Category: Listserv

  • Listserv: A Theory on the Basic Nature of the Universe

      A Theory on the Basic Nature of the Universe October 25, 2003 It’s been a while since I talked about physics, so I’d like to present my pet theory on the origins and the fundamental nature of the universe. To explain it, I will use four helpful analogies: a shattered pane of glass, a…

  • Listserv: The Anti-Conceptual Mentality

      The Anti-Conceptual Mentality May 3, 2003 (This is a reply in an ongoing debate on capitalism.) You accuse me of seeing the political and economic landscape of the world as two stark opposites: capitalism vs. socialism. According to you, my mindset does not allow me to see the “benefits and harms” of each system,…

  • Listserv: Evolution and Thermodynamics/the Natural Universe vs. God/Quantum Universe/etc, etc,etc

      Evolution and Thermodynamics/the Natural Universe vs. God/Quantum Universe/etc, etc,etc March 11, 2003 In order to have any semblance of a proper philosophy of science, we must acknowledge the validity of our senses before deducing anything else. A child learns to rely on his senses before he learns to speak, and it takes a modern…

  • Microsofts and standards compliance…

    Here is a quote from an email I sent out on the Brazos Valley Web Design listserv regarding Microsoft’s lack of compliance with the W3C standards: I think that it’s helpful to realize that Microsoft’s browser is in effect a de-facto standard, which by overwhelming user preference is preferred over the W3C-compliant Mozilla. If you…

  • Rant on "structural racism"

    The following post was inspired by the fine folks at the Atheist & Agnostic listserv: It seems that everyone who has replied to my recent posts so far is stuck in the racist mindset. Black’s must obviously favor taking all the government’s money and steal…err, “redistributing” it to themselves and letting al the black criminals…

  • Listserv: Memorizing vs. Learning

    Being inspired by other people’s ideas and not having any of your own are two very different things. I have many heroes and sources from which I gain inspiration and material to further my own ideas and actions, and there’s nothing wrong with that. The key difference between the copy-cat and the independent thinker is…

  • Listserv: Pythagoras, not Prozac!

      Pythagoras, not Prozac! 11/6/2002 1:15:12 AM I have gotten a lot of flack from people who say that I don’t understand the validity of depression as a serious physiological illness for which drugs must be taken, and that I don’t have the expertise to say why anyone is suffering from it. This is not…

  • Listserv: On the Nature of Free Will and Volition

      The debate between free will and determinism is one of the most ancient in philosophy and has led to many misconceptions about what the various positions are. For this reason, before I go into explaining just what free will is, I have to cover what it is not. The major positions on the nature…

  • Post: Anti-Discrimination Statues and “Gay Rights”

    From: Agnostic & Atheist Student Group Discussion List [[email protected]] on behalf of David Veksler [[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, September 11, 2002 9:33 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Anti-Gay Laws in FloridaIn response to the Observer article at http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,788607,00.html notice that the actual content of the bill is only mentioned once, and very briefly: “voters in Miami-Dade…

  • Listserv: The Virtues of our Time: Collectivism, Nihilism and Pragmatism

      August 11, 2002 The Virtues of our Time: Collectivism, Nihilism and Pragmatism By David Veksler American politicians today generally act on the dominant philosophy of the day, which can be described by three main values: collectivism, nihilism, and pragmatism. These values directly contradict those held by the founders of the United States: individualism, moral…