Re: Seth Finkelstein on 16 words
On Fri, 25 Jul 2003 12:18:22 -0700 (PDT), Gautam Mukunda wrote: But that seems to be _your_ argument. If we understand why they are angry at us and seek to act in such a way as to assuage their anger, they won't attack us any more. What you _want_ the US to do anyways seems to accord precisely with this. Do you feel more comfortable (or safe) never asking this question? Dean ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
RE: Why we cast novels
On Thu, 10 Jul 2003 15:24:08 -0400, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I especially miss the novelty LP album covers (like my original Led Zeppelin III cover with the picture wheel in it) and the double albums with suitable-for-hanging-in-your-dorm-room trippy artwork inside. It's a real shame: the death of the LP and the small size of CD and tape covers seem to have killed most of that whole art-concept aspect of albums. I miss the cover of Monty Python's Matching Tie and Handkerchief (if you've seen it, you know what I mean). Actually, I miss Matching Tie and Handkerchief. Well, I own the LP, but if you've heard it only on CD, you've unfortunately completely missed the joke, which is that is the world's first (and most likely only) three-sided album - they cut two grooves into one side of the vinyl LP, so the record player (what an archaic concept and word!) played first one track and then the other - which is utterly impossible to duplicate on CD. Sigh. And the Instant Record Collection was great for filling out the incomplete shelf! Dean ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
RE: Political Compass
On Tue, 15 Jul 2003 12:02:11 -0700 (PDT), Deborah Harrell wrote: Couple of years ago at a party, some guy actually asked me my sign...I managed not to laugh, but only just, and womanfully refrained from snapping Off Limits! ;-) I thought that was old enough that it was nostalgically quaint now. Seriously, did you reply negative? :) Dean ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Trudeau on political differences
Maybe it's just me, but Sunday's Doonesbury reminded me of past list discussions. http://www.doonesbury.com/strip/dailydose/index.html?uc_full_date=2003 0713 http://makeashorterlink.com/?R2D961745 Dean ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: SCOUTED: Religiousness associated with less depression
On Sat, 28 Jun 2003 13:38:25 -0500, Reggie Bautista wrote: [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Thank you Ronnn! Religion is a crutch. Surprise!!! Crutch? I believe the phrase you were looking for is, useful tool. I don't find fear, myth and delusion to be useful tools. Lasting solutions are found in the real world. Concepts such as community and purpose can help depression. Religion arrives at these somewhat dishonestly IMO. No solution based on a lie will be successful in the long term. Dean ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Re: SCOUTED: Religiousness associated with less depression
On Sun, 29 Jun 2003 15:18:45 -0400 (EDT), John D. Giorgis wrote: [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Thank you Ronnn! Religion is a crutch. Surprise!!! Its amazing that so many messages have been devoted to dissecting what [EMAIL PROTECTED] precisely meant by this insult. Of course, there's only one thing you need to know about this comment - the count of Brin-L atheists who are unable to discuss religion with a modicum of basic civillity has now reached at least four. I'll admit it was a rather terse comment fueled mostly by being totally sick of the subject. It appears you interpret all critical comments as insults. JDG - You atheists are really doing yourselves proud here. As there was nothing in that comment implying that I am an atheist, and I don't recall being involved in these discussions before, I'll assume you are just trying to fill out your enemies list. Let me know when I make the next level. Dean ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: SCOUTED: Religiousness associated with less depression
Thank you Ronnn! Religion is a crutch. Surprise!!! On Fri, 27 Jun 2003 21:53:22 -0500, Ronn!Blankenship wrote: http://byunews.byu.edu/releases/release.aspx?y=archive03m=Junf=re ligdepress Contact: Grant Madsen (801) 422-9206 Religiousness associated with less depression, says BYU/U. of Miami study PROVO, Utah (June 17, 2003)-A new study by Brigham Young University researchers reveals that greater religiousness is associated with fewer symptoms of depression, with religiousness defined broadly as any attitude, belief or behavior involving spiritual or religious content. The findings suggest that religiousness may provide certain types of religious people with a buffer against depression, says Timothy Smith, a BYU associate professor of counseling psychology and lead researcher on the study. Joining Smith are Michael E. McCullough, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Miami, and Justin Pole, a BYU graduate student. Published in the latest issue of the American Psychology Association's Psychological Bulletin, the research is an analysis of 147 previous studies that examined religiousness and depression. The results were similar across gender, age or ethnicity and apply regardless of religious denomination. Religiousness was defined broadly as any attitude, belief, motivation, pursuit or behavior involving spiritual or religious content or processes. Ken Pargament, a professor of psychology at Bowling Green State University and author of The Psychology of Religion and Coping: Theory, Research, Practice, says the study adds to the growing understanding of the mental health benefits of religion. This is a sophisticated, up-to-date, balanced approach to the study of religion and one critical dimension of mental health, says Pargament. Furthermore, it moves the field forward by identifying specific forms of religion that are tied to both increases and decreases to the risk of depression. These findings underscore what is common sense to most people -- religion contributes to health and well being. Now we are beginning to learn how and why. Other findings revolved around the distinction between what the researchers called intrinsically and extrinsically motivated religiousness. Intrinsic motivation means practicing religion for religion's sake -- praying, meditating and serving because of a sincere belief that doing so is correct. Extrinsically motivated people practice religion for social reasons -- they see church as a chance to build non-faith-based social networks or think, This is what religion can do for me. The study found that those who practice religion based on extrinsic motivations or who engage in negative religious coping, like blaming God for difficulties, are associated with higher levels of symptoms of depression. For those undergoing stressful life events, the researchers found that the buffer against depression is even stronger. One would think, 'The greater the stress, the greater the depression,' says Smith. But that's not necessarily the case for the intrinsically motivated religious person. Possible explanations for this include the idea that stress may prompt people to turn to religion, to become stronger in their faith in the face of trials. They are turning to God, pleading for help, seeking counsel from scriptures or pastors. Some of the reasons that those who are religious for intrinsic reasons may enjoy a buffer against depressive symptoms and stress include the traditional use of less alcohol and drugs, belief in spiritual intervention and support and belief in an afterlife. Take the example of death. Some religions teach doctrines about an afterlife that may provide a coping mechanism that relieves stress, says Smith. If people truly believe in those teachings and hold to them during times of stress, they can get through the ordeal with less trauma than the non-religious or externally motivated religious person. Additionally, religion tends to teach principles of altruism, which research has shown to be a buffer against depression, says Smith. Self-focus, on the other hand, has been shown to be a factor that tends to increase feelings of depression. The project was supported by grants from the John Templeton Foundation, the Campaign for Forgiveness Research, TP Industrials Inc., and the Religious Research Association. ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: The Brights
On Tue, 24 Jun 2003 12:59:29 -0400, Jon Gabriel wrote: http://www.the-brights.net/ Thought it was appropriate to post this since we've been hitting so many spiritual/scientific worldview topics lately. They're trying to introduce a new meme: Or a new religion :) Dean ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: constatine's hot 'cross' buns
On Tue, 24 Jun 2003 18:50:55 EDT, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: All of these comic book movies. But where's Groo? Off looking for a fray? or cheesedip? No fight choreographer in the world could do Groo justice :) Dean ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Segways aren't for everyone
On Wed, 18 Jun 2003 23:41:54 -0500, Ronn!Blankenship wrote: At 07:31 PM 6/18/03 -0400, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Mr. Bush gets bucked... http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=storyu=/030612/170/4dnhg.html Umm, I thought it was supposed to have a gyroscopic stabilization system so you couldn't fall off it? I heard it wasn't switched on. Dean ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: wierd spam...
On Thu, 19 Jun 2003 14:40:39 -0400, Bryon Daly wrote: I just got this (presumably) spam message today. I've never seen anything quite like it: *snipped* I'm not sure wht the goal of this spam was. I can only think it it to get people to write to the email address provided, but I see little likelihood people would do so. Obviously a stranded time traveller trying to get home. Dean ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Segways aren't for everyone
Mr. Bush gets bucked... http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=storyu=/030612/170/4dnhg.html New legislation pending... :) Dean ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Where are the European hypocrites?
On Thu, 12 Jun 2003 22:58:45 +0100, Richard Baker wrote: Dan said: How about, over a period of years, the US is inundated by foreigners who look like they will drastically and permanently change the ethnic makeup of the US? No sci-fi needed. :-) Yes, but that's not really the same situation, is it? Can you imagine a separate sovereign Hispanic state forming on the territory of the United States and having a military so powerful that it's able to inflict repeated humiliating defeats on the forces of the federal government? I read Dan's statement from the perspective of native North Americans. Try that in your analogy. Dean ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: English rules exceptions Re: China RFID tracking people
On Sat, 07 Jun 2003 14:05:02 -0500, Julia Thompson wrote: The ie/ei rule is complicated, and has 8 exceptions that have been brought to my attention, but I can never remember more than 7 of them: either foreign forfeit leisure neither seize weird There's at least 1 more. Anyone? Their? Dean ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
