Brainstorm

[Tomoshibi]

Ah, excellent! We have really been needing this forum section for quite awhile now - its great to see it has finally been implemented. The purpose of this thread is to do as the title suggests - brainstorm new topics. So far, we have a discussion on life and death (which also imposes on religion, and the existance of a god quite a bit) and a discussion on murder (which also touches suicide). This seems great so far, but I would like to see some debates on the following topics:

Abortion/Stem Cell Research
The War in Iraq
Religion
Man, and his mental origins (discuss stuff like Tabula Rasa)

I'm sure you guys can think of some more examples, and this seems like a nice place to put them. Also, if enough people express interest in one of the other topics, we can start up a nice, active thread on it. So goodluck, and may the discussions begin!

[Grun]

I can already tell you that any abortion thread will boil down to what people consider a living thing or a human.

And another topic like that, and I know this topic will be discussed sooner or later, is homosexuals.

Another topic could be human relations, why people act as they do to each other.

[Kurosaki]

In my past experience abortion is not a particulary good subject to discuss. It seems to draw out alot of peoples raw emotions and it can easily offend people.

How about politics.

[Kamakiri]

These days it seems impossible to not step on somebodies toes when discussing anything "serious."

I think the best thing to do is just post with good intent, and if the subject matter makes you angry, then to refrain from replying on that subject.

lol, I sound like my mom, If you can't say something nice...

I am so lame.

[Tenshin]

how about Pakistan's devastation?

[ShininShado]

These days it seems impossible to not step on somebodies toes when discussing anything "serious."

I think the best thing to do is just post with good intent, and if the subject matter makes you angry, then to refrain from replying on that subject.

lol, I sound like my mom, If you can't say something nice...

I am so lame.


Yeah, keeping a discussion on a civil tone will not only lead to more actual discussion, it is conducive to more intellectual debates/discussions.

[Kurosaki]

I cant seem to much of a debate coming from that. Earthquake = death = bad = :'(
If anything it would lead onto a debate about politics.

Global Warming . If it doesnt majorly effect us, it will our children

Yeah, keeping a discussion on a civil tone will not only lead to more actual discussion, it is conducive to more intellectual debates/discussions.


Since its been put like that, why not. Seing as there are few female members on this forum it would be nice to hear the male side of it, as its a very unheard opinion.

[Tenshin]

There's a secret to keeping something civil. It's called respecting difference of opinion, not doing the "american (un)settlers thing" and forcing your beliefs on others as the only truth.

[Kurosaki]

Unfortunately though not everyone is like that. Even the most civil of opinions can upset people.

[Tomoshibi]

Eh, we did pretty well during the first two discussions. The first one could be considered really offensive to some people (discusses the existance/noexistance of God, etc). If we can tolerate stuff like disagreement to people's core beliefs, I think we can maintain civility on the other threads.

[moses]

i think we should still keep #1 going. Also we were able to keep it very civil. And since we are getting more mods maybe we can change/delete posts that are too
offensive if we come upon them. But as Tomo said the first 2 were handled very well. Possibly we could even give people warnings and possible bans for a week and if they keep it up just not allow them on the Serious Discussions forums.

[ShininShado]

In reference to the last post, I was closely watching the discussion with religion. I didn't want anyone's views to be left out, but didn't want anyone's views to be trampled on or disrespected. Shouldn't be a problem in the future I don't think.

[Kurosaki]

In all honesty I cant see there ever being a problem, If there was it would be resolved quickly with a meow or a cookie, or an understanding of other points of view. After all there is no 1 generic reality for everyone, Everyone sees everything in different ways.

[Hige Katsumori]

I know what we should discuss. The weight and physical health of Americans!

[selmo]

I know what we should discuss. The weight and physical health of Americans!

really really bad!!

I think i covered that topic! NEXT! I am not very good at these i created one but not many poeple responded to it hehe, though i do like putting forth some insight when i can

[Shinzui]

I would love to discuss a psychological topic (i.e. Tabula Rasa, etc.) as suggested in the beginning. Being that psychology is my major thats right up my ally. XD

How about a criminological perspective, Do delinquent kids associate with other delinquents, or do delinquent peers cause deliquency? Maybe its a bi-directional amplifying loop? (selection perspective, socialization perspective, interactional perspective respectively). I dunno how many other people would find that interesting though. ^_^

[Spike]

I think psychology is very interesting

[Sykoi]

He did not go off topic, Spike

[Hige Katsumori]

The topic is brainstorm, I'm really not to sure you can go off topic unless you're talking about something undiscussable.

[Tomoshibi]

I'm with Hige Katsumori and Sykoi on this one. Tabula Rasa would be an excellent subject to debate. Do you feel we begin life with a clean slate, or are we predisposed to one thing or another? The old nature vs nurture would also fit into this debate of course. It would be interesting to see everyone's views on such a topic, and why they feel that way. Not off topic at all. Feel free to start up a topic Senshi. ^ ^

[Hige Katsumori]

Being the ignorant young one that I am, I have no clue as to what you are talking about. Would you mind elaborating for me?

[MattyQ]

Tabula Rasa is Latin for 'clean tablet' or 'blank slate'. It refers to when in class the students in Rome would use wax tablets to write on, and when they were full, they would use ink to copy it to a piece of paper and then melt the wax smooth again with a candle so they could continue working.

In this case, Tabula rasa refers to just what Tomo said, starting life anew without any predispositions, or are we set in line to follow a path from the very beginning.

[Yukie]

And here i thought Tabula Rasa was just a buffy episode.. silly me >.o

[Shinzui]

Haha, yeah. It was a theory that was popularized by John Locke. I personally think we are born with some innate predispositions. I think a perfect example of this is the visual cliff experiment. In this experiment, children who had developed debth perception refused to cross an area that looked like a steep cliff. (Don't worry, it was covered in a thick layer of plexiglass so they wouldn't actually fall). Why would an infant react in this manner after just acquiring debth perception if they were not already imbued with a fear of heights. I do believe most of our cognitions are learned, but as a child there are some things that are already there. I'd get in to this a bit more but its time to go to class. (Experimental Psychology XD)

[Kasuga]

"Ready, Randy?" ... "Ready, Joan"

[Spike]

Ok I propose a new "theory". I believe there is a god, some higher being outside of time and space.
*side note* I was formerly christian but I screwed that noise.
Its easy to see why people consider christians generally as narrow-minded, biggoted, racists. I gotta say I'm disgusted with American christianity.

Anyway back on topic. Like I said I believe there is a god but if you look at our history he allows the stuff that happens to us because he most likely hates us.
If we are his forsaken children so be it. We don't need him.
Burn the Library of Congress, Wipe your ass with the Mona Lisa, God might just know your name.
I have to try and keep this article PG rated since alot of kids can't handle me spouting words that they hear and see every day anyway.

[MattyQ]

Out of curiousity, why would you burn the Library of Congress if you think God hates you? And why does it have to be a He, hating or not?

And, to speak to the not using words that offend people, I think you should try to merely because more people listen when you can eloquently state a point, versus saying "f- that, because." (Which is not what I'm saying you were saying.)

[Daikomo]

I get what your saying.. I beileve that there is a higher being as well such as GOD and Allah. But some times i get so mad because when i'm feeling i need some type of help i pray hard and it's not like i do so when ever i'm in some sorta
jam. I'm consistant with my worship, but two years ago i was Stranded in Africa and i was miss treated my so many people there because i was from here. I was called out in front of crouds and Beaten. My things were always gettin stolen. I've gone to bunk and have found forign insects i've never seen befor in my bed.

and i ask my god for help and or a way out and there was no answer at all.
this is why alot of people loose there faith. It's said god know's the right time
well if one is suffering and is in deep pain why can't he/she help when he/she is being called. I lost my faith for awhile and started reading up Hara khari or seppuku and was seriously thinking of ending my life. Until the place were my brother and i were stranded got attacked by local villagers and they burnt down the palce.

[ninjaxmaster]

(sorry for off-topic post)

You were stranded in Africa? I would really like to hear the story of how this happened and what happened while you were there, sounds very interesting, and scary at the same time, as you said you would be called out in front of crowds and beaten, I don't know what I'd do if that happened to me.

[Arakawa Nobuaki]

Considering abortion, I always find it rather... amusing... when men comment on it. It's not really something they have a right to talk about as they'll never have to deal with it in the same way a woman would have to (I'm male btw, I have my opinion of it, of course, but I don't think I have the right to say whether it's right or wrong).

I rather not comment on the war in Iraq, otherwise people will scream murder.

As for "god" (or whatever other name used for it). Well, maybe it exists, maybe it doesn't. Let me just say that I haven't seen much in my life that would convince me that god exists.

[Ebisu]

I guess this thread died out of indecision? lol. Tell you what though on that last comment concerning abortion, it's a load. If women could get pregnant all by themselves that would be a world where you'd be right Nobuaki. Not this world though.

The war in Iraq is a disgusting circus. The wrong people are dying while the wrong people are making money.

I once held a faith in the god of western theism also, and I have to say, there isn't much evidence for him specifically. There is good evidence that something created our world (the orderly way nature and the universe function, as though designed). As to what/who the creator/designer could be, how could any of us know at this point? Perhaps he/she/it requires faith to behold because in fact "he" isn't really around anymore, he just created the universe and left. Perhaps he is a mean kid standing over an anthill with a magnifying glass, which would explain all the unpunished evil in the world. But I would have to say, with both good and evil in the world, and nature just humming along in neutrality most of the time, that if the creation must reflect the creator, then he/she/it is a balanced being. He is both evil and good, capable of beauty and horror. That would agree with the nature of the universe, which cares not what dies and what lives within its domain. Despite my not knowing what will happen when I die, I think its important we as humans not fall to the insecure creation of gods unsupported by evidence. Faith is only as useful as it gives aid to the individual who maintains it. It is a device, a coping mechanism for life. An expression of human fear. Prayer is just a form of meditation, centering the individual on their desires. I have prayed enough to know this. God never answered my prayers, though many times I was able to see answers by interpreting events in my life; a very unoriginal practice. I think religion stands as testimony that humans are by nature evil, or more specifically selfish. The leaders of a religion always have themselves at heart. Look at history to know this for truth. It was never the Pope, nor the Cardinals, nor Archbishops or Bishops that went to war and died, anymore than it is Bush or Cheney today, nor any of our supposed leaders.

"I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." -Thomas Jefferson

"The universe is hostile, so impersonal. Devour to survive. So it is, so its always been." -James Keenan Maynard

"Goes to show, if you just keep typing, eventually you'll get your own page!" -Ebisu ;)