HAL9000

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of the few states that fully implements Islamic Sharia Law, which is virtually identical to Jewish Talmudic Law as applied to Gentiles (i.e. Noahide Law). Both recognise mental illness as a mitigating factor, albeit to a limited extent since their diagnostic criteria are not to western standards (some rabbis believe that Christianity is a mental illness). The Saudi criminal justice system does not execute the mentally ill, who are treated with compassion under Sharia Law. Very few Saudi nationals are executed: murder, manslaughter and rape, for example, are usually settled through repentance and rehabilitation provided the victim (or their family) accepts a compensation payment - so-called "blood money". Most executions are of Moslem foreign workers who are too poor to pay the compensation demanded and have no influential local contacts to intercede on their behalf. Public execution is stipulated by Sharia/Nochide Law and was the norm throughout the Christian world until very recently. It is still practiced in some states of the USA, for example. In my opinion (having witnessed the act), beheading by sword appears to be just as swift and humane as hanging or electrocution. In Saudi the subjects are heavily sedated and do not appear to be conscious of their fate. The Saudis are not barbarians. I count them amongst the warmest and friendliest people I have ever met. In short, they have been indoctrinated by Judaeo-religious ideas over many centuries to believe that they are obeying God's will. Personally, I am against capital punishment AND religious indoctrination.

I think - therefore I am - a biological computing thingamabob. As for an Everett-Wheeler-type multiverse - hmmm, where do I begin? It's a Metatheory of Quantum Mechanics that argues against the collapse of the wave-function posited by the Copenhagen Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics. It has steadily gained support amongst the world's theoretical physicists over the last twenty years or so, although most scientists are quite embarrassed about admitting their support because it describes quite a bizarre universe. Basically, it states that every possible outcome of a quantum-scale interaction actually occurs within a series of continually bifurcating alternate or parallel realities or universes; hence the Multiverse or Many World's Interpretation. With some hesitation I provide a wiki link to the Many Worlds Interpretation knowing that it probably won't make much sense unless one is well-versed in Quantum Mechanics (and, in this case, Quantum Consciousness) to start with. Good luck with it and feel free to ask any questions that may arise.

TLS - having read through the cited threads - I see no evidence of racism or any threatening behaviour. On the contrary, I see a coherent, well-thought out point-of-view presented with a good balance of restraint, humour, satire and passion. BBW - I accept that this forum is private property, however, it does promote itself as a community service. BBW is a member of our local community: one who is likely benefit more by being accepted rather than excluded from it. I'm sure none of us would exclude someone who suffered from Tourette syndrome, for example. BBW's behaviour is problematic but his occasional outbursts must surely be a symptom of some involuntary compulsion or behavioural problem - no one has put more effort into trying to belong, to fit in and present cogent opinions during his better moments. I think it would be a sad indictment of our community spirit if we simply turned our backs on someone with obvious and genuine problems that he is struggling to overcome. It's not my decision - just my two cents' worth.

Our modern scientific understanding of the universe allows for the existence of an entity with attributes similar to those of the biblical deity: a creator (as initiator of the big-bang), omniscient (all-knowing - via quantum entanglement), omnipotent (all-powerful - via manipulation of human consciousness within an Everett-Wheeler-type multiverse) omnipresent (in past, present and future via relativistic block-space time) and so on. That's about as far as a rational enquirer can go given our present state of knowledge, but the idea that a god-like being may exist is no longer completely irrational. The universe is far more bizarre than any religion conceived by the human mind.

Our modern scientific understanding of the universe allows for the existence of an entity with attributes similar to those of the biblical deity: a creator (as initiator of the big-bang), omniscient (all-knowing - via quantum entanglement), omnipotent (all-powerful - via manipulation of human consciousness within an Everett-Wheeler-type multiverse) omnipresent (in past, present and future via relativistic block-space time) and so on. That's about as far as a rational enquirer can go given our present state of knowledge, but the idea that a god-like being may exist is no longer completely irrational. The universe is far more bizarre than any religion conceived by the human mind.

142

Has anyone watched a total eclipse? The moon slowly takes a huge bite out of the sun but it still looks like broad daylight. It's only in the last few moments that it begins to get dark, the temperature starts to drop and everything goes very quite. Even the wind is still. There's an ominous feeling of doom in the air. The ancients thought it was the end of the world. Quick - the shadow is almost upon us. Is there anyone else out there? Or will I be alone - in the dark?

It's like watching paint dry. Are we there yet?

In case anyone thinks I'm kidding about the availability of research grants for bizarre ideas: Time-travelling Higgs sabotages the LHC. No, really So, if the forum doesn't come back to the future - now you know why.

Well done emc - you look georgeous! Good Luck! Hope to see all you blushing violets at a drinks night.

If there is competition to be the last poster - and why not - bear in mind that we won't know who won until the forum returns. It will also require split-second timing by Admin, of course. This thread seems to be the appropriate place for the Last Word. If enough people join in, we might even crash the server! So, let the countdown begin.....

Louisa, you are the flip-side of DulwichMum - I claim my 5 pounds!

We are famous because ... someone lost a parcel of pongy nematodes in the post! Well, it could have been worse.

You may have missed the boat slightly... GBP/USD from 1.70 in mid-Sep to 1.571 today. EUR/GBP from 0.84 in mid-Aug to 0.941 today. EUR/USD from 1.25 on 4 March to 1.486 today.

annaj Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I ... wear too tight knickers ... Naked Scanner thread reveals "twist" in the tail!

Come on Daizie, anyone who admits to using a chainsaw to trim her hedge can't be that shy?

Why don't you single gals post a description of yourselves and the type of guy you are looking for, like height, length, age range, personality, etc? If you want to be really adventurous - set up a disposable hotmail account and post it with your 'personal ad' to maintain privacy. You never know - Mr Right might be reading this thread.

Declan Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > ... are you saying every > premium rate number has a landline equivalent? Non-geographic telephone numbers (like 08** numbers) always redirect callers to a regular land line.

.

monica Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Do the EDF drinks attract any singles? I've not conducted a poll at any of the ones I've attended so I don't know. In theory, it should be the perfect place for singles to meet under cover of a friendly social occasion - in practice, that doesn't seem to be happening - as far as I can see, anyway.

monica Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I am surprised no one has organised a single and > mingle evening There was an attempt earlier this year. A small group met up at the Plough a couple of times before it fizzled out. It may have failed because it wasn't clear whether it was a singles support group or a night out for single men and women. See: what do single approaching 40's do in East Dulwich

Getting back on topic... Anyone curious about the extent of the problem can find various lists of species by following the links/sub-links below: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species > List of critically endangered species > List of endangered species List of extinct animals > Modern extinctions > > List of extinct birds > > List of extinct mammals > > List of extinct butterflies List of extinct plants > Modern extinctions I don't know how up-to-date these lists are but a quick scan through did not reveal any discernable spike in the number of recent extinctions. For example, there are only three species of butterfly listed, all of which became extinct in the 1800s. On the other hand, the number of endangered species must be huge if the A - Ac section listed is representative of the rest of the list. The IUCN Red List web site links to comprehensive data tables from this page: Summary Statistics for Globally Threatened Species.

I reckon this shutdown has something to do with the recent discovery of a clown in space. It's all part of another NASA cover up, innit? Mark my words Admin - the truth will out! Bonnes vacances!

In fairness to Obama, he appears to be just as surprised by the award as everyone else and has already acknowledged that he doesn't deserve it.

mockney piers Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Coincidence, causality and hindsight often make > convenient yet ultimately uneasy bedfellows ;) Whatever bakes your cake. For me, retro-causality, relativistic Closed Timelike Curves and biblical prophecies make far more interesting research grant candidates ;)