Naked Science Forum
General Discussion & Feedback => Just Chat! => Topic started by: Don_1 on 21/09/2009 10:12:23
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We have all heard that in 2012, the world ("as we know it" quote from Mr Spock, Startrek) will come to an end, again, when we collide with a comet.
It seems that since the dawn of man, the soothsayers have predicted the end of the world many times.
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"Woh! Woh and thrice woh, we're all doomed, doomed I tell you. The end is upon us. Oh! Woh! Woh!"
(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vpsingles.com%2Fpics%2Fold.gif&hash=0782fed89e7732b7ba8a06509eddda98) "The end will be upon you if you don't shut up, you silly old bat."
So let's have some suggestions from all you budding Nostradamus'es out there. What will be our nemisis, when and why?
Here's your starter:
Famine - next tuesday (the takeaway is closing for redecoration). (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbestsmileys.com%2Fcrying%2F2.gif&hash=6f40ed49d250203da654520072aa4687)
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Poor You..Whatever will you do?
I have no idea really but I think it will probably be us destroying ourselves out of technological stupidity more then anything else!
Don't get me wrong I love it, technology that is, but am referring to more neuclear war or some such thing that could be mishandled!
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If we're all gonna go, I wanna go out with a bang.
Or atleast please let it be an alien abduction. We're being cut from the TV series, Earth got too boring :( Or our contract with the network expired.
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Hmm... I dunno about the end of the world, but I'm constantly surprised that societies, as we know them, have survived for so long, being based largely upon hypocrisy and lies, and basically existing in a state of denial.
Governments exist, ostensibly, to serve the people who make up society. However, no one really believes this and it is tacitly accepted by all that governments rule, rather than serve society. At the very basis of society then, is a denial of reality where we, as individuals, have to pretend that we notionally elect people to represent and serve us when we really know that all we can actually do is choose the best of a bad bunch to boss us about.
At the root of this is that aspect of human nature that makes many individuals feel the need to force other people to comply with their will and standards. The fact is that some individuals just cannot bear to simply live by their own rules and let other people disagree with them but must instead find some way of compelling others to accept their views and opinions. To do this they must gain positions of power and authority i.e. in government, and perhaps the result is summed up in that old but axiomatic saying "Those who seek power are least suited to have it".
I think that the success of 'politics' in achieving this state of affairs must rank as the greatest con-trick ever played upon humanity. It has been a trick that everyone can see through, but one that no one can seem to escape or correct.
Will it ever remain thus? With politicians being widely held in contempt and seen as self-serving manipulators who only seek authority over others, whilst simultaneously denying any responsibility, it's difficult to see how society has managed to get this far, let alone survive in to the future. It has done though and, despite the obvious cracks running through it, seems set to continue.
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The end is nigh as the actress said to the extremely tall vicar.
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The end is nigh as the actress said to the extremely tall vicar.
Typical, you just couldn't resist lowering the tone, could you?
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I think that the success of 'politics' in achieving this state of affairs must rank as the greatest con-trick ever played upon humanity. It has been a trick that everyone can see through, but one that no one can seem to escape or correct.
Will it ever remain thus? With politicians being widely held in contempt and seen as self-serving manipulators who only seek authority over others, whilst simultaneously denying any responsibility, it's difficult to see how society has managed to get this far, let alone survive in to the future. It has done though and, despite the obvious cracks running through it, seems set to continue.
i don't know. judging by the average person's quality of life and how it's changed over the last few thousand years i'd say you're a little too pessimistic. even if i am being completely manipulated by political forces, i'd rather live now and be manipulated than say, 500, or even 100 years ago. i'm sure quality of life will improve in the future, too. how long that will continue? well.. no one knows the limiting factor, so i can't say. space on earth is, perhaps? there are too many things i don't know about right now to reasonably predict anything massive about the future, let alone the problem of knowing next to nothing about what will happen in the future.
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...even if i am being completely manipulated by political forces, i'd rather live now and be manipulated than say, 500, or even 100 years ago.
You seem to be equating politics with progress here, and that without political exploitation no progress would be made. Personally, I can't see that causal link, and I think it could be argued that society has survived and developed in spite of politics, rather than because of it.
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Wish I could find a recording of Kenneth Williams doing his "Doomed!" routine.
Anyway, the probability of getting whacked by a rather large lump of something from space is not all that great, and we might even be able to deflect such objects to avoid disaster. On the other hand, it's a racing certainty that one of the super-volcanoes will do a number on Earth before terribly long. They say Yellowstone is a bit overdue.
So, it we don't manage to annihilate most of life on the planet with "nukeular" weapons (as they say in Texas) sooner, Mother Earth might take care of us later.
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They say Yellowstone is a bit overdue.
The degree of uncertainty as to when Yellowstone has its next major eruption is (very) roughly about ten-fifteen times the length of human civilisation to date. That is to say that the next major Yellowstone eruption has been 'overdue' since long before human civilisation started, and still may not occur for another 50,000 years.
A sense of perspective is needed here, but at the same time, let's just hope that we still haven't got all our human race eggs in one basket when it does happen.
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Wish I could find a recording of Kenneth Williams doing his "Doomed!" routine.
I think he's been at the metal polish again!
"Is the end nigh?"
- let's face it, mankind's on statistically borrowed time. If only we could use these evolutionary oversized brains to help somehow!
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I think he's been at the metal polish again!
Metal polish! I'll have you know I only drink vintage Lanliq.
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"They strapped a bloom to his back, and it came up all blotchy. That's why he drank. It was Brasso, mostly..."
Hubert, from 'Sir Henry at Rawlinson End'
dot, dot, dot
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The degree of uncertainty as to when Yellowstone has its next major eruption is (very) roughly about ten-fifteen times the length of human civilisation to date. That is to say that the next major Yellowstone eruption has been 'overdue' since long before human civilisation started, and still may not occur for another 50,000 years.
A sense of perspective is needed here, but at the same time, let's just hope that we still haven't got all our human race eggs in one basket when it does happen.
I'm not so sure that is maintaining a sense of perspective. Sounds more like a sense of hindsight to me. If my hindsight was as good as that, I would probably have been a proctoligist.
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But you are, aren't you! You keep telling me how many people have their head up ...
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But you are, aren't you! You keep telling me how many people have their head up ...
As usual, your mind is playing tricks on you. The only "people" was you. Anyway, stop trying to change the subject. You know more about what's going on at Yellowstone than you're willing to say. Fess up now.
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OOOOOOOH.... THIS IS GETTING
JUICER OR WELL LUBED BY THE MINUTE!
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You seem to be equating politics with progress here, and that without political exploitation no progress would be made. Personally, I can't see that causal link, and I think it could be argued that society has survived and developed in spite of politics, rather than because of it.
perhaps you're right, but do you have any evidence? i know i don't. these are just my musings..
as for the end of the world for us, i'll remain optimistic. we've survived for a some time, and the archeological evidence suggests extinction of many of the species that have lived here has not been a single event that killed all of them, but rather some died while others evolved. i think the species is more adaptable than we give it credit for - both evolutionarily and culturally. civilisation as we know it may have to change, but then, when has it not changed over the last few thousand years?
my biggest concern is running out of oil before renewable resources have been used to replace them, which would, at best, lead to very difficult times for everyone. oil has provided a significant energy boost to humanity, which has allowed it (in part) to develop in many areas very quickly, compared to the past. i'm not sure about what we'd replace them with, but politicians and scientists are working together with engineers in order to solve the problem [:P]
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Yellowstone may or may not erupt in our lifetime.
I am not going to speculate, just move closer if possible. I want to go in the first round, not as the result of some world-wide aftermath-catastrophe.
I especially do not wish to be assaulted by some whisked-up Scotsman-proctoligist. If he isn't killed off with the first blast, he will start drinking, get nekked, paint himself blue and start messing with the elk for immoral purposes.
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Just shows what you know. Lanlic is not whisky (note there is no "e" in whisky). Lanlic is a superior Tonic Wine made, according to Billy Connolly, in an underground factory in the delightful fishing village of Greenock.
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Poor chap - can't even read. I made no direct mention of "whiskey." I used "the verb "whisked." Besides - "whiskey" is the American (and Irish) spelling - if your going to be here in AMERICA and breathe our air, the least you can do is to have the courtesy of learning how to spell our words.
And what?? Lanlic?? I never said anything about it. Is that some foreign drug? I know Billy Connally is just plain sick so if you are trying to imitate him, well, may God have mercy on you. You are going to need all the help you can get.
I Googeled Lanlic. It is a forum, a domain in Hong Kong. (http://www.aboutus.org/LanLic.com) I know you are sort of isolated in that cabin in the mountains but I think you are beginning to hallucinate.
I will call the Idaho State Mental Health people and see if they can find you a nice quite place to rest. In the mean time, put all sharp objects away, find a nice corner to sit in and try to stay calm, OK? We are here to help.
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You might want to get a new pair of gegs Jimbo. It's Lanliq, not Lanlic - and the reason it's vintage is because they no longer make it.
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... It's Lanliq, not Lanlic - and the reason it's vintage is because they no longer make it.
"Buckfast Tonic Wine" is its replacement (15% ABV [:0] )...
Buckfast has achieved a surprising level of popularity in working class and bohemian communities in certain parts of the United Kingdom and Ireland. Buckfast sold in Ireland has a slightly lower alcoholic strength, arrives in a darker bottle, and lacks the vanillin flavouring of the British version. The drink has also entered the popular culture lexicon in Scotland leading to it being given a number of nicknames, including "The Dark Destroyer", "Wreck the hoose juice", "Cumbernauld Rocket Fuel" and "Lanarkshire Gravy".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckfast_Tonic_Wine
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I suppose they claim it's called Buckfast after the abbey. Or, were they really anticipating making a Fast Buck? [;D]
Back on subject, anyone who has the pleasure of living in the delightful new town of Cumbernauld is likely to have an ever-present sense that the end is most definitely nigh.
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No, It is named Buckfast because you give it to your pet Red Deer first thing in the morning when he eats.
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Buckfast monks should know better than encourage alcohol consumption: it's a bad habit.
[is "Blue Nun (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Nun)" made by Nuns ?]
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Yes, very cold Nuns.
There is nun other wine quite like it.
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No, It is named Buckfast because you give it to your pet Red Deer first thing in the morning when he eats.
Hey! We might make a fast buck out of that one. It could be a new advertising slogan.
"Buckfast - So much more than a mere breakfast drink!"
"Buck up your breakfast with Buckfast!"
"Buck up your day with Buckfast for breakfast!"
"If you want to get really bucked up, drink Buckfast!"
"Hey! This Buckfast is bucking good. Gonny geez s'more then, eh?"
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Buckfast monks should know better than encourage alcohol consumption: it's a bad habit.
[is "Blue Nun (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Nun)" made by Nuns ?]
Normally, yes. But if the end actually was nigh, it might be a really good habit [:D]
JimBob - You did get the "habit" joke, right? (Sometimes he's a bit slow on the uptake)
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JimBob - You did get the "habit" joke, right? (Sometimes he's a bit slow on the uptake)
I shall not dignify this perfidious slander with a reply -
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I suppose they claim it's called Buckfast after the abbey. Or, were they really anticipating making a Fast Buck? [;D]
Back on subject, anyone who has the pleasure of living in the delightful new town of Cumbernauld is likely to have an ever-present sense that the end is most definitely nigh.
There is nothing wrong with Cumbernauld that the end of the world could not sort out.
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There is nothing wrong with Cumbernauld that the end of the world could not sort out.
Sadly, I think that says it. I could launch into a diatribe about the great "benefits" that socialism has bestowed on my native land, but I'd likely get kicked off TNS if I did!
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I could launch into a diatribe about the great "benefits" that socialism has bestowed on my native land, but I'd likely get kicked off TNS if I did!
I think you could maybe get away with your diatribe in 'just chat'!
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I think you could maybe get away with your diatribe in 'just chat'!
If I wanted to elevate my blood pressure to dangerous levels, I would do that [;D]
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I think you could maybe get away with your diatribe in 'just chat'!
If I wanted to elevate my blood pressure to dangerous levels, I would do that [;D]
Boiling blood powered only by the irritating attitudes on TNS forum. I think you've got the world's greatest new power source since cold fusion there :)
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.. powered only by the irritating attitudes on TNS forum.
And just what do you mean by that ??????? Hurmppppppffffff!!!!
Whippersnapper. Needs to learn than certain people here, such as I, are GODS! We know all things! we shall not be questioned! We will smack you down if you show the slightest bit of ignorance! Any and all question will be refereed to a text book - books you should have read and assimilated while in school.
You think we have time to answer all of these questions? Most defiantly not! We are here for self aggrandizement!
Haven't you figured that out yet??
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Of course you know that the above is satire.
(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbestsmileys.com%2Fexpressions%2F9.gif&hash=005fa01200026b7d79f5e23bc905c63e)
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Hey! Didn't Blondie do a number about "The end is nigh"? Blondie is really cool. We like Blondie.
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.. powered only by the irritating attitudes on TNS forum.
And just what do you mean by that ??????? Hurmppppppffffff!!!!
Whippersnapper. Needs to learn than certain people here, such as I, are GODS! We know all things! we shall not be questioned! We will smack you down if you show the slightest bit of ignorance! Any and all question will be refereed to a text book - books you should have read and assimilated while in school.
You think we have time to answer all of these questions? Most defiantly not! We are here for self aggrandizement!
Haven't you figured that out yet??
I was expecting JimBob to start shouting "Exterminate" he was getting so irate. Are you really Davros?
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I was expecting JimBob to start shouting "Exterminate" he was getting so irate. Are you really Davros?
(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm3.static.flickr.com%2F2595%2F3971061401_2cd023373c_o.jpg&hash=f554625881b4a5dc71250bb22e4455df)
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.. powered only by the irritating attitudes on TNS forum.
And just what do you mean by that ??????? Hurmppppppffffff!!!!
Whippersnapper. Needs to learn than certain people here, such as I, are GODS! We know all things! we shall not be questioned! We will smack you down if you show the slightest bit of ignorance! Any and all question will be refereed to a text book - books you should have read and assimilated while in school.
You think we have time to answer all of these questions? Most defiantly not! We are here for self aggrandizement!
Haven't you figured that out yet??
I was expecting JimBob to start shouting "Exterminate" he was getting so irate. Are you really Davros?
Yer the one with the shirt, MIL!
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Things are never what they seem, the end of one thing, is the beginning of something new, hardly end of the world, as you said the end of the world as you know it. But then maybe today you really don't know the world.
"You can't bend the spoon that's impossible, rather you must see the truth"
"Truth?"
"There is no spoon, then you will see that it is not the spoon that bends, but your mind"
I'm just here to say that, 'there is a spoon'
We use them to feed ourselves, to feed our children, to feed our friends and family members that can't for one reason or another, we can use them to play music, or flick peas at a sibling, and other enemies that stalk the dinner table, we can use them to serve the mash potato. so know it 'There is a spoon'
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Uhh.... December 21, 2012 is a Friday. Do you think that companies will provide that week's pay in advance so people could spend it? If they don't, can we sue? Am I being unreasonable about this? [;)]
Does money really matter? In the bigger scheme of things? Your question is rhetorical I take it. The world is never going to end, As God promised Noah. Rather the world of injustice, the world of Men, the world of lies, illusion and hypocrisy.
For only in a world of truth can you have justice. It is only fair and right that it does end, for, for far too long have men of pleasure, arrogance and insanity, dominated and hurt the people of this world; they if nothing else have shown clearly, just how unfit they are to rule.
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The world is never going to end, As God promised Noah. Rather the world of injustice, the world of Men, the world of lies, illusion and hypocrisy.
Y-e-e-e-e-e-s-s [???]
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The world is never going to end, As God promised Noah. Rather the world of injustice, the world of Men, the world of lies, illusion and hypocrisy.
Y-e-e-e-e-e-s-s [???]
Peace be with you. stay awake. Fear not.