Just think of all the things we can be doing!

JackPedigo comments on Mar 31, 2020:

What happened to Agnostic? Seems like that's where we (I ) spend most of our time.

Fernapple replies on Apr 1, 2020:

I have noticed the big surge in activity. Good its helping to keep me down to my normal level of insanity.

"The demagogue is one who preaches doctrines he knows to be untrue to men he knows to be idiots.

Robecology comments on Mar 31, 2020:

I don't think Trump or most of the #religulous are bad people. I just feel they've been deluded by "alternative facts". Kellyane Conway might have been on to something when she said, in Trump's first few months (haven't seen her much lately) is that "we have alternative facts". "Alternative ...

Fernapple replies on Apr 1, 2020:

To a certain degree that is true. But it is also true that you get to reality and the true facts best, by working at it. By fact checking, by considering your sources, and by making the effort required to adjust your world view in the face of contradictory facts, even when doing so hurts. The problem with people who believe in false assumtions, is not always that they are stupid, or lack brain functions if you like, but that they are lazy. Though that laziness may not be entirely their fault either, since they are the victims of educational, commercial, religious and political systems, all of whom want to sell their products, and all of whom know that the best way to sell anything, is to appeal to our basic natural instincts, of which laziness and moral cowardliness, are two of the most powerful and widespread. "Buy our product and you don't need to worry or try. " Being the best sales pitch ever. In the case of the religious, political and commercial institutions that may be understandable, though certainly not forgivable. But it is a terrible thing without any mitigation that our education systems do not teach the true value of making the big effort, to all the population and to the highest degree, however great the mountains of opposition the other three may put in the way.

Einsteins blossomed. I cut a bouquet for linda to take to her office.....

RussRAB comments on Mar 31, 2020:

I very much like the yellow and orange together and the small blue flowers add a beautiful accent. What are the blue ones?

Fernapple replies on Apr 1, 2020:

I think that they are Scillia.

More wildflowers.

dede18 comments on Mar 31, 2020:

they're very pretty! brought Scilla to mind. The leaves, as well as the flowers, also bear great resemblance to Chlorogalum, a native in California so I went to google it, and both grow from a bulb. they are in the same family, that's why I found so many similarities. Order: Asparagales Family:...

Fernapple replies on Mar 31, 2020:

Lovely i may follow those leads.

"The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to ...

Marionville comments on Mar 31, 2020:

The law is a blunt instrument, and at times ....as we well know, it can be “an ass”, if it is not interpreted appropriately or proportionally.

Fernapple replies on Mar 31, 2020:

@Freedompath And few of the poor would even know how to rate a bedsheet.

More wildflowers.

Redheadedgammy comments on Mar 31, 2020:

It's a beautiful flower. I wonder if it would grow here in clay soil Texas???

Fernapple replies on Mar 31, 2020:

I think it likes a free draining soil but the Texas climate should be no problem, and it is not hard to build a raised bed.

More wildflowers.

RussRAB comments on Mar 31, 2020:

It's a pretty flower with lots of buds yet to open. It must be in bloom a long time. I'm wondering if the leaves are the dark green strap like leaves in the third photo. If so, the plant appears to resemble a Yucca as Cast1es said.

Fernapple replies on Mar 31, 2020:

Yes those are the leaves, although I do not think they are related to Yuccas. The leases are soft and spineless.

"The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to ...

Marionville comments on Mar 31, 2020:

The law is a blunt instrument, and at times ....as we well know, it can be “an ass”, if it is not interpreted appropriately or proportionally.

Fernapple replies on Mar 31, 2020:

Even where it does not need interpretation, few of the rich want to sleep under bridges.

"The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to ...

Marionville comments on Mar 31, 2020:

Cannot access the article.

Fernapple replies on Mar 31, 2020:

Sorry but it seems you are sorted out. Thanks be Cutiebeauty.

"The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to ...

Cutiebeauty comments on Mar 31, 2020:

But the rich don't beg or sleep under bridges... It's a law against the poor...

Fernapple replies on Mar 31, 2020:

You got it.

We should ALL be wearing masks if they are available and abundant. [medium.com]

Geoffrey51 comments on Mar 31, 2020:

So are mask wearers wearing them so they don’t catch it or in a more philanthropic sense in that they don’t pass it on.

Fernapple replies on Mar 31, 2020:

The two are not mutually exclusive, quite the oposite.

Would it be possible please to fix or improve the Bold and Italic features so they are easier to use...

Cutiebeauty comments on Mar 30, 2020:

I've had no *problems * with these **features **. Can you give an example?

Fernapple replies on Mar 31, 2020:

@Cutiebeauty Thanks, you learn somthing every **day** . *Probably shan't use it much though.*

Would it be possible please to fix or improve the Bold and Italic features so they are easier to use...

kmaz comments on Mar 31, 2020:

I guess while I'm at it, and indent option might also be good (this also would help delineate what is a quotation of something).

Fernapple replies on Mar 31, 2020:

"."

This is perhaps the most famous medical plant of all time, though everyone may not recognize it ...

RussRAB comments on Mar 30, 2020:

Very interesting. I watched a Harry Potter marathon over the weekend while staying inside due to this coronavirus. The scene with the Mandrake plants had the roots looking like babies that screamed very loud although no one went mad (perhaps because of the ear plugs). I had thought the plant and the...

Fernapple replies on Mar 30, 2020:

That's OK, I thought it was fun, I hope that nobody minds the little guessing game.

This is perhaps the most famous medical plant of all time, though everyone may not recognize it ...

freeofgod comments on Mar 30, 2020:

I know that plant. I used to grow them. Can't think of the name.

Fernapple replies on Mar 30, 2020:

Just click the link given and all will be clear, sorry but it seemed like a fun game to play, I do hope people take it in the spirit intended.

This is perhaps the most famous medical plant of all time, though everyone may not recognize it ...

Robecology comments on Mar 30, 2020:

Famous to you in the UK...but to most of us...I hadn't heard of it until now. I even googled "famous medicinal plants" first to see if any looked like what you showed...I found this https://www.healthline.com/health/most-powerful-medicinal-plants#chamomile

Fernapple replies on Mar 30, 2020:

Famous in myth and legend only perhaps. I do not think it is much used today. Just click the link given and all will be clear.

Unbelievable.

Surfpirate comments on Mar 30, 2020:

The same childlike behavior is found throughout these religious groups, even if they get sick and make others sick, they will chalk it up to god's strange and mysterious ways of punishing humanity. It's why religion has always been the enemy of science and logic.

Fernapple replies on Mar 30, 2020:

If you win, its gods help, and if you lose it gods instruction. Either way the brain washers win.

I photographed this plant while walking in the mountains of North Cyprus, it seemed to be quite ...

Allamanda comments on Mar 30, 2020:

Fascinating, the connections! I'd forgotten most of that since a childhood interest in herbalism.

Fernapple replies on Mar 30, 2020:

That's the great thing about plants and gardening, they connect you to nearly everything else in human culture, history and nature.

I thought this orders on spirituality

Geoffrey51 comments on Mar 30, 2020:

It sounds like New Age rhetoric from the 90’s

Fernapple replies on Mar 30, 2020:

Seventies.

From a friend: Henri du Pont So I thought I would throw up a little history lesson for everyone on ...

seenoevil9620 comments on Mar 29, 2020:

It's like night and day ....... One was ready and did a stand up job / the other has caused the situation to get way out of control and needs to PAY THE PRICE in November !!

Fernapple replies on Mar 30, 2020:

Unless it gives him an excuse to delay the election. ( That was one of Hitlers tricks.)

Villages, can you answer me please what it is about them, that makes them so appealing, especially ...

Coffeo comments on Mar 28, 2020:

These are very nice. I think no.4 would be improved with less foreground, though. :)

Fernapple replies on Mar 30, 2020:

@Coffeo Interesting, I don't do much on Facebook, so I don't bother to really keep up to date with it. I found a much nicer social media site that takes up most of the time available for that sort of thing. Wish that I could remember the name of it, ignostic.com, ognostic.com, ugnostic.com, something like that anyway.

As usual Shane Dowling makes some interesting observations.

anglophone comments on Mar 29, 2020:

My immune system is sufficiently strong as to represent risk to me. I do not wish it to be any stronger!

Fernapple replies on Mar 30, 2020:

That is very true, an over strong immune system could make the virus more dangerous. There is some evidence that when people infected with viruses die and when they spread the virus, it can be because of an overly strong reaction by a highly active immune system. Most of the symptoms are cause not directly by the virous but by the immune reaction to it. There is some evidence that people who say that they never get colds and flu are people with weak immune systems.

'We're keeping an eye on those holes you keep digging' - Your Neighbors.

dede18 comments on Mar 29, 2020:

all depends! he better ask himself whether he’s been naughty or nice :-) I can think of someone in the White House who’d make wonderful fertilizer, he’s so full of sh*t !

Fernapple replies on Mar 29, 2020:

Well, he is old, unfit, in denial about the risks and not socially isolated. So you never know you may get your wish. Now I think that would be called irony.

The Corona virus is NOT a nice little practice run for dealing with Climate Change.

FearlessFly comments on Mar 29, 2020:

Climate change does NOT happen so quickly as a pandemic.

Fernapple replies on Mar 29, 2020:

@FearlessFly No they are not, one and the same, but they do have at least two important features in common. Firstly. That, both are made far worse, and probably created by overpopulation. And secondly. That they can both,grow towards disaster exponentially, and since many people are quite without any understanding of exponential growth, either by instinct or by education, it is almost impossible to get a common understanding of the problems widespread through the community.

European women routinely go topless at the beach and elsewhere, just like guys.

Novelty comments on Mar 28, 2020:

I don’t understand the boob taboo, getting horny for a woman because of cup size is like getting excited over a guys 5:00pm shaving shadow. Like a guys butt indicates health vigor and overall strength I imagine the same can be said for guys looking at female butts, but boobs?! I’ll never ...

Fernapple replies on Mar 29, 2020:

Its more a social convention than real. People just like to live up to the stereotype.

"I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and...

brentan comments on Mar 28, 2020:

I think the problem is that the powers-that-be don't want to run an economy on educated citizens. So the society is constructed to have lots of ignorant people doing tough work for little remuneration. In the last few decades, they've done all they can to remove any form of expertise that would give...

Fernapple replies on Mar 29, 2020:

And the human buying machine for, cheap easy to produce shabby goods, that educated people would not want.

Villages, can you answer me please what it is about them, that makes them so appealing, especially ...

fishline79 comments on Mar 26, 2020:

Fernapple esp. Can't find the pix of Trenchon but this is my second home in Menorca, Spain. The town of Alaior.

Fernapple replies on Mar 29, 2020:

Wow! wonderful. I really like number tree.

Villages, can you answer me please what it is about them, that makes them so appealing, especially ...

Coffeo comments on Mar 28, 2020:

These are very nice. I think no.4 would be improved with less foreground, though. :)

Fernapple replies on Mar 29, 2020:

Yes, I must try that. I used to do Facebook , and they like you to use a square format, so I got stuck in the habit. But it does not seem to matter on this site.

The village garden club has managed the area around the village pump now on and off for several ...

Jolanta comments on Mar 28, 2020:

They still can manage it as long as only one person does it at a time

Fernapple replies on Mar 29, 2020:

Yes I am sure. But I think that the social interaction was a lot of the fun.

Trump is continuing his self centered vindictive actions.

Cutiebeauty comments on Mar 28, 2020:

Competition is supposed to lower prices... Sounds more like an auction... 😡

Fernapple replies on Mar 29, 2020:

That's competition between suppliers, not between buyers.

"Good memories are our second chance at happiness" - Elizabeth II

brentan comments on Mar 27, 2020:

I think she is right. It works for me, even though I have bad memories of stupid things I've done that make me cringe at times.

Fernapple replies on Mar 28, 2020:

@brentan Quite.

It is a mistake to speak of a bad choice in love, since, as soon as a choice exists, it can only be ...

Freedompath comments on Mar 27, 2020:

I must be loosing it...this one is not ‘coming in!’

Fernapple replies on Mar 28, 2020:

I think that he means that if you are truly in love, then there is only one choice.

"Good memories are our second chance at happiness" - Elizabeth II

callmedubious comments on Mar 27, 2020:

bad memories are an eternal curse. Me.

Fernapple replies on Mar 27, 2020:

@Marionville You are very lucky.

"Good memories are our second chance at happiness" - Elizabeth II

brentan comments on Mar 27, 2020:

I think she is right. It works for me, even though I have bad memories of stupid things I've done that make me cringe at times.

Fernapple replies on Mar 27, 2020:

Yes someone posted a question no here a few days ago asking, what was your most cringe worth moment. You have to pick JUST one !!!!!

"Good memories are our second chance at happiness" - Elizabeth II

callmedubious comments on Mar 27, 2020:

bad memories are an eternal curse. Me.

Fernapple replies on Mar 27, 2020:

@Marionville No.

I just received a big portion of my work for the summer.

Cast1es comments on Mar 26, 2020:

Don't wood chips attract termites ?

Fernapple replies on Mar 26, 2020:

And possibly Honey Fungus.

Villages, can you answer me please what it is about them, that makes them so appealing, especially ...

fishline79 comments on Mar 25, 2020:

They are removed in time.

Fernapple replies on Mar 26, 2020:

Great photos. Where is the second one plaese ?

Villages, can you answer me please what it is about them, that makes them so appealing, especially ...

Jnei comments on Mar 25, 2020:

I suspect a large part of their charm is that they've grown up organically, with buildings from different eras added wherever they'd fit. We humans are chaotic creatures; I think that appeals to most of us far more than the carefully-planned and orderly urban environment.

Fernapple replies on Mar 25, 2020:

Yes I agree with you, I think you hit the nail square on the head.

Villages, can you answer me please what it is about them, that makes them so appealing, especially ...

Robecology comments on Mar 25, 2020:

Whether we live in dense, crowded urban areas or areas far more remote and "country" than imaged...the idyllic settings of neatly groomed homes in village settings (as in your images) just gives many of us that "ahhhh" feeling. I think it's similar to being at the beach...time seems to slow ...

Fernapple replies on Mar 25, 2020:

Looks great. Bet it even looks good in a storm.

We really need to flatten this curve y’all, because if it spikes, there won’t be enough Darwin ...

Cutiebeauty comments on Mar 25, 2020:

What exactly is a Darwin award? I thought Darwin was intelligent!

Fernapple replies on Mar 25, 2020:

@Druvius Thank you. that is probably more accurate than my memory.

We really need to flatten this curve y’all, because if it spikes, there won’t be enough Darwin ...

Cutiebeauty comments on Mar 25, 2020:

What exactly is a Darwin award? I thought Darwin was intelligent!

Fernapple replies on Mar 25, 2020:

If you look at the picture, you will get the picture, as they say.

We really need to flatten this curve y’all, because if it spikes, there won’t be enough Darwin ...

Cutiebeauty comments on Mar 25, 2020:

What exactly is a Darwin award? I thought Darwin was intelligent!

Fernapple replies on Mar 25, 2020:

@Druvius One of my favourites was the man who, watered the plants in his hanging baskets on his twentieth story balcony, while standing on a wheeled serving trolley. Or. The estate agent who demonstrated the strength of the glass in the windows of high rise appartments by shoulder barging them. Unfortunatly one day the fitters had not got round to putting the glass in.

Well folks we’re officially in lockdown here in the U.

Athena comments on Mar 23, 2020:

I know there are some people here who refuse to "like" any comments that include profanity. Well... I find the behaviour of these little fuckers profane. Selfish fucking, cocksmoking bastards, all of them. Stay the fuck home! It's making those of us who give a shit about other people, have ...

Fernapple replies on Mar 24, 2020:

OK I will give you a like, not only because I agree, but also on principle.

"If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear" ...

JackPedigo comments on Mar 23, 2020:

Even if it is lies and BS like the religious are always doing??

Fernapple replies on Mar 24, 2020:

Generally the point of religion is to tell the gulible what they want to hear.

Haven't been on for awhile.

Apunzelle comments on Mar 22, 2020:

Where are you getting that statistic?

Fernapple replies on Mar 22, 2020:

That was my thought too.

Knowing all the science behind what makes a piano work will not make you a pianist.

Fernapple comments on Mar 20, 2020:

Yes but science is a spiritual practice, perhaps the most spiritual of all things.

Fernapple replies on Mar 22, 2020:

@skado Yes sorry about the conflict between passages. I meant science gives nothing material to the individual. For the spirituality of science, I can not recommend too highly that you read Ursula Goodenough, The Sacred Depths Of Nature. It is also the seminal work on Religious Naturalism itself, so a must read if your group is so named. Also, Flowering Earth, by Donald Culross Peatie, perhaps one of the most spiritual books I ever read, if you can still find it, it is old. Though the actual science is way out of date, but that does not matter.

Uplifting Stories Emerging From the Coronavirus Pandemic

Petter comments on Mar 21, 2020:

People are great. Unfortunately some of them metamorphosise into politicians, lawyers and estate agents! .... ..... not to mention evangelists, especially of the TV variety.

Fernapple replies on Mar 21, 2020:

You forgot evangelists.

What projects are you working on while shut-in?

PondartIncbendog comments on Mar 20, 2020:

I ain't doing shit! I'm gonna sit here in a fetal position until I can come out!

Fernapple replies on Mar 21, 2020:

@PondartIncbendog It is said that you can not catch it from stting on a dirty church pew either.

What projects are you working on while shut-in?

PondartIncbendog comments on Mar 20, 2020:

I ain't doing shit! I'm gonna sit here in a fetal position until I can come out!

Fernapple replies on Mar 21, 2020:

@PondartIncbendog Your friends neighbor dosn't go to church by any chance ?

What projects are you working on while shut-in?

PondartIncbendog comments on Mar 20, 2020:

I ain't doing shit! I'm gonna sit here in a fetal position until I can come out!

Fernapple replies on Mar 21, 2020:

Yes but the point is. Now that we have coronavirus, what are you doing that is different ?

Knowing all the science behind what makes a piano work will not make you a pianist.

Fernapple comments on Mar 20, 2020:

Yes but science is a spiritual practice, perhaps the most spiritual of all things.

Fernapple replies on Mar 20, 2020:

@skado Because science teaches us more than anything else that we can have no certainties, and that the universe was not made for our benefit. When you truly absorb those things into your spirirt and accept the humility which comes with that, then you begin to discover what is really important. And that nothing hones the spirit like disiplining the mind, which you do when you accept the work ethic which science teaches in that, the most valluable truths are those which have taken the greatest effort both of time, work and most of all accepting that truth is not the same thing as, I want. Many philosophies have taught that truth only comes to those who can abandon the, I want, quest. Yet there sits science as a quiet collective endevour, asking and giving nothing, only fired by the joy of finding what is there.

I have a theory about karma.

powder comments on Mar 20, 2020:

Like autism, there will be an arsehole spectrum. Where do you (and me) and your mates fall? And is it treatable?

Fernapple replies on Mar 20, 2020:

I think that we are near the BOTTOM end. LOL

To understand the risks associated with how the Coronavirus spreads, we need to understand the ...

AnneWimsey comments on Mar 19, 2020:

This is the true problem....do not get an illness or injury OF ANY KIND in the next few months!

Fernapple replies on Mar 19, 2020:

@AnneWimsey Thank you. No the doctor cancelled the next one, and now she has a painful swelling of the abdomen and a skin rash. But they say it is not life threatening. Just quality of life threatening of course.

Are there any fans of the Hitchslap in here ? [youtu.be]

JohnnyQB comments on Mar 18, 2020:

I don't get it, are there no Hitch fans here ?

Fernapple replies on Mar 19, 2020:

@JohnnyQB Although, thinking about it, it could be a matter of length. I posted a couple of video clips https://agnostic.com/post/472469/bill-gates-said-this-about-the-coronavirus-at-aconference-in-2014-was-published-in-youtube-in-2 just a day ago, and got very few coments/likes though I thought they were interesting and topical, but around ten to fifeteen mins long. Perhaps people just don't want to spend more than thirty seconds on a post.

To understand the risks associated with how the Coronavirus spreads, we need to understand the ...

AnneWimsey comments on Mar 19, 2020:

This is the true problem....do not get an illness or injury OF ANY KIND in the next few months!

Fernapple replies on Mar 19, 2020:

Its hard though on those who are already ill. My friend is 87 years old, and has a long term problems with both her kidney and lower intestine, which both involve regular visits to clinics. Without which she would find it hard to function, and would perhaps have to give up her home and move into care, putting another burden on the system, as well as losing her freedom.

Are there any fans of the Hitchslap in here ? [youtu.be]

JohnnyQB comments on Mar 18, 2020:

I don't get it, are there no Hitch fans here ?

Fernapple replies on Mar 18, 2020:

@JohnnyQB A lot of posts are not getting many comments these days, I wonder if the number of active members is falling badly. It could be that Hitch is not seen as PC by many, perhaps he is too hardline, which is sad, because even if you do not agree with him , surely you can still smile at the wit and humour.

As coronavirus fears shut schools, work-at-home parents are trying not to freak out.

Fernapple comments on Mar 17, 2020:

You will survive, mothers always do, no choice. Sorry but its tough love coming your way.

Fernapple replies on Mar 18, 2020:

@Gwendolyn2018 Yes I know, I keep telling myself that I should stop doing it on this site, since it is always getting me into trouble. But, its just a knee jerk reaction, I just have to do it. Lack of self control must be something to do with being a man.

As coronavirus fears shut schools, work-at-home parents are trying not to freak out.

Fernapple comments on Mar 17, 2020:

You will survive, mothers always do, no choice. Sorry but its tough love coming your way.

Fernapple replies on Mar 18, 2020:

@Gwendolyn2018 Yes the sexist remarks were intended as irony though.

Are there any fans of the Hitchslap in here ? [youtu.be]

JohnnyQB comments on Mar 18, 2020:

I don't get it, are there no Hitch fans here ?

Fernapple replies on Mar 18, 2020:

There's you and me it seems. Perhaps they are all being coy and PC.

I understand that the only requirement for being an atheist is not having a belief in any deity.

Omnedon comments on Mar 18, 2020:

One need not support every position of a political party in order to align with that party. Most Republicans and Democrats would probably find things they don't like in their own parties. So, no, it is not idiotic to be a Republican atheist. I say that as someone who is neither Republican nor ...

Fernapple replies on Mar 18, 2020:

Good answer, it was the answer I was about to give. So I will just add that, if political parties relied only on people who supported every policy they had, then the turn out in elections would be measured in fractions of one percent.

Rules of egg collecting: 1.

PondartIncbendog comments on Mar 18, 2020:

You can put eggs in your pocket. They just need to be scrambled first. No sunny side up eggs either. And if you walk around with a boiled egg in your pocket, you might get funny looks.

Fernapple replies on Mar 18, 2020:

Especially if its not your jacket pocket.

"I was gratified to be able to answer promptly, and I did.

Marionville comments on Mar 18, 2020:

Not enough people are willing to make that admission in my opinion.

Fernapple replies on Mar 18, 2020:

It is the whole basic difference between religion and secular thinking. The one is. "I am gifted with knowledge because of my special relationship with the all knowing." And the other is calling yourself a sceptic.

As coronavirus fears shut schools, work-at-home parents are trying not to freak out.

Fernapple comments on Mar 17, 2020:

You will survive, mothers always do, no choice. Sorry but its tough love coming your way.

Fernapple replies on Mar 18, 2020:

@Gwendolyn2018 Yes but men are much better at avoiding responsibility, which makes it easier, and I don't think that Literatehiker is a father anyway.

Do you think the Corono-virus will hurt or help religion?

Marionville comments on Mar 17, 2020:

Neither...I don’t think that there’s any evidence of past pandemics or natural disasters having had any influence in belief in god, either waning or being reaffirmed.

Fernapple replies on Mar 17, 2020:

@Marionville You never know we may get a sprint finish.

Do you think the Corono-virus will hurt or help religion?

Marionville comments on Mar 17, 2020:

Neither...I don’t think that there’s any evidence of past pandemics or natural disasters having had any influence in belief in god, either waning or being reaffirmed.

Fernapple replies on Mar 17, 2020:

@Marionville Yes but look how far we have come, at that pace. Two centuries ago an atheist/agnostic would have been put in prison to reform. Six centuries ago you would be burned. Ten you would be thought mad.

Do you think the Corono-virus will hurt or help religion?

Marionville comments on Mar 17, 2020:

Neither...I don’t think that there’s any evidence of past pandemics or natural disasters having had any influence in belief in god, either waning or being reaffirmed.

Fernapple replies on Mar 17, 2020:

@Petter, @Marionville People rarely change overnight, but each new blow knocks away a little confidence. Slowly tap, tap, tap over time.

Do you think the Corono-virus will hurt or help religion?

Marionville comments on Mar 17, 2020:

Neither...I don’t think that there’s any evidence of past pandemics or natural disasters having had any influence in belief in god, either waning or being reaffirmed.

Fernapple replies on Mar 17, 2020:

@Petter How can you have a science of disease, without disease ?

Do you think the Corono-virus will hurt or help religion?

Marionville comments on Mar 17, 2020:

Neither...I don’t think that there’s any evidence of past pandemics or natural disasters having had any influence in belief in god, either waning or being reaffirmed.

Fernapple replies on Mar 17, 2020:

@Marionville No and I don't think that they have much. But your comment did not include a time limit. It is however plain that the discovery of the biological origin of infectious disease , by people like Pasteur, did kick away one of religions best props during the nineteenth century.

Do you think the Corono-virus will hurt or help religion?

Marionville comments on Mar 17, 2020:

Neither...I don’t think that there’s any evidence of past pandemics or natural disasters having had any influence in belief in god, either waning or being reaffirmed.

Fernapple replies on Mar 17, 2020:

There is perhaps no solid evidence, because it is a subjective issue, but there is a strong concensus of opinion that the Black Death helped to undermine the medieval church, and kick started the renaissance. If only because deaths were higher among priests and monks who attended the sick, and that lowered the quality and number of clergy serving in the next generation. While the economic boom which followed, generated a much better educated secular class, with more economic power.

I want to say that I am an agnostic, and I don;t need/want anyone trying to tell me what I "really" ...

Gwendolyn2018 comments on Mar 16, 2020:

I will not advise you on what you should believe, but I will advise you to learn the "niceties" of writing such as spelling and grammar if you want people to read your long rambles. Not only will it make the epistles easier to read and understand, but it will give more credibility to what you are ...

Fernapple replies on Mar 16, 2020:

@Donotbelieve OK I agree with you. I was just trying to be kind to a relative newby.

I want to say that I am an agnostic, and I don;t need/want anyone trying to tell me what I "really" ...

Gwendolyn2018 comments on Mar 16, 2020:

I will not advise you on what you should believe, but I will advise you to learn the "niceties" of writing such as spelling and grammar if you want people to read your long rambles. Not only will it make the epistles easier to read and understand, but it will give more credibility to what you are ...

Fernapple replies on Mar 16, 2020:

Letting off 'steam' rarely earns you 'e-steem', but when the preasure builds up, sometimes you have to vent or pop.

I’ve just watched the latest BBC News programme and have heard and seen all the latest curfews and...

KKGator comments on Mar 15, 2020:

14 weeks, or 14 days? If it's really 14 weeks, that's pretty daunting. As far as the irony, I doubt many of them will see it. If they haven't caught on to their own cognitive dissonance already, they aren't likely to.

Fernapple replies on Mar 16, 2020:

@Marionville, @Triphid Oh even more than six months, it could hang arround for a couple of years in some corners of the world.

I’ve just watched the latest BBC News programme and have heard and seen all the latest curfews and...

KKGator comments on Mar 15, 2020:

14 weeks, or 14 days? If it's really 14 weeks, that's pretty daunting. As far as the irony, I doubt many of them will see it. If they haven't caught on to their own cognitive dissonance already, they aren't likely to.

Fernapple replies on Mar 16, 2020:

@Marionville Yes I agree.

I’ve just watched the latest BBC News programme and have heard and seen all the latest curfews and...

KKGator comments on Mar 15, 2020:

14 weeks, or 14 days? If it's really 14 weeks, that's pretty daunting. As far as the irony, I doubt many of them will see it. If they haven't caught on to their own cognitive dissonance already, they aren't likely to.

Fernapple replies on Mar 16, 2020:

@Triphid No, the 14 weeks is the time the outbreak is expected to last, not the self issolating period. It is just a coincidence that they both happen to be fourteen. However if the measures to combat the outbreak put in place by many governments work, then they will probably prolong the outbreak and it will last a lot longer than 14 weeks. And a low level of infection lasting longer, could in the end result in more people being infected, so that the measures being put in place by most governments, could make it worse in the long term. The only advantage being that the medical services will have less difficulty copping with the effects of a long slow outbreak.

I’ve just watched the latest BBC News programme and have heard and seen all the latest curfews and...

NoMagicCookie comments on Mar 15, 2020:

In the united states many colleges have officially closed for two weeks (LOL) - - I am rather sure it will be for the academic school year or longer. If this pandemic follows the 1918 pandemic trend, it may wane a bit during the summer months then crash harder in the fall. In a lab, airborn virus ...

Fernapple replies on Mar 16, 2020:

@itsmedammit The Uk government gave out the advice that, it has very short viablity in the open, less than 24 hours at most, but I do not know where that information originated from.

I’ve just watched the latest BBC News programme and have heard and seen all the latest curfews and...

GeorgeRocheleau comments on Mar 16, 2020:

Most irony is lost on the faithful.

Fernapple replies on Mar 16, 2020:

That is perhaps what makes them faithful in the first place.

People are panic buying all anti-bacterial gels rather than those with at least 60% alcohol in ...

Fernapple comments on Mar 15, 2020:

Very silly. Firstly the virus is nowhere near its peak yet, when you may need to stock up with things if you are to self isolate. And secondly, with regard to hand gels especially, common soap is actually more deadly to the virus anyway.

Fernapple replies on Mar 15, 2020:

@anglophone Yes me too. You don't need to switch it on when you need to refer to it, it can't crash, and it can't be damaged by hackers etc. A no brainer.

I've never understood why in the Genesis story God forbids Adam and Eve from eating of the tree of ...

abyers1970 comments on Mar 14, 2020:

Here’s the tricky part. Since God is all knowing he would know the future. He put the Tree there and told them not to eat. He knew they would eat and he would end up kicking them out of Eden. Why did he put the tree there in the first place knowing they would eat. Not only that why would he create...

Fernapple replies on Mar 14, 2020:

@Geoffrey51 Don't worry its not a personal attack on you. LOL

What's the difference between the Coronavirus and the Flu?

Marionville comments on Mar 12, 2020:

It is a different virus from the ‘flu virus although there are similarities in the symptoms. This is completely new and there are no vaccines as yet ready to use on the public as a prevention, unlike the ‘flu, although there are several countries which are developing a vaccine, it may be the ...

Fernapple replies on Mar 13, 2020:

@VeronikaAnnJ Not really possible to say, models are at this stage bound to be speculation, since as it is new, no one knows what it will do. It could just fade after a small early peak, and be nothing much, it could be a massive epidemic, or it could linger in the population after an early peak, occasionally breaking out here and there for a long time, like Aids or Ebola. The models used by the scientists are not much more than best guesses based on what epidemics are expected to do.

What's the difference between the Coronavirus and the Flu?

Marionville comments on Mar 12, 2020:

It is a different virus from the ‘flu virus although there are similarities in the symptoms. This is completely new and there are no vaccines as yet ready to use on the public as a prevention, unlike the ‘flu, although there are several countries which are developing a vaccine, it may be the ...

Fernapple replies on Mar 12, 2020:

Just what I was going to write.

Does anyone else use their own compost for their soil?

Allamanda comments on Mar 12, 2020:

does anyone who composts NOT use it for their soil? LOL. Ours is a horrible messy primitive pile.

Fernapple replies on Mar 12, 2020:

I think that it is a rhetorical question. LOL Though I am never sure on this site. LOL

Watching Orangeshitferbrains in the Oval Office eating his words about the virus being a ...

BitFlipper comments on Mar 12, 2020:

He's doing something he's never done before - reading verbatim a speech with some truth in it. Somebody must have convinced him that he needed to stop bullshitting for 19 minutes.

Fernapple replies on Mar 12, 2020:

@AnneWimsey And he is very unfit. You never know your luck.

Okay, I was talking with a friend yesterday.

Word comments on Mar 11, 2020:

Jesus style god is/was made in because of what was spoken. Spoken words with kinetic energy force of intellectual capabilities. Important to point out translation of origional greek Pnuema into spirit. The Hebrew word ruach is the word of old testiment. English word spirit often has a ...

Fernapple replies on Mar 12, 2020:

@Word OK thanks.

Science is based on experiment, on a willingness to challenge old dogma, on an openness to see the ...

TCorCM comments on Mar 11, 2020:

Science can fool people as much as religion.

Fernapple replies on Mar 12, 2020:

Anything can fool people, the big difference is that science is 'trying' not to.

Okay, I was talking with a friend yesterday.

Storm1752 comments on Mar 11, 2020:

Ancient Aliens on the History Channel is good. It sometimes gets wildly speculative, but for the most part it is factual and very convincing. Some people ignorantly mislabel the entire subject as "fake," but they obviously have never delved into it personally, and have no idea what they're talking ...

Fernapple replies on Mar 11, 2020:

Love the title 'reactionary none believer', thank you I think I will call myself that in future. Given that the greatest failing of human nature is an vivid imagination able to invent almost anything, combined with an almost total lack of critical thinking, then the ability to replace one form of BS with another is the main thing needed to be reacted against.

Okay, I was talking with a friend yesterday.

Word comments on Mar 11, 2020:

Jesus style god is/was made in because of what was spoken. Spoken words with kinetic energy force of intellectual capabilities. Important to point out translation of origional greek Pnuema into spirit. The Hebrew word ruach is the word of old testiment. English word spirit often has a ...

Fernapple replies on Mar 11, 2020:

Morning Fred, nice to hear from you again.

@Admin The menu showing likes to posts is still not there and photos are not uploading.

Petter comments on Mar 11, 2020:

Photos are uploading, but for over a month I have not had an option to see likes to posts, only those likes that apply to comments made on the posts.

Fernapple replies on Mar 11, 2020:

Seeing them fine on windows ten in the UK.

A childhood memory, from when I was 8:- [m.

Marionville comments on Mar 10, 2020:

It won’t be the first or the last....!

Fernapple replies on Mar 10, 2020:

@Petter Is not the best known one , Stranger In Paradise.

I have just come back from a spring hiking tour in Portugal, where spring seems already fully ...

FrayedBear comments on Mar 10, 2020:

Where and how far did you walk?

Fernapple replies on Mar 10, 2020:

@FrayedBear I mean the clouds make it dark in the day.

I have just come back from a spring hiking tour in Portugal, where spring seems already fully ...

FrayedBear comments on Mar 10, 2020:

Where and how far did you walk?

Fernapple replies on Mar 10, 2020:

@FrayedBear No not especially cold, but very wet and dark.

I have just come back from a spring hiking tour in Portugal, where spring seems already fully ...

FrayedBear comments on Mar 10, 2020:

Where and how far did you walk?

Fernapple replies on Mar 10, 2020:

All over the place, it was day walks with a car ride back to the digs, But highlights were, Monchique and the highest Algarve peak at Foia, Alcoutim and Guerrerios do Rio on the river Guadiana, and Querenca and the Fonte Benemola, plus a half day in Silves no walking.

Have you ever encountered someone like this?[youtu.be]

p-nullifidian comments on Feb 26, 2020:

I believe it's possible to separate mental health issues from religion--the two need not be inextricably linked. The woman's clearly been in the mental health 'system' before, as her terminology and threats would indicate. But did religion do this to her? Not likely. Unless there's a motherfucking ...

Fernapple replies on Feb 26, 2020:

True to a degree perhaps, and she is certainly more ill than indoctriated. But the human mind is a complex and intigrated system, and you can have underying mental problems, as most of us do, without them ever suffacing unless they are gven a trigger such as religion, while you do have to wonder if her church, whichever it is, is really offering here the help she needs, or if they are just happy to feed off her illness.

Oh no... Peanut butter disproves evolution... Checkmate. Lmao [youtu.be]

PondartIncbendog comments on Feb 26, 2020:

Incredible........The guy thinks we are peanut butter. IF he left the jar open, It would create life from bacteria. So, If I put him in a jar and closed it, all we have is a jar of crap.

Fernapple replies on Feb 26, 2020:

I am not sure if he does think that, it is all too carefully contrived for them not to have researched evolution well, at least to the point of seeing the obvious falacies of the argument. I strongly suspect that he knows it is untrue, but thinks he can fool enough idiots with it, to keep them putting money in his tin.

So what does success mean to you.

FearlessFly comments on Feb 25, 2020:

https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/7213675-to-laugh-often-and-much-to-win-the-respect-of

Fernapple replies on Feb 26, 2020:

That will more than do.

It is both amusing and jarring to see adults in online discussions threatening each other with ...

Fernapple comments on Feb 25, 2020:

Those who know they can't win the argument, reach for their weapons. Always was thus.

Fernapple replies on Feb 26, 2020:

@PondartIncbendog I know you have well hidden store of weapons, you just wrote that to throw the police of the scent.

A post by @Lorajay on her new promotion to the next level set me thinking.

Lorajay comments on Feb 24, 2020:

When I realized the point system even existed, I decided I did not want to be a point trawler. Later on I realized that my likes no longer got me points but I kept doing them anyway because they helped other people get points. That's why I ended up with so many extra points when the counter rolled ...

Fernapple replies on Feb 25, 2020:

@Petter That is in fact really interesting. Nice to know I am in the sane range. Though it has to be said that my score will be going down soon, since I work seasonally, and as the summer comes near I will have less time to spend on line until the next winter.

A post by @Lorajay on her new promotion to the next level set me thinking.

Lorajay comments on Feb 24, 2020:

When I realized the point system even existed, I decided I did not want to be a point trawler. Later on I realized that my likes no longer got me points but I kept doing them anyway because they helped other people get points. That's why I ended up with so many extra points when the counter rolled ...

Fernapple replies on Feb 25, 2020:

@Petter Yes I know that the same old serious stuff can get boring, hopefully I shall get a life one day soon, and wont need the web any more. But mine is 189 aprox. so yes it looks like I am a fairly sad case in need of treatment. LOL

A post by @Lorajay on her new promotion to the next level set me thinking.

Lorajay comments on Feb 24, 2020:

When I realized the point system even existed, I decided I did not want to be a point trawler. Later on I realized that my likes no longer got me points but I kept doing them anyway because they helped other people get points. That's why I ended up with so many extra points when the counter rolled ...

Fernapple replies on Feb 24, 2020:

You said it for me, shan't bother commenting.

Oh how I wish we had a tune like this for a national anthem here in the UK.

Marionville comments on Feb 24, 2020:

It’s not the official National Anthem..which is Our Land (or Maamme in Finnish), although many want it to be changed to this Sibelius Hymn. The official one was written by a German and is sung to the same tune as the Estonian national anthem, so you can understand why a large number prefer this,...

Fernapple replies on Feb 24, 2020:

@Marionville Yes but mighty does not have to mean Empire, it could mean might in arts, or science, for example.

Oh how I wish we had a tune like this for a national anthem here in the UK.

Marionville comments on Feb 24, 2020:

It’s not the official National Anthem..which is Our Land (or Maamme in Finnish), although many want it to be changed to this Sibelius Hymn. The official one was written by a German and is sung to the same tune as the Estonian national anthem, so you can understand why a large number prefer this,...

Fernapple replies on Feb 24, 2020:

@Marionville That's true, but it has to be Land Of Hope And Glory for England, can't have a song all about christian mythology.