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September 29, 2005

Intelligent Design (again) and mice

Cox and Forkum recently posted a great cartoon on the matter (reproduced here with permission)

As I understand it, the premise is that everything is so unbelievably complex, it must have been designed to fit together so very well. And that so long as the creator isn't named (just think of him as "Big G", or hyper-intelligent aliens), then somehow the theory is not inherently religious.

Now, if you believe we were so complex that we had to be designed, then whatever designed us must have been vastly more complicated (one doesn't wish to say infallible) in order to get all the details just right. So, just for arguments sake, and to avoid the overtly religious "Big G", we'll run with the aliens.

Mice are not, as is commonly assumed on Earth, small white squeaking animals who spend a lot of time being experimented on. In fact, they are the protrusions into our dimension of hyper-intellegent pan-dimensional beings. These beings are in fact responsible for the creation of the Earth.

Douglas Adams, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy

Which explains everything but who designed the mice and their pan-dimensional world(s). And who designed the designers of the mice.

Roving about the web, I found something that hits just this troublesome little nail on the head, so I'll just reprint the far more eloquent Dr. Keith Lockitch's summation.

By the very nature of its approach, "intelligent design" cannot be satisfied with a "designer" who is part of the natural world. Such a "designer" would not answer the basic question its advocates raise: it would not explain biological complexity as such. The only "designer" that would stop their quest for a "design" explanation of complexity is a "designer" about whom one cannot ask any questions or who cannot be subjected to any kind of scientific study--a "designer" that "transcends" nature and its laws--a "designer" not susceptible of rational explanation--in short: a supernatural "designer."

Scrawled illegibly by Meathe at 12:03 PM

September 20, 2005

What do you mean, return to the moon?

I'm an unashamed space-nut. I'd fly on a shuttle tomorrow if I had the chance. I mentioned a few days back that congress had approved funding for the return to the moon. This attracted the attention of someone who snidely said "Return? We never went there". When pressed for more details, he mentioned a TV show and a few documentaries, but couldn't remember any details.

I'm no stranger to conspiracy theories. I worked in a capacity that required me to deal with irate, confused and strange members of the public on the phone (nutters) and in person (3D-nutters). Invariably, once a week, someone would have a theory. These ranged from the paranoid ("the neighbours are trying to kill me by pumping an invisible gas into my house through the ventilation ducts, I can't tell the police, they're in on it") to the convoluted ("I can prove Bill Clinton's hair dresser was involved in the JFK assassination, here's all the links between people on a graph" - this one was later expanded to include Queen Elizabeth's drug trafficing) and the anti-semetic ("I am not a jew-hater. But nor am I a jew-lover" followed by the most diabolical ranting).

There were also the regulars. One, Mr Simmons (not his name) had a penchant for explaining things and saying "Take it in. Take it all in. Like an injection." whilst miming shooting up, had managed to combine several traits. And eventually, I drew the short straw and had to go out and usher him out of the building with as little disturbance as possible. This involved humouring him for a few minutes.

He offered vast folders of collected clippings, evidence of the Zionist conspiracy. Foolishly, I then let him speak. They faked the holocaust, controled the government, set up puppet organizations (Templars, Freemasons) and all the other usual stuff. I thanked him kindly (by name) for such information, told him it would be checked and acted upon immediately.

And then introduced myself as Abraham Lipovetski (not actually my name, but nicely zionist sounding). Strangely enough, at that point he left with speed and did not return for quite some time.

So, the old "moon landing was a hoax" came up. I'd not seen the show, which aparently aired on Fox some time ago, but there are plenty of sites on the net that give the same sorts of ideas bandwidth.

They are all so deeply convinced of the 'truth' that they start with a conclusion and shoehorn evidence into it. Anything not fitting into the theory is discarded as a NASA fabrication.

Most have simple explanations, especially the one about the absence of stars in lunar photographs. Anyone who has ever taken photographs at night (or knows of shutters and exposures) should be able to work out why.

Detailed rebuttals can be found at the excellent site Bad Astronomy (there are a host of others debunking out there as well).

The upside of reading more about the 'hoax' is that I discovered a few interesting (debunking) sites, and the entertaining Buzz Aldrin-Bart Sibrel video clip.

Sibrel is a hoax theory proponent with a history of hounding astronauts. In this case he cornered Aldrin and his neice, stood in their way as they tried to leave the area and shouted directly in Aldrin's face, shoving a Bible into Aldrin's ribs several times, calling Aldrin a "a coward, a liar, and a thief". Dr Aldrin (72 years old, 5 feet, 10 inches, 160 pounds) punched Sibrel (37 years old, 6 feet, 2 inches, 250 pound) in the face, claiming that he felt forced to defend himself and his companion.

Buzz has a great right cross. (I have no sympathy for harassing nutters).

As the X-files say,

The truth is out there. The lies are in your head.

Or something like that.

Scrawled illegibly by Meathe at 02:40 PM

A return to the moon, then on to Mars.

On monday, NASA unveiled plans for a return to the moon and a manned mission to Mars. Today, space.com carries a story today about the plans (New Agenda or Apollo Retread?).

Aspects are somewhat vintage Apollo in approach

Well, of course. They were good ideas then and they're good ideas now. Things like the crew module on top of the rocket (easy to jetison in an emergency and away from any debris).

Of course, there are some new twists. The earth-to-moon stage would be pre-launched, and the astronauts would rendezvous with that stage in earth orbit before continuing on. Then they will leave the exploration vehicle in autopilot while all four continue on to the lunar surface.

Return to Earth would be in a similar fashion to the Apollo missions, however a splashdown is now considered a contingency, they're aiming to bump down in the mid-west somewhere.

Where do I sign up?

Scrawled illegibly by Meathe at 10:54 AM

September 14, 2005

I know I said I was an atheist.

But, damnit, I may just have to convert.

Let us remember that there are multiple theories of Intelligent Design. I and many others around the world are of the strong belief that the universe was created by a Flying Spaghetti Monster. It was He who created all that we see and all that we feel. We feel strongly that the overwhelming scientific evidence pointing towards evolutionary processes is nothing but a coincidence, put in place by Him.It is for this reason that I’m writing you today, to formally request that this alternative theory be taught in your schools, along with the other two theories. In fact, I will go so far as to say, if you do not agree to do this, we will be forced to proceed with legal action.

I was touched by his noodly appendage!

Scrawled illegibly by Meathe at 05:01 PM

Great Googly Moogly.

Google has introduced (another) new service. Blog searching! It's in Beta testing, but looks rather good.

It's also not restricted to the Google owned "Blogger".

Google is a strong believer in the self-publishing phenomenon represented by blogging, and we hope Blog Search will help our users to explore the blogging universe more effectively, and perhaps inspire many to join the revolution themselves. Whether you're looking for Harry Potter reviews, political commentary, summer salad recipes or anything else, Blog Search enables you to find out what people are saying on any subject of your choice.

http://www.google.com/blogsearch

Scrawled illegibly by Meathe at 03:55 PM

A hards days work.

Four consultants hired to boost staff morale in Britain's Jobcentres came up with the brainwave "more potted plants and sweets" after 20 days' brainstorming. The bill: £60,000 ($120,000 US), or £750 ($1500) each per day.

I really can't say I'm surprised at all. What would surprise me less is that they're related in some fashion to the man who has to sign the cheque.

What would suprise me is if there were a clause in the original contract which allowed non-payment in the event of a ridiculous submission.

Scrawled illegibly by Meathe at 03:46 PM

Want to speak to a human?

Telephone prompt systems. Everyone hates them.

There is now a page dedicated to getting you to the operator right away.

Enjoy.

Scrawled illegibly by Meathe at 12:53 PM

September 13, 2005

Sail away, sail away, sail away.

There isn't no call to go talking of pushing and pulling. Boats are quite tricky enough for those that sit still without looking further for the cause of trouble.

Sam Gamgee, J. R. R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

The forty foot long bronze-age technology boat, pains takingly constructed of reed, date-palm fibres, pitch and tar was manned by an eight man crew, (two Americans, an Australian sailing master, two Omani seamen, two Italian graduate students and an Indian archaeologist). She was dubbed the Magan, and was intended to prove that such a ship could have plied the 600 mile voyage from Oman to Mandvi (India).

Several miles off shore, it was hit by a moderate wave. This tilted the boat "more than expected". 30 minutes later, it was at the bottom of the ocean. Everyone was rescued by a naval vessel that was shadowing them in case of such an event.

“Everyone was very saddened by the sinking of the boat on the first day,” Possehl told The Associated Press by telephone from Oman. “It was a tragedy, especially after it had gotten off to a good start.”

I don't know that 'several miles and sink' in the first day is a terribly good start, but they are undaunted.

Researchers had hoped the voyage would help them learn about Bronze Age boat construction techniques, plus how well such vessels worked, how to sail them, and what life aboard them might have been like.

Not quite like that, not all that well, avoiding waves, brief.

I still find it an interesting project however, there have been a series of curious postulations and recreations about how things might have been done (most notably Egyptian based) and now...

Omani Culture Minister Saeed Haithem told the members of the boat project Saturday that his government will back the rebuilding and testing of another boat, Possehl said.

they're rebuilding. Perhaps the strangest point is that they won't call it a 'replica' of a 4500 year old boat, as there is not enough information about how such a boat was contructed. It's a series of best guesses. Still, best of luck to the bronze age submarine recreationists. And remember the life vests.

Scrawled illegibly by Meathe at 12:03 PM

It's a big ad!

Carlton Draught is one of the many beers in Australia that we prefer to Fosters.

Fosters is not Australian for beer. Fosters is Australian for an average product with good marketing. And for the US market, it is manufactured in Canada by Molson. This makes it a little better than the version in Australia and allows them to stamp "IMPORTED" in big letters near the kangaroo logos (and made in Canada in really small print).

Instructions for watching the ad:
Have speakers
Do not have liquids in your mouth unless your keyboard and monitor are waterproofed
Click the link.

Scrawled illegibly by Meathe at 10:03 AM

September 09, 2005

Photoshop practice.

If you send me a photo of yourself flipping me the bird, you know it's going to be filed in the "practice photoshop with this one" folder.

Scrawled illegibly by Meathe at 02:04 PM

Its like ping pong. But with Ninjas and John Woo directing.

Its been a depressing few weeks. So in the interests of lightening the mood, I present you with a link to "Ninja Ping Pong".

Scrawled illegibly by Meathe at 12:15 PM

Flight 93 marker design chosen (Whiskey Tango Foxtrot)

Pittsburgh Post GazetteIt will serve as a living tribute. With each wind, each breeze, a set of chimes housed in a 93-foot tower will create a different song in memory of the 40 people who sacrificed their lives trying to save the lives of others.

So far, so good.

Four years after United Airlines Flight 93 crashed into a reclaimed strip mine near Shanksville, Somerset County, on Sept. 11, 2001, the design that will serve as the national memorial was unveiled here yesterday in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Hall of Flags ... Forty separate groves of red and sugar maples will be planted behind the crescent

Crescent? Wait a moment.

"Crescent of Embrace", it's titled. Maybe I'm missing something and just do not understand the artistic significance. Or perhaps I'm assigning significance when there is none.

Its not that I mind the symbol itself. However, this is a memorial to a flight downed by the 9/11 terrorists. Is it really an appropriate shape?

Scrawled illegibly by Meathe at 11:41 AM

September 07, 2005

So, how about number eight?

I thought you might.

After being (repeatedly) attacked by a certain French magazine on drug allegations, the slings and arrows of the French may have coaxed someone out of retirement.

Nor has the racing team actually looked for a replacement leader, holding the team leader position open, just in case.

---

Update

Direct from ThePaceline.com (registration required)

"While I'm absolutely enjoying my time as a retired athlete with Sheryl and the kids, the recent smear campaign out of France has awoken my competitive side. I'm not willing to put a percentage on the chances but I will no longer rule it out..." - Lance Armstrong

Scrawled illegibly by Meathe at 10:34 AM

September 02, 2005

Whole lotta shakin' goin' on

From the US Geological survey, a record of yesterday's larger (magnitude 3+) seismic activity in California. Actaully, all of these are within 3 miles of Obsidian Butte.

Update time = Fri Sep 2 12:32:20 PDT 2005

Magnitude	Date/Time
3.4	2005/09/01 23:44:28
3.3	2005/09/01 20:55:41
3.3	2005/09/01 20:54:52
3.1	2005/09/01 20:50:18
3.1	2005/09/01 20:50:14
3.2	2005/09/01 20:46:48
3.7	2005/09/01 19:46:35
3.0	2005/09/01 18:38:18
3.8	2005/09/01 18:30:32
5.1	2005/09/01 18:27:19
4.5	2005/09/01 18:27:18
3.0	2005/09/01 18:23:43
3.0	2005/09/01 08:22:45
3.2	2005/09/01 07:06:31
4.4	2005/09/01 06:50:20
3.7	2005/09/01 06:50:09
3.6	2005/09/01 06:48:25
3.1	2005/09/01 01:24:27

Scrawled illegibly by Meathe at 03:42 PM

The city of Dis.

I'm not a religious person. I never have been and I never will be. When I die, there will not even be blackness for me. One innings, one out, game over. Of course, I can't prove that, any more than it can be proved I shall be cast into an eternal pit of flame, ascend to heaven or be reincarnated as a dung beetle. It just makes more sense to me, and I'm happy enough with that.

I honestly thought the website was a sick joke when the Webkittyn pointed me to it, specifically to the page about Katarina being the act of a vengeful god on the unrighteous denizens of a city of sin. Unfortunately, it's not. They're actually serious.

"Although the loss of lives is deeply saddening, this act of God destroyed a wicked city,"

The words of the insufferably holier than thou.

There are a lot of good religious people out there of all denominations. And there are a lot of whack jobs that make me very, very glad I do not believe in the things that they do.

Their site, did, however, make me want to click on their quiz button (reproduced here at right), to see what level of damnation I was heading for.

And it simply took me to a page containing the ten commandments (I'm batting 2/10), which was quite dissapointing. So here, I linked it to a far better quiz, the Dante's Divine Comedy Purgatory Challenge. How damned are you?

The Dante's Inferno Test has banished you to the Sixth Level of Hell - The City of Dis!

Here is how you matched up against all the levels:

Level	Score
Purgatory (Repenting Believers)	Very Low
Level 1 - Limbo (Virtuous Non-Believers)	Very Low
Level 2 (Lustful)	Very High
Level 3 (Gluttonous)	Moderate
Level 4 (Prodigal and Avaricious)	Moderate
Level 5 (Wrathful and Gloomy)	Low
Level 6 - The City of Dis (Heretics)	Very High
Level 7 (Violent)	High
Level 8- the Malebolge (Fraudulent, Malicious, Panderers)	Low
Level 9 - Cocytus (Treacherous)	Low

Take the Dante's Divine Comedy Inferno Test

I hope this means I get to spend the weekends in Level 2 with Cleopatra and Helen of Troy...

Scrawled illegibly by Meathe at 10:56 AM

And you thought the roaches were bad.

Aaron Balick got a bit of a nasty shock when he heard some rustling under papers in the corner of his living room.

"Thinking it was a mouse, I went to investigate the sound," the 32-year-old psychotherapist said yesterday. "The sound was coming from under some papers, which I lifted expecting to see the mouse scamper away."

If he's the twitchy type about things that scurry, its a very good thing he can treat himself. And you know it wasn't a mouse. It as a venomous giant South American centipede (Scolopendra gigantea), measuring in at a considerable 23cm (a little over 9 inches long).

Stuart Hine, an entomologist, said it was likely the centipede hitched a ride aboard a freighter, likely with a shipment of fruit.

And I sit and wonder where she laid her sixty or so eggs and when they hatch.

(Clicking the "Continue" link below will get you a picture of one)

Scrawled illegibly by Meathe at 09:58 AM