Donal wrote:

You seem to be suggesting that we know so little about our
environment that we shouldn't even bother to seek answers.

Let me quote you.
"Ultimately, the data that we have, compared with the data that we
think is still out there, is laughably small - it's statistically
insignificant. "

This has nothing to do with whether or not we should try to get more data -
it's a statement about our *present* dataset.


Then you say :-
"To sit here on our silly little speck of dust for a whole second,
and then try to state categorically - to draw an "inescapable
conclusion" with regard to - how the universe came to exist is
stupefyingly pointless"

Again, this has nothing to do with whether or not we should try to get more
data.


If we all agreed with with your reasoning, then we would be still
stuck in the dark ages. We would not engage in any scientific
research because the task (gap in our knowledge) was so huge.

Your assessment that I have suggested that we shouldn't try to acquire more
data is incorrect.


You depend on the innovations of scientists in your daily life. In
fact, without modern technologly, it is quite possible that you would
not be able to indulge in your passion for art! Modern technology
creates the wealth that allows people to have the disposable income
to afford your "art".

Ignoratio elenchi. You're arguing against something I didn't say. My
critique was concerned with what we do with our present dataset (make
outlandish claims about the universe). At no point did I advocate that we
don't try to expand our dataset - in fact, I don't think I even raised the
issue.


--
Wally
www.artbywally.com
www.wally.myby.co.uk

In article , Wally
wrote:

Donal wrote:

You seem to be suggesting that we know so little about our
environment that we shouldn't even bother to seek answers.

Let me quote you.
"Ultimately, the data that we have, compared with the data that we
think is still out there, is laughably small - it's statistically
insignificant. "

This has nothing to do with whether or not we should try to get more data -
it's a statement about our *present* dataset.


Then you say :-
"To sit here on our silly little speck of dust for a whole second,
and then try to state categorically - to draw an "inescapable
conclusion" with regard to - how the universe came to exist is
stupefyingly pointless"

Again, this has nothing to do with whether or not we should try to get more
data.


If we all agreed with with your reasoning, then we would be still
stuck in the dark ages. We would not engage in any scientific
research because the task (gap in our knowledge) was so huge.

Your assessment that I have suggested that we shouldn't try to acquire more
data is incorrect.


You depend on the innovations of scientists in your daily life. In
fact, without modern technologly, it is quite possible that you would
not be able to indulge in your passion for art! Modern technology
creates the wealth that allows people to have the disposable income
to afford your "art".

Ignoratio elenchi. You're arguing against something I didn't say. My
critique was concerned with what we do with our present dataset (make
outlandish claims about the universe). At no point did I advocate that we
don't try to expand our dataset - in fact, I don't think I even raised the
issue.

Donal's desperately trying to drag a red herring across the thread.

PDW

"Peter Wiley" wrote in message
. ..


Donal's desperately trying to drag a red herring across the thread.

Peter! You must be one of the dullest persons on the planet!

What is wrong with a bit of discussion? Have you no sense of *FUN* at all?


You really need to relax a bit! .... Honestly.


Regards


Donal
--

In article , Donal
wrote:

"Peter Wiley" wrote in message
. ..


Donal's desperately trying to drag a red herring across the thread.

Peter! You must be one of the dullest persons on the planet!

Yep. That's 100% true.

What is wrong with a bit of discussion? Have you no sense of *FUN* at all?

Lots, just I covered this sort of crap 30 years or more ago.

You really need to relax a bit! .... Honestly.

As I said WRT herrings.........

BTW Donal, did your God create the entire fossil record, fake
radiocarbon dating and create the appearance of plate tectonics, or do
you accept that these things happened over millions of years elapsed
time?

PDW

"Peter Wiley" wrote in message
. ..


BTW Donal, did your God create the entire fossil record, fake
radiocarbon dating and create the appearance of plate tectonics, or do
you accept that these things happened over millions of years elapsed
time?

I don't have an issue with any of these things.

My only problem is with the theoty of evolution. I don't see how *we*
could have evolved in the available time. I also have a problem with the
creation of the Universe.


Regards


Donal
--

"Donal" wrote in message
...

"Peter Wiley" wrote in message
. ..


BTW Donal, did your God create the entire fossil record, fake
radiocarbon dating and create the appearance of plate tectonics, or do
you accept that these things happened over millions of years elapsed
time?

I don't have an issue with any of these things.

My only problem is with the theoty of evolution. I don't see how *we*
could have evolved in the available time.

I've asked but you haven't commented: Is the "we" humans ... as in "human
consciousness couldn't have evolved from the apes in a few million years" ? Or
is it that the basic mechanisms of life, such as DNA could not have happened in
the time allotted to that process in the theory? Or is it the vast diversity of
life? Or something else?

I also have a problem with the
creation of the Universe.

I have a problem with those that think we are close to knowing "the answer" to
that question. In reality, our "universe" is probably just a wart on the butt
of some dimension we won't dream of for another millennium. To draw some
conclusion, such as the existence of God, because our current understanding of
cosmology is not satisfying is silly.

-jeff

In reality, our "universe" is probably just a wart on the butt
of some dimension we won't dream of for another millennium

When I was a little girl, I used to sit and watch dust motes dance in
sunlight and I often wondered if our universe isn;t just a bunch of dust
motes flying around someone else's living room....

--
katysails
s/v Chanteuse
Kirie Elite 32
http://katysails.tripod.com

"Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax
and get used to the idea." - Robert A. Heinlein