AGuest

Joined

• started 313 topics
• posted 9,446 times   see topics posted on
• send a message

Posts by AGuest

• 
  233

  Human Devolution? Interesting Article...

  by AGuest in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  are humans really getting dumber (may you all have peace)?

  there have many positions on this for both sides.

  saw an announcement on the news this morning and was intrigued: could it be true?

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  AGuest

  Thank you for your comment, dear Sab (peace to you!). I can see how increasing family dysfunction in the US would contribute to the phenomenon here. I tend to agree with the author of the study, though that "mutations in the human brain — brought on by advances in society that have made survival less stressful — are eroding our intellectual and emotional capabilities." One example is of that is telling time: we've gone from, say, the sundial (which required some knowledge as to the position of the sun)... to the analog face (which required some knowledge of math, to calculate the position of the "hands"... to digital, where simply reads the numbers, rather than calculate the time.

  What I find interesting, though, is that the author candidly stated it was this, advances to make life less stressful. I think THINKING is stressful for many (in addition to physical labor)... and so our efforts to think LESS... and so find ways to help us DO that IS the reason. I encounter it almost everyday and it not only puzzles and perplexes me, but sometimes irritates me. People don't WANT to think... and there are a whole lotta folks out there that KNOW this... an capitalize, even prey on it. Not to take it in a certain direction (no, seriously, but I find it appropo), that was one of the things that bothered me about the WTBTS - thinking was anathema. They did NOT want you to THINK; indeed, they not only discouraged it, taught it out of folks, but meted out their own forms of punishment if you did it (more than they wanted you to, which was VERY minimal). I am a [heavy] thinker (and INTJ) and so this never worked for me. Eventually, we would have had to part ways.

  Anyway, apparently the author doesn't think we have much to worry about; the progression is slow. The following comment made me laugh, though:

  "... we may be able to magically correct any mutation that has occurred in all cells of any organism at any development stage."

  I thought that was funny!

  Again, thank you for your comment... and peace to you!

  YOUR servant and a slave of Christ,

  SA
• 
  233

  Human Devolution? Interesting Article...

  by AGuest in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  are humans really getting dumber (may you all have peace)?

  there have many positions on this for both sides.

  saw an announcement on the news this morning and was intrigued: could it be true?

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  AGuest

  Are humans really getting dumber (may you all have peace)? There have many positions on this for both sides. Saw an announcement on the news this morning and was intrigued: could it be true? I personally think it is, given - well, something I won't share here due to the potential to take the discussion in a direction I don't intend - as well as what many US students no longer know... or need to do TO know... and the increasing emphasis on the strength of the body/physical vessel over the mind. I cannot tell you how many people I know who don't read... well, pretty much anything (particularly JWs, which blew my mind - most of those I knew didn't even read the WTBTS publications, except perhaps the week's WT study article, and then only by skimming. I digress).

  These things have stood as "evidence" to ME on the matter that strength of MIND is not considered a desirable virtue by many (heck, some even consider strength of thumbs more important - LOLOL!).

  Now, though, it appears that there is scientific evidence that says it is true, we are literally getting dumber:

  http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/human-beings-stupider-research-article-1.1200985?localLinksEnabled=false

  Since there is now tangible evidence, this means our intellectual devolution is no longer a theory... but a FACT. Right?

  Curious as to what others think on this.

  Peace!

  A slave of Christ,

  SA

  Edited to add: I also think the article debunks the notion that belief in God is what dumbs man down; rather, it seems to be saying that reliance on science is the culprit. What do you think? I look forward to your comments!
• 
  121

  The Black Cat Analogy

  by OnTheWayOut in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  .

  .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  AGuest

  No need to release me.

  Mmmmmm... don't be so sure about that. I mean, I might need to... if I want to BE released, that is.

  SA
• 
  121

  The Black Cat Analogy

  by OnTheWayOut in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  .

  .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  AGuest

  Then whatever could be on the other side of that door?

  Nothing? Oh, and kitties can't set traps... sill... ummmm... Miss rabbit...

  I'm confused.

  Well, so long as I didn't say it...

  And... SO LONG...

  SA
• 
  121

  The Black Cat Analogy

  by OnTheWayOut in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  .

  .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  AGuest

  Why can't EE mention your god?

  First, we're not talking about my God, per see (please see first response in penultimate post, above). And he can; I just meant that if he cannot bring himself to use the correct form (well, any form that's not intentionally derogatory), to please refrain from using it at all. I mean, I did say "please."

  Now, really, we must stop here you and I as I really must go. I am SURE you have some [much more] important things to do with your time than engage in a back-and-forth with me. Surely.

  A slave of Christ,

  SA
• 
  121

  The Black Cat Analogy

  by OnTheWayOut in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  .

  .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  AGuest

  if we are using the cat as an analogy to God,

  We're not (but someone else'll have to explain to you why that is 'cause I really must go, now).

  Are you suggesting that kitty has set a trap to punish those that didn’t find him because he hid from them and were unaware of the need to look?

  Absolutely NOT. You're mistaking me (still, and that's curious, after all this time... as in your statement above) for someone who believes the GOOD news of the kingdom has something to do with God arbitrarily destroying people He doesn't "like." Never may that happen! That is an UNRIGHTEOUS act! And what is the WORLD is good about that kind of news??

  Okay, I really gotta go, now. I mean, this could keep on all day... if we let it... and I really don't wanna let it. 'Cause it usually deteriorates into something horrible (given the players) and I'm just not up for that. I've been to where more "peaceful waters" flow... and I like it there, so...

  "I'm going home, I've done my tiiiiimmmmmeeeee!"

  A slave of Christ,

  SA
• 
  121

  The Black Cat Analogy

  by OnTheWayOut in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  .

  .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  AGuest

  So, okay, this was fun... and it was nice to be back in the 'hood for a 'sec... but my train is leaving. It's been real, take care, peace, etc.!

  A slave of Christ,

  SA
• 
  121

  The Black Cat Analogy

  by OnTheWayOut in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  .

  .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  AGuest

  I've absolutely no idea what you're meaning here... but thank you for the omission. Truly.

  A slave of Christ,

  SA
• 
  121

  The Black Cat Analogy

  by OnTheWayOut in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  .

  .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  AGuest

  the negro cat thing was pretty funny

  One favor to ask, though, if I may? Please refrain from calling my Lord by derogatory names... or even mentioning him at all (as it lends nothing to the discussion except to make you look... well, a bit "high school-ish", if you ask me). You don't have to like/believe in/accept/hear, etc., him, but it's disrespectful and calls upon me to "check" you... and I really don't want to do that, particularly here. I get your position, that you DON'T like/believe in/accept/hear him... or believe you ever will... any of those things... but, seriously...

  I don't mind talking "negro" or jive or whatever you wish with you, but I do take exception to that disrespect. I would never do that with regard to the god you're working for right now (although I will state, truthfully, that he doesn't exist and so put his name in quotes, but that's abou it. I give him the same respect I give "Jesus," "Allah", "Vishnu", "Molech," and so on. While I would absolutely engage a worshiper of ANY of these, I wouldn't denigrate the discussion by profaning (in their eyes). Thor... is still Thor, not Thoranamus or something like that.

  Just askin'...

  A slave of Christ,

  SA
• 
  121

  The Black Cat Analogy

  by OnTheWayOut in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  .

  .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  AGuest

  Now if the cat is being tricky and slipping away and being really quiet, it may not be found.

  Now why would a kitty be tricky? And cat's tend to be pretty quiet in the dark (well, if there's only one, which seems to be the case, here).

  But that’s because it avoided being found, and therefore wants no interaction with the human in the room.

  Why would it avoid being found... or want no interaction with the person in the room? I mean, the person's a good person and means the kitty no harm... right?

  Bad kitty.

  Why are we assuming that the kitty is bad? Maybe it just doesn't know the person in the room and is just doing what kitties doe when they don't know someone. I mean, most of the kitties I've come across WANT to be handled. Well, except maybe the feral kind.

  But the person leaves the room not knowing about the cat, and it changes nothing for them

  .

  True.

  To them, the cat simply never existed,

  To THEM, yes. Exact-a-mundo! Doesn't mean it didn't, though, does it? And so while that may be that person's "truth", doesn't mean it is THE truth. Yes?

  and maybe they don’t like cats anyway.

  And maybe Kitty picked up on that. With one of IT'S senses...

  No Biggie.

  MMmmmmm... don't be so sure. Depends on what's on the other side of the door the person went out of.

  Life moves on.

  For now. Maybe.

  Saw absolutely no point in responding to anything else. Except to say that while evolution might not have been the best example, the comparison was as to sight... and since science apparently uses a flashlight in its search for proof of that, as well, well, then...

  A slave of Christ,

  SA