Leon Redbone, 127 years old, has passed on.
Leon Redbone, An Unusual Singer From A Bygone Era, Has Died
Leon Redbone, An Unusual Singer From A Bygone Era, Has Died
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2WDDgv5
vendredi 31 mai 2019
Please Don't Talk About Leon Redbone When He's Gone
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2WDDgv5
Chrome and Adblock
Google decide they don't want software that blocks advertising to work on their browser.
https://www.cnet.com/news/google-hol...k-ad-blockers/
Doesn't this just mean that everyone will use a different browser?
https://www.cnet.com/news/google-hol...k-ad-blockers/
Doesn't this just mean that everyone will use a different browser?
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2WGhOWw
jeudi 30 mai 2019
Another reason to watch baseball on TV (if at all).
Bet you didn't know this: 1700 baseball fans are injured by foul balls every year, and some have been killed.
https://edition.cnn.com/2019/05/30/u...ers/index.html
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/...r100r06up20m9f
Quote:
|
Injuries to fans at ballparks have become increasingly common, said Nathaniel Grow, an associate professor of business law and ethics at Indiana University in Bloomington. About 1,750 fans are hurt each year by foul balls at MLB games, citing an analysis by Bloomberg, said a study Grow and another academic published last year in the William & Mary Law Review. |
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/...r100r06up20m9f
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/30OZ7Po
US Army PR tweet doesn't quite get the intended result
Last week, the US Army's official Twitter account posted a short video of a young soldier in training (or perhaps recently out of it), explaining that Army life has made him a "better man and warrior". The account then followed up with a tweet asking the public, simply,
What follows is perhaps one of the saddest and most depressing Twitter "threads" I've ever read, as for days literally hundreds of former servicemen and women of varying ages, along with children and family members of veterans, have told stories of injuries, illnesses, alcoholism, domestic violence, rapes, debilitating PTSD, suicides, and a common thread of refusal of help by military and veteran's services. Tales of formerly bright and vibrant young people returning from deployments and rarely leaving their rooms, veterans having to do their grocery shopping at night because they cannot handle crowds, and broken, perpetually-drunk fathers who survived Vietnam and made their children swear while young that they would never join the military, abound.
Needless to say, most definitely not the kinds of comments the tweet was fishing for; and they throw into sharp relief how poorly at least this country looks after the people it asks so much of.
Quote:
|
How has serving impacted you? |
Needless to say, most definitely not the kinds of comments the tweet was fishing for; and they throw into sharp relief how poorly at least this country looks after the people it asks so much of.
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2QCdXnD
Next scam iteration
They keep on trying this crap because a small percentage will continue to fall for it.
Recieved via SMS
DNS query shows the URL goes to Moscow.
Recieved via SMS
DNS query shows the URL goes to Moscow.
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2EJEJpk
F. Stefani et al. A Model of a Tidally Synchronized Solar Dynamo
Study corroborates the influence of planetary tidal forces on solar activity
https://phys.org/news/2019-05-corrob...dal-solar.html
"In principle, it is not unusual for the magnetic activity of a star like the sun to undergo cyclic oscillation. And yet past models have been unable to adequately explain the very regular cycle of the sun. The HZDR research team has now succeeded in demonstrating that the planetary tidal forces on the sun act like an outer clock, and are the decisive factor behind its steady rhythm. To accomplish this result, the scientists systematically compared historical observations of solar activity from the last thousand years with planetary constellations, statistically proving that the two phenomena are linked. "There is an astonishingly high level of concordance: what we see is complete parallelism with the planets over the course of 90 cycles," said Frank Stefani, lead author of the study. "Everything points to a clocked process.""
Is this ok for today physics?
For today model an atoms?
🤔
https://phys.org/news/2019-05-corrob...dal-solar.html
"In principle, it is not unusual for the magnetic activity of a star like the sun to undergo cyclic oscillation. And yet past models have been unable to adequately explain the very regular cycle of the sun. The HZDR research team has now succeeded in demonstrating that the planetary tidal forces on the sun act like an outer clock, and are the decisive factor behind its steady rhythm. To accomplish this result, the scientists systematically compared historical observations of solar activity from the last thousand years with planetary constellations, statistically proving that the two phenomena are linked. "There is an astonishingly high level of concordance: what we see is complete parallelism with the planets over the course of 90 cycles," said Frank Stefani, lead author of the study. "Everything points to a clocked process.""
Is this ok for today physics?
For today model an atoms?
🤔
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2EI2f6r
Robert Mueller, Trump's Best Friend
For two years, Trump had no better defender than Robert Mueller. And he still is shielding Trump from any consequences, political or otherwise.
In his Report, and in his statement, Mueller made clear that early on he made the decision that charging Trump was not an option, and that only through Impeachment a sitting President could be removed.
The MOMENT he made that decision would have been the time to inform Congress that if they are considering Impeachment, they would have to do their own inquiry.
By taking over the legal aspects of the Russian interference, Mueller made it next to impossible for others to do their own investigation without interfering in his. That would have been ok if he had provided his work product as it developed, so that Congress could decide to join in or do their own thing at any point.
But after blocking the investigation for two years he is coming out with a "Yeah, I was never going to do what everyone expected me to do" statement he is de facto robbing Congress of its ability to do an Impeachment in a timely manner to the offense.
What is the point of the Power of Impeachment when it takes more than four years to do it methodically instead of for purely political reasons?
Mueller is kidding himself if he thinks he did the right thing.
Screw you, Bob Mueller.
In his Report, and in his statement, Mueller made clear that early on he made the decision that charging Trump was not an option, and that only through Impeachment a sitting President could be removed.
The MOMENT he made that decision would have been the time to inform Congress that if they are considering Impeachment, they would have to do their own inquiry.
By taking over the legal aspects of the Russian interference, Mueller made it next to impossible for others to do their own investigation without interfering in his. That would have been ok if he had provided his work product as it developed, so that Congress could decide to join in or do their own thing at any point.
But after blocking the investigation for two years he is coming out with a "Yeah, I was never going to do what everyone expected me to do" statement he is de facto robbing Congress of its ability to do an Impeachment in a timely manner to the offense.
What is the point of the Power of Impeachment when it takes more than four years to do it methodically instead of for purely political reasons?
Mueller is kidding himself if he thinks he did the right thing.
Screw you, Bob Mueller.
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2I6CzkF
mercredi 29 mai 2019
Grounds for a lawsuit?
Iggy Azalea Says She's "Disturbed" By Men's Reactions To Topless Photos Leaking On Social Media (Buzzfeed, safe for work)
She posed for a photo shoot for GQ magazine in 2016. Now some topless "outtake" photos from that photoshoot that she didn't consent to having published have "leaked" onto the internet. Are the magazine and/or the photographer liable?
She posed for a photo shoot for GQ magazine in 2016. Now some topless "outtake" photos from that photoshoot that she didn't consent to having published have "leaked" onto the internet. Are the magazine and/or the photographer liable?
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2ETKnFR
Private New York school agrees to diversify after "mock slave auction" incident
The Chapel School, a private school in Bronxville around 15 miles north of New York City, has agreed to initiatives for diversifying its faculty and student body after a recent investigation by the NYAG's office.
The problem reached a boiling point in March after a teacher at the school conducted a "mock slave auction":
That teacher was subsequently fired after parents' complaints about the incident, but a state investigation revealed a prior history of parental complaints about incidents of racial insensitivity and discrimination at the school which were never addressed by administrators.
I've heard of some positively brain-dead exercise ideas by teachers before, but I have to say that one truly takes the flatline cake. What on Earth did he possibly expect fifth-graders to absorb from that reenactment, and could he truly think of no better way to convey that message than by humiliating his students?
The problem reached a boiling point in March after a teacher at the school conducted a "mock slave auction":
Quote:
|
The investigation found that in March, in two separate fifth-grade social studies classes, a teacher asked all of the African-American students in each class to raise their hands, and then instructed them to exit the classroom and stand in the hallway. The teacher then placed imaginary chains or “shackles,” on these students’ necks, wrists, and ankles, and had them walk back into the classroom. The teacher then instructed the African-American students to line up against the wall, and proceeded to conduct a simulated auction of the African-American students in front of the rest of the class. These “auctions” reenacted the sale of African-American students to their white counterparts. The investigation found that the teacher’s reenactments in the two classes had a profoundly negative effect on all of the students present – especially the African-American students – and the school community at large. |
I've heard of some positively brain-dead exercise ideas by teachers before, but I have to say that one truly takes the flatline cake. What on Earth did he possibly expect fifth-graders to absorb from that reenactment, and could he truly think of no better way to convey that message than by humiliating his students?
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2Wbc2wA
"London is no longer an English City"
...Says actor and writer John Cleese, best known as Basil Fawlty and Monty Python stalwart.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-48451384
Is there such a thing as an 'English city' or is Cleese using code for , 'too many immigrants'. Or does he have a fair point and is being censored?
Quote:
|
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has criticised John Cleese after the Fawlty Towers legend said the capital was "not really an English city any more". The former Monty Python star tweeted: "Virtually all my friends from abroad have confirmed my observation. So there must be some truth in it..." |
Is there such a thing as an 'English city' or is Cleese using code for , 'too many immigrants'. Or does he have a fair point and is being censored?
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2KiCSvg
Why is the extraction of rare earths so hazardous?
Not going to link to news stories, but apparently ~90% of the world's supply of processed rare earths comes from China.
Despite their name, rare earths are not rare. They are, however, difficult to separate (from the ores), and apparently the usual separation processes can be quite harmful, environmentally speaking (cited as one reason why the main US site/plant was shut down, and why the only "big" one still operating outside China is not in Australia but Malaysia).
But what is it about the processing that is so nasty?
Despite their name, rare earths are not rare. They are, however, difficult to separate (from the ores), and apparently the usual separation processes can be quite harmful, environmentally speaking (cited as one reason why the main US site/plant was shut down, and why the only "big" one still operating outside China is not in Australia but Malaysia).
But what is it about the processing that is so nasty?
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2YPTbns
Enjoying a Memorial Day picnic while black
Franklin Richardson, a National Guard sergeant who just returned from a 9-month deployment to the Middle East, and his wife Jessica decided to take their dog and have a picnic at Oktibbeha County Lake in Mississippi, a site run by Kampgrounds of America. No sooner had they gotten lakeside than a truck pulled up and a white woman emerged from the vehicle with a gun in her hand - finger on the trigger, according to Jessica Richardson. She started yelling at them that she was a campground employee, repeatedly saying that they "didn't belong" and needed to "git!", and that reservations were required to use the lake. Jessica took out her phone and the video has gone viral.
Franklin Richardson at the time was incensed at being threatened with the gun, saying that he had been unaware that reservations were required and the employee would've only had to say as much to move them along, but that preemptively pulling a gun on them - particularly over such a trifle - was utterly out of line.
But it turns out that the employee wasn't even right; as the Richardsons were leaving the campground they came across another employee - the first employee's husband it turned out (the pair manage the campground as a husband-and-wife team) - who immediately told them that they didn't need any reservations to use the lake at all, a fact later confirmed by a statement from KOA proper saying that visitors are merely encouraged to register upon arrival.
The employee who pulled a gun on the Richardsons has been fired by KOA.
Franklin Richardson at the time was incensed at being threatened with the gun, saying that he had been unaware that reservations were required and the employee would've only had to say as much to move them along, but that preemptively pulling a gun on them - particularly over such a trifle - was utterly out of line.
But it turns out that the employee wasn't even right; as the Richardsons were leaving the campground they came across another employee - the first employee's husband it turned out (the pair manage the campground as a husband-and-wife team) - who immediately told them that they didn't need any reservations to use the lake at all, a fact later confirmed by a statement from KOA proper saying that visitors are merely encouraged to register upon arrival.
The employee who pulled a gun on the Richardsons has been fired by KOA.
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2I5BR7p
Are vaccines as safe as can be?
I'll start by saying that
I don't oppose vaccines for anyone who wants them for themselves or their children.
and
I have never and would never advise anyone to not vaccinate.
A more accurate moniker than 'anti-vaxxer' would be 'vaccine safety awareness advocate', but I guess that's too much of a mouthful.
'Anti-vaxxer' is an inaccurate term meant to be derogatory and divisive, when in reality, we all want vaccines to be as safe as can be.
I will present evidence that the regulatory agencies responsible for vaccine safety are not properly doing their jobs. Cronyism and conflicts of interest abound.
[ed: But before we get into the cronyism and conflicts of interest...]
A study by Harvard estimates that only 1% of vaccine adverse reactions are reported. Even if they're off by a factor of 10, that would still mean 90% of reactions go unreported.
How can safety be properly monitored if only a tiny fraction of reactions are reported?
Here's 7 minutes of Dr. Stanley Plotkin, renown and fiercely pro-vaccine vaccinologist, attempting damage control.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3x0rQT_eSw
I don't oppose vaccines for anyone who wants them for themselves or their children.
and
I have never and would never advise anyone to not vaccinate.
A more accurate moniker than 'anti-vaxxer' would be 'vaccine safety awareness advocate', but I guess that's too much of a mouthful.
'Anti-vaxxer' is an inaccurate term meant to be derogatory and divisive, when in reality, we all want vaccines to be as safe as can be.
I will present evidence that the regulatory agencies responsible for vaccine safety are not properly doing their jobs. Cronyism and conflicts of interest abound.
[ed: But before we get into the cronyism and conflicts of interest...]
A study by Harvard estimates that only 1% of vaccine adverse reactions are reported. Even if they're off by a factor of 10, that would still mean 90% of reactions go unreported.
How can safety be properly monitored if only a tiny fraction of reactions are reported?
Here's 7 minutes of Dr. Stanley Plotkin, renown and fiercely pro-vaccine vaccinologist, attempting damage control.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3x0rQT_eSw
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2KbcnYH
Hannity wants to see if he can make you vomit
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2QyxlSD
Boris Johnson to face charges for Misconduct in a Public Office
Boris Johnson to face charges for Misconduct in a Public Office
Awesome news. There was so much lying and cheating in that EU referendum. It's about time someone was called to account for it.
Interestingly, the maximum sentence for Misconduct in a Public Office is life imprisonment. Obviously BoJo would face a lot less than that, but if he wins the Tory Party leadership contest, we could in theory see a serving Prime Minister sent to prison. Just when you thought UK politics couldn't get any worse.
Do the lawyers on this forum have any thoughts on whether the prosecution is likely to be successful?
Awesome news. There was so much lying and cheating in that EU referendum. It's about time someone was called to account for it.
Interestingly, the maximum sentence for Misconduct in a Public Office is life imprisonment. Obviously BoJo would face a lot less than that, but if he wins the Tory Party leadership contest, we could in theory see a serving Prime Minister sent to prison. Just when you thought UK politics couldn't get any worse.
Do the lawyers on this forum have any thoughts on whether the prosecution is likely to be successful?
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2XlQwS0
Missouri wins the race!
So it looks like Missouri will be the first state to have a defacto total ban on abortion this week.
"St. Louis, Missouri — The last remaining abortion clinic in Missouri says it expects to be shut down this week, effectively ending legal abortion in the state.
In a statement Tuesday, Planned Parenthood said Missouri's health department is "refusing to renew" its annual license to provide abortion in the state. If the license is not renewed by May 31, Missouri would become the first state without a functioning abortion clinic since 1973 when Roe v. Wade was decided."
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/planned...ve-2019-05-28/
When will people learn that sex isn't for the poor it is really only for middle class and above?
"St. Louis, Missouri — The last remaining abortion clinic in Missouri says it expects to be shut down this week, effectively ending legal abortion in the state.
In a statement Tuesday, Planned Parenthood said Missouri's health department is "refusing to renew" its annual license to provide abortion in the state. If the license is not renewed by May 31, Missouri would become the first state without a functioning abortion clinic since 1973 when Roe v. Wade was decided."
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/planned...ve-2019-05-28/
When will people learn that sex isn't for the poor it is really only for middle class and above?
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2EGDjMB
mardi 28 mai 2019
NY Times Article on UFO sighting
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/26/u...vy-pilots.html
I was wondering if anyone saw this. Normally I dismiss these things but since it is in the N.Y. Times I trust it more.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I was wondering if anyone saw this. Normally I dismiss these things but since it is in the N.Y. Times I trust it more.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2EFS6XF
Demand evidence
1- We see that the natural and healthy desires of the people are generally in return (for example, the existence / presence of water as a response to the desire for drinking water, etc.).
2- So it is wiser to think that paradise exists.
2- So it is wiser to think that paradise exists.
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2WyPSU6
Barack Obama: "Unlike some people *cough*Michelle Obama*cough*...
... I write my own books."
Not a direct quote.
Not a direct quote.
The writing has been going more slowly than he’d expected, and according to several people who have spoken with him, the 44th president is feeling competitive with his wife, whose own book, Becoming, was the biggest release of 2018 and is on track to be the best-selling memoir in history. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, like others in this story, these sources note he’ll occasionally say in conversation that he’s writing this book himself, while Michelle used a ghostwriter.Now, this is all anonymous hearsay, and the Atlantic is not your friend. So while this may be an amusing (or annoying) bit of gossip, I'd recommend taking it with a grain of salt.
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics...ection/590056/
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2MomLPs
Naomi Wolf boobs
Naomi Wolf has just published a book about marginalisation of gay men in Victorian society. However, the central thesis, that men were being executed for sodomy, appears to be based on a complete misunderstanding of a legal term, "death recorded", which actually meant the opposite.
This was, somewhat embarrassingly, revealed during an interview with historian Matthew Sweet intended to publicise the book on BBC radio (revelation is around 21'30", relevant section starts around 19').
This was, somewhat embarrassingly, revealed during an interview with historian Matthew Sweet intended to publicise the book on BBC radio (revelation is around 21'30", relevant section starts around 19').
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2WuSHWk
Homo luzonensis?
A new hobbit is found, but even smaller. Maybe a gnome? Or are these elves?
A new species of Homo from the Late Pleistocene of the Philippines
[yt]MGN2DvDYWgc[/yt]
A new species of Homo from the Late Pleistocene of the Philippines
[yt]MGN2DvDYWgc[/yt]
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2HFf5E6
lundi 27 mai 2019
Fun with the Mercator projection
I'm sure we all know that it exaggerates size more and more towards the poles, but the extent of it is nicely shown in this animation. I bumped into it by accidentally learning that Great Britain is the world's 8th largest island, which surprised me
The animation
The animation
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2VRPxb0
Murray Gell-Mann 15 Sep 1929-24 May 2019
Murray Gell-Mann died Friday. Some of us met him at TAM 4 in 2006, and I remember a failed attempt to invite him to dinner at the restaurant at Star Trek: The Experience.
Santa Fe Institute's "In memoriam" page for MGM
Santa Fe Institute's "In memoriam" page for MGM
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/30OGTNV
Modelling population growth
In another thread a discussion of generation time emerged and I made a statement that we don't want to look only at the average age at which a mother gives birth, because earlier births cause more growth than is "lost" to late births.
I'm not sure if that makes sense, and spending a couple of minutes trying to model it I started to think I may actually be wrong here.
Here's two simple models, and for simplicity (I don't think it changes the point) let's assume cloning. Also assume all children survive and produce children at the same rate.
Model 1: Each mother gives birth at age 30 to a litter of 3 children.
Model 2: Each mother gives birth to 1 child at age 20, 1 at 30, and 1 at 40.
After say 500 years will the populations of these two models differ? They both have the same mother's average age of giving birth, but just intuitively it seems like those children who are born after 20 years and thus start giving birth to more kids early will have a disproportionately large effect on the total population later in time.
Am I wrong? I could just add up all the kids in each generation but that's a lot of work and it's not clear to me how to simply calculate the total population after x years in the second model.
My poor math skills are showing. :blush:
I'm not sure if that makes sense, and spending a couple of minutes trying to model it I started to think I may actually be wrong here.
Here's two simple models, and for simplicity (I don't think it changes the point) let's assume cloning. Also assume all children survive and produce children at the same rate.
Model 1: Each mother gives birth at age 30 to a litter of 3 children.
Model 2: Each mother gives birth to 1 child at age 20, 1 at 30, and 1 at 40.
After say 500 years will the populations of these two models differ? They both have the same mother's average age of giving birth, but just intuitively it seems like those children who are born after 20 years and thus start giving birth to more kids early will have a disproportionately large effect on the total population later in time.
Am I wrong? I could just add up all the kids in each generation but that's a lot of work and it's not clear to me how to simply calculate the total population after x years in the second model.
My poor math skills are showing. :blush:
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2wqK0gY
dimanche 26 mai 2019
Should Martin Luther King Jr's statue be torn down?
It seems like that would be the right thing to do.
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2I0LcNy
WTF has happened to 'skepticism'
Has it always been this way and I haven't seen it? Or has something changed?
'Skepticism' is a term that never sat easy with me and not one I self-described as but it was one that I used to think meant people were prepared to consider issues and take on board nuanced points of view.
Now it seems to have just become a haven for bigots, right-wing idiots and general ***** who want to be able to abuse and harass people under the banner of freedom of speech and selectively apply 'facts' to discriminate against people they don't like.
Richard Dawkins went down the rabbit hole pretty quickly, Sam Harris has followed him. But it seems to now be a hiding place for bigots to pretend that they just want 'freedom of speech' or an 'honest discussion' to abuse people that they disagree with.
We have the loathesome Sargon of Akkad campaigning for the awful UKIP now. Nobody who actually values analysis, thought and freedom would ever support UKIP. But there we have it.
So WTF is going on?
Has skepticism just become a haven for bigots, transphobes, racists, islamophobes, misogynists and general ne'erdowells under the freedom of 'just discussing facts'?
It's pathetic, really. When the woo-sters are more accepting of other people than those who value critical thinking. Where is the value in this community?
'Skepticism' is a term that never sat easy with me and not one I self-described as but it was one that I used to think meant people were prepared to consider issues and take on board nuanced points of view.
Now it seems to have just become a haven for bigots, right-wing idiots and general ***** who want to be able to abuse and harass people under the banner of freedom of speech and selectively apply 'facts' to discriminate against people they don't like.
Richard Dawkins went down the rabbit hole pretty quickly, Sam Harris has followed him. But it seems to now be a hiding place for bigots to pretend that they just want 'freedom of speech' or an 'honest discussion' to abuse people that they disagree with.
We have the loathesome Sargon of Akkad campaigning for the awful UKIP now. Nobody who actually values analysis, thought and freedom would ever support UKIP. But there we have it.
So WTF is going on?
Has skepticism just become a haven for bigots, transphobes, racists, islamophobes, misogynists and general ne'erdowells under the freedom of 'just discussing facts'?
It's pathetic, really. When the woo-sters are more accepting of other people than those who value critical thinking. Where is the value in this community?
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2QxL6Bb
Facebook bans account after user posts MAGA hat collection
Kate Kretz is an artist who has posted examples of her occasionally-provocative work in the past on Facebook without incident for the most part; however, her most recent set of works posted earlier this month which prominently featured the red Trump-slogan hats as the central subject were deemed over the line and removed, claimed by Facebook to be "hate speech". When she reposted the works with a disclaimer protesting that the MAGA hats weren't hate-speech, Facebook disabled her account.
Quote:
|
“It’s really a giant mistake. I have no way of knowing if the trolls got together to report it, or if it was Facebook’s image software. Either someone saw an opportunity, or I’m a victim of a faulty system.” Kretz described feeling powerless in her situation. “I have to be able to show my art. This is my business.” For 30 years she’s been a working artist and has spent the last 10 years on Facebook where she posts images of her artwork. She likens the social media platform to her own carefully-curated mailing list. “We provide a lot of content for them. I get a lot from Facebook, but I also give a lot. When you do business with someone you always get your work back. I have no recourse to get back my own info and content back from them.” |
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2M8mUXl
The European Parliamentary Elections
So, how do you think the European Elections will go?
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2YQV6br
Keep a lion in your backyard....
The family of a young woman killed by a lion in what sounds like a wildly unfit "zoo" is demanding tougher regulations. I was startled by this:
https://www.greensboro.com/ap/north_...25ecdbc2c.html
So if you can put a lion in your backyard, you can keep him -- until he eats you.
The story is also horrifying in that keepers and cops apparently tried to tranquilize the lion for hours until cops finally shot it. Some suspect that the woman might have survived if she had gotten immediate medical help.
Quote:
|
North Carolina is one of just four states with no laws controlling ownership of non-native big cats. Its rules for owning other wild animals are generally lax. |
So if you can put a lion in your backyard, you can keep him -- until he eats you.
The story is also horrifying in that keepers and cops apparently tried to tranquilize the lion for hours until cops finally shot it. Some suspect that the woman might have survived if she had gotten immediate medical help.
Quote:
|
“It seems clear that if the center had a real plan for how it would react in such a situation, it had rarely or never been practiced,” Black concluded in her letter. “The center apparently made an early decision that she had died, and the priority became saving the lion.” Alex’s body was motionless, her status “unclear,” when law enforcement arrived, the sheriff’s report said. When they finally reached her, she had bled out and died, the autopsy found. |
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2WlilNl
Do not worry about destructive human practices.
It is really important that the free world has been supported by these experiments.
In breaking news 50% of megabiomass has been reduced since these noble scientific endeavours began. From David Attenborough on Netflix.
There is no correlation, but ISF members might reflect.
This link shows something Donald Trump is unlikely to acknowledge.
https://phys.org/news/2019-05-dome-p...n-leaking.html
In breaking news 50% of megabiomass has been reduced since these noble scientific endeavours began. From David Attenborough on Netflix.
There is no correlation, but ISF members might reflect.
This link shows something Donald Trump is unlikely to acknowledge.
https://phys.org/news/2019-05-dome-p...n-leaking.html
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2whzk4o
samedi 25 mai 2019
Missing Hiker on Maui Found
https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/25/us/hi...und/index.html
She was hiking alone. The last time I went on long hike I injured myself, but I was not alone. Good thing too as I got a helicopter ride out of the forest near the north-east shore of Oahu.
Maybe this will be the last time she goes hiking alone. :)
Ranb
Quote:
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More than two weeks ago, Amanda Eller hiked into a forest in Hawaii and disappeared. Since then, rescuers such as Javier Cantellops have scoured the Makawao Forest Reserve on the island of Maui, searching for the 35-year-old physical therapist and yoga instructor. Their hard work finally paid off Friday when they looked down from a helicopter and saw Eller between two waterfalls, walking barefoot through a ravine, waving her arms. |
Quote:
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Her mother, Julia Eller, told KHON that her daughter's leg was fractured and would require additional treatment, but she was otherwise in "surprisingly good shape." She lost about 15 pounds, according to Cantellops. |
Ranb
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2HD5cXG
Disunity in The United Church.
The church that many saw as a beacon of light in Christendom, a church of fused denominations rather than a splinter of another, is showing signs of rupture.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-...tance/11082926
The gay thing is such a big, big, deal for so many Christians. Why is this so? Scripture is referred to with due reverence, whereas scripture on so many other issues is ignored.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-...tance/11082926
Quote:
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The Uniting Church is facing growing unrest as conservative factions push for it to reverse its decision to allow ministers to perform same-sex marriages. |
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2JDTMoL
I Was a Teenage JFK Conspiracy Freak
Forum members might be interested in my book, "I Was a Teenage JFK Conspiracy Freak."
Fred Litwin recounts how he became a JFK conspiracy freak at eighteen, and then slowly moved to believe that Lee Harvey Oswald was the lone assassin.
I Was a Teenage JFK Conspiracy Freak demonstrates how the left and right have used the JFK assassination to drive home myths about power in America. There is also the persecution of a gay man prosecuted for conspiring to kill Kennedy, the ugly story of Oliver Stone’s homophobic film JFK, an exposé of conspiracy nonsense on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, a look at how the Soviets tried to influence American public opinion that CIA was behind the murder, and the incredible secret why some JFK assassination documents must remain locked up. And a whole lot more.
“As a young man growing up in the heyday of Kennedy assassination theorizing, Fred Litwin believed a conspiracy killed JFK. And then he grew, and he studied and he researched. The result is this volume, a thorough, cogent and meticulously argued case for a lone assassin. A seasoned conspiracy skeptic will learn new things here, and a conspiracy believer open to looking at the other side could do no better than this volume.”
-John McAdams, Associate Professor of Political Science at Marquette University and author of JFK Assassination Logic: How to Think about Claims of Conspiracy
"This is a great book for conspiracy buffs—and, more important, for those who debunk such theories. Fred Litwin does a terrific job in blowing up the myriad JFK assassination scenarios, not least in completely demolishing The Fifth Estate’s decades-long efforts to “uncover” the truth. The CBC’s lead investigative show is revealed here to be more than slightly unhinged.”
-J.L. Granatstein, Author of Who Killed Canadian History?
“In Fred Litwin's marvelous book, he charts how he went from an early skeptic to someone dedicated to dissecting their arguments and carefully tearing them apart. He puts the final nail in the coffin of all the conspiracy theorists, who develop new ones as old theories are proven wrong. Everyone still concerned with JFK's death and thinks it's a mystery must read this book. They will be glad they did.”
-Ronald Radosh, Professor Emeritus of History at CUNY, opinion columnist for The Daily Beast and co-author of A Safe Haven: Harry S. Truman and the Founding of Israel
“Mr. Litwin’s book is the best in many, many years in dealing with the truth about this horrendous piece of history…and exposing the fakirs, cons and opportunists who often call themselves ‘historians.’ A fine presentation!”
-Hugh Aynesworth, Author of November 22, 1963: Witness to History and JFK: Breaking the News
Fred Litwin recounts how he became a JFK conspiracy freak at eighteen, and then slowly moved to believe that Lee Harvey Oswald was the lone assassin.
I Was a Teenage JFK Conspiracy Freak demonstrates how the left and right have used the JFK assassination to drive home myths about power in America. There is also the persecution of a gay man prosecuted for conspiring to kill Kennedy, the ugly story of Oliver Stone’s homophobic film JFK, an exposé of conspiracy nonsense on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, a look at how the Soviets tried to influence American public opinion that CIA was behind the murder, and the incredible secret why some JFK assassination documents must remain locked up. And a whole lot more.
“As a young man growing up in the heyday of Kennedy assassination theorizing, Fred Litwin believed a conspiracy killed JFK. And then he grew, and he studied and he researched. The result is this volume, a thorough, cogent and meticulously argued case for a lone assassin. A seasoned conspiracy skeptic will learn new things here, and a conspiracy believer open to looking at the other side could do no better than this volume.”
-John McAdams, Associate Professor of Political Science at Marquette University and author of JFK Assassination Logic: How to Think about Claims of Conspiracy
"This is a great book for conspiracy buffs—and, more important, for those who debunk such theories. Fred Litwin does a terrific job in blowing up the myriad JFK assassination scenarios, not least in completely demolishing The Fifth Estate’s decades-long efforts to “uncover” the truth. The CBC’s lead investigative show is revealed here to be more than slightly unhinged.”
-J.L. Granatstein, Author of Who Killed Canadian History?
“In Fred Litwin's marvelous book, he charts how he went from an early skeptic to someone dedicated to dissecting their arguments and carefully tearing them apart. He puts the final nail in the coffin of all the conspiracy theorists, who develop new ones as old theories are proven wrong. Everyone still concerned with JFK's death and thinks it's a mystery must read this book. They will be glad they did.”
-Ronald Radosh, Professor Emeritus of History at CUNY, opinion columnist for The Daily Beast and co-author of A Safe Haven: Harry S. Truman and the Founding of Israel
“Mr. Litwin’s book is the best in many, many years in dealing with the truth about this horrendous piece of history…and exposing the fakirs, cons and opportunists who often call themselves ‘historians.’ A fine presentation!”
-Hugh Aynesworth, Author of November 22, 1963: Witness to History and JFK: Breaking the News
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2QtrSfW
Our next unelected PM?
(There is a chance I suppose that the next Tory leader won't be able to continue the S&C deal with the DUP so an election may be forced on them. But I'm not expecting that to happen.)
So who do you think our next PM will be?
Johnson "career advisor said it's my turn and I'll scream and scream and scream if I don't get it this time"?
Hunt - for the gift his name is for comedians?
Or one of the seemingly two dozen others who have put themselves forward?
So who do you think our next PM will be?
Johnson "career advisor said it's my turn and I'll scream and scream and scream if I don't get it this time"?
Hunt - for the gift his name is for comedians?
Or one of the seemingly two dozen others who have put themselves forward?
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2K1Sbso
vendredi 24 mai 2019
Mt. Everest experiencing overpopulation
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-...erest/11149420
This whole Everest thing is just a farce now. They are going to have to change the name to something more relevant one day. Maybe Mt. Boulevard. And build a morgue as well. Can't leave all those bodies lying around like litter. And put a Starbucks up there. Get people out of the cold. The people who hired a helicopter to drop them up next to the summit had the right idea.
Quote:
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Three Indian and one Irish climber are among the seven who have died descending Mount Everest this week, more than the entire total of fatalities over the whole of last year. More than 120 climbers scaled Everest on Thursday, but some of them were caught in the crowd of people on the slopes, leading to exhaustion, dehydration and death. Former British soldier Nirmal Purja shared a photograph of the long queue to the summit on Twitter, showing exactly how crowded the world's tallest mountain can become during the short climbing season. Nepal has issued permits to 379 climbers on Mount Everest in the season, which ends this month. Between five and ten climbers die on Mount Everest in an average climbing year. |
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2EuPdJ6
Getting shot for disrespecting Trump while black
Guy is walking up the street, saying "Trump is the devil." Cop tells him repeatedly to stop and get on the ground, then tases him. The taser is ineffective, so the cop draws his gun. The guy tells the cop not to kill him, and accuses the cop of wanting to shoot him because he's black. Then the cop shoots him.
Video here. (NSFW - gun violence)
Video here. (NSFW - gun violence)
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2JCpe6L
jeudi 23 mai 2019
3D Printed Titanium Wheel
[yt]/FFDZie1oxi8[/yt]
Not anywhere near cost effective at this stage, buit this is the future for high-strength, low mass construction.
Not anywhere near cost effective at this stage, buit this is the future for high-strength, low mass construction.
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2HCTBrP
Microsoft - Auto letter generation
We currently have a large number of standard letters which apply to different situations. to illustrate my issue imagine each letter has 5 paragraphs. The first and last are identical in all letters. There are, depending on the circumstances, 2 different 2nd paragraphs. 5 different 3rd paragraphs and 3 different 4th paragraphs. This means there are (2 x 5 x 3) 30 different letters in total.
Currently if we decide to change the opening para we need to change 30 different documents. There are also problems with people picking the wrong letter due to there being 30 to choose from.
I would like produce a single letter where the user simply picks the 3 appropriate options and the software automatically produces the appropriate letter. I would have thought it possible on the software we have but am struggling to find what I want with google.
We only have Microsoft office and Microsoft 365. Use of other software is not an option.
I found the drop down list content control in Word but am not entirely sure that is what I am after.
I dare say I could use conditional look-ups to do something in Excel.
Any ideas what the easiest way is to do what I want?
Currently if we decide to change the opening para we need to change 30 different documents. There are also problems with people picking the wrong letter due to there being 30 to choose from.
I would like produce a single letter where the user simply picks the 3 appropriate options and the software automatically produces the appropriate letter. I would have thought it possible on the software we have but am struggling to find what I want with google.
We only have Microsoft office and Microsoft 365. Use of other software is not an option.
I found the drop down list content control in Word but am not entirely sure that is what I am after.
I dare say I could use conditional look-ups to do something in Excel.
Any ideas what the easiest way is to do what I want?
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2JAnBGV
Jefferson City MO Hit by Tornado
"Violent tornado" pounds Jefferson City, Missouri, leaving people trapped and extensive damage - live updates
Jefferson City is the state capital. Lots of damage, surely many injuries.
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2JYLDL1
Rightwing Hindu Party leads polls in Parliamentary Elections in India
The Right Wing Bharatiya Janata Party leads the polls in the Parliamentary Elections in India. Despite a dismal performance in the previous tenure with a tanking economy, widespread banking failures, increased violence on casteist and religious lines the right wing BJP is set to return to power with the backing of a captive mainstream media and huge corporate funding.
States, mainly in the Northern and Central regions voted along caste and religious lines to bring the BJP back to power. The secular and democratic structure of the Indian government is at risk.
States, mainly in the Northern and Central regions voted along caste and religious lines to bring the BJP back to power. The secular and democratic structure of the Indian government is at risk.
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2JyJp5B
lundi 20 mai 2019
What the hell just happened to Google Images?
It's a freaking abortion.
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2JPxZK4
Blitzkrieg - How's that work?
OK, the German army in WW2 was infamous for its Blitzkrieg ability, the ability to move fast and conquer.
We hear about it all the time, but my question is, what's the key to making it work? I mean, why didn't anyone else do that before? What was Germany's key to making it work?
I could envision a few possible things, but these are merely guesses
1) Overwhelming fire power, so they basically can steamroll over everything in their way
2) Similar to 1, fast tanks that could provide that fire power and cover a lot of ground?
3) Again with 1, sufficiently mobile artillery that can be brought along fast enough to keep up with the convoy?
4) An infrastructure that is able to supply the fast moving army? IIRC, that was largely done by horses.
As I said, I could very well be clueless here, so am interested in learning more about it.
We hear about it all the time, but my question is, what's the key to making it work? I mean, why didn't anyone else do that before? What was Germany's key to making it work?
I could envision a few possible things, but these are merely guesses
1) Overwhelming fire power, so they basically can steamroll over everything in their way
2) Similar to 1, fast tanks that could provide that fire power and cover a lot of ground?
3) Again with 1, sufficiently mobile artillery that can be brought along fast enough to keep up with the convoy?
4) An infrastructure that is able to supply the fast moving army? IIRC, that was largely done by horses.
As I said, I could very well be clueless here, so am interested in learning more about it.
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2El1vnj
Their motivations appear to be largely egoistic, however.
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2HCmrHo
Swiss chose tougher gun laws
Quote:
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Switzerland’s public broadcaster RTS reported 63.7% of voters nationwide agreed on Sunday to toughen its laws on firearms possession in order to bring it in line with the new European Union legislation on the matter, citing final results. According to the same results, voter turnout was 43%. [...] Switzerland is not an EU member, even though it is linked to the bloc through many bilateral agreements. It is a member of the Schengen Area, which grants open borders between states, and also of the Dublin accords, which regulates Europe’s asylum seeking process. Approving the new gun legislation was crucial to maintaining warm relations with the EU and a “No” could threaten that, the Swiss government warned before the vote. |
Everyone loves a gun law thread. :thumbsup:
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2WRBbZb
dimanche 19 mai 2019
Australian Election Day process
All,
I've been away from the forum for a while but thought I'd share what election day was like on Saturday:
And that was voting in suburban Australia.
I've been away from the forum for a while but thought I'd share what election day was like on Saturday:
- It's a Saturday, so there's plenty of time to vote. I decide to wander to the local school, which is set up for the day as a polling booth
- So, after breakfast, walking up the street, seeing some others walking up to vote as well. Wave, say hi, they say hi back. Never met them before.
- Get to the polling station, sausage sandwiches and cupcakes on sale.
- Party reps waving their how to vote cards, not pushy, asking do you need the (insert party here) how to vote card. I say yeah nah, I'm cool. They say no worries.
- They check my name off the voting register. House of Reps voting card is A5 size. Senate card is a metre wide. Who the fire truck are all these moron single issue parties?
- Do Reps vote in reverse order, all good.
- Now the Senate Card. Okay, working out who to avoid like the plague. Done. Now, have to number remainder 1-12. NUmber 12 goes in first, to the remaining most dick-ish party, working backwards to first choice. Done.
- Put votes in the boxes, roll eyes at the scrutineer re long senate paper and he says "yeah, everbody's having a bit of a laugh over that one." Walk outside.
- Too early for a sausage sandwich and I'm not really wanting cake (which is not a lie), but buy some cupcakes to donate something to the school.
- Walking home, I encounter some people I haven't seen since the last election. I ask them if they'd like a cupcake and they're like "yeah nah, we're going to buy some for the same reason you did. Thanks,though."
And that was voting in suburban Australia.
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2Jpk5Pm
What is this argument for the existence of God called?
I responded to this you tube comment in another language pointing out to some of the logical fallacies in it, but I'm not sure if this is the famous kalam's cosmological argument of muslims or William Craig's argument..or some other famous argument.
And I'll appreciate your responses to it..
" 1. Everything that exists is either contingent (i.e., requiring an external cause for its
existence) or necessary (i.e., not requiring an external cause for its existence, since
its essence by itself entails its existence).
2. A set of contingent beings is itself contingent (since, if all of a thing’s parts are
contingent, then the whole is contingent).
3. Therefore, a necessary being exists (since the set of all existing things cannot ALL
be contingent, for in that case the set itself would still require an external cause;
i.e., a cause that is not contingent; i.e., a cause that is necessary). And this is God.
Main Proof
1. Something exists.
2. That thing is either (a) necessary or (b) possible; i.e., contingent.
3. If (a), then a necessary being (i.e., a “necessarily existent”) exists.
4. If (b), then a necessary being exists.
5. Therefore, a necessary being exists. "
(He was actually jumping to Allah from here..)
And I'll appreciate your responses to it..
" 1. Everything that exists is either contingent (i.e., requiring an external cause for its
existence) or necessary (i.e., not requiring an external cause for its existence, since
its essence by itself entails its existence).
2. A set of contingent beings is itself contingent (since, if all of a thing’s parts are
contingent, then the whole is contingent).
3. Therefore, a necessary being exists (since the set of all existing things cannot ALL
be contingent, for in that case the set itself would still require an external cause;
i.e., a cause that is not contingent; i.e., a cause that is necessary). And this is God.
Main Proof
1. Something exists.
2. That thing is either (a) necessary or (b) possible; i.e., contingent.
3. If (a), then a necessary being (i.e., a “necessarily existent”) exists.
4. If (b), then a necessary being exists.
5. Therefore, a necessary being exists. "
(He was actually jumping to Allah from here..)
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2HAiwea
What's the best VPN for someone on a budget?
I went to this website and according to its list, Shurf Shark is the cheapest from the "best" ones.
The only downside is that there's no free trial. I would need to obtain it immediately.
So before I do that, I wanted to consult with others what, in their experience, is the best cheap VPN device there is.
The only downside is that there's no free trial. I would need to obtain it immediately.
So before I do that, I wanted to consult with others what, in their experience, is the best cheap VPN device there is.
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/30uD8NK
8values - just another political quiz
And those are always fun, aren't they? In this case the questions are clearly written by US-Americans for US-Americans, so I thought this subforum is better suited than the "NOT US" politics forum - also because of the higher traffic.
So what they did is double the axis number of the Political Compass and create a four-fold spectrum of eight values. Look at the picture to see my results. On the Political Compass I have been at around 75% deep into the lower left corner for many years, so that's no surprise.
I could imagine that I moved a bit on the "new" Nation/World axis towards Nation in recent years, if only for the fact that the international organizations are so dysfunctional these days. But as long as I'm in the "peaceful" range that shouldn't be a problem.
Check it out here: https://8values.github.io
So what they did is double the axis number of the Political Compass and create a four-fold spectrum of eight values. Look at the picture to see my results. On the Political Compass I have been at around 75% deep into the lower left corner for many years, so that's no surprise.
I could imagine that I moved a bit on the "new" Nation/World axis towards Nation in recent years, if only for the fact that the international organizations are so dysfunctional these days. But as long as I'm in the "peaceful" range that shouldn't be a problem.
Check it out here: https://8values.github.io
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2JKRzHs
The Brotherhood
How does the brotherhood get my attention? Whom does he have to write a letter and what should it content?
He does not want to become a member of the brotherhood. I just want to know how I could become a member, if I wanted.
I bet, here are brothers who know what should be done in order to get an invitation. But I'm not one of them. So I am thankful for suggestions what my next steps should be like.
He does not want to become a member of the brotherhood. I just want to know how I could become a member, if I wanted.
I bet, here are brothers who know what should be done in order to get an invitation. But I'm not one of them. So I am thankful for suggestions what my next steps should be like.
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2JulSD4
samedi 18 mai 2019
Newly Released FBI Docs Shed Light on Apparent Mossad Foreknowledge of 9/11 Attacks
https://www.mintpressnews.com/newly-...ttacks/258581/
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Whitney Webb
[...] new information released by the FBI on May 7 has brought fresh scrutiny to the possibility that the “Dancing Israelis,” at least two of whom were known Mossad operatives, had prior knowledge of the attacks on the World Trade Center.
[...] in either scenario [of the interpretation of the released images], Kurzberg had simulated the burning of the World Trade Center the day before the attacks took place. That the FBI concluded that Kurzberg was party to a Mossad surveillance operation at the time of his arrest would then suggest that Israeli intelligence also had foreknowledge of the attacks. Notably, the relevant section of the FBI report that asks “1. Did the Israeli nationals have foreknowledge of the events at WTC and were they filming the events prior to and in anticipation of the explosion?” is redacted in its entirety, suggesting that the FBI did not determine the answer to that question to be an emphatic “no.” [...] |
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2Hq745O
Inductance Energy Corp perpetual motion machine
The Wall Street Journal's Future of Everything column has a long winded, low density and credulous article on a new "generator" by Inductance Energy. Invented by their science and technology officer, Dennis Danzik.
The article is behind their paywall. This is the main claim.
The feature they say that differentiates them from previous tries at free energy is the use of must of course invoke Nikola Tesla. " “Tesla didn’t have rare-earth magnets and digital machine control,” Mr. Danzik said."
The article goes on to say they loaned one out.
The company has a supposedly working model on display in a transparent lexan case. The article contains some speculation about how the unit may be externally powered. There is no patent filing nor are outsiders allowed a close examination of the generator.
This is almost certainly a hoax. It will either quietly disappear from view or we will find out there is some power mechanism needed to keep the demonstrator it running until the last "problems" can be figured out.
I'd be interested if anyone has more information on this.
It reminds me of the WSJ article that brought Fleishman and Pons cold fusion claims into wide public view.
The article is behind their paywall. This is the main claim.
Quote:
|
IEC says its first commercial model, the R32 Earth Engine, hucks two 900-kilogram flywheels at speeds between 125 and 250 rpm, generating 240V or 480V at 100 amps. On the high side, that’s 48 kilowatts, about what a small backup diesel generator puts out. But unlike a diesel generator, the company says, the R32 produces no emissions, no noise (the unit comes in a vacuum-sealed, tamper-proof housing) and uses no fuel. |
The article goes on to say they loaned one out.
Quote:
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An R32 test unit installed at his facility in January ran for 422 hours, IEC says, averaging 4.4 kW output, before it was brought back to the lab for analysis. |
This is almost certainly a hoax. It will either quietly disappear from view or we will find out there is some power mechanism needed to keep the demonstrator it running until the last "problems" can be figured out.
I'd be interested if anyone has more information on this.
It reminds me of the WSJ article that brought Fleishman and Pons cold fusion claims into wide public view.
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2JOTISr
Austria minister Heinz-Christian Strache resigns amid video scandal
Austria's Vice-Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache has resigned a day after secret video footage mired him in a corruption scandal.
The video appeared to show Mr Strache discussing government contracts with an alleged Russian investor in return for campaign support.
He also appeared to hint at a potentially illegal donation.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-48320983
The video appeared to show Mr Strache discussing government contracts with an alleged Russian investor in return for campaign support.
He also appeared to hint at a potentially illegal donation.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-48320983
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2w5CyYu
President Bolsonaro against philosophy.
Jair Bolsonaro, Brazilian President, on Twitter April 27, 2019:
Note: "Decentralize investment" is an euphemism for "supress"
The Minister of Education, Abraham Weintraub, is studying how to decentralize investment in philosophy and sociology at universities. Students who have already enrolled will not be affected. The objective is to focus on areas that generate an immediate return to the taxpayer, such as: veterinary, engineering, and medicine,What do you think?
Note: "Decentralize investment" is an euphemism for "supress"
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2WOfpFH
vendredi 17 mai 2019
Australian Politics - The Shorten Decades
Just trying to be a bit optimistic here. ;)
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2EgCgCy
D-Day footage. Who were those guys?
The 75th anniversary of D-Day is coming up. We will no doubt be treated to lots of retrospectives, a note that there aren't very many survivors left, and lots and lots of photos and videos that were shot on June 6, 1944.
There's one scene I've seen at least a hundred times. The camera looks back toward the water. A small group of men, five or six, are running ashore. One suddenly falls to his knees, and looks to be struggling. One more falls down flat, face down. He doesn't look to be struggling at all. The remaining three head out of camera view.
Again and again, it happens the same way. That one will be wounded. That one will be killed. And you know it's coming on every documentary. I have seen a lot of those documentaries. It's always there. The same guys get hit every time. The reason it is shown is that it must be some of the only footage filmed from the beach looking out toward the water while the bullets were still flying. I'm sure some of you have seen it too.
I've always wondered if anyone knows anything about the people in the film, or the cameraman who filmed it. I'll bet the cameraman is known. I'm sure he could locate where he was on the beach. I doubt the men are known, although at least their unit might be, and even the men themselves could possibly have been indentified.
Who were these guys, these guys who I will undoubtedly see several more times in the next month or so?
There's one scene I've seen at least a hundred times. The camera looks back toward the water. A small group of men, five or six, are running ashore. One suddenly falls to his knees, and looks to be struggling. One more falls down flat, face down. He doesn't look to be struggling at all. The remaining three head out of camera view.
Again and again, it happens the same way. That one will be wounded. That one will be killed. And you know it's coming on every documentary. I have seen a lot of those documentaries. It's always there. The same guys get hit every time. The reason it is shown is that it must be some of the only footage filmed from the beach looking out toward the water while the bullets were still flying. I'm sure some of you have seen it too.
I've always wondered if anyone knows anything about the people in the film, or the cameraman who filmed it. I'll bet the cameraman is known. I'm sure he could locate where he was on the beach. I doubt the men are known, although at least their unit might be, and even the men themselves could possibly have been indentified.
Who were these guys, these guys who I will undoubtedly see several more times in the next month or so?
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2Yxeha4
Japan criminal justice and ethical tourism
Preface: before someone asks, I would strongly discourage tourism to my nation of citizenship.
Wife and I have discussed traveling to Japan. I vacillate if it is a good idea or not.
But is it ethical? The community here seems to generally take a dim view of Justice systems and coercion. Japan's system is probably unconscionable.
I feel like Japan should be on no-go lists. Do others agree?
Wife and I have discussed traveling to Japan. I vacillate if it is a good idea or not.
But is it ethical? The community here seems to generally take a dim view of Justice systems and coercion. Japan's system is probably unconscionable.
I feel like Japan should be on no-go lists. Do others agree?
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/30rN1M8
Trump Hates Buttigieg Because He's Gay
No, not really:
Fox News’ Steve Hilton asked Trump whether he thinks “it’s just great” to have it “not even seen as a big deal” for a male presidential candidate to be onstage with his husband.
“I think it’s absolutely fine,” Trump responded in a clip that was posted on Thursday. “I think that’s something that perhaps some people will have a problem with. I have no problem with it whatsoever. I think it’s good."
https://www.politico.com/story/2019/...usband-1329624
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2LSymWT
Probability Problem
So I've been going back and forth with a friend of a friend online regarding the Monte Hall Problem. It has devolved into disagreements about probabilities and I'm having a hard time. He has gone into 'actual' and 'perceived' odds. My latest example is 'When you dive by my house, I'm either sitting on the porch or I'm not. What is the probability I am sitting on my porch when I drive by.' He says 'each time there will be a 1 in 2 chance'. Which I kind of get, given there are two possible outcomes (sitting on my porch or not) to one event (him driving by my house). He calls those 'actual' odds while 'perceived' odds can't be calculated until my parch sitting habits are examined. I assume there is some sort of fallacy involved saying out of two options they both have an equal chance of happening, but google is failing me. Does anyone have any good examples that demonstrate this fallacy?
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2JIKs2h
Philosophy should not be discussed in the same topic as religion
Two times someone or a bot is deleting my posts without any explanation.
Plain and simple, it is outrageous that religion is in the same topic as philosophy.
Apparently, moderators at least think this is ok. It is not.
Plain and simple, it is outrageous that religion is in the same topic as philosophy.
Apparently, moderators at least think this is ok. It is not.
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2JqsJNL
Religion and Philosophy should not be in the same "topic"
My last thread was deleted without anyone telling me why. My request is very simple and I do it in a post because I dont understand why people here believe they belong to the same topic, or are even remotely related.
If anything, philosophy is Deeply Tied with science, NOT religion.
If anything, philosophy is Deeply Tied with science, NOT religion.
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/30pvQL3
jeudi 16 mai 2019
Yet Another Voynich Decoding Claim
So, yet another claim to have decoded the Voynich manuscript. This one seems on the surface to be more likely than most, but is still lacking in hard facts.
Bristol academic cracks Voynich code, solving century-old mystery of medieval text
Excerpt:
And that appears to be the big difference between this and all other claims of having solved the mystery. The others generally assumed it was written in Latin, a manufactured language or cipher, or some combination of languages.
If this is actually proto-Romance, aka pre-Romance language late Vulgar Latin, its importance would go well beyond it's contents.
But that's a big If.
ETA: A link to the actual published paper. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full...4.2019.1599566
Bristol academic cracks Voynich code, solving century-old mystery of medieval text
Excerpt:
Quote:
|
A University of Bristol academic has succeeded where countless cryptographers, linguistics scholars and computer programs have failed—by cracking the code of the 'world's most mysterious text', the Voynich manuscript. Although the purpose and meaning of the manuscript had eluded scholars for over a century, it took Research Associate Dr. Gerard Cheshire two weeks, using a combination of lateral thinking and ingenuity, to identify the language and writing system of the famously inscrutable document. In his peer-reviewed paper, The Language and Writing System of MS408 (Voynich) Explained, published in the journal Romance Studies, Cheshire describes how he successfully deciphered the manuscript's codex and, at the same time, revealed the only known example of proto-Romance language. |
And that appears to be the big difference between this and all other claims of having solved the mystery. The others generally assumed it was written in Latin, a manufactured language or cipher, or some combination of languages.
If this is actually proto-Romance, aka pre-Romance language late Vulgar Latin, its importance would go well beyond it's contents.
But that's a big If.
ETA: A link to the actual published paper. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full...4.2019.1599566
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2EdEHpQ
Is 5G Technology Really A Health Risk?
I was unable to find a discussion here relating to 5G technology. So, I thought I'd start one.
There are those who claim 5G technology emits extremely high levels of radiation and that it causes reduced fertility and cancer, etc.
(If really pressed for time, begin the video below at 15:30.).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdsIY5ixxyw
Conspiracy theory?
Genuine risk to health?
What are your thought?
There are those who claim 5G technology emits extremely high levels of radiation and that it causes reduced fertility and cancer, etc.
(If really pressed for time, begin the video below at 15:30.).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdsIY5ixxyw
Conspiracy theory?
Genuine risk to health?
What are your thought?
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2HyZOnn
mercredi 15 mai 2019
Arrest made after elderly man pushed off bus to his death
CNN: https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/15/us/la...rnd/index.html
Quote:
|
(CNN) - An elderly man was pushed off a Las Vegas bus and died several weeks later due to injuries he sustained. Police announced Tuesday a woman was arrested in the case and being held on a charge of murder of an elderly-vulnerable person. On March 21, Serge Fournier, 74, was riding on a bus with Cadesha Bishop, 25. Bishop appeared to argue with people on the bus and with Fournier, police said in a statement. When the vehicle came to a stop to allow passengers off, Fournier and Bishop had some sort of verbal argument. As Fournier turned his back to walk down the stairs to exit, Bishop is seen in surveillance video pushing him, causing him to fall onto the sidewalk below. |
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2W3Ziqt
The Roe Countdown
When does Roe v Wade get thrown out?
With a SCOTUS now built on solidly anti-abortion conservatives, I can see a 5-4 vote devolving legislation to states happening in the very near future.
I reckon the Red Team will be looking for a judgement before the 2020 election, so my pick is within one year. I believe there's a case of one state in the courts right now, so should be an easy one for SCOTUS to pick up, since every judge so far has denied legislative attempts to block abortion.
Pence's words - "Roe will be overturned within our lifetime" looking fairly prophetic about now.
Anyone with evidence Trump paid for an abortion needs to step right up, because I'd see that as the only chance left to prevent the absurd attacks on women's rights by white men.
With a SCOTUS now built on solidly anti-abortion conservatives, I can see a 5-4 vote devolving legislation to states happening in the very near future.
I reckon the Red Team will be looking for a judgement before the 2020 election, so my pick is within one year. I believe there's a case of one state in the courts right now, so should be an easy one for SCOTUS to pick up, since every judge so far has denied legislative attempts to block abortion.
Pence's words - "Roe will be overturned within our lifetime" looking fairly prophetic about now.
Anyone with evidence Trump paid for an abortion needs to step right up, because I'd see that as the only chance left to prevent the absurd attacks on women's rights by white men.
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2LLvGug
SQLPLUS query outputs twice
Any idea why a sqlplus command executed in a linux script with sqlplus -s will produce the output twice? When I run it from a sqlplus prompt, I get it only once.
Query: select job from job_table where machine='value'.
From a sqlplus prompt I get 40 rows.
From the linux shell script I still get 40 rows, but I get them twice.
script is:
sqlplus -s ${cs} <<-EOF
set head off
select job
from job_table
where machine='$1'
order by job;
/
EOF
Query: select job from job_table where machine='value'.
From a sqlplus prompt I get 40 rows.
From the linux shell script I still get 40 rows, but I get them twice.
script is:
sqlplus -s ${cs} <<-EOF
set head off
select job
from job_table
where machine='$1'
order by job;
/
EOF
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2JlLamx
mardi 14 mai 2019
Anti-gay preacher is first-ever banned from Ireland
Not unexpected.
But is the first use of a law on the books for 20 years
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/poli...wers-1.3889848
But is the first use of a law on the books for 20 years
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/poli...wers-1.3889848
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2W6YHEo
Are foeticide laws compatible with pro-choice views?
This is somewhat of a spinoff from the thread in US Politics discussing different state laws concerning abortion. I've long been concerned with what I perceive are inconsistent approaches among states concerning what is murder of a fetus. There are a few states in which it is perfectly legal to have an abortion and the fetus does not seem to have any absolute right to life. Some of the same states also have laws against feticide (or foeticide) which criminalizes the wrongful death of the fetus, whether the mother or outside perpetrator.
I've noticed quite incongruous statements made about this and have never understood why the dichotomy of opinions. Can it be rationally claimed that there is a right to abort a fetus and still have feticide laws on the books in the same state? Or are these two positions irreconcilable?
FTR, I really haven't made up my mind and was looking for input from everyone. I really just can't wrap my head around these statutes existing in the same jurisdiction.
I've noticed quite incongruous statements made about this and have never understood why the dichotomy of opinions. Can it be rationally claimed that there is a right to abort a fetus and still have feticide laws on the books in the same state? Or are these two positions irreconcilable?
FTR, I really haven't made up my mind and was looking for input from everyone. I really just can't wrap my head around these statutes existing in the same jurisdiction.
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2LFv613
Banks settling unsecured loans for a big loss
A fairly dead part of the forum I know, but I want to share an interesting experience.
One of my daughters took out a loan with a major Australian bank (NAB) mainly to buy a car, but it increased for holidays and so on. Not my most money conscious child.
Anyway she has a $38k debt. Her bank has just offered to settle it for $12k. She has asked me to come up with this amount, which I will - on the condition we enter into a legal agreement she pays it back within 12 months, which she agrees to. Pretty harsh having a legal agreement with a child, but still.
The bank’s new position (after recent government enquiries) is that unsecured loans are poison and they want to get what they can out of them. But excusing $26k of a debt? Well yes. I have it in writing.
Anyone come across anything like this before?
One of my daughters took out a loan with a major Australian bank (NAB) mainly to buy a car, but it increased for holidays and so on. Not my most money conscious child.
Anyway she has a $38k debt. Her bank has just offered to settle it for $12k. She has asked me to come up with this amount, which I will - on the condition we enter into a legal agreement she pays it back within 12 months, which she agrees to. Pretty harsh having a legal agreement with a child, but still.
The bank’s new position (after recent government enquiries) is that unsecured loans are poison and they want to get what they can out of them. But excusing $26k of a debt? Well yes. I have it in writing.
Anyone come across anything like this before?
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2W3uO86
lundi 13 mai 2019
Android Users -
I'm now one of you. I've escaped.
Apple has finally lost me and I've upgraded to A Galaxy S10+.
Playing with it while it's receiving data from my soon to be departed iPhone X - possibly the most overrated model in the history of iPhones. It's a great camera, and that's about it. So far I'm liking the Samsung, except the finger print scanner is having a problem initializing, there's a fair amount of crapware (maybe it's just that I'm not used to that) and the slick finish on the back get's smudgy real fast - going into a case asap.
Those are minor issues - I'm trying to avoid major ones, and that's where you Android gurus come in, since I have next to no experience with this OS. I seek recommendations for -
Anti Virus / security apps
Music apps, preferably free music
Photo / Video editing apps
Must have apps, any category
Any performance tweaks and tips
Thanks in advance.
Apple has finally lost me and I've upgraded to A Galaxy S10+.
Playing with it while it's receiving data from my soon to be departed iPhone X - possibly the most overrated model in the history of iPhones. It's a great camera, and that's about it. So far I'm liking the Samsung, except the finger print scanner is having a problem initializing, there's a fair amount of crapware (maybe it's just that I'm not used to that) and the slick finish on the back get's smudgy real fast - going into a case asap.
Those are minor issues - I'm trying to avoid major ones, and that's where you Android gurus come in, since I have next to no experience with this OS. I seek recommendations for -
Anti Virus / security apps
Music apps, preferably free music
Photo / Video editing apps
Must have apps, any category
Any performance tweaks and tips
Thanks in advance.
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2VZhphw
Mother charged after children rescued from hot car
One of these stories with a happy ending for once; police in Maryland rescued seven very young children that had been left in a car in a store parking lot, after one of the children called 911 for help.
The article also mentions "additional charges" expected. If I were to hazard a guess, I would say one or more of those charges might appertain to how seven children ages 4 and under were supposed to be safely and properly restrained inside that car while it was traveling. Assuming the Monte Carlo in the photo at the top of the article was the vehicle in question, of course.
Quote:
|
Charles County deputies received the call just after 1 p.m. on Friday. The child told a 911 dispatcher he did not know where they were, but authorities were able to trace the call to a mall parking lot in St. Charles, Maryland, the Charles County Sheriff's Office said in a press release. The seven children, ages 2 to 4, were found in the vehicle, which had its windows rolled up. Authorities said the kids had been left unattended for at least 20 minutes. "Officers helped the children out of the vehicle and Charles County Fire/EMS provided treatment on the scene," the sheriff's office said. According to WJLA, the kids were "scared" and "sweaty." Temperatures in the area climbed up to around 80 degrees on Friday. Authorities believe the 4-year-old used a phone left in the car to call for help, according to the outlet. A 37-year-old woman arrived back at the car about 10 minutes after police. The woman, who is the mother of two of the children and was babysitting the others, was arrested and charged with confinement of children inside a motor vehicle. Authorities said they were not releasing the woman's name to protect the children's identities. |
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2LI1f8h
Flu off to a bad start in Oz
Flu cases hit uncharted territory in NSW, but vaccines at the ready
Australia on track for severe flu season
Australia on track for severe flu season
Quote:
|
Southern hemisphere case numbers are rising sharply, doctors warn. Joseph Milton reports.... With 40,000 confirmed influenza cases in Australia this early in the season, experts this week warned that deaths in the country could hit 4000 unless infection rates slow before the winter peak, and urged the public to get a flu vaccination The number of confirmed cases is triple the typical levels seen at this part of the flu season. In 2018 there were 58,000 recorded cases for the entire year. Robert Booy, who heads a collective of health organisations called the Immunisation Coalition, says that this flu season has been “really strange”. 2019 may be shaping up to be a particularly bad year for Australia because immunity levels are low following a mild season in 2018, Booy suggests. He adds that the presence of two types of flu this year, rather than the usual one, is also likely to be a contributing factor. "There has been a sustained and rising summer and autumn surge that began at the end of last year and is continuing to increase,” he warns. |
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2EaydYK
A new Hubble telescope mosaic photo
Here's a recent vid by Anton Petrov What da Math YT Channel describing the newly released Hubble telescope mosaic photo. Full resolution Tiff is 25500x25500 pixels or 1.9GB. In the description is a link the the Hubble site if you want to download the image.
https://youtu.be/8EKl9aF4NnM
https://youtu.be/8EKl9aF4NnM
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2WHRlUW
Baylor's "child kidnappers"
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Baylor (Post 12464732)
I've said this many times throughout the thread, there's nothing virtuous or "sensible" about police punting their power away just so they can self-congratulate. It creates power vacuums and emboldens criminals.
Criminals know British children are all for the taking because the UK police is incompetent. Police are so incompetent criminals are bold enough to attempt to kidnap children, in broad daylight, in heavy traffic. https://media.giphy.com/media/RIFWnU...07kN/giphy.gif |
"Members of a moped gang who threatened to hurt a woman's three-year-old son in a "shocking" attempted robbery have been jailed.
The mother was grabbed in June in Richmond, London, by a man, saying "give me your rings - I'm going to hurt your child and take him away".
She dragged her child into the road before builders chased the gang away.
The gang of 12 were also involved in stealing BBC camera equipment from the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race.
The men were all sentenced at Kingston Crown Court on Monday.
The court heard how the woman had been walking hand-in-hand with her son in Sandpits Road on 21 June when gang member John McFadyen, 24, grabbed her arm.
She pulled away into the road and builders brandishing scaffolding poles then chased the gang away."
So not an actual kidnapping, just a threat to facilitate street robbery.
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2Hg59AW
ACA denounces Rationality Rules over trans-women video
I dont't think the trans women thread would be sufficient enough, because the issue is not only about trans women in sports, but more about the ACA's way of dealing with the situation.
So, short version:
Rationality Rules (aka Stephen Woodford) had done some videos with Atheist Experience (Matt Dillahunty) and now he has been denounced in a public statement for being transphobic:
His reply:
[YT]cX_vOpX6mt4[/YT]
And now there is a dicussion about how "religiously" or reactionary the ACA behaved. Matt Dillahunty does not seem to agree with the board though.
So, short version:
Rationality Rules (aka Stephen Woodford) had done some videos with Atheist Experience (Matt Dillahunty) and now he has been denounced in a public statement for being transphobic:
His reply:
[YT]cX_vOpX6mt4[/YT]
And now there is a dicussion about how "religiously" or reactionary the ACA behaved. Matt Dillahunty does not seem to agree with the board though.
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2YrjaBC
Continued from Casus Belli?
On the news;
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-48245204
Saudi complaining that oil tankers have been 'sabotaged'. Including one due to deliver oil to the US. Co-incidently (or not) the US has just moved military resources into the Gulf literally to threaten Iran. I suspect very shortly we will see Iran blamed, we will also hear people blaming the other usual suspects. Politically blaming Iran seems to be the path most likely to be taken by the present US administration. I await a period of ramping up tension then a US military strike on Iran. I am sure there are people who will have a better knowledge of when military escalation will be politically most expedient.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-48245204
Saudi complaining that oil tankers have been 'sabotaged'. Including one due to deliver oil to the US. Co-incidently (or not) the US has just moved military resources into the Gulf literally to threaten Iran. I suspect very shortly we will see Iran blamed, we will also hear people blaming the other usual suspects. Politically blaming Iran seems to be the path most likely to be taken by the present US administration. I await a period of ramping up tension then a US military strike on Iran. I am sure there are people who will have a better knowledge of when military escalation will be politically most expedient.
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2HeAvHX
dimanche 12 mai 2019
How do I create images for a PowerPoint / Poster explaining the Trolley Problem?
Hi everyone,
I would like to make some teaching and presentation resources to explain the Trolley Problem using pictures.
Although there are a number of these pictures online, what I would really like to do is find some resources to make my own.
In particular, does anyone have any recommendations for free programs in which I can select the composite elements - train, track, workmen, footbridge, workman etc... - and slot them all together?
I would like to make some teaching and presentation resources to explain the Trolley Problem using pictures.
Although there are a number of these pictures online, what I would really like to do is find some resources to make my own.
In particular, does anyone have any recommendations for free programs in which I can select the composite elements - train, track, workmen, footbridge, workman etc... - and slot them all together?
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2HifZ8r
Cheap Phablet?
Like $69, https://www.walmart.com/ip/Plum-Opti...df&athena=true
I need an oversize phone for my dumb fingers and tired old eyes. Usual phones are 5.5". I tried a dinky not-quite-flip-phone for a couple weeks and hated it. But cell phones have become a necessity today. I spend no time on the phone, do my computing on a PC.
So, cheap phablet, cheap plan, move the land line number over- will I be sorry, or thrilled?
I need an oversize phone for my dumb fingers and tired old eyes. Usual phones are 5.5". I tried a dinky not-quite-flip-phone for a couple weeks and hated it. But cell phones have become a necessity today. I spend no time on the phone, do my computing on a PC.
So, cheap phablet, cheap plan, move the land line number over- will I be sorry, or thrilled?
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2VYWZVF
John Smith 25 years on
The sudden death of Labour's leader a quarter of a century ago was to a lot of people genuinely shocking.
A decent man, though with a reputation (at least in the media*) for being dour (though this was the time of John Major's premiership, so go figure). After his passing, some viewed him as the best PM Britain never had.
So many what-might-have-been questions. Though three years later the party would go on to win three elections in a row under Blair and then Brown.
* - Only a week or two before his death, Spitting Image was lampooning him for just this.
A decent man, though with a reputation (at least in the media*) for being dour (though this was the time of John Major's premiership, so go figure). After his passing, some viewed him as the best PM Britain never had.
So many what-might-have-been questions. Though three years later the party would go on to win three elections in a row under Blair and then Brown.
* - Only a week or two before his death, Spitting Image was lampooning him for just this.
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2E3Chdk
samedi 11 mai 2019
laptop is plugged in and not charging
Well shoot, my only five month old laptop is running into the problem where the battery won't recharge. It is now down to 89% displaying that it is "plugged in, not charging" and I've tried everything except removing the battery and putting it back in which is something the online tech support suggested.
I had worried about this since this was a refurbished unit I got for half the price of a totally new one. Hopefully, worst case, all I need is a new battery or AC adapter.
I had worried about this since this was a refurbished unit I got for half the price of a totally new one. Hopefully, worst case, all I need is a new battery or AC adapter.
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2Yp38bj
Amazon: Belief, Bias, and the Evangelical Underground
I do suspect there is something rotten in the state of Amazon. The Institute for Creation Research, an evangelical antiscience mill, sponsers the Wonders of Creation, a series of publications advocating biblical literalism over science. They seem to have at least one fan on the Amazon Forum Team.
My review of the mineral book was briefly posted then vanished. While I was monitoring two other critical reviews vanished. I became suspicious and sampled reviews posted on the entire series. Recent reviews were glowing and rah-rah; anything critical was a couple of years back. I'm not going to conclude that the Amazon team itself is promoting the books (content of the series is just too loopy). I do think their team has a mole.
Those curious can find my commentary on the mineral book through goodreads or google books.
My review of the mineral book was briefly posted then vanished. While I was monitoring two other critical reviews vanished. I became suspicious and sampled reviews posted on the entire series. Recent reviews were glowing and rah-rah; anything critical was a couple of years back. I'm not going to conclude that the Amazon team itself is promoting the books (content of the series is just too loopy). I do think their team has a mole.
Those curious can find my commentary on the mineral book through goodreads or google books.
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2YkgYMb
Trump to head nation's 4th of july celebration
Will Trump behave himself and act presidential and bipartisan? Or, will this result in a massive Trump rally, a Nuremberg rally on the Potomac?
https://www.adn.com/nation-world/201...o-the-program/
https://www.adn.com/nation-world/201...o-the-program/
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2Hc9aGq
Political Correctness actually goes mad: Danny Baker's chimp tweet
Quote:
|
The BBC has sacked Danny Baker, saying he showed a "serious error of judgement" over his tweet about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's baby. The tweet, which he later deleted but which has been circulated on social media, showed an image of a couple holding hands with a chimpanzee dressed in clothes with the caption: "Royal Baby leaves hospital". |
Why did the BBC sack him for this?
Oh, because it must have been racist. It must have been. When Danny Baker heard that it was how the tweet was interpreted, said that he didn't mean it that way because he doesn't have a diseased mind. Cue a lot of outrage that those who complained must have diseased minds.
The tweet appears here in an article that asserts that intent is not the only thing that matters. (i.e it doesn't matter if he was being deliberately racist)
So, since then, Baker has apologized profusely, but that's no good. By apologizing, you put blood in the water, and now there are several editorials and talking heads saying apologizing is not enough...
What is enough?
Well, the police are on the case now investigating the possibility of hate speech.
Link
This is absurd, in my humble opinion.
First of all, it is absurd to assume that the tweet was obviously racist. Has anyone ever had any reason to consider him racist in the past?
By the way, when Charlotte Royal Baby was born, a zoo in Japan named a monkey after her. Some people in Japan complained that it was disrespectful but the zoo kept the name of the monkey.
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2JiGWMy
The Psychology of Flat Earthers - et alia
I often wonder why we members can't get through to other members and why in general skepticism falls upon the deaf ears and blind eyes of those that harbor strange beliefs. Here in this article are described some of the reasons.
Quote:
|
Flat Earthers have a tendency to evoke a great deal of condescension in people. Wry grins are accompanied by snorts and scoffs, all wrapped up in a feeling of unquestionable superiority. What kind of idiots could believe such a thing? While it’s undeniably humourous to witness a group of adults disprove their own whacky belief using the scientific method, it’s important to put aside our smugness and try to understand how—in the face of overwhelming contrary evidence—a large group of people could believe such an outrageous idea. The hardened beliefs of a Flat Earther are caused by a mixture of fascinating psychological processes, the enlightening of which can help to protect ourselves against such rampant illogicality. Truth is critical for the survival of our species—a firm grip on reality essential for mastery over our environment. Consider some of the great achievers of history, infected with the absurdity of the Flat Earth belief—Francis Drake might have been too fearful to steer his galleon towards the dusky... https://antidotesforchimps.com/2019/...flat-earthers/ |
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2JeLjbC
The Psychology of Flat Earthers - et alia
delete
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2Jxnrz3
The Psychology of Flat Earthers - Et. al.
I often wonder why we members can't get through to other members and why in general skepticism falls upon the deaf ears and blind eyes of those that harbor strange beliefs. Here are some of the reasons.
Quote:
|
Flat Earthers have a tendency to evoke a great deal of condescension in people. Wry grins are accompanied by snorts and scoffs, all wrapped up in a feeling of unquestionable superiority. What kind of idiots could believe such a thing? While it’s undeniably humourous to witness a group of adults disprove their own whacky belief using the scientific method, it’s important to put aside our smugness and try to understand how—in the face of overwhelming contrary evidence—a large group of people could believe such an outrageous idea. The hardened beliefs of a Flat Earther are caused by a mixture of fascinating psychological processes, the enlightening of which can help to protect ourselves against such rampant illogicality. Truth is critical for the survival of our species—a firm grip on reality essential for mastery over our environment. Consider some of the great achievers of history, infected with the absurdity of the Flat Earth belief—Francis Drake might have been too fearful to steer his galleon towards the dusky... https://antidotesforchimps.com/2019/...flat-earthers/ |
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2JeLeVm
Ugh! US corporate giant steals Australian brand and sues.
Australian ugg boot maker Eddie Oyger has been ordered by a Chicago court to pay Deckers Outdoor Corporation US$450,000 for selling 12 ugg boots in the US. Deckers is the legal copyright holder of the "ugg" brand and has been selling them as "Ugg Australia" up until 2017.
And how did this corporation get to own a brand name that was in common use in Australia for decades?
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-...in-us/11104374
Needless to say, despite frequent appeals to the Australian government, no politician was game enough to oppose this corporate takeover.
And how did this corporation get to own a brand name that was in common use in Australia for decades?
Quote:
|
Despite its Australian origin as a generic term, the word ugg was registered as a brand in the US in the 1980s by Australian entrepreneur Brian Smith, who later sold the trademark to Deckers. Ever since, Australian bootmakers have been banned from exporting if they use the word ugg, making it difficult to compete against Deckers' global Ugg Australia brand. |
Needless to say, despite frequent appeals to the Australian government, no politician was game enough to oppose this corporate takeover.
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2JDQOQa
Religion should not be in the same topic as Philosophy
Hello to all, long time not being here but I am getting really tired of discussions on FB, this is a much better place.
That said, as the title says, this is the second time as far as I recall that I want to point this out to the ISF admins and moderators.
Science is PART of Philosophy, they go hand in hand. In fact All the ontological assumptions behind scientific models and theories come from philosophy.
Pretending than Philosophy is at the same level than religion is simply wrong.
I would say that religion needs to be on its own branch, and then integrate Philosophy and Science in their own branch. Or if there are anyone here wanting to claim that Science (a collection of methodologies) is (somehow) a "field on its own", then keep it as a single branch instead of putting it with mathematics (that again are related to Philosophy) and then leave medicine and technology as sub branches or something.
That said, as the title says, this is the second time as far as I recall that I want to point this out to the ISF admins and moderators.
Science is PART of Philosophy, they go hand in hand. In fact All the ontological assumptions behind scientific models and theories come from philosophy.
Pretending than Philosophy is at the same level than religion is simply wrong.
I would say that religion needs to be on its own branch, and then integrate Philosophy and Science in their own branch. Or if there are anyone here wanting to claim that Science (a collection of methodologies) is (somehow) a "field on its own", then keep it as a single branch instead of putting it with mathematics (that again are related to Philosophy) and then leave medicine and technology as sub branches or something.
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2JcaU4Z
How a seemingly respectable couple starved their toddler on a vegan diet
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The foster carer who took charge of a severely malnourished toddler fed an extreme vegan diet was appalled when she first saw the child in hospital. 'When I first met [the child] she was nearly two years old and looked like a three-month-old baby,' the mother-of-five told a court. 'She weighed 4.89kg and had no teeth. My own babies weighed over 4kg when they were born. 'She was lying in her hospital bed with tubes covering her tiny body. She was being fed by a tube through her nose. 'I remember thinking how terrifying this must be for such a small child.' ... Her parents, who fed the girl a meagre vegan diet and did not have her immunised, have admitted failing to provide the child with the necessities of life and face a maximum five years in jail. |
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/austr...ect/ar-AABcQG3
This is one of those cases where I hope the accused get the maximum number of years in jail.
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2JDQIrM
America transitions into Gilead
With Georgia about set to give women who get abortions the death penalty, Ohio requiring ectopic pregnancies be saved...somehow and Alabama deciding rape isn't a problem it is the sluts that claim rape happened that is the problem...well I'd like to say that all the Bernie Bros who said back in 2016 that it was okay, nay a requirement, to vote Stein because women were safe can collectively all just go jump off a cliff. I said then that conservatives would never be satisfied until women were reduced to slaves for men's whims but I was just talking "nonsense" and yet here we now are.
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2WBgZe1
vendredi 10 mai 2019
Procedural Question -- Fifth Amendment
What would happen in a trial if a prosecution witness declined on the stand to testify "because the defendant shouldn't be on trial"?
:blackcat:
:blackcat:
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2VdjdyJ
Noose ladies suspended from California school
Principal and teachers are suspended from California elementary school after leaked photo showed them posing and grinning with a noose
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ing-NOOSE.html
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Originally Posted by Daily Mail
A California principal and four teachers have been placed on administrative leave after an image circulated showing them smiling as they posed with a noose.
Linda Brandt, the principal of Summerwind Elementary School in Palmdale, reportedly shared the photograph in an email to all teachers earlier this month. It shows four educators – one believed by people close to the situation to have not had her first year contract renewed for a second year prior to the scandal breaking – dangling and pointing to the rope tied into a fashion to hang. Alongside on of it hanging on a classroom wall, the pictures quickly spread to parents via Instagram. 'They had the audacity to show up today,' Shaka Phillipps, a former teacher, administrator, and educational consultant, told Yahoo Lifestyle as she protested them still having their jobs Thursday. 'The integrity of the school is completely compromised. To the black community, a noose is a weapon, a symbol of slavery and lynching.' Her niece attends the school and she said she is 'now questioning the education every student of color has received in this class'... |
via International Skeptics Forum http://bit.ly/2J9zrr6
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