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Environmental Issues, ALP and DLP, Gaming updates
If I ever had doubts that Libertarians didn't include a sizeable selection of the wilfully ignorant, the recent discussion on global warming have put my concerns to rest. Special kudos to ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
evil_genius for his noble attempt to provide educational links. On topic, the Brits have experiencing the hottest weather since their records began in 1659.
Still we have our own issues in Australia; where a wave of bushfires has swept Victoria and is now in Tasmania. All during last week Melbourne's air was of full of smoke and included the hottest day in 53 years (keep in mind it snowing here less than six weeks ago). So now our own nutbars come out, not only those who wrongly claim that ban on alpine cattle farming is a cause of the fires, but now the Federal Forestry Minister who blames too many trees!
The new Labor leader Kevin Rudd confused himself over whether he really rejects socialism. Meanwhile "clever" ALP preference deals initially seemed to suggest the election of two DLP Councillors later revised one. Rank-and-file Labor supporters are not happy; sensible alternative is both above the line preferential voting and Robson Rotation.
In that most enjoyable social experience that is gaming,recumbenteer has taken over France in Diplomacy just as we're about to crush the rabid English bulldog. On a related topic spent an very enjoyable (albeit very drunken) evening at Trades Hall bar for anthanum's going-to-Sydney gathering. I believe I ended up on video explaining GNS Theory and later more dramatically giving the Orcish point of view. Playing Everyway Aesheba tonight with the "Melbourne Role Playing Salon" and AD&D Norman Britain on Sunday. Have also recently purchased Chivalry & Sorcery (3rd edition) and the Lord of the Rings RPG. Still writing out several hundred words a day for the Dragon Lords RPG.
evil_genius for his noble attempt to provide educational links. On topic, the Brits have experiencing the hottest weather since their records began in 1659.Still we have our own issues in Australia; where a wave of bushfires has swept Victoria and is now in Tasmania. All during last week Melbourne's air was of full of smoke and included the hottest day in 53 years (keep in mind it snowing here less than six weeks ago). So now our own nutbars come out, not only those who wrongly claim that ban on alpine cattle farming is a cause of the fires, but now the Federal Forestry Minister who blames too many trees!
The new Labor leader Kevin Rudd confused himself over whether he really rejects socialism. Meanwhile "clever" ALP preference deals initially seemed to suggest the election of two DLP Councillors later revised one. Rank-and-file Labor supporters are not happy; sensible alternative is both above the line preferential voting and Robson Rotation.
In that most enjoyable social experience that is gaming,
recumbenteer has taken over France in Diplomacy just as we're about to crush the rabid English bulldog. On a related topic spent an very enjoyable (albeit very drunken) evening at Trades Hall bar for anthanum's going-to-Sydney gathering. I believe I ended up on video explaining GNS Theory and later more dramatically giving the Orcish point of view. Playing Everyway Aesheba tonight with the "Melbourne Role Playing Salon" and AD&D Norman Britain on Sunday. Have also recently purchased Chivalry & Sorcery (3rd edition) and the Lord of the Rings RPG. Still writing out several hundred words a day for the Dragon Lords RPG.
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skeptical ≠ close minded
gullible ≠ open minded
I am very open minded. Extremely so in fact, yet deeply skeptical. I will listen to new ideas and opinions and then research them intensely. I do my best to be the antithesis of gullible. While still hearing out peoples Ideas.
The unfortunate byproduct of all of this research is I've heard and looked into most of the more popular claims about the subject that interest me. So when someone comes along spouting pseudoscience or superstition I see it for what it is and label it as such. People don't like being told they're wrong. They get exceptionally pissed off when their error is proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Indeed not; in fact I was going to point out to Lev that there's a fine line between skepticism and head-in-the-sand obstinacy. And I won't defend such mulishness even among fellow libertarians. But let's not also assume that it's a hallmark of libertarianism--generally I find it to be among the most rational of political philosophies, and there are plenty of libertarians who accept the scientific consensus on global warming.
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To give credit where credit is due there is a real attempt to build from unambigious first principles. I like that.
and there are plenty of libertarians who accept the scientific consensus on global warming.
I wish I could find more :(
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People don't like being told they're wrong. They get exceptionally pissed off when their error is proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
See, this is the bit I don't get. I like being introduced to a new knowledge. Maybe they still have a high school approach to knowledge tests.. you know, if you don't know something or your knowledge is wrong you fail and failure is bad etc.
Of course, part of it for my part probably comes down to not holding strong views on subjects I don't much about...
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-- Samuel Johnson (1709 - 1784), quoted in Boswell's Life of Johnson
even in this age of virtually free limitless access to information(at least in the developed world). Most choose to remain ignorant.
"There is no expedient to which a man will not go to avoid the labor of thinking."
-- Thomas A. Edison (1847 - 1931)