tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46525621070797562582024-03-06T01:35:34.346+11:00Notes From the UndergroundMy writings on various topics, to help get me thinking.TYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567280571938403341noreply@blogger.comBlogger196125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4652562107079756258.post-78195294575887393052010-08-10T00:27:00.000+10:002010-08-10T00:27:53.651+10:00Racial?Why do people from minority races like to point out their race whenever they talk about their sucesses yet, they seem enraged about racism? I suspect, they don't hate racial prejudices at all. Afterall, if racism were eliminated, what are they to boast about?<br />
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Race is only one of many factors people can be bias against. Sex, age, BMI, religion, the list goes on. Maybe stop having the preconception that everything is about your race and start working harder? Blaming your failure on your race only goes to show your character.<br />
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I am not condoning racism. I am ardently against it. But not everything is racially motivated.TYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567280571938403341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4652562107079756258.post-20067820548468689002010-07-24T16:10:00.000+10:002010-07-24T16:10:59.702+10:00The Human ConditionDo people change?<br />
Or do they just fake who they were before?<br />
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Why do I like analysing Human Behaviours?<br />
Because people are all so different, yet the same.<br />
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There is a great deal of difference between not knowing, and pretending to not know.<br />
And many are unable to spot the difference.<br />
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Is it wrong to vote for what's best for me, instead of what's best for the country?<br />
No. Because altruism does not exist. Not for me, not for society-at-large. Even if it does, it would be statistically insignificant.<br />
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But sometimes I do wonder, are my judgements affected by personal bias?<br />
I think so. When they're wrong, afterthoughts seem to indicate that they were often marred by what I want it to be. It is not always easy to be objective.TYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567280571938403341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4652562107079756258.post-87544977154996801422010-04-05T16:11:00.001+10:002010-04-05T16:13:14.603+10:00The Catholic Church is a political organisationSorry for the hiatus, I have been busy, lazy and lacking in writing inspiration. But enough excuses, now I am marking my return with a post on my favourite topic: Religion. Or is it politics? What's the difference?<br />
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Truth is, all organised religions are as much politics as they are religion. To hold power over the masses, politics is undeniably vital. And to say that they are not about power would be akin to saying Megan Fox is ugly. In other words, denial.<br />
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But here I point you to the sex abuse crisis the Catholic Church faces, and the Pope's avoidance of the issue. The Pope made no mention nor apology on the issue during the three hour Easter Mass. But what's worse is that some leaders of the Catholic Church called the sex abuse issue a "smear campaign aimed at the Pope." That is no different to what politicians say <a href="http://www.theaustralian.com.au/politics/state-politics/mike-rann-denies-having-sex-with-former-waitress-michelle-chantelois/story-e6frgczx-1225802145719">when their sex scandals were made public</a>. Plus the fact that these were not allegations, these were cases where the clergies themselves have admitted to committing. What happen to the Church that preaches repentance? Clearly, politics is more important than God's forgiveness. Hypocrisy is a virtue in politics, remember?<br />
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To their credit, there were a few Archbishops who criticised the Church's handling of the issue. They deserve to be commended for that. I urge more Catholics to do the same. <br />
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Despite his silence towards the sex abuse crisis, the Pope did however, say that humanity faces a "profound crisis" and that it needs to undergo a "spiritual and moral conversion." I fully agree. However, I hope the Pope does not regard sex abuse and spreading HIV to others as morally acceptable. If he does not, then I think the Pope should tackle the problems in his own backyard first before trying to "fix the world." Like Michael Jackson said, look at the Man In the Mirror.<br />
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There are many other Catholic clergies more deserving to be the Pope than this idiot. The only way to make sense of his election is to draw parallels from how George Bush was elected: He played politics.TYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567280571938403341noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4652562107079756258.post-37947490507997257882010-01-24T20:45:00.000+11:002010-01-24T20:45:58.556+11:00The Time Traveler's Wife"The choices we’re working with here are a block universe, where past, present and future all coexist simultaneously and everything has already happened; chaos, where anything can happen and nothing can be predicted because we can’t know all the variables; and a Christian universe in which God made everything and it’s all here for a purpose but we have free will anyway."<br />
--The Time Traveler's Wife (2003)<br />
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Speaking of Thomas Aquinas:<br />
"He wanted order and reason, and God, too. He believed in both Aristotle and angels.”<br />
--The Time Traveler's Wife (2003)<br />
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Free will = meaninglessness?<br />
If everything happens for a reason, is there still free will?<br />
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Thought provoking. Which do you think it is? And, which do you WANT it to be?TYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567280571938403341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4652562107079756258.post-76058670431077834792010-01-12T19:43:00.000+11:002010-01-12T19:43:34.331+11:00Still hereI have had no motivation to write lately. Still don't. Don't know why. And I am way behind on my Summer Reading, doesn't look like I'll complete my list. Would be great if I can finish just half of it.<br />
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But anyway, I wanted to share this article from Huffington Post:<br />
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steven-newton/science-denial-on-the-ris_b_413848.html">Science Denial on the Rise</a><br />
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Please read, whether you are in to science or not.TYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567280571938403341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4652562107079756258.post-67287884621916457732010-01-04T18:38:00.000+11:002010-01-04T18:38:57.235+11:00Blasphemy LawWarning: This post is blasphemous. But thankfully, this account is not registered in Ireland. Oh, thank Darwin! Thank Science! Thank the Big Bang it's not!<br />
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If you still don't know what I'm talking about: Ireland enacted the Blasphemy law which came into effect on the 1st of January 2010. No, this is not an Onion piece, this is real. You wouldn't be the only one if you think you're back in Ancient Rome. Fundamentally, this poses two problems.<br />
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Firstly, the death of Freedom of Speech. Secularists have time and again criticised religions for the religious dogmas who do not respect human rights, and this just proves it once again. Freedom of Speech is one of the most basic elements of Human Rights, hence by suppressing it, religions have once again shown that Human Rights is less important than protecting their religion. Is this rational? Am I wrong when I claim religions are irrational?<br />
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Secondly, by requiring a law to protect religious ideas, wouldn't that be blasphemy in itself? Isn't God all powerful? So why is he not capable of taking a few criticisms? By requiring a law for this purpose, they are in fact claiming that God isn't all powerful after all. I don't know how they think, but to me, that is blasphemy. I think whoever enacted that law should be fined under that very same law. Paradox. Yes. I love it.<br />
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At the end of the day, I think religions should be more careful and stop doing stupid things to undermine themselves. Religions' popularity has already declined over recent decades. Flaunting their stupidity is not going to help their survival. Oh, and may I remind you, these are the same people who criticise Muslim fundamentalists in the Middle East. And the same people who condemn countries that lock up political prisoners.<br />
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What is the difference between political prisoners and religious prisoners? As far as I am concerned, they are both based on ideologies.<br />
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Food for thought: The Ancient Roman and Greek Gods and Goddesses have lost all their followers. So have many other religions. In fact, contemporary society seems to think it's funny people in those day believed in such absurd God as the God of Love (Cupid). Abrahamic religions are only about 2000 years old. Who is to say that they will not disappear one day in the future? And people then would think it funny that we, now, think God created humans in his image?<br />
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When your religion dies, will your heaven still be eternal? I say best forget your religion and make full use of your current life.TYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567280571938403341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4652562107079756258.post-15191669959681637452009-12-20T17:53:00.001+11:002009-12-20T17:56:43.311+11:00Post-CopenhagenIndeed, Copenhagen has been a disappointment, but not unexpected. The great divide between the rich and the poor is nothing new either. As for the final agreement reached, I am on the critics' side: It is a "cop-out". The agreement is there for the sake of having an agreement. Perhaps to justify Obama's Nobel Prize.<br />
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To my understanding the main rift between the rich and the poor nation stamps from the fact that developed nations does not want to be legally binded by an agreement unless the same happens to the poorer nations. And, they are not willing to commit the money to help the poorer nations. This is what I think: If the rich nations aren't willing to commit the money to help the poorer nations, they have no right to legally force the poorer nations to cut emissions. On the other hand, if they do commit a sufficient amount, which we all know add up to be less than the cost of the Iraq war or the bank bailouts of America alone, then I am all for legally binding the poorer nations to cut emissions. After all, it is your money.<br />
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But no, the rich, as always, want something but don't want to give anything. Yes, they agreed to $10 billion, but $10 billion can't buy you majority share in Barclays. Not even close. Who are you kidding?TYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567280571938403341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4652562107079756258.post-10424311306357912192009-12-09T22:23:00.001+11:002009-12-09T22:26:26.017+11:00Climate change is more politics than scienceFollowing up my previous post on climate change, I have realised that the debate on climate change is much more politically motivated than scientifically based. Call me naive, but I thought such an issue would rely on the science more than anything else. Now I know better.<br />
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If you have been following the news, it is blatantly obvious most of the activists are politically left inclined whereas almost all of the skeptics (and outright deniers) are from traditionally right winged factions. It is not difficult to understand the reason behind this.<br />
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The right winged have always been known as "by the rich, for the rich," and it is easy to see that climate change policies, on the international scale or the national level, affects the rich more than the poor.<br />
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Taking action against climate change requires money from developed nations, but relatively speaking, benefits them little. True, the Great Barrier Reefs will be gone. But that is nothing when compared to losing your entire nation, which is what will happen to hundreds of island nations. Or, having insufficient water supply for your entire population. This is why, like the starving population of Africa, developed countries cannot care less.<br />
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On the national level, reducing emissions will greatly increase the cost of power companies, industrial companies and countless other companies who are million, if not billion, dollar profit making companies. Let's face it, we promote Earth Day to 'save the earth', but our individual emissions are no match for major industry players. Hence, the rich, which are relatively few in numbers, and not everyday folk, which make up most of the population, will be carrying the burden if such a legislation is passed. This is why the right wing politicians are so strongly against the carbon tax.<br />
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The sad part is, these politicians then go on to use scare tactics to win over voters. They say that the cost of the tax will be passed on to consumers as the companies will sustain higher cost of operations. My question is, why can't the CEOs of the companies, or the owners, or all the million dollar employees of the companies, take a pay cut? Will the $100,000 less in their $2million paychecks cause starvation in their families? Or just a few less Gucci?<br />
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From my point of view, the science clearly points to climate change from carbon emissions. Leaked emails are not scientific data. And the data does not come from just one study, or just one scientist. They come from all over the world from multiple different industries. Even if the evidence for it is not conclusive, there currently exist no evidence AGAINST it. It is safe to say, the debate is not about the science, but about the burden of it to the rich.<br />
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Who says you can't rule the world with money?TYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567280571938403341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4652562107079756258.post-2632135370116732022009-11-28T19:21:00.002+11:002009-11-28T19:29:39.184+11:00My Take on Climate Change<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgq6mMJDQx3DPSCEpLfdDtWiQ9t8zk8OJOwFsx_3lUnPrN9yuWp3rpD3ZKgiHs7SNgo_5Cn8e_1UPm6n1BaZQqLC5WN6SfDpYrmgdlV3DNqB7t_Jc_rqNhG9Qlmu1Gz3Fqmp2yF1SNAk/s1600/COP15_195_wide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgq6mMJDQx3DPSCEpLfdDtWiQ9t8zk8OJOwFsx_3lUnPrN9yuWp3rpD3ZKgiHs7SNgo_5Cn8e_1UPm6n1BaZQqLC5WN6SfDpYrmgdlV3DNqB7t_Jc_rqNhG9Qlmu1Gz3Fqmp2yF1SNAk/s320/COP15_195_wide.jpg" /></a><br />
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With the United Nations' Copenhagen summit on climate change just around the corner, I thought it apt to write on the topic of climate change. Not having an overwhelming interest on the subject means my knowledge on this issue is frankly limited. However, I do have a basic understanding of what climate change is and I have been following the news of late.<br />
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So far, the pledges by governments around the world have been pathetic, to say the least. President Obama's pledge to cut emissions by 17% of 2005 levels within ten years is simply not enough. That amounts to only 3% of 1990 levels, the level most countries base their targets on. Australia is planning to cut its emissions by 25% of 2000 levels. What's more? Both these legislation have yet to pass the Congress and Senate's vote respectively, and look increasingly unlikely to be passed before the New Year. The only promising sign seems to come from today's Commonwealth summit in Trinidad and Tobago: France and the UK pledge to set up a $10billion fund to help developing countries cut emissions. Hopefully, politicians around the world will face up to the situation in the next week or two.<br />
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As for climate change skeptics, all I have to say is, the Earth deserves the benefit of the doubt. Although there are no conclusive evidence that rising CO2 levels is the cause of global warming (but I think it's pretty convincing), doing something for nothing is definitely preferable over doing nothing and risk facing a catastrophe. After all, since this is a global phenomenon, the financial burden from cutting emissions will mostly go towards creating a new industry, and thus jobs. Therefore, drastic measures should be taken.<br />
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While I don't consider climate change to the biggest challenge of our times, I believe actions can and should be taken. So if you would like to make a difference, you should approach your local politicians as soon as possible and let them know you are in support of emissions cut. A simple email can make a difference.<br />
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Let's hope something productive comes up from the Copenhagen summit.TYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567280571938403341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4652562107079756258.post-16924757456208580542009-11-27T02:16:00.002+11:002010-01-25T18:29:03.228+11:00Summer, summer, time to readSince I have such a long list of 'to-read' books, I have decided to come up with a list of books I will attempt to read this summer. Hopefully, I can finish them all. 24 in total. That is indeed a tall order for a slow reader like me, but I figured I have approximately 12 weeks, 2 a week should not be too much to ask for. When making the list, I tried to have a balance between fiction and non-fiction, as well as covering a wide range of topics. Below is some brief words about the books, and I hope to review at least half of all of them as I go along. Won't be reading in this particular order, but I will be starting with The Book Thief.<br />
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<b>The Book Thief by Markus Zusak</b><br />
This book has had some impressive reviews and is set in the WWII era. Since it is about the character's love of books (I think), I hope it will inspire to read more.<br />
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<b>Candide by Voltaire</b><br />
This one's said to be one of the best satires ever. I'm a huge fan of satires, so I am looking forward to reading this. It will provide some comic relief too.<br />
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<b>Stiff by Mary Roach</b><br />
This will fill the medical/science part of my readings and, I hope this is funny.<br />
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<b>Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson</b><br />
This, I hope, will fill the comedy part of my list. And I can't have a list without a book about drugs, can I?<br />
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<b>The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby</b><br />
I have not seen the movie, but this book seems to have won many prizes. If it's bad, at least its small size will mean it wouldn't take long.<br />
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<b>Capital (Vol. 1) by Karl Marx</b><br />
Can't have a list without a book on politics, right? Hopefully I can understand most of it.<br />
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<b>The Holy Bible (International Edition)</b><br />
We have all heard of fascinating stories from The Bible. This will be an interesting read and hopefully improve my understanding of Christianity. I wanted to read the King James edition, but I found the international edition on the shelve at home, so international edition it is.<br />
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<b>Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler</b><br />
After writing an essay on Darwin and the Nazis, I decided Hitler would be an interesting person to read about. What better place to start than a book by the man himself.<br />
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<b>The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson</b><br />
A suspense novel. Just for some entertainment, seeing as this book has had quite the hype.<br />
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<b>The Iliad by Homer</b><br />
I'm trying to learn poetry. Don't know if this is a good place to start, but Trojan War, should be interesting anyway.<br />
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<b>War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy</b><br />
This should perhaps be counted as 2. About 1500 pages, depending on which version, I hope I get through it alive. I will trust the reviews on this one.<br />
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<b>Old Goriot by Honoré de Balzac</b><br />
A novel on social criticisms, I hope it's entertaining and interesting. Can't discount the fact that Balzac is Oscar Wilde's favourite author.<br />
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<b>Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell</b><br />
Said to be thought provoking, should be a good non-fiction to add to my list.<br />
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<b>Little White Slips by Karen Hitchcock</b><br />
One more to fill in the medical/science part of my list, not many so far.<br />
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<b>The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger</b><br />
Again, have yet to watch the movie. But I hope the popularity of this book is justified.<br />
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<b>Life of Pi by Yann Martel</b><br />
Similarly, I hope this one is too.<br />
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<b>Direct Red by Gabriel Weston</b><br />
Having too few medical books, this biography will fill the void. Female surgeon, should be interesting.<br />
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<b>The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield</b><br />
A suspense involving a novelist. Might be interesting, or at least, entertaining.<br />
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<b>The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Schaffer</b><br />
Another novel that somehow involves reading. Don't know why but I'm fascinated about that stuff.<br />
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<b>Martin Arrowsmith by Sinclair Lewis</b><br />
A medical novel published in 1925. Said to be underrated. Looks good. We'll see.<br />
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<b>The Interpretation of Dreams by Sigmund Freud</b><br />
I need to understand my dreams and learn how to psychoanalyse people, just for the sake of it. Good variety for my list too.<br />
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<b>Essays by George Orwell</b><br />
I'm an Orwell fan, so some assorted essays should do me good.<br />
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<b>Ideas That Matter by A.C. Grayling</b><br />
I've read The Meaning of Things by Grayling. It was an interesting read and I hope this philosophical book would be just as good, if not better.<br />
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<b>Soul Mountain by Gao Xingjian</b><br />
Apparently an amazing journey of self-discovery and self-reflection, hopefully gives me something to ponder over summer.<br />
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<b>Stupid White Man by Michael Moore</b><br />
Another one for politics!TYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567280571938403341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4652562107079756258.post-30786975908461907152009-11-27T00:29:00.000+11:002009-11-27T00:29:13.269+11:00New LayoutFinally, done with my new layout, I hope you like it. New features include the cool, sliding widget at the top, as well as the links on the header. I tried my best to make things more organised.<br />
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Any comments, feedback, suggestions, feel free to use the comment box. I am still reluctant to open up comments to anonymous users as I hold firm to my believe that, you are free to say anything you like but, you need to be responsible for it.TYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567280571938403341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4652562107079756258.post-61486306643144739092009-11-21T14:31:00.003+11:002009-11-21T14:40:44.951+11:00So that's what free speech means"Talking about free speech--you should have the right to keep them out as much as they have the right to bring him here." --Kay Anderson<br /><br />Now I know. So Stalin was just exercising his rights all along. Preventing others from speaking is part of free speech rights. I see. Glad you cleared that up. So, can I prevent you from preventing others? My rights, isn't it?<br /><br /><br />Anyway, I have a few unfinished posts waiting to be completed. I hope to get them done soon. One particular one is my own reflections on why I write about the stuff that I write about. And I'm going to change the colour coding of the blog. Don't like it (anymore).<br /><br /><br />See you soon,<br />Free SpeechTYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567280571938403341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4652562107079756258.post-69589536484896647872009-11-11T21:28:00.001+11:002009-11-11T21:31:58.450+11:00Knockin' On Heaven's DoorSome, perhaps most, of you would have seen the Youtube video of the cheerleader who was paralysed after receiving the Swine Flu vaccine. The caption even stated, "experts claim serious side effects of flu shots amount to about one in a million - well this is what that one in a million looks like."<br /><br />If that sucked you in, you seriously need to consider doing more critical thinking. Here's why. From April to August, 593 deaths and 9079 hospitalisations from H1N1 swine flu were reported in the US. That puts the death rate at 2 per million Americans, and serious cases at 3 per 100,000. Furthermore, this is based on the entire American population, where many live in rural areas where contact with the virus is much lower. If you are in a city, chances are those numbers are lower than a conservative estimate would be. Plus, that's only up to August. If you don't live under a rock, you would have noticed that lately the situation has escalated. Hence, comparatively, one in a million chance of developing severe side effects to the vaccine doesn't sound too bad to me.<br /><br />If you were brainwashed by one of those anti-vaccine groups. <a href="http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?p=2084#more-2084">Here's an article for you to read</a>. It dispels most of their claims. Just because Jenny McCarthy has big boobs doesn't mean you should always listen to her. (Megan Fox would be harder to resist.) There are no adjuvants or thimerosal in the H1N1 vaccine. Do the research for yourself and decide.<br /><br />Then again, these anti-vaccine people aren't necessarily a bad thing. Although I believe everyone has equal rights to life, less stupid people in the world never hurts. And when an epidemic strikes, it will be those unvaccinated who dies. Win-win. Your choice.TYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567280571938403341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4652562107079756258.post-41232722978984588562009-11-07T14:49:00.005+11:002009-11-07T15:19:39.496+11:00Won't Get to HeavenSo, you have probably heard about the <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8347501.stm">Texas Military base shooting</a> by now, or at least I hope so. And guess what is the latest development? That's right!<span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><strong> <a href="http://www.debbieschlussel.com/11620/shocker-man-who-shot-up-ft-hood-soldiers-was-muslim-and-a-loyal-muslim-u-s-soldier/"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Right-wing media respond to attack by demonizing Muslim.</span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">What's better, you ask? Less than 24 hours later, <a href="http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/one-dead-five-injured-in-orlando-office-shooting/story-e6frg6so-1225795261537">Orlando office shooting</a> occurred. Wait for it, oh, man is not Muslim. Theory debunked. The man is probably Catholic too.<br /><br />These religious conservatives should really stop blinding themselves. They choose to see what they want, and close out the rest, even if it means not seeing the truth. It's ironic they'd claim atheists "can't see the light."<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>(You know the joke? "How many atheist does it take to change a light bulb? None, because they can't see the light." Though they fail to realise, without science, there would be no light bulb for you to change, idiot!) They like to believe what they believe is true, even with overwhelming evidence against it. When your 14-year old gets pregnant, why blame her for being a slut? Blame parthenogenesis (virgin birth) or blame the Pope for stigmatising condoms. Makes more sense to me.<br /><br /><br />Jesus is cool. The Bible is cool. The Qur'an is cool. But if you need to take them all<span style="font-weight: bold;"> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span>literally, you might as well believe my shit smells like roses. They do.<br /><br /><br />Your friendly atheist,<br />TY<br /></span></strong></strong></span>TYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567280571938403341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4652562107079756258.post-25042365958620506982009-11-07T13:38:00.002+11:002009-11-07T13:39:17.070+11:00What a Wonderful WorldThis sums it up.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMMuqJ6IzdpbQkpFvRmgIrcnwGQ5wjGoTDbQTn1N1wMM0CeHDV9DnF5jK5jxZi4weB23nBRpsRVKHnIudFZyrPMnLsSUY5f5myS47uoHXRZvoxFKt1DqM7Q93evQIA0qVBOphyphenhyphen15RyI8/s1600-h/Jesus+is+Cool.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMMuqJ6IzdpbQkpFvRmgIrcnwGQ5wjGoTDbQTn1N1wMM0CeHDV9DnF5jK5jxZi4weB23nBRpsRVKHnIudFZyrPMnLsSUY5f5myS47uoHXRZvoxFKt1DqM7Q93evQIA0qVBOphyphenhyphen15RyI8/s320/Jesus+is+Cool.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401185557804558466" border="0" /></a>TYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567280571938403341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4652562107079756258.post-18551738579118524232009-11-07T01:44:00.003+11:002009-11-07T02:33:53.369+11:00Playing God(Yes. Title from latest Paramore. Don't get why all the hype though. It's good but not great to me. Maybe it's a Twilight type thing. Speaking of which, a forty plus year old lady was reading Breaking Dawn on the train. Oh My! It is the end of literature!)<br /><br />This is an embarrassing attempt by a believer to defend religion.<br /><h1 style="font-weight: normal;" class="cN-headingPage prepend-5 span-11 last"><a href="http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/a-plague-of-atheists-has-descended-and-catholics-are-the-target-20091103-hv52.html"><span style="font-size:100%;">A plague of atheists has descended, and Catholics are the target</span></a></h1><br />Seriously. How can something like that match up to the likes of Dawkins, Hitchens or Singer?<br />The article is written by Greg Cravens, Vice Chancellor of the Australian Catholic University.<br />I honestly feel sorry for Catholics and students of that university. His credibility is gone. I doubt any believers themselves would think that the article would do them justice.<br /><br />Since you are unlikely to read the article, I'll show you some of the comedy.<br />He started off with:<br />"<b>Attacking Christians is not really clever, witty or funny."<br /><br /></b>but apparently attacking atheists is.<br />Why would anyone start an essay with that but go out of your way to try to be funny in their essay? Oh, hypocrisy!<br /><br />Now for my favourite part:<br />"<span style="font-weight: bold;">This is not to say that believers - and perhaps especially Catholics - do not get seriously irritated by atheists. They do, but not because atheists are fearfully clever or Wildely funny.</span>"<br /><br />So he thinks Wilde is funny. Oh my, wait, Oscar Wilde? The atheist? HAHAHA!<br />Hypocrisy or misinformed?<br />Not to mention that in itself is a lame attempt at trying to be funny.<br /><br />Next, for the most disgusting part:<br />"<span style="font-weight: bold;">In an average week of atheistic bigotry in the Melbourne media, we can expect to learn that Catholics endorse child molestation, hate all other religions, would re-introduce the crusades and the auto de fe at the slightest opportunity, despise women, wish to persecute homosexuals, greedily divert public moneys for their own religious purposes, subvert public health care, brainwash children, and are masterminding the spread of the cane toad across northern Australia.</span>"<br /><br />He brushed those claims aside just like that. He rather devote his essay to unsuccessful attempt at wit, which he says isn't cool.<br />Let's see, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_sex_abuse_cases"><span style="font-size:100%;">Catholic sex abuse cases</span></a>. Oh, not much, just an entire Wikipedia article about it. Let's not count the ones for each country. He offered no solution, no apology, nothing. As though it was not an important matter. Maybe he's part of it. Like wise for all the other "sins" he mentioned. No solution, just as though they weren't true. Only an idiot will think atheists made those facts up. Who's against Gay Rights? Who's against Feminist Rights?<br /><br />Let me remind you, the upcoming atheists convention in Melbourne in 2010 (largest ever in Australia, which is what sparked the increased number of debate between atheists and believers lately) is funded entirely privately. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Youth_Day_2008">World Youth Day 2008</a> in Sydney cost the government $185 million.<br /><br />What's fair? You tell me.<br /><br />If believers want to be taken seriously, they ought to come up with better arguments. So far, I have yet to witness a believer defeating a non-believer in one of these debates on religion. Either it's ignorance, or just not as intelligent. I think the former, they aren't stupid.<br /><br />Believers, if you got this far, don't get me wrong. Most atheists don't hate you. We simply do not like you imposing your believes on to us. Public money in a secular country should be spent without the interference of religion. Islamic country can spend it on Islamic activity, it makes sense, but not secular country. If you want to practice your religion, do so, but don't impose it on others. <span style="font-weight: bold;">You don't see atheists attacking Buddhism</span>.<br /><br /><br />Your friendly atheist,<br />TYTYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567280571938403341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4652562107079756258.post-17220409326297976662009-11-01T01:34:00.001+11:002009-11-01T01:36:43.503+11:00InsaneI'm alive! Do not worry, just busy, will continue posting about religion and politics and what not soon. Here's Happy Halloween!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Mg3zesVdhSY&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Mg3zesVdhSY&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Scare FAIL!!</span>TYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567280571938403341noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4652562107079756258.post-43002127489799218502009-10-21T20:05:00.002+11:002009-10-21T20:11:31.092+11:0021st Century Breakdown<h2 class="cN-headingPage prepend-5 span-11 last"><a href="http://www.smh.com.au/technology/security/cyber-attacks-smite-atheist-websites-20091021-h7ul.html">Cyber attacks smite atheist websites</a></h2><br />I bet you these same people hate Stalin and champion for the freedom of speech.<br />We all love hypocrisies.<br /><br />I think, that these religious idiots just feel way too insecure about their own religion. And they say religion is based on faith. Oh the irony!<br /><br />If your god is so powerful why are you afraid about some atheist undermining his authority?<br /><br />So many unanswered questions. Religious idiots, please shed some light on these questions. Or else, I have no choice but to accept the theory that common sense is dead. Or soon to be. Sooner than punk.<br /><br />Punk's not dead. Common sense is.<br /><br /><br />TYTYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567280571938403341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4652562107079756258.post-50640448101130729462009-10-18T13:35:00.001+11:002009-10-18T13:38:48.059+11:00Don't Stop Dancing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhMAU3AG56QmH5I9_P0oYDo0ZxNR-ErVvkhBjTP11MJsTB_RuIpNv2CAsCuGuqJXCvXC4RSdQKHXn2UNTgXJGXLobQ0PYIPHKHRN2B2Oc2SLaPZElP5F51DwGlfWpxrZqzBsMMVww8uU/s1600-h/beego2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhMAU3AG56QmH5I9_P0oYDo0ZxNR-ErVvkhBjTP11MJsTB_RuIpNv2CAsCuGuqJXCvXC4RSdQKHXn2UNTgXJGXLobQ0PYIPHKHRN2B2Oc2SLaPZElP5F51DwGlfWpxrZqzBsMMVww8uU/s320/beego2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393763858595021186" border="0" /></a>One year on.TYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567280571938403341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4652562107079756258.post-77152831506687274792009-10-13T15:44:00.003+11:002009-10-13T15:55:46.684+11:00This Boy<h1><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8299780.stm"><span style="font-size:100%;">The 'youngest headmaster in the world' </span></a></h1>When the poor will go to these lengths to learn, whilst the rich constantly whine about having to study, you know that calling the poor "uneducated" will only make you a fool.<br /><br />It also makes<a href="http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/rudds-26b-funding-gift-to-private-schools/2009/08/23/1251001813012.html"> government funding for private schools unjustifiable</a>. And if the Labor government is doing that, maybe it's time for my vote to go to the communist party.<br /><br />Now kids, stop blogging or tweeting about how much you don't want to go to school.<br /><br /><br />TYTYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567280571938403341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4652562107079756258.post-65338422914528757432009-10-11T21:25:00.002+11:002009-10-11T21:29:32.506+11:00No God Only ReligionThis is a good piece on <a href="http://www.cla.asn.au/0805/index.php/opinion/2009/enforced-spectre-haunts-lifetime">religion in Australia</a>.<br /><br /><blockquote><p>Editor, The Age: Sir, The spectre of religion has affected me from an early age.</p> <p>AT SCHOOL: If you are not attending religious instruction, sit outside in the passage!<br />JOIN A GANG: Not a Protestant or Catholic? You're out!<br />IN HOSPITAL: No religion? You must have one! We will put you down as CoE.<br />IN COURT: (giving a character reference for a teenager). You must swear to tell the truth on the bible. There will be no affirmation in my court!<br />ADOPTING A CHILD: You must get two Ministers of Religion to recommend you!</p> <p><a id="more730" name="more730"></a></p> <p>And so it has gone on for over 70 years, as I witnessed in our secular country, governments going to war in the name of God, granting vast funds to religious schools (rich and poor) and church institutions, giving tax concessions and rate exemptions to large church holdings and investments and exemptions from equal opportunity legislation.</p> <p>Under the misapprehension that religion is the sole foundation of ethics and morals, we open our Parliament sessions with prayers and - fearing opposition from religious groups - our representatives disregard popular demands for abortion, voluntary euthanasia and official recognition of same-sex relationships.<br />Now, while I continue to try to join with my religious and atheist friends in responding to the bells tolling for justice and equality, I look forward to the 2010 atheist conference in the hope that it will foster a greater understanding of atheistic thought.</p> <p>- Keith McEwan, CLA member, Bendigo.Victoria</p><blockquote></blockquote><p></p></blockquote>Secular country? Is this what you call a secular country?<br /><br />Hey hypocrites, stop condemning Islamic countries. Look at the Man In the Mirror first. No difference to me.<br /><br />TYTYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567280571938403341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4652562107079756258.post-25722787382475493222009-10-01T23:42:00.002+10:002009-10-01T23:48:45.298+10:00On The Run<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/darin-murphy/the-deaths-of-emlucy-in-t_b_302735.html">The Deaths of "Lucy in the Sky" and "Sexy Sadie": A Tale of Two Women<br /></a><br />I really liked this article. It is about two girls, whose lives were affected by the music of The Beatles, one for the better, one for the worse. The final sentence summed it up best:<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"The Beatles, through words and deeds, presented a generation of young souls with a simple challenge: To find their authentic selves, discover their potential, cultivate love, and live in peace. Lucy succeeded where Sadie failed."</span><br /><br />TYTYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567280571938403341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4652562107079756258.post-11737332583156733842009-09-30T19:41:00.002+10:002009-09-30T20:09:15.867+10:00KaleidoscopeLost in life? Lost faith in your religion? Depressed? Don't know what to do in life anymore? Lost faith in your God? Facing an existential crisis?<br /><br />Fear not! Google has the <a href="http://www.google.com.au/search?q=answer+to+life+the+universe+and+everything&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a">answer to life the universe and everything</a>.<br /><br />That's right! They have the answer you've been looking for! You don't have to start your own religion, nor jump off a bridge anymore!<br /><br />If you think I doctored that link, feel free to search it yourself.<br /><br />On a similar note, do you think I need to write a suicide note if I were to invite all my Facebook friends to an atheist convention?<br /><br />On another similar note, I am interested in reading the bible. King James Bible to be specific. No, I am not considering converting. It is highly unlikely a radical atheist like me can be persuaded to convert, even by the scariest and most realistic dream, not to mention a book. I simply have an interest in philosophy and history, and the bible seems to fit somewhere in between. There seems to be quite a few interesting stories in there too. Noah and the ark, The Four Horsemen, David and Goliath, to name a few. While I'm there, I could perhaps pick up some "morals" the Christians so readily claim we atheist lack as well.<br /><br />However (there is always a however), the book is huge and it is not exactly written in the simplest English either. I guess it just has to go on my "list." There, another book.<br /><br /><br />TYTYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567280571938403341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4652562107079756258.post-20411140110005146052009-09-27T01:52:00.000+10:002009-09-27T02:21:54.144+10:00Master of Puppets"The rich don't have good taste, they pay people to have good taste for them."<br /><br />"I would rather have an intelligent enemy, than a stupid friend."<br /><br />--Both from <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120679/">Frida (2002)</a><br /><br />"All writers, by the way they use the language, reveal something of their spirits, their habits, their capacities, and their biases." --E.B. White<br /><br />I agree with this quote. I guess it is why I like psychoanalysing people's personalities from their blog writings. They may act phony in person, or even selectively choose what they write about on their blogs. But the way they write it says a lot about their personalities. Maybe not always, but I'd say more often than not.<br /><br />Feel free to psychoanalyse me.<br /><br />TYTYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567280571938403341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4652562107079756258.post-66234585733879540422009-09-26T02:56:00.005+10:002009-09-26T03:14:10.202+10:00A Day in the Life<h1><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/6173399/Charles-Darwin-film-too-controversial-for-religious-America.html"><span style="font-size:100%;">Charles Darwin film 'too controversial for religious America'</span></a></h1>A movie about <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0974014/">Charles Darwin</a>!!! I just discovered it today! Oh, what a joy! I doubt it'll be historically accurate but I'm sure I'll enjoy it nonetheless. Plus it stars Jennifer Connelly. How can I not love it?<br /><br />Poor Americans, ignorant enough as it is, will now have to suffer more! Ignorance brings ignorance, I guess. Just like how the rich get richer. This is my favourite part of that news article.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"The film has sparked fierce debate on US Christian websites, with a typical comment dismissing evolution as "a silly theory with a serious lack of evidence to support it despite over a century of trying"."</span><br /><br />I love it when creationists argue that natural selection lacks evidence. I suppose there are millions alive today that saw God created the world in 6 days? Surely there must be! They can't all be hypocrites, can they?<br /><br />Oh, I'm too lazy to find a Youtube trailer for you, but there's one in that article.<br /><br />I'm looking forward to it!<br /><br /><br />Your dearest evolutionist,<br />TYTYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09567280571938403341noreply@blogger.com0