The U.S. States Graded on Their Covid-19 Response

Druvius comments on Jul 11, 2020:

Certainly seems consistent in the broad strokes with what was predicted by experts and appears to be happening, a Red State Covid-19 catastrophe. We'll see, the next few months will tell. What a mess.

Druvius replies on Jul 11, 2020:

Of course the fact that Iowa is getting a C kinda makes me wonder, our governor has done basically nothing. Probably because it's a real rural state and it's just starting to ramp up.

I keep wondering if we are bound for a future in which some nations of the world simply are awash in...

WilliamFleming comments on Jun 28, 2020:

The only reason for protective measures was to slow the spread so that hospitals would not be overwhelmed, and to give time for a vaccine to be developed. At some point everyone in the world will have been exposed. The virus will have played out because of natural immunity or vaccines and the most ...

Druvius replies on Jun 28, 2020:

No. Simply wrong on several counts. There's no guarantee there will ever be a vaccine. The reason to close the economy was to keep health care systems from being overwhelmed and set up robust test, trace and contact systems. As numerous countries did, and now have Covid-19 shut down and under control. The failed states unable to do this (which sadly includes the US) are not going to be welcome members of the international community until they do. It's the fourth worst mass death event in US history, and it's not slowing down. Minimizing it or pretending it will go away is wishful thinking, which sadly is how we got into this mess to begin with.

Bayer reaches over $10 billion settlement in Roundup cancer lawsuits

Druvius comments on Jun 24, 2020:

Since Roundup doesn't actually cause cancer, just shows how ambulance chasing lawyers have gamed the system.

Druvius replies on Jun 25, 2020:

@sassygirl3869 Science isn't determined in lawsuits. The idea that Glyphosate cause cancer is a social belief, the science says it doesn't: https://skeptoid.com/episodes/4676

A new layer of irony?

Amzungu comments on Jun 2, 2020:

I am a little concerned about the weird ass comment regarding second amendment rights in Trump's speech last night. I fear it could be interpreted by some as a green light for vigilantism against rioters.

Druvius replies on Jun 2, 2020:

Could be interpreted? I'm going with "will be interpreted" as a green light for police riots and vigilante actions. I hope we get through this without another Timothy McVeigh.

Fauci says Trump no longer talks much to him or the rest of the coronavirus task force He just ...

Druvius comments on Jun 1, 2020:

He's losing it. He's finally come up against something he can't BS his way through, Covid-19 doesn't give a shit about what he says. I fear he may get more unstable and do even more damage in the months to come. When Hitler realized the end was coming, he ordered Germany to be burned to the ground. ...

Druvius replies on Jun 1, 2020:

@Observer-Effect Yeah, he basically gave a green light to police riots and right wing violence.

GRIM MEMORIAL DAY, TERRIBLE TIMES, GOD SAVE US ALL (LOL, the God save us all is a figure of speech ...

Donna_I comments on May 26, 2020:

It is hard to believe this is our reality right now.

Druvius replies on May 26, 2020:

Yeah, I'm still struggling with it.

1.

Fred_Snerd comments on May 21, 2020:

I don't understand why people need gyms. I stay in good shape without them. I'd rather be doing something cerebral. I don't bowl, eat out, or get haircuts. 99% of what I do in public is buying groceries.

Druvius replies on May 21, 2020:

I'm sure poor people the world over find it hard to believe that people pay money to exercise.

Utah Decriminalizes Polygamy with Near Unanimous Support by Legislators - Daily Citizen

GreatNani comments on May 21, 2020:

Interesting. Not wanting any husband myself I may not be the best one to comment but here goes. As long as this is between consenting adults, not child brides who cares? As long as they support their children instead of having them go on welfare, let them do as they wish. But somehow I dont think ...

Druvius replies on May 21, 2020:

Consenting adults, who cares. Unfortunately a lot of the underground polygamy was arranged marriages of teenage girls to older men, who went from having every aspect of their lives controlled by their father to having every aspect of their lives controlled by their husbands.

Pweeeez I can has the malk?

Lilac-JadeCanada comments on May 15, 2020:

Milk is not good for kitties.

Druvius replies on May 15, 2020:

They can have small amounts, a teaspoon or two. My Binky cat loved her cream in the AM, her brothers weren't interested.

I wonder how much death and mayhem Trump voters are willing to accept before they admit a mistake.

Varn comments on May 13, 2020:

Not the kind to learn, or admit they’ve learned, I’ve likely noted 2 or 3 ‘reluctant confessions’ around here within the last year …. The rest have apparently gone elsewhere.. Those I’d also like to see come clean are the ‘third party’ voters who gave it to trump... As for the ...

Druvius replies on May 13, 2020:

@yvilletom Clinton is the one responsible for losing to Trump. Period. That she blamed everyone on the planet but herself for losing shows how few leadership qualities she really had.

Michael Moore's Planet of the Humans is a film all atheists should see.

davknight comments on May 7, 2020:

What offends you about the 'green' movement?

Druvius replies on May 7, 2020:

@barjoe Yes, nuclear is the greenest power source, and really is our last best hope of mitigating global warming.

Michael Moore's Planet of the Humans is a film all atheists should see.

Druvius comments on May 7, 2020:

Yeah, not wasting my time watching a movie that so egregiously gets the facts wrong: https://www.thesolarnerd.com/blog/planet-of-the-humans-debunked/

Druvius replies on May 7, 2020:

@barjoe I'm actually quite educated on the topic thank you, and there are plenty of other articles out there pointing out the glaring factual errors this film perpetrates. Sure there's problems with green energy, but it's oil and especially coal that are destroying the climate. If the environmental and health costs they are passing onto the public had to be included in their costs, they'd be gone in no time. https://www.newsweek.com/michael-moore-planet-humans-film-climate-change-1502554

The Invisible Enemy, for once Trump is right about something: [united-cats.com]

Surfpirate comments on Apr 27, 2020:

A good article and an interesting perspective that is honest enough to acknowledge how little we actually know about this virus and how to treat it. For all intents it might as well be microscopic alien invaders but I'm not sure I get where it is that Trump was right about anything unless perhaps ...

Druvius replies on Apr 28, 2020:

Yeah, he's kinda like a stopped clock. Tells the correct time once or twice a day, but it's just a coincidence.

Skeptoid covers Göbekli Tepe: [skeptoid.

Allamanda comments on Apr 21, 2020:

I find it so bizarre, and also jarring, that half of these articles is given over to the nonsense angle, and disproving it. It's also obvious that the gullible and easily bored would not read far enough to see that discounted, leaving them with a totally false impression which is how these fantasies...

Druvius replies on Apr 21, 2020:

@Allamanda IDK, my favorite podcast. I'm confused a lot, so maybe. ;)

Skeptoid covers Göbekli Tepe: [skeptoid.

Charlene comments on Apr 21, 2020:

It amazes me how our technologies can blind people so thoroughly, that we think ancient peoples where complete idiots..

Druvius replies on Apr 21, 2020:

@Charlene Yeah, in New Jersey grade school I was taught the Greeks and Romans invented civilization. Hopefully things have changed.

Skeptoid covers Göbekli Tepe: [skeptoid.

Allamanda comments on Apr 21, 2020:

I find it so bizarre, and also jarring, that half of these articles is given over to the nonsense angle, and disproving it. It's also obvious that the gullible and easily bored would not read far enough to see that discounted, leaving them with a totally false impression which is how these fantasies...

Druvius replies on Apr 21, 2020:

Skeptoids mission is exposing woo and nonsense. :)

Skeptoid covers Göbekli Tepe: [skeptoid.

AnneWimsey comments on Apr 21, 2020:

I have read studies of contemporary hunter-gatherer societies that show they spend about 4 hours a week getting sustenance and have the rest of the time to "play"...danc, e song, various arts & crafts. Compare this to our so-called 'easy" shopping, where you drag home the stuff after driving ...

Druvius replies on Apr 21, 2020:

I've heard 20 hours a week? Did you mean 4 hours a day? In any event, yes, hunter gatherers had far more free time than civilized people. I think one historian once said something the effect that civilization was humanity's greatest mistake. :)

Skeptoid covers Göbekli Tepe: [skeptoid.

Charlene comments on Apr 21, 2020:

It amazes me how our technologies can blind people so thoroughly, that we think ancient peoples where complete idiots..

Druvius replies on Apr 21, 2020:

The origin of this nonsense was the 19th century racist Atlantis "theory." Around then archeologists were discovering that civilization had been independently invented around the world, in some cases while the Greeks and Romans were still living in huts with their livestock. Couldn't have that, brown people inventing civilization without help from white people! So the Atlantis myth was invented, a lost ancient white civilization that preceded them all, was destroyed by a holocaust, but its survivors scattered around the world and showed brown people how to build civilization. Problem solved.

Skeptoid covers Göbekli Tepe: [skeptoid.

Novelty comments on Apr 21, 2020:

Civilization keeps being pushed back further and further. I was taught civilization started about 5000 BCE but humans have amnesia as a species.

Druvius replies on Apr 21, 2020:

Well, technically no. Civilization is urbanization and stratified society, ruled by a social elite. But yes, this certainly does mean that the road to civilization is more complicated than we thought.

COVID 19 Who wants to live for ever?

Druvius comments on Apr 12, 2020:

On first pass Covid-19 appears to be much worse than the typical cold or flu, we have no vaccines and limited defenses against it, and even our individual immune systems haven't seen anything quite like it. We are still learning scary new things about it: ...

Druvius replies on Apr 20, 2020:

@ShadowAmicus If the only life they were risking was their own, no problem. That's not the case they, they are risking other people's lives by ignoring the law.

COVID 19 Who wants to live for ever?

Druvius comments on Apr 12, 2020:

On first pass Covid-19 appears to be much worse than the typical cold or flu, we have no vaccines and limited defenses against it, and even our individual immune systems haven't seen anything quite like it. We are still learning scary new things about it: ...

Druvius replies on Apr 17, 2020:

@ShadowAmicus Yes, that's exactly what you are saying, throw granny to the wolves because it would cost the rich too much money to save her.

Like Gilligan's Island, except with monkeys: [smithsonianmag.com]

JackPedigo comments on Apr 13, 2020:

Just as the report says: *“I think everyone kind of shakes their heads at primates rafting long or even moderate distances,” Miller says, but such events have happened at other times and are still going on today. Animals such as tenrecs and lemurs arrived on Madagascar by rafting from mainland ...

Druvius replies on Apr 13, 2020:

Only took one pregnant survivor.

Is the US right in confiscating masks made in China at the 3M factory or should the buyer who paid ...

TomMcGiverin comments on Apr 4, 2020:

That's a tough moral dilemma. Maybe the answer is that we should do less outsourcing of manufacturing and make sure that we have factories here for everything that is essential to our health and national security instead of shipping it all to third world countries with starvation wages.

Druvius replies on Apr 4, 2020:

@TomMcGiverin At this point a gerbil in the Oval Office would be an improvement.

Is the US right in confiscating masks made in China at the 3M factory or should the buyer who paid ...

TomMcGiverin comments on Apr 4, 2020:

That's a tough moral dilemma. Maybe the answer is that we should do less outsourcing of manufacturing and make sure that we have factories here for everything that is essential to our health and national security instead of shipping it all to third world countries with starvation wages.

Druvius replies on Apr 4, 2020:

"Should I fuck over my friends because I was too stupid to prepare for an utterly foreseeable crisis?" isn't a moral dilemma unless you're a sociopath.

In this very international group, and globalized world of ours, what are the comfort foods you go to...

Druvius comments on Apr 3, 2020:

Hamburgers, tacos, soup. Living the good life.

Druvius replies on Apr 3, 2020:

We're talking scratch made items from healthy ingredients, tasty and healthy in spades. :)

Now that we are all getting used to the idea that the quarantines may last months, hopefully we are ...

Marionville comments on Mar 30, 2020:

Common sense and a cool head will get us through this, and making sure that we keep in touch and encourage each other, especially those less emotionally equipped to cope. “This too will pass, as all things do”, is my message to all.

Druvius replies on Mar 30, 2020:

Only if you mean it's common sense to seek the guidance of epidemiology and pandemic experts and do as they recommend. Sadly common sense is utterly lacking in America's leadership now.

How true is this write-up which been doing the rounds on social media?

Druvius comments on Mar 28, 2020:

Um, this is ridiculous? Paranoid? Silly? Not even sure where to start, it's the US and it's allies who are trying to rule the world for starters, China has never really exhibited the Imperial Disease. There's no reason the believe Covid-19 was anything other than a natural occurrence, and China has ...

Druvius replies on Mar 28, 2020:

@TimeOutForMe Granted Covid-19 may be used by special interests to promote their own agendas, we are seeing that in spades in the US, but the idea it was created in a lab requires layers of special pleading, it's far more likely it was a natural outbreak. China learned from the last pandemic outbreak and knew what to do.

An interesting article that worries me as a European looking at the US [medium.com]

Druvius comments on Mar 25, 2020:

It's gonna be a bloodbath here in the states, we are uniquely unprepared for this among developed countries.

Druvius replies on Mar 25, 2020:

@kasmian Agreed, would be very happy to be wrong about this.

We really need to flatten this curve y’all, because if it spikes, there won’t be enough Darwin ...

Cutiebeauty comments on Mar 25, 2020:

What exactly is a Darwin award? I thought Darwin was intelligent!

Druvius replies on Mar 25, 2020:

@Fernapple My favorite: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Garry_Hoy

We really need to flatten this curve y’all, because if it spikes, there won’t be enough Darwin ...

Cutiebeauty comments on Mar 25, 2020:

What exactly is a Darwin award? I thought Darwin was intelligent!

Druvius replies on Mar 25, 2020:

It's for people who improve the gene pool by removing themselves from it by doing something really stupid. :)

It's the end of the world we all knew. I hope I'm wrong. [united-cats.com]

Theresa_N comments on Mar 25, 2020:

Hopefully we'll come out of this and do something about the climate disaster.

Druvius replies on Mar 25, 2020:

There's ways this might well have positive effects, it's certainly going to expose what a disaster unfettered capitalism is.

Deaths from COVID-19 by country after 10 deaths. [rwer.wordpress.com]

Druvius comments on Mar 23, 2020:

The US especially is uniquely unprepared for Covid-19 among developed nations.

Druvius replies on Mar 23, 2020:

@MarkiusMahamius Wait and see dude, the country with the worst health care system in the developed world isn't going to handle this so well, and we're already off to a bad start.

Deaths from COVID-19 by country after 10 deaths. [rwer.wordpress.com]

Druvius comments on Mar 23, 2020:

The US especially is uniquely unprepared for Covid-19 among developed nations.

Druvius replies on Mar 23, 2020:

@MarkiusMahamius No, we're much less prepared than the rest of the developed world: https://united-cats.com/page/1/

And another weak historical reference to Jesus bites the dust: [sciencenews.org]

Cast1es comments on Mar 22, 2020:

Assuming that this particular piece of marble , was indeed from the Kos quarry , that does not mean that it was only used in that area . There does seem to be a good deal of shipping going on and things that would travel well by ships , would include those things that did not surrcom to mold , dry ...

Druvius replies on Mar 22, 2020:

Possibly, but since it matches an actual known historical event on Kos quite nicely, it makes it that much harder to claim it was referring to the Jesus resurrection myth.

Madagascar's forest cats, interesting: [colorado.edu]

Spudgun comments on Mar 22, 2020:

A lot of the old sailing ships carried cats aboard to help control the rats that were ever present on ships. Considering the conditions on those ships, it's not wonder that when they got to port, some of the cats decided to explore and decided that life on land was much better than being at sea. ...

Druvius replies on Mar 22, 2020:

Yes, the Egyptians managed to keep cats from getting to Europe for a long time, but Indian Ocean traders smuggled them out in pre-Roman times and they slowly spread across East Asia. It's just neat that a relict population of that feline diaspora still exists. :)

I have been reading about chloroquinone and a hydroxychloroquinone and azithromyxin combo to treat ...

AnneWimsey comments on Mar 18, 2020:

Ummm, no........

Druvius replies on Mar 18, 2020:

It may be legit, but it's also very preliminary, all sorts of stuff like this is being posted. I'd take most of it with a grain of salt, social distancing to flatten the curve and more hospital beds to keep people alive are our only real hope in the immediate future. It would be nice if some cure was suddenly found, but that's more the province of Hollywood movies. (And boy, I've lost my taste for disaster and end of the world movies.)

Not too long ago I heard a guy say, “I’m an Atheist now but I but I still fear going to Hell.

Druvius comments on Mar 15, 2020:

"I survived a plane crash, but I'm still afraid of heights." We have heads and hearts, some of our fears are irrational but perfectly understandable. As long as it isn't impacting his life in a negative way, whatevs.

Druvius replies on Mar 16, 2020:

@RichieO So is glyphosate or non-ionizing radiation causing cancer, but lots of people are afraid of them. Most of us hold irrational beliefs, unless they are causing problems in one's life, so what?

I intern at one of the very few rehabilitation places in the nation that takes registered sex ...

Druvius comments on Mar 12, 2020:

As I understand it, ones that have been doing it awhile and are habituated to the behavior pretty much are a lost cause. Ones who were caught early, and want to be treated, can be.

Druvius replies on Mar 13, 2020:

@Cyklone That's why I said in theory, in practice our justice system is too flawed.

When Trump came into office the US was already a great nation.

Druvius comments on Mar 12, 2020:

You're not wrong.

Druvius replies on Mar 13, 2020:

@t1nick Smudge:

I intern at one of the very few rehabilitation places in the nation that takes registered sex ...

Druvius comments on Mar 12, 2020:

As I understand it, ones that have been doing it awhile and are habituated to the behavior pretty much are a lost cause. Ones who were caught early, and want to be treated, can be.

Druvius replies on Mar 12, 2020:

@Cyklone Thanks, yeah, I'd heard that recidivism rates for sex offenders were about the same as other crimes. The trick is separating out the ones that can't be released. That's why I support the death penalty in theory for people like Ted Bundy.

What's the difference between the Coronavirus and the Flu?

Druvius comments on Mar 12, 2020:

Much more dangerous than the flu, people claiming it is just a new flu are in denial. It's likely going to kill millions before it runs its course, the best we can do is slow it's spread so medical facilities aren't overwhelmed.

Druvius replies on Mar 12, 2020:

@bingst Yeah, the economic disruption is going to be bad.

I intern at one of the very few rehabilitation places in the nation that takes registered sex ...

Druvius comments on Mar 12, 2020:

As I understand it, ones that have been doing it awhile and are habituated to the behavior pretty much are a lost cause. Ones who were caught early, and want to be treated, can be.

Druvius replies on Mar 12, 2020:

@VeronikaAnnJ If there were simple solutions to societies' problems, the world wouldn't be such a mess. Even worse, people implementing simple solutions often make things worse. Especially if they are solutions from, say, Iron Age religious allegorical literature. ;)

What's the difference between the Coronavirus and the Flu?

Druvius comments on Mar 12, 2020:

Much more dangerous than the flu, people claiming it is just a new flu are in denial. It's likely going to kill millions before it runs its course, the best we can do is slow it's spread so medical facilities aren't overwhelmed.

Druvius replies on Mar 12, 2020:

@VeronikaAnnJ Exactly, many of the things we are doing should be part of regular life. In the US at least we have been so obsessed with military spending to "protect" America that we have lost sight of far more realistic threats and aren't prepared to meet them.

I intern at one of the very few rehabilitation places in the nation that takes registered sex ...

Druvius comments on Mar 12, 2020:

As I understand it, ones that have been doing it awhile and are habituated to the behavior pretty much are a lost cause. Ones who were caught early, and want to be treated, can be.

Druvius replies on Mar 12, 2020:

@VeronikaAnnJ Yeah, I think there are people that just need to be kept isolated from society for the safety of society. Not necessarily in a prison. Dunno, it's a tough one.

Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson test positive for coronavirus in Australia | World news | The ...

Druvius comments on Mar 12, 2020:

"Closing the barn door after the cows are gone" is Trump's strong suit. ;) And yeah, wondered when we would see the first celebrity deaths, won't be long now I guess. Sad times.

Druvius replies on Mar 12, 2020:

@Barnie2years Probably, just saying no one is immune, there will be celebrity deaths is it continues to spread.

Vladimir Putin got one step closer to being Russian president for life - Vox

Druvius comments on Mar 11, 2020:

Yes, but Putin has popularity ratings Trump can only dream of. He is, literally, the world's most popular politician. So no, no comparison to Trump.

Druvius replies on Mar 11, 2020:

@SeaGreenEyez His approval ratings have been from 80% to now rather low. My point is that lots of Russians like him, especially historically. Just because someone is an autocrat doesn't make them a monster or unpopular. The US is allied with plenty of regimes that make Putin look good, but because they are our toadies, that gets ignored. Putin isn't some world class monster, nor is he a threat to the US, McCarthyist propaganda to the contrary.

Dinosaur head found in amber: [sciencemag.org]

t1nick comments on Mar 11, 2020:

Cool. Preserved DNA?

Druvius replies on Mar 11, 2020:

@t1nick Here's the link, if you can refute it please post: https://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/a-claim-for-dinosaur-proteins-and-dna/

Dinosaur head found in amber: [sciencemag.org]

t1nick comments on Mar 11, 2020:

Cool. Preserved DNA?

Druvius replies on Mar 11, 2020:

@t1nick Just the one researcher, whom no one can replicate. If I'm wrong about the current scientific consensus, mea culpa.

Dinosaur head found in amber: [sciencemag.org]

t1nick comments on Mar 11, 2020:

Cool. Preserved DNA?

Druvius replies on Mar 11, 2020:

Was actually reading about the latest on this recently. Probably not, DNA has a half life, and like six million years or so is the absolute limit. There has been some research hinting at longer times, but none of it has proved repeatable. Generally a very bad sign when it comes to science.

Dinosaur head found in amber: [sciencemag.org]

Novelty comments on Mar 11, 2020:

I want that as a pendant on one of my necklaces.

Druvius replies on Mar 11, 2020:

LOL, almost made a comment about how we are lucky it didn't end up on the black market. And it would make a very cool pendant.

Vladimir Putin got one step closer to being Russian president for life - Vox

Druvius comments on Mar 11, 2020:

Yes, but Putin has popularity ratings Trump can only dream of. He is, literally, the world's most popular politician. So no, no comparison to Trump.

Druvius replies on Mar 11, 2020:

I'm familiar with the new McCarthyism thank you. :)

Curious about the double standard of racism in the US.

Druvius comments on Mar 9, 2020:

No, because it's not possible to be racist against white people. Racism is more than just prejudice, it's having virtually every institution in society treating POC as 2nd class citizens. Here's a fellow directly addressing your issue, enjoy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dw_mRaIHb-M

Druvius replies on Mar 9, 2020:

No, no I'm not. Systematic bigotry and oppression is racism, and since no one has ever done that to whites, not possible for them to be racist.

Is anyone else scared the Corona Virus will turn into a pandemic?

resserts comments on Mar 8, 2020:

It's had a quick trajectory over the last few weeks, so that's slightly worrying, but it still has about a 97.8% survival rate, and those most at risk are those with compromised immune systems. While I'm concerned for anyone who contracts the disease, and my sympathies go out to anyone who's lost a ...

Druvius replies on Mar 9, 2020:

@MissKathleen This isn't a flu, it's a completely new disease that no one has any immunity to. Not sure why people keep bringing up the flu, it's not really relevant.

Is anyone else scared the Corona Virus will turn into a pandemic?

resserts comments on Mar 8, 2020:

It's had a quick trajectory over the last few weeks, so that's slightly worrying, but it still has about a 97.8% survival rate, and those most at risk are those with compromised immune systems. While I'm concerned for anyone who contracts the disease, and my sympathies go out to anyone who's lost a ...

Druvius replies on Mar 9, 2020:

It's more than slightly worrying at this point: ""The spread of the coronavirus outbreak in the US could push the healthcare system to its limits. In a February webinar presentation hosted by the American Hospital Association, an expert laid out "best guess" estimates about how many Americans could be impacted. He projected that there could be as many as 96 million cases in the US, 4.8 million hospitalizations, and 480,000 deaths associated with the novel coronavirus."

How scientists waste money needed more to feed the hungry on earth.

Druvius comments on Mar 6, 2020:

Spending on space is easily some of the most cost effective spending government does, it's improved our daily lives in countless ways, and benefited agriculture and other sciences that feed people. It's the staggering amounts of money being pissed away on war, weapons, and fossil fuel subsidies that...

Druvius replies on Mar 6, 2020:

@GipsyOfNewSpain Yes, a percentage of war spending is spent on science, most of it isn't. And even then, it would be better spent on basic science or applied practical science, there's not a whole lot of practical uses for new scientific ways to kill people.

Missing Piece of the World's Oldest Analog Computer Found on Aegean Seabed

Novelty comments on Mar 5, 2020:

Funny was just in a debate about how much smarter people were than we give them credit for in another post. The Antikythera device was found in 1901, its nature was unknown until modern imaging technology let us look through it clearly enough to build a functional replica. We don’t know how ...

Druvius replies on Mar 6, 2020:

@Novelty Possibly, but we are talking a device that took hundreds of hours of highly skilled labor to make. And it's function seems more religious than practical. Still, I'm only an amateur historian, so, an attitude rare for my gender I am told, damned if I know. We are living in a golden age of archeology, hopefully more will come to light in the decades to come. :)

Missing Piece of the World's Oldest Analog Computer Found on Aegean Seabed

Novelty comments on Mar 5, 2020:

Funny was just in a debate about how much smarter people were than we give them credit for in another post. The Antikythera device was found in 1901, its nature was unknown until modern imaging technology let us look through it clearly enough to build a functional replica. We don’t know how ...

Druvius replies on Mar 6, 2020:

No, not mass produced, this was an extremely high end item owned by royalty or rich people. We'd know if they were mass produced. There certainly are other hints of complex mechanical devices. Some Greek temples had "vending machines" for want of a better word where one would insert a coin donation, and mechanical clockwork figures would enact a scene. And the Tower of the Winds still holds its secrets, just how complex were the devices in it? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tower_of_the_Winds

"If you are somehow still wondering why Black, Brown, poor and young people - the Bernie Folx - ...

Druvius comments on Mar 5, 2020:

"VoteBlueNoMatterWho" is a euphemism for "We surrender to the GOP."

Druvius replies on Mar 6, 2020:

@Cutiebeauty Yes, and by admitting that's all you have, you are surrendering to Trump on the issues. It was a losing strategy in 2016 and it's an even worse one now.

When will someone just be done with it and create an official Progressive party that has no ties ...

Druvius comments on Mar 4, 2020:

Unfortunately after Shirley Chisholm's surprisingly strong showing in the 72 election, the Dems/GOP rewrote the rules to the effect of effectively disenfranchising any third party. And since then the establishment has consolidated its hold on power even more. Maybe someone with widespread appeal and...

Druvius replies on Mar 4, 2020:

@BitFlipper The Democrats and Republicans work together to create and maintain a system where third parties face huge obstacles, not a fair playing field on par with the two established parties. One of the classic ways, is if one does get elected, they spike all legislation they propose. Then come re-election, look, a do-nothing legislator! Dirty politics rules in Washington, and the DNC is as deeply entrenched in this swamp as anyone.

When will someone just be done with it and create an official Progressive party that has no ties ...

Philip21 comments on Mar 4, 2020:

Part of the problem, I think, is that all humans have common ground when it comes to basic needs like survival, but different needs when it comes to the various mythologies which have developed over the years. So guaranteed income or universal healthcare get obscured by abortion or capitalistic ...

Druvius replies on Mar 4, 2020:

@Novelty Libertarians are a party for people who don't think Americans are greedy enough.

Do you think it is possible for a professing Christian to be agnostic?

Druvius comments on Mar 4, 2020:

The local Methodist congregation specifically welcomes agnostics and atheists, so yes, entirely possible.

Druvius replies on Mar 4, 2020:

@MarkWD Obviously congregations differ, ours is incredibly inclusive.

[ecowatch.com] And the US can't even do healthcare....

Druvius comments on Feb 29, 2020:

It will be interesting to see how this works. The problem with making anything free is that a small number of people will abuse the heck out of it. As long as mechanisms are in place to cope with that, great idea!

Druvius replies on Mar 1, 2020:

@bingst And people abuse public roads in diverse ways, but we have laws, regulations, sand enforcement to control it.

[ecowatch.com] And the US can't even do healthcare....

Druvius comments on Feb 29, 2020:

It will be interesting to see how this works. The problem with making anything free is that a small number of people will abuse the heck out of it. As long as mechanisms are in place to cope with that, great idea!

Druvius replies on Mar 1, 2020:

@bingst In Seattle gangs started hanging out in them, in SF on days BART is free homeless people shelter in it. I'm sure other examples can be found. I'm suspecting Luxembourg will have less of a problem, the social contract is likely stronger there.

A Neanderthal skeleton unearthed in an Iraqi cave, already famous for fossils of these cousins of ...

Druvius comments on Feb 19, 2020:

There's no smoking gun here indicating burial, let alone ritual burial. It's suggestive, but we are still a long ways from settling the issue. 70 years of debate on the topic already.

Druvius replies on Feb 19, 2020:

@Jnei "Strongly suggest" doesn't settle issues like this. No grave goods, shallow "grave" inside a cave, who buries there dead inside their home? Body not posed in any way. And flowers could have been just to keep the smell masked, that's evidence of practicality, not symbolic thought. Fortunately we are in a golden age of archeology, so more evidence one way or the other will likely come to light.

A few days ago I read a funny anecdote in the book "Is God a mathematician?

WilliamFleming comments on Feb 17, 2020:

I think he’s playing and enjoying the limelight. If Trump actually started being a dictator he’d be ousted with bipartisan support. Remember, the same sorts of things were said about Obama.

Druvius replies on Feb 17, 2020:

And Bush before Obama. Now there's "experts" who make a good living preaching "We're turning into a dictatorship!"

Does anyone here prefer a communist government over a capitalist one?

1of5 comments on Feb 16, 2020:

What's a capitalist government mean to you?

Druvius replies on Feb 16, 2020:

Exactly, wtf is a capitalist government?

Strange particles found in Antarctica cannot be explained by physics | New Scientist

EllenDale comments on Jan 26, 2020:

I bet it’s an interesting article, but it requires subscription to read it all. Any chance you can cut and paste the article?

Druvius replies on Feb 15, 2020:

https://www.sciencealert.com/standard-physics-has-been-ruled-out-for-neutrino-like-particles-slipping-through-our-planet

Blind religion accounting for yet more lives. [bbc.com]

Druvius comments on Feb 2, 2020:

Not sure what this has to do with religion, people die in crushes in theatres, concerts, sporting events, etc. It's an indication of inadequate crowd control.

Druvius replies on Feb 3, 2020:

@Petter People dying in crushes happen at all sorts of events, here's people being killed by "blind education" apparently. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-51361298

Well.

Druvius comments on Feb 1, 2020:

It's been on life support since at least the Korean War. The GOP may have just pulled the plug, but both parties got us here. :(

Druvius replies on Feb 2, 2020:

@Varn That's right, Obama and Clinton worked hard to undo the damage of the prior GOP administration. Snort. No, both administrations worked very hard to normalize the GOPs crimes. The next Dem administration will be better though! lol.

I'm curious, why should the Iowa Caucuses garner or lead national news coverage?

Druvius comments on Feb 2, 2020:

Because it's an indication of who's running the best campaign and who has the most widespread base of supporters. Both of are major indicators of a candidate's viability.

Druvius replies on Feb 2, 2020:

@redbai The media is part of the campaign, we haven't had independent mainstream media since the 80s.

I'm curious, why should the Iowa Caucuses garner or lead national news coverage?

Druvius comments on Feb 2, 2020:

Because it's an indication of who's running the best campaign and who has the most widespread base of supporters. Both of are major indicators of a candidate's viability.

Druvius replies on Feb 2, 2020:

@Geoffrey51 Is there any aspect about the campaign that isn't about skewing voter intentions? That's the whole purpose of running a campaign.

I'm curious, why should the Iowa Caucuses garner or lead national news coverage?

Druvius comments on Feb 2, 2020:

Because it's an indication of who's running the best campaign and who has the most widespread base of supporters. Both of are major indicators of a candidate's viability.

Druvius replies on Feb 2, 2020:

@redbai The candidates campaign organizations are national, and biased data is still data.

What is chance Trump will Cancel 2020 election? It seems he now has the power to do anything.

Druvius comments on Jan 31, 2020:

Well, only if he loses would I envision that as a possibility. Before the election, I can imagine him canceling it if there was some obvious excuse for canceling it and he thought he might lose. In either case I still think it's a damned unlikely scenario at this point. The oligarchs and generals ...

Druvius replies on Jan 31, 2020:

@Bushshaker Modern media is very sophisticated, it's a product fine tuned for their selected market demographic. Goebbels never dreamed the power of propaganda could be so scientific and effective.

What is chance Trump will Cancel 2020 election? It seems he now has the power to do anything.

Druvius comments on Jan 31, 2020:

Well, only if he loses would I envision that as a possibility. Before the election, I can imagine him canceling it if there was some obvious excuse for canceling it and he thought he might lose. In either case I still think it's a damned unlikely scenario at this point. The oligarchs and generals ...

Druvius replies on Jan 31, 2020:

@Bushshaker Yes, but maintaining the veneer of democracy keeps most Americans complacent.

Returning Jesus Christ Downed By U.S. Missile Defense 30,000 Feet Before Making Landfall

Druvius comments on Jan 14, 2020:

Ah, Jesus jokes. Fortunately God has a great sense of humor. ;) https://www.smbc-comics.com/comic/2008-11-24

Druvius replies on Jan 14, 2020:

@Archeus_Lore :)

Well, here we go - Trump has started a war... [bbc.co.uk]

bingst comments on Jan 7, 2020:

I have some really dumb questions. Didn't the US military expect something like this? Why don't they have anti-missile systems at these bases?

Druvius replies on Jan 7, 2020:

There are zillions of low tech ways to foil anti-missile systems. And the Iranians likely have tens of thousands of missiles and rockets available, enough to easily overwhelm whatever missile defenses we may have.

Here is the inner part of our solar system, from the sun to the 5th planet, Jupiter.

Druvius comments on Jan 6, 2020:

Well, this is all still empty space for all practical purposes. But yes, an enormous amount of stuff is orbiting the Sun. The ancients had no idea. :)

Druvius replies on Jan 6, 2020:

@Hathacat Well, it's rare. None of our probes have hit anything yet. Earth gets popped regularly, but the big hits are all ancient history.

I note that some of my colleagues on this site seem to be concerned with the "godness" , ...

Druvius comments on Jan 2, 2020:

Maybe they are searching for something in themselves? And is there any reason it can't be both?

Druvius replies on Jan 2, 2020:

@wordywalt But you understand it? That is how religions arose.

Alone in a Crowded Milky Way Even a galaxy teeming with star-hopping alien civilizations should ...

hankster comments on Jan 1, 2020:

does evolution even begin to guarantee any developments in technology in a lifeform?

Druvius replies on Jan 1, 2020:

@hankster Exactly, we don't know how likely our evolution was, if the odds are long enough, we may be alone.

Three members of same family 'drown' at Costa del Sol resort - BBC News

Druvius comments on Dec 24, 2019:

Hard to say, but multiple "rescue attempt" drownings occur. There was one in the UK where four people including a policewoman drowned in an attempt that started with one person jumping off a seawall to save a dog. :(

Druvius replies on Dec 25, 2019:

In a pool though, wonder how that happened. Will be curious to see if there is any follow up coverage.

Woman admits to running over teen with her car because she's Hispanic - AOL News

Druvius comments on Dec 22, 2019:

This is a story about a person with mental health and drug abuse issues. Her racism isn't germane to that. Promoting this non-story just perpetuates the myth that this is what racism is all about, and let's the far uglier and more widespread racial and white privilege problems this country has to ...

Druvius replies on Dec 23, 2019:

@IAJO163 I did not say it was an excuse for her actions.

Something to debate - are these good and ecological choices?

Druvius comments on Dec 22, 2019:

This looks like a list made up by a privileged white person for other privileged white people. Pretty sure most working class Americans couldn't afford most of these these, and would far more appreciate cash in leiu of most of them. :/

Druvius replies on Dec 22, 2019:

@Flowerwall No problem with the concept, just pointing it out as an example of unconscious privilege.

and in NY - [theguardian.

Heraclitus comments on Dec 20, 2019:

Yes.

Druvius replies on Dec 20, 2019:

@Allamanda OK, sometime soon when I get the inclination and opportunity.

and in NY - [theguardian.

Heraclitus comments on Dec 20, 2019:

Yes.

Druvius replies on Dec 20, 2019:

@Allamanda I inherited both groups, so sounds good to me.

and in NY - [theguardian.

Heraclitus comments on Dec 20, 2019:

Yes.

Druvius replies on Dec 20, 2019:

@Allamanda Works for me. :)

Virginia sheriff says he’ll deputize residents if gun laws pass What the hell?

Druvius comments on Dec 20, 2019:

What a load of crap, the second amendment already protects people's right to own a gun. So no laws are going to overturn that. More paranoia from an NRA shill/dupe.

Druvius replies on Dec 20, 2019:

@TheGreatShadow Former NRA member, myself. They were once a responsible organization, now they are just shills for the gun industry and oppose all attempts curb gun violence. It's nuts.

He's back! (kinda) The Far Side returns... [theguardian.com]

Druvius comments on Dec 18, 2019:

Will be curious to see, optimistic but not hopeful.

Druvius replies on Dec 18, 2019:

@Allamanda They are my favorite, had all of his books at one time. :)

He's back! (kinda) The Far Side returns... [theguardian.com]

Druvius comments on Dec 18, 2019:

Will be curious to see, optimistic but not hopeful.

Druvius replies on Dec 18, 2019:

@Allamanda Pretty much.

5 Dec 1945, Flight 19, 5 US torpedo bombers got lost, ran out of fuel, and crashed.

Marionville comments on Dec 5, 2019:

Fiction usually sells better than fact!

Druvius replies on Dec 5, 2019:

Von Daniken and his ilk are laughing all the way to the bank. :)

4 December 1872, the Mary Celeste is found adrift and unmanned in the Atlantic Ocean: ...

altschmerz comments on Dec 4, 2019:

Are you Doug? I've been reading this blog since you last linked to it and I enjoy it very much.

Druvius replies on Dec 4, 2019:

Yes, that's me. Thank you. :)

The blind loyalty of Trump's evangelical base seems oddly familiar.

Druvius comments on Dec 2, 2019:

Most Trump comparisons to Hitler are garbage, but in this respect, yes, there's definitely parallels.

Druvius replies on Dec 2, 2019:

@1of5 Didius Julianus is my favorite comparison.

The blind loyalty of Trump's evangelical base seems oddly familiar.

JackPedigo comments on Dec 2, 2019:

And of course the usual "God's on our side" ploy. One reason the military consistently deny 'atheist in foxholes' is because when there is no god or afterlife one starts to question what they are giving their life for. Thanks to the increase in outspoken atheists and organizations like FFRF a group...

Druvius replies on Dec 2, 2019:

@WilliamCharles For sure, the argument is also an example of the conceit of some religious people.

The blind loyalty of Trump's evangelical base seems oddly familiar.

Druvius comments on Dec 2, 2019:

Most Trump comparisons to Hitler are garbage, but in this respect, yes, there's definitely parallels.

Druvius replies on Dec 2, 2019:

@1of5 Hitler was a war hero, a fanatic ideologue, and genuinely popular. And had seized absolute power and was mass murdering his opponents within a year of being elected. Trump is a con artist with a knack for self-promotion who became POTUS almost by accident. He might dream of being a Hitler, but he doesn't have it in him.

The blind loyalty of Trump's evangelical base seems oddly familiar.

JackPedigo comments on Dec 2, 2019:

And of course the usual "God's on our side" ploy. One reason the military consistently deny 'atheist in foxholes' is because when there is no god or afterlife one starts to question what they are giving their life for. Thanks to the increase in outspoken atheists and organizations like FFRF a group...

Druvius replies on Dec 2, 2019:

And as someone pointed out "There's no atheists in foxholes" is an argument against foxholes, not atheism.

Black hole that theoretically should not exist. But does. [youtu.be]

Druvius comments on Dec 1, 2019:

I really wish the media would stop click-bait promoting this as "something that shouldn't exist." It just gives ammunition to creationists and other science deniers. It's unusually large, but likely was the result of two black holes merging. Interesting, but it's nothing that calls into question our...

Druvius replies on Dec 1, 2019:

@ToolGuy I am familiar with the story, I was referring to this: "Black hole that theoretically should not exist. But does."

Do you suppose dogs think in yips, barks, and growls?

Druvius comments on Nov 26, 2019:

Dogs can understand the meaning of hundreds of words, a trait that many animals share. What they can't do, and no animal has yet demonstrated, is the ability to combine words into meaningful grammatical sentences. IE they can't tell the difference between 'dog bites man' and 'man bites dog.' So no, ...

Druvius replies on Nov 26, 2019:

@lucy666 No, Koko couldn't use language. https://skeptoid.com/episodes/4630

I wonder, how many other vets are as disturbed as I to hear the Rhetoric of the FSB coming out of ...

Druvius comments on Nov 26, 2019:

I'm disturbed that the Dems have decided to go with McCarthyism to fight the GOP, instead of concentrating on what working Americans need and how Trump is giving the rich, the Pentagon, and corporate America everything they want at the expense of the American people.

Druvius replies on Nov 26, 2019:

@Davesnothere The FSB talking points the GOP is using exist only in the fevered imaginations of the Dems who have fallen for the Russiagate nonsense. The Dems are well on their way to losing in 2020 because they have made themselves even more irrelevant to working class Americans since 2016.

Up until now I had now realize just how extensive Russian political interference was in the 2018 ...

Druvius comments on Nov 25, 2019:

And you actually believe this? This is just as ridiculous as the first McCarthy era.

Druvius replies on Nov 25, 2019:

@wordywalt And since when did they magically become credible?

What Will Be Your Worst Fear When Trump Is Re-elected?

Druvius comments on Nov 23, 2019:

That the Dem loser will claim an even more ridiculous reason for losing than Clinton did?

Druvius replies on Nov 23, 2019:

@MarkiusMahamius I was being facetious. Trump has shown us that a gerbil could sit in the oval office and the giant swamp monster that is Washington will continue unmolested in the same direction it's been going since Reagan. Whether Trump wins or loses in 2020 won't change that.

What Will Be Your Worst Fear When Trump Is Re-elected?

Druvius comments on Nov 23, 2019:

That the Dem loser will claim an even more ridiculous reason for losing than Clinton did?

Druvius replies on Nov 23, 2019:

@MarkiusMahamius Yes, the Dems learned nothing from their first loss to Trump, afraid they will learn even less from their second.