thelerner

I love this guy: He may have destroyed Kirk's Enterprise, but he's a hell of a teacher. https://www.khanacademy.org/science/cosmology-and-astronomy/universe-scale-topic/big-bang-expansion-topic/v/cosmic-background-radiation Speaking to Goat Guys question on radiation: Big bang and expansion of the universe Big bang introduction Radius of observable universe Radius of observable universe (correction) Red shift Cosmic background radiation Cosmic background radiation 2 Hubble's law A universe smaller than the observable He Keeps It Short, Simple as possible and draws pictures. Here's his explanations on Evolution: https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/evolution-and-natural-selection/v/intelligent-design-and-evolution

Really, you think Mitt would have been better? I voted for him twice. Can't say I'm perfectly happy, but as an adult I understand that when politicians move there lips, its often a sign they're lying. Its not a dictatorship, there are hard choices and bad compromises that must be lived with. He took office at a time when the U.S was losing 800,000 jobs a month. Maybe it would have turned around with anyone, but he took the Keynsian route to throw money at it, employ people. I think worked better then only tax cuts. Sometimes you've got to notice and appreciate things that aren't there. Like the auto industry. Republican line was no help, Obama and the democrats kept it alive. There are also dozens of little things. Like credit card reform (http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/perfi/credit/2009-05-21-obama-credit-card-reform-law_N.htm), which helped keep banks honest. Before ACA there a provision passed that made insurance pick up regular health check ups. I think Obama saved much of auto industry, thus 100's of 1,000's of jobs, that the Republicans would have let be destroyed on principle. Here is a list of 50 things: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/magazine/march_april_2012/features/obamas_top_50_accomplishments035755.php?page=all just first 10 1. Passed Health Care Reform: After five presidents over a century failed to create universal health insurance, signed the Affordable Care Act (2010). It will cover 32 million uninsured Americans beginning in 2014 and mandates a suite of experimental measures to cut health care cost growth, the number one cause of America’s long-term fiscal problems. 2. Passed the Stimulus: Signed $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in 2009 to spur economic growth amid greatest recession since the Great Depression. Weeks after stimulus went into effect, unemployment claims began to subside. Twelve months later, the private sector began producing more jobs than it was losing, and it has continued to do so for twenty-three straight months, creating a total of nearly 3.7 million new private-sector jobs. 3. Passed Wall Street Reform: Signed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (2010) to re-regulate the financial sector after its practices caused the Great Recession. The new law tightens capital requirements on large banks and other financial institutions, requires derivatives to be sold on clearinghouses and exchanges, mandates that large banks provide “living wills” to avoid chaotic bankruptcies, limits their ability to trade with customers’ money for their own profit, and creates the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (now headed by Richard Cordray) to crack down on abusive lending products and companies. 4. Ended the War in Iraq: Ordered all U.S. military forces out of the country. Last troops left on December 18, 2011. 5. Began Drawdown of War in Afghanistan: From a peak of 101,000 troops in June 2011, U.S. forces are now down to 91,000, with 23,000 slated to leave by the end of summer 2012. According to Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, the combat mission there will be over by next year. 6. Eliminated Osama bin laden: In 2011, ordered special forces raid of secret compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, in which the terrorist leader was killed and a trove of al-Qaeda documents was discovered. 7. Turned Around U.S. Auto Industry: In 2009, injected $62 billion in federal money (on top of $13.4 billion in loans from the Bush administration) into ailing GM and Chrysler in return for equity stakes and agreements for massive restructuring. Since bottoming out in 2009, the auto industry has added more than 100,000 jobs. In 2011, the Big Three automakers all gained market share for the first time in two decades. The government expects to lose $16 billion of its investment, less if the price of the GM stock it still owns increases. 8. Recapitalized Banks: In the midst of financial crisis, approved controversial Treasury Department plan to lure private capital into the country’s largest banks via “stress tests” of their balance sheets and a public-private fund to buy their “toxic” assets. Got banks back on their feet at essentially zero cost to the government. 9. Repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”: Ended 1990s-era restriction and formalized new policy allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military for the first time. 10. Toppled Moammar Gaddafi: In March 2011, joined a coalition of European and Arab governments in military action, including air power and naval blockade, against Gaddafi regime to defend Libyan civilians and support rebel troops. Gaddafi’s forty-two-year rule ended when the dictator was overthrown and killed by rebels on October 20, 2011. No American lives were lost. Here is another 235. You may not agree with all of them, but as long as we're going by lists, I think they deserve equal time. http://pleasecutthecrap.com/obama-accomplishments/ example: Returned The Executive Branch To Fiscal Responsibility 1. Within his first week, he signed an Executive Order ordering an audit of government contracts, and combating waste and abuse. http://1.usa.gov/dUvbu5 2. Created the post of Chief Performance Officer, whose job it is to make operations more efficient to save the federal government money. http://n.pr/hcgBn1 3. On his first full day, he froze White House salaries. http://on.msnbc.com/ewJUIx 4. He appointed the first Federal Chief Information Officer to oversee federal IT spending.http://www.cio.gov 5. He committed to phasing out unnecessary and outdated weapons systems. To that end, he also signed the Democratic-sponsored Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform Act, which attempted to put a stop to waste, fraud and abuse in the defense procurement and contracting system. http://bit.ly/hOw1t1 http://bit.ly/fz8GAd 6. Through an executive order, he created the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. http://bit.ly/hwKhKa Prevented a Bush Depression and Improved the Economy 7. Pushed through and signed the Democratic-sponsored American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, otherwise known as “the stimulus package.” The bill passed, even though only three Republicans voted for it. In a major departure from the previous administration, he launched recovery.gov, a website that allows taxpayers to track spending from the Act. http://1.usa.gov/ibiFSs http://1.usa.gov/e3BJMk 8. The Bush-led Great Recession was costing the economy nearly 800,000 jobs per month by the time President Obama took office. But by the end of his first year, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act created and sustained 2.1 million jobs and stimulated the economy by 3.5%. http://reut.rs/i46CEE 9. Not only did he completed the massive TARP financial and banking rescue plan, he also leaned on the banks and others, and recovered virtually all of the bail-out money. http://1.usa.gov/eA5jVS http://bit.ly/eCNrD6 10. He created the Making Home Affordable home refinancing plan. http://1.usa.gov/goy6zl 11. Oversaw the creation of more jobs in 2010 alone than Bush did in eight years. http://bit.ly/hrrnjY 12. Along with Democrats, and almost no Republicans, implemented an auto industry rescue plan, and saved as many as 1 million jobs. http://bit.ly/ibhpxr Many are of the opinion that he saved the entire auto industry, and even the economy of the entire Midwest. http://bit.ly/gj7mt5 This resulted in GM returning to its place as the top car company in the world. http://lat.ms/zIJuQx 13. Doubled funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, which is designed to improve manufacturing efficiency. http://bit.ly/eYD4nf 14. Signed the Democratic-sponsored Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act giving the federal government more tools to investigate and prosecute fraud in every corner of the financial system, and create a bipartisan Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission to investigate the financial fraud that led to the economic meltdown. http://abcn.ws/g18Fe7 15. Signed the Democratic-sponsored Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act, which was designed to to protect consumers from unfair and deceptive credit card practices. http://1.usa.gov/gIaNcS 16. Increased infrastructure spending after years of neglect. http://bit.ly/f77aOw 17. Signed the Democratic-sponsored and passed Helping Families Save Their Homes Act, expanding on the Making Home Affordable Program to help millions of Americans avoid preventable foreclosures. The bill also provided $2.2 billion to help combat homelessness, and to stabilize the housing market. http://bit.ly/eEpLFn 18. Through the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009, he and Congressional Democrats provided tax credits to first-time home buyers, which helped the U.S. housing market recovery. http://bit.ly/dZgXXw http://bit.ly/gORYfL 19. Initiated a $15 billion plan designed to encourage increased lending to small businesses. http://1.usa.gov/eu0u0b 20. Created business.gov, which allows for online collaboration between small businesses and experts re managing a business. (The program has since merged with SBA.gov.) http://www.business.gov

I'm a flexible open minded guy willing to admit I was wrong. It was at 1:20.

Just to be a contrarian I'll say Ham and creationism is right. The earth is only 5774 years old, it began on Sunday October 13, 4115 BC about 12:15ish. Earths geological features, fossils, dna and genetics, nuclear half lifes including carbon dating were created just to fool people like you, unbelievers. Why would the creator go to such effort to fool modern day scientists and thinkers? Cause he could, thats why.

There's always catch and release (far away), but in winter thats tantamount to killing it. In summer its not a bad approach. With bugs I'll do it half the time, my kids will do it most of the time.

I think part of the Taoist sensibility is the art of living well in your surroundings, whether in forest, mountain or city. Being in it, but not of it. Its always best to live on your own terms within your own values but there is an art in blending and thriving in your surroundings. Meaning thriving according to your values, not societies. Maybe moving elsewhere makes it easier but I think it can be done most places. I remember talking to a Chicago guy who shut off the electricity and gas for his apartment. He did it to be closer to nature, more intune with it. In the midst of a city he created an urban cave. Such things can be done. Not easy, but shining examples to the rest of society. <Have you reached a level of honesty and enlightenment and still live in the damaging and horrible way that most people live? Is it true, or it is a selective form of morality, that is blissful ignorance by virtue of clever mental rewiring? .. Where does the earth goddess live in your heart when you start your car engine?> Hmnn, how do I manage? Well I'm not to high on the enlightenment scale. Honesty?.. I'm okay. I may select a more positive viewpoint on some environmental things, yet others select the very worst; perhaps the truth being somewhere in the middle. I see movement, trends and philosophies often moving like a pendulum. Whereas others see them as straight lines going off into hell. I also see market place economics at work; a force as powerful and inevitable as gravity. When plenty is available we use plenty, as it grows scarce we stop; revalue and find other ways. We are spoiled, which happens when you grow up with much. Spoiled, decadent, not good attributes but there are plenty worse. Things change.. are changing. Last time I started my car the earth goddess was in a rain forest in St. Lucia, the time before that she was in Peru. She's around, not in my heart, but a little bit of her sleeps in my compost pile to be awakened with spring plantings.

I liked it, good production values, almost too polished. As a long time aikidoist I enjoyed what he said about the evolution of martial arts.

Years ago, I read reviews of people who'd gone to his seminars and thought about going. It seemed like a unique form of chi gung, simple and effective. I was put off by some of his grandiose literature and videos (like this one), still am. But I liked the seminar, it wasn't sky high expensive(about $300 at the time), Max came off as a pretty mellow, be your own guru kind of person. He definitely had juice. I'd recommend people interested go to a seminar or buy the book. Whats shown in the video is imo silly distraction. Giving people, particularly those who've been in your system a long time, a blissful epileptic seizure is not where we should be aiming imo. I'd recommend it, but

Damn, when its this bad I wonder if there are some global controls we can use temporarily to control this. This is less spam then a server attack.

Don't think I follow this .. particular leap of logic. I don't agree with everything you've said prior, but I appreciate the scholarship of it.

bump> cause its funny for some reason I looked up my original lobby post from 2005 and also found this. Good times, good times.

There is the possibility your 'Watcher' made the right decision. The kid wasn't badly hurt, just a scrape. Your suddenly lunge could have made the matter worse. Scared him, or mistiming the save. Perhaps Wuwei in action. Sometimes the world doesn't need saving. Its all good. sometimes not.

Hmmn, I was going to get my wife a box of chocolate for Valentines Day. Now I'm thinking raw goats heart might be more historical.

I've been exposed to tummo in a few arts. On the low level there is a basic 3 part breathing that seems common to all the practices I was shown. Breath in staying relaxed, hold staying tight, then relax breath out staying tight. Often done to a 7-7-7 or 10-10-10 rythym. Often there'll be a visualization of a fire nature. These days during the hold portion I'll imagine white/blue hot heat in my belly spreading through my bones system. On the breathe out staying tight, I'll imagine flame red and yellow coming from my core. After a while it'll start feeling my solar plexus as another heat center. On the relaxed breath out I'll think of the flame more yellow and external on my skin. Caveats are not to tighten too much. The 'secret ingredient' is chi, those who've got it will get hot, so beware of cooking yourself. This is a practice that can be definitely be over done. Personally I just get warm. I think there's healing and practical uses for tummo. It can make you more comfortable during the winter and possibly save your life in extreme situations. It can also be done and somewhat amplified by standing in a higher horse stance. This is still the lower level of the spectrum. There are much higher levels ala tibetan monks as well those that have specific mudras, standing positions and mantras.

Whom did you think China would target with there nukes? Australia, North pole? I'm sure China has plans for nuking us, Russia, Europe, even Itself. I bet we do too. All nations with any military or secret ops worth a damn has think tanks that come up with crazy ass scenarios. Attacking foes, friends in all and any way possible. They're never meant to be done, but they're exercises in thinking out of the box and who knows what craziness could happen decades from now or what pieces of a plan might be useful one day. But these things get out and provide wonderful fodder for conspiracy groups.

Really..? A spokesman for the Satanic Temple said Christians in Oklahoma were now fine with it? That's that then. If you can't believe a P.R person from the Satanic Temple then who can you? Frankly I find the whole thing Bafometing.

I don't know. Is it running towards us? Is it running away? Is it going to crush the Tai Chi player to its left? Still, I bet the Green Wood Horse will grow on me.

And what should we think about this kid? Fool? Idiot? Bold? Adventurer? Hof in training? A bit of each. It depends a bit on how he trained. I like this kid. I have got to try this: A Swedish Torch Also saw a video making a Swedish torch w/ an axe. The log was split in 4 pieces, but as long as they're standing close to each other w/ a bit of space inbetween, it still works.

More Wim Hof and Shelfing with others up on a mountain. What I like is he's got such a wonderful life giving attitude. On top of the mountain, Kilamanjaro and Everest Next! Lets go get a beer. The sense of play as well as mastery.

Speaking of Wim Hof. Here's a video, not much said, but it links to his ebook thats downloadable for free if you 'like' him on facebook. Just did. Waiting for the book to be sent. Here's a link to the vid. Just got the ebook, 43 pages, most about Hof, various articles and scientific studies he's been in. Not much of a how to guide though. Not as condensed or indepth as what we posted early on how to do his method. Worthwhile for more information on the man but I was hoping for more depth about the method and less sciency results. I was hoping the video would be a concise showing of his method, but its not.

There is probably to this. We had one mouse, my wife.. took it badly and called a professional exterminator. Walking around our house there were places that mice could get in and from droppings, probably were. We filled up such openings with steel wool, put wire mesh and metal tape around a few more openings. No more mouse problem (we also put out some poison). So the walk around with some cheap supplies can make a real difference. Also remove climeable branches from nearby the house, ie keep critters off the roof.

At 25 and a beginner I'd stick with the local Tai chi and nearby gi gong gurus. Get a solid practice going which includes sitting, movement and standing exercises. Learn the fundamentals so you'll ready for a great teacher when they come. Put the powers and immortality on the back burner for a while, couple years, maybe a decade or two, and learn some solid fundamentals. Quiet mind, controlled body, flowing energy, bright awareness. Master these things.

Like Christmas trees, I find them pretty cool, but don't think I'll ever get one. The chanting practice (Rawn Clarks YHVH) I do has you imagine some letters on various body parts though.

As far as State of the Board stuff. I'm finding more and more Tao Bums references on searches of taoism, buddhism and philosophy. We're effecting the world in some small search engine way.