thelerner

Let's face it, anything with the power to do serious good can also cause harm if misused.

The act is extreme and the audience is so built in that it feels like there's a bit of ego in it. It's not just killing yourself through extreme asceticism, it's making sure there's a group of disciples to see it. I admire hermits, even the Marathon Monks of Mt. Hieie who have died doing there extreme practices, but even then going through a 9 day death fast of no food, water or sleep the aim is life and enlightenment, it just happens to be so extreme it sometimes kills practitioners.

Hmnn, if you have $20 and no debt are you a 40%, ie doing better then 60% of the world?

Yet in truth, if you have money in banks, you actually have quite a bit of trust in them. Technically they have quite a bit of trust in you if they're loaning you money. Trust in the government.. I trust that laws, customs, currency will pretty much stay the same week to week, month to month, perhaps some changes from year to year. With a bad government all those things change rapidly. If you think you don't trust government now, you should see what life is like under a dysfunctional government where laws, regulations and what your money worth changes day to day.

Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water, write bull .. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water, write shorter bull ..

In the U.S we needs more Science, Engineering and Math graduates. There are more jobs available then people to fill them. The country with the most of these will do the best, the country with the least will lag behind. Without a strong educational push and respect, there will be people who don't know the basics (like the shape of the planet) and are much more likely to fall victim to any pseudo science that comes there way. Because they can't distinguish real science from charlatans. Hint, it takes serious study, way beyond watching internet videos. Like any skill, you need to build a foundation, starting with basic math and history, following the how's and why's that led to progress.

The actual visuals aren't that much. Its the same with super colliders. Not much, but the implications are exciting because they expand our understanding of the fundamental forces of the universe. Thats built into our genes, we are explorers we push boundaries. Moonnite your video's assume we haven't explored Antarctic and there's a huge ice wall there holding in the water and pushing out outerspace. But we have. Mankind needs to know. Its not our strength or speed thats kept our species alive. Its our curiosity, our exploration. Without it we'd have gone extinct or at least stagnated. Culture itself would not exist and we'd be back in the caves afraid of lightening and thunder. Unable to protect ourselves from catastrophes. At the time fundamental science always seem wasteful. Like why do we need to know what the heart looks like or why it operates? It'll do it whether we know it not. Same with germs, how we could we ever know what they do? Or oxygen, who cares how if it exists and what properties it has? In the 1700's what good is a battery? Whats cutting edge often ends up being engineered into our society. Maybe it takes a few generations but it done. Here's what some envision uses for the discovery in the future- http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-future-of-gravitational-wave-astronomy/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ScientificAmerican-News+%28Content%3A+News%29 synopsis: “Imagine light having never been collected in a photograph,” says Janna Levin, an astrophysicist at Barnard College of Columbia University and author of a forthcoming book about LIGO. “The first thing people want to do is just to capture the recording, which is what LIGO has done.” Soon, astronomers say, LIGO will record and unveil far more than the birth cries of newborn black holes. LIGO and other operational observatories are already looking for ripples from the violent death throes of massive stars and from collisions of city-sized orbs of degenerate matter called neutron stars. Current observatories could also help reveal what makes spinning neutron stars called pulsars tick, mapping their starquake-shaken interiors and any centimeters-high “mountains” (which would weigh roughly the mass of a planet because of neutron stars’ extreme density) that could pop up on their surfaces. Decades from now, new generations of space telescopes could capture the mergers of supermassive black holes and glimpse pulsars spiraling to doom down their maws, or see snapping “cosmic strings,” proton-thin intergalactic defects in spacetime that may have been stretched across the infant universe during an inflationary growth spurt. Tracked and timed by radio telescopes, rapidly spinning pulsars can themselves be transformed into galaxy-spanning detectors sensitive to spacetime ripples with wavelengths measured in light-years. Ultimately, the most ambitious gravitational wave observatories astronomers can presently conceive might someday record the hiss of waves emitted in the first fractions of a trillionth of a second after the Big Bang. Then, cosmologists could watch—could listen—as the first seeds of cosmic structure crystallized from a seething quantum fog. What most excites scientists, though, is the unknown. “Are there things out there that we’ve never even wrapped our heads around with telescopes?” Levin wonders. “Seeing black holes collide is a golden discovery, but we expected that. What else is out there? I want to see something dark.” “The skies will never be the same,” says Szabolcs Márka, a physicist and LIGO team member at Columbia University. “Imagine you can touch, smell, taste, and see, and one day you can hear. That day is a glorious day. This is what has happened to us, as humanity. From today, we can hear the cosmos. We can see the unseen.”

If we went back in time 60 years they had similar headlines when one of Einsteins theories proved that gravity could work like lens bending light, ie you see a star that should be blocked because gravity bent the light. That was pretty easy to prove, you just needed a good telescope. Still the math is not that easy, ie.. One of the pages is reproduced in the following image: [Published as part of the Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, Vol. 3, p. 585; Reprinted by permission of Princeton University Press.] Moonnite you've published youtubes that say everything we know about space and physics is a lie, ie hundreds of satellites lies, distance of moon sun every object in space, lies. Since you operate on the foundation that a dozen scientific areas from basic geography, to engineering to physics to astronomy is a vast 1,000 year conspiracy. You use the fruits of these tech understandings every day but don't believe the science behind them. I wish you could take a walk around the Adler Planetarium in Chicago. Part of it focus on the history of ideas, how they built up. It was made for people like you. It clearly shows why theories were dropped for better ones. The people, there tools, there math and ideas clearly shown out. For example the question why planets appear to move backwards in there orbits, retrograde. That was a problems for the best minds of the time. There is a model of the solar system and you can see why it happens as well as see earlier theories and why they were problematic, ie stars, moon and sun on varied invisible domes doesn't work. Once we got telescopes we could see more of the complexity of the world and needed to explain what we could now see. For example, the solar system, why we know it is the way it is. Why we know the planets, like ours are round, even how much they weigh. You can see how ancients discovered it. You can see the diagrams and math Greeks used to discover how far away the moon and sun were. How they deduced 1,000+ the size of the planet (underestimated it a little). Why modern satellites and our intersolar exploration vehicles work using math that plugs in the (realitvely simple) equation for gravity and low and behold the theory works in real life. Thus they use gravity slings to get increase speed and swoop around planets. These aren't different the equations used in the 19th century to calculate flights of artillery. The ideas and tools are gradual, with breakthroughs by very smart people who asked the right question. And they're not taken on faith. They needed mathematical models behind them. They needed real world confirmation. Newer and better measurements were continually needed as we explored world from other galaxies to electron microscopes and beyond. Maybe you have a planetarium or similar museum near where you live. Though the Adler in Chicago in excellent because it walks through history so nicely. You'll never see a model of the the flat earth's solar system that works, ie you won't see one that shows Jupiter with its 63 moons, a dozen of which Galileo saw orbiting the planet in 1610. Here's a quote from the page where I got that-"By the time of Galileo's birth on February 15, 1564, it was well known that Earth is shaped like a sphere. The idea had been clearly articulated by Aristotle nearly two thousand years before in Ancient Greece. Eratosthenes, a librarian in Alexandria, had measured the diameter of the Earth fairly accurately around 240 BC, and Magellan's voyage around the world in 1543 AD established beyond a doubt that people live all around the spherical Earth." If you went to the Adler you could see replicas of Galileo's work, his predecessor's and future scientists, why they made there theories, how they were proved, on and on through the centuries. So I invite you. If you're ever in Chicago, to a free trip to the Adler (I'm a member). Its a beautiful building in a fantastic location right on Lake Michigan. They have several amazing theaters with various shows that explain various aspects of the universe. My dad loves it (for sleeping). You can talk to real scientists and astronomers, look at moon rocks (boring) and meteorites. They have a reasonable restaurant with the best lake view in the city. Lunch is on me. Give me a call if you're ever in the neighborhood. For now here's a link:http://www.adlerplanetarium.org/whats-here/ and online explanations from them: http://www.nasawavelength.org/ they have levels. Well worth exploring. These ideas didn't develop out of the blue, they were built up, tested and advanced as mankind got more advanced. Our universe is amazing, and science is unlocking its rule books. Modern cutting edge discoveries are fascinating and perhaps best understood by going through the past to see how they evolved. For example El Nino is affecting us all, causing blizzards, drought.. changing weather patterns.. It is real, not a hoax. Science is studying it- http://mynasadata.larc.nasa.gov/lesson-plans/?page_id=474?&passid=68 Satellites using different lenses that pick up varying wavelengths for temperature and densities are gathering evidence. Scientists create complex mathematical models; seeing if predictions pan out. Some will, some won't, its about learning. This is a good video on how astronomy developed from Aristotle to Newton, Why we grew beyond Aristotles view: Watch til at least the Gaileo section and ofcourse Newtons. Notice how the astronomy and physics, knowing the shape of solar system and the mathematics behind gravity allow us to know when and Why the tides are, how the moon and sun's gravity pulls our oceans. The math in the model explains the reality on Earth. Can Flat Earth theory do that? Explain the tides? Explain why the 63 moons of Jupiter orbit it just so.. Would meteor showers and comets be a source of superstitious dread?

Building measurement devices to prove theories is what science does. It's pretty close to the heart of the scientific method. Nothing new here, except its being done in a very complex field. Like particular accelerators its exotic, dealing with the tiniest of things but its not voodoo. Go back 300 450ish years and science was using a microscope to do cutting edge work. We, science is simply getting better and smarter. This kind of science is complicated enough that you need to dig much deeper then headlines and articles to fully understand. While a PHD in physics would help, one might need to digest an indepth book or two on subject to understand the how's and why's of what was done. I tend to believe it, because that's the word coming out of top people in the field. The ones with PHD's and extensive study, not only the ones who designed it, but others who've studied the set up and the data. To dismiss it out of hand, might be indicative of an anti-science mind set. Because it's complicated doesn't mean its a hoax. On the other hand good science is over thrown and re-interpreted. I wouldn't be surprised if other interpretations come up. I haven't read why they pin this finding on a particular double black hole collision. The distance and differing measurements are questionable, ie 780 to 1.something billion light years away. Still something (probably) caused a ripple in space time and cutting edge engineering based on physics was able to track it. Which is pretty cool.

Sounds smart. The downside to living in the Information Age is that there's too much information and most of it conflicts and the loudest are often the most critical of everything. Taking some time out, working on general fitness is good if you've been 'energy' burned. Later on, there's some good babies out there, and with fresh bath water you'll find one you click with.

It's fuzzy, but that's me taking a photo of neatly balanced pile of rocks in Arizona. In ye olde days when the board used different software there was a photo section.

Imo, What you guys were talking about earlier is demonstrated nicely by a coin 'tornado'! The coin wants to roll in a straight line but the plastic (space time) is warped in a loop keeping in 'orbit', except there's not friction in space and the satellite (or coin) is perfectly matched to keep rolling around the curvature. Otherwise it'll be effected by the gravity but break free and leave orbit, until acted on by another warp/gravity well in space.

Patient beware. Especially of the Western mythos of more is better.

I'm so sorry. It seems just a week or two ago I was posting a like of something she wrote in Facebook. Great soul.

Mars and Venus seem pretty happy. Mars has its warlike monsters, Venus has her beautiful woman.

yeah, now you've got me afraid of those merciless clampy shape shifters..

hmnnn, Yes, but don't expect morality at a human level Phew, if the Dao is reading this, he won't be pissed off. Now its time to walk the (straw) dogs.

sometimes, and its always a downer. & I've noticed the older I get . . . . . . . the stronger it becomes.

That reminds me.. puts 2 dropperfuls of Pine Pollen Tincture (from The Rural Apothecary) under my tongue.

I'm under the impression some species of pine are more food friendly then others. Maybe, double check before assuming they're all the same. There is something special about meditating underneath pines. Good wah, the scent, the coolness, their shape is special, like a living cathedral.

My view.. it may not be readily apparent but like art, science is important to our well being. It improves our lives and inspires us. If some small part of the treasury is used for it, I'm okay with that. This kind of research goes way beyond the discovery. There is the inspiration to a whole generation to keep finding out the truths of the universe. There is hardware, software.. tech and procedures created by these groups that will go on to find applications in other places. The scientists and specialists will go on to work in other fields, answering other questions and designing new things. As a practical matter, if a country want to keep its edge technologically (or culturally) it'd better throw some ducats in the science and engineering fields (& fine arts). Encourage new generations to look for solutions and do the hard work to understand the world. I'm not against big corporations but if they find something they may or may not share it. A robust world of public scientists, who share and cross pollinate concepts, ideas and hardware that will revolutionize the world. Improve all our lives, ultimately. addon> There's also a little bit of species self preservation involved. The Universe can be a cold, harsh place that doesn't care about us. The more we know it's rules, it's make up, it's possible dangers, the safer we'll be. Black holes colliding sound like a pretty dangerous thing. Might be worthwhile learning a little about them. Can't do much now, but maybe in the far future we can either get out of the way or learn to surf.

It is a silly phobia. You'll have to get over it sooner or later. When one doesn't know what to do, it's time to strategize. Possible strategies: 1. Date and live normally, if you're close to having sex ask if they have penis size hang up. If they do, drop'em. Find another, but I bet you'll find most woman don't have that hang up. 2. Date and live normally, wear your underwear to bed, as many men do, and have sex in the dark. Which most people do. From the first words, to first touches, there's much more to sex then genitals. 3. There are 1,000 crazy kinks in this world, find one you like, go with it, find your own kind. If you're dressed in feathers and acting like an Owl, they won't be looking at your groin. 4. Date short woman. To them everything is larger. hmnn, that also with myopic and the blind 5. I could go on and on. But in truth your problem isn't physical, its mental. Get over it. Focus on something else, being a great lover, great dresser, dancer, being in great shape. If you want greater confidence with woman there is some decent PUA stuff out there that respects woman while giving guys decent hints on increasing there self esteem. I'm sure at some point you'll get over this because it is ridiculous. In the mean time if its causing you anguish, take some time to be celibate and don't torture yourself. Peace Out. In my collection of unusual guided meditations there's one called Confidence Beach by Isabella Valentine. Might be worth looking up. Cause it all about confidence.

Its not really a path I'd take, but can you talk more about Mediumship and merging vs. befriending and meeting. How do you define the difference and keep one from leaking into the other? Befriending and meeting sounds cool, but even that seems to have its dangers. At my low level the biggest danger, I assume, is me fooling myself. At higher level its the Other fooling Me.