GENIUS FORUMS

At this point in the discussion I'd like to know exactly what Nick means when he says something "exists". So, Nick, what does it mean for a thing to exist? I ask that because I don't think talking about whether things do or do not exist independent of an observer can take us anywhere witho...

I had written: I'd like to see an explanation from Nick as to how the mechanics of choice and freedom play out. Does a given choice we make (given such things are workings of mind) have antecedents or do they arise spontaneously? If the former, how does your seeming distaste for a deterministic fram...

Explaining what I'm getting at will make Nick's response kind of redundant, but, oh well: I use the concept of a "sudden event" all the time to illustrate the illusory nature of free will and choice etc. There's really no such thing as a sudden even other than in the sense of a practical, ...

Firefox is a vastly better option than anything to do with Microsoft. Using Internet Explorer I continually had problems, but that may have been in part that I didn't bother to turn off certain settings. I've not heard of "Avast" antivirus. I presume it's ok. I use AVG and it seems adequat...

I'd like to see an explanation from Nick as to how the mechanics of choice and freedom play out. Does a given choice we make (given such things are workings of mind) have antecedents or do they arise spontaneously? If the former, how does your seeming distaste for a deterministic framework make sens...

The difference between feeling superior and knowing and acknowledging that one is superior is very significant. Feeling superior doesn't mean you are. And knowing one's superiority as a fact doesn't have to apply to other people. Indeed it's more useful with respect to ourselves. That is, it's impor...

In short: yes. Here in Australia at least cancers that afflict women, more particularly breast cancer, are given disproportionate attention. The attention is certainly a good thing for women but it does have a political dimension to it.


Dan Rowden

Society is certainly pretty obssessed with death, but then fear of mortality has been the motivation for many social mores. But when it comes to cancer, specifically (which is what this thread is about), I think the reasons are numerous and include: # Cancer is very prevalent in western society, # I...

Hello Nick, Just to clarify something - you wrote: Aristotle posited the prime mover as a first cause, an uncaused causer. But there seems to be only one of these in his world view. Actually that is at least debatable, at most, quite false. Aristotle posited an ultimate "prime mover" if yo...

Marsha, what kind of anti-virus software are you using, and perhaps more importantly, what browser do you surf with?

Since I changed to Mozilla Firefox I have had no problems at all with Internet nasties.


Dan Rowden

Here's an excerpt from the radio series "Hour of Judgement" that is pertinent to the issue you raise: EXAMINING THE HOSTS - A transcript from The Hour of Judgment radio series - Copyright (c) 1995 Kevin Solway & David Quinn Guests: * Kevin Solway - Sage * David Quinn - Sage Host: Dan R...

Tim wrote: Dan, Jesus did taste death for everyman - but since He had no sin, it was impossible for death to hold Him. Well, good for him. And Jesus wasn't adored - except by those who believed upon Him - He was hated by the rest. So what? Lots of people detest Britney Spears as well. Do you think s...

Well, that site's far too crass to be funny, but regarding your "dilemma": what's more important to you, not wanting to be seen as scroogie and non-conformist or being sane? Xmas, like Xianity, symbolises all that is wrong with humanity. Why would a remotely sane person want to have anythi...

Some pretentious git wrote: Jesus Christ paid a tremendous price to redeem you... What price? What is your coinage? He spent most of his - supposed - life being adored by people. Sounds like Britney to me. So he was crucified? So what? You think people didn't die worse deaths for their cause? Job go...

But I wanted to start off by making the distinction between those empirical theories which can easily be "disproven", such as "there are unicorns on Mars", and those that may well be impossible to "disprove", such as "there were unicorns in the previous universe&q...

I don't react! I create. It's all of you who react! You friggin, reactionaries! Unknown doesn't react, not even to the movements of his own mind which drive him to post here - because - yes! you guessed it, he doesn't exist! Anyway, comedy hour is over for me, and sadly, that means for you guys as w...

Hades, Do you actually think about what you read or do you just react emotionally to it? Never mind, the question is rhetorical. One should only ever ask a woman rhetorical questions. Evidence for gender based values and aptitude differences that are based on differing brain structure are well resea...

There's a distinction to be made between feeling superior and feeling different.

Feeling superior doesn't actually make you any different at all.


Dan Rowden

I don't think I'm prepared to venture an opinion about a so-called "study" of merely 100 girls from London who apparently do nasty things to their Barbies. 100 girls doesn't make a study. How many London girls own Barbies? How many love their Barbies and don't do nasty things to them? How ...

I was being ironic; it never really happened (other than the part about passing the Mensa test); it was an attempt to show my disregard for the whole issue of IQ.


Dan Rowden

I once passed an entry test into Mensa. I immediately cracked the top off a stubbie, sat back and wallowed in my personal glory.

Next comes the UltraHi IQ test. Reckon I'll need at least a six-pack for that one.


Dan Rowden

Dan wrote: I've subscribed to the Actual Freedom mailing list. Hopefully I'll last longer there than on Judi Rhodes'. David Quinn: Did you get booted off Judi's list? I couldn't see any of your posts on the Topica site. I got unsubbed from Judi's list, yes. Hers was hosted by Yahoo Groups; Richard'...

I actually don't remember Richard from either Genius Forum or Genius-l. I agree with David however that he is, in a lot of cases, attacking straw men. His characterisation of Enlightenment is extremely poor. I've subscribed to the Actual Freedom mailing list. Hopefully I'll last longer there than on...

Found this rather strange site:

Actual Freedom

Going through the rather large "glossary" page makes for mildly interesting reading.



Dan Rowden

So, Dan ... Honestly, what is your final take on Judi Rhodes after talking with her? It's impossible to say. The woman never really says all that much. She doesn't answer questions. The stuff she's written doesn't impress me and is really standard Hindu guru speak. I found her to be quite a hypocri...