Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Lord Asriel · 10-14-2002, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by seanie:
There's already one of 'em. She's 18 months olds and called Etta.

Why did you name your child after a terrorist organization? If she gets a brother, will you call him Ira?

Lord Asriel · 10-14-2002, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SirenSpeak:
Natural selection exists to keep the planet from overpopulating and running out of resources. Evolution is the idea that beneficial and healthful changes or habbits are awarded and detrimental attributes will leave you behind...

I'm with Seanie on this one. Just as rain does not exist to make the flowers grow, natural selection does not exist in order to control the population. It is a blind natural process without intention. It may have the effect of controlling the population, but that is not it's reason for existing. It has no such reason - it just happens.

At least that's my understanding of it.

Pseudonymph · 10-14-2002, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lord Asriel:


I'm with Seanie on this one. Just as rain does not exist to make the flowers grow, natural selection does not exist in order to control the population. It is a blind natural process without intention. It may have the effect of controlling the population, but that is not it's reason for existing. It has no such reason - it just happens.

Ok let me rephrase....It does not exist with a special intent, but it does SERVE a purpose. A very useful one. It is natural selection...selection by nature.

brighid · 10-14-2002, 05:52 AM

Quote:

And finally, vegetarians do tend to have higher IQs than meat eaters and you DO eat meat. You may draw your own conclusions.

Please, is it possible to have to a discussion about vegetarianism without people insulting one another??

As to your comment, vegetarianism has not been shown to be the CAUSATION for a higher IQ, and anyone who changes from an omnivorous diet to a strictly vegetarian diet as a moral stance later on in life (such as adulthood) would already have a firmly developed intellectual foundation.

A sort of tongue in cheek argument could be made that people who choose vegetarianism later in life could not have done so without the evolutionary brain development made possible through the eating of meat that provided the necessary foundation for the growth of the human brain.

So, ONE FINAL time (TO EVERYONE) - keep the discussion to the ethical/moral/health benefits of this argument and cease with the personal insults. It is NOT conducive to the discussion.

Brighid

brighid · 10-14-2002, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by seanie:
However in the course of this thread I as a meat-eater have been told I'm selfish, scared, hysterical, lacking empathy, destroying the environment and the economy, a reasonable target for self-righteous indignation, less informed, less honest, morally dubious, indulging in a mistaken illusion akin to theism, going to die sooner, and that I probably have a lower IQ.

Seanie -

Doesn't it just suck when someone makes sweeping generalizations about you when they don't even know you ... assuming you are an immoral, moron simply based on the fact that you eat meat?!

B

seanie · 10-14-2002, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lord Asriel:


Why did you name your child after a terrorist organization? If she gets a brother, will you call him Ira?

It'll be Etta, Ira, Flq, and little Shining Path.

seanie · 10-14-2002, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by brighid:


Seanie -

Doesn't it just suck when someone makes sweeping generalizations about you when they don't even know you ... assuming you are an immoral, moron simply based on the fact that you eat meat?!

B

Well it wouldn't bother me nearly so much if it was done with a little humour.

Lord Asriel · 10-14-2002, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by brighid:

Doesn't it just suck when someone makes sweeping generalizations about you

All sweeping generalizations are stupid. All of them.

seanie · 10-14-2002, 06:41 AM

Not all sweeping generalisations are stupid.

For example;

Dampening broom bristles before sweeping helps keep dust from flying around.

Pseudonymph · 10-14-2002, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by seanie:


Dampening broom bristles before sweeping helps keep dust from flying around.

I find this remark highly offensive and derrogatory to my people. I kindly submit that the moderators remove this comment...as it is hurting my head. Thank you...

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

10-14-2002, 06:41 AM	#99
seanie Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Edinburgh. Scotland Posts: 2,532	Not all sweeping generalisations are stupid. For example; Dampening broom bristles before sweeping helps keep dust from flying around.

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.