Islamophobia in the US

[mattblancarte]

This is an especially appealing theory for those who have trouble recinciling an omnibenevolent, omnipresent, and omnipotent God with natural disasters and instances of great human evil.

It's actually logically impossible to reconcile these things. It's called "The Problem of Evil", if I'm remembering philosophy class correctly.

[AZhitman]

Agreed with 99% of Matt's post...

I do see several gaping holes that cannot be answered through science (real life test and observation) because of the creation part, though.

That's because we have a long way to go.

And, if you're like me - a believer (but eschew the "literal" translations of Scripture), you could easily say the opposite is true:

I do see several gaping holes that cannot be answered through science (real life test and observation) REGARDLESS of the creation part, though.

[AZhitman]

Plenty of evidence for that.

When you figure out the evolutionary benefit of the ability to compose music, write poetry and create art, holla at a brotha.

[mattblancarte]

That's because we have a long way to go.

And, if you're like me - a believer (but eschew the "literal" translations of Scripture), you could easily say the opposite is true:

I do see several gaping holes that cannot be answered through science (real life test and observation) REGARDLESS of the creation part, though.

Pardon me if it sounds rude (I'm seriously not trying to be at all), but creationists make no attempt to further their theory because there is no evidence beyond religious scripture (regardless of the religion).

Furthermore, there is no consensus within those who believe in creation. Each individual draws on their own personal belief system, as opposed to scientists who all have to adhere to the same guidelines (scientific method). So a Christian creationist is completely different from a Hindu creationist, which both are different from how Navajo creationists think it all began.

There is a reason why creation theory does not exist outside of religion. There is absolutely zero empirical scientific evidence for such claims.

To me, it's kind of like saying aliens built the pyramids (i.e., "How could man build such a wondrous thing without the aid of superior beings?").

There are always potential holes in theories, but evolution is pretty air-tight. I am happy to do my best to respond to any and all challenges you guys put forth. I genuinely enjoy the topic.

When you figure out the evolutionary benefit of the ability to compose music, write poetry and create art, holla at a brotha.

That's a good one, but easily answered.

Music, poetry and art are all extensions of human language.

Music is, for humans and all kinds of animals, a way to project attractiveness to potential mates. That guy who gets the ladies because he rocks on instrumental guitar? Yeah, that guy...

Poetry and art are very similar in that they are creative expressions meant to communicate.

The personal enjoyment, fulfillment, satisfaction, etc. you get from doing these things (if you love to do them)? That's your body giving you a chemical high-five for practicing potentially attractive behavior.

[telcoman]

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc ... oo/244309/

http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/ ... hobia.html

A pretty damning report of the rise of Islamophobia in the US. Its pretty sad how little this is getting into the news. I wonder if it would be this obscure if people were out railing against the money grubbing heebs...

I got a chuckle out of this one


Two Middle East mothers are sitting in a cafe chatting over
a plate of tabouli and a pint of goat's milk.

The older of the two pulls a small folder out of her handbag
and starts flipping through photos. They start reminiscing.

''This is my oldest son, Mujibar. He would have been 24 years
old now.''

''Yes, I remember him as a baby.'' says the other mother
cheerfully.

"He's a martyr now though." the mother confides.

"Oh, so sad dear...'' says the other.

''And this is my second son, Khalid. He would have
been 21.''

''Oh, I remember him,'' says the other happily, ''he had
such curly hair when he was born.''

''He's a martyr too...'' says the mother quietly.

''Oh, gracious me...'' says the other.

''And this is my third son. My baby. My beautiful Ahmed.
He would have been 18 '', she whispers.

"Yes," says the friend enthusiastically, ''I remember
when he first started school...''

''He's a martyr also,'' says the mother, with tears in
her eyes.

After a pause and a deep sigh, the second Muslim
mother looks wistfully at the photographs and, searching
for the right words, says . . .



"They blow up so fast, don't they?"

[AZhitman]

There are always potential holes in theories, but evolution is pretty air-tight. I am happy to do my best to respond to any and all challenges you guys put forth. I genuinely enjoy the topic.

Actually, there are plenty of holes. However, that doesn't mean that the alternative is supported.

The good news for both of us is that I'm not debating it. Ever. Regardless of how "good" you think you might be at it.

[Encryptshun]

I just re-realized that this was a thread about Islamophobia.

So, THIS.

[IBCoupe]

Saw that today, and I commented on it on Fark when it was posted.

Focusing on the religious behavior of American citizens instead of proven indicators of criminal activity like stockpiling guns or using shady financing makes it more likely that the FBI will miss the real warning signs of terrorism. And depicting Islam as inseparable from political violence is exactly the narrative al-Qaida spins — as is the related idea that America and Islam are necessarily in conflict. That’s why FBI whistleblowers provided Danger Room with these materials.

QFT

[mattblancarte]

Actually, there are plenty of holes. However, that doesn't mean that the alternative is supported.

The good news for both of us is that I'm not debating it. Ever. Regardless of how "good" you think you might be at it.

Fair enough.

[AZhitman]

Whoops.

Teh science. It is brokeded.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/scie ... tists.html

[IBCoupe]

STAR TREK MAY COME TRUE YET.

Also, here's a potential cure for cancer with no zombie-apocalypse implications:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44090512/ns ... ectations/

Like Terminator, we've reprogrammed the HIV virus (brb, going to ATM machine; almost forgot my PIN number) to kill Leukemia.

[mattblancarte]

Ensign Crusher, set a course for the future. Maximum warp... Engage!

I'm waiting to see what speed they actually clocked those neutrinos at. Please tell me at least Warp 2.

Whoops.

Teh science. It is brokeded.

I'd say it's working perfectly, and this is exactly the scenario to prove it. Nearly a century old and as solid as a rock, one of the most fundamental laws of physics has been challenged.

Go science, go!

[Encryptshun]

Agreed that science works best when it's wrong.

And they did clock the speed. The neutrinos covered the same distance 60 billionths of a second slower than light would have. So figure out if it took 2.4 seconds for light to travel that distance at 186,000 miles per second, and the neutrinos covered the same distance in 2.399999994 seconds, you have the speed. Someone less tired than I am should probably check my math though.

[mattblancarte]

Ah, interesting. So a very, very slight margin in speed (albeit significant if observations were accurate)...

Seems like many physicists are betting on there being a flaw in the experiment.

http://io9.com/5843112/faster-than-ligh ... ot-so-fast

Now consider a supernova explosion. In particular, consider Supernova 1987A:

This was an explosion about 160,000 light years from earth. The thing is, the neutrinos and the photons from the explosion reached us at almost exactly the same time. In the cause of intellectual honestly, I need to point out that the neutrinos were detected first, by about 3 hours, but this is because the envelope of the explosion was optically thick and the photons had to bounce around a while, while the neutrinos just streamed right out.

But how much of a delay between neutrinos and photons would we expect if the OPERA result applied?

In other words, if the effect really were this large, we would have seen the neutrinos from SN 1987A way back in 1984. Yeah, we would have noticed that.

I don't want to be too glib, however. There are a couple of key differences: The neutrinos detected from 1987A were electron (anti-)neutrinos, not tau neutrinos. However, since neutrinos oscillate from one flavor to another, I'd be surprised if this was the key difference. The energies are quite different. In 1987A, neutrino energies were typically a few 10′s of MeV. The neutrinos measured by OPERA are a factor of 100 higher. It could very well be that this is a sensitive function of energy.

[Encryptshun]

Conclusion: Muslims travel faster than light, but not by much. So we should be askeert.

[AZhitman]

[IBCoupe]

Yeah, but... How about that there Leukemia? Isn't that something?








I want my warp speed, gorrammit!

[stebo0728]

Wow fun turn this thread has taken Light spead travel sounds cool and all. Personally I dont think a corporal unit is capable of movement that fast while staying intact. I think our future of fast travel lies more in worm holes.

Now who's heard about quantum entanglement? Now that's some nifty stuff, will lead to instant communication via infinite distances. Basically 2 photons are "entangled" then whatever changes are made to one, they happen instantly to the other. And the changes are translated INSTANTLY, no travel time, it just damn happens. Thats gonna make for some sort of "sub space communication system" me thinks.

And I've been theorizing for a while that eventually all of mankind will live with HIV, but eventually we will make it a passive virus. Sorta of the same way turtles carry salmonela but it doesnt effect them. If I understand the virus right, it hijacks RNA from our cells to replicate because it lacks its own source. If somehow we could provide an alternate source of RNA then its possible it could live peacefully within us. I dunno, silly theories of mine are silly.

[Encryptshun]

Sorry to keep beating the same drum I'm also ignoring, but isn't this thread about Islamaphobia?

We need a "cool sh*t in science" forum.

[stebo0728]

We need a "cool sh*t in science" forum.

PLUS + OVER 9000!

[AZhitman]

Islamophobia has gone the way of other media-manufactured claims.

There will always be people who don't like your clothes / skin / religion / appearance / career choice / accent / etc.

Fortunately, those people have rights too.

False Islamophobia claims are false. Americans are, as a rule, much more tolerant and accepting than the sensationalistic and opportunistic media would have you believe. Remember, drama sells. Don't buy the hype.

I just wish we could get the OP to wear a smagh to an event, but he's a sekrit muslin.

[IBCoupe]

Americans are, as a rule, much more tolerant and accepting than the sensationalistic and opportunistic media would have you believe.

Except when they're not.

[AZhitman]

Old McDonald had an exception.

E-I-E-I-O.

People who attend those things are the fringe. The rest of us have better things to do, like work, play, and raising our kids to not attend political rallies or fling poo at passing cars.

[IBCoupe]

But those are the people choosing who runs for president.

[stebo0728]

But those are some of the people choosing who runs for president.

[AZhitman]

But those are the people choosing who runs for president.

And their viewpoint is just as valid as yours. Quit putting your crazy on display.

[IBCoupe]

No, it's not just as valid. You can't simultaneously agree with me that these people are despicable, with the caveat that it's okay because they don't represent all of us, and then say that their views are just as valid.

Legally, they have a right to be stupid. But it's still stupid, and it's invalid. Just because we can't stop them legally from being a drain on our average IQ does not mean we have to accept them morally.

[Encryptshun]

I believe the definition of "valid" being used was in reference to free speech. They have just as much right to spout off derp as we do to spout off brainz.

The world would be better if you could just toss them a ball of yarn and they could keep themselves quietly occupied for the rest of our lives, but alas ours is not such a world.

[heliochrome85]

But those are the people choosing who runs for president.

And their viewpoint is just as valid as yours. Quit putting your crazy on display.

id rather his crazy than him pulling an anthony wiener...

[IBCoupe]

I believe the definition of "valid" being used was in reference to free speech. They have just as much right to spout off derp as we do to spout off brainz.

The world would be better if you could just toss them a ball of yarn and they could keep themselves quietly occupied for the rest of our lives, but alas ours is not such a world.

I'm fresh out of yarn, so I'm going to point out the stupid at every opportunity.