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.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
United States Navy
When going through multi-engine flight training, a pilot was once told "when one engine fails on a twin-engine aircraft, the second engine will suffice long enough to get you to the scene of the crash."
Really? This must put a lot of confidence in a new pilot flying a 15 year old twin-engine prop.
This brings to question what state of disrepair the fleet of twin engine aircraft are in if pilots need to be told this as part of their basic training...hmm... well, job security for fire departments and EMS at the very least :-)
Really? This must put a lot of confidence in a new pilot flying a 15 year old twin-engine prop.
This brings to question what state of disrepair the fleet of twin engine aircraft are in if pilots need to be told this as part of their basic training...hmm... well, job security for fire departments and EMS at the very least :-)
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Unintelligable Speech
So something that really irks my nerves to a level I cannot explain is the amazing predetermination people have to use what some would refer to as "ebonics" in their everyday speech.
ummmm i was in mr smith's class nd u used to be all in there reely idk how to explain to u hu iam
This was in a conversation trying to figure out where a certain person that added on me on facebook knew me from. (I changed the name to protect the teacher from being associated with this person.)
ummmm i was in mr smith's class nd u used to be all in there reely idk how to explain to u hu iam
This was in a conversation trying to figure out where a certain person that added on me on facebook knew me from. (I changed the name to protect the teacher from being associated with this person.)
Origin of a Blog
So this blog is a multipurpose one, written to expose mine and others thoughts on philosophy, education, and a wide mix of other thought provoking ideas.
So, my first collection of thoughts: Reasons You Shouldn't be in X class:
1. College Algebra - If you need to use your TI-83 graphing calculator to subtract 12 from 25, you shouldn't be in this class.
2. Chemistry Principles I (for SCIENCE majors) - If you believe that the boiling point of water is 115 degrees farenheit, you shouldn't be in this class.
3. Chemistry Principles I Lab - If you believe your lab partner should purchase the $136 lab manual and you just copy the pages as you need the questions, you shouldn't be in this class.
4. English II/Literature - If you believe that the question "what are you reading for fun" refers to magazines, you shouldn't be in this class.
5. Biology Principles II - If you believe that you are going to get into medical school to become a "brain surgeon" after you had a C in biology I and a first-semester GPA of 3.1, you shouldn't be in this class.
6. Biology Principles II Lab - If you need someone to point out to you all of the internal organs of a fetal pig (including the very large liver) despite your lab manual that has pictures, you shouldn't be in this class.
These are my personal observations exclusively from February 2-3, 2010.
So, my first collection of thoughts: Reasons You Shouldn't be in X class:
1. College Algebra - If you need to use your TI-83 graphing calculator to subtract 12 from 25, you shouldn't be in this class.
2. Chemistry Principles I (for SCIENCE majors) - If you believe that the boiling point of water is 115 degrees farenheit, you shouldn't be in this class.
3. Chemistry Principles I Lab - If you believe your lab partner should purchase the $136 lab manual and you just copy the pages as you need the questions, you shouldn't be in this class.
4. English II/Literature - If you believe that the question "what are you reading for fun" refers to magazines, you shouldn't be in this class.
5. Biology Principles II - If you believe that you are going to get into medical school to become a "brain surgeon" after you had a C in biology I and a first-semester GPA of 3.1, you shouldn't be in this class.
6. Biology Principles II Lab - If you need someone to point out to you all of the internal organs of a fetal pig (including the very large liver) despite your lab manual that has pictures, you shouldn't be in this class.
These are my personal observations exclusively from February 2-3, 2010.
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