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Profile of Diogenes The Cynic
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121
General / Cult Deprogramming and Related Issues
« on: November 10, 2009, 12:05:26 AM »
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deprogramming
If you are aware of the psychological practices used in cult deprogramming, you could easily see how they could be used in ANY OTHER CONTEXT.
One practice is to convince the person that they did not join the group willingly. But you can see how a manipulative enough deprogramer could convince anyone that any group they joined was not consensual, but born of feelings of conformity, or isolation. I am convinced they could be just as easily used to convince soldiers that they didn't really want to join the military. Without the environmental support the person is used to, coupled with isolation, the captured person wouldn't be able to indefinitely resist the deprogramming.
The implications of this are pretty freaky. What do you guys think?
If you are aware of the psychological practices used in cult deprogramming, you could easily see how they could be used in ANY OTHER CONTEXT.
One practice is to convince the person that they did not join the group willingly. But you can see how a manipulative enough deprogramer could convince anyone that any group they joined was not consensual, but born of feelings of conformity, or isolation. I am convinced they could be just as easily used to convince soldiers that they didn't really want to join the military. Without the environmental support the person is used to, coupled with isolation, the captured person wouldn't be able to indefinitely resist the deprogramming.
The implications of this are pretty freaky. What do you guys think?
122
General / Do You Own Your Own Face?
« on: November 05, 2009, 02:03:45 AM »
In the literal sense you do, but its a tougher question to decide if you own your visage?
You look a certain way thats unique to yourself, so if someone intentionally uses your looks to make money without your permission?
What if they graph your head and body in a porno of the variety thats embarrassing to you and market it widely as if it were you in order to cause embarrassment. Do you have recourse for that?
You look a certain way thats unique to yourself, so if someone intentionally uses your looks to make money without your permission?
What if they graph your head and body in a porno of the variety thats embarrassing to you and market it widely as if it were you in order to cause embarrassment. Do you have recourse for that?
123
General / End User License Agreement
« on: November 05, 2009, 01:51:01 AM »
Everyone I know of clicks on the "I accept" area of any software end user license agreement, but even if you agree, I don't think that you are really involved in a binding contract.
I don't see how a company that intentionally obfuscates an agreement could justifiably hold you to that same agreement if there was no expectation that you had read it in the first place, and furthermore, when certain pieces of hardware are designed without the ability to opt out of agreement of software end user license agreements, then since there is no reasonable way to opt out, then there is no actual agreement between the manufacturer and you.
What are your thoughts on this and other cases of contractual agreement?
I don't see how a company that intentionally obfuscates an agreement could justifiably hold you to that same agreement if there was no expectation that you had read it in the first place, and furthermore, when certain pieces of hardware are designed without the ability to opt out of agreement of software end user license agreements, then since there is no reasonable way to opt out, then there is no actual agreement between the manufacturer and you.
What are your thoughts on this and other cases of contractual agreement?
124
General / Free Market Solution
« on: November 03, 2009, 10:46:34 AM »
If you knew more about some of the major charities that operate in this country, you might be disillusioned as to how some of them (only some) operate more like the mickey mouse club then good charities.
One idea for a major charity would be to solicit funds and take bids like a business would for major charitable projects. Where this would be especially useful would be the following areas:
-Cleanup of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pacific_Garbage_Patch
-Building scrubbers that would fly long duration missions in the atmosphere either turning carbon monoxide into more base elements or condensing vapor into water
-Putting out bids for mine clearing in third world countries by the acre
-Removing explosives from Iraq that would otherwise be stolen and used for car-bomb attacks
What thinks you?
One idea for a major charity would be to solicit funds and take bids like a business would for major charitable projects. Where this would be especially useful would be the following areas:
-Cleanup of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pacific_Garbage_Patch
-Building scrubbers that would fly long duration missions in the atmosphere either turning carbon monoxide into more base elements or condensing vapor into water
-Putting out bids for mine clearing in third world countries by the acre
-Removing explosives from Iraq that would otherwise be stolen and used for car-bomb attacks
What thinks you?
125
General / Is Richard III a virgin?
« on: November 03, 2009, 12:57:16 AM »
I think he is. This is exhibit A:
It's so true. When I think about chicks on birth control....I can only think that such things serve one purpose: The Evolution of Masturbation.
And yet...the "cool" people say that if you are not fucking these compromised specimens....then you are some kind of "Loser".
But who really is the "loser" here??? ....The brainless slut....or the sexual predator that you proudly call your "son"!??!?
LOL.
Enjoy the tsunami, H1N1, and Herpes.....because you deserve it.....because you are no-class beasts.
Mother Nature is coming for you stupid little bitches.
It's so true. When I think about chicks on birth control....I can only think that such things serve one purpose: The Evolution of Masturbation.
And yet...the "cool" people say that if you are not fucking these compromised specimens....then you are some kind of "Loser".
But who really is the "loser" here??? ....The brainless slut....or the sexual predator that you proudly call your "son"!??!?
LOL.
Enjoy the tsunami, H1N1, and Herpes.....because you deserve it.....because you are no-class beasts.
Mother Nature is coming for you stupid little bitches.
126
General / 12 Trillian Day
« on: October 29, 2009, 02:54:42 AM »
The US national stands at 11.906 trillion dollars today. In about a month the amount will hit 12 trillion.
I have informed my students that when the 12 trillion dollar mark is reached, we will have a day to do something special. The problem is, I don't have any good ideas as to what to do.
What should I do that day? Lets keep the ideas real, and realistic. No, I will not commit suicide in front of the class. I know who was going to suggest that, and you could go fuck yourself.
I have informed my students that when the 12 trillion dollar mark is reached, we will have a day to do something special. The problem is, I don't have any good ideas as to what to do.
What should I do that day? Lets keep the ideas real, and realistic. No, I will not commit suicide in front of the class. I know who was going to suggest that, and you could go fuck yourself.
127
General / MonkeyWrenching
« on: October 17, 2009, 11:22:51 PM »
Its been nearly 50 years since Operation Wetback, and since that time, the illegal immigrant population of the United States has reached to 11 million people.
No doubt people in office are grumbling, and in any case, there are existing contingency plans as how any large immigrant group would be remitted (right word?) to their homelands.
Unfortunately this would involve large scale abuses in human dignity, and have the intended effect of greater state power.
Since the government always draws up contingency plans for events on a mass scale, and individuals are sucked up into them with seconds to react, a successful monkeywrenching plan would also have to be drawn up in advance.
What are your ideas?
No doubt people in office are grumbling, and in any case, there are existing contingency plans as how any large immigrant group would be remitted (right word?) to their homelands.
Unfortunately this would involve large scale abuses in human dignity, and have the intended effect of greater state power.
Since the government always draws up contingency plans for events on a mass scale, and individuals are sucked up into them with seconds to react, a successful monkeywrenching plan would also have to be drawn up in advance.
What are your ideas?
128
General / Which Constitutional Amendment is Worst?
« on: October 08, 2009, 10:07:31 PM »
Today, America seems to be ruled by a reality-deficient elite who selectively pay attention to the Constitution so as to create a police state. As a country, we went wrong somewhere and I have a pretty good answer as to where the mistake was. I want you to air your grievances with the Constitution, and after a few posts, will reveal the one amendment that caused the most harm.
129
General / A Question to Agnostics
« on: October 08, 2009, 08:15:09 PM »
I understand the standpoint the standpoint of Atheism. A person doesn't believe in G-d, and therefore lives life according to how he or she thinks is best in light of that belief.
I understand the standpoint of a theist as well. A person believes in G-d and lives life in accordance to what they think G-d expects of them.
What I don't understand is the standpoint of an agnostic. From what I have observed they live their lives no differently then atheists, but if they were true agnostics, they would hedge their bets and take Pascals Wager.
For a true agnostic, one who thinks G-ds existence is ambiguous, they would have little philosophical inclination to object to performing religious ritual. If they had strong moral objection to the performance of religious ritual, then they would be effectively atheist, wouldn't they?
Your thoughts?
I understand the standpoint of a theist as well. A person believes in G-d and lives life in accordance to what they think G-d expects of them.
What I don't understand is the standpoint of an agnostic. From what I have observed they live their lives no differently then atheists, but if they were true agnostics, they would hedge their bets and take Pascals Wager.
For a true agnostic, one who thinks G-ds existence is ambiguous, they would have little philosophical inclination to object to performing religious ritual. If they had strong moral objection to the performance of religious ritual, then they would be effectively atheist, wouldn't they?
Your thoughts?
130
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-10-06-rape-decline_N.htm?poe=HFMostPopular
The article doesnt point out one simple thing here. They attribute reported rapes going down to DNA testing, and that could honestly be the reason, but there might be a hidden component.
The author implies that DNA testing makes rape seem less likely because the perpetrator knows they will be caught, but doesn't address the fact that there are less reported rapes because DNA evidence would exonerate a falsely accused person.
Discuss.
The article doesnt point out one simple thing here. They attribute reported rapes going down to DNA testing, and that could honestly be the reason, but there might be a hidden component.
The author implies that DNA testing makes rape seem less likely because the perpetrator knows they will be caught, but doesn't address the fact that there are less reported rapes because DNA evidence would exonerate a falsely accused person.
Discuss.
131
General / The Free Market to the Rescue!
« on: October 06, 2009, 06:06:32 AM »
The purpose of this thread is to publicise times in history when a totally free market on gun ownership saved the lives of people using the means of self-defense, and to publicize times when specific failures of laws killed people unnecessarily.
Off the top of my head come the following examples.
Successes:
-In Texas during the clock tower killings, residents picked up their rifles, and began firing back at Charles Whitman. Although they did not hit him, he retreated into the buttresses of the tower, therby narrowing his field of vision, and saving the lives of many people who would have otherwise been in his line of sight. At the same time, residents of Austin began running into police stations, temporarily donating their rifles to the police, whose issue rifles did not have the range to hit Whitman.
-During the L.A. riots, Korean business owners who were armed had patrols outside their shops to protect them from looters. When armed gangs roamed into the neighboroods, they had shootouts in the streets. Some Koreans stood with rifles atop their businesses, and their presence thwarted rioters from mobbing their stores.
-
Off the top of my head come the following examples.
Successes:
-In Texas during the clock tower killings, residents picked up their rifles, and began firing back at Charles Whitman. Although they did not hit him, he retreated into the buttresses of the tower, therby narrowing his field of vision, and saving the lives of many people who would have otherwise been in his line of sight. At the same time, residents of Austin began running into police stations, temporarily donating their rifles to the police, whose issue rifles did not have the range to hit Whitman.
-During the L.A. riots, Korean business owners who were armed had patrols outside their shops to protect them from looters. When armed gangs roamed into the neighboroods, they had shootouts in the streets. Some Koreans stood with rifles atop their businesses, and their presence thwarted rioters from mobbing their stores.
-
132
General / Hell Yeah!
« on: October 02, 2009, 06:21:14 AM »
I just stuck it to the man by filing my 4029 with the IRS, which will IM"H exempt me from future payments into social security, and medicare.
133
General / Does This Happen To You?
« on: September 25, 2009, 06:41:36 AM »
My roommate totally ripped me for wearing a tie in my room while I was on the computer at 2 in the morning.
Does anyone else do that? I cant be the only one dressed presentably while at home..............
Does anyone else do that? I cant be the only one dressed presentably while at home..............
134
General / Statistical Confusion
« on: September 17, 2009, 04:08:55 AM »
The European population peaked in 2000, and the next generation does not have the means to support them as their median age goes up. Looking at the stastics and the obvious gap in earnings to expenses projected, I am surpised that the new crop of European youth is not leaning towards Libertarianism. or Convervativism. Its strange that despite the few youths going topless at the beaches, and being socially less open then their parents that this hasnt coupled with resentment over their heavily taxed future.
Why havent they made the switch yet? Or if I missed it, what were the signs that it started?
Why havent they made the switch yet? Or if I missed it, what were the signs that it started?
135
General / Things That Will Suck
« on: September 16, 2009, 07:22:18 PM »
We all love freedom, and liberty, and most of us ascribe to the common platforms of Libertarian thought. But in envisioning this world that actually ascribes to the platform we want implement, there are tenants I am sure most are uncomfortable with.
For example, although I agree that in a libertarian nation public nudity should be legal, I find it to be repulsive, as I am quite prudish.
Name the things that you will not like but are included in the platform of libertarian thought.
For example, although I agree that in a libertarian nation public nudity should be legal, I find it to be repulsive, as I am quite prudish.
Name the things that you will not like but are included in the platform of libertarian thought.