In case it wasn't clear, this blog is officially closed, and remains only for archival purposes. ...

In the search for God, Richard Dawkins has said that the diagnostic criteria for a god is being uncaused. With this in mind, I came up with several criteria for different god concepts. Ultimate God: The uncaused, single entity that created the universe. (Like to god of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.) Strong God: A single entity that created the universe, who is a descendant of an uncaused entity. (Many ancient religions had this view, like the ancient Mesopotamians or ancient Greeks.) Weak God: A single entity who found our universe and has god-like powers. (Also, consider that ...

Iain M. Banks once wrote that "at some point a conspiracy is so powerful and far reaching that there is no point in worrying about it even if it's true." If it is true, there's nothing you can do about it. We have no shortage of conspiracy theories floating around today. From the reptilian conspiracy, the moon-landing hoax conspiracy, the 9/11 conspiracy, and so on, there are plenty. The interesting thing about conspiracy theories is that they are very much based on a lack of critical thinking. They may be critical of the official story, they may be critical of the evidence, but they ...

Be Honest Make Good Decisions Be Responsive to Others Better Yourself This list is intentionally unordered. ...

Once someone said to me that she was disappointed that Canadian patriotism exists only in beer ads. Years later around Canada day I started taking pictures of random displays of patriotism, but stopped. Patriotism is all around. Of course, we tend to put it down after July 1st. Far from being non-existent, I think that instead the appearance of patriotism is changing. The United States is very good at the old style of patriotism. But I think there is a new style coming. A new context of looking at patriotism. Before, patriotism was about size, military, and money. I think that as ...

But in Pullman's books sometimes authority is correct, other times wrong. And the lesson of only listening to legitimate authorities is one on that appeals to me. This is a part of growing up. You have to learn to make your own decisions. In fact, one of the main themes of this series focuses on growing up. Becoming an adult. The above is from my review of the His Dark Materials trilogy of books, including the Golden Compass. As I was reading over this line a very disturbing thought had hit me. Technically, and legally, I am grown up. I am an adult. This is all there is to ...

How do we measure stable governments? As the Star has long argued, the current system, which awards each riding to the candidate who wins the most votes, delivers strong, stable government that works. (People's verdict on voting reform) Does Ontario's First Past The Post system ensure strong, stable government? That likely depends on how you define "government". The Star is clearly talking about the time between elections. However, members of Fair Vote Canada define it as over time. Yes, the last three governments, the NDP, the Progressive Conservative Party, and the Liberal Party, ...

The mighty Citizen of Barrie got their wish: They are losers. The 2007 Ontario Provincial Elections are over and away, and looking over the preliminary election results I noticed something interesting. About 60% of the votes in this election were wasted. (57.8%, to be exact.) That is, all the votes for the Progressive Conservative Party, the NDP, the Green Party, the Family Coalition Party, the Libertarian Party, and the two independents. I also noticed that about 60% of Barrie voters want to keep the current voting system that wastes your vote. (Exactly 61.6%.) So over all, I guess ...

People who talk a lot, I was told once, tend to not have much going on in their heads. This was meant as a thinly veiled criticism. The person who uttered these words at me made it clear, before and after, that I talk. A lot. Filled of opinions, I am. Although I tend not to socialize, and I tend not to talk very much, indeed, I spend most of my time alone, I am still known for my talking and social skills in many circles. In many social instances, like at work, or between classes, I'm known to talk up a storm. To evangelize for my latest obsession. To argue passionately about what I ...

What follows is a letter to the editor I sent to Adbusters Magazine. In the article "Science For Sale" (Adbusters #58), Chris Tenove attacks the scientific community, declaring throughout the article that they, the scientists, are unprincipled money hoarders that care nothing for truth or discovery. Chris goes so far as to say that scientists make silly claims, like how the universe is made up of strings. He compares this with religion, saying that although it's claims are equally fantastic, they are at least understandable. Everyone can understand what we mean when we talk about ...