"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong." H. L. Mencken

zeuser comments on Jun 20, 2020:

Simplistic, but a classic quote. I don't think Mencken meant for this to be taken as objectively true, but rather as a comment on the tendency of people to look for the simplest answer as a reflex. Occam's Razor may well be inclined to respectfully disagree on principle, if not on substance.

Fernapple replies on Jun 21, 2020:

The many false and misunderstood versions of Occam's Razor that are in circulation, are all prefect examples of this priciple.

a wonderful graphic of sizes of land masses, nations, etc.

dede18 comments on Jun 20, 2020:

@Fernapple and @Allamanda I went in search, because it does not show Africa and I wanted to know why not. Still puzzled, it only shows the various countries within Africa ... Africa is HUGE, want to see it compared! In any case, go here ...

Fernapple replies on Jun 21, 2020:

@dede18 Looks like even the Sahara desert is as big as the USA.

I encourage quite a lot of wildflowers in the garden.

Cutiebeauty comments on Jun 20, 2020:

What is that in the last pic? Edible greens?

Fernapple replies on Jun 21, 2020:

No its the foliage of the second flower, it has a motled staining on the leaves.

Have you ever been offended by being an agnostic or atheist?

oldFloyd comments on Jun 20, 2020:

I agree with the others here, except Fernapple, but then again I use a deodorant.

Fernapple replies on Jun 20, 2020:

Never thought of that.

Illusions are everywhere not only in temples and churches/.

Geoffrey51 comments on Jun 19, 2020:

Probably best to stay away from theatre, films, TV and literature then.

Fernapple replies on Jun 20, 2020:

You forgot, newspapers, books, artgalleries, television.

What's the stupidest reason for not wearing a mask that you've heard?

BudFrank comments on Jun 19, 2020:

Trump should get a Darwin Award, except those are usually reserved for someone who does as a result of their own stupidity.

Fernapple replies on Jun 20, 2020:

He could be given an honoury Darwin Award, for those who cause the deaths of others.

I believe that happiness is the supreme goal in life rather than obeying the orders of the non ...

Cyklone comments on Jun 19, 2020:

Happiness is overrated. I think a hedonistic lifestyle is rather empty. Fulfillment makes more sense to me.

Fernapple replies on Jun 19, 2020:

I think that just depends on how you define words. To my mind fulfillment, is much more aligned to what I would mean by happiness than hedonism anyway.

What Path do You Walk?

yvilletom comments on Jun 18, 2020:

Not that path. The greenery to either side is okay; the overhead is not okay.

Fernapple replies on Jun 19, 2020:

@jonvan It has to be trees, because there are green things by the path, and cathedrals are dead spaces where nothing grows or lives, except human vanity.

A very obvious question, but some interesting answers. [youtube.com]

RoyMillar comments on Jun 18, 2020:

I always love earning these new ideas,ones schooling never ceases

Fernapple replies on Jun 18, 2020:

I usually just pick out what I like myself, glad it tunes in with other people.

I you wish to know how well your country is doing controlling the virus.

Marionville comments on Jun 18, 2020:

I think the U.K. falls into the same category as the USA...too little testing and testing the wrong people!

Fernapple replies on Jun 18, 2020:

On one seems to ever point out that, although some countries like the US and Brazil have had more deaths total, (Ignoring China who are almost certainly not telling the truth.) we are still the world leaders in deaths per million, or percent.

The garden seems to be going through a pink phase this month.

Lavergne comments on Jun 16, 2020:

Mine goes thru a "purple" phase very early on. Siberian Iris, pansies, ajuga, grape hyacinths, bearded iris, clematis and then the hostas... The reds and yellows and oranges come a little later on - with the heat - and the white hydrangeas are the perfect counterpoint to all that color......

Fernapple replies on Jun 16, 2020:

Yes mine goes yellow, white, purple/blue and then pink, but ends back at white and yellow again.

The garden seems to be going through a pink phase this month.

MarkWD comments on Jun 16, 2020:

You are obviously making your plants happy. Peonies are one of those who do not like my mild climate but I enjoy seeing them when I can. I am very intrigued by that ground cover too. I wonder how long a bloom season it has? Lamium has never done well for me, I'm guessing because of our dry ...

Fernapple replies on Jun 16, 2020:

Thank you, what an interesting reply. The Phuopsis flowers for more than a month with me, and would probably flower again, I think, if I were to cut it down after flowering.

From The Daily Stoic on Why wear a mask?

Amzungu comments on Jun 15, 2020:

I struggle to understand why this is such a difficult concept for people to realize. It is such a small, painless act, yet can do so much good. Seems like a no brainer to me.

Fernapple replies on Jun 15, 2020:

Even if it achieved little or nothing, and it does a lot more than that, what is the cost ?

Red Lion: Archaeologists 'find London's earliest theatre' - BBC News

Fernapple comments on Jun 10, 2020:

What fun that must have been. After ten weeks of lock down the idea of going to a pub outside town for a social drink and an outdoor stage performance, seems like a wonderful treat, and a distant memory in more ways than one. And in those days all you could catch was the black death, fleas, lice,...

Fernapple replies on Jun 15, 2020:

@Magister Hey. WE have good weather here in the UK . Last year I counted at least two days.

What Are The Odds?

Fernapple comments on Jun 14, 2020:

One small point, Muslims do not believe that hell is for all eternity, only until you are cured or punished enough. Infinite punishment for finite sins is only in the Christian tradition.

Fernapple replies on Jun 15, 2020:

@Gareth Seems I have been listening to too many muslims. I have not read it myself, and should have guessed they are into cherry picking and interpretation just as much as xians.

Things that make you go hmmmmmmmm and perhaps a giggle or two

Fernapple comments on Jun 14, 2020:

So when my wife used to get me to help her with her bra, was that a ploy then ? Boy you learn something every day.

Fernapple replies on Jun 14, 2020:

@whiskywoman Oh, it was certainly that.

As COVID-19 continues to make news with the number of infections and number of deaths, a little ...

Allamanda comments on Jun 13, 2020:

It would be a very good thing if we could start to see statistics and studies on how many people, and who, have serious damages. At the moment the greatest numbers still seem to be immune or very mild cases, by 10x the serious cases resulting in death and injury. Maybe 20x.

Fernapple replies on Jun 13, 2020:

@Allamanda It could linger in the system at a low level difficult to detect for a long time, slowly doing damage, or do damage which is not seen at first. Many diseases have done things like that Syphilis, AIDS, leprosy etc.

As COVID-19 continues to make news with the number of infections and number of deaths, a little ...

Allamanda comments on Jun 13, 2020:

It would be a very good thing if we could start to see statistics and studies on how many people, and who, have serious damages. At the moment the greatest numbers still seem to be immune or very mild cases, by 10x the serious cases resulting in death and injury. Maybe 20x.

Fernapple replies on Jun 13, 2020:

We do not of course know yet, if there are any long term effects for those who only have mild symptoms.

I got this for the Natural History group, but thought it so good it could go here too.

LetzGetReal comments on Jun 12, 2020:

I knew some of this but this presentation helps to better connect the dots regarding genetics. Working as an animal caregiver plus doing occasional training, I learned perhaps more from my clients than them from me. A lot of them have some degree of PTS and how to handle this can differ greatly from...

Fernapple replies on Jun 12, 2020:

@LetzGetReal Here you go. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2z6eCCNtOk

I got this for the Natural History group, but thought it so good it could go here too.

LetzGetReal comments on Jun 12, 2020:

I knew some of this but this presentation helps to better connect the dots regarding genetics. Working as an animal caregiver plus doing occasional training, I learned perhaps more from my clients than them from me. A lot of them have some degree of PTS and how to handle this can differ greatly from...

Fernapple replies on Jun 12, 2020:

Yes that's a great comment thank you. Of course domesticating modern wolves in a modern setting is probably quite different from what happen then. Because, as the video pointed out, the original domestic wolves came for a now extinct sub-species, whose behaviour may have been much more human friendly than modern wolves. And also because the first domesication was probably not done in one go, but slowly over perhaps several centuries, giving lots of time for both species to learn and perhaps even genetically adapt. While in close knitted hunter gathering communities people would likely spend more time on their close relationships, including those with other species, than we do today. Charmingly I do remember seeing another video about a dog/domestic wolves grave, dating from twenty thousand years ago, where the dog was buried with ritual. Will see if I can find it again.

@Admin -- I have just received 50+ notifications from LatinAmericanCupid.

TheMiddleWay comments on Jun 11, 2020:

It's a reasonable conclusion but if more and more of us say that it hasn't happened to us, the more you should look for sources outside this site. To whit, I've never received any spam or membership or anything that I could reasonably conclude came from my association with this site. My guess...

Fernapple replies on Jun 12, 2020:

@evidentialist It does not follow, I have recieved spam mail about all sorts of things from car insurance to web-site designers, though I have never searched for either on line. And I have certainly had dating spam from long before I joined this site, and I have certain never searched for that. These people get your details and address for all sorts of places, the number one method being supermarkets, where they study what you buy and then 'read' it to tell them what sort of person you are. Often using truly crude sexist, racist and ageist assumptions. As in, male buys food but not female sanitary wear, assumption, must be living alone, needs a date. It is that crude, devious and intrusive and that widespread.

Can Viruses Travel Between Planets [youtube.com]

Allamanda comments on Jun 10, 2020:

why astro- ? meaning star! why not extro- or planeto- or xeno- or... It makes it sound as silly as astrology.

Fernapple replies on Jun 11, 2020:

@Allamanda And also ask yourself why micro planets are called asteriods ?

Can Viruses Travel Between Planets [youtube.com]

Allamanda comments on Jun 10, 2020:

why astro- ? meaning star! why not extro- or planeto- or xeno- or... It makes it sound as silly as astrology.

Fernapple replies on Jun 11, 2020:

From Astronomy.

How would you know if you were being subjected to a mass campaign of information, especially of a ...

Fernapple comments on Jun 10, 2020:

The first thing I always ask is. Who gains from this.

Fernapple replies on Jun 10, 2020:

@Flowerwall One sided is certainly a good clue. Another is lack of nuance, and qualification, it is human nature to be lazy, a good thing once, active brains use a lot of food, and when apes like us had to earn our food on the plains of Africa, at great risk and effort, conserving it was useful. But today looking for easy simple answers is a sad legasy of our evolution, very close to being one sided , lack of detail and nuance therefore is one. Certainty another, for much them same reason, people who think honestly and value truth always doubt, while confidence again denotes lack of care and effort, plus perhaps, a strong wish fullfilment drive, which shows motives other than the pure wish for truth, such as the wish to impress, or to avoid fear of the unknown. (Good word, 'perhaps' rarely used by the untruthful, qualifiers are generally good signs.) But do not undervalue the distrust everything possition. Because being mistaken, even honestly mistaken, is our default state. It is like the old argument about religion. There are at least ten thousand gods, and a hundred thousand sects worshipping those gods, most (Most another good word.) of which claim to be the only true religion. And as the saying goes, they can all therefore be wrong, but only one of them, at most, can be right. Human culture was for the most part built by people who started with errors but then rather than throw the old errors out when problems arose, chose to add more untruths to plaster over the cracks. Because the alternative of throwing out the old errors and starting again, takes courage and effort. So that in the end human culture becomes a vast pile of untruths, with just the odd truth in there by accident, and all the lies piled on top of one another in mutual support. Try researching "adding epicycles" if you have time. Human culture is simply not a good guide if you are looking for truth. Also if you have time Richard Dawkins on religions as viral infections of the mind, is well worth looking into, though I think that he is mistaken in limiting the theory to religions alone, and not seeing all of culture as a series of viral infections.

How would you know if you were being subjected to a mass campaign of information, especially of a ...

Fernapple comments on Jun 10, 2020:

The first thing I always ask is. Who gains from this.

Fernapple replies on Jun 10, 2020:

@Flowerwall Perhaps sadly, I am always in a questioning frame of mind, fortunately I am a natural sceptic, I trust nothing and nobody anyway. Therefore I always assume that everyone lies by default, and that everything I am told is untrue, then I put it to the, 'who gains' test, and if I can find no actual reason why someone gains, then I assume a possiblity that it may be true. But my default possition is to assume everthing is untrue.

[finance.

Redheadedgammy comments on Jun 10, 2020:

Yeah Fuckerberg just wants to promote “open dialogue “. Wish everyone would delete their Fakebook page!!!

Fernapple replies on Jun 10, 2020:

@Redheadedgammy And a really bad platform at that. I mean why do people think that cluncky ugly complicated site is fun, some people grouch about this site not working as they like, but its a dream compared to face book. And fuckerbook clearly wants to take over the web and make it his own domain.

This is the work of 'missionaries' in all likelihood from the USA.

dermot235 comments on Jun 10, 2020:

An appalling spectacle. Like something from the middle ages in Europe. Children looking on at this barbaric act of "justice". Evangelical Churches from the US have been promoting a particularly poisonous and hateful form of Christianity around the globe. Not just in Latin America but in Africa too. ...

Fernapple replies on Jun 10, 2020:

And don't forget Australia where missionaries are getting native people to destroy their cultural heritage. Not perhaps as bad as killing people, but still showing the same sort of hate and contempt.

[finance.

Redheadedgammy comments on Jun 10, 2020:

Yeah Fuckerberg just wants to promote “open dialogue “. Wish everyone would delete their Fakebook page!!!

Fernapple replies on Jun 10, 2020:

Could be the begining of the end.

Engineer, Physicist, Mathematician: An engineer, a physicist, and a mathematician were on a train ...

Fernapple comments on Jun 10, 2020:

A psychologist, a biologist, a mathematician and a theologian sit outside a cafe drinking coffee. Across the street a man comes walking down the road, and meets a woman who was coming in the opposite direction. They kiss and and disappear into a building, then a minute later they come out again with...

Fernapple replies on Jun 10, 2020:

@Julie808 Keep asking the questions, that's what life is all about. And the worst thing that can happen is that you get slapped by a school teacher. (Well ok you can be stoned to death in some countries, but lets be resonable.)

The question is “What is the basis of reality?

Fernapple comments on Jun 9, 2020:

That depends. If you define the word 'God' as having the same meaning as the word 'Knowledge' then the statement. "I don't know." Is the same as. "There are no gods." And since most people do define god that way, at least by, ad populum they are the same. OK that is a joke, but, he serious ...

Fernapple replies on Jun 10, 2020:

@WilliamFleming There is certainly a basis which is beyond our comprehension at this time, (The standard model is far from finished or correct in all details.) and it is possible that it can not be resolved by us, since brains evolved to solve the problems of survival on the plains of Africa, simply may not be able to understand the universe. Yet we do not know, it could all be resolved next week by a scientist/philosopher via perhaps the most trivial and basic of discoveries. (Realistically unlikely.) And of course since understanding, especially final complete understanding seems important to we humans, now at this time, we are bound to think of it as the great mystery, and the god issue, etc.. The big danger however in such terms, is in giving those who would promote religion a hand hold on our collars. It then becomes very easy for them to say. 'You see they are interested in god.' And then to take that as permission to use sceptics own positions as support for their theist views, often by distoring the original meanings completely. That happened to Einstien himself, who made use of the god word a couple of times methaphorically, with no intention to mean diety in any way. Yet just doing that, has made him an icon in some theist quarters, where he is held up as a near saint, and an authority proving even the most extremme forms of theism. Which is certainly something he never intended, would hate, and which sadly buries completely the real valuable meanings he intended.

Was Jesus a man who became mythicized or a myth that became historicized or something else?

Fernapple comments on May 24, 2020:

Why not both. Or all three, because you can also throw in, that there may have been several persons involved and some deliberate falsification. Its just a mess, and anyone who thinks that they can unpick the threads after all this time, and the many attempts deliberately made to hide the truth over ...

Fernapple replies on Jun 10, 2020:

@PondartIncbendog Sorry I only do muffins.

Was Jesus a man who became mythicized or a myth that became historicized or something else?

Fernapple comments on May 24, 2020:

Why not both. Or all three, because you can also throw in, that there may have been several persons involved and some deliberate falsification. Its just a mess, and anyone who thinks that they can unpick the threads after all this time, and the many attempts deliberately made to hide the truth over ...

Fernapple replies on Jun 10, 2020:

@Atheist3 No I think the issue of. "Is there a god." Is perhaps the most acedemic of them all, with no real importance, here's why. (I phave posted this several times so appologies if you have seen it.) Suppose for a minute, and for the sake of argument only, that there is a god, and an afterlife, including heaven and a hell; and that the god chooses whether people go to heaven, or if some go to hell, in fact the whole theist deal. Not only that, but suppose, the criterion on which the god makes the choice is based on the type of muffins they eat. ( Note: “eat” not prefer, this is not about free will or anything like that.) People who eat lemon muffins go to heaven and people who eat chocolate muffins go to hell, with limbo for those who don't eat muffins at all, naturally. Would that make a difference to your life ? Would you give up your chocolate muffins for an eternity of joy, and all the lemon buns after death you could ever eat ? Perhaps you would. But there is one vital thing that I forgot to mention about this god, which is that; this particular god, does not tell you about the muffins, or how they affect your afterlife, in fact it keeps the whole thing a big secret just to itself, so that you have no way of knowing which muffins you have to eat. Then in that case, of course, you could not make the appropriate changes to your life, or save your soul anyway. In fact muffins, the gods preferences and even that god, would not impact on your life at all. The point is this. That a gods, souls, the afterlife etc. have no effect on anything, unless that god, or someone who knows, tells you about it, and you therefore have some knowledge of god's cake prejudices. Making this the big difference between religion, which pretends to offer knowledge of god the afterlife etc., and none belief which does not. Which is why the difference between atheists, humanists, agnostics and even deists, is so small and unimportant, by comparison with the great gulf between them and theists, because none claim any knowledge of gods preferences, and it is the pretence of fake knowledge, and of god given authority, which makes the big difference. Compared with that the differences between atheist and agnostic, even deist, are trivial to the point of vanishing. It is the pretence of knowledge, the bible, koran etc which is all important, god is trivial when compared to that.

Philosophy is like being in a dark room and looking for a black cat.

Allamanda comments on Jun 9, 2020:

are we not ascribing quotes any more?

Fernapple replies on Jun 9, 2020:

@Gatovicolo Actually I think that last bit is much better and sharper than the bit in the post.

The question is “What is the basis of reality?

Fernapple comments on Jun 9, 2020:

That depends. If you define the word 'God' as having the same meaning as the word 'Knowledge' then the statement. "I don't know." Is the same as. "There are no gods." And since most people do define god that way, at least by, ad populum they are the same. OK that is a joke, but, he serious ...

Fernapple replies on Jun 9, 2020:

@WilliamFleming Yes it is complicated, but that's about it. In fact I go even further than being discomfort with people using god for the unknown, I find that even terms like "the great mystery", are too specific for me, since they imply that it must have know properties like greatness.

Consider this: people have used religion to justify and advance their agendas since the earliest ...

Moravian comments on Jun 8, 2020:

Of course the theists will point to Stalin, Pol Pot, and Mao as atheists who killed millions. They may not have been religious but they were still following a perverted ideology which is really the same thing.

Fernapple replies on Jun 8, 2020:

@TheMiddleWay How can leaving or accepting be blind faith, there can not be alternatives in blind faith, because choosing alternatives involves choice. That is a perfect example to prove my case, he Bible does say "do not kill" once or twice, and then goes on to recommend every form of slaughter, a hundred times over, including acts of war, human sacrifice, genocide, the murder of children based on racial grounds, killing people for minor breches of the law. And morethan enough for anyone intent on killing for fun to find a justification.

I, TheMiddleWay, am a devout Christian and always have been.

Fernapple comments on Jun 8, 2020:

So why don't you read what other people write carefully ?

Fernapple replies on Jun 8, 2020:

@TheMiddleWay Once more you have misread, I actually said exactly the opposite. I said that I tend to agree with you posts. That is posts meaning original writings put by you at the top of the page. And that the times when we disagree is on your comments.

Consider this: people have used religion to justify and advance their agendas since the earliest ...

Moravian comments on Jun 8, 2020:

Of course the theists will point to Stalin, Pol Pot, and Mao as atheists who killed millions. They may not have been religious but they were still following a perverted ideology which is really the same thing.

Fernapple replies on Jun 8, 2020:

@TheMiddleWay Once more you are not reading what is writen. I actually said the opposite of "acepting on blind faith" , I said that they have to accept what Hawkins said or leave it, because Hawkins at least has a possition which is self consitent. Whereas with things like biblical text you can take any possition you like and then find a justification for it, thereby claiming authority for whatever you want.

I, TheMiddleWay, am a devout Christian and always have been.

Fernapple comments on Jun 8, 2020:

So why don't you read what other people write carefully ?

Fernapple replies on Jun 8, 2020:

@TheMiddleWay Quite the contrary, I am sure this is the case because I have always found that your posts are intelligent and imaginative, and a rarely if ever disagree with them, this one being a case in point being both imaginative and well presented. That being the case, it is strange that while I find your posts good, I find your comments to often be so far from even addressing the things they are intended to be about. I say this without any intention but to help, And certainly in no way to belittle. More care really is needed in reading and understanding before commenting, it is a small but important failing in one who could I am sure offer so much more.

Consider this: people have used religion to justify and advance their agendas since the earliest ...

Moravian comments on Jun 8, 2020:

Of course the theists will point to Stalin, Pol Pot, and Mao as atheists who killed millions. They may not have been religious but they were still following a perverted ideology which is really the same thing.

Fernapple replies on Jun 8, 2020:

@TheMiddleWay Yes but even his biggest supporters, do not see him as god, and they do have to accept his views, they can not make it up and then point to where he agrees with them.

I’m intrigued about something I’ve noticed recently.

Fernapple comments on Jun 7, 2020:

Yes I have seen that, it is hard to say if it is naughty trying to gain points and attract extra attention to dull posts, or just clumsy. Not good form anyway.

Fernapple replies on Jun 8, 2020:

@MissKathleen True there are plenty of flip banal comments, but why put in a method of encouraging more ? And I am sorry but I think that it is wrong to think that points don't matter, they may not matter personally to you or me, but they may well matter to new members, who are for example waiting for the day when they can send someone a message. And at the end of the day even if there are no working problems., commenting on your own posts like laughing at your own jokes, is just bad taste.

Consider this: people have used religion to justify and advance their agendas since the earliest ...

Moravian comments on Jun 8, 2020:

Of course the theists will point to Stalin, Pol Pot, and Mao as atheists who killed millions. They may not have been religious but they were still following a perverted ideology which is really the same thing.

Fernapple replies on Jun 8, 2020:

@TheMiddleWay True, except that theist religion more than any other, provides a ready made authority figure who you can use to easily justify your extremism, and who, because he does not exist, will never argue with you, and whose ideaology is rooted in some very old texts which are so mixed up, that they easily provide any interpretation you like.

This is a genuine question and I would really like to know the answer. Where does all the money go?

Allamanda comments on Jun 8, 2020:

There's not a lot of truth to the assertion that dynasties only last 2-3 generations, and the hoarding of inherited or earned or now, corporate, wealth beyond what can be spent by anyone in a lifetime, is a massive drain on the world economy, human rights, and the environment, that will probably be ...

Fernapple replies on Jun 8, 2020:

On the other hand, if they spend it, especially unwisely, it will only create consumption with more carbondioxide, more cleared forests etc.

I’m intrigued about something I’ve noticed recently.

FrayedBear comments on Jun 7, 2020:

If a post has been there for a month and no one has commented . . .

Fernapple replies on Jun 8, 2020:

@FrayedBear Yes sorry to say that the courts in the UK do not sem to take driving offences seriously, except as a money making plan for parking fines etc. You may not have heard but at this time there is a problem with an American, who killed someone while driving on the wrong side of the road, and we can't even get her into court, because she fled to the US and claimed diplomatic immunity, even though she is not a diplomate, only the wife of one. I do appreciate the you always give value in posts and comments, having been on this site more than a year now I am beginning to get to know who gives value, who does not, who can and can't read, and a small list of just plain ######.

I’m intrigued about something I’ve noticed recently.

FrayedBear comments on Jun 7, 2020:

If a post has been there for a month and no one has commented . . .

Fernapple replies on Jun 8, 2020:

@FrayedBear Yes sorry to hear about your brother. I am sure I will have done it a couple of times, perhaps by mistake, but some people seem to do it every time, which makes you think it is deliberate points grabbing. Never saw why first comment gets extra points anyway, it only encourages quick, banal and pointless comments.

I’m intrigued about something I’ve noticed recently.

glennlab comments on Jun 7, 2020:

Some people get wrapped up in all kinds of things, some are a little OCD about points, some DGAF. I try not to let the little things irritate me, (they do, but I am learning to deal with it). What you describe has been going on since I joined the site and probably before then. It hurts no ...

Fernapple replies on Jun 8, 2020:

New members looking to earn points so that they can do things like message, may care, and even if they don't, it is rude not to assume they may not do, and besides that it makes those who do it look vain and lazy, which lowers the tone of the site. OK so they are only trivial things, but given that there is no cost involved in not doing it, other than a little care in editing /reediting the post, which you should do anyway, why do it ?

I’m intrigued about something I’ve noticed recently.

FrayedBear comments on Jun 7, 2020:

If a post has been there for a month and no one has commented . . .

Fernapple replies on Jun 8, 2020:

@FrayedBear No there is pronbably no harm in that on an old post, but is getting away from girlwithsmiles original post anyway, which was about people who comment on their own posts as soon as they are put up, before anyone else has chance to see them.

I’m intrigued about something I’ve noticed recently.

skado comments on Jun 7, 2020:

What are a few extra points good for? Can I buy groceries with them? Sometimes an author’s note belongs in the comment section. Please donate my ill-gotten gain to the underpriviledged.

Fernapple replies on Jun 8, 2020:

They are not much good to us, but to new members, hoping to for example reach the level where they can message someone, they certainly could matter. Girlwithsmiles makes the point that it is often old established members doing this, which is just thoughtless, and lazy, because it is not hard to click on edit and change the original post.

Wow google photos can spruce up a picture

Heidi68 comments on Jun 7, 2020:

Can I see a before to see the comparison?

Fernapple replies on Jun 8, 2020:

@Honorabledougn Sorry but I think I prefer the original, more moody.

I’m intrigued about something I’ve noticed recently.

Fernapple comments on Jun 7, 2020:

Yes I have seen that, it is hard to say if it is naughty trying to gain points and attract extra attention to dull posts, or just clumsy. Not good form anyway.

Fernapple replies on Jun 8, 2020:

@MissKathleen It would not affect me, but to someone who cared about points, say a new member for example, it does deprive them of the chance to get double points. Which is very mean since there is no real point to commenting on your own posts, in fact it is just lazy, unless you are after points. Mind you I never saw any good reason for giving extra points on first comment, how does first comment differ from any other, and it only encourages flip banal comments from some people.

I’m intrigued about something I’ve noticed recently.

FrayedBear comments on Jun 7, 2020:

If a post has been there for a month and no one has commented . . .

Fernapple replies on Jun 8, 2020:

@Petter True but, is it not best just to let go and move on ?

Just something that reminds me of the warm Mediterranean, and the lands of romance, summer, flowers,...

rogerbenham comments on Jun 7, 2020:

What a lovely guitar!

Fernapple replies on Jun 8, 2020:

Yep that too. Made in Germany according to the credits at the end, so sounds like it is a fairly new one.

I’m intrigued about something I’ve noticed recently.

FrayedBear comments on Jun 7, 2020:

If a post has been there for a month and no one has commented . . .

Fernapple replies on Jun 8, 2020:

@FrayedBear Sorry did not mean to say that your posts were boring, only that we all post one or two that are dead in the water from the start, and perhaps it is best just to move on. PS. not American UK.

Let's give religion a break just for a moment.

Fernapple comments on Jun 7, 2020:

Never did believe. But my religious teachers did teach me how to spot bullshit, how to be very cynical, and that evil most likes to wear the robes of virtue.

Fernapple replies on Jun 7, 2020:

@Sgt_Spanky That's the point. Its just that that is not what they intended.

Local YewHawdists totin' assault weapons.

RoyMillar comments on Jun 7, 2020:

LMAO love them

Fernapple replies on Jun 7, 2020:

You may be the only one, but each to his own taste. (Apart from their mothers of course. Though there could be some doubt there.)LOL

Just something that reminds me of the warm Mediterranean, and the lands of romance, summer, flowers,...

FrayedBear comments on Jun 7, 2020:

A pretty woman, sunlight & that music? Yes. Could do with some warmth here.

Fernapple replies on Jun 7, 2020:

The seasons come round my friend, don't worry, and the magic in the circle, though we may only get seventy or so times to watch the tadpole chase it tail, is perhaps the last thing that still seems magic no matter how deep your wrinkles. But will the planes ever fly again ?

I’m intrigued about something I’ve noticed recently.

Fernapple comments on Jun 7, 2020:

Yes I have seen that, it is hard to say if it is naughty trying to gain points and attract extra attention to dull posts, or just clumsy. Not good form anyway.

Fernapple replies on Jun 7, 2020:

@Allamanda Yes, not modify the post that's fine. It is comment on your own post, especially first comment.

I’m intrigued about something I’ve noticed recently.

FrayedBear comments on Jun 7, 2020:

If a post has been there for a month and no one has commented . . .

Fernapple replies on Jun 7, 2020:

If the post has been there for a month and no one has commented, it was probably a rubbish boring post, and I try not to do one like it again. LOL

I’m intrigued about something I’ve noticed recently.

noworry28 comments on Jun 7, 2020:

I only reply to comments that others leave on my posts.

Fernapple replies on Jun 7, 2020:

That's just as it should be.

If I ask "Do god(s)s exist?

WilliamFleming comments on Jun 6, 2020:

If you define God as the mystery of existence, you get an interesting conundrum. If someone says that there is no mystery of existence then they should be able to explain existence. All of you are theists under my definition.

Fernapple replies on Jun 7, 2020:

@WilliamFleming Yes but my point depends upon my definition being wrong. I am glad you enjoyed it. Though I do not like quotes from plato much, since I long ago went down the road after Aristotle, and find little value in him. PS. I like your reply to 'middleway', not long winded at all, reworking Einstien that way, although you have to be aware of how much trouble his, "god does not play dice " got him into.

If I ask "Do god(s)s exist?

WilliamFleming comments on Jun 6, 2020:

If you define God as the mystery of existence, you get an interesting conundrum. If someone says that there is no mystery of existence then they should be able to explain existence. All of you are theists under my definition.

Fernapple replies on Jun 7, 2020:

Yes but if I define an Elephant as and animal with a nose. Then all of you are elephants by my definition.

This is an interesting facial reconstruction of an ancient woman from Gibraltar.

JackPedigo comments on Jun 5, 2020:

Interesting in that she was 30-40 years old. It seems the average age of people in that period was about how old she was so she must have been an old woman yet the reconstruction seems to portray a youthful looking person.

Fernapple replies on Jun 7, 2020:

@JackPedigo You can find those sorts of averages, but they need a lot of careful searching.

An update on my post here [agnostic.

Fernapple comments on Jun 6, 2020:

Wow, wonderful. Hope you manage to get a photo or two.

Fernapple replies on Jun 6, 2020:

@Mark013 they may get atuned to you too.

Well I now see, that after our governments mishandling of and lying about just about everything, ...

Red_Cat comments on Jun 6, 2020:

Perhaps the loss of workers on the Palace of Westminster will result in it finally falling down and staying down. Then we could have government rebuilt in a more central position, say Birmingham or Manchester. Here's hoping....

Fernapple replies on Jun 6, 2020:

Do you really believe that a UK government could ever do anything half way sane. LOL

I've been doing StayHome since early March, and heartily tired of it.

Fernapple comments on Jun 5, 2020:

And you took the trouble to frame it, well done. The answer is just don't get out of the car if there is anyone about, no harm in driving then.

Fernapple replies on Jun 6, 2020:

I'm just very glad I don't live in a small flat in the city.

Why Jesus is white (:

Fernapple comments on Jun 4, 2020:

Mohamad Ali was alway so bright and articulate, it is in complete and horrible contrast to what happen to him in the end. Of all boxers he was the one who should have survived.

Fernapple replies on Jun 6, 2020:

@IAJO163 Local knowledge. The public figure and the private person. Got it.

This is an interesting facial reconstruction of an ancient woman from Gibraltar.

JackPedigo comments on Jun 5, 2020:

Interesting in that she was 30-40 years old. It seems the average age of people in that period was about how old she was so she must have been an old woman yet the reconstruction seems to portray a youthful looking person.

Fernapple replies on Jun 6, 2020:

It is generally thought that the average age includes a lot of infant deaths, most people who survived childhood probably lived to only a little short of the age they reach today, and they would only have aged a little faster than we do. Certainly that was true of most of the stone age cultures which survived to modern times. Many women would have died prematurely due to the dangers of childbirth.

Why Jesus is white (:

Fernapple comments on Jun 4, 2020:

Mohamad Ali was alway so bright and articulate, it is in complete and horrible contrast to what happen to him in the end. Of all boxers he was the one who should have survived.

Fernapple replies on Jun 4, 2020:

@IAJO163 And in some ways a racist thing, a white boy as bright as that, would have been offered many more sellections to rise in life, without having to get his head banged about. Maybe he did coose it freely as his first choice, but did he have as much choice ?

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from having an account here, it’s that not everyone arrives ...

Omnedon comments on Jun 4, 2020:

How do you mean?

Fernapple replies on Jun 4, 2020:

You may like my reply.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from having an account here, it’s that not everyone arrives ...

AmyTheBruce comments on Jun 4, 2020:

Care to expand on that thought? I'm curious what other means one could use.

Fernapple replies on Jun 4, 2020:

You may like my reply.

Good ole days

Cyklone comments on Jun 3, 2020:

But, do you remember the iceman delivering, the shit truck picking up the sewage, long drop toilets, newspaper for toilet paper, having to earn a pen licence and icecream in cardboard packs? Not to mention having to chop the wood so mum could cook breakfast

Fernapple replies on Jun 4, 2020:

@Cyklone Redbacks? Those must be a US thing.

Good ole days

Cyklone comments on Jun 3, 2020:

But, do you remember the iceman delivering, the shit truck picking up the sewage, long drop toilets, newspaper for toilet paper, having to earn a pen licence and icecream in cardboard packs? Not to mention having to chop the wood so mum could cook breakfast

Fernapple replies on Jun 4, 2020:

Yes I can. Loved the smell of the fresh pine sawdust we used in the long drop toilet, kept warm twice on cold winter nights by sawing and spliting the wood first, ice cream in cardboard tasted so good, and I can just remember when grandma still had squares of newspaper.

I enjoy being part of this group , being almost two years since I joined.

JohnnyQB comments on Jun 3, 2020:

Oh I think people from the UK have the best sense of humor. I love everything about the UK. My dream is to one day be able to live there. The wonders of social media,,it is so freakin cool, I have been able to meet many wonderful friends from there over the years. I love the names you guys have ...

Fernapple replies on Jun 3, 2020:

Yes but don't love Boris.

What does anyone think of the switch from deciding problems on certainty to deciding mainly on ...

Fernapple comments on Jun 2, 2020:

I always did think in probabilities and percentages, mainly because I never believed in absolutes. Absolutes are firstly faith based positions, secondly they are anti-progressive, (nothing more to learn), and thirdly they do not accept nuance, and not accepting nuance is the basis of nearly all ...

Fernapple replies on Jun 3, 2020:

@Mcflewster Yes but I was very young only a junior member, then I started work and was only a postally active member.

What does anyone think of the switch from deciding problems on certainty to deciding mainly on ...

Fernapple comments on Jun 2, 2020:

I always did think in probabilities and percentages, mainly because I never believed in absolutes. Absolutes are firstly faith based positions, secondly they are anti-progressive, (nothing more to learn), and thirdly they do not accept nuance, and not accepting nuance is the basis of nearly all ...

Fernapple replies on Jun 3, 2020:

@Mcflewster I nearly forgot what the original subject was, but I guess that in the end it has come full cirle. Because "detailed well researched questions" and "ideaological crusades" are nearly the same as percentages vs. absolutes.

What does anyone think of the switch from deciding problems on certainty to deciding mainly on ...

Fernapple comments on Jun 2, 2020:

I always did think in probabilities and percentages, mainly because I never believed in absolutes. Absolutes are firstly faith based positions, secondly they are anti-progressive, (nothing more to learn), and thirdly they do not accept nuance, and not accepting nuance is the basis of nearly all ...

Fernapple replies on Jun 3, 2020:

@Mcflewster No that is pure book learning I am sorry to say, inspired in part by a friend who worked in the military on chemical and nuc containment, who inspired me to read up about it. But having said that, I am not in theory 'organic' or any thing like that, but I just don't find I need to use chemicals much. The odd patch of tough weeds on uncultivated ground may get a splash of Glysophate, that's about it. Slugs, weevils, aphid and whitefly etc. are all delt with using nematodes, or parasitic wasps, just because they are cheap, easy to use and last longer. People who buy into easy short cut answers, like the organic label, are asking for trouble, its very silly. Pure distilled water is inorganic, got to be dangerous, but botulinum is organic. So which would you rather have in your glass ? The organic movement sold the idea that traditional, (which is what they really meant,) is safe, while something that has been tested in a lab, and run through, in most countries, national safety standards, must be dangerous. " Cause yer known, guys in white coats are always being paid by some conspiritors, like, an' tellin' yer like there ain't no edges on the planet. But fred yer know 'e says 'e found this stuff in a cave you can spray on yer tomatoes, an people bin usin it fer years, 'e says its organic, an calls it white lead, or somethin like." It is in short, just a sub-set of the anti- science and anti-intellectual movements. And it has much to answer for, including poisoned soils in vineyards, so toxic they are classified as dangerous waste. (You see copper/heavy metal products, because they are old fashioned, are safe and organic ! ) Until the police catch you, that is. And some appalling animal welfare cases, where animals with perfectly curable ailments, were denied perfectly effective drugs and other cures, because they are not organic. Or even in the worst cases, because you do not use vets at all, if you are organic. If people want to buy into pseudo-religions like the organic movement, to save themselves the trouble of thinking and enquiring into the true origins of their food. Then like all people who buy into religion, looking for easy lazy answers, they will be fleeced and led round the mulberry bush, and end up acheiving exactly the opposite of what they intended in many cases. And yes I am well aware that there have been many disasters involving, high tec farming and food production, including DDT, nicotinoids, salt build ups from irrigation, over use of antibiotics etc. etc. and that therefore mainstream food production does need to be held up to scrutiny, and that the organic movement especially in its early days did much good, but the time for mindless idealogical crusades is over. (Was in my youth, half a century ago a long time ...

What does anyone think of the switch from deciding problems on certainty to deciding mainly on ...

Fernapple comments on Jun 2, 2020:

I always did think in probabilities and percentages, mainly because I never believed in absolutes. Absolutes are firstly faith based positions, secondly they are anti-progressive, (nothing more to learn), and thirdly they do not accept nuance, and not accepting nuance is the basis of nearly all ...

Fernapple replies on Jun 2, 2020:

@Mcflewster Poison certainly works in continuums. The 'lethal dose' term is based on the idea that, a small dose will make a few people ill and perhaps kill a very small number, even a dose large enough to kill some will still leave some unaffected. A very large dose kills everyone, but the term lethal dose is technically used for a dose in the middle of the continuum, which will kill half the people/animals/plants, because that is usually the point where everyone feels some effect.

What does anyone think of the switch from deciding problems on certainty to deciding mainly on ...

Fernapple comments on Jun 2, 2020:

I always did think in probabilities and percentages, mainly because I never believed in absolutes. Absolutes are firstly faith based positions, secondly they are anti-progressive, (nothing more to learn), and thirdly they do not accept nuance, and not accepting nuance is the basis of nearly all ...

Fernapple replies on Jun 2, 2020:

@AmyTheBruce Yes it does tend to be part of growing up, that you lose the absolutist views of youth. But of course the main point of religious indoctrination, is to keep people in a life long child like state, so that they are easy to exploit and don't question.

From Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy ([rep.

Storm1752 comments on Jun 1, 2020:

Of course there is SOME evidence of SOME kind of 'god,' but it is not conclusive or definitive. So as an agnostic I cannot state FOR MYSELF there is definitely a 'god.' I'm atheist of a PERSONAL ENTITY, but agnostic about 'god' as an impersonal force, so the general proposition is still pending ...

Fernapple replies on Jun 1, 2020:

@redbai Oh there is quite a lot of evidence. The christians for example consider that a book called by them, The Bible, is evidence. It is just that a book with no known authors, editors, compilers, dates of publication, or orginal copies. Which was made up over time by several committees from a large number of previous books, each with none of the same, made by many different authors, many of whom were probably using old hearsay. Is just about the worst evidence you could possibly have. It is better however when debating with theists to conceed that there is evidence, and then attack its quality, than to claim there is none. Because they are expecting you to claim that, and are ready to ask you to prove there is none, when they know that proving a negative is near impossible. Conceeding that small point throws them.

I posted this in the garden group, but thought it would go here as well.

HumanistJohn comments on May 31, 2020:

Great photos! And th perspective/viewpoint of #2 is quite original. Good artistry.

Fernapple replies on May 31, 2020:

Thank you.

This is a native Peacock butterfly (you can see why) photographed in the garden last summer, on my ...

HumanistJohn comments on May 31, 2020:

Wonderful! Most butterflies are plant-specific ( at least that's for species in eeastern Virginia).

Fernapple replies on May 31, 2020:

Yes I think thast the peacock is plant specific, at least as a caterpillar, on stinging nettles.

Robbery with violence, sometimes life is just not fair. [youtube.com]

dede18 comments on May 29, 2020:

ouch! he slaps poor squirrel over and over ... bully!

Fernapple replies on May 30, 2020:

Yes I did think that the squirrel was getting a lot more slaps than were really needed, just to drive it off the fruit.

Some thing very fast, but I am not sure if slowing down the film helps that much.

JackPedigo comments on May 28, 2020:

Very interesting. Funny, but just a few minutes ago I finished watching a PBS Nova video about the top predator bird in the world, the Eagle. I wonder how the two would compare head to head (or wing to wing).

Fernapple replies on May 29, 2020:

A lot smaller than an eagle of course. In the middle ages it was a cruel sport, I have read, to set a falcon to attack a heron, the mismatch in size and speed making it a fairly balanced combat it was said.

Remarkable findings on Neanderthal genes - [mpg.de]

Fernapple comments on May 28, 2020:

That and red hair too so they say.

Fernapple replies on May 28, 2020:

@Allamanda Don't ask me, I am just a large framed very pale white, with big bushy eyebrows and more body hair than a grizzly bear. What would I know. LOL

Congrats to all the happy, beautiful couples, fuck you to all the haters and bigots in the world.

PondartIncbendog comments on May 27, 2020:

Gravity sucks after sixty. Everything gets closer to the ground.

Fernapple replies on May 28, 2020:

Yes but does your penis get longer, or do your legs get shorter ?

I am super happy that I don't find Texas rattlesnakes in my Oklahoma bluebonnets.

glennlab comments on May 27, 2020:

There should be a female around too waiting for the winner of the battle

Fernapple replies on May 28, 2020:

@glennlab Great, thank you.

Accountable Media [newsweek.com]

Fernapple comments on May 27, 2020:

And I suppose that he gets to define what 'conservative' is.

Fernapple replies on May 28, 2020:

@Gatovicolo No they won't but of course the protection will only extend to the conservatives who follow Trumps lead, and the others are kepping their heads down.

The sad emoticon in main reaction emojis. I want it back. That is all. Thank you

Sgt_Spanky comments on May 27, 2020:

The emoticon choices were stupidly amended to preclude any negative responses as if people don't experience sadness or anger -- which had to be lobbied for to be brought back -- or disagree with one another which is why there has never been a thumb's down to choose from along with a thumb's up which...

Fernapple replies on May 28, 2020:

And sad is not even always negative, it can be sympathetic.

I am super happy that I don't find Texas rattlesnakes in my Oklahoma bluebonnets.

glennlab comments on May 27, 2020:

There should be a female around too waiting for the winner of the battle

Fernapple replies on May 28, 2020:

Is it a battle or a mating dance ?

I'm tired , I just pressure washed for 3 hours and I am only half way through.

Sticks48 comments on May 27, 2020:

What were you washing?

Fernapple replies on May 28, 2020:

@Lorajay Pressure washing does give you a great sense of something achieved, instant and very visible effect. But you should really treat patio, deck and fence as three jobs, then you get three times the boost and only a third of the work. LOL Take care.

A picture is worth a thousand words

ZantiMisfit comments on May 27, 2020:

I didn't know you can tell a person's religious beliefs just by looking at them.

Fernapple replies on May 27, 2020:

@Hastur Yes I did not search I am going from memory. I am only guessing that a search would find them. Or of course the maker of the meme could have collected them over a long period. Not hard to go another pic of angry chistian, copy and save .

Amazing history

Fernapple comments on May 27, 2020:

Good term. We should bring that back, along with 'Spiv' for those who are profiting. Do you have, spiv in the US or is it just a UK term ?

Fernapple replies on May 27, 2020:

@silverotter11 A (I think) purely British slang word for a blackmarketeer, who dresses, talks and acts in a flashy vulgar in your face manner. Like you would say 'pimp fashion' but specifically a seller of shady goods.

A picture is worth a thousand words

ZantiMisfit comments on May 27, 2020:

I didn't know you can tell a person's religious beliefs just by looking at them.

Fernapple replies on May 27, 2020:

@Hastur No I have seen some of the photos before in news items, all the ones I have seen before are certainly christian. It would not be hard to do an online search for images of angry christians, why fake it when doing it for real is just as easy. Having said that it would be equally easy to do that for any group, villify them and ignore the well behaved ones, this is certainly propaganda.

Amazing history

Fernapple comments on May 27, 2020:

Good term. We should bring that back, along with 'Spiv' for those who are profiting. Do you have, spiv in the US or is it just a UK term ?

Fernapple replies on May 27, 2020:

@bobwjr Covid profiteers, especially the trumpians.

“Let children learn about different faiths, let them notice their incompatibility, and let them ...

Robecology comments on May 26, 2020:

Dawkins is so polite....so much a gentleman. I've been reading his book "An Apetite for Wonder"....written by a Dawkins many years ago. Here's a favorite meme of his I often share;

Fernapple replies on May 27, 2020:

@Robecology Great clip. Though I think given that I am not sitting there under pressure, that an even better answer to that is just. "Do you know anything better?"

“Let children learn about different faiths, let them notice their incompatibility, and let them ...

Robecology comments on May 26, 2020:

Dawkins is so polite....so much a gentleman. I've been reading his book "An Apetite for Wonder"....written by a Dawkins many years ago. Here's a favorite meme of his I often share;

Fernapple replies on May 27, 2020:

Yes I love Dawkins too. Funny there are a lot of appologists who say he is arrogant and a snob, guess that making personal insults is the best they could come up with. And if he is arrogant, well some people are entitled to be.

As a young catholic school girl, I tried so hard to believe.

Mofo1953 comments on May 25, 2020:

I am also choked up by art of all types, not just religious but also secular, that's a sign that all humans appreciate beauty. Has nothing to do with religion.

Fernapple replies on May 27, 2020:

@Mofo1953 Yes they did. Because if art is not existent as a material measurable entity, then belief in it must depend upon faith.

As a young catholic school girl, I tried so hard to believe.

Mofo1953 comments on May 25, 2020:

I am also choked up by art of all types, not just religious but also secular, that's a sign that all humans appreciate beauty. Has nothing to do with religion.

Fernapple replies on May 26, 2020:

@Mofo1953 Thank you for the ad populum, it would be lovely to think that I was an original, but sadly it is not the case, the idea is not mine but a traditional one, long championed in art philosophy, especially by people like Kahlil Gibran and Ernst Gombrich who famously said. "There really is no such thing as Art. There are only artists." And. "The first thing you have to remember about art is that no such thing exists."

As a young catholic school girl, I tried so hard to believe.

Mofo1953 comments on May 25, 2020:

I am also choked up by art of all types, not just religious but also secular, that's a sign that all humans appreciate beauty. Has nothing to do with religion.

Fernapple replies on May 26, 2020:

@Mofo1953 What has truth got to do with it ? The talk was about art.

As a young catholic school girl, I tried so hard to believe.

Mofo1953 comments on May 25, 2020:

I am also choked up by art of all types, not just religious but also secular, that's a sign that all humans appreciate beauty. Has nothing to do with religion.

Fernapple replies on May 26, 2020:

@extantpoet Some of it is, but I am not merely say that art is about religion, I am also saying that art, at least high art, is a religion, perhaps with many of the vices that come with that.

Don't blame the politicians who are trying to keep us safe; blame the covidiots who don't care about...

Fernapple comments on May 25, 2020:

Yes but the politicians are to blame, in part, for the covidiots.

Fernapple replies on May 26, 2020:

@josephr That was exactly it. Plus their inablity to earn respect, which means that there is little for political adivce. Their undermining of sciences cedibility when it suits them, etc.etc.