PontifexMarximus's Profile

Incest: Immoral or Moral?

TheAtheist comments on May 2, 2018:

It was found long ago that inter breeding was dangerous. So incest was banned by the rulers and agreed to by the clergy (I think there is something in the bible about it). The problem is that they did not understand the genetics of the situation. So we now have the situation of where two adopted ...

PontifexMarximus replies on May 10, 2018:

Many responses here intend to show a degree of irrationality that could possibly be traced back to religious roots. I think that many people what to be seen as righteous even within the group.

Incest: Immoral or Moral?

Rogeld comments on May 2, 2018:

Why would you want to traumatize and ruin a persons life.

PontifexMarximus replies on May 10, 2018:

Slightly flimsy argument man do that all the time.

Incest: Immoral or Moral?

ladyprof70 comments on May 4, 2018:

I would vote 'amoral'. In some cultures, brother/sister incest in the royal family was require to keep the blood line pure (Egypt and Hawaii are examples). This of course, assumed there would be -- and even encouraged offspring. It is really only very recently that fertility could be sufficiently ...

PontifexMarximus replies on May 10, 2018:

@MsDemeanour sounds very interesting. Do you have a good source you could share?

Sesquipedalianism: of unnatural length, huge, , from Latin sēsqui (one and a half times as great) +...

SonderOpia comments on May 10, 2018:

If I could only meet a man that was Sesquipedalianism. LOL

PontifexMarximus replies on May 10, 2018:

Trump ... He is the most sesquipedalianistic you will ever meet ...

So, which is MOST important, a physical attraction or a psychological attraction?

atheist comments on May 10, 2018:

Starts with physical but ends up psychological! I'm not sure what you mean by 'really enjoying someone'? ? It's like wine & cheese! They go great together but taste good by themselves also! :)

PontifexMarximus replies on May 10, 2018:

It starts with the physcial attraction and might end in psychological warfare

Hallelujah.

AnneWimsey comments on May 10, 2018:

What?

PontifexMarximus replies on May 10, 2018:

Street preacher

My JW daughter accused me of abuse .

AnneWimsey comments on May 10, 2018:

Revisionism is the hallmark of false beliefs & believers everywhere. Yiu may need to limit your contact with her until she knocks this crap off......why allow Anyone to make you miserable?!?

PontifexMarximus replies on May 10, 2018:

I haven't had contact with her in years ... Fortunately my younger daughter still has and her elder sister hasn't totally rejected her.

Can all facts be proven? What is acceptable proof?

Heraclitus comments on May 9, 2018:

In historiography, a "fact" is by consensus. There are no proven facts, only accepted facts.

PontifexMarximus replies on May 10, 2018:

@Heraclitus correct ... The idea of measuring the circumference of the earth was interesting ... Apparently one guy measuring the distance from Dunkerk to Barcelona cheated ... And the was a discrepancy of 3 mm ... As to the latest definition ... Who would have the technical means to verify that fact?

My daughter has taken up Christianity, despite all the work I put into her and her sister early on, ...

PontifexMarximus comments on May 10, 2018:

I have one of those. She was a very normal child, even cheekier and more witty than average. As a baby she had the most amazing laughter. One day, when she was 17 she asked me whether I would give her permission to become a Christian. The bigoted mother of one of her classmates had lured her into ...

PontifexMarximus replies on May 10, 2018:

@Enchanter I would probably no longer be around ... I wish you luck ..

Can all facts be proven? What is acceptable proof?

Heraclitus comments on May 9, 2018:

In historiography, a "fact" is by consensus. There are no proven facts, only accepted facts.

PontifexMarximus replies on May 10, 2018:

I am not sure what you call your measurement for length: inches and feet and miles etc... The British call it *imperial*. I live in a British colony, aka Australia. In GB, aka UK, there exists a strong belief that the sky, or skies, would cave in if the poms intruduced the *metric* system. Those used to using the system will tell everyone who is not that the system is better. For them that is a fact. Fact are convenient to stop discussions. As a matter of "fact" what people really mean is the a decimal system is better and by *better* they mean more convenient to used. You, and here I assume that the majority in this group are *imperialists*, so you the *imperialists* might argue about the qualitative advantages. On the other hand you will accept the existence of the *metre* as fact. But does the *metre* exists? As someone mentioned facts are the result of consent. All ISO norms are the result of conventions between different groups. How can someone prove the existence of the measurement known as *metre*? Go to the office and check it out. Today 1 metre should just be the same length it was when it was "invented". The interesting fact is the definition of a a *metre* has changed over time, but its length hasn't.

The intolerance towards cigarette smokers.

PontifexMarximus comments on May 10, 2018:

I guess your comparison is slightly off target. I would compare a smoker to a farter emitting fumes that are not appreciated by others. I don't insult people for smoking. I am addicted to coffee and if someone dislikes the aroma and requests me to move, I would oblige. Vegans might react to your ...

PontifexMarximus replies on May 10, 2018:

@BucketlistBob Smoker, unfortunately, hardly ever care about others. A few times I blocked the lift when idiots with lit cigarettes enter. Once one such smokers came into a lift and stood right next to a mother with a baby. I just pushed him out. Addicts difficult to reason with.

Oath ... Does anyone in this forum swear on the/a bible?

AtlGeekWoman comments on May 6, 2018:

I'll swear on the American Constitution, but not on the Bible.

PontifexMarximus replies on May 10, 2018:

Wouldn't that be equally strange?

Oath ... Does anyone in this forum swear on the/a bible?

FreeDave comments on May 10, 2018:

Any lawyer will tell you you may put your hand on anything it's legal to put your hand on, or put it on nothing at all to take an oath. That has no effect on the legality of the oath.

PontifexMarximus replies on May 10, 2018:

Oh no ... Lol ... I asked this question after reading the most absurd explanation regarding *annulment*... An American *canon law* expert explained that annulment was not a form of Catholic divorce but ... Blablabla and he went on to explain that wedding would be deemed to not have force of law if the the *holy water* had been accidentally substituted by something else. This ningnong then gave an example of *rubbing alcohol* in a baptism ... He never really explained the technical reasons why 600000 marriages in the USA alone get annulled. The would represent tanker loads of rubbing alcohol.

Sure, I suppose it's odd that atheists say jesus, and oh my god.

LucyLoohoo comments on May 9, 2018:

Someone said once that all men are really theists, because they call to their creator during orgasm.

PontifexMarximus replies on May 10, 2018:

Possibly only in English

Sooo, I've got 3,944 more point to reap in to achieve L8 and my (hidden).

TaylorWalston comments on May 10, 2018:

Happy for either. Hoping for more of both. Was married 27 years and had that comfortable silence thing going. Really don't want that. So how about a great conversation that leads to great sex?

PontifexMarximus replies on May 10, 2018:

Good luck

Latest outrageous 'Flat Earth' theory says Australia is FAKE - and if you think you've been there, ...

JacarC comments on May 3, 2018:

They are not wrong. Australia is just a fantasy. My wife claims she has traveled there 4 times to visit life-time friends. I now know she is a demon, attempting to lure me to eternal damnation. I am so relieved to have scientific confirmation.

PontifexMarximus replies on May 10, 2018:

Your wife is lying to you ... Australia doesn't exist ... I can tell you ... I am in it ... It is really just a fantasy from *Lord of the Pimps led by Mad Max*

So, which is MOST important, a physical attraction or a psychological attraction?

Sonya456 comments on May 10, 2018:

For me personally it is the psychological attraction that gets me going. I love having a good conversation or enjoy the wilderness with someone, but saying that as I am almost 6 foot and look like a stout German if a guy can make me feel smaller -wow look out.

PontifexMarximus replies on May 10, 2018:

Perhaps it's just me but your statement confuses me. You claim that it is the psychological but all you mention are physical attributes with a bit of ethnic spice or *sauerkraut*.

I have been hearing more and more that I should have a "Blessed Day.

PontifexMarximus comments on May 6, 2018:

There is a state in Germany, perhaps equivalent to Alabama in the US, best know for the Oktoberfest, cars named after it and the display of crucifixes in secular schools. Chances, in excess of 99 % are, that the visitor will be greeted with *Grüß Gott* (Say hi to God). I always found it irritating...

PontifexMarximus replies on May 10, 2018:

@Omen6Actual They are pretty similar peoples. *Servus* is used to be used amongst friends and acquaintances whereas *Grüß Gott* is more formal. But I admit that I am probably not up to date. I use *Servus* with mates.

Here are just three pictures ... Just click the link to find the entire book online.

Edgeward comments on May 10, 2018:

This is interesting! Not as clear as I like- on my phone! But more than I got to see in that book I dl-ed ! Thank you! I wonder what the nsa sees in this?! I know I’m probably being silly but ... who knows they may have looked at it as an exercise!!!

PontifexMarximus replies on May 10, 2018:

The Enigma bunch did

I have been hearing more and more that I should have a "Blessed Day.

PontifexMarximus comments on May 6, 2018:

There is a state in Germany, perhaps equivalent to Alabama in the US, best know for the Oktoberfest, cars named after it and the display of crucifixes in secular schools. Chances, in excess of 99 % are, that the visitor will be greeted with *Grüß Gott* (Say hi to God). I always found it irritating...

PontifexMarximus replies on May 10, 2018:

@Omen6Actual *Servus* is mainly used by Austrians

Incest: Immoral or Moral?

PontifexMarximus comments on May 9, 2018:

Now that the moral goal post have shifted and many jurisdictions have legalized marriage between partners of the same sex the argument of unwanted congenital defects in offspring is no longer an argument for *same sex* couples. Consequently the whole question has to be reevaluated. I think many ...

PontifexMarximus replies on May 9, 2018:

@Uncorrugated but this was not part of the question. The is about incest. The issue of pedophilia depends largely on the definition of a child.

Incest: Immoral or Moral?

EMC2 comments on Apr 9, 2018:

How any one can find their own sibling sexually attractive is beyond me. My family is NOT a sexual environment I seek out.

PontifexMarximus replies on May 9, 2018:

Look at president Trump how he goes on about his daughter. So it might be beyond you but...

The atlas of world religion.

Ellatynemouth comments on May 7, 2018:

Buddhism is not strictly a religion, it's a philosophy with no afterlife and no deities. The map is simplistic in that it doesn't allow for mixes in faith or non faith in the same geographical area. It's a shame it doesn't include atheists too.

PontifexMarximus replies on May 9, 2018:

Good old Siddhartha Gautama had perhaps good intentions and not the ambition to start a religion, but I think it has turned into a fullblown relgious outfit with all the trappings. People are honing in on any statue an pray like hell and pay for each prayer. I keep telling people to write down what they ask for just to double check. Offerings are made, stuff is burnt. All the hocus pocus is on display and the reincarnation of Buddha. I would even contest the absence of afterlife. The Chinese Buddhists have a very original fashion to communicate with their ancestors. So they must assume that they still exist and want to know what the latest iPhone looks like. Some people even burn effigies of iPhones that the living even don't know yet.

The atlas of world religion.

girlwithsmiles comments on May 7, 2018:

Well I don't know where they got their information about Australia from, but I think this is more accurate: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Australia 30.1% non religious and there are a growing number of Australians who chose to identify as Jedi!

PontifexMarximus replies on May 9, 2018:

@girlwithsmiles Sorry my answer became somewhat lengthy ...the issue of *nominality* might be of importance when the churches claim government subsidies. They might actually prefer people who never turn up but the money comes flowing in. However, if a local padre relies on the money and the buttons people put into the collection basket, he probably wouldn't mind having non-believers sitting on his pews if they pay their obolus. *Pecunia non olet* (Money has no odour)

The atlas of world religion.

girlwithsmiles comments on May 7, 2018:

Well I don't know where they got their information about Australia from, but I think this is more accurate: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Australia 30.1% non religious and there are a growing number of Australians who chose to identify as Jedi!

PontifexMarximus replies on May 9, 2018:

@girlwithsmiles Nominal in the sense of just by label but non practicing. France as a country claims to be secular but the overhwhelming majority, about 2/3 of the population would still use the label *catholic*, but a large proportion does not practice the religion. The official *divorce* between state and Catholic Church did not occur at the moment the king lost his head, literally under the guilltotine, but at the end 1905 so over a hundred years later. Germany is still trying to come to terms with it (her) status. Ms Merkel is the daughter of a professional prostestant soul saver. There is consensus amongst demographers that the practicing devotees are now the minority which is, however, not necessarily reflected in the figures because for family reasons people remain members of a religious gang. So these would just be nominals. it's really quite funny when wie compare that to nationalities ... Sorry I am going astray. Great Britain is an interesting case because of the old bag who is still running the show. Strictly speaking a country with a monarch cannot even be a true democracy. Because good old Lizzy being also the head to the Anglican Church the country can, strictly speaking not be a true secular one. But what struck me more about your map was Australia The cartographer did put in or got his daughter to put in different colours. Yet it looks, according to that map, as if the centre (you might spell that center) has been successfully converted. I am not critising you but the cartographer. Just check the CIA World Factbook: Christian (includes Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist) 59.5%, Muslim 4.4%, Hindu 1.3%, other 2%, unspecified 7.2%, none 25.7% (2011 est.)

In responding to another post in this group I was reminded of the 3 date rule that I used to apply -...

PontifexMarximus comments on May 8, 2018:

A few years ago my daughter, then about 25, told me that rule. I realised that rule does not apply in China.

PontifexMarximus replies on May 9, 2018:

@FrayedBear I was already in my late 50s when I went to China for the first time. Caveat: After having spent most of my married life in conjugal confinement I had not real seduction skills. Here in Australia an old codger or old fart, as we are often referred to by younger people, I didn't stand a chance to get a date. In China I realised that most women seem to have a very different attitude toward sex. Now I only had a very small sample without scientific validity whatsoever, but the few women I got to know were far less *tragic* about having sex even on the first date. What was even more surprising they were the ones suggesting. I am not a pub person so in Australia I don't stand a chance of ever getting a date. The only invitations for sex in Australia came from a woman who was at least half drunk. So I delined politely. I had a terrible migraine..:(

Bill (William George) Hayden 21st Governor-General of Australia, from 1989 to 1996 was and still is...

Rugglesby comments on May 9, 2018:

So long ago, now I feel really old. Bill became treasurer as I began my banking career.

PontifexMarximus replies on May 9, 2018:

@Rugglesby yes ... Got my first job there ...but only for a few days 2 years later I made my personal contribution to the Australian population growth I think all the indecent once were sent to FNQ ... Lingered for 11 years in Cairns.

I probably never quit my native condition as a non religious being.

JackPedigo comments on May 8, 2018:

There must be some innate need in some people to worship something. Even before I saw the light (escaped religion) I couldn't understand the idea of flag worship.It really got me going when laws were proposed to make disrespecting the flag a crime. We have a local historical society/museum. In one ...

PontifexMarximus replies on May 9, 2018:

Not so long ago I read that the supreme insult between countries hanging a flag upside down. The Swiss don't give a shit ... There flag is square and symmetrical.

Bill (William George) Hayden 21st Governor-General of Australia, from 1989 to 1996 was and still is...

Rugglesby comments on May 9, 2018:

So long ago, now I feel really old. Bill became treasurer as I began my banking career.

PontifexMarximus replies on May 9, 2018:

He became GG the year after I settled in Brissie... Sir Joh was just gone and the Fitzgerald inquiry just started to cast a light on the *Moonshine* state

Bill (William George) Hayden 21st Governor-General of Australia, from 1989 to 1996 was and still is...

powder comments on May 8, 2018:

And Gillard was our only atheist PM (Bill never quite made it, just leader of the opposition )

PontifexMarximus replies on May 8, 2018:

Poor Bill got fucked over by Wittlam and the silver Hawk named Bob. But hey GG is a much cushier job.

Beyond Belief - Utter Perversion "Sydney archdiocese runs ads seeking donations for Cardinal ...

GodlessFred comments on May 8, 2018:

The Catholic Church has to be the most vile organization on the face of the Earth.

PontifexMarximus replies on May 8, 2018:

By their own standards they would be condemned to eternal damnation

Bill (William George) Hayden 21st Governor-General of Australia, from 1989 to 1996 was and still is...

RichE comments on May 8, 2018:

And yet, by default, Donald Trump is the honorary head of BSA. A sad commentary of creed over character.

PontifexMarximus replies on May 8, 2018:

British Small Arms? They made also reasonably good motorbikes

The atlas of world religion.

Ellatynemouth comments on May 7, 2018:

Buddhism is not strictly a religion, it's a philosophy with no afterlife and no deities. The map is simplistic in that it doesn't allow for mixes in faith or non faith in the same geographical area. It's a shame it doesn't include atheists too.

PontifexMarximus replies on May 8, 2018:

Very simplistic and even funny or idiotic as far as Australia is concerned. But someone seemed to love colouring in.

The atlas of world religion.

girlwithsmiles comments on May 7, 2018:

Well I don't know where they got their information about Australia from, but I think this is more accurate: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Australia 30.1% non religious and there are a growing number of Australians who chose to identify as Jedi!

PontifexMarximus replies on May 8, 2018:

The drama for the UK and Austrlaia as all other colonies still keep that old Anglican bag as head of state they are still nominally Anglican Christian. *Lest we forget* Good old Lizzy is the co-head of the Anglican Church. Though in all fairness Australia feels pretty godfree. But in politics the right prayer book still acts as a career booster.

I've been following the story of the teenage boy in Alabama who was pronounced brain dead.

PontifexMarximus comments on May 7, 2018:

"He walked along a field" ... So there is no better transport in heaven???

PontifexMarximus replies on May 8, 2018:

@Jnei was more thinking along the lines of a MagLev

Credibility How do we or does one achieve the credibility required to survive.

sassygirl3869 comments on May 8, 2018:

Not sure whats going on here.

PontifexMarximus replies on May 8, 2018:

Under construction

I probably never quit my native condition as a non religious being.

Martineden comments on May 8, 2018:

I would posit it is beyond symbolism. Patriotism/nationalism and religion are basically the same thing. Nonsense used by the powers that be to stir up the rabble into joining whatever the war de jour is.

PontifexMarximus replies on May 8, 2018:

Exactly ... Unilateral loyalties ... We get indoctrinated from an early age. I was lucky to grow up in a country that had not just lost one war but two world wars. Flags were rarely to be seen. No national anthem unless there was a state visit. The old Nazis in the administration kept a low profile. And we had to read Schiller's William Tell at school. To see national flags on display we had to cross a border into Switzerland or France: flags and symbols galore. Then I was drafted into the navy. I told them that I was not really cut out to kill people; bastards refused my resignation. When I crossed some officer in the stair case and greeted him with a friendly *good morning*, he appeared to be dissatisfied. It took me 63 days, well I was only present for 28, to get out. I had told them that we were not entering a happy relationship.

In responding to another post in this group I was reminded of the 3 date rule that I used to apply -...

SACatWalker comments on May 7, 2018:

That rule usually pertains to waiting at least 3 days, or am I hopelessly out of date? Who's saying goodbye? Actually I don't care and I think anything that personal is between you and your date.

PontifexMarximus replies on May 8, 2018:

Well ... Times have changed. There are no phone books around anymore and the latest phone you just bought is outdated by the time you unwrap it. ...

In responding to another post in this group I was reminded of the 3 date rule that I used to apply -...

MrLizard comments on May 7, 2018:

Wow. I'd probably turn that around to something like. "If no sex by the 23rd date, it's time to find someone else." If I put that kind of sexual pressure on the relationship before getting to know the person, it would mean that sex is more important than - well - getting to know the person.

PontifexMarximus replies on May 8, 2018:

I once watched an Australian movie. Two colleagues (fe/male hetero) somehow come into the situation. She suggests sex. He suggest to get to know each other first. She: " And what if we find out that we don't like each other?"

I probably never quit my native condition as a non religious being.

atheist comments on May 8, 2018:

Symbols are a way of communicating meaning! Some meanings are important, ie radiation symbols & some are insignificant, ie profile pics! lol :)

PontifexMarximus replies on May 8, 2018:

Of course ... Think of traffic lights ...

I probably never quit my native condition as a non religious being.

scurry comments on May 8, 2018:

I like your warrior/deity dude! I hope someone scoops him up before the garbage men. He would make a nice addition to a garden. I agree with your thoughts in symbols, but I think some can serve to remind us ... I wear and Ankh (used to wear a Kokopelli) these are (semi) religious symbols ...

PontifexMarximus replies on May 8, 2018:

$€£¥&@ I understand our addiction to symbols... I sitll have my first wedding ring somewhere. I refused the religious part but I still accepted the idea of the ring. Supposedly wedding rings are magic, they make married people invisible to predators ... what a bs ... I pitied that poor warrior amongst the trash. Almost wanted to catch a cab to take him home. He was calling out for help ... his divine or magic powers had abandoned him. it was an absurde scene ... for other reaons too

I probably never quit my native condition as a non religious being.

Cast1es comments on May 8, 2018:

Perhaps dumped by another new atheist ?

PontifexMarximus replies on May 8, 2018:

Perhaps the local corrupt politicians had to get rid of him because the inspector from Beijing were coming.

Is it long overdue for the disciplines of philosophy and natural sciences to divorce due to ...

PontifexMarximus comments on May 7, 2018:

BTW ... Should biology be divorced from other sciences? Should biology shed the nomenclature used in taxonomy? Science cannot certainly not be the judge who can pronounce the divorce. Who would be hearing this case?

PontifexMarximus replies on May 8, 2018:

@TheAstroChuck thank you for your clarification. I only mentioned the nomenclature because of the usage of the terms such as kingdom and family.

I probably never quit my native condition as a non religious being.

WalterWhite comments on May 8, 2018:

My Uncle Google says this is not a deity, but just a common Chinese Warrior statue. It is missing the Qinghong sword usually held in the right hand.

PontifexMarximus replies on May 8, 2018:

The Chinese are a little ambivalent when it comes to these dudes ... Just this afternoon a Chinese lady claimed again that he is a minor god. I guess in the Judeo-Christian hierarchy he would perhaps just be an angel awaiting to be promoted the the rank of archangel ... Hopefully before the passage of the next garbage truck.

I've been following the story of the teenage boy in Alabama who was pronounced brain dead.

Jnei comments on May 8, 2018:

The BBC have also picked up the story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-44032831 Note "At one point, Ms Reindl said, Trenton died on the table for 15 minutes". Not the doctors, but the boy's mother.

PontifexMarximus replies on May 8, 2018:

@AmelieMatisse otherwise there might not even be a story.

I've been following the story of the teenage boy in Alabama who was pronounced brain dead.

PontifexMarximus comments on May 7, 2018:

I don't know much about Alabama ... Is this not traditional KKK territory? Perhaps I should love to Alabama ... I am a self confessed KKK => ? KuhKackeKuenstler ? (German for BullShitArtist)

PontifexMarximus replies on May 8, 2018:

@AmelieMatisse same here ... Often I only find vulgarisms to describe the situation especially for poor aborigines.

I probably never quit my native condition as a non religious being.

Zippypinhead57 comments on May 8, 2018:

Oddly enough I have found a religious saying that addresses this. It's the Zen Buddhist statement about how it leads to enlightenment. "It is a finger pointing towards the Moon, but don't get the finger and the Moon confused." It always hits me that people having a hissy fit over someone ...

PontifexMarximus replies on May 8, 2018:

I wanted to invite people to a flag burning ceremony and give them dual flags e.g. ISIS/US, France/Syria, Here a g is totals with the national flag ... I often wonder how people react to someone wiping their bottom with it? Probably zero reaction because it's just a towel. ly human primates confuse me, even irritate me. Unfortunately it's getting worse with age.

I probably never quit my native condition as a non religious being.

AmelieMatisse comments on May 8, 2018:

Spot on! Maybe it is some kind of human condition to revere something. Our national anthem has always bothered me. I would rather have America the Beautiful as the anthem but even that has to mention god. Separation of church and state is just smoke and mirrors

PontifexMarximus replies on May 8, 2018:

A few years back I was watching some very minor basket ball game. There weren't many spectators but the few all got up when the national anthem was played. I never get up for this nonsense. Suddenly I saw the tv cameras filming me. I just gave them a little jovial wave. Perhaps they passed the footage on to ASIO (CIA equivalent) ... In France (Liberte ... Blablabla ) I almost got arrested for saluting the flag with a bra d'honneur .. I get up for a woman that enters a room. I have to k about that!!!

I've been following the story of the teenage boy in Alabama who was pronounced brain dead.

PontifexMarximus comments on May 7, 2018:

I don't know much about Alabama ... Is this not traditional KKK territory? Perhaps I should love to Alabama ... I am a self confessed KKK => ? KuhKackeKuenstler ? (German for BullShitArtist)

PontifexMarximus replies on May 8, 2018:

@AmelieMatisse If I were standing next to you, I would start my next sentence with *When I was in jial* in Far North Queensland ... I really was ... ok I could leave after finishing my job .. To give you an idea 77% of the inmates were Aborigines, indigenous people. Yet they represent, in that part of the world they represent less than 8% of the total population, about 3% in Australia. I had one class with 10/11 indigenous men and one guy who was the first ever to be convicted of slavery. I was even arrested for having the audacity to talk to some harmless fellas, colloquial term for the aborigines. Ok I have never been to Alabama, but remember some horrific documentary.

I've been following the story of the teenage boy in Alabama who was pronounced brain dead.

PontifexMarximus comments on May 7, 2018:

I don't know much about Alabama ... Is this not traditional KKK territory? Perhaps I should love to Alabama ... I am a self confessed KKK => ? KuhKackeKuenstler ? (German for BullShitArtist)

PontifexMarximus replies on May 8, 2018:

@AmelieMatisse I imagine it to be like the deep north of Australia

Is it long overdue for the disciplines of philosophy and natural sciences to divorce due to ...

PontifexMarximus comments on May 7, 2018:

Interesting question ... No the one about the noise or unnoisy tree but the potential divorce between philosophy and natural sciences. Ultimately the devil is in the detail. What did the prenuptional agreement state? As long as humans are being the investigative tools of scientific research and the...

PontifexMarximus replies on May 8, 2018:

@TheAstroChuck very erudite answer ... Who deals with the consequences of destructive technologies? Nuclear power plants that fail? Diesel engines emitting toxic exhaust gases? And the fact that many technologies deprive people of the abilty to be active? Car mechanics are powerless without acces to the onboard comtuers ... Listening to talks by some scientist are most fascinating.even if some are excellent communicators in their respective fields, they hardly ever address the impact of their research. GPS is certainly good to have, but if people can no longer function without all the technological crutches ...

What film would you say is under-appreciated?

jacpod comments on May 3, 2018:

My daughter script wrote a film called 'Kicks' it was on general release its about teenage girls in Liverpool ,and their world. Apart from that I loved the film Tom Jones from the book of the same name -very quirky.