21

General Science / Re: When Descartes said "I think, therefore I am", was he right?

« on: 18/07/2016 04:56:28 »

It's pretty obvious that whilst thought may be a property of some things that exist, it isn't essential to all things that exist, so it is a cosmically and philosophically trivial attribute and "ergo" is not justified.

But it "isn't essential to all things that exist" is also wrong. To be to real or to exist is to necessarily be observed by something. GOD ??  by something. This is not trivial.

22

General Science / Re: Insulating window glass with aluminium foil

« on: 18/07/2016 04:39:15 »

The sun protection needs to be on the outside of the window. Otherwise, the glass will heat greatly and radiate heat into the room.  An aluminum foil will not trap enough heat. It will also pick up hear and radiate it into the room if on the inside.

23

Just Chat! / Re: Punning is hard(ly) work! Is groaning aloud here?

« on: 18/07/2016 04:14:13 »

Then you are app to close the app?

24

Just Chat! / An apology - BUT...

« on: 17/07/2016 04:40:48 »

As an American, I feel a bit chagrined that we, as a people, have avoided a fate that has befallen the British populous. Our deepest condolences and sympathies.

I speak of the regrettable circumstance that you have been given the johnson -  Boris Johnson. We Americans are mainly unaware that B.J. - those ARE his initials) Boris - is originally a New Yorker. I know, I know, his parents are British citizens. But we US citizens are mostly unaware of this "unfortunate" circumstances. He is a US citizen by birth. (All innuendo is pure coincidence.)

My deepest condolences?

P.S. Our condolences and regrets DO NOT mean we will take him back under ANY conditions. He's your problem now, you  denizens of the British Isles and the three Crown dependencies.

25

Marine Science / Re: How do corals grow in such orderly shapes?

« on: 16/07/2016 03:37:53 »

"They would be amorphous if not for the underlying crystals."

As well as what I said.

26

Marine Science / Re: How do chorals grow in such orderly shapes?

« on: 15/07/2016 04:17:21 »

Chris, chorals are formed by people interested in corale music. Corals order themselves because they are made so they can, They are made by the crystals of the chemical, calcium carbonate.  They would be amorphous if not for the underlying crystals.

27

Just Chat! / Ack! The sky is falling!

« on: 15/07/2016 03:44:10 »

OK.  Is Boris Johnson a real person? He seems to be a clown with a blond wig.

28

That CAN'T be true! / Re: There is a man doing trying to perform Head Transplants

« on: 10/07/2016 04:26:21 »

Vladimir Demikhov - The Two-Headed Dog Guy

But, there were many more mad scientists: E.G. -

Nikola Tesla - The renowned inventor believed that he had been in contact with extra-terrestrials, and he also managed to fall head over heels in love with a pigeon – from which he believed his feelings were reciprocated.

Francis Crick - the renowned inventor believed that he had been in contact with extra-terrestrials, and he also managed to fall head over heels in love with a pigeon – from which he believed his feelings were reciprocated.

for more insane scientist

29

Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology / Re: Could pyramids have been terraformed?

« on: 10/07/2016 03:08:14 »

Topic Locked by JimBob

30

Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology / Re: Does removing large quantities of fossil fuels affect the earth?

« on: 10/07/2016 03:04:44 »

The answer is YES, the answer is NO

Fossil fuels cause serious problems in the atmosphere that affect all of us.

Withdrawing fossil fuels does not significantly cause affects to the earth.

31

Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology / Re: Could pyramids have been terraformed?

« on: 09/07/2016 05:26:08 »

".... we overthink the reasons of their exsistence." part of question

my opinion - very correct assumption

pyramid mumbo jumbo

Agreed - its just another "The Mummy Rises" movie for the masses to be entertained by.

No scientific "proof" has been offered to date. Please provide this scientific proof or ....
    this is your last chance

32

General Science / Re: Is introspection a reliable scientific method?

« on: 09/07/2016 05:15:27 »

Is it possible to enhance pharmacological introspection by using THC to increase conscious access to subjective experiences?

Yes. The downside is that using a chemical "crutch" to experience the subjective experience makes the ability to experience naturally occuring subjective experiences much more difficult.
The mind can learn to enter enhanced states without chemicals.

That is what eastern religions and meditation is all about.

33

Complementary Medicine / Re: What vitamins are needed during drug and alcohol withdrawal?

« on: 09/07/2016 03:54:07 »

See a doctor if at all possible and the subject is willing. Delirium tremens (the shakes) are very dangerous. Most often a person will refuse medical attention at first.  Be prepared to sit with a person wanting to withdraw so have the needed aids before beginning.

If nothing else use orange juice -as much as can be tolerated. And also get as much sugar into the patient as possible. Getting sober for a real, wet, alcoholic is very physically taxing. Carbs are needed.  inostol is found in orange juice - don't pay for pills and not many convenience stores carry it when it is most needed: when a person calls A.A. for help at 11 PM and he or she is beginning withdrawals. If they begin DTs after getting Inostol, call and ambulance. DTs are deadly. Take no chances. A.A. is the best resource I know of. At some point, even in in-patient treatment, the alcoholic will need the help of others like them.

When I first got sober in 1976 treatment programs were few and far between. Very few people could get in and fewer could afford them. Insurance would not pay for them. This means to get the help of someone who has become sober themselves.

For some good additional info see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delirium_tremens and get some assistance from the local group of Alcoholics Anonymous 

34

Science Experiments / Re: Can a scientist research on himself?

« on: 06/07/2016 04:38:28 »

from a philosophical point of view, a scientist MUST research on themselves. R ember the Greeks? Socrates admonishes us with these:

The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.

I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing.

True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us.

and last but not least:

The unexamined life is not worth living.

And finally (off topic):
By all means, marry. If you get a good wife, you'll become happy; if you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.

35

General Science / Re: Is introspection a reliable scientific method?

« on: 05/07/2016 21:41:40 »

My original post was somehow deleted.

I am for "YES"

To be scientifically objective, a scientist must have a completely open mind, especially if his belief system is inimical to the question.

I then suggested a position held by Alexander Pope in "Essay on Man"

"Know then thyself
Presume not God to scan
The proper study of mankind is man."

36

That CAN'T be true! / Re: An interesting artical about Anti Psychiatry

« on: 05/07/2016 20:54:38 »

I am locking this topic. It has gone completely off-subject. Personal insults will not be tolerated. Both of you have gone too far,

JimBob

37

Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology / Re: Could pyramids have been terraformed?

« on: 05/07/2016 19:05:53 »

"However, they can induce neural or brain energy."

Please provide a skeptical person such as myself a creditable source from a main stream scientific explanation for this claim. I have never seen one. At present, all I have seen are unsubstantiated claims. That goes for anything that claims pyramids are anything more than mortuary memorials.

38

Just Chat! / Re: Please comment on my near death episode, due to total AV heart block in 2011?

« on: 05/07/2016 04:51:04 »

It is not a figment of imagination nor is Alan "crazy" or damaged (brain death.) Hundreds of thousands of people alive today, millions in history, have had similar experiences. These can also be produced through meditation.

SEE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmic_Consciousness

The book is over 125 years old and i still in print. Why would this be if not for an astounding interest  for the subject? Or a whole lot of people experiencing i, including myself.

I'm not by any means crazy and put my faith in Shakespeare:  "There is more under heaven and earth than is dreamed of in our Philosophy, Horatio."  - aprox quote.

39

Just Chat! / Re: Are the Naked Scientists actually naked during their podcasts?

« on: 05/07/2016 04:17:10 »

Of Course! If not, what is the meaning o the forum? Do we all Lie here?


Etc.::: Other moderators = Please don't delete this or other post where someone else tries a bit of humor here.

40

Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology / Re: Could pyramids have been terraformed?

« on: 05/07/2016 04:02:29 »

Pyramid Power is not a physical science - it is pseudoscience