I cannot lie, I am a Bibliophile

Coffeo comments on Dec 31, 2017:

So if you want the truth, ask a bibliophile?

I finally found my external hard drive today, was at the other residence.

Coffeo comments on Jul 20, 2018:

I don't have any suggestions regarding the first two, which I like as they are. I think the third one would have been better if the region of sharpest focus had been a little farther away, to get some of the larger stumps, but there's not much you can do about that now. As for the fourth, both the sky and the foreground lack interest, and I'd be making this into more of a panoramic shot, along these lines:

Not sure if this is the right place to ask this question but i'm sure someone can at least do the ...

Coffeo comments on Oct 2, 2018:

Never heard of him.

Grizzly, Shoshone National Forrest,Wyoming

Coffeo comments on Oct 25, 2018:

Excellent!

Just when you think that the Australian NLP Government can't do more to damage the citizens comes ...

Coffeo comments on Jun 17, 2021:

Why in the world might I think they can do no more damage? They're the experts.

I have a nagging feeling that Prince Philip has died.

Coffeo comments on Apr 9, 2020:

So what gives you this 'nagging feeling'? It's not much to go on.

My sumac, fall 2017.

Coffeo comments on Oct 11, 2018:

Beautiful!

In the time it took me to get this shot, I could've saved up to 15% on my car insurance.

Coffeo comments on Aug 14, 2018:

Worthwhile, though!

What do you know about Crypto currency?

Coffeo comments on Apr 12, 2018:

One thing that bothers me a lot about this cryptocurrency thing is the huge amount of energy needed to mine it and to maintain blockchains, all of which is essentially wasted as heat, and will soon be (if it isn't already) a significant contributor to global warming.

Friends, Members ( I include you all as friends btw), we have had a new applicant for membership, ...

Coffeo comments on Jan 3, 2021:

I agree. More info needed.

Which do you prefer? Season Tickets for your favorite team, or tickets to an Olympic event?

Coffeo comments on Dec 23, 2017:

Would most like to watch gymnastics or diving.

What cats and dogs understand.

Coffeo comments on Mar 26, 2018:

Our two cats communicate with us a lot. We don't always understand them, though we often do. We talk to them a lot. They understand heaps.

Next weekend I am heading to Rhode Island to see my granddaughter and her parents.

Coffeo comments on Aug 16, 2018:

Lovely! (Only recently a grandpa myself.)

From each vacation, I like to enlarge and frame one picture for my hallway.

Coffeo comments on Jun 1, 2018:

Unless you want to advertise Belize as a holiday destination, I'd go with the birds. Nice photo.

If we are all supposedly created in God's image, wouldn't that mean God is everyone, every race, ...

Coffeo comments on Mar 6, 2018:

Yes it would, but we aren't, so it doesn't.

Borrowed from fbuk

Coffeo comments on Jul 31, 2020:

Is there a groan emoji?

Australia's economic woes? [independentaustralia.net]

Coffeo comments on Oct 7, 2019:

How can such great writing be so depressing?

Just a quiz to see if people can figure out how I captured this?

Coffeo comments on Apr 24, 2019:

I'm not wild about the subject matter, but it's an excellent photo. Glass or other transparent material must have been involved, IMO.

I've lived all over California because it is spectacular when you get out of square flat places.

Coffeo comments on Aug 9, 2018:

Great photos!

Is it okay for an atheist to sing sacred music?

Coffeo comments on Jul 14, 2018:

Do what you enjoy doing! I sang in a church choir too, some excellent music in the Anglican tradition. You don't have to believe any of it to enjoy singing the music. (I did feel uncomfortable reciting the creed, though.)

Back from a 2 weeks trip in Portugal.

Coffeo comments on Sep 4, 2018:

Some very good effects here.

Hello Australia -- I hope you don't mind a Canadian interloper.

Coffeo comments on Sep 10, 2018:

As far as I am concerned, you're welcome. What do others think?

Religious upbringing

Coffeo comments on May 8, 2018:

_This question comes up in various guises from time to time, but that's OK, you can't be expected to read all that went before! :) Here's a slightly edited version of what I wrote in response to an earlier question on the same subject:_ Between the ages of 3 and 12 I lived in a household that consisted only of me, my parents, and my father's aunt (I have no siblings). My parents were Presbyterian church-goers, but (luckily for me) far from fanatical: they went once or twice a month (taking me with them, of course). Only my great-aunt was insufferably religious, but not in an evangelical way, more in a strict Presbyterian sort of way — no games, whistling or excessive noise allowed on Sundays, for instance. I think it was she who started me thinking this whole religion thing wasn't all that great. Then there was Sunday school, which I utterly disliked. It was on Sunday afternoon, so if it was one of those Sundays that I'd been to church in the morning, I'd lost pretty much the whole day. And it involved learning by heart some bible verses and bits of the shorter catechism, which made even less sense than the bible. My great-aunt died when I was 12, after which it was just me and my parents. I think by that time I was well on the way to being an atheist, and when I found out that Sunday school, unlike day school, wasn't actually compulsory, I simply stopped going. Church itself I didn't mind so much, and I can even remember one sunny, frosty Christmas morning that I practically dragged my parents there. But I was already on what my mother would have seen as the slippery slope away from faith. After a number of months of futile attempts at prayer, following the guide at the back of my hymn-book, and after reading Fred Hoyle's _The Nature of the Universe_, I decided that Christianity was not for me. My mother was very unhappy about it, and always hoped I would 'return to the fold'. My father never expressed an opinion at any stage, as far as I can recall. It wasn't until much later (after his death) that it occurred to me that he might have been a closet atheist or agnostic.

Hello all, glad to find some scientists in the community.

Coffeo comments on Feb 14, 2018:

I think many scientists love music. I don't know how many make a career out of it, but the astrophysicist Brian May of Queen comes to mind.

Depressed Agnostics?

Coffeo comments on Jan 16, 2020:

When I start to feel depressed, I think about how I don't have to worry about going to hell — or heaven! Cheers me up no end.

I've been fortunate to keep catching sunrises and sunsets.

Coffeo comments on Oct 16, 2018:

Excellent photo!

Which one is the best? I like the black and white.

Coffeo comments on Mar 13, 2019:

I usually prefer color. In this case, though, the colors aren't especially interesting and I think the B&W is at least as good.

Dogs are the best people.

Coffeo comments on Aug 17, 2018:

Lovely photos.

Does The Universe Have Intention?

Coffeo comments on Dec 9, 2017:

It often seems to me that, given the extraordinary combination of circumstances that are required for live to evolve, it is entirely likely that we are the only intelligent (well, sort of) species in the galaxy. But there are billions upon billions of galaxies. Suppose there is one intelligent species in each? They would evolve independently, with no possibility of ever communicating with each other. Now that seems to me suspiciously like a Plan. Is this the 'intention of the universe'? Oh dear! As an atheist, I don't like that idea much.

What's the best book you've read lately?

Coffeo comments on Mar 17, 2018:

_The One Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared_ by Jonas Jonasson. A very entertaining read, if you want some light relief!

Jack is deaf but not mute.

Coffeo comments on Oct 26, 2018:

Great pics; lovely cat.

June 6, 2020. Detroit protest at the Charles Wright Museum of African American History.

Coffeo comments on Jun 7, 2020:

Yes!

New Study: Global Warming Caused by ‘Cosmic Rays’ from Outer Space [westernjournal.com]

Coffeo comments on Jan 17, 2018:

Regardless of what is causing global warming, we should still do what we can to minimize it.

Defended my PhD dissertation today ?

Coffeo comments on Nov 21, 2018:

Please tell us more!

Could gravity change with time? [livescience.com]

Coffeo comments on Oct 4, 2019:

Well it sure doesn't change _much!_

I think it should be Spped of light squared.

Coffeo comments on May 16, 2018:

Wrong ... but clever.

Today's adventure: the Sheela-na-gig and the Whittlesford Witch (this time, with the big posh camera...

Coffeo comments on Aug 3, 2018:

Thank you so much! Great post and illustrations!

Let me wax, ova' hea'.

Coffeo comments on Aug 12, 2018:

Thank you for the background story, too.

How do Believers become Non-Believers

Coffeo comments on Apr 4, 2018:

Finding out about science helped enormously. Also finding most aspects of religion unutterably boring (good quality music excepted).

Stone carvings in the desert near Broken hill Australia

Coffeo comments on Sep 12, 2018:

I love outdoor sculpture.

Super Blue Blood Moon (Great band name!! Or EMO song!)... [space.com]

Coffeo comments on Jan 31, 2018:

I got out of bed at midnight to see it soon after it entered totality (11.51 pm here). I was glad I saw it, but also glad I didn't have to go beyond my front porch. It wasn't all _that_ spectacular.

River Thames from Hungerford Railway Bridge at Charing Cross

Coffeo comments on Oct 12, 2018:

For those not familiar with London, that's the dome of St Paul's Cathedral in the distance, floodlit and towards the left. (I have walked over this bridge many times.)

Do you have any bumper stickers on your car?

Coffeo comments on Feb 7, 2018:

I used to have one that said ESCHEW OBFUSCATION.

2014 Oregon coast around Brookings.

Coffeo comments on Jul 21, 2018:

Great (especially the middle one)!

I love and drink so coffee on a daily basis, i used to be a tea kinda person but ever since i ...

Coffeo comments on Nov 1, 2019:

I drink maybe 6-8 cups of tea per year. Coffee the rest of the time: with milk, no sugar.

I posted this yesterday, but apparently it never got published so I'll try again.

Coffeo comments on May 25, 2018:

Great! The flags are definitely needed.

Some of my photos :)

Coffeo comments on Aug 20, 2018:

Great variety of themes here!

Just me trying to be experimental and arty about 35 years ago, anyone care to guess how it was done?

Coffeo comments on Mar 4, 2019:

I've seen similar effects when tints were added to a large can of paint, before stirring. Anything like that?

A couple of obras from my upcoming show in July in my second home in Alaior, Menorca.

Coffeo comments on May 25, 2019:

Very striking indeed!

This is the time of the year when we are inundated with Christmas everywhere we look.

Coffeo comments on Dec 11, 2017:

Luckily such people are thin on the ground in these parts.

Stolen from Fbuk with the caption - "Some fauna frequently emulated by politicians".

Coffeo comments on Sep 21, 2019:

I like the fauna better.

Worst navigator ever

Coffeo comments on Apr 11, 2018:

GPS was a lot less reliable back then.

Hello Australians - I need your help! I'm leaving on Monday for Australia for 5 weeks to visit my ...

Coffeo comments on Jan 7, 2018:

I hope you will have a wonderful time in our country. In a big city you would have no problem, and I hope that would be the case in most outback towns, but I've never lived in the outback, so I can't be sure. Other people have made good suggestions. Enjoy your stay!

In insomnia fueled curiosity at 3am.

Coffeo comments on Feb 15, 2020:

Is there fluorescence here? If so, from what?

Late October in Northern Illinois........

Coffeo comments on Oct 27, 2018:

Delicate tracery; the few remaining leaves make the picture.

Can you create the ideal deity?

Coffeo comments on May 13, 2018:

A deity that lacked even one of the above would clearly not be ideal.

Does historical studies influence a person to walk against beliefs?

Coffeo comments on Oct 12, 2018:

Not influenced by history — influenced by science.

Autumn vibes :)

Coffeo comments on Sep 26, 2018:

Lovely photos.

"Evangelicals Sacrificing The Future In Search Of The Past?

Coffeo comments on Jan 24, 2018:

This is a very interesting article and offers some grounds for cautious optimism.

Coventry cathedral, firebombed in Second World War plus the new cathedral which was built around ...

Coffeo comments on Aug 26, 2021:

Very nice. I was there in 1964, when it was almost brand new. Impressive.

Anyone else having trouble uploading photos?

Coffeo comments on Nov 2, 2019:

If this is an issue regarding picture size or resolution, we need some guidance on what the limits are.

Congratulations to the Philadelphia Eagles!

Coffeo comments on Feb 4, 2018:

I agree! (What have they done?)

Atheists are good or bad persons?

Coffeo comments on May 9, 2018:

I think I am a good atheist. I am sure there are bad ones. My mother was a good Christian. I am absolutely sure there are bad ones. I hope the association you founded will grow and prosper.

Great Atheist Bomb Drops! - YouTube

Coffeo comments on Apr 18, 2018:

A very good compilation. But as usual, it will not be heard by those who need to hear and understand it.

For those of you suffering from separation from the lab [youtu.

Coffeo comments on Mar 29, 2018:

Nobody can really do Freddie's voice justice, but even so, this is a very clever, slick production! Enjoyed it a lot. :)

Aliens took over my phone and made me take this picture at my workplace in Milwaukee last ...

Coffeo comments on Sep 9, 2018:

They wanted to show off their new ship — the very latest model.

So today I celebrate Dec 25th as a day off from work.

Coffeo comments on Dec 25, 2017:

How do you pronounce Xmas?

What movie can you watch over and over?

Coffeo comments on Feb 1, 2018:

_Slaughterhouse-Five_, a 1972 movie based on Kurt Vonnegut's book of the same name. Vonnegut said of the movie: "I love George Roy Hill and Universal Pictures, who made a flawless translation of my novel Slaughterhouse-Five to the silver screen ... I drool and cackle every time I watch that film, because it is so harmonious with what I felt when I wrote the book."

Greeting fellow Ozzie heretics.

Coffeo comments on Jul 18, 2020:

I'm eleven years your senior and you're making me feel old! Grrr! I emigrated to Australia from the UK because an Australian colleague told me that Gough Whitlam had just been elected and it was going to be a great place to live and work. (Well, that might not have been the only reason I came: getting a good job offer had a lot to do with it, but then I might not even have applied for that job if it hadn't been for Gough.) I got here, and then he got fired. The place has been going downhill ever since.

Local flora growing through fence. NOLA

Coffeo comments on Aug 4, 2020:

That's a very striking and beautiful photo.

I went downtown to capture the tulips before they gave up the ghost.

Coffeo comments on May 6, 2020:

All nice — #1 is really gorgeous!

I see sometimes people using the term;Tough Love;.

Coffeo comments on Apr 24, 2018:

I prefer "firm love".

welcome to the group, @billy11!

Coffeo comments on Aug 19, 2018:

Welcome from Melbourne!

What was your first job ever?

Coffeo comments on Oct 12, 2018:

My first regular pay came from teaching first-year university students about relativity and electromagnetism. What was yours? Come on, share!

Are you smarter than a Christian?

Coffeo comments on Aug 1, 2018:

I think there are plenty of Christians smarter than I. But the only smart fundamentalists are the ones who make lots of money out of it.

I know that they are bad for our carbon footprint, and that they help to spread disease, But is ...

Coffeo comments on Aug 13, 2020:

When I was younger I loved flying. Even if there were only clouds to look at, I could gaze out of the window for hours. But at 76, I've done enough. Really glad to have had those experiences, but I won't miss it (much).

Greetings all.

Coffeo comments on Apr 19, 2019:

Welcome! I'm a retired scientist but outside my area of specialisation my interest is pretty much the same as that of an informed lay person. I too have more questions than answers: I think most scientists do. The people who don't are the religious nutters who already know all the answers and will not tolerate questions.

Anti-matter on the Move..g:8 [livescience.com]

Coffeo comments on Feb 21, 2018:

Quote: Positrons (bizarro electrons) do occur in lightning bolts and occasionally show up in outer space, but they tend to annihilate one another long before they have a chance to accumulate. So physicists at the CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) physics laboratory near Geneva generate them, Nature reported, by "slamming a proton beam into a metal target, then dramatically slowing the emerging antiparticles so they can be used in experiments." But it seems they are now talking about anti-protons. Some clarity would be helpful.

A few B&Ws

Coffeo comments on Feb 6, 2020:

These are magnificent.

Few shots from Amsterdam...

Coffeo comments on Jan 19, 2019:

#2: "Amsterdam? I thought the plane was going to Aberdeen."

And another church photo, with wide angle lens

Coffeo comments on Jul 28, 2018:

Superb!

Are you a skeptic?

Coffeo comments on Apr 26, 2018:

Definitely. Question everything. Things that haven't an adequate explanation are at best working hypotheses.

We must be doing something right.

Coffeo comments on Oct 24, 2020:

Welcome, @ThinkingIdiot !

Benford’s Law.

Coffeo comments on Aug 25, 2020:

I can't see why anyone finds this surprising.

Here’s my conundrum about Easter and Passover.

Coffeo comments on Apr 11, 2020:

You have found a contradiction in the bible! Well done! Now have a look and see if you can spot some more (there are hundreds.)

Kite aerial photo of “Broek op Langedijk“

Coffeo comments on Aug 30, 2018:

Beautiful!

Truth State something you KNOW is true No opinions please

Coffeo comments on May 11, 2018:

I'm agnostic. Don't know a damn thing.

Backyard snow and shadows...

Coffeo comments on Jan 19, 2019:

Very nice indeed.

So I have a question for the people who know more about religions than I do.

Coffeo comments on Sep 23, 2018:

Nobody knows.

Hello again Fellow Aussie Sceptics.

Coffeo comments on Oct 24, 2020:

Welcome, @Sheetal26 !

I don't understand why a man can't be a cat guy when it comes to pets, and not be given shit about ...

Coffeo comments on May 9, 2018:

I love cats. Perhaps not quite a "Crazy Cat Man", but not far off. And not ashamed of it, either.

I'm a musician and this lady asks me in a Bar, have you taken Jesus Christ as your personal lord and...

Coffeo comments on Dec 21, 2017:

I hope you hadn't bought her a drink.

To the photographers here, what are your thoughts and views on drone photography?

Coffeo comments on Nov 14, 2018:

They make great photos, but have too many other issues. (I'd love to play with one, though!)

Can relativistic mass create a black hole?

Coffeo comments on Jun 11, 2018:

Suppose we have two neutral particles moving parallel to each other, and we accelerate them to close to light-speed. Does the gravitational attraction between them increase? Does anyone know? What does theory say? (Not sure how to accelerate neutral particles — I only specified that to avoid complications of electromagnetic attraction/repulsion.)

Does it baffle your mind how Christians claim the Christian God is the only true God?

Coffeo comments on Dec 5, 2017:

The chaplain at my school (Methodist College) told us that there was just one god, and he was the same one that all the other religions worshipped, too, except they used different names for him. I suppose this was a fairly enlightened attitude.There was certainly supposed to be something rather special about Jesus, though.

Fermat's Last Theorem - Numberphile, [youtu.be]

Coffeo comments on Jul 29, 2018:

Yes, math can be tough.

Outside the observable universe

Coffeo comments on Jun 11, 2018:

I suppose the observable universe is expanding into the non-observable universe. But to me it raises questions about the meaning of existence. If there are things that we can never see *even in principle*, no matter how good our instruments became, what does it mean to say that these things even exist?

The things we do for science.

Coffeo comments on Sep 6, 2018:

It seems, at least, that it's not something you have to do day after day after day... That would be tough. Although I suppose you'd get used to it.

A couple of new attempts to catch the swallows.

Coffeo comments on Jun 16, 2018:

It's just as well we don't have to use color film anymore!

Pineapple on pizza

Coffeo comments on Oct 5, 2018:

Can't vote. Pineapple fine on some pizzas, not on others.