DigitalShadow
-
Posts
1314 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Posts posted by DigitalShadow
-
-
Just found out the discovery that the president was informed on was the presence of Perchlorate. Not sure why that is such a big deal, possibly useful for terraforming, or fuel for a return trip from Mars. In any case it is not nearly as interesting as I was expecting :)
-
No, in LDS terms that'll be in 2 days (Thursday & Friday) at the South Towne Exposition Center in South Jordan, 9-5:30. (the annual FAIR conference)
HiJolly
p.s. I'll be there!
That would be interesting to go to. If only it weren't exclusively during work hours
-
I'm somewhat familiar with electric cars. Yes, the technology is a huge hurdle that may or may not be crossed in the next few years. It's really hard to say. But to throw all our eggs into one basket(electricity, batteries, or even hydrogen) while denying yourself access to a proven basket(oil) is foolish, and poor energy policy. Oil has been proven to work, it is here, it is constantly improving. God did not give us this vast source of energy just to have us lock it up and throw away the key.
Leaving all our eggs in one basked (oil) that we know is not going to last forever is equally poor policy. I'm not advising we all immediately jump ship on the internal combustion engine, only that we ween ourselves off it as new, more efficient and renewable technologies emerge. God did not also give us more renewable energy sources to last for generations for us to short sightedly ignore them.
-
Why do you think we would know the purposes of God? I could throw out half a dozen possibilities off the top of my head, but it would amount to nothing.
That's like saying, "What were God's purposes in creating a brown dwarf in the Andromeda galaxy twenty-five thousand light years from any planet with life?" or "What was God's purpose in creating the pebble two hundred feet under my house that no one ever has or ever will unearth?" or "What was God's purpose in creating the particular molecule of helium that I just exhaled instead of some other isotope of helium?"
Then please throw out your half dozen possibilities, I never said they had to amount to anything. I posted this in General Discussion because I wanted more opinions on it, and I know it is not possible to have doctrine on something that may or may not exist.
I thought a lot about this subject over the last few days, I was mostly just wondering if anyone else had some thoughts on it, I'm not expecting definite answers or anything.
-
I'm sure most people have probably already heard that the Phoenix lander already confirmed that there is in fact water on Mars. I also read that apparently NASA briefed the president on something that the Phoenix lander discovered. They are denying that the discovery was life on Mars, but still haven't released the information to the public.
So if there were life on Mars, let's say similar to bacteria and other microscopic organisms here, how would that fit in to God's plan? Since I'm guessing most of you do not believe that life simply occurs, it would have to have been put there for a purpose, what do you think that purpose might be? Would the discovery change anyone's beliefs (I'm guessing no, but figured I should ask anyway)?
I know that God does not reveal everything to us and we may just be meant to not know, but I'm curious how people would react and what opinions might be. Any thoughts?
-
In my limited experience in Utah, I have found that many people seem to get very caught up in the minutiae of tithing and whether they are full tithing payers as if God were a tax collector waiting to audit them in the afterlife. I find it hard to believe a loving God would care so much about the details as long as your heart was in the right place.
-
I agree, we should build nuclear power as much and fast as possible. But I honestly don't see a nuclear-powered automobile coming down the road for quite a while, if ever. Oil is very plentiful, we just need to take odwn the roadblacks to get to it. We as a nation need to become self-sufficient in oil and the sooner the better.
There are already cars that could run on nuclear power, they just happen to store it in lithium ion batteries first, like the Tesla Roadster . Once you make a car that runs on electricity and has its own storage mechanism, you can produce the electricity with wind, solar, nuclear, oil, coal, genetically engineered hamsters, whatever is most efficient.
Battery technology is what is really holding us back, but I can see that changing relatively quickly, like in the next 5-10 years and you'll start seeing more and more all electric cars that don't require some combustable fuel to be used directly.
I am also a strong proponent of nuclear energy, by the way.
-
I know this has already been responded to, but I would like to offer my own responses, because I think there are a lot of misconceptions that need to be cleared up here.
The theory of evolution is not the only scientific theory on the origin of life. Nor is evolution a "fact" it is only a theory. I don't know why so many people treat it as a fact when it is not.
I don't know why so many people have no idea what the word "theory" means when used in scientific context. It's not as if once there is more evidence, the scientific community will upgrade it to a "fact." Everything in science is only a theory, since nothing is beyond question.
Also, the theory of evolution has nothing to do with the origin of life, it only describes how organisms change over time. As far as I know, it is the only scientific theory supported by evidence that explains the changes in organisms observed in the fossil record. If there are other scientific theories that you know of, please cite them, as I would be interested to hear about them.
If you're referring to Intelligent Design, don't bother though because very few scientists even consider it science:
Advocates of intelligent design argue that it is a scientific theory, and seek to fundamentally redefine science to accept supernatural explanations.
The unequivocal consensus in the scientific community is that intelligent design is pseudoscience.
The whole Intelligent Design propaganda was a thinly veiled ploy to get creationism into schools and has since been debunked many times over.
link“Evolution is a fairy tale for grown-ups. This theory has helped nothing in the progress of science. It is useless.” Professor Louis Bounoure - former president of the Biological Society of Strasbourg and director of the Strasbourg Zoological Museum, and later Director of Research at the French National Center of Scientific Research.
And the opinion of the director of a museum is somehow better than the opinions of many thousands of scientists?
Encyclopedia Britannica - "modern findings “pose grave difficulties” for spontaneous generation"
Given the obvious lack of evidence of spontaneous generation, I do not know why more people do agree with Pasteur in concluding that all life comes from life, never from non-life.
Abiogenesis has absolutely nothing to do with the theory of evolution. Conflating the two and then claiming evolution is a false theory because abiogenesis is not feasable is rediculous. If you want to debate how the first life form came to be, it is a completely different argument, with much less scientific evidence one way or the other. The result of that argument however, has no bearing on the theory of evolution.
"mutations are generally random copying mistakes in the reproduction of the genetic code (DNA), and as such, tend to be harmful."
Has a "good" mutation" ever really been observed?
Is there ever an addition of new information?
"no one has ever been able to point to a mutation that has actually improved the genetic code by adding new meaningful information (new genes or “instructions” for building a new physical trait). All mutations appear to scramble the already-existing information (instructions), either by the reshuffling or duplication of existing genes, or simply by damaging the genes altogether. "
In everyday experience, information never arises without an intelligent source.
I'm sorry, but your information is flat out wrong. First of all, the vast majority of mutations are nuetral. They happen all the time. A small portion of mutations beneficial and increase the chance of survival, increasing the probability that they will be passed on. A small portion of mutations are harmful and decrease the chance of survival, decreasing the probability that they will be passed on.
Useful information can be added through mutation, and this has even been observed in the lab: Bacteria make a majory evolutionary shift in the lab
why are transitional forms “entirely lacking,” ?
World-renowned evolutionary paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould further acknowledged, “New species almost always appeared suddenly in the fossil record with no intermediate links to ancestors in older rocks of the same region...
flood link
Today most of the earth’s surface (80 to 90 percent) is in fact composed of sedimentary rock,[88] consistent with the expected results of a biblical global flood. And many fossils highly resemble today’s creatures — that is, fossil bats look like today’s bats, and fossil turtles like today’s turtles.
Another appeal to authority?
Some recommended reading for you: Transitional Fossils
-
But what about that story a few years back about kids in Japan having seizures over watching shows on tv...anime or Pokemon or something along that line. Couldn't it be kind of the same idea?
It works on a similar principle, but there is a big difference between inducing a seizure and simulating the effect of drugs.
-
The closet thing to drug effects you can get without using drugs are the release of endorphans and adrenalin through things like (gasp) exercise.
Unless your into sleep deprivation.
I'm waiting for a hard hitting report on the latest danger to our kids:
They're calling it "exercise." This seemingly harmless activity can cause a chain reaction in your child's body to release an assortment of mind altering chemicals! What's worse is that some schools even have an entire class devoted to introducing your child to this dangerous practice. Are your kids safe? Call your school now and let them know how you feel about forcing your child to "exercise."
-
Go down that road? I answered the question, made a statement, and asked another question. Everyone else posting here seems to be level headed, and I would like to think I won't start frustrating people soon.
Just looking for the truth like everyone else.
You can read my old thread for reference if you like: Doctrine regarding evolution?
There is a lot of disagreement even between members on this subject that I inadvertantly brought out last time. Perhaps it's time for another good discussion on the topic though. My warning was mostly jokingly, I do love talking about these topics though.
-
Well, thank you all for your responses. Judging from the people here, you seem a good amount more reasonable than some of the other religious people out there. A surprising amount of people really do think the Earth is a few thousand years old and reject overwhelmingly evidence.
A few quick points.
Not really, it is so when it can no longer reproduce with the parent species. The seemingly impossible odds of finding another similarly mutated mate are actually much more reasonable when you understand how such mutated organisms survive to sexual maturity. Indeed, the whole idea of natural selection makes it quite likely that there are similarly mutated specimens in the local area, this is the concept of evolution itself, that the environment favors certain adaptations. They survive, they reproduce.
And you don't really believe the story about the flood do you?
"Not really evolution, not really creationism, option #3... Life from Life
life is eternal, the origins debate is pointless - there is no origin. Everything that now exists has always existed, changing from one form to another, but eternal. Laws of thermodynamics - conservation principles. You do not get something from nothing. Something has always existed. Life has always existed."
Not according to either the Bible or science.
I don't recomend going down this road. I had a discusson here just like this that started by asking the same question and then went into correcting some misconceptions about science and evolution. 50 pages later I don't think anyone had learned anything and there was a lot of frustration :)
-
I can see it on the local news now...
"Is there a drug dealer secretly lurking in your living room? Tune in at 10 to find out!"
-
Anyone heard of these? My coworker said he heard a news report talking about the dangers of these "Digital Drugs." Supposedly they are audio files that when played simulate the effects of drugs like marijuana. Sounds more like classic placebo effect to me though. I'm highly skeptical that these audio files do anything, let alone what they claim to do.
-
I'm not sure what the degree of your brother's autism is, but my first instinct is, honestly, to laugh. Talk with the Bobs and make sure they understand the situation. As long as they're aware that the autistic mind is perfectly capable of seeing a minor disturbance as a major offense, they should be able to accept that it has more to do with the condition than it does with them.
In the meantime, try to keep your brother away from the pulpit.
I agree completely. I read your post and was trying to think of what to say, but I think MOE said it better anyway.
BTW I'm 26 and I still refuse to eat veggies. I don't care what people say, I don't see how something that tastes that bad could be good for you.
-
I've asked this question before a while ago. I will sum up what I learned:
Most Mormons believe that evolution happens, but do not believe that humans are a product of evolution. LDS doctrine requires the literal interpretation of the story of Adam & Eve to be true because the fall of Adam is a crucial part of the plan of salvation.
Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but that's the impression I got.
-
At the same time?????
Whichever you would recomend first then.
-
How close to Deism is your Agnosticism, DS?
Somewhat close. I believe that if there is a God that created the universe, He probably does not interfere with day to day affairs. I would definitely describe myself as more agnostic than Deist though.
-
Sounds good. BofM or D&C???
Both?
-
30 days??? Are we still on that schedule?
How bout I let you drive the conversation from this point on.
Starting tomorrow
-
So then I am guessing that we are starting with LDS scripture....since it is accessible to both of us. What say you???
That is fine with me
-
Hey, have you figured out what I am suppose to be reading????
Nope, I have some ideas, but I still have to buy and read them myself :)
-
Dodge.
I don't believe it is possible to know why we are here, are you asking why I don't pretend to know for sure to make myself feel better?
-
You are right. Sorry..... I guess I just wonder how one would become satisfied with that.
Does something always need a purpose to be enjoyable or satisfying?
Question on drilling for Oil
in Current Events
Posted
I'm not sure about that statistic either, and even assuming it is accurate, as the natural supply goes down it will be harder to find and extract it, combined with increasing demand as emerging economies like China start consuming even more, I think it is really hard to estimate how long oil will continue to be economically viable (a somewhat different question than how long it might "last").
In any case, I'm not suggesting anything be forced and I'm not calling for fearmongering over the issue. I'm only saying that other technologies may quickly become far more economically viable and overtake the market naturally. I personally think that money would be far better spent investing in battery technology research and mass producing nuclear plants rather than expanding oil drilling and infrastructure, but I doubt that will happen as the status quo has far too much momentum and influence. Whether that's a good thing or not, no one can say for sure :)