that bacteria from early Earth might have made there way to early Mars. Evidence suggests that early mars--about 3 to 4 b.y.a--had liquid water on the surface. This likely means that the atmosphere was thick enough to provide a greenhouse effect sufficient to keep the temperature above freezing. The thick atmosphere might also block some of the radiation, and if Mars' core had not yet solidified there would have been a magnetic field. Mars does have a crustal magnetic field that almost certainly points to a magnetic dynamo at some point in its evolution.
The liquid water was probably highly acidic. Support for this hypothesis is the abundance of sulfate rich evaporite-like deposits and a complete lack of carbonates. There are plenty of terrestrial bacteria that could survive in such an environment.

If the early Mars environment changed slowly enough, it is possible that the bacteria could evolve and adapt to the environment. So, while life as we know it is not likely to be sitting on the surface of Mars at present, life as we don't know it might. Or, it could have just gone underground where the conditions are slightly less harsh.

180. Smaller Version of the Solar System Is Discovered

Comment #127945 by mesomodel on February 15, 2008 at 7:20 pm

Babrock,

I am wondering why if this cosmic event that alowed this microlecing to take place hapened in March 06 and it lasted 10 days , why did it take till feb. 08 for Dennis Overbye to write this up.

Don't underestimate the time it takes to reduce the raw data to something useful. Also, note that the author list contains dozens of names. Many of these folks are amateur astronomers that contributed the data, all of which needed to be calibrated and processed into a coherent data set. Not an easy task. On top of this, most scientists these days have many responsibilities beyond just doing science.

181. Smaller Version of the Solar System Is Discovered

Comment #127931 by mesomodel on February 15, 2008 at 6:31 pm

Rational_G

I'd be surprised if there wasn't some bacteria on Mars.

There are few bacteria that can survive in space or on the surface of Mars. Outside of low Earth orbit, your subjected to large doses of ionizing radiation, dessication from the vacuum of space, and temperature ranges many times that of Earth. Bacteria Radiodurans can survive in high radiation environments (it's been found in nuc reactor cores), but would still have other problems. Other bacteria, such as staphycococcus have survived limited deep space exposure.

If terrestrial bacteria did make it to Mars after surviving interplanetary transfer, they would find themselves in an extremely inhospitable environment: Radiation, cold, dessication, oxidation and almost certainly nothing to eat.

182. Smaller Version of the Solar System Is Discovered

Comment #127927 by mesomodel on February 15, 2008 at 6:18 pm

Hourglass,

I know this isn't about the Phoenix probe, but my god, I cannot wait for its landing.
It would be really huge if they found ANY sort of life frozen on the polar regions of Mars.

They're not looking for life and don't have the instruments to detect it unless it happens to be in view of one of the cameras. Mostly, they're trying to understand the history of water by excavating below the regolith to what has been suspected to be a water ice rich layer. The depth to this ice and the composition of the ice and the regolith above need to be better measured so that stability of subsurface ice with respect to the atmosphere can be better established.

The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) is slated to launch next year. That rover carries a mass spec (among other things) that has some capabilities for detecting organic compounds and possibly biomarkers. However, the atmosphere and probably the surface of Mars is highly oxidizing, and if there were ancient life, the biomarkers are almost certainly gone. MSL will have a drill that will permit access to subsurface material, so there's still a chance of finding something.

183. Debate between Richard Dawkins and Madeline Bunting

Comment #127632 by mesomodel on February 15, 2008 at 1:28 pm

Annabanana,

I'm just following along at this point since I'd really like to let the guy have it, but I feel that the higher course of action is to ignore him...

He's given himself a rope long enough to hang himself. Hope you can get some satisfaction from watching him do it. Slowly. Painfully. With some muscle spasm twitches at the end. Before his head pops off. And the sh*t spills out.

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

Comment #127541 by mesomodel on February 15, 2008 at 11:42 am

al-rawandi,

Anyone who wants to see the funniest robot EVER

You're right...
FOMCL!

OK. Off to lunch now.

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

Comment #127506 by mesomodel on February 15, 2008 at 10:56 am

al-rawandi,

My point was if the robot was given this info would it become conscious as me, simultaneously?

Yes, I think so. But, my thinking is not supported by much of any scientific knowledge. I've never delved into this area beyond what I might have read in something like a Scientific American article.

I'll add the "Accidental Mind" to my reading list. I have to say that the RD site has provided me with a rather extended list!

Sort of back on topic: The amount of knowledge I've gained on this site is amazing and certainly rivals some of the best courses I've ever had in terms of critical thinking and analysis. It would be interesting to see a university-level course modeled after this site. I developed and taught on-line science courses, but they were still fairly traditional.

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

Comment #127471 by mesomodel on February 15, 2008 at 10:26 am

I'm sure we could all relate local anecdotes of idiocy. The State of New Mexico isn't in Mexico?

It is a global problem, but there does seem to be a relatively high idiot density in the States. I'm certainly not a world traveler, but I've been to a good number of countries. My non-scientific survey of random citizens from these countries leads me to the conclusion that the U.S. is "dumberer".

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

Comment #127461 by mesomodel on February 15, 2008 at 10:14 am

Just like if I created a robot (AI) that exactly mirrored my every synapse, blood cell, bone, etc... and I uploaded all of my memories, etc... into the brain of the AI, would this suddenly become conscious as myself.

Just conjecture...If one could build and wire a brain in the exact configuration of yours (or mine) at some instant in time, pre-load it with memories, and initialize it with the same electrical and chemical state as the real brain, I do think it would be a conscious entity that self-identifies with its real brain template.
I don't think there's anything non-materialistic about consciousness. Consciousness is the result of the configuration and wiring of the brain. When you die, your brain dies, and the bulb goes out. The end.

We can continue this on the Danish Cartoon thread, if you'd like, but it's probably just as OT on that thread.

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

Comment #127452 by mesomodel on February 15, 2008 at 9:58 am

al-rawandi,

OT: I looked up "Homunculi headed robot".
Wouldn't such a robot require the ability to learn from inputs (like the brain) in order to work continuously? Future decisions and actions are guided by past outcomes.

EDIT: We can continue the discussion on the "Danish Cartoonist" thread, if you'd like.

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

Comment #127435 by mesomodel on February 15, 2008 at 9:37 am

There was a related discussion on the failures of the American education system on a previous thread.

I'm not optimistic things are going to get better.

190. Murder plot against Danish cartoonist

Comment #126828 by mesomodel on February 14, 2008 at 9:31 am

al-rawandi,

My bad for the confusion. I'll google your robot. Sounds like a modern greek mythological creature.

I do need to sign off for now. Work, meetings....

I'll try to check in later.

Thanks for the discourse.

Hope we're at least a little bit back on topic, but for the record, a full and proper English breakfast is the way to go.

191. Murder plot against Danish cartoonist

Comment #126824 by mesomodel on February 14, 2008 at 9:19 am

al-rawandi,

Do I hear some Darwinistic determinism here?

Yes Scooter, now doubt believes they choose every action in their life without biological or environmental influence. Sartre????

Maybe a little. I agree that one needs to be responsible for their actions, but with caveats. I strongly disagree with Scooter about the lack of importance of external influences on those decisions and ones trajectory in life. They absolutely do matter. I went around with him on this regarding Darfur in another thread.

People do make bad decisions, and there are consequences. I've certainly had my share of both bad decisions and the resulting fall-out. In general, punishment/consequences for actions are appropriate. But, I also think that as a society, we should help those that make poor decisions learn from them and help them become productive in society. A social Darwinist I am not.

192. Murder plot against Danish cartoonist

Comment #126819 by mesomodel on February 14, 2008 at 9:05 am

Steve,

So make sure prisons aren't hell-holes. I am one of those hopeless soppy liberals. I am not sure if there really is any point in society punishing criminals. The point should surely be to stop them re-offending, and to protect society from them if that is not possible.

I'm with you on two out of three of these points.

1) No prison hell-holes. Today's prisons do more to cultivate rage and ensuing crime than to prevent it.

2)Stop them from re-offending and protect society. Right on.

3)No point in punishment. I disagree. As a parent, I teach my kids right from wrong through a philosophy of actions and consequences. If they do something wrong, and knew it was wrong, I provide a form a punishment commensurate with their wrongdoing (but never physical). There's a kids book that we read now and then titled, "Sometimes, saying sorry isn't good enough."
(I hope I don't come of sounding too much like Scooter here!)

193. Murder plot against Danish cartoonist

Comment #126810 by mesomodel on February 14, 2008 at 8:56 am

Steve,

I would say that imprisonment, providing it is humane, is definitely on the "punishment" side.

I guess this is a matter of personal opinion. If it were me, I don't think I could take life imprisonment (at least starting from my current age) even it were "humane". Kill me.

Many zoo animals have a pretty cushy life and by all accounts are treated humanely. Some animals may not mind the confinement, but I bet a few, if they could talk, would tell you they are tortured.

194. Murder plot against Danish cartoonist

Comment #126807 by mesomodel on February 14, 2008 at 8:52 am

Annabanana,

The murderers who are psychopaths and sociopaths will not feel any remorse for what they've done no matter how much you punish them.

I think I can buy this for the pscyhos, although I'll have to reflect upon it a bit more to be sure. Not sure if it applies to those that aren't.

Still, if we don't kill them, but instead keep them in a prison hell-hole for life, isn't that torture?

195. Murder plot against Danish cartoonist

Comment #126801 by mesomodel on February 14, 2008 at 8:43 am

Steve,

we have had people with mental illnesses who have confessed to the most horrific crimes, but who have later been found to be innocent.

Fair enough. Same in the U.S. There's an increasing number of wrongly convicted being found innocent through the growing DNA database.

But, what about those that really are truly killers. For example, they're caught on tape mowing down kids with a machine gun at a preschool? Should they be punished through life imprisonment? I say, "yes"! But, isn't this torture? I say, "yes"! Thus, my conflict.

196. Murder plot against Danish cartoonist

Comment #126797 by mesomodel on February 14, 2008 at 8:35 am

al-rawandi,

Some people just need to die. They are psycopaths, sociopaths or whatever. They will never be rehabilitated, and will certainly offend again. There are people who are fundamentally evil.

I agree with part of this. There are those that will never be rehabilitated--at least within our current psychological and psychiatric knowledge base. These "people" should never be allowed back in free society. But, should we kill them? If I were religious and believed in torture, I would say HELL yeah. Torture 'em in HELL for eternity. But, in truth, by killing them, they just stop existing. It lets them off the hook without punishment. Should they really be punished? Or, is prison only for those that can be rehabilitated?

197. Murder plot against Danish cartoonist

Comment #126790 by mesomodel on February 14, 2008 at 8:29 am

Anna,

It seems obvious that the death penalty does little to deter crime. While I have never conversed with a murderer, I doubt that many go through the conscious mental risk/benefit analysis of whether to pull the trigger.

However, I do wonder if there are exceptions, particularly in totalitarian states, where you lose your head for thought crimes. In such situations, person on person crime (including murder) may be lower. Instead, the state itself picks up the slack.

198. Murder plot against Danish cartoonist

Comment #126786 by mesomodel on February 14, 2008 at 8:21 am

Indeed. Torture. I like to think I fall into the camp of being opposed to the practice. However, there were a few statements about being in favor of the death penalty in theory, but against it in practice, since there are cases where one might end up executing an innocent person. I fall into the camp of opposing execution, but for a different reason, which upon further reflection has left me in a state of internal confusion. I oppose the death penalty, because it lets the convicted off too easy (under the obvious truth that hell doesn't exist). All it really does is punish the family of the convicted who suffer a loss. It seems that spending life in prison is a more severe punishment than death. It also has the benefit that the wrongly convicted have the potential of freedom. But, is life in prison without parole a form of torture?

199. Feb 12th: Happy Darwin Day!

Comment #126779 by mesomodel on February 14, 2008 at 8:11 am

What about the universal constants that are so perfect as to allow life on this planet?

It's not clear exactly which universal constants you propose are so "perfect".

Wait about a few billion years when the sun blossoms to a red giant and we'll see how perfect Earth is for life.

200. Murder plot against Danish cartoonist

Comment #126776 by mesomodel on February 14, 2008 at 8:06 am

Al-rawandi,

I just had a danish while reading the cartoons in the paper.

Does this help get us back on topic?