GENIUS FORUMS

Well said.

"I think a work of art should be judged based on the spirit in which it was made. I don't think the subject matter alone is at all sufficient for making such determinations." Hmmm...I can appreciate the value in the intent of the artist, however, what is intended is not always represented...

I would have to agree with Liz the word can have different intents. For example "theory" can have multiple meanings depending on the context. It could be a loosley based individual assertion or a relatively widely accepted supposition. Unfortunately I’m unable to view the complete video ...

I'm unaware of any clinical correlations but looking back at my military experiences and having frequent exposure to senior officer/enlisted members of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, I haven't noticed any obvious increased prevalance compared to the general public. Of course, not all senior militar...

What is it attempting to inspire in us? Thought or emotion? And, worse still, is it actually attempting to inspire anything at all? Or is it just a carthartic outpouring of feelings (which is utterly feminine)? Must admit never considered art specifically from this perspective, whether it's primary...

I'm not a big fan of Christmas but as DQ pointed out it does appear to serve a purpose for the masses as a spiritual control. I prefer to liken it along with many mainstream beliefs as fast-food for the soul. A different take on a Christmas classic: Charlie Brown Christmas (Islamic version) http://w...

I know it's a cliche to poke fun at government...but sometimes they make it so easy.

I enjoyed those.

reedsch, I prefer discussions primarily based on intellect versus emotions. Based on the level of sarcasm in your last reply, to which I have no interest in participating, this will be my last response to you on this thread. If you desire a last word sans sarcasm than I may reply again, otherwise, b...

if a man at the water cooler suddenly went back to Medieval Europe, how would the air compress to fill the vaccum he left behind and would he maintain his previous rotational velocity? That could be nasty. I would think the surrounding air would be able to compensate with minimal disruption. Not un...

Scavenging is entertaining, but thought I'd post my own thread. I enjoy cognitive stimulation as many here, otherwise I see no reason for participation. A recent answers/rationale regarding common questions given to co-workers. Other commonly orated riddles/questions welcome. Please share answer and...

I've been living in Viet Nam for most of the last 6 years, which does not make me an expert but hardly a day goes by I don't contemplate some aspect of our prior experience. American idealism is a special thing, and it has made the planet a far nicer place to live for the vast majority of humans. Y...

Tharan, "America can still rock this earth if necessary." True, from a literal standpoint but not from a practical view. Even GWB and accomplices couldn't justify their way out of using radiological warfare against a third-world country, even with reports of (possible) nuclear capability. ...

Cory Duchesne wrote:It amazes me how some people need scientific proof to believe that environment has an effect on the development of an organism.

Agreed. As accurate as science can at times be, it is frequently the cynical tortoise following the common-sense hare. It gets there eventually.

If you think deeply on multiple universes, it explains many paranormal phenomena such as ghosts, UFOs, aliens, prophecy, deja vu, strange creatures and many many such things. You did forget to mention brain pathology resulting from substance abuse, mental illness and congenital defects as other pot...

I would try not to lose too much sleep over this (which could lower testosterone levels). This level is well-within normal. I've known labs to consider 280-800 ng/dl as acceptable. This means (all other factors being normal) nothing would likely be done for a patient in regards to treatment. Diurnal...

Decisions, decisions. Which adolescent will likely leave longer global ramifications through religious fanaticism or nuclear detonations? My choice: An atomic winter is (slightly) more appealing. You can escape underground this madness (barring one doesn't live in N. Korea). Solution (for the bully ...

Jamesh, I will be switching back to SBC Yahoo (now ATT) at the end of the year. I only left originally because the plan I had with them ended and the price doubled. I had no complaints with line speed, reliability or customer service. I live in the U.S. however, (I'm uncertain of your local). $14.99...

Being not-happy, unhappy, or depressed can occur without the benefit of happiness. Disposing of happiness does not dispose of depression for everyone. In fact I suspect for many, disposing of happiness only unleashes a truly evil beast. I would agree. The three aforementioned states I feel can pres...

Scott, Generally, happiness is when you put on a smile and laugh and joke around. That's what being happy is. I admit this made me chuckle. It may have made me....:) It appears there are several different (though related) issues here. I believe, being happy is a momentary, generally empirically obse...

I heard that too, but not until later as an adult did I learn he could interrupt the fourth dimension. In my childhood naivete, I just assumed Santa could suck in his gut (maybe have his elves oil his body?) and slide down chimneys. My parents, best described as secular, failed to advise me of Santa...

Liz, I don't think it changed my outlook significantly, if at all. I realized from a mathematical understanding it was impossible for Mr. Kringle to reach every "good" child throughout the world in one night. I figured even if he spent seconds only per household, he couldn't deliver to all...

Elizabeth Isabelle wrote:
You might be amused at my story of learning about Santa - I'd like to hear your experiences and opinions as well.

As a kid I often wondered how Kris Kringle, after coming down the chimney, got out of our sealed, cast-iron stove.

The suit was assumed flame-retardant.

NLPRN wrote: Imagine the influence a flexible sigmoidoscopy could have on an impressionable one. It wasn't flexible sigmoidoscopy - they actually medicate people for that so that it isn't as traumatic, but since they use conscious sedation, the "repressed memory" idea sounds good. Since y...

I think in addition to religion, wouldn't blindly accepting the expected rules within a society in-general be considered a variation of brainwashing? I am not speaking of universal expectations (i.e. don't steal from or kill another without provocation etc.) found in most societies. Excluding indepe...

which sometimes involved inserting a tube into a baby's lungs by going through its nose to vacuum secretions out of its lungs, I wondered how many "alien abductions" were actually altered memories of hospital visits when the people were babies. Interesting. I've often wondered what extent...