Non Sequitur

[cuppajoe_9]

Philisophical questin : is it possible to be off topic on a thread titled Non Sequitur?

[AimusSage]

For those of you who are not yet ready for tuesday, or talk like a pirate day I found this very useful Instruction video

[Madhuri]

Do you believe in superstitions ? Here's where you can find all about it from across the world Superstitions

[Scheherazade]

Proof of God's existence

[Madhuri]

Bats:

Bats avoid obstacles and nab insects on the wing by emitting ultrasonic squeaks and interpreting the echo the sound waves make after bouncing off objects in the environment. This biological sonar, called "echolocation," is also used by dolphins to navigate murky waters.

Sharks:

Never play hide-and-seek with a shark because you'll lose. Sharks have special cells in their brains that are sensitive to the electrical fields other creatures generate. This ability is so refined in some sharks that they can find fish hiding under sand by the weak electric signals their twitching muscles emit.

Boas:

Temperature-sensitive organs located between the eyes and nostrils of boas and pit vipers allow the snakes to sense the body heat of their prey. There is one located on each side of the snakes' head, so the animals can perceive depth and strike with deadly accuracy even in complete darkness.

Hummingbird:

The eyes of insects and birds are attuned to wavelengths of light outside the visible range that humans see in. Birds that appear drab to us are often radiant in colors we don’t even have names for when seen in near-ultraviolet light. Telescopes like Hubble make ultraviolet images, which are colorized by technicians so we can enjoy them.

Cats:

Cats have a mirror-like membrane in the backs of their eyes that lets them hunt and move in almost complete darkness. Called a "tapetum lucidum," the membrane reflects light after it has already traveled through the retina, giving the eyes another chance to nab the photons as they make their second trip.

Snake:

A snake flicking its forked tongue might look ominous to us, but it's just the animal sniffing its surroundings. A snakes use its tongues to collect particles wafting in the air. The coated tongue is then dipped into special pits in the roofs of the snake's mouth, called Jacobson's organs. There, the odors get processed and translated into electrical signals that are sent to the brain.

Moths:

For moths, the term "love is in the air" is something to be taken literally. The furry insects can detect chemical love signals, called "pheromones," emitted by the opposite sex from up to seven-miles away. Some studies show humans also detect pheromones, but the effect seems to require close encounters.

Rats:

Most rats have poor vision, but they make up for it with the "whiskers on their snouts. They use the long hairs, also called "vibrissae," in the same way that blind people use canes. By whisking the hairs across objects the come across, rats and other rodents form mental pictures of their surroundings.

Drum fish:

Some fish like this drum fish "hear" using their air bladders. The bladders detect sound vibrations and relay them to the inner ear via a set of bones in the middle ear called the "Weberian apparatus." Hair cells in the inner ear respond to the vibrations and transmit the sound information to the fish's brain.

Migratory birds:

Many birds, especially those that migrate, can use the "Earth's magnetic field to stay their course during long flights. Scientists still aren't sure how they do it, but one recent study suggests birds might have a form of synesthesia that lets them "see" the planet's magnetic lines as patterns of color or light that is overlaid on their visual surroundings. Humans must rely on familiar landmarks or the sun's position to locate North, and many can't even manage that.

Animal Senses

Beautiful Image -- Dew Drop -- Refraction

[Taliesin]

Proof of God's existence

Hilarious!
Actually, we are not an atheist, but these are still funny.

We especially liked these:


121. ARGUMENT FROM PERSECUTION (II)
(1) Jesus said that people would make fun of Christians.
(2) I am an idiot.
(3) People often point that out.
(4) Therefore, God exists.

72. ARGUMENT FROM INSANITY
(1) No sane person could have thought up Christianity.
(2) Therefore, it must be true
(3) Therefore, God exists.


and, especially:

46. CALVINIST ARGUMENT, a.k.a. TERTULLIAN'S ARGUMENT
(1) If God exists, then he will let me watch you be tortured forever.
(2) I rather like that idea.
(3) Therefore, God exists.

[Scheherazade]

Paris and Nicole feud 'is over'

Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie have agreed to film a new series of the reality show The Simple Life. The show had been put in danger by a year-long feud which saw the pair filming their sections separately.

But it has been confirmed they will play the role of children's camp counsellors in the newest adventure, set to begin production next month.

The show's executive producer, Jon Murray, said: "The thing the viewers love is the two girls together."

Survivalists

Mr Murray said for the next season of the programme he plans to put the pair on a deserted island with a group of survivalists.

The decision was reached after they agreed to appear side-by-side again.

"They reached out to each other in universal disdain for the island concept and rekindled their friendship," he said.

The two went public with their seemingly reconciled relationship on Sunday, arriving together at a restaurant in Los Angeles.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6036331.stm

[Scheherazade]

It’s Friday the 13th, which could mean a day of horror for superstitious people who dread the number 13. And not only that, this Friday, all of the date's digits - 13-10-2006 - add up to a total of, guess what? 13 (cue Omen music).

So could we all be doomed to a day of ultra unluckiness - or is it all just a load of old codswallop?

You’ve got to be pretty unlucky to suffer from paraskevidekatriaphobia, or the fear of Friday the 13th, for a start because no one can say it. But even more so because, as with most superstitious fears, it is one that’s ultimately self-inflicted. It stands to reason that if you think, “I can’t drive today unless a black cat crosses my path because it’s Friday 13th and I’ll end up pranging the car,” the chances are you’ll be much more nervous and therefore increase the likelihood of that happening.

Some people are so paraskevidekatriaphobic (try saying it three times – you'd be lucky) that they won't go to work on Friday the 13th, which is pretty unlucky for their colleagues. Some won't eat in restaurants (unlucky for the chefs) and many wouldn't think of setting a wedding on the date (poor bored vicars).

But while all this may sound trite, it’s actually a very serious matter. The fear of the number 13 has a strong grip on western society. Many cities in the States don’t have a 13th Street or Avenue. And many buildings don't have a 13th floor. And you’ll need as many four-leaved clovers as you can carry if you have 13 letters in your name, for legend has it you’ll have the devil's luck. Jack the Ripper has 13 letters in his name, see? (Though one suspects it might have been more than a bad luck day that sent him on a rampaging psychopathic killing mission.)

Here’s another bad luck fact: there are reportedly 13 witches in a coven. But there were only three “Weird Sisters” in Macbeth and they managed to cause enough trouble between them in the Scottish Highlands.

It has been proposed that fears surrounding the number 13 are as ancient as the act of counting. Primitive man only had his 10 fingers and two feet to represent units, so apparently he couldn’t count higher than 12. But the most mysterious thing about this theory is that primitive man hadn’t worked out how to count with his toes too. That’s pretty primitive.

Psychologist Dr Richard Wiseman of the University of Hertfordshire has carried out extensive research into the matter and he believes that – to a certain extent, people make their own luck. "Unlucky people tend to buy into negative superstitions, like having seven years bad luck after smashing a mirror,” he says.

“If you're one of these people, the fact that it's Friday the 13th could make you anxious and that will make you more likely to have accidents, drive less well, and perhaps find it harder to relate to other people. So your bad luck could be your own doing," he sagely advises.

Wiseman (how lucky for a doctor to have such a clever-sounding name?) conducted a survey featuring 4,000 people and found that those who were "lucky" tended to believe in superstitions designed to bring good luck, such as touching wood, crossing fingers and carrying a lucky charm. While "unlucky" people were drawn to bad luck superstitions, such as breaking a mirror, walking under a ladder, or having anything to do with the number 13.

Wiseman even goes so far as to suggest that some people might even use bad luck as an excuse for failing at something. Well it is pretty unlucky if your dog ate your homework. But if you left it in his basket then just maybe you just helped that bad luck to happen.

But then, just as people base their faith in their horoscopes, or believe in the hand of fate, maybe superstitious beliefs are just our ways of explaining – and coping with – the things that we want to understand but cannot rationally explain. Why for example, of all the days, is the train cancelled when you’re going for that important interview? Why did that pigeon poop have to land on your head this morning? (That’s lucky by the way, though quite why is a mystery entirely.) And why did your suitcase go missing on that flight when every other passenger has theirs?

Some of these accidents can be put down to human error – the clumsiness of the baggage handler, the train company failing to make sure its trains were in full working order. But some are simply down to the random forces of nature. The tree that fell through the garage because a gale was blowing in that direction, or the river that burst its banks and flooded the cottage. (But then could that be put down to human error too, because the cottage should have been built on higher ground?)

So some kinds of bad luck can be avoided through preparation, preparation and preparation. Having the foresight to see what could possibly go wrong doesn’t make a person a pessimist, it just means that some potential problems could be avoided. But not everyone is as careful as they can possibly be all of the time. Not everyone is perky and alert 24/7.

Mistakes happen and worrying about them happening is pointless. They’re random and nothing to be frightened of. We learn from them and (here’s the touchy-feely part) become better at handling situations because of them. So this Friday 13, just keep your fingers crossed, touch wood and forget it's all happening - and it will pass like any other day. Incidentally, isn’t it lucky that it’s Friday 13 – and not Monday 13 – that would be really awful. May the luck of the Irish be with you.

http://lifestyle.uk.msn.com/features...mentid=1059060

[Scheherazade]

Santa Claus and Barbie are among some of the "most important characters" to have shaped society, behaviour - or even swayed the course of history. Topping the list in a book of The 101 Most Influential People Who Never Lived is Marlboro Man - a 1950s marketing creation to boost cigarette sales.

The book's three US co-authors say that his biggest influence has been to cause the death of millions from cancer.

At number two is writer George Orwell's Big Brother, followed by King Arthur.

According to the book's authors, King Arthur - held by some to be a historical figure - embodies for many the ideal qualities of a monarch or leader.

'Surprising consequences'

Only characters that have managed to "shape society, change our behaviour, and set the course of history" made the list.

TOP 10 MOST INFLUENTIAL

1 The Marlboro Man
2 Big Brother
3 King Arthur
4 Santa Claus
5 Hamlet
6 Dr Frankenstein's Monster
7 Siegfried
8 Sherlock Holmes
9 Romeo and Juliet
10 Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

"The figments of our imaginations, the creatures we push out of our minds into the real world are fully capable of pushing back with surprising consequences," Jeremy Salter, one of the book's authors, told Reuters news agency.

Santa Claus registers at number four because he "makes us believe we are entitled to goodies just for living in an affluent society, and governs our entire economy for the last quarter of the year".

Characters such as the Ugly Duckling, Ebenezer Scrooge, Shylock and superhero Batman are also included.

Each entry is accompanied by a short description, explaining the significance of the character - be it good or bad.

Secret agent James Bond, positioned at 51, is praised for his "intrigue, sex appeal and British suavity with the highest technologies of modern age".

Meanwhile, Barbie - "the bodacious plastic babe" at number 43 - is blamed for "setting an impossible standard for beauty and style".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/6066724.stm

[cuppajoe_9]

"Easy pal, that horseradish won't jump a fence."

"You're blind, Mr. Magoo, this is the crossroads for me."

"Suzy, that's fish four days old, I won't buy it."

"He's a big man, he wins all the marbles."

"Rest in peace, Kelly! You're skinny, but JJ says you're sweat."

[Scheherazade]

A survey this week found one in five British children could not find the UK on a map of the world.

What about other countries? Test yourself by identifying the 10 countries highlighted in the following questions.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6083496.stm


PS: I could answer only 7 correctly :-/

[AimusSage]

10 out of 10!!!

Yay, I know where the Netherlands is on the world map, it's right where I left it Wow! amazing, it just sunk into the North Sea. Now I'm glad I live on the second floor

[Logos]

Just in case anyone is missing the old forum styleee

[Scheherazade]

The sinister side of Halloween is being exploited, says one leading church figure, when it could celebrate the triumph of good over evil. Can Halloween go cuddly? Halloween, Fright Night, All Hallow's Eve. Call it what you will, but it's supposed to be scary... right?

Not according to one cleric, who wants people to come away from Halloween's darker side.

The Rt Rev David Gillett, the Bishop of Bolton, says the "more horrific" of masks prove too scary for many children. With the Mothers' Union - a Christian parenting group - Bishop Gillett is backing a campaign called Halloween Choice to promote the lighter side of the festival.

"The emphasis has become so evil and scary, I've spoken to children and adults who find it too scary," he says.

Bishop Gillett wants a shift away from horror character masks, like Hannibal Lecter, towards the Christian celebration of good over evil. And, he wants an end to the trick or treating-style harassment that brings out extra police patrols and can be a nuisance to some.

Costumes could have a brighter side, he says, and home-made outfits would let people set their own fear factor. Shops could stock up on hair braids, bright balloons, face paints and glow tubes, instead of fake blood and evil eyes.

"Why not lighter costumes? Brighter colours?" he asks. "Face masks that people could paint themselves in a way that sets their own level of spookiness?

"It's not to do with the occult, or asking supermarkets to stop what they are doing. It's saying when children are in a supermarket and asking 'Get me something for a Halloween outfit', they can buy something other than the horrific choices.

Creepy cash

Party-wise, churches have begun to organise alternative events for children around Halloween - parties with songs, games, quizzes and stories. But Halloween's creepy roots stretch way back, to the Celtic feast of Samhain as well as All Hallow's Eve, and in the last few years, selling scariness has been highly lucrative for supermarkets.

UK spending on Halloween will top £120m this year, says Bryan Roberts from industry analysts Planet Retail. This compares with £12m five years ago. The pumpkin market alone is worth £25m. It is the third most profitable seasonal push in supermarkets after Christmas and Easter, with whole aisles turned over to pumpkin costumes, witches hats and the like.

The make-you-jump thrill is, surely, part of the attraction. Would children trade all this dressing up and trick or treating for a "nice" Halloween?

At outlets like Angels Fancy Dress, in London, it is standing room only at peak shopping time as workers take their lunch not with a knife and fork but complete with a devil's trident.

But Halloween is not all about "hell and horror", says owner Emma Angel. The choice, to which Bishop Gillett refers, exists already.

Alongside its vampire teeth, scream-style masks and sinister clown outfits, Angels has sold Ghostbusters gear, banana costumes, "mad" doctor's scrubs, and, for children, a pink candy witch. Hardly spine-chilling.

We are already in touch with Halloween's brighter side, she says.

"It's just a great fun time of year for people to dress up, adults and children. Ghostbusters outfits are fun, not evil.

"People don't come in and say, 'I want to be Satan in disguise' or 'I really want to scare people'. They just want to put a pair of vampire's teeth in a funny way."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6099008.stm


Tonight, when I opened the door to couple of 'trick-or-treaters', the youngest of the group, who seemed around 4-5, looked at me and said, 'That is too scary for me, that is!' and I couldn't help feeling guilty (and no, I wasn't wearing a mask; I had just removed my daily make up ). Is it true that Halloween has become 'too scary'?

[cuppajoe_9]

Too scary for what? Childhood is the only time when one can get really properly scared without actually being in any serious danger, and no sissy-pants bishop is going to take that away from them if I have anything to say about it.