Tuesday, February 23, 2010
My newest read
After my politically enlightening read (All The President's Men), I am going to indulge in Evolution: Genesis and Revelations by C. Leon Harris. It seems to offer a promising look into the influences of science on evolution and vice versa, and the science of evolution itself. More to come as I get into it!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Intelligence
Intelligence can be both the greatest blessing and the worst curse anyone can have to endure.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Outburst
I had a rather thought provoking lunch today. Despite the fact that I was eating by myself and mostly wondering
inside my head, I filled up an entire page of thoughts and questions while eating my salad
The following are the collection of my thoughts:
Is there something difficult to understand about "12:30-3:20"? For some reason unknown to me, no one can make it to class by the scheduled time. Maybe its time for a second chapter of "reasons you shouldn't be in college"? On a similar note, this is biology lab, not "listening to my iPhone so loud that my entire table can hear it." If I hear another person's iPod/phone/touch/mp3/mp4 etc at full blast in the middle of class, I will go off my already unstable rocker!
On a slightly more stable subject (for me, anyway), I'm going to take a bite out of vegetarianism. I don't support killing young animals for any purpose. Instead, I believe we should consume animals that have died of natural causes. For example, if my truck hits a deer that I couldn't avoid without putting myself at undue risk, I would consider that deer to have a died of (semi)natural causes. Enter venison burgers and deer jerky.
In a more serious view of the subject, is it really possible to be truly vegetarian or (god forbid) vegan? Unless you have the budget to support a diet consisting of absolutely nothing other than USDA certified organic foods, there was probably animal product involved in [the non-certified] food's production.
As I write this, I am eating a salad. Spinach leaves; romaine, red, and green leaf lettuce, croutons, olives, mushrooms, bacon bits, ranch dressing, and some parmesian cheese. Have you ever critically considered the role of animals in the production of these foods? Which of these foods is more likely to be completely animal-free in its commercial production and usage? Is there any foolproof way to isolate animals and vegetables from one another, especially considering their quintessence in the human diet?
I eat as much meat as the next person, and am borderline phobic of not having my meat every day. To my vegetarian friends (I don't know any vegans), perhaps the purpose of vegetarianism should be aimed away from completely eliminating meat and animal product from your diet. A much healthier and more realistic mission is acting as a protagonist for more humane treatment of animals and their usage as a source of food. This is a much more suggestible approach to large corporations who outsource meat production than trying to completely eliminate animal consumption.
*To be noted, the bacon bits in my salad were artificial, composed of hardened soy flour*
inside my head, I filled up an entire page of thoughts and questions while eating my salad
The following are the collection of my thoughts:
Is there something difficult to understand about "12:30-3:20"? For some reason unknown to me, no one can make it to class by the scheduled time. Maybe its time for a second chapter of "reasons you shouldn't be in college"? On a similar note, this is biology lab, not "listening to my iPhone so loud that my entire table can hear it." If I hear another person's iPod/phone/touch/mp3/mp4 etc at full blast in the middle of class, I will go off my already unstable rocker!
On a slightly more stable subject (for me, anyway), I'm going to take a bite out of vegetarianism. I don't support killing young animals for any purpose. Instead, I believe we should consume animals that have died of natural causes. For example, if my truck hits a deer that I couldn't avoid without putting myself at undue risk, I would consider that deer to have a died of (semi)natural causes. Enter venison burgers and deer jerky.
In a more serious view of the subject, is it really possible to be truly vegetarian or (god forbid) vegan? Unless you have the budget to support a diet consisting of absolutely nothing other than USDA certified organic foods, there was probably animal product involved in [the non-certified] food's production.
As I write this, I am eating a salad. Spinach leaves; romaine, red, and green leaf lettuce, croutons, olives, mushrooms, bacon bits, ranch dressing, and some parmesian cheese. Have you ever critically considered the role of animals in the production of these foods? Which of these foods is more likely to be completely animal-free in its commercial production and usage? Is there any foolproof way to isolate animals and vegetables from one another, especially considering their quintessence in the human diet?
I eat as much meat as the next person, and am borderline phobic of not having my meat every day. To my vegetarian friends (I don't know any vegans), perhaps the purpose of vegetarianism should be aimed away from completely eliminating meat and animal product from your diet. A much healthier and more realistic mission is acting as a protagonist for more humane treatment of animals and their usage as a source of food. This is a much more suggestible approach to large corporations who outsource meat production than trying to completely eliminate animal consumption.
*To be noted, the bacon bits in my salad were artificial, composed of hardened soy flour*
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Religion
Warning: This post may be offensive to some readers. Please consider that it is not written to insult any religion, but to examine why the institutions exist.
What is God? What about the gods of different polytheistic religions?
How is it possible that one omnipotent God can coexist with the different gods of polytheistic religions?
Look at many religions that in fact have constant violence and conflict regarding which religion truly exists, each one in its own right believing that their religion and god(s) is/are the only one(s) that can exist. Yet by creating the conflict over the which religion truly exists, are they/we acknowledging the existence of more than one G/god?
If their/our/your belief that the specific religion is the only one that exists, why is it necessary to debate the accuracy and proof of this with other religions who are merely oblivious to the fact that their religion is not accurate?
Again, this is just food for thought and does not reflect the religious opinions of the author, and it does not aim to offend or prove/disprove the exist or accuracy of any religion.
What is God? What about the gods of different polytheistic religions?
How is it possible that one omnipotent God can coexist with the different gods of polytheistic religions?
Look at many religions that in fact have constant violence and conflict regarding which religion truly exists, each one in its own right believing that their religion and god(s) is/are the only one(s) that can exist. Yet by creating the conflict over the which religion truly exists, are they/we acknowledging the existence of more than one G/god?
If their/our/your belief that the specific religion is the only one that exists, why is it necessary to debate the accuracy and proof of this with other religions who are merely oblivious to the fact that their religion is not accurate?
Again, this is just food for thought and does not reflect the religious opinions of the author, and it does not aim to offend or prove/disprove the exist or accuracy of any religion.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Snow and the chaos theory
It is still snowing here. Over 2 feet on the ground and under a blizzard warning. This is the worst winter I remember, and probably the worst we've ever had here.
While watching Jurassic Park last night, I was intrigued when the mathematician gave a brief overview of the chaos theory. So I did a little background reading. It is a fascinating, yet very true theory. Even when all variables are controlled by our definitions, there are a virtually infinite number of miniscule(sp?) variations that affect the outcome of the reaction/interaction/equation. Because of these variations, it is practically impossible to recreate the same exact outcome of any experiment. So fascinating. I would love to talk to someone with a background in chaos related research.
While watching Jurassic Park last night, I was intrigued when the mathematician gave a brief overview of the chaos theory. So I did a little background reading. It is a fascinating, yet very true theory. Even when all variables are controlled by our definitions, there are a virtually infinite number of miniscule(sp?) variations that affect the outcome of the reaction/interaction/equation. Because of these variations, it is practically impossible to recreate the same exact outcome of any experiment. So fascinating. I would love to talk to someone with a background in chaos related research.
Monday, February 8, 2010
A great novel
So this weekend I have been doing some reading, since we have been more or less trapped by the blizzard. I picked up All The President's Men by Carl Bernstein/Bob Woodward from the library.
I always had a general understanding of the Watergate scandal that ultimately led to Nixon's impeachment/resignation, but this book went into a level of detail and complexity that was hard to believe. Just the idea that two reporters who were barely on the charts at the time exposed the corruptness (word?) of the President and his staff is hard to believe.
On the whole, a great book so far (2/3 finished) and a read that I would recommend for anyone with an interest in the government or politics to read regardless of their views.
I always had a general understanding of the Watergate scandal that ultimately led to Nixon's impeachment/resignation, but this book went into a level of detail and complexity that was hard to believe. Just the idea that two reporters who were barely on the charts at the time exposed the corruptness (word?) of the President and his staff is hard to believe.
On the whole, a great book so far (2/3 finished) and a read that I would recommend for anyone with an interest in the government or politics to read regardless of their views.
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