Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Nate Lundgren on November 21, 2012 at 11:29am

Not quite flying but looks like tons of fun nonetheless. :)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by T A A on November 21, 2012 at 11:53pm

Ah, so you are very rich :) Let's be friends, share the wealth !

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Nate Lundgren on November 22, 2012 at 11:16am

I don't know if you are talking about me but that is a false assumption on your part. Wealth has eluded me so far but mainly because I have had other priorities and/or difficulties to contend with in my life. I would share if I could, let's leave it at that. :) 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by archaeopteryx on November 21, 2012 at 12:03pm

Isn't that what laid the groundwork for the Eugenics Wars of the late 21st Century, that spawned "Khan" and his crew of super-humans that plagued Kirk through one TV episode and two full-length movies? I'm just sayin' --

I'm reminded of Jeff Goldbloom's classic line from "Jurassic Park:" "Just because you could have, doesn't mean you should have!"

That being said, I have always believed that the cure for many of our physical ailments, especially as we age, might be solved by extracting and preserving a DNA sample from each newborn, to be cloned and reinjected periodically to create a fresh supply of that person's original blueprint, that through mutation, degeneration, and the simple fact that a cell has only a finite number of possible replications, have been lost. If such a procedure were made possible, through technology, I would expect to see a corresponding extension in lifespan as well.

However, I read in the results of an actuarial study (years ago - please don't expect me to recall the source), that regardless of scientific breakthroughs, the human lifespan could theoretically not be extended much beyond 600 years, as within that time period, the chances of a fatal accident increase exponentially. Food for thought. Yum!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by T A A on November 21, 2012 at 11:44pm

Since I've reached "middle" age, I've started to correct my language. From a biological perspective, any "ailment" that happens at and beyond menopause (sorry guys, that simply is the biological milepost) is not an "ailment" but simply ageing. It should not (just because we can doesn't mean we should :) need fixing. With all our medical technology we are not extending life, we are extending death. Our past-old-age is getting longer and longer, I do not wish live much past menopause, I prefer the intensely proven system of millions of years of evolution, rather than a egotistical "how can me live longer" approach to life. 600, fuck me, I'll commit suicide. Give me Logan's Run ANY day!!! We should all go at 30.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by archaeopteryx on November 22, 2012 at 12:46am

And yet they chose to leave the dome --

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by T A A on November 22, 2012 at 12:47am

And some people left Cuba ;)

There will always be resisters!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by James Cox on November 22, 2012 at 4:01am

'You wonder???? This is biology 101.'

My last Anthropology class was 1983. Since, I have worked to finish a mathematics and philosophy degrees. I can appreciate sarcasism, but an insult to another atheist is a little over the top. I am not totally up to date on all the science since then in Anthropology, but I try. If you are more current, TAA, this is your opportunity to add to our common enlightenment. Each one of us have the occasional opportunity to shine in our fields of interest, if this is yours, shine on.

My standing position, in respect to the sciences, is that we should offer our knowledge with kindness and openness, as often as possible. Even the foolish or ill informed deserve respect, because this allows an opening for education/understanding.

My question was a query, to see if my understanding of present theory was consistent. If I was mistaken, I was open to correction. If correct, to add to the present conversation.

Hope you are well.

James

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Nate Lundgren on November 22, 2012 at 11:13am

Hear, hear. :) 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by archaeopteryx on November 22, 2012 at 11:26am

@Blaine - Dennis Weaver, right? "McCloud"?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by T A A on November 25, 2012 at 5:06pm

Well I try to assume I'm conversing with people who have a modicum of research skills, and can do a little research before posting questions who's answers have been long known.

Next time, before saying "I wonder", like it's some kind of transcendental concept, look it up first!

It sounds the same as someone who'd say: "I wonder" if black holes exist. Look it up first :)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Unseen on November 22, 2012 at 4:40pm

I wonder if it's ethical to try to live a longer than natural life through artificial means. I mean with so many people living in poverty, children dying of starvation (or diarrhea), and so on.

• ▶ Reply

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• …
• 13
• 14
• 15
• 16
• Next ›
• Page