Ladymuck

:-$...yes

SofaRunner, I do not think it is right to compare the likes of Oxfam or the GDFTB with KCH. The first two are not funded via general taxation and we have a choice as to whether or not we contribute towards their causes.

Huguenot Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I often find it helps to break down these > questions into smaller fragments - in this case > before deciding what makes us 'human', you have to > decide what 'human' is. > > This isn't as simple as it sounds. It's difficult > to define what 'human' is in any consistent way. > For example we could argue that humans have two > arms and two legs, but we're all agreed that > losing a limb in an accident doesn't make us less > than human. > > Likewise we're familiar with anatomically perfect > people being described as 'inhuman', so apparently > defining a 'human' must somehow revolve around a > set of values - not a physical form. > > We're into the realm of many great philosophers > here, particularly concerning whether these values > can be defined or expressed in particular actions, > or whether the thoughts themselves are what > defines our humanity. > > In other words, if we think nice thoughts but are > unable to put them into action then are we still > nice? More pointedly if we think nasty thoughts > but do good deeds are we then good? > > For most people, a person thinking nasty thoughts > but doing good deeds would be described in > unpleasant terms - for example 'two faced'. > > So possibly we could conclude the generally > accepted definition of 'human' lies within > thoughts and beliefs, not in actions or > appearances. > > Those thoughts and beliefs considered most > 'humane' are generally altruistic ones - a process > which requires abstract reasoning, an > understanding of cause and effect, and > collaboration for the greater good. > > In other words what makes us human is the ability > to do things such as watching the wildlife, > drawing insights and parallels, and using these to > inform our decisions about the future on both a > moral plane and a physical one. Blimey Mr. H - that post (almost) sobered me up...beautiful.

Yes but so is C02...it's still causing probs though as it re-radiates the sun's heat and contributes to global warming. *thinks...not bad for half a frog* *disappears back to guests/another top up of cider*

Woof - did you allocate 1395 for HAL9000 and 2 for karter? Please?

*dashes back to guests pretending has been for yet another pee*

ooops another x-post.. previous post in response to lady Katharina Van der Wotsit-poos

Isn't carb. mon a GH gas?

waynetta Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- However, it produces > dangerous carbon monoxide so the ants have built > their mounds to have air conditioning so that > harmful fumes are got rid of. It's amazing. > Individually the ants have no intelligence, but > collectively they are like cells in a massive > brain. Blimey - so ants are contributing to global warming?

katie1997 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > *QED* Hey Latin Lady...love it!

SeanMacGabhann Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > That's rather PeckhamRose's point LM... *blows big fat raspberry at SMG* PS: I should say that I'm currwently as pissed as a newt (or frog)...have a load of neighbours round...but keep sneaking upstairs to see what you lot are up to...

PeckhamRose Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- I am trapped with politicians and rich > people ruling my life and yet had it just been > down to survival of the fittest I would have been > dead a year after I was born! But you aint...

Jeremy Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > How about... the intelligence to choose not to > follow our instincts? But I LIVE by my instincts Jeremy :-S

Actually... I'm half one... Ah oui - c'est vrai...

Is that the best you lot can do? Pah! I may as well be a frog... *ribbitt*

I am unable to sleep and have just spent the last 15 minutes watching a fox who, curled up on our garden bench appears quite at peace watching someone's cat who, in turn is fascinated by the little baby mice who keep darting to and from under our shed to access our birdbath for a drink. These creatures seem to me happy and content to do what they are doing. It got me thinking: what exactly is it that separates us from them? What I mean is, what is it that makes us human? And are we better off being human?

:-$

I've since also emailed PALS with the same question - so hopefully I should hear from someone. We shall see.

Thank you annaj. I have now emailed the fundraising dept. at Kings with regard to the source of their contacts vis a vis the fundraising letter in question. I shall keep the forum updated via this thread.

expat Wrote: ------------------------------------------------- > No letter asking for money,if > they use medical records why not mine as I would > seem a prime candidate to give them some? Well, assuming they have used medical records (though as you point out they may not have), they could have simply randomly picked out a certain percentage of contact details (I doubt very much they would write to everyone on its books in such a situation - would they?:-S). Also, (I would hope) that if you are currently an "active" patient of theirs, that to contact you for funds might be deemed by the CE as inappropriate - not to mention insensitive. I don't know...I'm just guessing here...

PS: but you've made a good point - I assumed medical records...

What records would they have used - if not medical records? Are you thinking - electoral register for example?

DJKillaQueen Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Dynamos are no good as they don't work unless you > pedal (so no good at junctions) You can buy dynamos with stand lights which will continue to give off light for a short while after stopping (e.g. at junctions, traffic lights etc.).

woofmarkthedog Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Cycling TopTip? In all the years I've been cycling I've never had to change handlebar grips. Do they usually wear out then? These are pretty though...

Applespider Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- I wonder how > many motorists/cyclists actually know what the > 'slowing down' signal is. It's the single-winged birdie about to take off impression isn't it? Well, that's what I've been doing all these years.