[inquisitr.com] Very interesting perspective on Alien space travel.​

Druvius comments on May 6, 2018:

This makes little sense. The benefits of things like weather, communication, and other satellites vastly outweighs the costs of getting them into orbit. If it cost 2.4 times as much on Earth to get payloads into space it might have slowed space exploration some, but certainly wouldn't have prevented it. As for star travel, .2c seems feasible with current technology, bringing flight times down to decades for nearby stars. Humans started buildimg cathedrals they knew wouldn't be finished for centuries. Star travel might be slow, but that wouldn't stop humans or aliens.

Gun That Looks Like Cell Phone Promoted On NRA Website Can you possibly be that fucking stupid! ...

Druvius comments on May 2, 2018:

http://concealednation.org/2013/06/funny-concealed-carry/

It's the same shit every time.

Druvius comments on Apr 29, 2018:

There are no good arguments against reasonable gun control, so they are limited to a quiver full of bad arguments. Some more ridiculous than others.

Alfie Evans thoughts?

Druvius comments on Apr 29, 2018:

The experts weren't proved wrong. And there was no treatment possible, he was receiving paliative care. This is a case that shows in the UK at lrast that the system works. It's the religious right that drove the opposition to this on ideological/religious grounds, trying to create controversy where there wasn't any.

If you could travel back in time and alter any one historical event, what would it be?

Druvius comments on Apr 27, 2018:

Anyone who really is a student of history knows this is a trick question. Any event in history if altered could just as easily have made things worse. No one has a crystal ball. That being said, my entry would be as follows. When the Praetorian Guard rioted against Pertinax in 193ad, and he chose to talk to them, he persuaded them to end their rebellion and support his rule. Instead of killing him. Interesting question.

I had to put my tuxedo to sleep this afternoon.

Druvius comments on Apr 27, 2018:

So sorry. Know your pain.

This is off topic but I can't help talking about it.

Druvius comments on Apr 23, 2018:

Well, interesting case. Yes, PETA's contention is wrong, monkey's cannot hold a copyright. Only human beings can. However, does this mean the pictures are public domain since the monkey took them, or can the owner of the camera claim copyright?

[youtu.be] Think I'm officially a Dr. Mike fan. Has nothing at all to do with how cute he is?

Druvius comments on Apr 23, 2018:

I saw a bottle of Hershey's chocolate syrup once labeled "100% fat free!"

How about Synchronicity?

Druvius comments on Apr 21, 2018:

It's an interesting idea, Jung was no fool. I certainly tend to experience it more when my mental state is positive and my life is on track, far less so when I am down. Sort of like the unconcious mind reinforcing good vibes. Or bringing things to attention that could use pondering. That the human mind can even notice and parse such things is a tribute to how complex it is and how complex its interplay with the world is.

[thecut.com] Ah ha! Finally someone said it.

Druvius comments on Apr 21, 2018:

Yes. One of my favourite definitions of feminism: “Feminism is the radical notion that women are human beings.” ― Cheris Kramarae

Ripley is my hero.

Druvius comments on Apr 21, 2018:

She had her priorities straight. An interesting fan theory: https://www.reddit.com/r/FanTheories/comments/2odixp/alien_jones_the_cat_was_best_friends_with_the/

How long has it been since this investigation started?

Druvius comments on Apr 20, 2018:

Benghazi!

What does everyone think about that new study that make pose the question of whether or not there ...

Druvius comments on Apr 19, 2018:

Amazing to me how many people leaped to the conclusion that this study was saying there is evidence for pre human civilizations. No, that's not even remotely what it was about. It was about, what sort of geological evidence would a pre human civilization leave? No different than "If the Big Bang happened, what sort of evidence would we see?" There's no evidence for a pre human civilization, but it's not impossible, and this study just clarifies what any scientist seeking evidence for same should look for.

What does everyone think about that new study that make pose the question of whether or not there ...

Druvius comments on Apr 18, 2018:

Science at its best. If there was a pre human industrial civilization, what traces would it leave? The preservation of ruins or fossils are extremely unlikely after tens of millions of years, but there are things in the geologic record to look for. None have been found yet, but but this study may encourage scientists to look further. Seems unlikely, but certainly can't be ruled out.

This is what I got for disagreement with Trump supporters on Facebook !!!

Druvius comments on Apr 18, 2018:

The sad thing (well, one of several sad things) is that some conservatives think this is clever and witty.

Is there intelligent life out there in the universe?

Druvius comments on Apr 18, 2018:

Maybe, depends on how likely it was that we evolved. Seti has done a number of very interesting studies over the past few decades, and boy, they've come up with nada. My suspicion is that life like ours is an evolutionary dead end. That we will either kill ourselves soon with war or climate disaster, and if not, sooner or later some nutcase will build a doomsday weapon.

I just tried to be the better man.

Druvius comments on Apr 17, 2018:

Good for you. I'm a big fan of taking the high road.

Customer service point of view.

Druvius comments on Apr 17, 2018:

How people treat clerks etc is possibly the best indication of character I know. Even if service help aren't at their best, I assume they are having a shitty day for whatever reason and it's even more important to treat them with dignity and respect. We're all in this together.

I've screwed up again.

Druvius comments on Apr 16, 2018:

Welcome to Earth? Good luck on the next one. :)

"People have lost the ability to judge what is real and what is not.

Druvius comments on Apr 15, 2018:

There has always been a strong streak of anti-intellectuism in America, but it's gotten much worse in the past few decades. I don't see it swinging the other way anytime soon. It's disenheartening.

800 showed up DOVER, Del.

Druvius comments on Apr 15, 2018:

Whenever you hear a slippery slope argument, means they don't have any good arguments. Easily one of the more dishonest false arguments people use.

The FACT is, our United States Congress has NOT authorized any military intervention whatsoever in ...

Druvius comments on Apr 15, 2018:

Yerp, we committed a war crime to punish Assad for alledgedly committing a war crime. And yes, Congress has abrogated their responsibilities.

What is your conspiracy fear that seems like nobody else thinks about?

Druvius comments on Apr 13, 2018:

That's a curious theory. It has been suggested that we should be careful about altering Mars, never heard it applied to the Moon. The only thing Moon mining looks good for now is He3, for possible use in clean fusion reactors on Earth. And for water, to use for missions to the rest of the Solar System. While I think your concerns are overblown, I appreciate the thinking process. Humans have a nasty habit of plowing ahead without worrying about the environmental consequences down the road. A habit that could have really unpredictable consequences in Solar System exploration.

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla.

Druvius comments on Apr 13, 2018:

A fine example of why "MOAR GUNS!" isn't the solution.

What is the point for people sagging their pants down to their knees?

Druvius comments on Apr 12, 2018:

It's blacks expressing solidarity with blacks in prison. And no, it's NOT a sign they are available in prison, that's shithead racist crap. I agree it's an odd fashion choice, but it is a free country, nu?

I want to say a little about Trolls.

Druvius comments on Apr 12, 2018:

There are no logical arguments against sensible gun control. Thus the endless garbage arguments by ammosexuals.

Should we have intelligence thresholds for voting?

Druvius comments on Apr 12, 2018:

No, voting requires good judgement, not intelligence.

Pope Francis says helping the poor and migrants is as important as opposing abortion

Druvius comments on Apr 11, 2018:

Woohoo! Help people while simultaneously depriving them of their rights and body autonomy! The Lord works in mysterious ways.

My new glasses!

Druvius comments on Apr 11, 2018:

Looking good.

If 'Oumuamua Is an Alien Spacecraft, It's Keeping Quiet So Far.. [livescience.com]

Druvius comments on Apr 11, 2018:

There never was much likelihood for this, although its unusual shape is peculiar.

A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS (This is a slightly modified version of a post from...

Druvius comments on Apr 11, 2018:

There's an easier way: 1. Stop falling for racist fearmonging and understand it's not a horrible crisis, just one of the many minor issues nations have to manage. 2. Get on with your life.

Some hot guy near me at the gym didn't even hear my loud fart, because he had his headphones in.

Druvius comments on Apr 10, 2018:

"Damn barking spiders!"

45 opened elephants and lions to trophy kill by Americans again.

Druvius comments on Apr 10, 2018:

I don't think westerners have any business telling African countries what they should outlaw.

Compliments

Druvius comments on Apr 10, 2018:

I was once told I look like a Hell's Angel on his day off. My favorite to this day. :)

A cosmology question.

Druvius comments on Apr 10, 2018:

OK, a little off as to the size of the two galaxies in the night sky, they would each be about twice the size of this, that's what Andromeda would look like if Earth wasn't stuck in a dusty arm of the Milky Way. There would still be countless other nearby galaxies and intergalactic stars visible in the pristine clarity of intergalactic space.

A cosmology question.

Druvius comments on Apr 10, 2018:

We are currently in a dust cloud that wildly obscures our night sky. Halfway between the two galaxies the night sky would be almost unimaginably awesome, with a huge part of the sky being one or the other galaxies (or both) spanning a huge portion of the sky, and countless intergalactic stars and distant galaxies visible. The night sky would be almost solid with things we could see.

Creation vs. Evolution

Druvius comments on Apr 9, 2018:

Agreed, the debate was over by about 1870. Because some people are still in denial doesn't make it a debate.

Some hot guy near me at the gym didn't even hear my loud fart, because he had his headphones in.

Druvius comments on Apr 9, 2018:

Overshare. ;)

I want to explore a touchy topic.

Druvius comments on Apr 9, 2018:

It's something I have pondered for decades. For the most part gender differences are trivial, males and females are essentially the same. Yet when it comes to physical violence, males are wildly overrepresented. Needs more study I guess.

[en.

Druvius comments on Apr 8, 2018:

I'm sure I have heard of it, I have always had an interest in abiogenesis. It's made great progress in recent decades, and at this point it's looking like life is inevitable under the right conditions. https://www.quantamagazine.org/first-support-for-a-physics-theory-of-life-20170726/

"If Jews had guns there wouldn't have been a holocaust" you're now victim blaming.

Druvius comments on Apr 8, 2018:

It is one of the more ridiculous and insulting tropes thrown around by anti gun control peeps.

Life coach Tony Robbins says women are using the MeToo movement to get certainty and significance in...

Druvius comments on Apr 7, 2018:

Misogyny illustrated?

Some years ago a friend who is married to an Episcopalian minister asked me if I was a church goer.

Druvius comments on Apr 7, 2018:

Where is the hypocrisy? What am I missing?

Newly vegetarian help!!!???

Druvius comments on Apr 7, 2018:

Beans and rice. If completely vegetarian, you need to eat nutritional yeast as well.

What's an interesting fact you know?

Druvius comments on Apr 7, 2018:

Buffalo Calf Road Woman is the one who knocked Custer off his horse at the Battle of Greasy Grass. The expression on his face must have been priceless.

How do you measure soul?

Druvius comments on Apr 6, 2018:

The word soul is loaded with all sorts of historical mystical crap. If by soul, one means conciousness, IE self awareness or theory of mind, then there is something to talk about. Most people at least agree with Descartes "I think therefore I am." But despite the fact that a huge amount of thought has been given to it by both philosophers and scientists, we aren't much further along than a general agreement it exists. There has been some alleged progress made in recent years, but honestly I am not conversant enough in the required fields to have an opinion on it.

It's a very complicated case, Israel and Palestine.

Druvius comments on Apr 6, 2018:

Your English is fine, I appreciate your insights. The situation in that part of the world is complicated, I don't pretend to understand it, but I am pretty sure my country's involvement isn't helping.

How would you handle this?

Druvius comments on Apr 6, 2018:

They are ritual words. IE they are just words. If the tradition is to say them, say them. It's about the tradition, not your sensebilities, by choosing to participate you are tacitly agreeing to the ritual. That's my take, based on what you posted.

Does anyone else ever miss going to church sometimes?

Druvius comments on Apr 5, 2018:

Well, no, but that's because I still occaisionally go to church. It's an extremely progressive and inclusive congregation, and I've worked alongside the reverend in many social justice undertakings. :)

Admitting when you’re wrong..

Druvius comments on Apr 5, 2018:

Yes, it is a human issue. I find it hard to admit I'm wrong. I've blogged about this: https://www.patreon.com/posts/hardest-words-to-17500476

Having watched the Trumpet speak for over a year now, I ask the question.

Druvius comments on Apr 5, 2018:

The scary part is that a few decades ago he was noticeably more coherent. I've watched old interviews and such, he was never one of the brighter candles on the cake, but he used to be able to speak in complete sentences. Not a goodsign at all.

Google Employees Are Livid About Company's 'Evil' Military Partnership... [livescience.com]

Druvius comments on Apr 5, 2018:

"Non offensive uses only." Um, no, a global military empire is purely about offense, by definition.

A Third of Young Millennials Are Confused About This Incontrovertible Fact... [livescience.com]

Druvius comments on Apr 5, 2018:

The human brain isn't designed for logic, it's a very sophisticated pattern recognition device. So the fact that people fall for such stuff is a feature, not a bug. IE a fair amount of study has been done on conspiracy ideation now, and there is little indication that these beliefs are pathological in any way. So yes, a failure to educate people on logic, critical thinking, and spotting false arguments. Compounded by all sorts of powerful influences in media, advertising, and politics that not only encourage ridiculous beliefs ... science is increasingly being used to encourage them more effectively! Even if both situations were to change (I wouldn't hold my breath) the incidence of conspiracy thinking would no doubt drop, but it's hard to imagine it ever going away.

How do you measure soul?

Druvius comments on Apr 4, 2018:

I think you are describing Panpsychism, which I tend to agree with. Def agree that the idea only humans have souls is pernicious nonsense. Just read a book covering a lot of this, The Big Picture by Sean Carroll. Lots of food for thought.

The Owner of Snopes.

Druvius comments on Apr 4, 2018:

I've yet to see a Snopes story that was wildly off base. Criticism of them seems to be limited to birthers, truthers, and other conspiracy proponents who live in alternate realities.

Evangelical Pastor Claims Traditional Gender Roles Can Prevent Sexual Abuse | HuffPost

Druvius comments on Apr 4, 2018:

Wow, just wow.

Would you rather work at a place you love where you make very little money or a place you hate where...

Druvius comments on Apr 4, 2018:

This one's easy. Doesn't matter how much money you're making if it's a shitty work environment. Been there, done that, wasn't worth it. Never again.

Racism goes both ways

Druvius comments on Apr 4, 2018:

Anyone can be prejudiced, by racism is an institutional system that privileges one group and discriminates against minorities in virtually all walks of life. So no, racism only goes one way.

Alien theory

Druvius comments on Apr 4, 2018:

On a scale of one to ten, minus ten. He's a hoaxer who is laughing all the way to the bank. His books are filled with factual innacuracies, lies, and glaring omissions. There is no evidence for ancient aliens and no reason to invoke them, nothing our ancestors did required outside help.

Antarctica's Underwater Ice Is Retreating 5 Times Faster Than It Should Be... [livescience.com]

Druvius comments on Apr 3, 2018:

This is an aspect of global warming that rarely gets mentioned, in many ways it is happening faster than models predict. And there's no reason to believe it couldn't suddenly accelerate, nature tends to sudden rates of change when things destabilize.

What's a phrase you vehemently despise?

Druvius comments on Apr 3, 2018:

Potty humour from anyone over 13.

What movie trope is the worst?

Druvius comments on Apr 3, 2018:

I think you mean trope?

Soooo what do you feel about AIs?

Druvius comments on Apr 3, 2018:

At this point AIs definitively are not conscious in the sense a person is concious. None can pass the Turing Test under real world conditions. At some point they may be, but right now there seems little likelihood that will happen anytime soon. I just read a book that covers this topic in depth, fascinating reading: https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Big_Picture.html?id=fM5ijwEACAAJ&hl=en

A probability word problem, it's not a riddle, no trick answer.

Druvius comments on Apr 3, 2018:

It's counter intuitive. The way to think about it is this. Two of the three boxes contain two of the same colour marbles. So when you select the first box at random, there is a 2/3rds chance it contains two like coloured marbles. Looking at one marble doesn't change that, whether it is gold or silver, 2/3rds of the time the second marble will be the same as the first. Since 2/3rds of the time the box you randomly selected contains two like coloured marbles.

Paranormal Experiences?

Druvius comments on Apr 2, 2018:

I've seen and experienced some stuff. I'll freely admit there does not appear to be any evidence for supernatural influences in reality. Still is fun to talk about, and as long as we haven't ruled out that we are living in a simulation or such, who knows. I run a Facebook group called "Glitches in the Matrix" where people can share such experiences and talk about them in an open minded environment.

What character traits indicate someone is a "good" person?

Druvius comments on Apr 1, 2018:

How they treat people of lower social status is certainly the primary indication of character.

Nothing like a little sacrilege on a beautiful Easter Sunday.

Druvius comments on Apr 1, 2018:

And this ...

First evidence for higher state of consciousness

Druvius comments on Apr 1, 2018:

Yes, it's good thst research on these substances is now taking place, but no doubt it will prove a fertile field for bad science reporting.

Nothing like a little sacrilege on a beautiful Easter Sunday.

Druvius comments on Apr 1, 2018:

This one. :)

My downstairs neighbor is a rude ass.

Druvius comments on Apr 1, 2018:

There may not be any good options besides moving. If you get into a pissing contest with him, who knows what he is capable of. Look at your lease and look into the laws in your town an state. It may be that if he gets a certain number of police reports filed, the complex will have grounds to evict him. Good luck, neighbour issues are the worst.

My jesus jokes offended 2 Xians today. Oops.

Druvius comments on Apr 1, 2018:

Dunno what state you live in, but a single ill advised joke can get you fired in some of them.

2nd Amendment

Druvius comments on Apr 1, 2018:

The Second Amendment isn't the problem. And since we can't even get basic common sense gun control enacted, the chances of ammending the Constitution are zip. Basically claiming the Second Amendment is under threat is one of the many ways the NRA rallies its supporters, since it doesn't have any logical argumentd against gun control.

Fermi Paradox: Where are the aliens?

Druvius comments on Mar 31, 2018:

It's clear at this point that the Star Trek universe doesn't exist, SETI has pursued quite a number of avenues and come up with nada. My suspicion is that intelligence such as ours is an evolutionary dead end, within a century it will be possible to build a doomsday device in a garage, and sooner or later someone will. It's also possible that intelligient life such as us is so unlikely that even we being here is a fluke. The chances of a monkey typing Hamlet by chance is effectively zero, if we are that unlikely, we're alone.

How will the advent of self-driving cars change your life or the lives of others?

Druvius comments on Mar 31, 2018:

It has good aspects, they will be vastly safer than the current system. Car sharing will mean fdwer cars on the road, less congestion, less pollution. People will gain huge amounts of time, now the car can drop off the kids and pick them up after school and soccer practice. That being said, huge economic changes. Tens of millions of drivers will be out of work. And that's just the direct impact. Far fewer accidents will put a lot of body shops out of work. Less demand on medical facilities. Fewer traffic cops needed. Basically this is going to be a huge change in how we live our lives, especially since drivers will be just one of the professions eliminated by the incipiant robot revolution. Basically we are on the cusp of a second industrial revolution, the first made manual labour largely obselete, skilled labour is next. Going to be interesting to say the least.

I started a new job and was told the two things to not discuss were politics and religion.

Druvius comments on Mar 31, 2018:

Ignore it?

Thousands of years ago, there was a king whose people were very loyal and true to.

Druvius comments on Mar 31, 2018:

Work for me in this lifetime and I will reward you after you die! Greatest scam ever.

Who needs an assault weapon to go hunting, or for self defence?

Druvius comments on Mar 30, 2018:

Yerp, little to no hunting, sorting, or self defence use. Especially with high capacity magazines.

What are the facts of the Big Bang Theory anyway?

Druvius comments on Mar 30, 2018:

This is good: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7ImvlS8PLIo

What's the best fortune cookie message you've ever gotten?

Druvius comments on Mar 30, 2018:

"This fortune cookie was poisoned."

What life altering experience should every human have at least once?

Druvius comments on Mar 30, 2018:

You haven't really lived until you've had a mortal enemy.

What's the strangest experience you've had? Or the strangest thing you've seen?

Druvius comments on Mar 29, 2018:

Really? You wouldn't believe me.

DHS and FBI detail how Russia is hacking into U.

Druvius comments on Mar 28, 2018:

I read the report, same as the report about the Dem servers. A list of ways to hack, minus any actual evidence. More Cold War propaganda in other words.

Purpose

Druvius comments on Mar 28, 2018:

Yeah, that's one of the more idiotic criticisms of athiesm. They have the same purposes as everyone: family, friends, career, art, life, making the world a better place, etc. Minus the devotion to an invisible superfriend.

Newfound 'organ' could be the biggest in your body - CNN

Druvius comments on Mar 28, 2018:

Sounds like connective tissue to me, but the experts will no doubt sort it out.

Did you hear about the insomniac, dyslexic, atheist?

Druvius comments on Mar 28, 2018:

Um ... needs an edit. ;)

What unbelievable prank has your cat ever done?

Druvius comments on Mar 28, 2018:

Moving groceries in one day a bag of litter leaked, leaving a little pile of kitty litter on the carpet the size of a quarter. Came back awhile later to clean it up ... and Miss Kitty had very carefully peed right on it. I couldn't even be angry, it was kitty litter. Well played Miss Kitty, well played.

What do people do that grosses you out? X(

Druvius comments on Mar 27, 2018:

Spitting on sidewalks where people walk.

Former Supreme Court Justice Stevens: Repeal the Second Amendment I don’t believe it need ...

Druvius comments on Mar 27, 2018:

Nothing in the constitution needs to be changed to make significant progress on gun control in the US. Even suggesting it plays into the hands of the NRA.

Was there a historical Jesus?

Druvius comments on Mar 27, 2018:

There is no historical Jesus. And while the Romans kept good records, maybe 10% of those records survive. Modern archeology may well someday recover more contemporary information, but until then, who knows?

What are you reading currently? Recommend it?

Druvius comments on Mar 26, 2018:

The Big Picture: On the Origins of Life, Meaning, and the Universe Itself. By Sean Carroll. Great for people interested in such things.

All you pro gun people need to understand how difficult it is to change the Constitution.

Druvius comments on Mar 26, 2018:

Yes, there are no constitutional issues with gun control, no one's rights are in danger. It's a disengenuous scare tactic promoted by the NRA and their ilk.

Since 2017, I do been hearing people downtown Portland say,there's Earthquake coming,and it may ...

Druvius comments on Mar 26, 2018:

Absolutely true. Might be tomorrow, might be centuries from now. A few sensible precautions can improve your odds of coming through it with only stories to tell.

If undeniable evidence of a diety or deities were to come out tomorrow, how would you respond?

Druvius comments on Mar 25, 2018:

It wouldn't matter. This is basically roko's basilisk restated, they would judge you by your previous behaviour. That being said, should I meet my maker I could look them in the eye.

What if I told you that you can feel sadness and empathy for families affected by mass shootings ...

Druvius comments on Mar 25, 2018:

Gun rights aren't under threat, so they don't need support. Your stance makes no sense. Stating your opposition to gun control in this disengenuous fashion is the opposite of empathy for the victims of gun violence. You are trying to have your cake and eat it too.

Could you consider someone a real friend, if you've never met them in person?

Druvius comments on Mar 25, 2018:

Yes, why not?

Now Registering Animal abusers

Druvius comments on Mar 25, 2018:

I'm conflicted about this too. Sex offender registries have been a very mixed blessing, they've done a lot of harm, been very expensive, and done little, if any, good. The actual dangerous sex offenders do what they need to do to stay off the lists. In a perfect world where the people maintaining these lists were uncorruptible and had God-like prescience they would be great. We are living in far from a perfect world.

[youtu.be]

Druvius comments on Mar 24, 2018:

Lol, this is why I'm not an athiest. :)

Musings of a conflicted feminist.

Druvius comments on Mar 24, 2018:

Yeah, most if not all of the "successful" relationships I see in friends and family more or less involve one party being subsumed by the other. I prefer not to be the subsumer or the subsumee, but I have yet to figure out how to do that. And yes, the older I get, the less I know. And I was an idiot as a young man.

What gives your life meaning? What keeps you going?

Druvius comments on Mar 24, 2018:

Being there for friends and family, trying to leave the world a better place than I found it, pondering the mysteries of the Universe.

A Georgia Mom Crashed Her Car Into a Concrete Pole to Show Her Kids God Exists – Friendly Atheist

Druvius comments on Mar 24, 2018:

She must have been dropped on her head as a baby.