Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Elijah · 07-08-2007, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deadman_932

The bottom line is that available evidence shows the exact opposite of your claims about two things, Bongster:

1. There's no evidence that people have ever lived beyond 130 years
2. There's no evidence that, statistically, people GAIN in cognitive abilities as they age beyond the age of 35. The opposite is what the evidence gives us, even leaving aside known disease.

You need to realize that while you may impress your bong-buddies with what you imagine is witty repartee -- that doesn't matter a damn bit. What counts here is your ability to support your claims with actual evidence. Saying things like "well, it MIGHT be so" when your claim goes against what we DO know...is not good enough. It may be good enough for your bong-buddies, but that's neither here nor there.

There is an oral tradition that says that we came from long lifespans. May not be the best evidence but is evidence, evidence that is possible and makes sense. There is no proof to be found in the present or looking for bones in the ocean.

Also lifespans are more fluid then we realized like as I mentioned Low calorie restriction as evidence for the possibility of prolonged lifespans.

Why pick 35? Why not pick 2 or 55? What happens at 35?

Coragyps · 07-08-2007, 06:08 PM

DROP THE INSULTS, FOLKS!!

You all agreed to The Rules when you signed up. Address the arguments, please.[/mod hat]

Sauron · 07-08-2007, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elijah

There is an oral tradition that says that we came from long lifespans.

There's also an oral tradition that says the earth was made from the bones of a slain giant. You believe that too?

Quote:

May not be the best evidence but is evidence, evidence that is possible and makes sense.

1. It is not possible. But as I said: if you think otherwise, feel free to prove me wrong.

2. Nor does it make sense, since long lives do not equate to bigger brains, and since you have no mechanism for heritability of any such traits.

Quote:

There is no proof to be found in the present or looking for bones in the ocean.

How convenient. You just claim it's possible, and then quickly tell us that there's no evidence to be found, no matter how hard a person looks.

Coragyps · 07-08-2007, 06:10 PM

Octopi can learn to open jars and remember how they do it. Not bad for a cephalopod....

Coragyps · 07-08-2007, 06:13 PM

Whoops! I'm not really a moderator up here - the subject matter had me seduced.

But drop the insults anyway.

deadman_932 · 07-08-2007, 06:15 PM

Y'know, bongster Elijah, I grew up in a pretty interesting area of Los Angeles, filled with drugs and lots of crime. Started using drugs very early on. At 13, I was going to concerts on acid. During these intervening years, I've seen a LOT of people that simply could not handle drugs. It has no salutory or beneficial effect at all on them and in fact, it has only negative effects. Negative effects like citing myths as "evidence" of actual increased age spans of ancient people...when all the available bioanth/archaeological/fossil/biological evidence says otherwise. Stuff like that.

When you get some actual evidence to support the myths you cite...let me know.

Elijah · 07-08-2007, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deadman_932

Y'know, bongster Elijah, I grew up in a pretty interesting area of Los Angeles, filled with drugs and lots of crime. Started using drugs very early on. At 13, I was going to concerts on acid. During these intervening years, I've seen a LOT of people that simply could not handle drugs. It has no salutory or beneficial effect at all on them and in fact, it has only negative effects. Negative effects like citing myths as "evidence" of actual increased age spans of ancient people...when all the available bioanth/archaeological/fossil/biological evidence says otherwise. Stuff like that.

When you get some actual evidence to support the myths you cite...let me know.

I was just trying to have a friendly conversation, but you want to lecture me like you know anything about me. I think you may have the impression that I am an adolescent but I am not. Save the advice for your kids.

deadman_932 · 07-08-2007, 06:35 PM

Quote:

you want to lecture me like you know anything about me. I think you may have the impression that I am an adolescent but I am not. Save the advice for your kids.

"Yo, you don't know me, man--you don't KNOW ME"

Your words typed here reflect who you are, in at least a minimal fashion, Elijah. Your "conversation" here wasn't exactly cordial, and if you look back at the thread, I was doing my best ( up to a point) to be nice. Admittedly, I have little patience with what I see as willful and repetitious ignorance, sorry. I will attempt to treat you with kid gloves in the future.
P.S.-- I'm not a parent.

Toto · 07-08-2007, 06:48 PM

Since this whole digression is not related to Biblical criticism, it has been split off and moved to S&S.

xaxxat · 07-08-2007, 07:36 PM

Quote:

The older you get the smarter you get bit? That's your problem?

What kind of smarts did those 1,000 yr. old people have?

:huh:

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07-08-2007, 06:08 PM	#72
Coragyps Veteran Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Snyder,Texas,USA Posts: 4,411	DROP THE INSULTS, FOLKS!! You all agreed to The Rules when you signed up. Address the arguments, please.[/mod hat]

07-08-2007, 06:10 PM	#74
Coragyps Veteran Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Snyder,Texas,USA Posts: 4,411	Octopi can learn to open jars and remember how they do it. Not bad for a cephalopod....

07-08-2007, 06:13 PM	#75
Coragyps Veteran Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Snyder,Texas,USA Posts: 4,411	Whoops! I'm not really a moderator up here - the subject matter had me seduced. But drop the insults anyway.

07-08-2007, 06:15 PM	#76
deadman_932 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Altadena, California Posts: 3,271	Y'know, bongster Elijah, I grew up in a pretty interesting area of Los Angeles, filled with drugs and lots of crime. Started using drugs very early on. At 13, I was going to concerts on acid. During these intervening years, I've seen a LOT of people that simply could not handle drugs. It has no salutory or beneficial effect at all on them and in fact, it has only negative effects. Negative effects like citing myths as "evidence" of actual increased age spans of ancient people...when all the available bioanth/archaeological/fossil/biological evidence says otherwise. Stuff like that. When you get some actual evidence to support the myths you cite...let me know.

07-08-2007, 06:48 PM	#79
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	Since this whole digression is not related to Biblical criticism, it has been split off and moved to S&S.

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