Probably not habitable by humans due to a much greater gravity.

KKGator comments on Sep 11, 2019:

Humans are a horrible species. We don't deserve another planet. We don't appreciate the one we have.

Fernapple replies on Sep 13, 2019:

@yvilletom It is a purely sentimental and cultural cost, not rational at all, to a degree. But accepting that natural selection took place in the past, does not mean that it will always be the only driving force, it was itself an emergent property, which came from the earlier direct cause and effect laws of physics, and from it emerged human culture, from that technology, and from that science and philosophy. The universe does not have to be limited by evolution by natural selection, nor does it have to be the final end game of history. For example we could ourselves now take over our own evolution by selective breeding, and almost certainly as the horrors of eugenics fade from memory we will do so , because it is hard to stop people doing anything that technology enables them to. And yes, I am aware that on a big astronomic time scale natural seletion still works in the end.

Someone quoted this to me today, though who said it first he did not know.

Remiforce comments on Sep 12, 2019:

The person I needed to meet when I was younger would be a lot wiser than me. He would be a lot more compassionate also. I don't know if I would have listened to such a person when I was younger. I would probably think he was a sanctimonious old fart

Fernapple replies on Sep 13, 2019:

Yes, it does say "try" to be.

" Anyone who tries make a distinction between education and entertainment, doesn't know the first ...

yvilletom comments on Sep 12, 2019:

Walker implies that he knows much about both. I taught adults and found that caring brought better results than entertaining.

Fernapple replies on Sep 12, 2019:

I have never taught, but I do public speaking, which is entertaining of course. Yet the most common good thing I here is. "We love your talks because you alway have such enthusiasim. " Yet I could not enthuse without I cared, or care without learning, so maybe they are not two different things.

Someone quoted this to me today, though who said it first he did not know.

WilliamCharles comments on Sep 12, 2019:

"Be the person your dog thinks you are." ~ J.W. Stephens

Fernapple replies on Sep 12, 2019:

If only.

How do you answer the question often put by theists, that a view of a purely material world where we...

Flowerwall comments on Sep 11, 2019:

Where is the poetry from ?

Fernapple replies on Sep 12, 2019:

@Flowerwall Not at all that was not the meaning, perhaps it is not as plain as it should be. The point of the poem is about what we owe to evolution, not a creator. Especially how instincts for appreciation and a concept of beauty, pleasure and happiness are gifted to us as a result of all the creatures before who died or lived, because their instincts told them to go the wrong way or the right. Imagine a young creature out wandering alone for the first time having left the nest, in search of a home, it stands on a hill top and looking out it sees two valleys, does it go to left or right ? Being an uneducated animal, it chooses which way to go, based only on which valley seems most beautiful to it. And over the years, every one of our millions of ancestors, must have made dozens of such choices. And every such choice would have been rewarded or punished by natural selection, with longer life and more breeding success, or poor breeding and earlier death, each therefore affecting our DNA, gradually refining our emotions and instincts. So that now we only have ideas such as beauty, which is our instinctive feeling for goodness, because of the pains and deaths of all those before us.

Probably not habitable by humans due to a much greater gravity.

KKGator comments on Sep 11, 2019:

Humans are a horrible species. We don't deserve another planet. We don't appreciate the one we have.

Fernapple replies on Sep 12, 2019:

@MojoDave Yes, and I know that in the long term the earth will probably recover, but what will the cost be to all the other species in the short term ?

How do you answer the question often put by theists, that a view of a purely material world where we...

Flowerwall comments on Sep 11, 2019:

Where is the poetry from ?

Fernapple replies on Sep 12, 2019:

@Flowerwall Thank you.

"And as the windshield melts And my tears evaporate Leaving only charcoal to defend Finally I ...

EricJones comments on Sep 11, 2019:

Weapons don't care who they kill, and we're all just as dead.

Fernapple replies on Sep 11, 2019:

Weapons also create a power inbalance and also distance the user for the reality of their act. How many would murder if they had use their bare hands to do it.

How do you answer the question often put by theists, that a view of a purely material world where we...

Flowerwall comments on Sep 11, 2019:

Where is the poetry from ?

Fernapple replies on Sep 11, 2019:

Sorry to say its me.

One thing that I have noticed is that people seem to be a lot less DIY these days than when I was a ...

Sticks48 comments on Sep 9, 2019:

You can't work on todays cars. I don't even recognize anything under the hood of a car. Do you know how many computers are in a car now?

Fernapple replies on Sep 10, 2019:

You can get the hood up. Wow.

Just looking for rational friends.

Fernapple comments on Sep 9, 2019:

Yes certainly, this site has a map feature.

Fernapple replies on Sep 10, 2019:

@Berzerkershaman Then sadly it looks like you will have to keep looking. Good Luck.

Shakespeare, "First we kill all the lawyers"

Freedompath comments on Sep 9, 2019:

That would not suit me...as it is difficult to keep up with all the laws! Shakespeare is not living today among all the manmade laws! What we need is greater accountability for non-ethical and immoral character.

Fernapple replies on Sep 10, 2019:

I think he meant that when the lawyers go the laws do too.

Shakespeare, "First we kill all the lawyers"

Freedompath comments on Sep 9, 2019:

That would not suit me...as it is difficult to keep up with all the laws! Shakespeare is not living today among all the manmade laws! What we need is greater accountability for non-ethical and immoral character.

Fernapple replies on Sep 10, 2019:

@Remiforce On of the few laws that have been taken of the legal books in the UK in recent years, was one which made it illegal to bring multiple lawsuits against one person as a form of harassment. We are now of course I suppose, to trust that the lawers have so much integrity that they will not allow that to happen, however profitable it would be for them. LOL

How would you reply to a theist who says, "You send yourself to hell"?

skado comments on Sep 9, 2019:

When religious metaphors are taken literally they send us to silly places; sometimes dangerous places. But when seen as symbolic imagery, many of them contain deep wisdom. We often do “send ourselves to hell” but not after we die. We do it daily while we’re alive. It’s human nature to ...

Fernapple replies on Sep 10, 2019:

@skado Very interesting. Have to go now but will try to reply when I can.

Now at last I can have the vicar to tea, because finally I have something really suitable to wear.

Triphid comments on Sep 8, 2019:

Are you going to 'serve' the Vicar with a nice side dish of salad and fava beans perhaps....LOL.

Fernapple replies on Sep 10, 2019:

@Triphid Its C. of E. vicar of course, so almost without flavour at all.

How would you reply to a theist who says, "You send yourself to hell"?

skado comments on Sep 9, 2019:

When religious metaphors are taken literally they send us to silly places; sometimes dangerous places. But when seen as symbolic imagery, many of them contain deep wisdom. We often do “send ourselves to hell” but not after we die. We do it daily while we’re alive. It’s human nature to ...

Fernapple replies on Sep 9, 2019:

@skado True. And I am sorry to say that perhaps the only real meaningful difference between us, as often happens is mainly the use of a word, since I would always choose myth and would choke at using the word religion for fear of promoting or it. Yet I have to say that I am not a culturalist and do not believe that there is any way to reform any culture, only the promotion of science, which I define as anti-culture offers anything worthwhile. Since the problem with culture is that there is nothing inherent in it which, leads to truth, metaphors may be truthful, but they are just as likely to be untruthful, the only thing which an idea requires to be favoured by culture, is that it is attractive enough to get itself propogated and to survive the natural selection which removes ideas which do not appeal, and that sadly tends to favour bad ideas, I do not therefore think that culture can be redeemed.

How would you reply to a theist who says, "You send yourself to hell"?

skado comments on Sep 9, 2019:

When religious metaphors are taken literally they send us to silly places; sometimes dangerous places. But when seen as symbolic imagery, many of them contain deep wisdom. We often do “send ourselves to hell” but not after we die. We do it daily while we’re alive. It’s human nature to ...

Fernapple replies on Sep 9, 2019:

@skado Good answer thank you. And yes I too have found such metaphors in writings common to all humanity, and enjoyed the study of some of them. Especially the classical Greek and Roman stories, but the all important distinction is that those come to us from a dead culture, and are usually classified as myths, and it is very important to make that distinction between the two, since it would be impossible to promote any part of a living culture in any way without endorsing that culture. St Augustine took the bible as a deep metaphor in his personal view, and yet his influence on theology was used to justify much literalism, and many of the crimes against humanity committed by the church. While Christianity remains a living religion it is dangerous in the extreme to glorify its mythology, without using the myth word rather than religion. Especially so when there are plenty of other and often better mythologies to mine. Moreover the fact that a metaphor is part of a collective conciousness does not mean that it is good or leads to good conclusions. In the Oedipus myth for example, Oedipus slays his father and then goes on to commit incest with his mother, fathering children who are destined to great misfortune, the central metaphor of the story being that one crime or sin places a permanent stain on the person which leads to other crimes and can be inherited, and there is no doubt that idea is a fundamental part of the human mindset to which we all instinctively respond. Yet that does not make it a good idea. And when people talk of religion rather than myth, there is a real risk of dignifying such ideas, with a name which many people revere. Nor is it true to my mind, this is more oppinion than history, that all collective conciousness and common myth comes directly from human DNA, that ignores the fact that culture alone, will and can have a creative impact. The idea of inheritance for example is a common cultural idea, yet except at the most basic level, it could not have existed in precultural species, and therefore the over reverencing of culture even as a whole can and does promote many errors.

Since there has been some discussion lately regarding profile pics.

bobwjr comments on Sep 8, 2019:

Cool 😎 this is better for me lol

Fernapple replies on Sep 9, 2019:

Yep. I use a cute picture of the younger me as an icon too.

Would the discovery of living beings on other planets make earth's religions irrelevant?

WilliamFleming comments on Sep 9, 2019:

Why might life on other planets make religion irrelevant? I don’t see how it would in the least.

Fernapple replies on Sep 9, 2019:

Two ways at least. First if it is intelligent life it could have its own views on god or not. And second because for anti-theists it would be another thing, like micro- organisims causing disease that the all knowing god forgot to mention in his sacred writings. But they will not worry a theist, see my comment below.

How is the concept of "business days" relevant anymore?

Remi comments on Sep 9, 2019:

Right? And why does it take 9 days to get my money back when they over charge me but heaven forbid I'm late with a payment?

Fernapple replies on Sep 9, 2019:

Nine days, you are lucky I have had them take nearly a year with me. Think there may be something called bank interest involved. LOL

How would you reply to a theist who says, "You send yourself to hell"?

skado comments on Sep 9, 2019:

When religious metaphors are taken literally they send us to silly places; sometimes dangerous places. But when seen as symbolic imagery, many of them contain deep wisdom. We often do “send ourselves to hell” but not after we die. We do it daily while we’re alive. It’s human nature to ...

Fernapple replies on Sep 9, 2019:

How do you know that it was not originally intended ? People who use religious texts as metaphors are welcome to do so, personally I think that there are better texts to mine for such wisdom, but you are welcome if you wish. However to see them as "originally intended" in any way, supposes an almost psychic understanding of the minds of people long dead, and is an example of the "golden age" fallacy. The one thing that we can say for certain about people in the past is that they were in no way different from us, except perhaps in their lack of education in spheres such as science. Most, if not nearly all, texts written by people today, including those ill educated in science, are not intended as meaningfully metaphorical. Especially not in gutter press red top publications, from the equivalent of which the bible almost certainly obtains most of its content, ( That is not a pychic judgement, the trashy content betrays that.) and which the Koran then plagiarizes. The golden age fallacy is one of the main pillars of literal belief, and by supporting, it even to justify metaphorical interpretations, a great deal of support is given to those who use biblical literalism to promote misunderstanding and the exploitation of others, by lending weight to the stupid idea, almost universal among believers, that old texts are in some way hallowed and therefore better than modern writing.

I know someone (I have been distancing myself from) who is a Trump supporter.

Fernapple comments on Sep 8, 2019:

The basic illogic of. "Not every stamp collector is in the stamp collectors club, therefore I oppose the stamp collectors club." Should tell you everything you need to know about the true motivations of this person, and the quality of thinking they are usually exposed and accustomed to in the ...

Fernapple replies on Sep 9, 2019:

@powder You are doing a good job of playing devils advocate, and I am glad that you do. And I do agree that many on the left are inclined to use shouting down and, holier than thou, to quell debate. Especially because that is encouraged by the left wing of the political establishment, which uses political correctness as an attempt to appear to have the moral highground in all things, since it thinks that if it appears to hold that, then its failings, greed, coruption and self interest, which equal or even exceed those of the right wing political establishment, will be screened from view. However it has to be pointed out that a community is not the same thing as an organization like PETA. Since it does not have the hard edges impossed by the need for actual membership and active joining, and may at times define a small inner group but at other times may extend to embrace all, including even the family and friends of the community. To say, do not support the LGBTQ community, is not therefore the same as saying, there are groups within the LGBTQ community with political views which I do not support.

I know someone (I have been distancing myself from) who is a Trump supporter.

Fernapple comments on Sep 8, 2019:

The basic illogic of. "Not every stamp collector is in the stamp collectors club, therefore I oppose the stamp collectors club." Should tell you everything you need to know about the true motivations of this person, and the quality of thinking they are usually exposed and accustomed to in the ...

Fernapple replies on Sep 9, 2019:

@powder Yes, by all means you may read my comment, with the direct quote, "do not support", in it instead , if you wish. I am equally happy with it that way. I made little attempt to be exact with the quote since I was more interested with what was to be read between the lines.

Now at last I can have the vicar to tea, because finally I have something really suitable to wear.

Triphid comments on Sep 8, 2019:

Are you going to 'serve' the Vicar with a nice side dish of salad and fava beans perhaps....LOL.

Fernapple replies on Sep 9, 2019:

THat's a thought. And I have a nice bottle of red wine too.

If a man neglects education, he walks lame to the end of his life. - Plato

EyesThatSmile comments on Sep 8, 2019:

My father’s words were “education is one thing that others cannot take away from you”.

Fernapple replies on Sep 8, 2019:

I have also heard it said, that, it is the only thing of value you can escape a shipwreck with.

The Music of All Time is a Duet Between Order and Disorder - Aeon Essays

Fernapple comments on Sep 8, 2019:

Woo. It says. "Somewhat surprisingly, nature not only requires disorder but thrives on it. Planets, stars, life, even the direction of time all depend on disorder." No neither correct nor a surprise.

Fernapple replies on Sep 8, 2019:

@Tomfoolery33 No, but I do know that physics are determinist in most issues above the quantum level, and that order and disorder are just a subjective human concept anyway. Information and enthopy are part of physics yes, but not order and disorder.

The reasons that the sun never sets on what was once the British Empire: 🍷👌😎

Petter comments on Sep 7, 2019:

Which is why, today, Britain's favourite dish is curry, hotly pursued by Oriental tale-aways, both of which have displaced fish and chips.

Fernapple replies on Sep 8, 2019:

@Petter If you go back far enough yes.

The reasons that the sun never sets on what was once the British Empire: 🍷👌😎

Petter comments on Sep 7, 2019:

Which is why, today, Britain's favourite dish is curry, hotly pursued by Oriental tale-aways, both of which have displaced fish and chips.

Fernapple replies on Sep 8, 2019:

@Petter That was invented in Belgium and brought here by the Flemish weavers. We can't take credit for that either.

The reasons that the sun never sets on what was once the British Empire: 🍷👌😎

Petter comments on Sep 7, 2019:

Which is why, today, Britain's favourite dish is curry, hotly pursued by Oriental tale-aways, both of which have displaced fish and chips.

Fernapple replies on Sep 8, 2019:

@Petter Pie has a lot to answer for too.

A picture from the beautiful town in Guimaraes, where Portugal was born

Fernapple comments on Sep 8, 2019:

Envy. I am stuck here in dismal Britain, with the winter coming on, and I would give almost anything to stand on that paving and look at that blue sky for just ten mins.

Fernapple replies on Sep 8, 2019:

@Paddypereira Enjoy your hols. and don't worry about me, I will be off soon.

The reasons that the sun never sets on what was once the British Empire: 🍷👌😎

MissKathleen comments on Sep 7, 2019:

The cuisine? You really think it was the cuisine?

Fernapple replies on Sep 8, 2019:

No I really think it was irony.

The reasons that the sun never sets on what was once the British Empire: 🍷👌😎

Petter comments on Sep 7, 2019:

Which is why, today, Britain's favourite dish is curry, hotly pursued by Oriental tale-aways, both of which have displaced fish and chips.

Fernapple replies on Sep 8, 2019:

And fish and chips was a take-away brought here by Italians.

Now at last I can have the vicar to tea, because finally I have something really suitable to wear.

Marionville comments on Sep 7, 2019:

You’re looking good! 😁

Fernapple replies on Sep 7, 2019:

Yes the plastic surgery was worth every penny.

Now at last I can have the vicar to tea, because finally I have something really suitable to wear.

Rob48 comments on Sep 7, 2019:

I hear the vicar prefers apricot brandy to tea.

Fernapple replies on Sep 7, 2019:

Sadly they usually do. LOL

Now at last I can have the vicar to tea, because finally I have something really suitable to wear.

Hicks66 comments on Sep 7, 2019:

What is that? A scare-vicar?

Fernapple replies on Sep 7, 2019:

"Crow" old name for a preist. Still doing its job. LOL

Now at last I can have the vicar to tea, because finally I have something really suitable to wear.

IAJO163 comments on Sep 7, 2019:

I think I'd get shot at. lol. Congrats!

Fernapple replies on Sep 7, 2019:

Yes, sorry it is a little bit less dangerous over here in the UK, we sometimes forget how lucky we are.

Now at last I can have the vicar to tea, because finally I have something really suitable to wear.

Killtheskyfairy comments on Sep 7, 2019:

Why have the vicar for tea? Doesn’t sound like fun to me? Are you a masochistic glutton for punishment?

Fernapple replies on Sep 7, 2019:

No I want to see if i can convert him, plus his wife is very cute.

IS DONALD TRUMP EVIL?

Fernapple comments on Sep 6, 2019:

IT says. "A toxic narcissist has an elevated state of grandiosity. A sociopath has no empathy or concern for others & is highly manipulative. An anti social personality is destructive & has no regard for established social norms." So how does that make him different from anyone who runs for public...

Fernapple replies on Sep 6, 2019:

@Remiforce Yep I think that is about right. Having said that I doubt orange one has the personal charm that the other three monsters you list were famed for.

Scientists identify the genes linked to left-handedness

MarkiusMahamius comments on Sep 5, 2019:

A series of new studies show that left-handed people are more likely to suffer from learning disabilities, stuttering, migraine headaches and, according to the latest findings, autoimmune diseases, like ulcerative colitis, myasthenia gravis and celiac disease, in which the body attacks its own ...

Fernapple replies on Sep 6, 2019:

@LiterateHiker I thought you suffered from arthritis, that is one surely ?

Eat your hearts out, peons.

vjohnson51 comments on Sep 5, 2019:

How do you get one of these?

Fernapple replies on Sep 6, 2019:

@vjohnson51 Yes but they do promiss to delete it afterwards.

Not a question

Rodatheist comments on Sep 1, 2019:

You are right. It does not allow for editing of pictures other than the square, which is just a way to limit the size of the file. Perhaps you would want to edit the pictures with another program or application before uploading them here. Ok, so, what else have you not been able to do in this site?...

Fernapple replies on Sep 5, 2019:

I often post none square photos, and have never had a problem, I think that it must depend on the device.

Had to go out on business yesterday, and on the way back I called in at P's Garden.

dede18 comments on Sep 4, 2019:

what a lovely place to visit. Is that penstemon peeking over the shoulder of the sage? the hot pink and the sage green complements each other so well ...

Fernapple replies on Sep 4, 2019:

Yes I thought the colours worked well, but I am not sure what the grey plant is, it may be one of the sages, but it certainly is not the common grey sage.

Had to go out on business yesterday, and on the way back I called in at P's Garden.

Allamanda comments on Sep 4, 2019:

Certainly very lovely, and none of that feeling of being 'contrived'!

Fernapple replies on Sep 4, 2019:

Yes, it is an old garden she is restoring and some of the features are only a year or two old, but they look like they have always been there.

Had to go out on business yesterday, and on the way back I called in at P's Garden.

Shouldbefishing comments on Sep 4, 2019:

I would trade homes with "P" in a heartbeat!

Fernapple replies on Sep 4, 2019:

You are not the only one.

I do not think many here really care what happens to their remains after they die.

graceylou comments on Sep 3, 2019:

I would prefer to just have my body left out there in my woods or fields for scavengers. But my parents want all of us to be cremated at death and our ashes buried in the family burial plot. Ugh no. Why bury ashes??!??!! If I were to have my ashes scattered, may be among my previously passed pets in...

Fernapple replies on Sep 4, 2019:

@graceylou You are lucky.

I do not think many here really care what happens to their remains after they die.

graceylou comments on Sep 3, 2019:

I would prefer to just have my body left out there in my woods or fields for scavengers. But my parents want all of us to be cremated at death and our ashes buried in the family burial plot. Ugh no. Why bury ashes??!??!! If I were to have my ashes scattered, may be among my previously passed pets in...

Fernapple replies on Sep 4, 2019:

Yes I would like to be left out for eating too, but I don't think its allowed here. Sad.

Update on the guy from the dating site: he got back to me twice! Here is our last conversation.

Fernapple comments on Sep 2, 2019:

Funny saying he was well read, because he does not write like someone who is well read. Perhaps he just reads Christian pamphlets.

Fernapple replies on Sep 3, 2019:

@Gwendolyn2018 I am quite sure that is the truest thing a pastor ever said. And no one knows the bible like an atheist/agnostic.

I do not think many here really care what happens to their remains after they die.

GipsyOfNewSpain comments on Sep 2, 2019:

20 years in the.... all in the East Coast... Spread my ashes in the Caribbean Sea, where I come from. I lost a daughter a 13 months ago... My daughter will have her ashes spread in a garden her mother is preparing for what should be her 34th Birthday... She was born in Puerto Rico... her mother will...

Fernapple replies on Sep 3, 2019:

Sorry for your loss.

I do not think many here really care what happens to their remains after they die.

Cherie4444 comments on Sep 2, 2019:

Our daughter in law’s ashes were spread on the ocean on a favorite beach, Dauphin Island, Alabama. Our son’s will be too. We each have a locket also with some ashes contained inside, it seems to help especially our son. Thalita died very suddenly at a young age this past April and we were very ...

Fernapple replies on Sep 3, 2019:

Sorry for your loss.

I do not think many here really care what happens to their remains after they die.

julietrue comments on Sep 2, 2019:

My husband wanted an Irish Wake. So we had two. The one in Malibu involved a large boat that took the family and friends 2 miles out to spread the ashes. As for me, I like to garden as naturally as possible. I have this peach tree...but I am told there are laws to prevent my use as fertilizer....

Fernapple replies on Sep 3, 2019:

That's sad, I do not think that there are any such laws in the UK. I put a bit of my father in the garden, though I also told the bowlers that I had put some on the bowling green, and therefore not to lick their fingers when they picked their bowls up, though I did not really put any down.

I do not think many here really care what happens to their remains after they die.

KittensandSage comments on Sep 2, 2019:

May I copy and repost, I really appreciate the kindness in your addressing the topic of cremation. So many people avoid discussion (self included), you wrapped it up nicely. So to speak, lol. I have many friends with religious leanings, But am trying to present more Earth-friendly ways of ...

Fernapple replies on Sep 3, 2019:

Please do.

I do not think many here really care what happens to their remains after they die.

ShadowAmicus comments on Sep 2, 2019:

When you die you are just a lump of decaying meat ... so my preference is to feed wolves, bears or big cats - any top predator, so part of me helps them survive. No point harvesting any organs - all old, knackered and burnt out - there must be better than mine around

Fernapple replies on Sep 3, 2019:

Me too but you have to be careful you do not give them a chemical high. LOL

I do not think many here really care what happens to their remains after they die.

KittensandSage comments on Sep 2, 2019:

Cremation takes up less of Earth‘s Resources. Question, you really want to sacrifice trees or use composite materials to commemorate your time on earth? Take up land for your body that cannot return to nourish the Earth because or poisons put into your body before the burial process? Varnish and...

Fernapple replies on Sep 3, 2019:

My mother wanted a burial, but she did go for a biodegradable rush casket and burial in a forest.

An omniscient god cannot have emotions.

LucyLoohoo comments on Sep 2, 2019:

This myth is exceptionally vulnerable to REASON, isn't it? If some snappish, childish deity decided to punish everyone in the world for using free will....why kill all the animals, too? Were the aardvarks being sinful? Were the pangolins being pornographic? "Allegory" doesn't even begin to touch...

Fernapple replies on Sep 2, 2019:

The allegorists are just indulging in golden age dreams, about a mythical period when there was no gutter press and everyone wrote high minded allegories with multiple layers of hidden meanings. Sorry they were just like us back then, and 90% of their writings were just trash the same as now.

I do not think many here really care what happens to their remains after they die.

Larimar comments on Sep 2, 2019:

My kids know the drill. Cremate me and take me to Cedar Point, on the tallest coaster and let it fly at the top. When I checked last they will allow this before they open.

Fernapple replies on Sep 2, 2019:

Hope the people behind don't get ash in their eyes. LOL

I do not think many here really care what happens to their remains after they die.

Mb_Man comments on Sep 2, 2019:

I'm fine with being dumped into the trash compactor at work. As for the question, I suppose . . . the ocean. Take your pick. It's all a part of something bigger.

Fernapple replies on Sep 2, 2019:

Me too, though I would rather be used as animal feed since that would be less wasteful. But given that some may need to mourn, (not in my case) then the ritual gives comfort, and traveling to do it helps them put the past behind them, while making it somewhere good is a last gift.

I do not think many here really care what happens to their remains after they die.

KKGator comments on Sep 2, 2019:

If my friends and family need to use it as an excuse to go there, I'm happy to lend my dispersement.

Fernapple replies on Sep 2, 2019:

@KKGator Lovely, its on my bucket list.

I do not think many here really care what happens to their remains after they die.

KKGator comments on Sep 2, 2019:

If my friends and family need to use it as an excuse to go there, I'm happy to lend my dispersement.

Fernapple replies on Sep 2, 2019:

That looks like Italy ?

I do not think many here really care what happens to their remains after they die.

DenoPenno comments on Sep 2, 2019:

If my remaining family wants to spread my ashes they can do that at my grandparents old farm in the huzzah area outside of Steelville, Mo. They know this but what happens to my ashes is really up to them. In my mind i can imagine my oldest daughter being upset some day as she was cleaning or had an ...

Fernapple replies on Sep 2, 2019:

My fathers ashes and urn are in the workshop, so that he is there when I am doing DIY jobs, and working at my business. We always enjoyed doing those things together.

Interesting story about early humans, and perhaps why we are such odd animals.

BBJong comments on Sep 2, 2019:

Makes physiological sense; heard recently that Neanderthals lived predominantly at the edge of forests.My older brother(a life long jogger) pointed out there are distance muscles/ and shorter sprint muscles. It is an involving sport( i enjoyed) that also takes dedication and resolve($$$ too)....

Fernapple replies on Sep 2, 2019:

Thank you.

Fresh images of HMS Terror shipwreck could clear up lingering mysteries | Ars Technica

Hathacat comments on Sep 1, 2019:

Such a bad name for a ship. Interesting video.

Fernapple replies on Sep 2, 2019:

The other ship was called Erebus, the Terror and the Erebus you could hardly get two more ironically ill named ships.

Is everyone alright? I hate reading about these shootings. It must be terrifying.

Fernapple comments on Sep 1, 2019:

Are you alright ? Have not heard from you for a while and know you are having problems.

Fernapple replies on Sep 1, 2019:

@Amisja Take care, but don't wait for ever for things to come right, sometimes you just have to grab a bit of joy as it passes by. It will work out I am sure at least you have a steady job with a steady income.

In need of a good comeback line.

Fernapple comments on Aug 31, 2019:

There is no such thing as happiness, it is just an unachievable goal planted in our brains genetically by evolution to make us run after things, if we ever achieved it, we would stop running, and if that happened it would not work any longer.

Fernapple replies on Sep 1, 2019:

@skado Of course, not really me , given happy genes

Interesting story about early humans, and perhaps why we are such odd animals.

ShadowAmicus comments on Aug 31, 2019:

I would bet on a wolf against any jogging human .... and a polar bear against any swimmer (disregarding various sharks, killer whales, etc) ... humans lack out and out speed that many other animals have developed and the ability to get there in the end does not always give results in a hunt

Fernapple replies on Aug 31, 2019:

It perhaps did on the plains of Africa, where the heat meant that many prey animals had only limited stamina in the middle of the day.

What did Satan do anyway?

Fernapple comments on Aug 30, 2019:

One or two people here have pointed out that Satan/ satan is a title not a name, but the satan is not the same through the bible. In fact several satans appear early on as loyal helpers of god, there is no reason to believe from the bible that the snake in the Garden of Eden is the same thing as any...

Fernapple replies on Aug 31, 2019:

@Bierbasstard Never heard of the snake being Lilith, but I bet someone came up with that story.

Interesting story about early humans, and perhaps why we are such odd animals.

Charlene comments on Aug 31, 2019:

Our ancestors also had to run Away from predators, more often than we had run for food.

Fernapple replies on Aug 31, 2019:

Could be but unlikely, since we are very slow runners, and for that we would have to be fast, since most large African predators are sprinting ambush predators. Slow running in the heat of the day is more about wearing your prey down, the article did not mention it, but it is also known that our muscles are adapted for endurance rather than sprinting, they simply will not jerk fast enough for quick running.

Interesting story about early humans, and perhaps why we are such odd animals.

ToolGuy comments on Aug 31, 2019:

I thought mosquitoes shaped our evolution. Others say our brains. Maybe just maybe, just saying, there is no one thing!

Fernapple replies on Aug 31, 2019:

Yes, people presenting science aways big up their own theories of course. While in nature since evolution by natural selection is a ruthless economist, most things occur for multiple reasons and serve many uses, so that, all of the above, is usually the best answer to the question why. Having said that however I do think that this is an important one to throw in the bag.

There is so much wrong with Christianity, mainly the part where devotees are required to "WORSHIP" ...

Fernapple comments on Aug 31, 2019:

Coming from England also, where practicing Christians are effectively a minority, I have often noticed that they are often among the meanest and least charitable of people, at least towards the larger community. I think that, in part, this is because they are asked to give so much, time, money, ...

Fernapple replies on Aug 31, 2019:

@linxminx Yep, they take the statement by Jesus that, the poor will always be with you, as a target you sometimes think. And if you are a sensitive person do not go to Christopher Hitchins and his remarks about how, his least favourite person Mother Teresa ran, as he called it, 'a cult of suffering'.

Interesting story about early humans, and perhaps why we are such odd animals.

Jnei comments on Aug 31, 2019:

What's really interesting is the data coming from ultra-marathons and other extremely long endurance events which suggests women out-perform men in sports of that type. In a society where survival depends on whether or not a hunt is successful it would make sense for members of that society to carry...

Fernapple replies on Aug 31, 2019:

It is possible, but not the case with most modern day hunter gatherers, so it would mean that there was at some time a huge world wide culture change, which seems unlikely. You also have to remember male animals especially are not usually well adapted to the roles they play, because sexual selection, and intrespecific aggression modify males to a much larger degree than females, both physically and in behaviour. For example it would certainly pay females to go for the maximum number of callories for the minimum of effort, which perhaps meant roots and small game. Males on the other hand would have a big incentive to try and win favour with females by supplying high value meals to the whole community.

Interesting story about early humans, and perhaps why we are such odd animals.

MojoDave comments on Aug 31, 2019:

Interesting article, but some of the claims seem like a stretch to me.

Fernapple replies on Aug 31, 2019:

Yes I agree, though it would certainly seem to be on the right track, the role of daylight hunter in Africa certainly seems to have been free because except for hunting dogs most of the large carnivors are nocturnal crepuscular.

Agnostic and More

Fernapple comments on Aug 11, 2019:

Most people on this site are atheist in practice, but most are not too bothered about labels, because when once you leave behind religion and its dogma, you realize that no god is going to punish you for spelling mistakes, even if you spell atheist, agnostic, skeptic, humanist, or twenty other ways ...

Fernapple replies on Aug 30, 2019:

@GROG It is trivial unless you can prove, not only, that there is another life , but even more importantly that this one in some way affects the other.

Socialism no longer scares people. Has the word lost its power to scaremonger? [twitter.com]

Fernapple comments on Aug 30, 2019:

The right has just come to power with a vengeance in the US, it is bound to generate a counter reaction, which will make the left seem like salvation for a while. But you have to remember that the right swing was itself a reaction to a growing left wing domination of the political establishment. ...

Fernapple replies on Aug 30, 2019:

@ToolGuy Yes that was later.

This one seems to be an ad redirecting to a website, I do not know if that is ok or not .

RavenCT comments on Aug 30, 2019:

I believe the member created the ad and now is looking for website ideas. They're really just looking for input. If it was linking to a pay site that would be an issue but this is someone looking for free ideas - as near as I can tell so far. So it should be okay. If you have any doubt...

Fernapple replies on Aug 30, 2019:

Thank you.

Socialism no longer scares people. Has the word lost its power to scaremonger? [twitter.com]

Fernapple comments on Aug 30, 2019:

The right has just come to power with a vengeance in the US, it is bound to generate a counter reaction, which will make the left seem like salvation for a while. But you have to remember that the right swing was itself a reaction to a growing left wing domination of the political establishment. ...

Fernapple replies on Aug 30, 2019:

@ToolGuy Yes that is true and a good idea. But even then you have to be careful, you have to remember that the reason why Hitler and the Nazis came to power, from being a tiny party with just three percent of the vote, was because the large socialist party was just three percent short of the votes it needed to form a majority government. So they needed a partner with three percent, and the rest is history.

Last few days here in England.

ProudMerrie comments on Aug 29, 2019:

When I was at the airport leaving Scotland after a vacation there, I had just enough money left to buy a soda pop at the airport.

Fernapple replies on Aug 30, 2019:

It is all you need. My aim in life is to spend my last twenty pounds on a good meal and a drink on the afternoon before I die.

What’s your favorite month on the calendar and why?

LiterateHiker comments on Aug 29, 2019:

Spring. The Cascade foothills are velvet green and covered with wildflowers.

Fernapple replies on Aug 30, 2019:

Wow beautiful.

Has anyone heard from @Allamanda since the hurricane went through the U.S. Virgin Islands?

dede18 comments on Aug 29, 2019:

From my recollection, Mandy was about to go on a vacation in Portugal around this time ...

Fernapple replies on Aug 30, 2019:

Yes told me she was going to Europe.

I don't get rabbits.

Fernapple comments on Aug 29, 2019:

I think that the generalization that, prey animals do not need sophisticated mental development and social cooperation, is a bit too wide. It is different for every species, look at ground-squirels for example, they have very sophisticated mental development and social cooperation, exactly to avoid ...

Fernapple replies on Aug 29, 2019:

@birdingnut That's ok I am no bunny myself.

Do you like it?

Geoffrey51 comments on Aug 29, 2019:

Not really. Where does country end and government begin?

Fernapple replies on Aug 29, 2019:

By the nature of things you get to decide that if you do not accept government, which means that it can be all embracing love for everyone within the borders, or it can just mean racial bigots like me from my town.

What exactly was the reason for Europeans toaccept a god from the desert over the local gods who ...

WilliamFleming comments on Aug 28, 2019:

If you were a warrior and were killed in battle you’d get to be with Woden in Valhalla, assuming I suppose that you were a follower of Woden. But in general only gods and goddesses were immortal. So Christianity must have had appeal since it offered everlasting life. By coaxing yourself into ...

Fernapple replies on Aug 29, 2019:

It did not perhaps have much practical effect on taming the fighting wild savages, they kept on killing, but it did hold out the hope of reviving the Roman Empire to power hungry political figures, by posing as the spiritual core of that empire.

What exactly was the reason for Europeans toaccept a god from the desert over the local gods who ...

WilliamFleming comments on Aug 28, 2019:

If you were a warrior and were killed in battle you’d get to be with Woden in Valhalla, assuming I suppose that you were a follower of Woden. But in general only gods and goddesses were immortal. So Christianity must have had appeal since it offered everlasting life. By coaxing yourself into ...

Fernapple replies on Aug 29, 2019:

@Rodatheist Yes it is just a different spelling used by the Scandinavians and the Germans. Though in another way it is quite possible also that he is the same person as Zeus, Jupiter, Osiris, and even some bloke called Jesus, if you believe the mythisists.

What exactly was the reason for Europeans toaccept a god from the desert over the local gods who ...

GarytheGondolier comments on Aug 29, 2019:

Bart Ehrman has written an entire book about called The Triumph of Christianity. His thesis boils down to this: 1)Christianity, unlike most Pagan religions, is evangelistic. Christians actively recruit non-Christians. and 2) Christianity, unlike Paganism, is exclusive. Christians insist that ...

Fernapple replies on Aug 29, 2019:

Yes that is the truth of it, I would only add one small extra of less importance but still worth including. Which is that Christianity in its early stages (not later), was cheap. Most of the pagan religions asked for costly sacrifices, the more expensive the more you progressed, but everyone could afford the christian sacrifice, a crumb of bread and a sip of wine, especially when they were given.

So let me get this straight.

1of5 comments on Aug 28, 2019:

I've always maintained, and will to my dying day, that the world will be a better place when each and every monarch and thier royal families are lined up against the wall and shot. But anyways, seems pretty undemocratic to me. Also sounds way to typical of asshats in power trying to force what ...

Fernapple replies on Aug 29, 2019:

@Amisja Only one useful power that I can see, President Boris, ugh !

Way cool decorating idea for Halloween. Think I'll try it with a full-sized mannequin.

Moravian comments on Aug 29, 2019:

Looks like fun but I still find it incongruous that a predominantly Christian country like the USA has such a love affair with Halloween and its pagan connections.

Fernapple replies on Aug 29, 2019:

If your culture says you can have anything you want regardless of consequences or logic, or the need for education, then why should a country which believes in pagan supersition not also indulge in christianity and UFO cults etc. as well.

Here is someone who not only lists the problems with social media, which is common, but also has an ...

Bobbyzen comments on Aug 27, 2019:

I use Facebook for a myriad of reasons. In no particular order: 1. I post stories from non-mainstream news sources that I subscribe to, including The Intercept and Middle East Eye among dozens of others. This get stories onto Facebook that are excluded by their algorithms and bias 2. I ...

Fernapple replies on Aug 29, 2019:

@Bobbyzen That strange, I build them, and usually get hundred sometimes thousands of people per month on each. I have no training or special skills.

Here is someone who not only lists the problems with social media, which is common, but also has an ...

Bobbyzen comments on Aug 27, 2019:

I use Facebook for a myriad of reasons. In no particular order: 1. I post stories from non-mainstream news sources that I subscribe to, including The Intercept and Middle East Eye among dozens of others. This get stories onto Facebook that are excluded by their algorithms and bias 2. I ...

Fernapple replies on Aug 28, 2019:

@Bobbyzen For example build a few web sites, which will get you to far more people, and you will not be contributing to the FB platform which helps to promote every form of political extreme , including religious fundamentalism and racism.

Is education missing the boat by failing to consider the real issues?

Fernapple comments on Aug 27, 2019:

This was posted on this site for quite a different reason, but it has a lot to tell you about how and why our education systems fail. https://agnostic.com/post/394515/atheism-2-0-alain-de-botton-excellent-tedtalk-i-just-discovered-about-20-min-https-www-y

Fernapple replies on Aug 28, 2019:

@ToolGuy The great failing of our education system, which is to teach the greater majority, how to to live well and morally. A lesson, which if well taught, solves most of societies other problems at a stroke. Instead of which our education system is simply a rite of passage for servants of the political establishment, which is deliberately concerned with quite useless academic exercises, since the ability to complete such is the best test of mindless compliance.

Here is someone who not only lists the problems with social media, which is common, but also has an ...

Bobbyzen comments on Aug 27, 2019:

I use Facebook for a myriad of reasons. In no particular order: 1. I post stories from non-mainstream news sources that I subscribe to, including The Intercept and Middle East Eye among dozens of others. This get stories onto Facebook that are excluded by their algorithms and bias 2. I ...

Fernapple replies on Aug 27, 2019:

Yes but you could do all of those things on the web, and reach a far wider group.

Here is someone who not only lists the problems with social media, which is common, but also has an ...

AnonySchmoose comments on Aug 27, 2019:

I don't use Facebook, mainly to keep from being tracked and then have my information data-based. From what I've heard, FB does need to change much of how it operates. She has very good observations. She's concerned that we don't get good information, for instance scientific research, because much...

Fernapple replies on Aug 27, 2019:

I was encouraged to go on facebook as part of a business cooperative I am in, but I find it to be truly horrible in every way.

The Short History of the Texas Town Named in Honor of a Famous Agnostic | Hemant Mehta | Friendly ...

NoPlanetB comments on Aug 26, 2019:

Actually, the story of the town is in a link on the link you provided. Interesting, never knew this. https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/how-redwater-texas-used-to-be-named-after-a-famous-controversial-humanist/

Fernapple replies on Aug 27, 2019:

Better link, thanks.

Where did you first learn about God?

Amisja comments on Aug 26, 2019:

I didn't have one single religious person in my life growing up in deeply heathen Lancashire. I went to ostensibly Church of England schools where we sung Beatles songs. It was all very low key. No fire n brimston. To be honest it was all a bit disappointing. I have no hellish history of being ...

Fernapple replies on Aug 27, 2019:

@Amisja About the same as me from a family point of view. Though a generation or two earlier, RE in English schools did mean hard christian indoctrination, that's where I learned to hate it.

Making Your Best Use Of The BLOCK Function This is a large, diverse, and multi-purpose online ...

Fernapple comments on Aug 26, 2019:

I do not agree, as you say. "there are people here who's perspective, life situation, needs, interests, or views may be so different from yours that there is really no strong rational reason for you to interact with them in any way." But they are the people who I most want to learn about, and to ...

Fernapple replies on Aug 27, 2019:

@callmedubious Yes I would block him if he became threatening, but do not forget that people like that need exposure to good open debate more than anything, and that sealing them off fulfills the wish they have to see themselves as outside mainstream society.

Religion vs science

MoonTigerII comments on Aug 26, 2019:

It was invented longer than 2000 years ago. Achemedes, Pythagoras, etc. Isaac Newton was an alchemist until he died... Staddled the fence re science. Muslim doctors were scientists during Euro Dark Ages. "Birth" of science in West was a rediscovery of it.

Fernapple replies on Aug 26, 2019:

@gater Not sure about that, his main points were, that he taught knowledge does not come from authority, to make evidence the prime source of truth, and that no subject is beneath study. For that he may be called the grandfather of science, but he did not discover the experimental method and that led to him making a number of mistakes, such as his belief in spontanious generation and an eternal world without begining.

Religion vs science

MoonTigerII comments on Aug 26, 2019:

It was invented longer than 2000 years ago. Achemedes, Pythagoras, etc. Isaac Newton was an alchemist until he died... Staddled the fence re science. Muslim doctors were scientists during Euro Dark Ages. "Birth" of science in West was a rediscovery of it.

Fernapple replies on Aug 26, 2019:

Especially Aristotle, may well be seen as the not father but possibly the long lost grandfather of science. Long lost, because for a time he was the darling of religion and was lost in that wilderness.

The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity.

Fernapple comments on Aug 26, 2019:

It has to be said however that the 'worst' he was writing about, were probably atheists and agnostics.

Fernapple replies on Aug 26, 2019:

@Marionville There is though, some evidence that the peom was addressed especially to Christians and reffered especially to soviets and socialists.

Making Your Best Use Of The BLOCK Function This is a large, diverse, and multi-purpose online ...

Roley comments on Aug 26, 2019:

Enjoyed reading that. Thank you and will use the Block in the ways you mentioned.

Fernapple replies on Aug 26, 2019:

Read the other commennts on this page fist, then think before you do.

These groups will soon be running out of time.

Fernapple comments on Aug 26, 2019:

Hate to point it out on here, but of course, in the US especially, many of these clubs are in direct competition for the same space in the community social life as the churches.

Fernapple replies on Aug 26, 2019:

@daylily Depends who wins in the end. I have often thought that the best way to combat religion may well be to promote secular clubs and charitable institutions, for their role in the community even if they are not especially atheist/agnostic or active in opposing the churches.

It’s getting to be that time of year when bears and people begin to cross paths.

Fernapple comments on Aug 26, 2019:

Link does not work, sorry.

Fernapple replies on Aug 26, 2019:

@Haemish1 Thanks, it said for legal reasons, so may be not outside the US.

Anything becomes interesting if you look at it long enough. -Gustave Flaubert

Sticks48 comments on Aug 25, 2019:

Flaubert never saw Gilligan's Island.

Fernapple replies on Aug 26, 2019:

TV in general. LOL

Our autocorrect feature is really fun, if you don't take it too seriously.

Fernapple comments on Aug 20, 2019:

I do not use the auto-correct, but I do use the spell checker. Which usually picks up my UK spellings, (as well as my many bad ones). Can the mainly US members tell me, are you Sceptical/Skeptical about the value of that, and do you prefer that I change to the US to be consistent or should I leave ...

Fernapple replies on Aug 24, 2019:

@Marionville Yer doo haf der way O sayin things dough.