I imagine this is a current event that could get lots of discussion without turning too political. Ariel Castro, the man who kidnapped and raped three women for years, has deprived the justice system from implementing any judgment against him by choosing his own punishment.
Some may argue that isn't a punishment but an escape route.
Question, relevant to something I posted in Politics (not in the way you're probably thinking - ie not related to abortion), but I'm tired of Politics for now and this is less political: if you were working in a bar and a pregnant woman walked in and ordered a drink, what would you do?
The blue elephant in the room.
Use the experience as the basis of a three line gag.
Ask "what are you having?"
I don't know, come up with something better!
But no, that wasn't it...
The blue elephant in the room.
Mrebo said:
Ask "what are you having?"
A boy, a girl, a universe?
The ill fated Costa Concordia finally upright.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/15/world/europe/italy-costa-concordia-salvage/index.html?hpt=hp_c2
Where were you in '77?
A L I E N ?
The blue elephant in the room.
The blue elephant in the room.
Made some Jam today, loads of blackberries this year. Next year I shall do the same with the strawberries in the summer.
I don't think we (the common people) are supposed to understand this, but I would like to believe it's mind-blowingly fascinating.
What stands out to me is the quote, "You can easily do, on paper, computations that were infeasible even with a computer before."
And, "The new geometric version of quantum field theory could also facilitate the search for a theory of quantum gravity that would seamlessly connect the large- and small-scale pictures of the universe."
The idea that a practically impossible problem might suddenly by solved by looking at it in a different way, perhaps using a relatively simple tool, does have broader applicability.
That maybe alternative histories (suggested in my other links) and future possibilities might be able to be calculated in terms of likelihood.
As for alternative history, scientists are at a loss to explain why global warming has not occurred as predicted. We can imagine an alternative history where humanity collectively took the issue deadly serious 20-30 years ago and drastically reduced greenhouse gas production (more drastically than we have, I mean) and now scientists would point at the lacking warming as proof that they were right.
Tangentially-related is this take on addressing the often recognized mental health issues behind mass shootings that have occurred. That's a problem that I think most shrug their shoulders at, not knowing exactly how we can address it. And there are civil liberty concerns for drugging/institutionalizing people for mental health issues. Charles Krauthammer poses a good question in response:
I know the civil libertarian arguments. I know that involuntary commitment is outright paternalism. But paternalism is essential for children because they don’t have a fully developed rational will. Do you think Alexis was in command of his will that night in Newport?
Any thoughts, ender?
The blue elephant in the room.
Bingowings said:
Made some Jam today, loads of blackberries this year. Next year I shall do the same with the strawberries in the summer.
Sounds awfully political, beware the ender.
My mother makes blackberry jam too. Strawberry is my favorite.
The blue elephant in the room.
Bingowings said:
A L I E N ?
Very fascinating!
Mrebo said:
I don't think we (the common people) are supposed to understand this, but I would like to believe it's mind-blowingly fascinating.
What stands out to me is the quote, "You can easily do, on paper, computations that were infeasible even with a computer before."
And, "The new geometric version of quantum field theory could also facilitate the search for a theory of quantum gravity that would seamlessly connect the large- and small-scale pictures of the universe."
The idea that a practically impossible problem might suddenly by solved by looking at it in a different way, perhaps using a relatively simple tool, does have broader applicability.
I neither fully understand relativity or quantum theory, but the two are so disjointed that scientists have been grasping for years to try to find a theory (always very complex) that would actually tie them together. This sounds like the beginning of finding such a theory, and much simpler and complete.
Tangentially-related is this take on addressing the often recognized mental health issues behind mass shootings that have occurred. That's a problem that I think most shrug their shoulders at, not knowing exactly how we can address it. And there are civil liberty concerns for drugging/institutionalizing people for mental health issues. Charles Krauthammer poses a good question in response:
I know the civil libertarian arguments. I know that involuntary commitment is outright paternalism. But paternalism is essential for children because they don’t have a fully developed rational will. Do you think Alexis was in command of his will that night in Newport?
Any thoughts, ender?
My thoughts are thus: that the compassionate de-institutionalization of the mentally ill has been poorly handled. This supposedly compassionate move has instead been a shift, as now the jail system serves essentially the same function, as the mentally ill often end up in jail where they receive all the same treatment they were getting before. I have worked with people who were forcibly placed in medical care for a time, and though I understand that it seems unjust to take another's free will, there really are times where the safety of the person and the public are of greater concern than personal liberty. The person's own debilitating symptoms are a prison, and medical treatment is a release. It must be used with care or it can be abused, but it is a necessary evil that we must not be afraid to use.
I was out walking the dog last night. I saw no less than 3 bright, close meteors burn across the sky. It was reported that a large fireball exploded over Arizona. Some talk about the Geminids hitting, but sheesh, this is alot.
thejediknighthusezni said:
I was out walking the dog last night. I saw no less than 3 bright, close meteors burn across the sky. It was reported that a large fireball exploded over Arizona. Some talk about the Geminids hitting, but sheesh, this is alot.
More sinkhole fun for Fanfiltration's files.
Not sure how active a role he can take but congratulations on getting a job a Glasgow University (I've applied for one there and three at Edinburgh University) Mr Snowdon.
Oleksander Turchynov
Fat Boy George.
My previous field included much work with Child Protective Services. While they provide a valuable service, the following story shows the dangers of too much governmental power when able to trump parental rights. Same thing with our flawed judicial system.
You can't make this stuff up but bots can.
http://news.yahoo.com/putin-ready-invade-ukraine-kiev-warns-war-011805827--finance.html?vp=1
this is not good.
Oh...my...gosh...The nerve of Putin and those Russian thugs. Of course, Romney couldn't have been right that Russia is our #1 geopolitical foe or anything. Sarcasm aside, that is truly frightening.