41

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

« on: 23/04/2023 07:48:34 »

Anyways, I just wanted to say one more thing in conclusion. Religion is probably nonsense, and we all know that. But where I live, if a young man or woman comes out as gay, like in the African American community, or in the South, their family rejects them. And they lose all there emotional and financial support. Religions have to become more accepting of gay people. Because sometimes, you just have to work with what you're given.

42

Just Chat! / Re: How Human Morality 'Evolves'...

« on: 16/04/2023 08:05:35 »

Anyways, just to close out this thread, I just wanted to share these Star Trek quotes. From time to time, you'll hear me talking about, or perhaps just alluding to, the relativity of morality. No, I don't believe in the relativity of morality myself. Quite the contrary in fact. But I think it can be a motivating force in human life, to question the values that humans sometimes have and just take for granted.

Pursuant to that, I have collected the following quotes from Star Trek that deal with this issue, that I have also made into memes, and shared on the internet. Enjoy.

"The difference between generals and terrorists is only the difference between winners and losers. If you win you are called a general. If you lose…"
— Kyril Finn, The High Ground (episode), Star Trek: the Next Generation,
Stardate 43510.7.

"One world's butcher is another world's hero. Perhaps I am neither one."
- Jarok, to Picard, TNG episodes
The Defector (episode).

"She was right. But at the wrong time."
- Kirk and Spock, Star Trek: TOS,
The City on the Edge of Forever (episode).

"Why do you resist? We only wish to raise quality of life for all species."
—LOCUTUS OF BORG, ST: TNG, The Best of Both Worlds Part II
Stardate: 44001.4
Original Airdate: 24 Sep, 1990.

"Doctor, the sperm whale on Earth devours millions of cuttlefish as it roams the oceans. It is not evil. It is feeding."
- Picard, to Dr. Kila Marr, TNG episodes
Silicon Avatar (episode).

43

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

« on: 15/04/2023 03:15:41 »

Hi.

   I am not a doctor and this site is not meant to give professional medical advice.  If you have genuine health concerns then you must talk to a doctor or similar professional about it.   The content found here can be generated by an arbitrary member of the public and has no guarantee of reliability or accuracy.

Most people would be too embarrassed to even ask their doctor.

    That has to stop.  Doctors are meant to handle these issues, that is their job.  They won't be embarrassed or unwilling to discuss something like that.

- - - - - - - - - -
   Your advice about delaying a visit to the toilet is not generally recommended.   That is likely to cause constipation in most people.   However, your situation may be different, we just don't have the medical details.

   It is not clear (to me) if the problem you are discussing is constipation, diarrhoea, incontinence or something else.   Usually constipation and diarrhoea are considered as opposing symptoms but there are conditions where you could have both of those symptoms.   We don't have enough information to discuss your particular situation.

    Recently you seem to have started a number of threads and not returned to them.   There's already information about most things on the internet and at the moment it would be very difficult to discuss your topic in anything other than the broadest terms and end up just repeating that information.

What happens down the road? Is there anything they can do then?

    We are speaking in very general terms only.   If the only thing a doctor has suggested so far is taking some fibre, then you have a long way to go before modern medicine runs out of things that will help.  You should have a long and productive life ahead of you. Don't worry.

Best Wishes.

I am sorry if I broke any rule. That was not my intention, and please accept my sincerest apologies.

You people do seem to be a lot more serious on these boards, and I guess that is probably a good thing. Most other boards tend to take a more hands-off approach. But I will try to remember your advice in the future.

I guess part of my post was more like trivia. Maybe I should have put it in Chat. Although I did include a question.

"...Recently you seem to have started a number of threads and not returned to them...."
I am not sure what you mean by this. I check your boards everyday. Has someone asked me a question that I did not answer?

And BTW, as you probably know, I am a very reasonable man, and very approachable. I always have been. If there is any problem, please bring it to my attention immediately. And I will help you anyway I can.

44

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?

45

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?

46

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.

47

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

« on: 07/04/2023 11:36:29 »

Also, on my FYE CD, 98° does sing the Ave a capella (it can be done).

48

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.

49

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

« on: 06/04/2023 09:16:58 »

My FYE Mix and Burn CD finally arrived two days ago. (For those of you who don't know, I highly recommend FYE Mix and Burn. They'll rip and music CD for you, and they have a good selection of songs too.) Anyways, I always wondered if the "ae" in Nostrae in the Ave Maria could be pronounced as "i" in kite. I sent a couple of college professors an email. And one said, it usually is pronounced "ay" today. But you know, the Lawrence Welk version (on my CD) has it pronounced "i". And I at least think it sounds better that way. So I'm not alone. Who knew.

50

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/

51

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!

52

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.

53

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. ⤹˚˖♬

54

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.

55

Just Chat! / Re: Real Church Bulletins...

« on: 27/03/2023 13:52:15 »

A rabbi, a priest, and a minister walk into a bar. The bartender says, "What is this - some kind of joke?"

56

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?

57

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.

58

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

« on: 15/03/2023 19:33:05 »

By the way, what Color is it?

Black (as in the picture).

59

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?

60

Just Chat! / Re: On Gender Reassignment...

« on: 11/03/2023 22:38:00 »

I'm all for people doing whatever they want as long as (a) it doesn't harm or disadvantage anyone else and (b) I don't have to pay for it. But (a) isn't satisfied when a male rapist or professional athlete says he is a woman.

Have to tell you:

(a) Agree wholeheartedly .
(b) I live in the US and I believe that the govt. should pay for most things. You're entitled to your opinion. I just find it odd for someone from the UK to say that (are you from the UK?).
(C) Well, actually it comes down to science. Science doesn't change, it changes you. Some people are trying to make transgendereds playing sports a moral issue. It isn't. I mean, are they stronger? Or are they not? Now, see I am not a scientist, so I just don't know.