Ock's World Comments - Brought to you by JoeUserhttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/rss/comments© 2006 - 2008 Stardock Corporation. All rights reserved.A place where we practice random acts of insight and humor.<br><br> <a href="http://www.venganza.org"><img src = "http://www.venganza.org/images/fsmbanner1.jpg" /> </a> <a href="http://www.venganza.org"> <img src = "http://www.venganza.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/fsmrof.jpg" /> </a><a href="http://www.venganza.org"><img src="http://www.venganza.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/proud.jpg"></a>en-us2008-07-09T12:58:442008-07-09T12:58:44http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/rss/rss.htmlStardock Rss Generator v1.0, Andrew Powellinfo@stardock.comapowell@stardock.comScottehhttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/309734I'd love to work together for the common good of everyone. But it's my belief, unfortunately, that God knows what is best for everyone and therefore for the common good the only way we can live is God's way - everyone showing love to each other in humility.

When you say God knows best, thats a really vague statement, as has already been demonstrated. The world is not full of everyone who agrees on what God believes in, thus such a mentality is not going to get you very far when say for example you are talking to someon that believes that God wants you to kill everyone who is not a believer.

]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/309734http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/309734Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45Scotteh on Make the World a Better Place?Scottehhttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/309734http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/309734http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/309734Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45Scotteh on Make the World a Better Place?foreverserenityhttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/314338"Speaking" music lingo is above my head but I do understand the frustrations and feel your pain!  Ranting is good, gets the dregs of breaking things off the surface!

]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/314338http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/314338Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45foreverserenity on Proprietary BSdynamasohttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/314338Thankfully, most of the musicians I work with don't sight read so I don't have to worry about writing anything out for them.  But now I know, I won't be going anywhere near Finale.  Thanks for the warning.

SC, you're gonna have to explain the Hubble one to me

Phew, I'm glad I wasn't the only one missing it.

]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/314338http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/314338Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45dynamaso on Proprietary BSerathonielhttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/83660
1. Naming must have realistic names (from a list if really needed), and must be capable of having multiple same-name characters.
2. RP'ing is mandatory on specific RP servers/channels.
3. Questing with few uniques/procedural uniques. A-la Mythos?
4. The rules must be based on PnP, not more traditional CRPG (except if they are, of course, PnP inspired).
5. Procedural generation. Have each machine make a little bit of town.

Now, granted, I don't play any PnP RPG's (I would, but I don't have anyone to play with), my closest experience being Classic Battletech, but that's Wargaming.

I've read through the rules of most of the free systems, and played a lot of roguelikes, though. I'm working on a Parkour and Cyberpunk inspired PnP game. Hopefully it'll be simple enough to play blind.]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/83660http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/83660Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45erathoniel on Online Roleplayingerathonielhttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/314338Eh, I don't write any music down, I just improvise. It all sucks, sure, but at least I don't have to bother with either.

I use Anvil Studio for musical notation (no, I don't think it prints sheet music. No, I don't care).

Can Finale read .mid? If so, you should be able to save it that way from Sibellius.

]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/314338http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/314338Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45erathoniel on Proprietary BSSanChoninohttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/314338not photoshopped.

Instead, I give you pissed-off Jesus, raising his arms to the heaven in frustration on your behalf, Ock:



I want for my front yard!



Nothing better than getting the Jesus statue in on some good ol' fashioned homoerotic music from the seventies!

Okay, I'm done farking up your thread with pictures. For now.]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/314338http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/314338Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45SanChonino on Proprietary BSSanChoninohttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/314338Hey! Thanks for stopping by! Here's some butterflies and flowers for you if this rant was too vehement.


I prefer just gazing at the sky...

The Hubble wants to send a message, too . . . you suck so bad, Finale, even the stars be flippin' you off.

(I've had cursory experience with both, and I preferred Sibelius as well. But then, my career doesn't hinge on it.)]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/314338http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/314338Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45SanChonino on Proprietary BSASaxyGirlhttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/314338I feel your pain, Honey.  When I was a music undergrad Finale had just come onto the scene.  It was painful to use back then and has not gotten much better.  Thankfully I did all my manuscripts by hand.  Get the plugin and hope for the best.  If it works then $120 well spent. /kiss

]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/314338http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/314338Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45ASaxyGirl on Proprietary BSRoyLevoshhttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/314338That is bullshit. Everybody's just gotta make their buck these days.

Hey! Thanks for stopping by! Here's some butterflies and flowers for you if this rant was too vehement.


   I prefer just gazing at the sky... WWW Link]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/314338http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/314338Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45RoyLevosh on Proprietary BSCharlesCShttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/310720If that's the case, you're not as unique as you think you are. We've got plenty of those already.

CharlesCS <----- LOL

]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/310720http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/310720Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45CharlesCS on Respecting Your Fellow JUserathonielhttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/310720He didn't rape the dog. She wanted it.

He had to at least made it look like rape.]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/310720http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/310720Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45erathoniel on Respecting Your Fellow JUsWizard1956http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/313006 They sure look great without icons all over them.Enjoy your new docks. ]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/313006http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/313006Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45Wizard1956 on ObjectDock Rocksjpmurph1http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/313006http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/313006http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/313006Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45jpmurph1 on ObjectDock Rockszakai1369http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312796 ]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312796http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312796Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45zakai1369 on The Telectroscope and the Wonders of the Internetelveehttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/313006  ]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/313006http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/313006Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45elvee on ObjectDock RocksASaxyGirlhttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312796Honey, that was great!  Very creative.

Of course all the other links have me laughing.

]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312796http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312796Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45ASaxyGirl on The Telectroscope and the Wonders of the InternetASaxyGirlhttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312905Go Chris!

I cannot think of a more deserving MU to pick up E-5!  Woot!  Did steve also mention he is a really nice guy?

I had completely forgoten about this vid.  Nice laugh to start my morning!

]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312905http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312905Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45ASaxyGirl on Congrats for my buddyASaxyGirlhttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/313006...and another one to be assimilated in just about a week wen I get home. I love nifty things like this!

]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/313006http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/313006Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45ASaxyGirl on ObjectDock Rockszakai1369http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/313006

]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/313006http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/313006Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45zakai1369 on ObjectDock RocksWebGizmoshttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/313006 ]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/313006http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/313006Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45WebGizmos on ObjectDock RocksSanChoninohttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/313006Welcome to the world of customization...you won't be able to stop now...

Object Dock was my gateway drug. Now I'm a freakin' Object Desktop subscriber. ]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/313006http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/313006Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45SanChonino on ObjectDock Rocksmessiah1http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/313006http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/313006http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/313006Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45messiah1 on ObjectDock RocksZubazhttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/313006

One more convert!  Go team Stardock!
]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/313006http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/313006Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45Zubaz on ObjectDock RocksSanChoninohttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312796I wonder how many people actually believe the Telectroscope exists?

I already bought plane tickets to London to see it! ]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312796http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312796Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45SanChonino on The Telectroscope and the Wonders of the Internetlittle-whiphttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312796I wonder how many people actually believe the Telectroscope exists?

You mean it doesn't?

  ]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312796http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312796Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45little-whip on The Telectroscope and the Wonders of the Internetlittle-whiphttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312905  Congrats to your bud, Ock. Sounds like he deserves it and worked hard to get it. It's always nice to be recognized, and I'll second Kelly's observation when she says:
You know what I love about you and your wife. How you always celebrate other people's accomplishments as well as your own. I love that trait in a person. Very uplifting.


]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312905http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312905Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45little-whip on Congrats for my buddydynamasohttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312905Damn, can't see the video on my PC at work, for some reason.  I will have a look when I get home, though.  While I am a guitarist, my first instrument of choice was drums but I could never get my hands to cooperate with my feet.  I still listen to and watch drummers more than I do any other musicians, though.  There is nothing like watching a great drummer in full flight.

]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312905http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312905Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45dynamaso on Congrats for my buddydynamasohttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312796I love sites like this, obviously well made and very convincing.  I wonder how many people actually believe the Telectroscope exists?

Thanks for the laugh. 

]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312796http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312796Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45dynamaso on The Telectroscope and the Wonders of the InternetKellyW0498http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312905You know what I love about you and your wife. How you always celebrate other people's accomplishments as well as your own. I love that trait in a person.  Very uplifting.

Also, I enjoyed the video. Beautiful.

]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312905http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312905Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45KellyW0498 on Congrats for my buddyMasonMhttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312905http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312905http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312905Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45MasonM on Congrats for my buddyMasonMhttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312796The High Priestess of the Flying Spaghetti Monster approves. 

The Church of The Flying Spaghetti Monster is a false religion!!!!!

The Church Of The SubGenius is the one true religion!

WWW Link

Ock, looks like the folks who created that site must be huge fans of the onion.

On a side note, I have always preferred Links to Lynx since it was introduced but remember using Lynx quite a bit back in the day.]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312796http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312796Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45MasonM on The Telectroscope and the Wonders of the Internetlittle-whiphttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312796The High Priestess of the Flying Spaghetti Monster approves. 

]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312796http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312796Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45little-whip on The Telectroscope and the Wonders of the Internetforeverserenityhttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312796http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312796http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312796Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45foreverserenity on The Telectroscope and the Wonders of the InternetSanChoninohttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312796
You want to see something funny? See something funny.

Or, perhaps even funnier.

(I'd just like to point out that normal Mormons don't actually believe this sort of thing.)]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312796http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312796Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45SanChonino on The Telectroscope and the Wonders of the Internetlittle-whiphttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312796Why would anyone in New York wanna look at a bunch of limeys, wogs, and tourists?   (Or vice versa?)

Heh, you're a weirdo, Ock.  I love ya.

]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312796http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312796Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45little-whip on The Telectroscope and the Wonders of the Internetlittle-whiphttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/310720Yes, I do actually respect every one of my coworkers, neighbors, and everyone I bump into on the street. It's the people here who are jerks and unworthy of respect.

Then why not return to work, neighborhood, and wandering around on the street? If everyone you meet here is a jerk and unworthy of your respect, why would you waste another minute here...unless you like the abuse.

If that's the case, you're not as unique as you think you are. We've got plenty of those already.

Nevertheless, I love it. You're getting karma for that one. Most bizarre reference to obscure historical fact for some crazy reason today!


  

He didn't rape the dog. She wanted it.]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/310720http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/310720Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45little-whip on Respecting Your Fellow JUslittle-whiphttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312075suspected

I meant expected, of course.

I'm far too fuzzy these days. Time for a detox.]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312075http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312075Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45little-whip on What is "The Scientific Method?"little-whiphttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312075Seems pretty clear that Chaos Magick is science to me. We need to make sure it gets taught in the science class right away

The silence is deafening, isn't it, Ock?

You yourself actually have scientific proof that my invocations work and can be replicated, you do if you save emails, that is.

Look back at one I sent you in October of last year, where I'd been talking about Simon's potential boredom and unhappiness with a permanent position, and stated that perhaps these short term consultimg jobs were the best thing for him. He was still working at the time, but we suspected that contract to come to an end by December.

In that email, I said something to the effect of...'Maybe I'll just toss it all to *insert name of minor deity known for change, but also for mean spirited practical jokes here* and see what happens. (I WON'T invoke the name here, maybe never again after this last experience, hahahaa.)

Simon was laid off that same day, months before the contract was supposed to end.

Clairvoyance, perhaps? Or Magick?   

]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312075http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312075Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45little-whip on What is "The Scientific Method?"cactoblastahttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/310720Do not forget that Caligula had a slander campaign launched against him, which resulted in him, in a famous act, raping a dog.

What on god's green earth does this have to do with anything?

Nevertheless, I love it. You're getting karma for that one. Most bizarre reference to obscure historical fact for some crazy reason today!]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/310720http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/310720Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45cactoblasta on Respecting Your Fellow JUserathonielhttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/310720Why would you even expect to? Do you respect every one of your coworkers, neighbors, strangers on the street? Understand that there's a huge difference between TREATING someone with respect and actually FEELING respectful of them.

Yes, I do actually respect every one of my coworkers, neighbors, and everyone I bump into on the street. It's the people here who are jerks and unworthy of respect.

Do not forget that Caligula had a slander campaign launched against him, which resulted in him, in a famous act, raping a dog.]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/310720http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/310720Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45erathoniel on Respecting Your Fellow JUslittle-whiphttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312075 Design an experiment by which you can test that hypothesis.

Design your ritual.

Test the hypothesis with your experiment.


Do the ritual.

Record the results.


This goes without saying.

Ask the question "Do the results prove my hypothesis, disprove it, or is there still room for doubt?


Anything can happen once or twice by sheer coincidence, if the results 'prove' your hypothesis, they have to be replicated.

If it proves your hypothesis, retest several times to make sure you get the same results.


Do the ritual repeatedly, as the need arises.

If it disproves your hypothesis, well, you're pretty much done with that hypothesis. Rewrite it and try again from step 5.


Try a different ritual, or tweak the one you're working on.

If there's room for doubt, you must redesign your experiment to test for something you can either prove or disprove. If that is impossible, then the question you are asking is located outside of the realm of science.


When Simon was unemployed, we not only recieved cash assistance from quite a few JUsers, but some of the names would truly surprise you. That doesn't prove anything other than there are people here who care. However, other money seemingly 'fell out of the sky' as I was engaging in certain rituals.

1) The company Simon had worked for realized the company He'd been contracted to hadn't given a full ten day's notice. The last paycheck had for 2 day's pay. About a month later, we got a check for the other three.

2) We had signed up for AFLAC (at His job) but had yet to have a single premium taken out of His check. We paid in not a penny. Yet we got a check from them for $365, marked as 'refund of premium.'

3) Our local water system was bought out by the County, and we recieved our water deposit back ($200.) The County did not require another deposit.

4) A full five months after He was laid off, the company discovered (during an audit) that we were owed $76 for unpaid overtime. Simon never worked a minute of overtime.

5) His unemployment benefits had been exhausted by the first part of February. In late March, I sent a claim through anyway, just because I felt a compulsion to do so. They paid it, sending us one more check for $321.

6) I was chosen to participate in 2 tobacco focus groups, one paid $175, the other paid $250. (This aint easy, thousands apply to participate in each one.)

7) My weed man, who had never before been able to do so, found a market for a certain medication I was being prescribed in excess of what i needed. I was then able to trade this for smoke the entire time Simon was laid off. Now that he's back to work, that market dried up.

8) When I applied for Medicaid (and was approved) they did so retroactively and I got a check for almost $300 in Medicare premium refunds.

9)My (now increased by almost $100 due to the State picking up my part D premium) social security disability check, which used to be delivered on the third wednesday of each month, was changed to be sent out on the second of each month. They didn't make me wait for it to 'catch up.' In other words, I got my regular mid-month check...and then another one two weeks later.

10) A church we sought help from handed us their guidelines, took our info, and said they'd get back to us. The guidelines stated that non-members (like us) were limited to $200 per year, per household in housing/utility/food help. They paid out over $700 in our behalf that month.

11) We got approved for every credit card we applied for during that time, despite the fact that no one in the house had verifiable employment.

There's more, mostly little things, that I haven't had enough coffee to recall at the moment, but were my rituals working?

They sure seemed to be. We didn't do without that entire time, and just when things were looking their bleakest, something came through.

Now, if I'd been praying to Jesus all that time, would these events have proven that Jesus is real, is listening, and is willing to intervene on our behalf?

Be careful how you answer, (that warning is to KFC and other Christians.) I do believe Ock already knows what I'm getting at, but I doubt that they do.   


]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312075http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312075Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45little-whip on What is "The Scientific Method?"little-whiphttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312075This is why I'm a Chaote.  The only meta-belief that I hold fast to is that belief is a tool for achieving effects, not the end result itself.  'Magick' is best described as 'Causing change in accordance to one's will, using methods not currently understood by science.'  (Crowley)

Ask a question

How can I attract some cash when we're strapped?

Do some background research

Check out various methods from anything I can find, from praying to Jesus and donating 'seed money' in his name, to blood sacrifices and intricate rituals to Gods you don't know about and don't need to,  to simple sigils--created and then destroyed in an effort to eliminate the lust for result, which is almost always the main reason certain rituals won't work.

Construct a hypothesis. A hypothesis goes like this: If I do "this" then "that" will happen.

Try the ritual.  If it works...go to the next step and try to replicate it.  If not...try something else.

Unfortunately I have been interrupted and have to leave this for now, but I'll finish later if possible.

 

 

 

]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312075http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312075Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45little-whip on What is "The Scientific Method?"Scottehhttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312075Hey Ock,

Good article and one i think was needed given the recent debates going on here at JU.

It's interesting what Artysim said regards to Credentials. I actually think this is somewhat of a grey area and perhaps Artysim's mention of Peer Review brings it into perspective, but someone can make an observation of something, come up with a hypothesis without any offically recognised credentials and still be 100% on the mark.

It would be here that Peer Review stepped in, and people with said credentails, would then take a look and verify what the person with the orional hypothesis is saying.

All too often people (whom are often right) are discrininated against due to their credentials or lack thereof. Indeed RoyLevosh pointed out Sagan's baloney detection kit, which makes mention to Ad hominem - attacking the person making the arguement, not the arguement itself, which incidently is a popular tactic for gouls that defend the practices of Scientology.

 

]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312075http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312075Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45Scotteh on What is "The Scientific Method?"Dr Guyhttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312075They have "faith" in evolution? C'mon man. You can't be serious.

I will leave you with a couple of definitions. YOu may choose to believe them or not. To each his own:


the obligation of loyalty or fidelity to a person, promise, engagement, etc.

Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing.

Loyalty to a person or thing; allegiance

These are just several of the definitions that can be found on dictionary.com. I could cut and paste the entire page as only the ones that specifically mention Christianity would not apply. But you can gather my point here.

Yes Faith. It is not just for Christians any more. ]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312075http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312075Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45Dr Guy on What is "The Scientific Method?"Starstriker1http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312075I'd emphasis something that Artysim brought up. Having it reviewed independently is important, but the public availability of the results, method, data, assumptions and inferences has to be guaranteed for it to really be science. Stuff that comes out of think tanks (aside from not always being peer reviewed) tends to also only publish a portion of the research, and that compromises the validity of the results.

]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312075http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312075Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45Starstriker1 on What is "The Scientific Method?"Artysimhttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312075OckhamsRazor,

Excellent, I agree 100%! If this method were carried out to a T with no ego or preconceptions the world would indeed be a very different place. However, due to human nature two more items need to be added into the mix

1) Credentials

2) Peer review

Credentials are needed to ensure that you at least have a base understanding of the topic you are working on. A person walking in off the street simply doesn't have the necessary knowledge base to start serious research on the human genome! This is not intended to be snobbish or condescending, but the simple truth is that we've built up our knowledge base in most areas with so many million man-hours of research. In order to do further research on a topic you need to know the existing foundations that have been laid before you can even begin. A friend of mine likes to fancy himself a scientist and does "genetic research" on google and then produces papers just for fun. In his opening paragraph he stated that the 4 main base pairs were "adenine, thyroid, guanine and cykosine"

Peer review is needed because other people with at least a base level of understanding of the topic that you are researching need to be able to verify your results independently. All these results then need to be published in publicly available scientific journals!

]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312075http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312075Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45Artysim on What is "The Scientific Method?"SetarcosNoushttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312075They have "faith" in evolution?  C'mon man.  You can't be serious.
I've seen people have faith there is no god(s), but not really faith in evolution.]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312075http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312075Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45SetarcosNous on What is "The Scientific Method?"Dr Guyhttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312075So who are these people that believe in evolution based on faith? I've heard of this, but I don't know of any, personally. Do you?

Personally? I dont go around asking people about it. But know of? Sure. Just read the boards, less so here at JU, but you can find them wherever the subject comes up. I do not know them personally, only through their writings.]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312075http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312075Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45Dr Guy on What is "The Scientific Method?"Dr Guyhttp://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312075Are you suggesting that evolution is a religion?

The scientific theory is not. It passes the smell test (enumerated by you above). The adherents that blindly follow the latest trend are practitioners of a religion however. Man can worship anything or anyone he sets his mind to. And like Global Warming, those who want to be "in" but do not understand what "in" is, are just practicing a religion. In this case, it is the religion of evolution.

Just because people make a religion out of something, does not mean that the ism itself is a deity. Only that those believing in it are doing so based upon faith, not fact.]]>http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312075http://ockhamsrazor.joeuser.com/article/312075Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:58:45 -04002008-07-09T12:58:45Dr Guy on What is "The Scientific Method?"