Flyingsaucesir's Profile

A question for someone out there with arcane knowledge: were oxen ever used extensively as draft ...

Flyingsaucesir comments on Aug 12, 2018:

Yes, I think so. An ox is just a castrated steer, a fairly common thing in small-farm-based economies. I seem to recall that many westward-trekking settlers used oxen to pull their wagons. And farmers used them to pull plows and do other heavy work.

Vegan Seafood Is About To Become Big Business--And Not A Moment Too Soon

Flyingsaucesir comments on Aug 11, 2018:

Ocean acidification may pose an even greater threat than over fishing. Over fishing generally impacts the species that are higher on the food chain. Ocean acidification threatens all marine organisms, especially those that secrete shell material: corals, coccolithophores (a type of phytoplankton), pteropods (planktonic mollusks) and foraminifera (a type of zooplankton). These organisms are all at or near the base of the marine food web, so the trophic structure is getting hit at both ends. Coral reefs not only provide food for parrot fish, but they also serve as habitat to many species and nurseries to many others. People tend to think of the oceans as a vast and inexhaustible resource, but it is actually much more fragile and vulnerable than people realize.

Who is your all time favorite comedy actor?

Flyingsaucesir comments on Aug 8, 2018:

Harpo Marx! ?

Why are men and women put under so much pressure to have kids in this society?

Flyingsaucesir comments on Aug 8, 2018:

As a little kid in the 60s I heard talk about the "population bomb," and I realized then that the world did not need me to have kids. Two hundred years ago it was necessary to produce farm hands to work the land and a large percentage could be expected to die young. Nowadays having kids is a luxury, not a necessity. In decades past I got not so much pressure as surprised reactions that I was opting to not have kids. It was as if the default setting on the white, educated, heterosexual, middle class, American male was always procreation. Now, with climate change nipping at our heels and civilization on the brink of agonizing change if not outright collapse, I think people look at my decision not to have kids in a different light. I certainly have no regrets.

What right does the atty general have to take on a job of increasing christian values within our ...

Flyingsaucesir comments on Aug 7, 2018:

None!

Evolution, religion, and why it’s not just about lack of scientific reasoning ability - On Biology

Flyingsaucesir comments on Aug 7, 2018:

I suspect that for most religious folk the main concern it to be aligned with the other members of their group. The details of the doctrine are of secondary importance. In other words, tribal affiliation over substance. And since they spend a lot of time together in the same bubble and there is confirmation bias they become very entrenched in their beliefs. The indoctrination process starts early in life and offers a catechism comprised of easy-to-remember stories and attractively easy answers to knotty questions. It all adds up to a mindset that is remarkably resistant to outside influences. And yet people leave the fold every day. Something clicks and suddenly logic and reason are more important than tribal affiliation. That is reason for hope. ?

Ahead of the Curve: A World without Cash? - TheHumanist.com

Flyingsaucesir comments on Aug 5, 2018:

The problem with electronic transactions is that corporations are constantly compiling information on you. I prefer to remain anonymous, and cash lets me do that. Plus, counting out bills makes you think twice about if you really want to buy something. Moreso than just swiping a card and scribbling your name. I don't remember the numbers, but studies have shown this to be a real thing.

There are a number of cosmology enthusiasts on Agnostic.

Flyingsaucesir comments on Aug 4, 2018:

I see young students wanting to go off on "what if" tangents all the time. I try to capitalize on these teachable moments by returning to the boundary conditions of the real world. It's not always simple or quick. Given the time limitation of a class period sometimes you just have to "That's a big 'if.'" Rarely is an invitation to discuss the subject further after class accepted, revealing the the true intent was often idle speculation, not genuine interest. Sigh.

Only Two-Thirds Of American Millennials Believe The Earth Is Round

Flyingsaucesir comments on Aug 4, 2018:

I wonder how many of those flat-Earth folks are really just trolling the world and having a laugh at our consternation. The generational difference is very interesting. It tells me that the rise of the internet and the proliferation of devices that can access it has had an effect opposite to what its inventors envisioned. Cyberspace is the wild west, and there is no sheriff in town. With no editorial process, the sheer volume of misinformation, propaganda, conspiracy theories, and lies of all kinds can overwhelm (bushwhack) the truth.

Ayn Rand has come up in conversations with conservatives lately.

Flyingsaucesir comments on Aug 4, 2018:

It's the over-simplification, I think, that makes Ayn Rand's thesis so attractive to neocon economic fundamentalists. Like religious fundamentalists, they look for easy answers to difficult and complex questions. They both buy in to a mythology with a simple narrative based on false premises because it is easier than learning how the world really works.

My mother wants to take my daughter to church every sunday.

Flyingsaucesir comments on Aug 4, 2018:

Some people never buy in to superstition, no matter how young they are when the indoctrination efforts begin. You could help insure that your daughter is inoculated against the religion pathogen by countering ever Sunday school lesson with a lesson on science. Take her to the natural history museum and show her the Dinosaur skeletons. Point out the inconsistencies in the religious stories. Teach her that people invent lots of fiction, tell lots of untruths, and participate in mass delusion. It will only make her stronger.

Which building is in front of the other?

Flyingsaucesir comments on Aug 4, 2018:

The one on the left is in front of the one on the right. It's only the upper floors that give it away.

Interested in your thoughts on two different topics: 1) Karma 2) Soul-mates

Flyingsaucesir comments on Aug 3, 2018:

Karma: the unsubstantiated belief that ones actions affect the physical form they will have next time they are reincarnated. It's just superstition, but what goes around does seem to come around. (We certainly hope this is true with respect to the current occupant of the Oval Office.) Soul mate: someone who will watch your favorite shows with you, read the similar books and articles and discuss them at length with you, lie down when you lie down, get up when you get up, play darts with you using a picture of the President's orange mug for a target.

What causes people to reject the fact of evolution?

Flyingsaucesir comments on Aug 2, 2018:

In other words people believe what they want to believe, or what their tribe believes. Logic and reason have not much to do with it. I know that is true for a lot of people. However, I would like to know more about this study? How big was the pool of respondents? What were the actual questions that were asked? What were the final numbers? Where were the participants located? If they were mostly in Utah that would probably skew the results.

I wanted to share an update on my "Romantic Situation" here at agnostic since it is This Site that ...

Flyingsaucesir comments on Aug 2, 2018:

Good luck and much happiness to both of you! ?

What's the last book you read that you really enjoyed? I just finished "Dear Hamilton", loved it.

Flyingsaucesir comments on Aug 2, 2018:

Del Amor y Otros Demonios, by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

Jeff Sessions announces new religious liberty task force to combat “dangerous” secularism - Vox

Flyingsaucesir comments on Aug 1, 2018:

This regime is illegitimate and un-American. Sessions is a fascist and his boss is a traitor. Most people understand this. I think they are going to take quite a shellacking in the next election.

So you don't believe in God, eh? What's this then?

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 31, 2018:

That's clouds, man. Collections of tiny water droplets in the atmosphere. The holes in the clouds are areas where the conditions of temperature and humidity do not support the presence of water in the liquid phase. They are caused by movement of air from different levels in the atmosphere punching through the cloud layer. It's a perfectly natural phenomenon. No divine intervention required. ?

Just a comment.

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 31, 2018:

Roger dat! (I assume you are talking about Trumputin.)

Can men and women just be friends?

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 31, 2018:

Sure, men and women can just be friends. All they need is one or more common interests and mutual respect.

When dating, what was the most shallow/ worst thing that made you stop dating someone?

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 31, 2018:

Girl tried to get me to accept Jesus as my saviour.

I'm just so pleasant ... unless ....

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 31, 2018:

This describes me perfectly. Except for the bra part.

I got dressed up for THIS?

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 31, 2018:

You couldn't tell from his profile and/or texts that he was a dickwad?

Think about this now. How long do you think you could go without judging someone?

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 31, 2018:

About 20 minutes. That's about the frequency with which the President attacks the free press, commits an act of treason, rolls back a regulation meant to protect the environment, gives a tax break to the rich, disrespects our allies, sucks up to a dictator, tells a lie, encourages the KKK, disrespects women, tells another lie, makes it harder for people to get health insurance, tweets something stupid, tells another lie,...

If this isn't my future, then I want a divorce already.

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 31, 2018:

So let me get this straight: you want to be a cartoonist?

Anyone remember having something like this?

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 31, 2018:

Even though I'm on the National Do Not Call Registry, I still get half a dozen calls from unknown numbers every day. My phone is on "silent" so I don't answer but it's still a PITA to have to delete them. Very seldom do I actually talk on the phone. It's mostly text messages nowadays.

This is what greeted me when I came home today. They always take my breath away.

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 30, 2018:

Great blue heron! Yay! ?

Here's my struggle I am trying to figure out.

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 29, 2018:

Why would you want to fill up their heads with BS? Nature is indinitely variable and fascinating. Belief in things supernatural is like putting on a blindfold. You can't see nature if you are focussed on something beyond nature that does not even exist.

I'm 29, living in Texas where most, if not all of my peers have had children.

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 29, 2018:

Too many people take having children too lightly. The world would be a much better (and less crowded) place if more people followed your example. At 7.5 billion we are, by some estimates, beyond the long-term carrying capacity by factor of five. In population dynamics, what goes up must come down. Throw climate change into the equation and the probability of a crash is magnified a hundredfold.

Having a discussion on another social site about the bible.

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 29, 2018:

The Genesis story contrasts sharply with what science says about how the Earth, sun, and moon were formed. Likewise the origin of species. The science is summarised nicely in a film series titled "Origins." I believe Niel De Gras Tyson narrated it. Also there is the Tyson remake of Carl Sagan's "Cosmos." And of course there is the original, with Sagan himself. And there are innumerable books on the subject. Any good high school or college general biology textbook will have three or four chapters dedicated to Darwinian evolution, as well as numerous references to evolution sprinkled throughout the rest of the chapters. (Darwin's theory pops up so often because it essentially explains and unifies the whole science.) It should be fairly easy for you to refute the assertion that science "proves the Bible right."

I am curious of people's thoughts of science here. Are you confident in science?

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 29, 2018:

There is only one science but it has many branches: biology, chemistry, physics, geology, etc. Science is both a process for investigating nature and all the knowledge that has accumulated through the exercise of that process over the last 400-odd years. We have a lot of confidence in the validity of the information that has been gathered because the process requires that it all be supported by independently-verifiable evidence, and both the process and its products are constantly subjected to peer review. The process has a built-in self-correction mechanism. Mistakes are made, but rarely do they go very long without being detected and set right. Science is not ideological, nor are its conclusions based on personal desire, caprice, or religious dogma. Belief is right out. Wars are fought over political ideologies and religious dogmas, but no war has ever been fought over scientific findings. The reason for the difference is that religious believers have only ancient texts in which many wild, half-baked, ambiguous and conflicting claims are made. Since the ancient texts are up for interpretation, and there is no way to substantiate any particular opinion, religious believers have no final arbiter that can peacefully settle disputes. Hence the long and bloody history of religious warfare. Meanwhile science, like the ugly duckling that grew into a beautiful swann, serenely glides on down the lake.

What's your answer to "what if you die and God is real?

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 28, 2018:

That's a really big what if with a really, really small chance of being realized. Really! ?

When I downloaded this app about a couple of weeks ago I definitely categorized myself as agnostic ...

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 28, 2018:

Ha ha ha! I think you have been hanging out with the right people lately!

Does the bible unwittingly promote Atheism?

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 26, 2018:

The "good book" is full of outrageous assertions, conflicting narratives, and backward mores. It is obviously the product of many writers, editors, and translators of dubious qualifications and/or twisted political agendas. One would think that any omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent god worth his/her salt would at least be able to assemble a competent public relations staff. Or at least farm the work out to a good Madison Avenue agency. But apparently not in this case. The inconsistencies are enough to test the faith of a saint.

If you choose to leave the United States, what country would you prefer to live in next?

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 26, 2018:

It would probably be one of the progressive, socialist Nordic countries.

Greek Orthodox Leader Blames Atheist Prime Minister for Deadly Wildfires – Friendly Atheist

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 26, 2018:

What moron gave the imbecile the idiot microphone?

That was then. This is now. The Law of Unintended Consequences.

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 25, 2018:

But if we don't invest in our infrastructure we most assuredly will not move forward. And if we keep on burning fossil fuels mother nature will spank us hard. So why not kill two birds with one stone and invest in green infrastructure? Seems like a win-win to me.

That was then. This is now. The Law of Unintended Consequences.

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 25, 2018:

But if we don't invest in our infrastructure we most assuredly will not move forward. And if we keep on burning fossil fuels mother nature will spank us hard. So why not kill two birds with one stone and invest in green infrastructure? Seems like a win-win to me.

GOP Candidate Claims the Founding Fathers Put “One Nation Under God” in the Pledge – Friendly ...

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 25, 2018:

They will never stop until they have their theocracy. And the the real trouble will begin.

What is your first memory?

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 25, 2018:

I don't know if it is my first memory, but I remember my mother crying when JFK was assassinated. We had a little black-and-white TV on and everybody was talking about the news. My Dad was there too but I don't remember him crying. He was just sad. I was about two and a half years old.

I left my abuser over two months ago but I am still struggling and very unhappy.

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 25, 2018:

Be strong. Be patient. You will be alright.

What does it mean when I see "hovered" next to a visitor's name in my alerts?

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 24, 2018:

It means they put the mouse pointer over your picture but did not click.

Advice for a teacher who is teaching ESL high school students who speak Spanish.

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 24, 2018:

You should not need to speak Spanish. Just speak slowly, enunciate well, and support your talk with visual aids (maps, diagrams, pictures, realia, etc.). Make sure the students recognise cognates when they see them. You might not know them yourself so find a list and learn some Spanish. Comprehensible input is key. See the work of Stephen Krashen.

Going to Olympic National Park in a few weeks. Any hiking / biking suggestions for family?

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 24, 2018:

Be prepared for rain.

Finish this sentence: Everyone who knows me, knows I love _______.

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 23, 2018:

...teaching evolutionary biology to evangelical Christians. ?

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert: Trump On Russia's Election Meddling: 'We're All To Blame' ...

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 22, 2018:

?? Stephen Colbert!! ?

Study this carefully:

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 22, 2018:

It would be better to say "apes" instead of monkeys. Humans are on direct line of descent with apes. Monkeys are a branch of the family with whom we share a common ancestor, but that ancestor was not a monkey. She was an ape.

[heavy.

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 22, 2018:

Yup, the Russians are operating on many fronts. For instance, they have been waging a media campaign in mexico to promote a positive image of things Russian. (I see this because I sometimes tune in to Mexican TV beamed out of Tijuana).

I believe that a liar is a coward, has something to hide and is willing to deceive.

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 22, 2018:

You just described the POTUS.

This makes me a little nauseous.

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 22, 2018:

The media companies, advertising agencies, and their corporate sponsors are all in it for the money and are not at all above pandering to the religious demographic.

Anybody know the laws on teaching creationism in Australian schools?

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 22, 2018:

Well done mate! ? No need to fill up her head with nonsense.

When you live in the Bible belt, the pressure to conform is everywhere.

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 22, 2018:

I simply will not do business with any outfit that overtly promotes a religion.

Finally got a job after being unemployed for 2.

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 21, 2018:

Congratulations and keep up the good work! ?

Trump wants suspensions for NFL players who kneel during anthem

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 21, 2018:

I'm not really a big football fan but I'm with the players on this one.

The irony: :-)

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 21, 2018:

What third fit type would you put?

When I hear 45 speak ....

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 21, 2018:

The good news: this means you're normal. ?

Whatcha doing this weekend? Any big plans?

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 21, 2018:

Sailing today, mountain bike riding tomorrow. Yay!!!?

What is the oddest food you've ever eaten? Would you eat it again?

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 21, 2018:

I ate an bovine eyeball once. Yech! ?

Quotes: "Collective commitment to the absurd is the greatest demonstration of group love that ...

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 21, 2018:

America has always been a cradle for cults: 7th Day Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Branch Davidians, all apocalyptic. Blue Oyster, rock and roll. And now Orange Peckerwood, a celebration of ignorance and bigotry.

Rick Wiles: Rachel Maddow Sent the Signal for Liberals to Decapitate the Trumps – Friendly Atheist

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 19, 2018:

Another day in paradise: wacko Christian goes on hair-raising fund-raiser.

I think the astonishing news about Tump we began hearing (on MSNBC) at 10 PM EDT on July 18 will be ...

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 19, 2018:

We better hope not. Even if we win back the Senate in 2018 ( which is unlikely) impeachment would come with a steep political cost for Democrats. We would lose in 2020 and the Pence would pardon him and we would have accomplished nothing.

Poll finds 70 percent of Republicans approve of Trump’s handling of Russia, even after Helsinki.

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 18, 2018:

70% of Republicans is only 35% of the electorate. Wonder how they are able to control the three branches of government? They're organized! Dems better get organized too.

How often do you watch the news?

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 18, 2018:

BBC World Report, PBS Newshour, Rachel Maddow, Oh yeah!

How can we as a nation accuse Russia, China and numerous other countries of being an aggresser?

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 18, 2018:

I don't know if I can help, but I'll give it a try. Our country was recently saddled with a President who is a real asshole. He's a liar and a cheat and an ignoramus and a racist and a despoiler of the natural environment and......ah, you get the idea. And he didn't even win the popular vote. Not only did he not win a majority, he was significantly helped by a hostile foreign power, one to which this usurper-in-chief unabashedly sucks up to and in fact favors over his own government. We are really, really pissed off by all this. We want him to answer for his crimes. Holding our officials accountable is something we have always aspired to. Also, we are not ready to cede control of our elections (and by extension, our country) to a foreign dictator. Especially not a son of a bitch like Putin. So it's on and we are going to get to the bottom of this thing.

Who thinks Pence is worse than Trump?

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 17, 2018:

We better not ever have to find out!

If you haven't figured out that we have a treasonous traitor in the white house you should by now.

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 17, 2018:

Yup, the picture comes into focus.

Why I hate Trump (and the people who put him there) from a Brit.

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 17, 2018:

Sorry amigo, we are working on the problem but it will take some time. With any luck we will clip his (right) wing this November, and then usher him to the door in 2020. In the meantime, hang in there! ?

WTF?

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 17, 2018:

They choose tissue over children. ?

I’ve met some dickheads in my time but wow, says Queen

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 17, 2018:

The Queen may have thought along those lines, but she never uttered those words. She does not need to resort to such a low level of discourse. Sorry folks, but this one is fake news.

Ritual Cannibalism.

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 17, 2018:

Ritual cannibalism has a long and storied history in human culture. Joseph Campbell discussed it in his books and lectures.

Did Putin turn Trump into his puppet? - Vox

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 17, 2018:

I think Mr. Fishman leaves out a major point: Putin is all about staying in power and making money. He and the other oligarchs have robbed their country blind. And the best way for them to get away with their crimes is for Vlad to continue as Czar. Most of Putin's moves have been for domestic consumption, to keep a critical mass of support at home. Of course they would like to get sanctions lifted, but they didn't really have to incur them in the first place. Annexing Crimea was not mandatory; it was as much a political move as a military one. It was mostly theater for the home base. Russians had seen the republic crumble and the economy go to shit as the oligarchs enriched themselves. They wanted a win, and Putin gave them one.

Betsy Devos is Financially Connected to Bethany Christian Services - Housing 81 Immigrant Children

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 17, 2018:

One more reason to vote in November. This presidency is such a train wreck! It's so over-the-top it's surreal.

Who's The Best President of Your Lifetime?

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 17, 2018:

Before I saw the graph I was thinking Obama. Johnson got the Civil Rights legislation passed, but he mishandled Vietnam. Clinton enjoyed unparalleled economic growth but also removed the last of the Glass-Steegall protections for the economy (it was already Swiss cheese by then) which set us up for the crash of '08. And the Lewinsky affair just made the presidency look tawdry. Obama did all the right things, and would have done much more if he had not been hamstrung for six years by an intransigent, backward, and venomous Republican Congress. Even so, Obama was a representative the country could be proud of.

Clinton was impeached for his lie regarding a blowjob.

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 17, 2018:

If we try to impeach him now there would be a backlash and we would lose the 2020 election. That's if we were successful, and the Senate voted to convict. Right now we don't even have the votes for that. And if we were to take the Senate in 2018 and then successfully impeach, we would end up with President Pence issuing a pardon, and Trump goes scott free. Better to bide our time, run against Trump in 2020, and see him convicted for his crimes after he leaves office. With a Democrat President, Trump gets no pardon and he actually finally pays his dues.

From Dan Rather: I will not minimize the gravity of what happened today.

Flyingsaucesir comments on Jul 17, 2018:

Mr. Rather correctly points out that a shift is occurring, and the best way to see it through is at the ballot box. Terms like "treason and conspiracy and impeachment and blackmail" are now in the mainstream. Two of those terms describe Trump behaviors. One is a possible motivation for those behaviors. And the fourth term is a possible remedy. But Mr. Rather very astutely does not advise use of that remedy. I think he knows that impeachment, while warranted, would cause a political backlash that could cost us the 2020 election. And aside from a sense of satisfaction all we would really get for our trouble would be a President Pence (YUCK!), who would in all likelihood just turn around and issue a pardon. And that is assuming the Senate were to vote to convict, which is far from certain. So our best course is to take the House in 2018, and the Presidency and Senate in 2020. Trump can then be prosecuted for his crimes when he is out of office.

James Comey on Twitter: "This was the day an American president stood on foreign soil next to a ...