The ranting thinking thread

[Angel]

Okay, seriously...

How did a conversation about wisdom teeth, in which I said, "I wonder what role they used to play, because it seems to me in our current evolutionary state..." (I was going to continue with "...we no longer need them", but was cut off) suddenly turn into an immediate religious affront?

First words out of this person's mouth; "I don't believe in evolution. I believe in Adam and Eve". Okay, so are we really going to pretend that, however humanity may have started, assuming Adam and Eve were ever real, that we are exactly the way they were back then?

Too many things have changed between then and now for that to be possible; our diet, the way we prepare our food, the environment we live in--believe in Adam and Eve all you like; I've said it before, and I'll say it again--I'm not adverse to people having their own beliefs.

It just baffles me when they go into defensive mode just from me mentioning that I think wisdom teeth once served a purpose, and now no longer do. I mean, I think it's safe to assume our jaws must be getting smaller, because more and more people are complaining about how their wisdom teeth either can't come in because of how crowded it is in their mouths already, or because they come in the wrong way, entirely.

So if our jaws are getting smaller, then it's also safe to assume it has something to do with evolution.

Ffs, me saying we evolve in no way indicates that we weren't created by someone or something in the first place--it just means that if I believe something created us, I believe they did it in a manner that allowed us to be self-sustaining, that allowed us to adapt to the changes in our environments. But sure, go on the defensive, act as if what little I said was somehow personal... :/ Oh, and then invite me for coffee sometime next week. I'm sure we'll have so much to talk about, then... -_- Nothing like walking on eggshells in what should be a casual conversation.

In my experience, people who get super-mad defensive about their beliefs with little to no provocation are a little shaky in them to begin with. I'm a Christian and I personally could not care less how we came into being because I can attribute it to God no matter what. And I don't feel the need to defend that position because I'm not insecure enough to think that it requires it. After all, if God is real (and I firmly believe He is), then surely He can handle a little opposition without calling for the Waambulance. Evolution, Big Bang, the ruddy Forerunners...whatever. Got too much now-stuff to be getting on with to worry about where we came from. And besides, perhaps this person needs to think about the probability of EVERYONE coming from just TWO people. Personally I think that's nonsense and rather it is an illustrative way of retelling the story of our creation in a way that people could comprehend. I'm not a "world is only X thousand years old" person.

It's like the appendix - what the hell was it for? It serves no purpose now other than to get all gross and infected. And we can survive without spleens now too. Human beings are highly adaptable creatures and there is no avoiding that fact. If we weren't, we wouldn't still be the dominant species on the planet. I personally find it all quite fascinating that we have these bits of us that no longer really need to be there and yet they haven't disappeared from our species yet...

 

[Rebel Dynasty]

@Angel

See, I respect that; you're able to retain your beliefs, while 1) not getting offended by someone else's and 2) by allowing both your beliefs and science to co-exist. Too many people have this, "It has to be one way, or another" attitude, and it drives me bat-**** insane (I've seen it amongst Atheists, too; equally as unappealing to me as the people they tend to criticize). You, on the other hand, as well as several others here that I have the pleasure of talking with, are willing to meet halfway. Having your own beliefs, while keeping an open-mind seems to be in short supply, these days--so it's nice to find people who can.

 

[Angel]

I just don't see the point in getting all riled up over something so...I dunno, not quite pointless but somewhere between there and asinine. It's not like we're debating the best way to solve world hunger or the ethics of curing cancer in a certain way. It's freaking wisdom teeth, for goodness sake. If I can nom, I'm happy. That's all teeth mean to me.

Science and beliefs go hand in hand. One tells the how and the other tells the why. I'm happy with that. People who debunk science out of hand are idiots.

 

[Demi-fiend]

 

[KRSkull]

@Rebel Dynasty @Angel

I think that Religion and Science are two sides of a coin. and i believe that there are things that can be explained religiously but science has no explination to it and vice versa.

i did a little reserch about the human body and i found that we have things that had a purpose in the past. For example

Wisdom Teeth:

Early humans ate a lot of plants – and they needed to eat them quickly enough that they could eat a sufficient amount in one day to get all of the nutrients they needed. For this reason, we had an extra set of molars to make the larger mouth more productive. This was particularly essential as the body lacked the ability to sufficiently digest cellulose. As evolution made its selections, our diets changed, our jaws grew appropriately smaller, and our third molars became unnecessary. Some human populations have now all but completely stopped growing wisdom teeth, while others have almost 100% likelihood of developing them.

Third Eyelid:

If you watch a cat blink, you will see a white membrane cross its eye – that is called its third eyelid. It is quite a rare thing in mammals, but common in birds, reptiles, and fish. Humans have a remnant (but non-working) third eyelid (It's that pink triangular bit of tissue at the inner corner of your eye). It has become quite small in humans, but some populations have more visible portions than others. There is only one known species of primate that still has a functioning third eyelid, and that is the Calabar angwantibo (closely related to lorises) which lives in West Africa.

Coccyx:
The coccyx is the remnant of what was once a human tail. Over time we lost the need for a tail (as tree swinging was replaced by hanging out at the local water hole grunting neanderthal gossip), but we did not lose the need for the coccyx: it now functions as a support structure for various muscles and a support for a person when he sits down and leans back. The coccyx also supports the position of the anus.

 

[LordOfDarkness]

So basically the person got defensive because the possible idea that science and religion can coexist with one another in a harmonious manner, was too much for their brain to conceive?

 

[Shadow]

Coccyx:
The coccyx is the remnant of what was once a human tail. Over time we lost the need for a tail (as tree swinging was replaced by hanging out at the local water hole grunting neanderthal gossip), but we did not lose the need for the coccyx: it now functions as a support structure for various muscles and a support for a person when he sits down and leans back. The coccyx also supports the position of the anus.

So that's what happened to my tail. And here I thought my mother just had it cut off at birth. Gods dang it all, evolution! Ruin my fun, why don't you! :'(
I've always wanted a proper tail.... *dramatic sigh*

 

[KRSkull]

Why do they put creamy cheese spread in a glass jar. Two times in a row man. Two times in a row. i pop the cap of the jar and it slips off my hand and i end up with creamy cheese filled with shattered glass on the floor.

 

[Foxtrot94]

It's astonishing how many "DMC4 lovers" who claim to love its combat system so much, don't actually know two sh!ts about it, other than the basic stuff. You kidding me?

 

[Viper]

That feeling when you want to reply to someone, but the option is not available. :banghead:

 

[EA9Sol]

Why is it so hard to find a good book to read? Too much crappy characters and plot that get popular because they are self-insert fan fictions. >.> I just need to buckle down and write. If you want to read something good sometimes you got to do it your self. ;3 Get ready my dear muse. <3 I'm working double time!

Muse::dead:

 

[Innsmouth]

Why is it so hard to find a good book to read? Too much crappy characters and plot that get popular because they are self-insert fan fictions. >.> I just need to buckle down and write. If you want to read something good sometimes you got to do it your self. ;3 Get ready my dear muse. <3 I'm working double time!

Muse::dead:

which books do you prefer?

 

[LordOfDarkness]

I just know that I'm the one that's going to get whined at because she didn't do a job that I asked her to do. My boss told me to let her know what to do today, which I did. She didn't do it, so I just know I'll get the blame.

Ahh, why is life such a giant potato wedge sometimes...

 

[Viper]

I just know that I'm the one that's going to get whined at because she didn't do a job that I asked her to do. My boss told me to let her know what to do today, which I did. She didn't do it, so I just know I'll get the blame.

Ahh, why is life such a giant potato wedge sometimes...

I'd advise on making sure there are reliable witnesses around next time you have to tell that person something. If your boss is foolish enough to put the blame on you when she failed, then you need to protect your hide, cause people who shirk on commitment ain't gonna learn from someone else getting the heat.

 

[LordOfDarkness]

@Viper: Oh yeah, I'm aware of this. But yeah, thanks for the advice all the same.

I'm not being walked over in this situation, when I know I'm not in the wrong.

 

[EA9Sol]

which books do you prefer?

I like to read science fiction, fantasy, urban fantasy and spy books. 3

 

[Dante's Stalker]

@Viper: Oh yeah, I'm aware of this. But yeah, thanks for the advice all the same.

I'm not being walked over in this situation, when I know I'm not in the wrong.

Maybe if the boss wanted to put you in the hot spot, drag her butt in there and ask her why she didn't do what you asked of her. Put the blame where the blame needs to go. Give her a stern talking to about next time doing her job because she's making you look bad. And do it all in front of the boss. Being blunt and honest and brutal is sometimes the only way to get people to wake up. Don't be the nice guy, LoD, I hope you put it as it is.

 

[Innsmouth]

I like to read science fiction, fantasy, urban fantasy and spy books. 3

oh, do you read claasic sci-fi? If u do, I know few good autors

 

[EA9Sol]

oh, do you read claasic sci-fi? If u do, I know few good autors

Yeah. :3

 

[Innsmouth]

Yeah. :3

I dunno if you read him already but Bradbury had very good books. You may also give a try to brothers Strugatski (I won't suggest reading everything, but books like Bug in the Anthill and Inhabited Island are really good, though they are kinda hard to read at times. You may try to pick Poul Anderson, he had very easy to read, and smart at the same time books. And also there is Koontz with books like Twilight Eyes.