1

Just Chat! / Why Does Latin Need A Vocative?

« on: 01/06/2023 05:11:30 »

The vocative case in Latin is the noun of direct address. Why does it need it?

According to Shakespeare, Julius Caesar's last words were Et tu, Brute? meaning "Even you Brutus?". Brutus is in the vocative case. But I just said it without using it. And you understood what I meant.

So why did the ancient Latins think they needed this special case?

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Complementary Medicine / The Benefits of Air Baths...

« on: 25/05/2023 08:36:07 »

Are there any real benefits to "air baths"? Benjamin Franklin reportedly used to take them. He basically just sat around the house naked for a couple of hours. I assume he put a rob on if he had any guests. But is there any real medical benefit? Nudists are welcome to this discussion.

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Just Chat! / The Linguistic Status Of 'Thrice'?

« on: 18/05/2023 09:19:48 »

What exactly is the linguistic status of the word "thrice" now? Words are acceptable. Then they become archaic. Then they are obsolete. It's obviously not obsolete yet. But is it archaic?

In the US, where I live, it's used more in an ironic or humorous sense. People rarely use it otherwise. What's it like in other English-speaking countries? Because I would argue it is archaic. But Webster's New World Dictionary claims it is not yet.

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That CAN'T be true! / Spring-Heeled Jack.

« on: 11/05/2023 06:16:11 »

I think I've chosen the right forum for this. Who was Spring-Heeled Jack? Spring-Heeled Jack was a fantom that terrorized England from 1837 to 1904. The circumstances surrounding his appearances are interesting. Here is the Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring-heeled_Jack

So what exactly was he/she/it? There must be some rational explanation for him. What was it?

5

Just Chat! / The Detroit River Is Actually A Straight.

« on: 11/05/2023 06:10:08 »

It's really interesting. I live in Detroit. But the Detroit River is actually a straight. The word Detroit is actually a name that comes from the French word detroit meaning "strait". The flag or pendant of Detroit represents the three regimes that once ruled Detroit. The French, the British, the United States, and then the United States once again. The upper right quarter contains three couchant lions, representing Great Britain, which controlled the fort from 1760 to 1796.

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Physiology & Medicine / What's the Evolutionary Significance of Fashion?

« on: 04/05/2023 11:36:52 »

What is the evolutionary significance of fashion? The styles people wear and the make up women use. Because it is not related to things like fertility or health. So it seems important to attraction.

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Physiology & Medicine / Bullying And Groupthink.

« on: 27/04/2023 05:29:44 »

When I was a kid, there was this girl in grade school. Call her A. And she was so sweet. But the kids picked on her mercilessly, apparently because she was a little different.

We really didn't have a class president, because we were a small school. But one time we tried it. And she ran, probably because her therapist or someone told her to (I still don't know the details of her case).

Out of about 90 kids, only three people voted for her. She obviously voted for herself, and we later figured the teacher probably voted for her. So really only one kid voted for her, I still don't know who.

One or two kids picking on someone is bad enough. But why does everyone seem to do it then?

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Just Chat! / National Anthems and the Ode to Joy...

« on: 23/04/2023 17:09:47 »

I just wanted to ask this question, if anyone knows the answer. Why is the Ode to Joy the default melody for every new national anthem? There are a lot of classical melodies after all.

As I said on another message board, I was thinking "He Shall Feed His Flock" from Handel's Messiah. Or perhaps even another one.

Plus the Ode to Joy? It's kind of catchy. But I don't know if I like it that much.

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Physiology & Medicine / Dealing With An Embarrassing Problem...

« on: 14/04/2023 04:53:50 »

Well, I guess I have to include a question in this thread. Don't worry, it comes at the end.

But know, I think there is another good reason for including this information here. Because let me ask you, how else would some of you get this information? Most people would be too embarrassed to even ask their doctor.

Yeah, my father and I as we got older, were losing control of our number two function. Mine has improved lately for some reason.

Anyway, whether you go to your doctor or urgent care, they'll tell you the exact same thing. A tablespoon of Benefiber in a glass of water every day. Actually, I found out Benefiber is just actually Dextrin fiber. So if you get the generic, it'll probably be cheaper. I am just saying.

My father swore it helped him a lot. Me, perhaps the doctor didn't know I was already taking a couple of other fiber doses he recommended I take. So I really didn't need more.

Actually my father and I found out something interesting too. Strangely, when you're about to go, your body anticipates it. So if you fool your body by waiting few moments, that makes all the difference. Don't ask me to explain it. Think to yourself, was I going to go? No, I think I'll go to the kitchen to have a coffee first. Or perhaps a tea. As I said, it sounds strange, but it works. If my father and I were in a store or mall, he simply sat down and rested for a few moments. And it seemed to work for some reason. Then simply go when the urge is not as strong.

Anyways, my question is, why should you take fiber for this problem? That sound like putting out a fire with kerosene, to me at least. And are there any more stronger options. My father and I were in the early stages. What happens down the road? Is there anything they can do then?

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Just Chat! / Respect For The Dead...

« on: 11/04/2023 19:01:29 »

You know, my view of death, much like my view of morality, has evolved over the years. Oh, I like to think there has always been a common thread, running through my life, on moral and political matters. But quite frankly, on a personal level, death used to really scare me when I was younger. Dead bodies in particular. Now, I see a dead body. And sometimes it bothers me, sometimes it doesn't.

Anyways, my view on respect for the dead, is not surprisingly, pragmatic, like I am, and like I've always been, I think. And it centers around respect for people's rights and final wishes. If a person wants to donate their body to science, why not? And in the United States, you'll get the ashes back in a year. Did you know that? And it's always free.

I remember an ethics class I took, when I was going to community college, in Fall of 1996. Our teacher pointed out the fact that some cultures eat their deceased. That's called necrophagy. I'd probably loose my lunch if I saw it too. But if that's what people want, what the heck? Our teacher even pointed out, people who observe this practice actually say how beautiful it is. Why put Grandma or Grandpa in the cold hard ground? If you eat Grandma, Grandpa or Great Aunt Beulah, they'll be a part of you always. That's true you know. Of course I think that's illegal in most parts of the US. So I guess you should probably check with the Sheriff's department, if you want to do it here.

And what about necrophilia? I agree that is usually wrong. But what if the person wills it that way? I was reading this interesting article, ironically in a porno magazine, when I was still in HS. This man had necrophilic fantasies, but he never acted upon them. But you know, his wife supported him. And she told him, listen, when I die, I'd love for you to do that to me. It would be my final gift to you in fact. What do you all think about that?

Anyways, respect for the dead is an evolving topic in the western world. In the not-to-distant past, using cadavers for medical research was very taboo. No one even talks about that anymore. As I said once on another message board, the ancient Pharoahs of Egypt thought embalming them would assure their entry into the afterlife. No, they were obviously wrong. But what do you think they'd think that King Tut is now in a museum? And in the 19th century, they had Mummy "undressing" parties, for goodness sake. Plus does anyone really care about old cemetaries? I find that last one even sad. Though really don't know why.

In Japan they are running out room for their dead. So respect for their dead is actually causing a serious problem there. And the rights of the living should always precede the rights of the dead. Don't you agree?

Thoughts?

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Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology / Understanding Ancient Latin...

« on: 10/04/2023 15:30:42 »

Yeah, you know, those ancient Romans did lead interesting lives.

But people sometimes wonder why Latin seems to say so much, in so few words. But actually there is a simple explanation for that. Latin has no a, an or the. And they rarely use prepositions or pronouns. Their words, though, just tend to be longer than English words. And they pronounce every vowel, you know.

Also Latin speakers rarely ever used the verb to be. If two nouns were next to each other, the meaning was understood by most literate speakers of Latin. Yet when African Americans don't use the verb to be, it's considered nonstandard. That's interesting.

BTW you know Latin isn't even the most complex language there is. Now that's scary.

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Physiology & Medicine / The Minimum Daily Allowance...

« on: 06/04/2023 19:48:59 »

I've noticed a lot of people on these boards seem to be from the UK. But in the United States, we have what's called the %DV, or percentage Daily Value, of nutrition the average human is supposed to need.

Anyways, no one could possible get that much nutrition just from their food. You'd have to at least eat a bushel full of vegetables, I think. For some time now, I've been taking a multi-vitamin/mineral complex. My doctors used to tell me, oh, you should get enough from your diet. As I said, I know that's just not true.

Anyways, my question is, has anyone ever calculated the minimum amount of nutrition you need every day? %DV is the ideal, recommended daily amount. Because you know, I was thinking. Back in the Middle Ages, the peasants were much more healthy than the aristocracy. Their diet was high in fiber, they ate very little, and they got what we would call, a lot of exercise every day. But they probably got very little in the way of vitamins and mineral. But somehow they survived. And some of them even thrived.

So is there a minimum amount? I think there is. And is the information available, is my next question.

BTW, I also wanted ask. When you get certain minerals in your body, like iron and calcium, for example, doesn't your body hold onto it for some time? I know calcium remains in your bones. And your red corpuscles hold onto most of your iron, don't they? Just females lose a little blood every month. Isn't that correct?

Thank you in advance for your replies.

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Just Chat! / The Universal Declaration of Human Rights...

« on: 01/04/2023 16:43:00 »

Born out of the horrors of World War II, the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights was unanimously adopted in December of 1948, with Saudi Arabia and the USSR abstaining.

Originally meant as a kind of bill of rights that could be drawn upon by anyone anywhere, it is instead a common standard for all peoples everywhere. It still has some force of law. And many modern charters of rights are often based upon it.

As it says in the charter itself, people should be made aware of it everywhere, to grow in rights, and respect for your fellow humans. But many Americans at least, are not even aware of it.

Please take time to read the charter. It is interesting to see how close each nation comes to its (sometimes unrealistic) goals.

Also, I just have to ask. I know they don't mention the UDHR in the US media. Do they mention it in any other country?

Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.

—UN UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS (UDHR), proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948.

Here is the the text:

https://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/

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Just Chat! / My Favorite Quotes From 'First Contact' (1996)...

« on: 31/03/2023 15:18:10 »

Yeah, you know, although it's obviously fiction (or perhaps a forecast of the future), I have always enjoyed the Star Trek movies and shows that deal with first contact. It just seems so offer humanity so much hope. And the idea seems so tantalizing too, doesn't it?

Anyways, I have copied and pasted the following quotes from the Star Trek movie "First Contact" (1996):

Star Trek: First Contact
FLM 08, TNG 2
Release date: 22 November 1996
 (8th of 13 Star Trek films.)

"I envy you, the world you're going to."
"I envy you, taking these first steps into a new frontier."
- Lily and Picard

"And you people, you're all astronauts on… some kind of star trek?"

- Cochrane, checking his understanding of the Enterprise crew members

"Isn't it amazing? This ship used to be a nuclear missile!"
"It is an historical irony that Doctor Cochrane would use an instrument of mass destruction to inaugurate an era of peace."

- Picard and Data

Lily Sloane: Borg? Sounds Swedish.
Lily Sloane: [after seeing Borg drones for the first time] Definitely not Swedish.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The economics of the future are somewhat different. You see, money doesn't exist in the 24th century.

Lily Sloane: No money? You mean you don't get paid?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The acquisition of wealth is no longer the driving force in our lives. We work to better ourselves and the rest of humanity. Actually, we're rather like yourself and Dr. Cochrane.

Lieutenant Commander Data: 0.68 seconds sir. For an android, that is nearly an eternity.

Dr. Zefram Cochrane: Is that Earth?

Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge: That's it!

Dr. Zefram Cochrane: It's so small...

Cmdr. William Riker: It's about to get a whole lot bigger.

Cmdr. William Riker: Doctor, tomorrow morning when they detect the warp signature from your ship and realize that humans have discovered how to travel faster than light, they decide to alter their course and make first contact with Earth, right here.

Dr. Zefram Cochrane: Here?

Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge: Well, actually, over there.

Cmdr. Deanna Troi: It unites humanity in a way no one ever thought possible. When they realize they're not alone in the universe, poverty, disease, war - they'll all be gone within the next fifty years.

Borg Queen: Brave words. I've heard them before, from thousands of species across thousands of worlds, since long before you were created. But, now they are all Borg.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Offering myself...? That's it, I remember now! It wasn't enough that you assimilate me... I had to give myself freely to the Borg. To you!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Mr. Data, lay in a course for the 24th century. I suspect our future is there waiting for us.

Dr. Zefram Cochrane: What, you don't have a moon in the 24th century?

Cmdr. William Riker: Sure we do. It just looks a lot different. There are 50 million people living on the moon in my time. You can see Tycho City, New Berlin, even Lake Armstrong on a day like this.

Borg Queen: We too are on a quest to better ourselves, evolving toward a state of perfection.

Lieutenant Commander Data: Believing oneself to be perfect is often the sign of a delusional mind.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Computer! Begin chapter 13.

Lt. Commander Worf: Assimilate this!

15

Physiology & Medicine / Raising Successful Students.

« on: 30/03/2023 03:47:53 »

You know, I still remember going to St. Al's HS 1982-6. And it was a very concentrated learning environment.

It seemed all the teachers and staff had doctorates. And you know, St. Al's was third on a list of students who went onto college (I forget if it was statewide, or nationally).

Because you know, if you failed, it wasn't your fault. It was theirs.

16

Just Chat! / Performing Gounod's Ave Maria A Capella...

« on: 29/03/2023 15:39:27 »

Ever since we got the Firestone's Christmas album when I was a kid, with James Mccracken's version, I have loved the Ave Maria (Gounod). I learned it early on, and often sang it a Capella.

And I was thinking, the Gounod version really sounds very good a Capella. And you know who should record it this way? Boyz to Men. ♫⋆｡♪ ₊˚♬ ﾟ. ⤹˚˖♬

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Just Chat! / Could A Purely Logical Person Be Moral?

« on: 28/03/2023 13:33:40 »

“Your actions are highly unethical!”

—Mr. Spock, The Empath, Star Trek: The Original Series,
 Season 3, Episode 12, Original air date December 6, 1968.

As the above quote shows, the fictional Mr. Spock at least was very moral.

But could a purely logical person actually be so? How would he probably behave? Or could we even know?

This is psychological question. But I suppose it could be a larger philosophical one too.

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Just Chat! / If Religion Wants To Survive...

« on: 26/03/2023 13:27:02 »

I hope this is the right section of the boards for this.

Not that I really care either, but you know Christians going to lose all their support just over gays. They think homosexuality if a choice, it isn't. Rev. Fred Phelps (1929-2014) thought God hates f-gs, if he exists, he probably doesn't. Actually, the concept of homosexuality didn't even exist in ancient times.

If Christians accept gays and gay marriage, they may still be around in a couple hundred years. I agree with you, religion is probably nonsense. But you know you, it does give some people meaning in their life. It makes them moral, which isn't bad. And it gives them a firm moral compass, which I've always admired. And I have to tell you, some Christians I've noticed, do seem to be genuinely happy. Anyways, what people choose to believe personally is really up to them. So in that way, it's not anymore or less valid than atheism.

And if a Christian wants to argue for what I'm saying. The Sermon on the Mount says we should love even our enemies and even those who do evil. And you know, Jesus never really said anything about homosexuality. Of course the Biblical Jesus is probably much different than who the real Jesus was.

And there were a thousand Messiahs crucified a year in Palestine by the Romans (which is frightening, because there are 365 days in the year). Jesus just had a good press agent, Paul. Also, you realize, Messiah ("anointed one") referred to a Jew who would free the Jews from bondage.

Anyways, I don't know if religion will even be necessary in a couple hundred years. But who knows what the future holds. And plus you know, religion does fill such an important psychological need. And how could that be bad?

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Just Chat! / Ignoring Emails, etc.

« on: 26/03/2023 11:52:37 »

As I often tell people, ordinary people have the luxury of ignoring your emails, phone calls, etc. People who work with the public, simply don't.

It's rude. It's wrong. No matter what your reasons might be.

20

Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution / How Do You Repel A Very Persistent Cat?

« on: 12/03/2023 17:17:45 »

I just got cat repellent, and it is only working slightly. Amazon just delivered it (see below).

A couple of days ago a cat came to my house. First with a bunch of his buddies. Now he just comes alone. I wonder if there is not something wrong with this kitten. He follows me day and night, he cries all night outside my door. I'd love to help him, but I've got two kitties of my own. The other day, I walked a couple of blocks down Strathmoor Street where I live. He followed me all the way, weaving in and out of my feet. Several blocks! Why is he obsessed with me.

Detroit Animal Control and local rescues and shelters can't help, because he's not aggressive, he's just obsessed with me for some reason. I don't want to hurt him, and I won't. But he's not my responsibility.

Any suggestions?