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sabella
New Member
6 Posts |
 Posted - 11/07/2010 : 23:36:13
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Hi everyone. I'm a writer, amateur comedian, philosopher, and have always had a great interest in science and skepticism. Recently I started writing articles for a site entitled "Things that Shouldn't Still Exist." My most recent article is on hatred towards science (which seriously has no right still existing-- particularly in developed nations). Anyhow, I'm always looking for more topics to write about, so if anyone has suggestions, let me know. So far, I've also covered: Racism, Ghost Hunting, Square Dancing, and Circumcision. The site is an odd mix of philosophy and humor (which is necessary when you're an analytical thinker in a world of dubious, frustrating cultural norms).
May rational thought save my sanity.
Jason
http://thingsthatshouldntstillexist.wordpress.com
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Kil
Evil Skeptic
USA
13477 Posts |
Posted - 11/08/2010 : 00:49:38 [Permalink]
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| Welcome to SFN sabella. Enjoy posting here, but please don't do duplicate posts. That sort of thing is considered spamming. Thanks. |
Uncertainty may make you uncomfortable. Certainty makes you ridiculous.
Why not question something for a change?
Genetic Literacy Project |
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sabella
New Member
6 Posts |
Posted - 11/08/2010 : 01:03:30 [Permalink]
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| Sorry. Anyhow, thanks for being nice in how you let me know. So, back to the topic at hand: Who has some suggestions for me? |
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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
 Posted - 11/08/2010 : 08:17:16 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by sabella
Hi everyone. I'm a writer, amateur comedian, philosopher, and have always had a great interest in science and skepticism. Recently I started writing articles for a site entitled "Things that Shouldn't Still Exist." My most recent article is on hatred towards science (which seriously has no right still existing-- particularly in developed nations). Anyhow, I'm always looking for more topics to write about, so if anyone has suggestions, let me know. So far, I've also covered: Racism, Ghost Hunting, Square Dancing, and Circumcision. The site is an odd mix of philosophy and humor (which is necessary when you're an analytical thinker in a world of dubious, frustrating cultural norms).
May rational thought save my sanity.
Jason
http://thingsthatshouldntstillexist.wordpress.com
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Hmm. How 'bout a thousand words or so on what never replaced the humble mortar and pestle? Today, what with electric choppers, grinders and various, other machines of victual destruction, the mortar and pestle is still to be found almost anywhere. It has been in constant use since the Stone Ages, in one form or another. I have a set myself.
It would be an interesting history, I think.
And welcome to SFN!
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"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
"If only we could impeach on the basis of criminal stupidity, 90% of the Rethuglicans and half of the Democrats would be thrown out of office." ~~ P.Z. Myres
"The default position of human nature is to punch the other guy in the face and take his stuff." ~~ Dude
Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,
and Crypto-Communist! 
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H. Humbert
SFN Die Hard
USA
4574 Posts |
Posted - 11/08/2010 : 11:04:15 [Permalink]
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Religion? Too obvious. Human slavery? Too depressing. Ashton Kutcher's career? Too obvious and depressing.
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"A man is his own easiest dupe, for what he wishes to be true he generally believes to be true." --Demosthenes
"The first principle is that you must not fool yourself - and you are the easiest person to fool." --Richard P. Feynman
"Face facts with dignity." --found inside a fortune cookie |
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sabella
New Member
6 Posts |
Posted - 11/08/2010 : 13:29:53 [Permalink]
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Mortar and pestle.... great suggestion, filthy! Now that's one I probably would have never thought of, but it is interesting (and would be a challenge to make humorous, but I like challenges).
I may do religion at some point, but it is a bit obvious-- so maybe down the road... Human slavery is a dark topic, but one that I'll probably traverse eventually (in writing I mean). Thank you for the suggestions, H. Humbert. |
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bngbuck
SFN Addict
USA
2437 Posts |
Posted - 11/08/2010 : 17:00:59 [Permalink]
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Sabella.....
Your topic is "Things which Shouldn't Still Exist. A subject of much discussion here and elsewhere which doesn't seem to want to go away, but keeps regularly popping up in the news all over the world is Flying Saucers or UFO/UAP. There is much controversy as to whether such things do exist, and if so, what they actually may be. They probably shouldn't even seem to exist, and if they do.....well, you see the possibilities for humor and controversy.
There are those that would not believe such things exist if they landed in their front yard and stayed for a week, and others that actually wait for them prayerfully, hoping they will take them aboard.
You will find, if you research the matter, that some very curious questions do arise as to what the nature of the UFO phenomenon really is; and you will also find many who "believe", and many more who "know" that there is no such thing.
I have read deeply and written extensively on the subject and I can certainly recommend it as an interesting one. |
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chefcrsh
Skeptic Friend
Hong Kong
380 Posts |
Posted - 11/08/2010 : 18:23:09 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by filthy
[bHow 'bout a thousand words or so on what never replaced the humble mortar and pestle? Today, what with electric choppers, grinders and various, other machines of victual destruction, the mortar and pestle is still to be found almost anywhere. It has been in constant use since the Stone Ages, in one form or another. I have a set myself.
It would be an interesting history, I think.
And welcome to SFN!
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Oxidization.
All the blenders and choppers blend in a huge quantity of air. Do a simple experiment, using the same base ingredients from the same sources (same herb bunch etc) Make a pot of pesto in s pestle (notice the name similarity?) and make on in a blender or food processor. Note the distinct difference in color, texture, and finally flavor (flavor compounds in hers are quickly degraded by oxidation).
Actually crushing foods rather than slicing them also yields different results. Crushing disrupts cell walls allowing the contents to be released where slicing does very little. Thus Garlic when crushed creates more antioxidant, meat when pounded creates more of the elastic like compounds in meat that allows a meat patty to stick together, and so on.
Mortar and pestle is still around because crushing and lower oxygen grinding is important. |
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Dr. Mabuse
Septic Fiend
Sweden
9688 Posts |
Posted - 11/08/2010 : 18:51:19 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by sabella
I may do religion at some point, but it is a bit obvious-- so maybe down the road... Human slavery is a dark topic, but one that I'll probably traverse eventually (in writing I mean).
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Prisoners working as a part of their penalty could be seen as a sort of slavery. Especially when the product of their work is worth more than just the food and housing they get while imprisoned.
If I'm not mistaken, Chineese prisons use inmates as workforce.
On a semi-humouristic note: The computer game from Sid Meyer named "Coloniszation" is a Civilization off-shoot which is about the colonization of the New World.
Among the units/work-force that can be used to do work in the colonies are "Indentured Servants" which are English prisoners.
But even though the game starts in 1492(? not sure, I haven't played it in a while), and ends with the war of independence and finally England recognizing USA as an independent state. In the game you can pillage Indian villages for gold and loot, but nowhere in the game are there African slaves.
(So much for historic accuracy  ) |
Dr. Mabuse - "When the going gets tough, the tough get Duct-tape..."
Dr. Mabuse whisper.mp3
"Equivocation is not just a job, for a creationist it's a way of life..." Dr. Mabuse
Support American Troops in Iraq:
Send them unarmed civilians for target practice..
Collateralmurder. |
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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
Posted - 11/08/2010 : 18:59:09 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by sabella
Mortar and pestle.... great suggestion, filthy! Now that's one I probably would have never thought of, but it is interesting (and would be a challenge to make humorous, but I like challenges).
I may do religion at some point, but it is a bit obvious-- so maybe down the road... Human slavery is a dark topic, but one that I'll probably traverse eventually (in writing I mean). Thank you for the suggestions, H. Humbert.
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Mortar & pestle -- I was playing with doing something with it a couple of years back, and even started the research. Then I got involved in something else and forgot all about it. I don't have much of an attention span. 
Anyhow, if you decide to go for it, may the words come easily and all of your phrases be turned well.
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"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
"If only we could impeach on the basis of criminal stupidity, 90% of the Rethuglicans and half of the Democrats would be thrown out of office." ~~ P.Z. Myres
"The default position of human nature is to punch the other guy in the face and take his stuff." ~~ Dude
Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,
and Crypto-Communist!
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sabella
New Member
6 Posts |
Posted - 11/08/2010 : 20:51:28 [Permalink]
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bngbuck: I would very much like to do one on UFO's, but I'm not sure how to angle that one. Maybe people who fanatically believe in UFO's with no proof shouldn't exist? Sadly, that title is a bit long. Thanks anyhow for your comments.
chefcrsh: Even your name implies that you like the crush things to make your dinner. You don't happen to a be a rhyming giant looking for bones to make into pastries? I am also a bit of a cook, so I will remember your advice from this day until my doom. Thanks for your comments and knowledge.
Dr. Mabuse: That is a greatly hilarious example of people trying to be p.c. to the point of ridiculousness. It reminds me of the news I read when a group of people held a mock funeral to bury a certain vulgar, racist word. People are so easily offended it makes me wonder if some don't enjoy being outraged.
Filthy: Thanks again for the idea and kind words.
This forum is nicer than any other I've been in. So far everyone who has commented has had something worthwhile to say and I haven't gotten any elitist attitudes from anyone. Other forums.... a bit more problematic. Anyhow, thanks everyone. |
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bngbuck
SFN Addict
USA
2437 Posts |
Posted - 11/08/2010 : 21:32:31 [Permalink]
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Sabella....
| I would very much like to do one on UFO's, but I'm not sure how to angle that one. |
How about: UFO's shouldn't exist, but what was that?. Seven words, quick attention-grabber, and take any slant you want. The subject cries to be parodied, satirized, minimized, exaggerated, treated seriously, treated facetiously - your choice as a writer. Mock it, you can't lose. Most of the Believers are just plain nuts.
Hell, we can track fucking pigeons in flight. And we have UFO's? Give me a break. Any defense of UAP is evidence of the Dumbing of America. Believe me, I'm one of them. Write, baby, write. |
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sabella
New Member
6 Posts |
Posted - 11/08/2010 : 21:59:14 [Permalink]
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| Not bad, not bad. I will certainly note that one. |
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Dude
SFN Die Hard
USA
6891 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2010 : 01:02:45 [Permalink]
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bng said:
| UFO's shouldn't exist, but what was that?. |
It was the hyperactive imagination of some idiot who can't admit that they didn't get a clear look.
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Ignorance is preferable to error; and he is less remote from the truth who believes nothing, than he who believes what is wrong.
-- Thomas Jefferson
"god :: the last refuge of a man with no answers and no argument." - G. Carlin
Hope, n.
The handmaiden of desperation; the opiate of despair; the illegible signpost on the road to perdition. ~~ da filth |
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Irrational Hatred of Science
