AskWhy!

2011-11-19T20:26:00.003-07:00

EU bans claim that water prevents dehydration

Posted on November 19, 2011 by Steve Milloy

“A meeting of 21 scientists in Parma, Italy, concluded that reduced water content in the body was a symptom of dehydration and not something that drinking water could subsequently control.”

The Sunday Telegraph reports, Brussels bureaucrats were ridiculed yesterday after banning drink manufacturers from claiming that water can prevent dehydration. EU officials concluded that, following a three-year investigation, there was no evidence to prove the previously undisputed fact. Producers of bottled water are now forbidden by law from making the claim and will face a two-year jail sentence if they defy the edict, which comes into force in the UK next month. Last night, critics claimed the EU was at odds with both science and common sense. Conservative MEP Roger Helmer said: “This is stupidity at large".

Read the Telegraph article.

2011-10-10T20:03:00.009-07:00

Roll The Bones: Karma and Probability

Posted on October 1, 2010 by theobjectivistobserver

Probability and randomness are tough things to wrap your head around.We are used to logic and order in the physical world.If you throw a stone from some height, the only direction it is going is down (unless you are in a Zero-G chamber or really really drunk). That’s order in the universe for you-things are predictable like that.We don’t have to worry about probability with things like this-because we assume it will always happen.

It will always happen-until it doesn’t.The black swan is a case in point.But that is a topic for another day.We can more or less assume the predictability of the physical world that we live in for all practical purposes

When everything seems to make sense in the physical world, we try to extend the same to our actions and the things that happen to us as a result. But it gets really dicey there. You do good. Because of your inherent love for symmetry and what you have been taught all your life,the only thing you expect to happen to you in return is “good”. The theory of Karma.

But wait. How can you expect immediate returns from the universe? So,you believe it will come back to you. You do good, the universe will reward you for it. You do bad and the universe will get you for it.If not now,in the future. So far,so good.Nice enough theory.But then you ask:what about the people who are born with deformities. People who are born into poverty. How does your theory explain this. Bad happened out of nothing. What now?Hmmmmm. We have to get this to work somehow. We can’t leave our lives unexplained. All right, they didn’t do bad in this life, they did bad in their previous birth. Enter reincarnation. Awesome. It’s not enough to be born with a disability.You also now have to carry guilt from some other life.

Does this really make sense? But it happens. This is because the philosophy that most people follow in their day to day life is in most cases derived from religion. The problem is that religion thrives on uncertainty. If you take the unknown out of the equation,religion ceases to exist.Religion takes advantage of this uncertainty and wields its power over people by giving them answers-something to hold on to.The problem is that those answers do not have a shred of logic in them-yet most of the population falls for them. In trying to tie up all the loose ends in our life,we delve into theories that rely on faith and mysticism as opposed to logic.The only reason why people believe in karma is because it is comforting-it is comforting to feel that there is some sense-some order.That the forces of the universe are not random but respond to your actions.

It’s comforting-but it’s also complete bullshit. When we believe in Karma, we are essentially questioning the very lives we are living.

The only thing that is true is the way things happen is randomness.The only defense that one has against what happens is to play the probability of things happening-to minimize the probability of bad happening and to maximize your exposure to good things happening by serendipity.

Objective reality should guide a person’s beliefs about life and the universe.That is not to say that one should not do good ,thinking that if the theory of Karma is not true, doing good is pointless. Whatever action one takes should be a product of the values that one believes in and the principles of the fundamental philosophy which one follows in their life.Do good because it is what you believe in and it is what is right by your beliefs and principles-not because of things what the thoroughly corrupting “The Secret” and “The Alchemist” teach you.

Only accept the cause-effect that is rational and logical and thus real.

Randomness is real.Enjoy it.

2011-08-22T20:57:00.001-07:00

The Peter Principle (over 40 years old) Still a great read!
I wonder if this principle holds true in public education?
Were most administrators highly competent teachers once?
Do most highly competent teachers become adnimistrators?
The following is from the WHAKATE website:
http://www.whakate.com/lead-articles/the-peter-principle-reaching-our-own-level-of-incompetence/

In Peter’s Principle, our level of incompetence demonstrates the place where we cease to be promoted, because we are no longer doing our jobs well enough to merit promotion. But since we will not be demoted from a post unless we are ragingly incompetent, according to the Principle, the average worker is not working the job for which they are most qualified; but the job they can perform just well enough to not get fired.

Case in point: Take the career of a school principal. He would start out as a student, and if he demonstrated competence, move on to become a teacher. If he was only an average teacher, he would most likely never receive any significant promotions, but a highly competent teacher may eventually become the school principal. Being a good principal and a good teacher are relatively unrelated though and so there is high chance that the extraordinary teacher (the role he was most competent in) would now only be a mediocre principal. If, however, he proved to be an outstanding one, he would advance in Peter’s Principle to assistant superintendent or superintendent—until he reached the job where he was no longer outstanding enough to reach promotion.

The stage he bogs down in due to mediocrity would then be his defining “level of incompetence.”

2011-02-06T12:36:00.004-07:00

I remember my 7th birthday party sleepover as if it were yesterday. In 1973, Atlanta's Superstation TBS came to Great Falls, and we just got cable. Butch, Tim, Mal, Curt, Richard and I were watching Pro Wrestling! It was this night we came to the revelation that...it was fake ...scripted and not real! I felt so cheated! How could I fall for something so obvious? Hey, I was 7, gimme a break!

Why did it take me almost 37 more years "see the obvious" about Pro Football, Pro Basketball, and Pro Baseball. But I digress...Can't wait for the SUPERBOWL! The commercials are sooooo funnnny!!...and Maybe I'll see a boob during half-time! If I do not spend the whole day watching...I'll have nothing to talk about tomorrow!

The script has already been written...to see how the Superbowl will play out before you spend 4 hours of your Sunday watching the pretend drama goto: http://www.thefixisin.net/

2010-12-01T18:20:00.003-07:00

Check out this story of Ancient Aliens & the Gods. Any rational thinkers out there? Does this explain our human mythology? Is the debate finally over? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFwwctrrkwo

2010-11-07T20:09:00.006-07:00

"Carl Sagan has been a huge influence in my life. Getting students to always wonder why is a large part of my classroom philosophy. "It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness!" Much of today's public beliefs are based in psuedoscience...so question everything!" Happy Carl Sagan Day!

2010-08-21T00:36:00.005-07:00

Don't want to fan the conspiracy theory fire, but what is this?!
http://www.enterprisemission.com/Norway-Message.htm

2010-04-30T20:47:00.002-07:00

From The Dumbest Generation..."Kids today have more communication tools than ever before...Yet they say nothing." Anyone want to comment?
http://www.dumbestgeneration.com/home.html

2009-11-28T19:32:00.006-07:00

We tried so hard to make things better for our kids that we made them worse. For my grandchildren, I'd like better.

I'd really like for them to know about hand me down clothes and homemade ice cream and leftover meat loaf sandwiches.

I hope you learn humility by being humiliated, and that you learn honesty by being cheated.

I hope you learn to make your own bed and mow the lawn and wash the car.

And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are sixteen.

It will be good if at least one time you can see puppies born and your old dog put to sleep.

I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in.

I hope you have to share a bedroom with your younger brother/sister. And it's all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of the room,but when he wants to crawl under the covers with you because he's scared, I hope you let him.

When you want to see a movie and your little brother/sister wants to tag along, I hope you'll let him/her.

I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you live in a town where you can do it safely.

On rainy days when you have to catch a ride, I hope you don't ask your driver to drop you two blocks away so you won't be seen riding with someone as uncool as your Mom.

If you want a slingshot, I hope your Dad teaches you how to make one instead of buying one.

I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books.

When you learn to use computers, I hope you also learn to add and subtract in your head.....

I hope you get teased by your friends when you have your first crush on a boy\girl, and when you talk back to your mother that you learn what ivory soap tastes like.

May you skin your knee climbing a mountain, burn your hand on a stove and stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole.

I don't care if you try a beer once, but I hope you don't like it.. And if a friend offers you dope or a joint, I hope you realize he is not your friend.

I sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with your Grandma/Grandpa and go fishing with your Uncle.

May you feel sorrow at a funeral and joy during the holidays.

I hope your mother punishes you when you throw a baseball through your neighbor's window and that she hugs you and kisses you at Christmas time when you give her a plaster mold of your hand.

These things I wish for you - tough times and disappointment, hard work and happiness. To me, it's the only way to appreciate life....

2008-05-11T11:50:00.007-07:00

I Am Not Afraid: A Letter to Congress

I am not afraid of terrorism, and I want you to stop being afraid on my behalf. Please start scaling back the official government war on terror. Please replace it with a smaller, more focused anti-terrorist police effort in keeping with the rule of law. Please stop overreacting. I understand that it will not be possible to stop all terrorist acts. I am not afraid.

Click Here To See The Whole Messege You Can Send To Congress

There's more than McCain & Obama! Check out the Libertarian Party: http://www.lp.org/

2007-03-17T21:01:00.001-07:00

The Logan Law: As stolen from Kant's morality. Ask yourself if the group you belong to is better because you are a part it it. If the group is not better because you belong to it, then you do not deserve the group. Family, classes, teams, friends, relationships, schools, communities, etc. should be better because you are a part of them. Step up and bring the + to everything you do!

2006-10-05T21:50:00.000-07:00

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness. We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner sp ace. We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less. These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete. Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side. Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent. Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind. Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. HOW TO STAY YOUNG 1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctor worry about them. That is why you pay him/her. 2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down. 3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. " An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's. 4. Enjoy the simple things. 5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. 6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive. 7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge. 8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help. 9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is. 10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity. AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. If you don't send this to at least 8 people.... who cares? -George Carlin

But They Laughed At Alfred Wegener!

2006-04-21T18:59:00.000-07:00

Pseudoscience abounds! Many methodologies and ideas are dressed up as science but are not put through carefully controlled and thoughtfully interpreted experiments. But what about Alfred Wegener in 1912? The scientists almost tarred and feathered him after his crazy idea was written. The continents once connected then later "drifting" apart? Please! With continued questioning, investigating and testing plate tectonics was born. http://www.hartrao.ac.za/geodesy/tectonics.html Read more stories of scientists like J.J. Thomson, Galileo and others who were falsely ridiculed only to be later recognized. http://www.chem1.com/acad/sci/pseudosci.html

3rd Grader Steals Teacher's Van & Now I'm Going Off!

2006-04-19T20:44:00.000-07:00

MODESTO, California (AP) -- An 8-year-old boy swiped his teacher's car keys and took her minivan for a joyride, cruising safely home and into the record books as the city's youngest auto thief, police said. Police said they would not charge him with a crime. Police lectured the boy after interviewing him. "You can't do anything but laugh," said Brady, who spent 90 minutes Tuesday teaching other pupils about the consequences of choices they make. This is one of the most ridiculus paradoxes I've ever read. Police lecture him? You can't do anything but laugh? Brady spends 90 minutes teaching students about consequences? Looks like there were no consequences! This kid steals a van and eveyone thinks it is cute yet the other kids, who did nothing, have to listen to 90 minutes of lecture about consequences? Those poor kids lost an hour and a half of instruction because some kid made a poor choice? And the kid invoved gets on CNN! It is time to stop spending time (and money) on the very few trouble makers while majority of students pay the price through remedial lessons, changes in policy/curriculum and not needed "special" programs. Is it time to leave a few behind in order to teach and prepare the majority? Read the story: http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/04/19/joyride.ap/index.html

PseudoScience Abounds!

2006-04-16T11:37:00.000-07:00

Interested in UFOs, EVPs, Ghosts, Government Conspiracies, etc. This site is for you. I just spent the last 5 hours lying in bed (not being able to sleep) listening to Art Bell. Listen to AM 1450, From 11:00PM - 7:00AM Nightly http://www.coasttocoastam.com/

Healing Principles That Can Aid In Physical, Emotional, Mental, Spiritual, Economic And Even Political Healing?

2006-04-16T11:22:00.000-07:00

Each week Robert Scott Bell empowers his listeners with healing principles that can aid in physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, economic and yes even political healing! Robert Scott Bell hosts the fastest three hours of healing information on radio he deals with everyday health issues from the perspective of alternative/holistic health care. This program features caller input and questions, live interviews, and news and views in the important world of keeping one's health in balance. The desire for good health and a long quality of life crosses all boundaries, cultures, economic strata and age groups. Listen to AM 1450, Sundays 11:00AM - 12:00PM http://rsbell.com/radio/index.php

Theodore Roosevelt on Immigration

2006-04-11T12:59:00.000-07:00

“In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people." Theodore Roosevelt 1907

Are You An Electric Person?

2006-04-11T08:36:00.002-07:00

Do you get doorknob sparks even in the summer? Zap your loved ones? Kill all computers, wristwatches and light-dimmers? Can you pick up radio signals? I've seen a few articles about people who claim the street light goes out as they walk by. I've been watching and they do for me. I'm wondering how random steet lights shut off. Let me know if lights go out when you walk by. Here's a pretty interesting site; http://www.amasci.com/weird/unusual/zap.html

Probe Reaches Orbit Around Venus

2006-04-11T08:18:00.000-07:00

Mission controllers at the European Space Agency in Darmstadt cheered, clapped and embraced after they picked up the signal from the Venus Express probe, indicating it had completed the orbital maneuver. Check out the details; http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/space/04/11/europe.venus.mission.ap/index.html