A Theory Conforms to the Evidence

[FTL_Ian]

Cool video.

Go, hydrogen!

[Vitruvian]

Animation showing the folding of chromosomes, DNA transcription, and RNA translation

Full-size video here

Take a big whiff of science.

[Vitruvian]

Tiny Dancers: An Animation of Intracellular Activity

Full-size video here

Longer video, with narration:

Full-size video here

[Vitruvian]

Richard Dawkins delivers a talk at the TED conference, entitled "Queerer Than We Can Suppose: The Strangeness of Science":

Link to video

[Friday]

Large Hadron Collider: The Final Nail

Full-size video here

The LHC goes online in... 8 days. 

from one of my geekier lists:

"Echoing some concerns among the scientific community when the first
atom bomb was detonated (Edward Teller "produced equations that showed
the possibility that a fission weapon could ignite the world's
atmosphere") , the imminent power-up of the LHC has created concerns
among some members of the scientific community that, theoretically, it
could result in the generation of micro black holes, or even more
exotic particles such as strangelets and magnetic monopoles, any of
which might be destructive on a global scale.

One such scientist is Dr, Walter L. Wagner of Citizens Against the
Large Hadron Collider:

http://www.lhcdefense.org/

Dr. Wagner cites the theoretical possibility of catastrophic doom for
Earth, in the event that the LHC does generate exotic matter, and is
of the opinion that the value of the research isn't worth gambling all
life on Earth.

On the other hand, the more commonly-held scientific position is that,
even in the even that the LHC generates these exotic particles, it
probably won't matter:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/ releases/ 2008/06/08062717 5348.htm

The exotic science represented by this research could open doors to
gravitic technology, faster-than- light travel, teleportation, and
other sci-fi pipe-dreams. Or not. So, is it worth the risk of utter
annihilation? Well, everybody alive right now will be dead in 150
years or so; if we all die next month, does it matter, in the long
run? On the other hand, in those same 150 years, we (or our
descendants, at any rate) might be traveling between the stars, based
on the results of research using the LHC.

Mark your calendars! Be a good day to take the day off. Think I'll
join Schrodinger' s cat in its box.    "

[Pat K]

Well I am gonna drink heavily for the next 8
days , just in case.

[dalebert]

Well, everybody alive right now will be dead in 150
years or so; if we all die next month, does it matter, in the long
run?

Well of course it matters. The process that created us is based on selecting a species for survival; not any particular individual. So the very nature of our existence implies that, yes, it does matter whether every single human is wiped out and the species ceases to be. However, this is not a statement about the collider or whether we should take risks to learn new things. That's part of the nature of our existence as well. I'm just taking issue with that statement.

[Friday]

Well, everybody alive right now will be dead in 150
years or so; if we all die next month, does it matter, in the long
run?

Well of course it matters. The process that created us is based on selecting a species for survival; not any particular individual. So the very nature of our existence implies that, yes, it does matter whether every single human is wiped out and the species ceases to be. However, this is not a statement about the collider or whether we should take risks to learn new things. That's part of the nature of our existence as well. I'm just taking issue with that statement.

In case it wasn't clear, that wasn't my statement; I was reposting from a Yahoo list.

[Friday]

For those who learned the preamble to the Constitution from Schoolhouse Rock  ...

here's more info on the Large Hadron Collider (LHC)... 

[Russell Kanning]

My theory is that these guys don't like enforcing the orders of the evil empire:

Army: soldier suicide rate may set record again

By PAULINE JELINEK, Associated Press Writer
Thu Sep 4, 5:33 PM ET

WASHINGTON - Soldier suicides this year could surpass the record rate of last year, Army officials said Thursday, urging military leaders at all levels to redouble prevention efforts for a force strained by two wars. ADVERTISEMENT
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As of the end of August, there were 62 confirmed suicides among active duty soldiers and Guard and Reserve troops called to active duty, officials said. Another 31 deaths appear to be suicides but are still being investigated.


rest at:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080904/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/military_suicides

[Lloyd Danforth]

http://nhunderground.com/forum/index.php?topic=15261.0

[Russell Kanning]

what theory does that fit?

[Porcupine_in_MA]

urging military leaders at all levels to redouble prevention efforts for a force strained by two wars.

Yeah "prevention efforts", the only one counting would be sending them home to stop being paid killers for the big gang.

[Dylboz]

I have a friend who is a Marine vet, back from Iraq since 2006. He says the rate of psychotropic drug use, as in prescriptions from the medical corps, is ridiculous. Everyone is one uppers, downers, mood drugs, ADD drugs, anti-depressants, and pain killers too. The doctors just hand 'em out to keep everyone calm and orderly. I think in some forward areas, they'd likely have a revolt on their hands if they didn't. Just one POV, FWIW.

[Luke S]

urging military leaders at all levels to redouble prevention efforts for a force strained by two wars.

Yeah "prevention efforts", the only one counting would be sending them home to stop being paid killers for the big gang.

You people really need to stop calling the troops "paid killers".