Now This is Cool

Below is a time-lapse video of Earth from outer space.  Check out the amazing view of the Northern Lights.  Sweet!!

D


Earth | Time Lapse View from Space, Fly Over | NASA, ISS from Michael König on Vimeo.

Where are the Skeptical Posts?

That's a great question that I have not received from anyone.  Though I have not recently checked the skepticdave@rocketmail.com account (shameless plug for you to send me hate mail).  I have, however, have set a few people straight in a couple of the comment sections of my various posts.  But anyway, where are the posts pertaining to skepticism?  Well, I have been a lazy bastard in that regard.  I understand that you may be expecting to read more about defending evolution, debunking ghosts and the supernatural, reiterating to you that there is no such thing as the Loch Ness monster, and that there is, of course, no god (though I can't say that I know such a thing, but the evidence seems to be on my side of the fence).  And you know what?  I am going to be getting you more of all of that sort of material.  It's just that recently I have been distracted by all of the other current events of the day that I have not been keeping up on all of the cool skeptic stuff; after all, the title of the blog is "Skeptic Dave."  So I don't blame you if you are disappointed in not finding the skeptical content that you have been looking for and not getting.  Not to worry, some will be on its way very soon.

D

Banks...Suck

I was perusing the CNN website, and, as usual, they had a question poll.  Today's question was something like, "Is the fact that banks are backing down on fees a sign of consumer power."  I voted.  It didn't take me long to figure out the answer, as it was obvious.  Of course it isn't a sign of consumer power.  But, not shockingly, 70+% of people said "yes."  I then proceeded to have a "Lewis Black" moment*.

The truth is that banks don't give two shits or a fuck about you or I.  They care about us in the sense that they want us around so that they can generate more revenue, but other than that there is no positive relationship between us and the banks.  What will happen, and mark my words, is that banks will cut ATM fees and then they will complain about how they aren't making giant-fuck-you profits anymore.  So what they will do is layoff works because the few at the top still want to make the giant-fuck-you profits, and coupled with layoffs will be the instituting of hidden fees or new fees in the other parts of your banking (e.g. loans).

The moral of the story is that the consumer, despite the popular myth, has no power in the American capitalist market.  Sure, we may have our ATM fees waved, but the banks are just going to find another way to hold us hostage.  Therefore, in the long-run, we have accomplished nothing.  We must find, or create, a new alternative to the banking industry.  Radically changing the landscape of the financial sector is the only in which we as a people will be able to have any power over our economic landscape.  I don't know how to accomplish such a feat, but I do know that it has to be done.

D

*A Lewis Black moment (LBM) is what one has when they hear, read, see, etc. something so stupid that one feels like their head is going to explode.  The symptoms accompanied with an LBM severe inner pressure against one's skull, a momentary lapse in being able to form complete words and sentences (sometimes one experience severe stuttering), a eyes crossing involuntarily, and a twitching of the extremities (usually the hands and fingers).  The LBM usually comes to completion after screaming expletives like "FUCK."

Jesus In Playboy

Jesus has made an appearance on (and in) a Playboy magazine in Portugal.  I don't really have much to say about the situation that hasn't already been said by either side.  Though I am now a firm believer in resurrecting the WWJD but with a slight change.  Instead of "What Would Jesus Do," it should be "Who Would Jesus Do."  I mean really, which of the following ladies (pictures after the jump) would Jesus spread his love on?  Really, I think that these lovely ladies need to feel the spirit of Christ deep inside of them.

I sometimes wonder what hell is going to be like, and then I think, "It's good thing that hell doesn't exist."

You can see the naughty pictures if you click the 'read more' tab at the bottom of this post.  The pictures do contain nudity, and many will find the following pictures to be offensive.  If you do not want to see what you may consider to be offensive material then do NOT click on the 'read more' link.  You have been warned.

D  

.XXX Could Be The New Online Suffix For Adult Websites

As early as 2011 "adult" websites maybe going from the .com to the .xxx top level domain name.  Though, currently it is not mandatory for "adult" websites to switch over to the new .xxx.  Personally I believe that all "adult" sites will be forced to move to the .xxx.

I don't know if this is a good or a bad idea.  The porn industry is concerned that the .xxx will make it easier to censor "adult" content, and religious leaders are concerned that the .xxx will give the porn industry legitimacy.  I have to admit, I don't quite understand the latter.  The porn industry IS legitimate, widely available and quite profitable.

With all of that said...

If you want to see the semi-naughty picture then click the "read more" link.

Cathaholics

For all of you recovering Cathaholics out there I present the Fuji Minx and their song, The Music Made Me Do It.  And I am not even going to warn you about the topless singer either.

D

It's That Time of Year

Yes, the holiday season is upon us.  Many of us are shopping and preparing for the onslaught of family and friends who we'll be seeing this holiday season.  Such preparations often include sending out holiday cards to friends and family.  Usually the cards are run-of-the-mill Hallmark cards that usually say something like, "May you and yours have a warm holiday season" or something to that effect.  More often than not the cards are laced with religious bits of seasons greetings.  They are usually short little antiquated tidbits like, "He's the reason for the season; or And a child was born."  Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against the holiday season per se, I don't mind getting holiday or as some insist -Christmas- cards from friends and family.

However, and you somehow knew that this was coming, is sending out holiday cards to friends and family with religious themes, oh I don't know, pushing it a bit.  Maybe I am way over thinking this, and as I said, I don't mind getting Christmas cards from friends and family, but it just seems a tad bit like a free and culturally acceptable chance to proselytize to those one knows.  Or it could be a chance for that person sending the card to say Merry Christmas, we are glad we know you and have you in our lives.

The point I am getting to is, would it be acceptable for me, an avowed godless heathen, to send out Happy Winter Solstice cards?  Maybe it would be alright, so long as I didn't espouse any sort of atheistic agenda within the card.  Now, I have never received, at least to my working knowledge, a card that was telling me that I had to accept the Lord as my savior.  So what is my deal?  Why did I just spend this time writing about something that I don't necessarily have a problem with (or think is a problem) when I could have been doing something else more constructive?  It's because I am fascinated with how society works (duh.....social science student here) and I don't think I have heard anyone raise the question.     

What do you think?  By the number of responses to previous questions I have asked I don't think I will get a response.  However if you have anything to add then go for it. 

D