tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12241141387785450182024-02-18T23:58:34.452-06:00Stonemeister's BlatherThis blog has a couple of purposes. First and foremost, I would like to share my thoughts, ideas, and general blather with the more global community of thinkers. Second, I am using these postings as treatments for separate chapters of a book I plan to write. It looks like this method is as good as any.
Please feel free to comment!Stonemeisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10494598649856394713noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224114138778545018.post-25714168597713360192008-09-08T23:21:00.000-05:002008-09-08T23:30:30.053-05:00The title says it all...<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CDad%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CDad%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CDad%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> 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Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">From Slate:
<br /><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><b><span style=";font-family:";font-size:24;" ></span></b></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><b><span style=";font-family:";font-size:24;" ><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:180%;" >What's the difference between Palin and Muslim fundamentalists? Lipstick</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">A theocrat is a theocrat, whether Muslim or Christian. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >By Juan Cole</span></p></blockquote> <p class="MsoNormal">Oh. My. G-d! Read the article if you can stomach it, at <a href="http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2008/09/09/palin_fundamentalist/index.html?source=rss">Slate</a>.<span style=""> </span>So the Muslim theocracy is equivalent to the Christian theocracy.<span style=""> </span>Hmm.<span style=""> </span>Let’s see, point-by-point:</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">How does Islam deal with non-believers?</span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">From the Koran: </span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-family:";font-size:100%;color:green;" >4.89 : They desire that you should disbelieve as they have disbelieved, so that you might be (all) alike; therefore take not from among them friends until they fly (their homes) in Allah's way; but if they turn back, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them, and take not from among them a friend or a helper.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Slay them wherever ye find them and drive them out of the places whence they drove you out, for persecution is worse than slaughter. - 2:191<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >If you should die or be killed in the cause of Allah, His mercy and forgiveness would surely be better than all they riches they amass. If you should die or be killed, before Him you shall all be gathered. - 3:157-8<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >But if they turn renegades, seize them and slay them wherever you find them. - 4:89<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Allah will humble the unbelievers. Allah and His apostle are free from obligations to idol-worshipers. Proclaim a woeful punishment to the unbelievers. - 9:2-3<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Fight those who believe neither in God nor the Last Day, nor what has been forbidden by God and his messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, even if they are People of the Book, until they pay the tribute and have been humbled. - 9:29 (another source: ) The unbelievers are impure and their abode is hell. (another source: ) Humiliate the non-Muslims to such an extent that they surrender and pay tribute.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >O Prophet! Make war on the unbelievers and the hypocrites. Be harsh with them. Their ultimate abode is hell, a hapless journey's end. - 9:73<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;color:green;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">When you meet the unbelievers, smite their necks, then when you have made wide slaughter among them, tie fast the bonds, then set them free, either by grace or ransom, until the war lays down its burdens. - 47:4</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;color:green;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;color:green;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >How does Christianity, or Judaism, or any other religion you know of deal with non-believers?<span style=""> </span>Certainly not like this!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >How about making friends?<span style=""> </span>From the Koran: <span style="color:green;"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">5.51: O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people.</span><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;color:green;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >If I’m not mistaken, the other religions have no similar rule.<span style=""> </span>The point of this is, Islam is unlike other religions.<span style=""> </span>While Judaism and Christianity (the basis of our culture) has a small set of Commandments, the theology is primarily a personal mindset helping to define the individual’s relationship with the Creator.<span style=""> </span>Islam is very different.<span style=""> </span>It <i style="">commands</i> the adherent in inflexible, violent ways of personal, societal, military, criminal, civil, and every other aspect of life.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >There are no moderate Islamists, because Islam punishes apostasy with death -- except in this country, since Sharia law is (thankfully) not in effect.<span style=""> </span>But if Islam gains strength here, so-called moderates would become orthodox, for fear of punishment.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">So the statement “A theocrat is a theocrat, whether Muslim or Christian” is made either in ignorance of the realities of Islam, or were written to deceive.</span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">You decide which.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> Stonemeisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10494598649856394713noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224114138778545018.post-84116626563889599362008-09-07T22:13:00.000-05:002008-09-07T22:24:19.877-05:00Just who are the Democrats?There are different kinds of people rooting for Obama. Speaking in the broadest possible generalities, they fall into three groups: the traditional Democrats, airheads, and Socialists.<br /><br />Old school Democrats are the heart of the party, of course, but losing their stomach for the recent swing leftward. These people are good Americans, who care more for fairness for the little guy than being competitive. They are willing to sacrifice freedom for an assuredness of outcome. They want to get their job and never have to worry about looking for another. They appreciate Unions more than their employers, because the Unions promise them stability and guarantees, while the employers reward value and ambition. The main events of their lives: birth, first job, marriage, kids, retirement, death. The important stuff happens in between, but it’s all day-to-day, Budweiser state fair, tv watching, NFL and NASCAR stuff. There’s nothing wrong with this outlook. To some people, the job and the chase for an ever higher salary is a low or non-existent priority. It’s another hue in the American palette.<br /><br />The primary target of the Democrat party is the second type. These are the born followers. During the ‘60’s, these were the kids who became non-conformists to fit in with the cool kids, wearing the anti-establishment uniform of tie-dye shirts, ragged blue jeans, long hair, and of course, mind-expanding altering drugs. These are generally intellectually lazy types: In school, they could never master math, never grasped science, and couldn’t handle all the dates in history class. They might have enjoyed art class, poetry, acting, music – all the subjective courses that required simple mimicry to squeak by, instead of mastery of processes of reasoning. [Important note: in the arts, there is no “right” or “wrong”. Everything is relative. Expanding on this nonsense, it is not a stretch to see how the same lack of values has been applied to other areas, such as moral relativism] <br /><br />Success in this artsy universe requires a smidgeon of talent and recitation of buzzwords, phrases, slogans, and acceptance by the like-minded. This explains why Hollywood leans so heavily to the left. Actors are basically people with no personalities of their own who pretend to be people with personalities. They likewise have no substantial intellect or skills – hence their attraction to Hollywood, despite the ridiculous odds against success there. These people, like fish swimming in schools, will dart in the direction of the group, justifying thoughts by “feelings” and “vibes”. If pressed for something that sounds rational, they will establish an arbitrary “truth” (e.g., Bush lied us into the Iraq war) and draw a pained logic from that point. These people use arguments such as “well, everyone knows…”, “Karl Rove plotted…”, “the NY Times wrote that…”. They don’t question the prevailing left-wing wisdom – ever – they build upon on it. <br /><br />Successful leftists of the second order are besieged by guilt because, under all the artificiality, they realize at some level that they are just plain lucky. But like the primitives they really are, they are also hoarders. They know there are people less fortunate than themselves who would benefit from charity, but want everyone else to pay for it. This is how they justify social program by the government. They seriously believe it is government’s role to be everyone’s Santa Claus, everyman’s sugar daddy. They take no personal responsibility for themselves or for their fellow man. As Arthur Brooks writes in “WHO REALLY CARES: The Surprising Truth About Compassionate Conservatism”, Basic Books, 1996:<br />• Households headed by a conservative gave 30 percent more money to charity in 2000 than liberal families, despite earning less money, on average.<br />• In 2002, conservative Americans were more likely to donate blood each year, and did so more often than liberals.<br />• Conservatives are the most giving of their time and their money in every single possible area and every single possible bracket.<br />• Liberal young Americans in 2004 were also significantly less likely than the young conservatives to express a willingness to sacrifice for their loved ones: A lower percentage said they would prefer to suffer than let a loved one suffer, that they are not happy unless the loved one is happy, or that they would sacrifice their own wishes for those they love.<br /><br />The third wing of the Democrat party is the most secretive, and most troublesome, and commanding the most control of the party…the true socialists. They do not love America; they just love the American Real Estate. The Socialists want to eradicate our way of government and economics, and even our behaviors, and replace them with a Socialist utopia. In many ways, they have already had some success. Our government is mired in funding all kinds of social programs, most or all of which could be done better in the private sector (more on this in future columns). The socialists want true income redistribution, state ownership of personal property through confiscatory income taxes, and state control or outright appropriation of commerce and industry. What’s in it for them, you may ask? In every historic example of socialism, the elites got to enjoy the fruits of the labor of the masses, while controlling or eliminating competing ideas…at least until the system collapsed under its own weight of corruption.<br /><br />These Socialists knowingly tell half-truths and outright lies to gain power. They use double-speak as a matter of course. Just look at the jargon:<br /><br />• Right to affordable health care: sounds innocuous, but what is meant is single-source (government) mandatory health insurance, or even a fully government-run health care system. <br />• Pro-choice: abortion is the only choice they promote.<br />• Tax the wealthy: really, confiscate even more money earned by taxpayers and redistribute it to those who neither earn nor pay taxes.<br />• Conserving energy/Containing Global Warming: really, curtailing your freedom<br />• Working Americans: non-working Americans and illegal immigrants<br />• Community Organizer: voter fraud enabler<br /><br />These Socialists are really running the show, but are doing it in disguise. Obama can talk to both sides of an issue and get away with it…the socialists know when he’s lying, and the airheads have no working memory, they really like Obama because he’s so dreamy! But the traditional Democrats are losing patience. They are in the majority, and have been biting their collective tongue when they hear the doublespeak. These Democrats are not Anti-Americans, pro-abortion, anti-religion, anti-capitalists. They’re just willing to put up with some unwanted government programs so that they get their union jobs and free retirement benefits from Social Security. But enough is enough.<br /><br />Once the smokescreen is blown away, and the Socialists are seen for who they are, it should not be difficult for the traditional Democrats to switch to the pro-American party. We’ve seen Geraldine Ferraro testing the waters on the other side on the single issue of a woman as a VP. This isn’t the only issue that’s pushing people over the edge. The entirety of the Democrat campaign has been a touchy-feely campaign custom-made to attract airheads. It’s much harder to answer policy questions with sufficient truthfulness without irritating true Americans, whether they are old Democrats or modern Republicans.Stonemeisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10494598649856394713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224114138778545018.post-13706803128406804602008-08-31T15:24:00.000-05:002008-09-04T15:35:37.290-05:00On Evolution, Part I<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKfRt-EmwU8OYzEWOC5t3D2ftArvKek_wKoMh3d6Fqbv10xDqxv76seN80nT0hlxlL-MNwrNnlAXc0OyZ6CpM3UR5fyfpESUttSN8QEkXZOFKXRDo306iS6VxR3x_7kWdhecjBgOn2D_5/s1600-h/dna.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKfRt-EmwU8OYzEWOC5t3D2ftArvKek_wKoMh3d6Fqbv10xDqxv76seN80nT0hlxlL-MNwrNnlAXc0OyZ6CpM3UR5fyfpESUttSN8QEkXZOFKXRDo306iS6VxR3x_7kWdhecjBgOn2D_5/s320/dna.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242265531562529186" border="0" /></a>
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mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:0in; mso-para-margin-left:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapedefaults ext="edit" spidmax="1027"> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapelayout ext="edit"> <o:idmap ext="edit" data="1"> </o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">This is the first in what I hope becomes a series of blathers on the topic of Evolution. Fortunately everyone is of like minds on this topic. But I’ll give it a go anyway, as I am not hearing discussions that hit the key points that I’d like to hear. It’s not that I will only listen to people who agree with my conclusions, rather, I would like to hear certain sub-topics on evolution discussed, whereas they are “tip-toed” around, or worse yet, omitted.<o:p></o:p></span></span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">Whenever I start a conversation on Evolution, I am always “forced” to make a couple of preamblic statements, primarily to keep from being summarily ignored, secondarily to keep me from being drawn and quartered. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">First off, I do not believe in the literal interpretation of the olde English version of the bible, as translated from Latin, as translated from Ancient Greek, as translated from Hebrew. Call me nuts, but I never believed the bible was meant to be taken as a video-tape-accurate journal of events. And since the Genesis of the Universe was populated by relatively few historians, it would be asking quite a bit to have an accurate play-by-play.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">Second, I do not believe that Charles Darwin fabricated a tale of lies simply as an anti-religious manifesto. Actually, there is quite a lot in the theory of Evolution that seems to hold up well to scrutiny. [Here is where I am usually referred to as a bible thumper, knuckle-dragger, flat-earther, or worst of all, a <i>creationist!</i>] </span><span style="">But I am convinced the theory itself is deeply flawed, and this defect is made painfully obvious by fossil evidence and observation.<o:p></o:p></span></span><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" spt="75" preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"> </v:formulas> <v:path extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" connecttype="rect"> <o:lock ext="edit" aspectratio="t"> </v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1" spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" style="'position:absolute;left:0;text-align:left;margin-left:2.05pt;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\Dad\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg" title=""> <w:wrap type="square"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">This next statement is another one that brands me a heathen in the scientific community: there is much about living organisms that strongly suggest, or force the conclusion of, Intelligent Design. Whenever I mention “Intelligent Design”, I am officially labeled a “creationist” and summarily tarred and feathered without a trial. But by “Intelligent Design”, I simply identify things that are obviously engineered, not random occurrences. For example, take the DNA molecule. This is really quite incredible. It is the largest known molecule of any kind, far more complicated than any plastic, any medicinal compound.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">DNA is not just a molecule. First, it is a storehouse of information. As a brief refresher, the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) resembles a twisted ladder. From my buddies at </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA"><span style="color: blue;">Wikipedia</span></a><span style="">: <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"></p><blockquote><span style="font-size:100%;"><i><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">Chemically, DNA consists of two long polymers of simple units called nucleotides, with backbones made of sugars and phosphate groups joined by ester bonds. These two strands run in opposite directions to each other and are therefore anti-parallel. Attached to each sugar is one of four types of molecules called bases. It is the sequence of these four bases along the backbone that encodes information. This information is read using the genetic code, which specifies the sequence of the amino acids within proteins. <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></blockquote><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">Let’s say in the near future we will have fully understood everything about <i>E. Coli</i> -- the simplest single-celled organism we are aware of, with only one chromosome (we humans have 23 pairs). This means we can identify the cell’s internal chemistry, interactions of constituent components, susceptibility to heat, light, gravity, radiation, etc. And further, the interaction of the cell with other <i>E. Coli</i> as well as different organisms…namely its behavior. We would understand every who, what, when, where, and why of the organism and its behavior. If we were to document this bacterium fully, it would take something on the order of 1,000 encyclopedic volumes. And let’s not forget, unlike the first publishing of our future book-of-the-month club underseller, the <i>E. Coli</i> DNA is absolutely complete and correct. We could only hope this would be true with our hypothetical library.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style=""><span style="font-size:100%;">The <i>E. Coli</i> DNA is a bit more efficient at documenting itself, as it is truly <i>microscopic</i>, versus our theoretical “Encyclopedia Escherichia Coliannica”, which would fill a wing of the local library. But even that comparison is misleading, as the DNA does not simply record the information, and do it in incredibly compressed format. Oh, no, it does far, far more than just that. For starters, the data is encrypted in such a way that our greatest minds and most powerful computers still are struggling to understand the most basic information, often incompletely or totally incorrectly. At this point, I like to ask a key question: why encrypt the information? For argument’s sake, let’s posit that somehow DNA was assembled at random. How can it be that nature favored encoding the information stored in the DNA molecule over a straightforward, easy-to-read version. The way the organism deftly deals with its own genetic information, it has no problem whatsoever with encoding and decoding the molecule. Seems to me, the only people who have trouble with this encryption is…<i>US</i>! But the DNA molecule was created literally billions of years before there were human beings around to annoy with an infinitely challenging encrypted, compressed, complex treasure chest of single-cellular information.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"></p><blockquote><i style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;">...the odds against DNA assembling by chance are 10^40,000 (that's 10 to the power of 40,000 LOL) to one [according to Fred Hoyle, Evolution from Space,1981]This is true, but highly misleading. DNA did not assemble purely by chance. It assembled by a combination of chance and the laws of physics. Without the laws of physics as we know them, life on earth as we know it would not have evolved in the short span of six billion years. The nuclear force was needed to bind protons and neutrons in the nuclei of atoms; electromagnetism was needed to keep atoms and molecules together; and gravity was needed to keep the resulting ingredients for life stuck to the surface of the earth.<o:p></o:p></span></i></blockquote><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style=""><blockquote>--Victor J. Stenger*</blockquote><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">But wait, there’s more to DNA than just a compressed, encoded, complete description of the organism. DNA is a mechanism, and an incredibly complicated one at that. It takes the information about the organism and causes the proteins and other molecules that get the organism formed and functioning in the first place. Think of it as the engineering blueprints that create the assembly line. The molecule even creates proteins on its surface that adds another layer of encoded instructions, called epigenetics, just in case you felt the DNA molecule was just too simple! So the molecule isn’t just the rulebook but the rule engine. And here’s where it wins the Ronco multifunction seal of approval…the DNA molecule replicates itself, checks for errors, and corrects itself, too!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">Now, let’s look beyond a single celled organism. In a multi-celled organism, like YOU, the same exact DNA is in each cell, telling that cell to be a skin cell, a neuron, a nipple cell, whatever. This DNA molecule is the supercoach, understanding every possible function of the whole organism, and telling each individual cell how to do its job… and not just telling it, but actually setting up the whole environment for it, by producing the proteins that make the cell function. So not only does the DNA molecule tell the liver cell to do liver-type stuff, it tells the whole organism to do stuff…tells the robin red-breast to have a red-breast, tells it what songs to sing, how to build a nest, what to feed the chicks, to beware of cats, what a darkening, humid sky means…it knows EVERYTHING!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">And it happened by accident. No, I’m sorry, I cannot even pretend to believe that. The DNA molecule is an extraordinary bit of engineering, far beyond humankind’s ability to replicate. If you watch Star Trek and marvel at the futuristic technology of phasers, transporters, and warp speed, this double helix must really blow you away! It is perfectly descriptive, highly compressed, brilliantly encrypted, self-replicating, self-repairing, and hundreds, thousands, or millions of years more advanced than anything we have developed with any of these attributes. No scientist or technologist can honestly say he is not humbled by the engineering genius of DNA. What tends to steer the scientific community away from admitting the obvious nature of DNA is the resulting question: “if it was engineered, then by whom?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> Stonemeisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10494598649856394713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224114138778545018.post-33010727928341831722008-08-25T15:09:00.000-05:002008-09-04T15:22:02.025-05:00Hope, Change, and Critical Thinking<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" 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mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">I have long maintained that there are two distinctly different approaches at making decisions, in personal life, business, and politics. Understanding these widely different processes is key to understanding people’s values, philosophies, aspirations, and general make-up.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">First is <i>critical thinking</i>. The first step in critical thinking is to identify the decision issue(s) in <b>precise</b>, <b>objective</b><b>who</b> the decision impacts (i.e., who the players are); <b>what</b> the decision involves; <b>when</b> the decision is applicable relative to other factors that frame the decision (e.g., gulping in air is only appropriate <i>before</i> diving under water); <b>where</b> the decision is applicable (e.g., deciding whether to fight or flight only having relevance when confronted by a threat)<b>; how</b> the options differ, and <b>why</b> the decision is to be made (motivation). terms. This includes understanding </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Next, the decision options are analyzed to outline the key variables involved, contributions of each variable to the issue, relative importance of variables, sequence of events for the decision to be effective, etc. Most importantly, the different options of a decision must be analyzed to identify cause/effect relationships, and results of decisions.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Finally, a <b>judgment</b> must be made as to which decision options are preferable, based on objective criteria. In other words, a measurement of some sort must be made to see which outcome is best. Of course, defining what constitutes an outcome is of great importance, as it must be complete. For example, jumping off a cliff may be a good choice of ways to get a nice, scenic view, but the analysis must go beyond the first few feet of the fall, as the last few feet of the fall include data that may change one’s mind (or smash it!).</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">As you can see, <i>critical thinking</i> requires some effort, some discipline, and thought, which may not be desirable for some.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">The second approach to decision-making is I<i>ntuition</i>, aka <i>Feelings, Inspiration, Emotion</i> etc. This approach is appropriate in circumstances where objectivity is neither possible nor desirable, such as in artistic efforts, or when there is no time to make any other kind of decision, such as whether to duck or block a punch. When the issue being evaluated does allow for a critical analysis, it is easy to see where intuitive decisions lack the accuracy, specificity, repeatability, and justification of decisions arrived at by critical thinking processes. It must be admitted that sometimes better outcomes are arrived at by intuition than through critical thinking, but this can only be due to happenstance or faulty assumptions/processes/analysis.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i>
<br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i>Critical thinking</i> is basically a means of avoiding error in decision making, but cannot guarantee errors are eliminated. <i>Intuitive</i> decisions are not concerned with error, as accuracy, propriety, quality are not even considered. And here is where I enter into the political realm.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Politically, some generalities: conservatives are more likely to employ critical thinking in decision-making, while liberals are more likely to employ intuition, feelings, and emotion. Case in point: Barak Obama’s slogan of “Hope and Change”. This mantra has been used repeatedly by Obama in every speech, interview, debate, advertisement, bumper sticker, and baby kiss in his campaign. But what does it mean? He has never said. There is no “there” there.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">What hope? Hope for what? What kind of change? Change from what current condition to which future state? Without any details, and numbers, processes, metrics, or specific, critically arriving at any decision to support Obama is impossible. The only way an individual is allowed to decide to support Obama is emotionally -- which may arguably be fine in selecting a boyfriend, or a high-fashion model, or even a puppy. But to select the Leader of the Free World and Commander-In-Chief of the most powerful military in the history of history? I would imagine that this kind of decision is worthy of more thought and effort.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">John McCain’s campaign has not revealed very much about his positions. Whether you agree with him or not, here is what we do know: he has stated that life begins at conception and he is committed to a pro-life presidency; he wants to cut everyone’s income taxes; he wants to eliminate earmarks and other pork-barrel spending; he wants to be assured of victory in Iraq before removing troops; he recognizes the threats of Iranian nukes and the Russian invasion of Georgia; and on and on. In other words, McCain welcomes <i>critical thinking</i> by providing the necessary information.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">That is where we are with this campaign. Obama is committed to a liberal mindset to the extent that it would never even occur to him, or to his advisors, to provide the information necessary for critical thinking. His “Hope” is that the majority of voters will decide in his favor base solely on feelings, so Obama is only providing imagery and hyperbole to support that. McCain is confident that his ideas will stand up to the scrutiny of analysis by the majority of voters who will decide that his ideas are well-founded, well-thought-out, and will produce the desired outcomes for our nation.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Making important decisions based solely on emotion and intuition is potentially dangerous, because the conclusions are of unknown validity. This results in <b>activated ignorance</b>. To quote from <i><a href="http://www.criticalthinking.org/resources/books/tools-for-taking-charge.cfm">Critical Thinking: Tools for Taking Charge of Your Learning and Your Life</a></i> by Richard Paul and Linda Elder:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <blockquote><span style="font-size:100%;"><i>Some people believe, through activated ignorance, that they understand things, events, people, and situations that they do not. They act upon their false ideas, illusions, and misconceptions, often leading to needless waste, pain, and suffering. Sometimes activated ignorance is the basis for massive actions involving millions of people (think of the consequences of the Nazi idea that Germans were the master race and Jews an inferior race). Sometimes it is an individual misconception that is acted on only by one person in a limited number of settings. Wherever activated ignorance exists, it is dangerous.<o:p></o:p></i></span></blockquote> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Politically savvy people, such as campaign organizers and consultants, are very much aware of this. When Obama’s campaign structures their campaign to promote non-critical thinking, are they doing this just to get Obama elected and end there, or is this just the start of their means of communicating, managing, and ultimately, of governing?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">I have a gut feeling, or a hunch, that everything will be all right. Even so, how will you decide come November?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> Stonemeisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10494598649856394713noreply@blogger.com1