Friday, December 19, 2003
It's good to see our system of government still works as it should:Yahoo! News - Court Rulings Slam Bush's Terror Strategy. Checks and balances is what it's called. The legislative branch (Congress) enacts laws, while the executive branch (President) enforces laws, and the judicial branch (Supreme Court) interprets laws. Each one can override portions of the others, in a system designed to keep any one person or group from enacting a totalitarian government. Basically, the federal courts are sending a message to Bush: "Respect My Authoritah!" (from South Park)
Thursday, December 18, 2003
I've come to realize something which is at first quite simple, but then gets complex and controversial... so brace yourself for what you're about to read. Natural selection doesn't work any more in humans. Natural selection is the process whereby the strongest, most attractive, and smartest mates are chosen to further the species. In nature, the animals that live to maturity are the ones that mate. In civilization, modern medicine allows many more people to live to maturity and mate, unlike thousands of years ago. The gene pool, in my opinion, is actually degrading. People with genetic problems are able to live to maturity and mate. People with mental problems are able to counter balance these problems with medicine and mate. This, coupled with the fact that the term casual sex is a familiar term, leads me to the conclusion that the gene pool is degrading.
Consider a phenomenon that I'm quite familiar with: deer population. In the 1940's in Mississippi, the deer population was almost entirely wiped out from overhunting. The government stepped in, and introduced controls whereby hunting was restricted. Eventually, the deer population made a comeback, and in the late 20th century the hunting controls were relaxed because of overpopulation. I don't think it's coincidence that the percentage of diseased and malnourished deer is also on the rise. With less hunters, and virtually no natural predators in Mississippi, there was no natural selection pressure on the herd. In short, the gene quality of the deer in this region has been degraded by overprotection.
Consider a phenomenon that I'm quite familiar with: deer population. In the 1940's in Mississippi, the deer population was almost entirely wiped out from overhunting. The government stepped in, and introduced controls whereby hunting was restricted. Eventually, the deer population made a comeback, and in the late 20th century the hunting controls were relaxed because of overpopulation. I don't think it's coincidence that the percentage of diseased and malnourished deer is also on the rise. With less hunters, and virtually no natural predators in Mississippi, there was no natural selection pressure on the herd. In short, the gene quality of the deer in this region has been degraded by overprotection.
Wednesday, December 17, 2003
Back a couple of years ago, anger at the terrorist attacks bordered on racism and/or religious persecution. Generally, people talked down about muslims and made reference to their traditional clothing and such. Then, when we moved into Iraq and France wouldn't help, those same people talked down about the french people and government. Well, It's ironic to see that those people who talked bad about both have something in common with the french:
Chirac Seeks Law Banning Head Scarves.
Apparently, the french are afraid that traditional muslim clothing has no place in the public schools. They're afraid that it symbolizes muslim militancy and fear that muslim fundamentalists are getting too commonplace in France. I can hear it now... some folks saying "Well, France finally got something right!" I'm sure some people agree with this... until they find out that the ban covers jewish skullcaps and large crucifixes as well.
This points out a fundamental reason difference between the U.S. and other places of the world. In some places (such as Iran) usually one religion dominates the government, and that leads to persecution (or at least suppression) of people who believe differently. Some places (such as France) suppress all religions equally, trying to stamp out strong believers so they won't cause trouble. In the U.S., our forefathers thought ahead, and although many of them believed in the christian way, they realized that the government shouldn't interfere with peoples' beliefs. In the U.S. you are free to believe what you want, wear what you want, and say what you want - so long as it doesn't hurt or endanger others.
Chirac Seeks Law Banning Head Scarves.
Apparently, the french are afraid that traditional muslim clothing has no place in the public schools. They're afraid that it symbolizes muslim militancy and fear that muslim fundamentalists are getting too commonplace in France. I can hear it now... some folks saying "Well, France finally got something right!" I'm sure some people agree with this... until they find out that the ban covers jewish skullcaps and large crucifixes as well.
This points out a fundamental reason difference between the U.S. and other places of the world. In some places (such as Iran) usually one religion dominates the government, and that leads to persecution (or at least suppression) of people who believe differently. Some places (such as France) suppress all religions equally, trying to stamp out strong believers so they won't cause trouble. In the U.S., our forefathers thought ahead, and although many of them believed in the christian way, they realized that the government shouldn't interfere with peoples' beliefs. In the U.S. you are free to believe what you want, wear what you want, and say what you want - so long as it doesn't hurt or endanger others.
Monday, December 15, 2003
I find this article quite interesting. I think I agree with Steven Lewis who is quoted in the article as saying: "Nerds are highly intelligent but they have no social skills whatsoever. ... Geeks are intelligent too, but a geek can hold a conversation, and have a girlfriend and an active social life." So next time my girlfriend calls me a nerd I'll have to correct her.