tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post4731390119516127174..comments2024-03-18T19:37:21.040-07:00Comments on One Cʘsmos: Lies and Other Parasites on TruthGagdad Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249005793605006679noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-12061128806764500602008-08-27T09:35:00.000-07:002008-08-27T09:35:00.000-07:00The most fascinating thing about the VanRay experi...The most fascinating thing about the VanRay experience is that it often seems to happen yesterday.<BR/><BR/>It might start today, but it never stays there. <BR/><BR/>It's always receeding into the past.<BR/><BR/>Ever read any Barbara Tuchman Ray?jphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05908157207748014622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-52850682715036202542008-08-27T09:01:00.000-07:002008-08-27T09:01:00.000-07:00Ray said "I was off living it for a few days....Ray said "I was off living it for a few days. But then, you don't believe in coincidences... :->"<BR/><BR/>Have you noticed how... creepy your smiley looks? Kind of alien-looking-in-the-window-ish?<BR/><BR/>Maybe if you put a hat on it,<BR/>(:-><BR/>no,<BR/>{:-><BR/>uh-uh,<BR/>=:-><BR/><BR/>no. Just kind of... oh... I dunno... devilish, I suppose.<BR/><BR/>Coincidence? Hmmm.Van Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08470413719262297062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-55746861063083637772008-08-27T08:49:00.000-07:002008-08-27T08:49:00.000-07:00Van - I actually have a life (that's not at al...Van - I actually have a life (that's not at all parasitic on this website, surprisingly) and I was off living it for a few days. But then, you don't believe in coincidences... :->Ray Ingleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16290483120987779339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-28520388484528666602008-08-27T08:46:00.000-07:002008-08-27T08:46:00.000-07:00Van - In the context of One Cosmos, Vertical is no...Van - <I>In the context of One Cosmos, Vertical is not an orthogonal reference.</I><BR/><BR/>I glanced over the Beatles bit before, and that's not really true. The Beatles were playing a <I>different</I> game than anyone else, they were not "literally infinitely" superior. sure, they sounded similar to others, but baseball looks a lot like cricket to the uninitiated. Points in a phase space don't have to be "infinitely" far away from each other to have completely different characters.Ray Ingleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16290483120987779339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-24479368159085149342008-08-27T08:37:00.000-07:002008-08-27T08:37:00.000-07:00Bob expounds about "parasites on truth" and Ray sh...Bob expounds about "parasites on truth" and Ray shows up quoting scripture. Perfect.NoMohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01100042056270224683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-41070335429364208422008-08-27T08:05:00.000-07:002008-08-27T08:05:00.000-07:00Psst! Ray! In the context of One Cosmos, Vertical ...Psst! Ray! In the context of One Cosmos, Vertical is not an orthogonal reference.<BR/><BR/>And for the non-C, Java, etc programmers out there, "!=" equals "Not equal to".<BR/><BR/>Also very apropos of Ray.Van Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08470413719262297062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-25752187735483297792008-08-27T08:00:00.000-07:002008-08-27T08:00:00.000-07:00Ray, btw, good choice with the Nomo link... you sh...Ray, btw, good choice with the Nomo link... you should read that again, I don't think it means what you think it means.Van Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08470413719262297062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-178648713244892012008-08-27T07:56:00.000-07:002008-08-27T07:56:00.000-07:00Ray - I thought that'd smoke you out. Just missed ...Ray - I thought that'd smoke you out. Just missed you.<BR/><BR/>(and of course it was true, but that's beside the point)<BR/><BR/>;-)Van Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08470413719262297062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-22547864867936332972008-08-27T07:51:00.000-07:002008-08-27T07:51:00.000-07:00For example, to place humans and animals on the sa...<I>For example, to place humans and animals on the same level merely obliterates the space where truth can be known, and a truth-bearing animal is <B>infinitely</B> higher than one without this capacity.</I><BR/><BR/>"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."<BR/><BR/>"Infinitely" != "orthgonal to"Ray Ingleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16290483120987779339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-82490189579120633252008-08-27T07:47:00.000-07:002008-08-27T07:47:00.000-07:00Van - And as Ray should say, what more is there to...Van - <I>And as Ray should say, what more is there to ask for?</I><BR/><BR/>Ah, yes. Of course. Tool use is the <I>only</I> thing that I've <I>ever</I> said distinguishes humans from all other species. Guess I should take a page from <A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=MATT%2013:13;&version=31;" REL="nofollow">Nomo</A>. :->Ray Ingleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16290483120987779339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-32749437523653349052008-08-27T07:40:00.000-07:002008-08-27T07:40:00.000-07:00Van Vrekhem begins with the modest proposal that i...<I>Van Vrekhem begins with the modest proposal that in attempting to wrap out minds around an "effect" of such magnitude, there must be a cause of equal magnitude.</I><BR/><BR/>Earthquakes and avalanches have lots of little causes, not different in kind, that add up to a big effect.Ray Ingleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16290483120987779339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-81102144788839519132008-08-27T06:30:00.000-07:002008-08-27T06:30:00.000-07:00Ricky, I just posted along the same lines this mo...Ricky, I just posted along the same lines this morning, <A HREF="http://blogodidact.blogspot.com/2008/08/sad-history-of-current-events.html" REL="nofollow">The Sad History of Current Events</A>,<BR/><BR/>"What, after all, does a tyrant like Putin see when looking at what they know they hold together by might alone, by emotion and the fist keeping the pieces knocked together, there's no inner cohesion of integrated truth to rely upon, no rights or laws people can trust in and with you, only emotion for mother russia overcoming the shame of defeat, and the might to enforce it. With that perspective, what is the status of the Republic of Georgia on it's borders? No matter the corruption present, they stand for Republicanism, for Freedom... that dear friends, is a poisonous threat! Poland? Latvia? Lithuania? Estonia? Threats! How can Putin possibly use his fists from the outside, to hold together what is pulling apart from the inside? And as the KGB knows only too well, such thoughts spread across borders sooo fast."<BR/><BR/>We expect them to abide by 'international law' (a meaningless term if there ever was one)... we should take a look at the population of our prisons to judge what regard criminals have for real law, let alone faux laws.Van Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08470413719262297062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-9362885556374345152008-08-27T05:14:00.000-07:002008-08-27T05:14:00.000-07:00“In the big lie there is always a certain force of...“In the big lie there is always a certain force of credibility. --Adolf Hitler”<BR/><BR/>I’ll never forget this with regard to the war. Placing aside for a moment the dozen or so broken UN resolutions over as many years, and the speeches to the world that declared anyone “harboring terrorists” should pack their own bags, the President never said Iraq was an “imminent threat.” I remember it clearly. He said, “growing and gathering danger.” If it were imminent, we would not have spent a year preparing. He would have sent the big planes. We would have learned what shock and awe was in tomorrow’s paper.<BR/>It was amazing to watch people fall asleep so quickly after 9/11. Most everyone signed the authorization. Then slowly, one by one, they fell off the wagon and then the wagon was pulled over. Strange to watch.<BR/><BR/>When the President gives a major speech, it should be printed in full in the paper. The “paper” should want to do this. None of this “excerpt” and then 95% of the rest of the article is “expert’s say” crap.<BR/><BR/>If there’s one thing about the Bible, it uses words very precisely. Only one word will do – never a similar word used in place of the perfect one.<BR/><BR/>Bob, I’m really looking forward to your analysis of Obama’s speech.Rickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10589423819039764711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-43488389875361415782008-08-26T21:40:00.000-07:002008-08-26T21:40:00.000-07:00That dissafected dame mentions the Clash song "Sho...That dissafected dame mentions the Clash song "Should I Stay or Should I Go". The song that comes to mind for me is, "Keep away from Runaround Sue". <BR/><BR/>Also, interesting how Darwinists and libs both persist in their denial of the existece of pure evil. I think there may be two reasons for that:<BR/>1. It would force them to acknowldege the existence of God. Gaia Forbid!!<BR/>2. It would shatter their Utopianism, that inconvenient fact that there is inherent evil inside mankind. That lurking evil makes having a worldwide Koombayah campfire rather unlikely, just as it brought a quick end to the Summer of Love in Frisco. Evil is with us always, and makes such unpleasantries as war and punishment necessary to reign it in to the extent that civilization can function. When the events of the last chapter of Revelation are fulfilled, it will cease, but, until then, we must persist in combatting it wherever it rises up, whether that be Burma or Berkeley.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-24736370322495073872008-08-26T20:42:00.000-07:002008-08-26T20:42:00.000-07:00Hey!, that's the most realistic picture of Neander...Hey!, that's the most realistic picture of Neanderthal I've ever seen! Kind of reminds me of some of the people I know. :O) HO!<BR/><BR/>Just my personal off-the-cabeza domino effect theory of history about the mess that some the northern Europeans are in: the neanderthals never really died! The form just changed and indwelling spirits transmigrated to humans who now occupy much of the geography of that area! HA! It explains everything! :O) HO!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-82290748316028122882008-08-26T19:58:00.000-07:002008-08-26T19:58:00.000-07:00"Well- if the truth were known, some of the Sapien..."Well- if the truth were known, some of the Sapiens dudes would sometimes get a little too drunk on cave beer, and go for a Neanderthal chick if they thought no one was looking- that's how we got hippies."<BR/><BR/>Oh, so <I>that's</I> where they came from. Obviously, I was never taught the True facts of life.<BR/><BR/>:Djuliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15975754287030568726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-79850521294020594442008-08-26T19:27:00.000-07:002008-08-26T19:27:00.000-07:00Van, Julie:*sigh*You two obviously have no idea of...Van, Julie:<BR/>*sigh*<BR/>You two obviously have no idea of how the brutal hand of Natural Selection sweeps one specie (Neanderthals) aside for another (that would be us). You see- Homo Sapiens evolved music and dance as a way to get babes. Neanderthals depended on the the tried-and-true, 'catch her from behind and club her a good one' mthod. Eventually all the Neanderthal chicks started trying to hang out with the Sapiens dudes, but the Sapiens dudes would have none of it. Who wants a chick who's hairier than you, eats her meat live, and can kick you ass in a fight? Well- if the truth were known, some of the Sapiens dudes would sometimes get a little too drunk on cave beer, and go for a Neanderthal chick if they thought no one was looking- that's how we got hippies.<BR/>Anyway- the Neanderthal guys weren't getting any loving. They were too stupid to get the hang of music, they couldn't even rap. So they got the Blues, but couldn't make songs about it. All that Blue backed up inside them, and they just got too sad to carry on. The Neanderthals just faded away, man.<BR/><BR/>JWMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-49179560925313625842008-08-26T19:26:00.000-07:002008-08-26T19:26:00.000-07:00Yeah, the 'all relationships are power-struggles' ...Yeah, the 'all relationships are power-struggles' one.<BR/><BR/>yawn.Van Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08470413719262297062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-11494181912668340272008-08-26T19:22:00.000-07:002008-08-26T19:22:00.000-07:00"You can't fire your mateCan you fire your leg?Not..."You can't fire your mate<BR/><BR/>Can you fire your leg?<BR/><BR/>Not without a saw..."<BR/><BR/>Precisely what I was thinking. Just not quite so graphically. :)Susannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16381272662339466736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-13728962298568341882008-08-26T19:04:00.000-07:002008-08-26T19:04:00.000-07:00I'm guessing it's the "80% of my posts revolve aro...I'm guessing it's the "80% of my posts revolve around my sexual proclivities" anon.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-31296718461248125612008-08-26T18:15:00.000-07:002008-08-26T18:15:00.000-07:00Hoarhey said "Does your universe revolve around yo...Hoarhey said "Does your universe revolve around your crotch?"<BR/><BR/>Ooh! One of the best lines ever!<BR/><BR/>" And lastly, are you serious?"<BR/><BR/>Yes, Why ssso ssserious?Van Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08470413719262297062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-6533146107939281922008-08-26T17:18:00.000-07:002008-08-26T17:18:00.000-07:00Anon,Is "delivering good sex" a "must have" expect...Anon,<BR/><BR/>Is "delivering good sex" a "must have" expectation? <BR/>Should it be on a regularly scheduled delivery or on as "as needed" basis?<BR/>Which partner carries the delivery burden?<BR/>Which determines the need?<BR/>And which partner has the ultimate authority in determining the schedule?<BR/>Does your universe revolve around your crotch?<BR/>And lastly, are you serious?<BR/>Enquiring minds want to know.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-56417479287022349292008-08-26T17:12:00.000-07:002008-08-26T17:12:00.000-07:00That prayer... man. I might become a priest just s...That prayer... man. I might become a priest just so I can stand up in things like that and say "O Heavenly King..."<BR/><BR/>(Not a good reason to become a priest, but still...)<BR/><BR/>Oh, and anony<BR/><BR/>You can't fire your mate<BR/><BR/>Can you fire your leg?<BR/><BR/>Not without a saw...Ephrem Antony Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00032465992619034619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-67806984435013213382008-08-26T16:47:00.000-07:002008-08-26T16:47:00.000-07:00Well, Julie, I see your point. Settling for the a...Well, Julie, I see your point. Settling for the absolute minimum is not the best way to live. Some happy medium would be the best; sex, money, converstation, and a little something more...<BR/><BR/>And, I don't agree that marriage should be done away with. Children need their parents in one for psychogical stability.<BR/><BR/>But aside from that, the hunt for the mate that "makes you happy" is a spiritual blunder. Better to be mateless than to load the union with the burden of your happiness.<BR/><BR/>"Ease and Grace." These are the good things; peaceful serenity is the state you seek. Your mate cannot give this state to you, nor take it away. That is the take-home message.<BR/><BR/>So, the woman in the essay, in her roundabout way, was trying to say just that. Divorce is an option that you need in your arsenal of options, just like the option to quit a job, hire an employee, take a sabbatical, or what have you. If no exit can be seen for the marriage, then the inevitable resualt is high anxiety.<BR/><BR/>So, be ready, willing, and able to "fire" your mate if they become untenable. If you can't face losing your mate, then you are pinned and cannot have ease and grace.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-65917187512142977742008-08-26T16:13:00.000-07:002008-08-26T16:13:00.000-07:00The concluding paragraphs? You mean, like this one...The concluding paragraphs? You mean, like this one:<BR/><BR/>"Maybe one day, marriage -- like the human appendix, male nipples, or your pinky toes -- will become a vestigial structure that will, in a millennium or two, be obsolete. Our great-great-great-grandchildren's grandchildren will ask each other in passing, "Remember marriage? What was its function again? Was it that maladaptive organ that intermittently produced gastrointestinal antigens and sometimes got so inflamed that it painfully erupted?""<BR/><BR/>Or was it this part:<BR/><BR/>"The more readily we acknowledge the solid utility of marriage (as one friend's husband put it, "I'm essentially a checkbook and a sperm bank -- but I'm okay with that!")"<BR/><BR/>No marriage - no <I>human relationship</I>, for that matter - is perfect, and anyone who thinks otherwise is setting themselves up for major disappointment, I agree.<BR/><BR/>But.<BR/><BR/>"If you load relationships with expectations you will create misery."<BR/><BR/>You mean, expectations such as fidelity, trust, partnership, <I>friendship</I>? Why in the world <I>wouldn't</I> you have those expectations? This is a relationship which, ideally, will last as long as you both live. If you <I>don't</I> have a few very basic expectations, a few transcendent ideals which you strive to attain together, you're going to be deeply miserable. The loss of any of the above expectations would probably be a deal-breaker for me. There is far more to a good marriage than sex, money and conversation.<BR/><BR/>Life is too short and precious to spend it with someone who doesn't bring you joy, more often than not. I realize that's a rare and precious thing to find these days, not least because to have true joy in someone else you must be able to be happy within yourself. But it's an Absolutely worthy goal.juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15975754287030568726noreply@blogger.com