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Search: Posts Made By: Robert Oz
Forum: Science, Mathematics, Medicine, and Technology 29th February 2016, 08:06 PM
Replies: 641
Views: 147,269
Posted By Robert Oz
How about this add-on: Scientific Theory of...

How about this add-on:

Scientific Theory of Evolution (add-on)

(3)
- The above ongoing process means populations of living things continually change over time in response to changing...
Forum: Science, Mathematics, Medicine, and Technology 29th February 2016, 08:00 PM
Replies: 641
Views: 147,269
Posted By Robert Oz
Agreed.

Agreed.
Forum: Science, Mathematics, Medicine, and Technology 29th February 2016, 07:58 PM
Replies: 641
Views: 147,269
Posted By Robert Oz
Thanks, spenisc. I see what you mean. Was...

Thanks, spenisc.

I see what you mean. Was trying to get across the point that species that haven't adapted can become extinct. You are correct, what I wrote there makes no sense.

I think the...
Forum: Science, Mathematics, Medicine, and Technology 29th February 2016, 06:07 PM
Replies: 641
Views: 147,269
Posted By Robert Oz
Hi Daniel, Can you explain why radiometric...

Hi Daniel,

Can you explain why radiometric dating of meteorites, radiometric dating of rocks on Earth, radiometric dating of rocks from the Moon, and helioseismic dating of the Sun all give a...
Forum: Science, Mathematics, Medicine, and Technology 29th February 2016, 05:52 PM
Replies: 641
Views: 147,269
Posted By Robert Oz
I'll give it a go (simplified, of course, to fit...

I'll give it a go (simplified, of course, to fit into a short post).

Observation requiring explanation

- There are many different species of life
- The fossil record suggest there were many...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 21st February 2016, 04:21 PM
Replies: 67
Views: 11,445
Posted By Robert Oz
Does it matter? Once one is comparing and...

Does it matter?

Once one is comparing and debating the degree of violence in one holy book to another, surely a shadow has been cast on both religions.

Damn it all if I won't Godwin this thread...
Forum: Science, Mathematics, Medicine, and Technology 30th April 2015, 08:39 PM
Replies: 6
Views: 1,245
Posted By Robert Oz
That was exactly what I thought. I'm confused by...

That was exactly what I thought. I'm confused by the term 'push' being chosen to describe the interaction between the sun and MESSENGER. Very odd.

By the way, if anyone wants to see what I'm...
Forum: Science, Mathematics, Medicine, and Technology 30th April 2015, 05:07 PM
Replies: 6
Views: 1,245
Posted By Robert Oz
I've read in many articles now that the sun's...

I've read in many articles now that the sun's gravity is 'pushing' MESSENGER into the planet.

At first, I assumed that it was a misquote from a non-science writer writing a science article for a...
Forum: Science, Mathematics, Medicine, and Technology 29th January 2015, 04:41 PM
Replies: 168
Views: 19,469
Posted By Robert Oz
^ For extensive use of the word 'gonads' ...

^ For extensive use of the word 'gonads'

:bigclap
Forum: Science, Mathematics, Medicine, and Technology 29th January 2015, 03:26 PM
Replies: 168
Views: 19,469
Posted By Robert Oz
Yes, this is what I think Maartenn100 is missing....

Yes, this is what I think Maartenn100 is missing.

It's not about a black person not being able to survive to reproduce in cooler climates or a white person not being able to survive in warmer...
Forum: History, Literature, and the Arts 7th January 2015, 10:09 PM
Replies: 68
Views: 8,140
Posted By Robert Oz
Also covered in The Time Machine:

Also covered in The Time Machine:
Forum: Science, Mathematics, Medicine, and Technology 21st October 2014, 10:41 PM
Replies: 23
Views: 2,815
Posted By Robert Oz
This is your father's lightsaber; it is the...

This is your father's lightsaber; it is the weapon of a Jedi Knight. Not as clumsy or random as a blaster. An elegant weapon for a more civilized age.
Forum: General Skepticism and The Paranormal 21st September 2014, 11:49 PM
Replies: 134
Views: 9,277
Posted By Robert Oz
I don't like volume dials being set on odd...

I don't like volume dials being set on odd numbers unless divisible by 5.
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 27th March 2013, 03:35 PM
Replies: 77
Views: 2,678
Posted By Robert Oz
YES! Also, YES! The need to...

YES!





Also, YES! The need to survive and pass on genes was the ultimate source or the seed that grew into morality. Many resulting behaviours are side-effects or developed through...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 27th March 2013, 03:27 PM
Replies: 77
Views: 2,678
Posted By Robert Oz
It is fascinating to ponder, you're right. As...

It is fascinating to ponder, you're right. As you say, there are gradual steps from nothing to empathy, and I agree, it couldn't have 'suddenly' arisen in a species.

I recently watched one of...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 26th March 2013, 09:26 PM
Replies: 77
Views: 2,678
Posted By Robert Oz
The root you are searching for is the evolution...

The root you are searching for is the evolution of empathy and, as Lowpro mentioned, other emotions that make us feel bad, like anxiety. There are very obvious reasons why these emotions might be...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 21st March 2013, 06:08 PM
Replies: 77
Views: 2,678
Posted By Robert Oz
Knowledge of good and evil In the...

Knowledge of good and evil


In the Beginning...

In the beginning, social groups were small and in small groups there are a number of evolutionary benefits to altruistic or selfless behaviour. ...
Forum: History, Literature, and the Arts 11th March 2013, 08:40 PM
Replies: 4
Views: 428
Posted By Robert Oz
History of Christianity recommendations

Looking for some recommendations for good books covering the history of Christianity from an historical, secular viewpoint.

Not interested in books that argue the truth of Christianity or try to...
Forum: Non-USA & General Politics 22nd August 2012, 07:55 PM
Replies: 15
Views: 1,650
Posted By Robert Oz
What, if anything, do you all think would bring...

What, if anything, do you all think would bring small-l liberals back onto the political canvas of the Liberal Party?

What if Labor bounced back and won the next election? This is a remote...
Forum: Non-USA & General Politics 20th August 2012, 07:03 PM
Replies: 15
Views: 1,650
Posted By Robert Oz
I do acknowledge the Labor/minority government's...

I do acknowledge the Labor/minority government's performance during the GFC, but I equally recognise the incredibly strong economic position left by a Howard government whose economic management...
Forum: Non-USA & General Politics 20th August 2012, 05:21 PM
Replies: 15
Views: 1,650
Posted By Robert Oz
What is a small-l liberal in Australia to do?

Recently, I’ve been taking a much closer look at politics than I ever have in the past, and based on what I’ve read, I would classify myself as a small-l liberal. I’m pro-choice, pro-gay marriage,...
Forum: Science, Mathematics, Medicine, and Technology 25th July 2012, 10:15 PM
Replies: 139
Views: 6,013
Posted By Robert Oz
I’ve never been able to understand the...

I’ve never been able to understand the surprisingly popular view (anecdotally) that we humans somehow cheat natural selection through our technological and scientific achievements. Electric light...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 25th July 2012, 06:58 PM
Replies: 37
Views: 2,074
Posted By Robert Oz
My explanation to believers of Marian apparitions...

My explanation to believers of Marian apparitions (to take one of your examples) for why their 'evidence' or 'proof' is in fact neither, would be as follows:

"The reason that Mary appearing to...
Forum: Science, Mathematics, Medicine, and Technology 22nd July 2012, 06:34 PM
Replies: 17
Views: 1,081
Posted By Robert Oz
Interesting. Can you give a simple layman's...

Interesting. Can you give a simple layman's explanation of what stops genes from splitting during meiosis? How does the process know the start point and end point of a gene in the long strand of...
Forum: Science, Mathematics, Medicine, and Technology 22nd July 2012, 04:41 PM
Replies: 17
Views: 1,081
Posted By Robert Oz
This: The chromosomes split during...

This:




The chromosomes split during meiosis, but in most cases this moves whole genes. DNA is a string of genes, so recombining DNA doesn't necessarily mean recombining individual genes.
...
Forum: Science, Mathematics, Medicine, and Technology 19th July 2012, 11:02 PM
Replies: 17
Views: 1,081
Posted By Robert Oz
The article is unclear on whether genes have...

The article is unclear on whether genes have components from multiple ancestors (although it probably does in some cases, at least). It only states that sperm has DNA from multiple ancestors, which...
Forum: Science, Mathematics, Medicine, and Technology 19th July 2012, 07:45 PM
Replies: 17
Views: 1,081
Posted By Robert Oz
That's what I thought. That the study was merely...

That's what I thought. That the study was merely a closer look at the process of meiosis; closer than we've looked before.

I think the fact that the link from the homepage focussed on the...
Forum: Science, Mathematics, Medicine, and Technology 19th July 2012, 06:06 PM
Replies: 17
Views: 1,081
Posted By Robert Oz
Discovery or merely a closer look at meiosis?

From http://www.news.com.au/technology/sci-tech/every-sperm-really-is-sacred/story-fn5fsgyc-1226430462594




The link to the article, on the website's homepage, made the following statement:
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 15th July 2012, 08:28 PM
Replies: 2,230
Views: 114,749
Posted By Robert Oz
No. The first "parent" existed approximately...

No.

The first "parent" existed approximately 3.7 billion years ago, and was most likely a very simple, self-replicating molecule that probably formed by chance chemical reactions. ...
Forum: Science, Mathematics, Medicine, and Technology 4th July 2012, 08:50 PM
Replies: 1,071
Views: 94,380
Posted By Robert Oz
Many bosons died to bring us this information. ...

Many bosons died to bring us this information. :cool:
Forum: Social Issues & Current Events 24th June 2012, 05:41 PM
Replies: 93
Views: 7,214
Posted By Robert Oz
On the map of Australia on the ABS Census Data...

On the map of Australia on the ABS Census Data home page, you can click on states or capital cities, and then click on the Quick Stats button.

There's probably an easier way, but that was the way...
Forum: Social Issues & Current Events 21st June 2012, 09:18 PM
Replies: 93
Views: 7,214
Posted By Robert Oz
In Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania,...

In Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory, 'No Religion' is first place.

In Victoria and Queensland, it is second place, behind...
Forum: History, Literature, and the Arts 13th November 2011, 09:22 PM
Replies: 59
Views: 8,843
Posted By Robert Oz
His ass moved back and to the left. There...

His ass moved back and to the left.


There was also a great episode of Quantum Leap where Sam jumps back and forth between Oswald's body and a bodyguard. He thinks he is there to save JFK, but...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 13th November 2011, 08:53 PM
Replies: 247
Views: 9,823
Posted By Robert Oz
I know this has been done to death with yrreg,...

I know this has been done to death with yrreg, but once again from the wikipedia entry on Cosmogony:



Inserting God here is no different than inserting God to explain the sun's path across the...
Forum: History, Literature, and the Arts 8th November 2011, 10:08 PM
Replies: 85
Views: 4,118
Posted By Robert Oz
Your favourite novel and why

Looking for some reading suggestions. So what is your favourite novel and why? It can be from any genre and written at any time.

Feel free to chime in with your opinion on novels mentioned by...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 3rd November 2011, 09:34 PM
Replies: 633
Views: 27,954
Posted By Robert Oz
Yes, we can imagine beings that later turn out to...

Yes, we can imagine beings that later turn out to be real, as in to actually exist independent of our imagination. It is possible to conceive of something before discovering its existence.
...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 3rd November 2011, 07:27 PM
Replies: 633
Views: 27,954
Posted By Robert Oz
Yes, that is an acceptable definition of a god...

Yes, that is an acceptable definition of a god for the purposes of this discussion.





No, not everything that can be the subject of man's imagination and discourse. Man can imagine and...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 3rd November 2011, 05:26 PM
Replies: 633
Views: 27,954
Posted By Robert Oz
Yes, the nose has a beginning and an ending.

Yes, the nose has a beginning and an ending.
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 3rd November 2011, 05:24 PM
Replies: 633
Views: 27,954
Posted By Robert Oz
I agree, you have defined a god, specifically the...

I agree, you have defined a god, specifically the kind of god you wish to discuss. You have also made a leap of faith that such a god exists and an even larger leap of faith that it is the Christian...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 30th October 2011, 07:26 PM
Replies: 2,279
Views: 98,908
Posted By Robert Oz
Well, seeing as there have been many, many more...

Well, seeing as there have been many, many more religions with multiple gods than there have been with only one, I would say the definition of 'god' certainly is not limited to one.

Why do...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 24th October 2011, 05:11 PM
Replies: 2,279
Views: 98,908
Posted By Robert Oz
Why are multiple gods off the table? What is the...

Why are multiple gods off the table? What is the basis for a belief that IF gods exist, there can be only one? How can an agnostic reach such a conclusion? By definition, an agnostic does not know...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 24th October 2011, 04:57 PM
Replies: 2,279
Views: 98,908
Posted By Robert Oz
Okay, what if we focus on gods that have been or...

Okay, what if we focus on gods that have been or are believed to exist?

It sounds as though you are agnostic about Yahweh specifically (I'm not using his name to offend here, but as a comparison...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 24th October 2011, 04:13 PM
Replies: 2,279
Views: 98,908
Posted By Robert Oz
Welcome to the forum. Christopher Hitchens...

Welcome to the forum.

Christopher Hitchens was once asked by an American, "Do you love us or hate us (i.e. Americans)?", to which Hitchens replied, "It depends on how you behave." I believe such...
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 10th October 2011, 08:25 PM
Replies: 282
Views: 21,497
Posted By Robert Oz
The Long War Against God: The History and Impact...

The Long War Against God: The History and Impact of the Homosexuality/Plate Tectonics Conflict
Forum: Science, Mathematics, Medicine, and Technology 9th October 2011, 09:47 PM
Replies: 101
Views: 4,161
Posted By Robert Oz
Trick question. ;)

Trick question.





;)
Forum: Education 4th October 2011, 10:45 PM
Replies: 187
Views: 10,033
Posted By Robert Oz
How to win any argument: Step 1: Make...

How to win any argument:

Step 1: Make assertion
Step 2: Multiply by infinity
Step 3: Add one

Equals: WIN
Forum: Religion and Philosophy 28th September 2011, 10:40 PM
Replies: 87
Views: 3,191
Posted By Robert Oz
What does God need with a starship?

What does God need with a starship?
Forum: Million Dollar Challenge 24th September 2011, 05:14 PM
Replies: 144
Views: 8,716
Posted By Robert Oz
Your claim sounds very interesting. However, you...

Your claim sounds very interesting. However, you should test yourself first. If you are intending to apply for the MDC based on what you think you might be able to do instead of what you know you...
Forum: General Skepticism and The Paranormal 22nd September 2011, 11:54 PM
Replies: 39
Views: 2,315
Posted By Robert Oz
The problem with anecdotes is that you are trying...

The problem with anecdotes is that you are trying to interpret a more than likely inaccurate, static re-telling of a very live reading. It's what makes even very ordinary cold readings sound...
Forum: Million Dollar Challenge 29th August 2011, 01:58 PM
Replies: 257
Views: 18,195
Posted By Robert Oz
Not surprising. This is the argument that...

Not surprising. This is the argument that challenge applicant wannabes almost always make when they finally realise that they won't be able to pass a properly controlled test.

So sad.
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