Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: We still died at each other's hand

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  • Emma Hart,

    Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.

    "But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also."

    The SST are, I think, skim readers.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report

  • Phil Lyth,

    Is Paul Litterick a pseudonym for Rupert Murdoch then?

    Wellington • Since Apr 2009 • 458 posts Report

  • Ross Mason,

    The SST are, I think, skim readers.

    Nah. I want the good old Abrahamic version. Not one from some messianic goody two shoes nutter with voices in his head....

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report

  • andin,

    Nah. I want the good old Abrahamic version. Not one from some messianic goody two shoes nutter with voices in his head....

    All god is, is a voice in your head.
    The nutter's are the ones who listen and give it exalted status.
    The good ole Abrahamic version is just an earlier model of crazy.

    raglan • Since Mar 2007 • 1891 posts Report

  • Brent Jackson,

    An interesting article in a recent New Scientist magazine used brain scans to show that when you were thinking about God's view of certain issues the same areas of brain were used as when you were thinking about your own views. However, if you thought about the views of someone else different areas of the brain were used.

    Well, I found it interesting ...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 620 posts Report

  • Andre Alessi,

    An interesting article in a recent New Scientist magazine used brain scans to show that when you were thinking about God's view of certain issues the same areas of brain were used as when you were thinking about your own views. However, if you thought about the views of someone else different areas of the brain were used.

    Well, I found it interesting ...

    Gah, I cannot begin to express how much I dislike that sort of neuroscience research. It's like someone who doesn't know anything about computers trying to describe semantic relationships between the contents of Word docs by the pattern of read/write activity on the hard drive.

    Until we have a clearer idea of how brain activity corresponds at a concrete level to the content of thoughts and beliefs, studies like this are simply one step up from phrenology. The location or otherwise of brain activity may or may not have implications for how we understand how different kinds of mental states interrelate, but right now we really don't know enough to say what those implications are.

    It's particularly stupid and pointless when used to try and "prove" obviously controversial theories (e.g. "God's opinions and my opinions are closely related in my brain") because there isn't enough hard science behind it to defend, so anti-science bigots end up with an easy target for takedown, allowing them to ignore genuinely problematic findings while they do. And let's not even get into the massive unspoken assumptions inherent in the interpretation of results (e.g. that a person's understanding of "God's opinions" wouldn't be identical to a person's own beliefs anyway...)

    Sorry about the rant, but this is one sort of "research" that always gets my goat.

    Devonport, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 864 posts Report

  • Just thinking,

    2nd Blue Moon is rising, and I know youse guys don't believe in it.
    How else do you account for my Father winning AC/DC tickets or the missing beer and overly cautious teenager?

    Putaringamotu • Since Apr 2009 • 1158 posts Report

  • andin,

    Until we have a clearer idea of how brain activity corresponds at a concrete level to the content of thoughts and beliefs, studies like this are simply one step up from phrenology. The location or otherwise of brain activity may or may not have implications for how we understand how different kinds of mental states interrelate, but right now we really don't know enough to say what those implications are.

    I agree. Much more research is needed.
    Anyway what was the topic ..oh yes.. How can a person who uses arguments you'd expect to hear from someone's batty aunt be a minister in govt and no one says BOO?

    raglan • Since Mar 2007 • 1891 posts Report

  • George Darroch,

    For the first time in my memory, Goff has said something sensible about crime - prevention beats cure, young kids must be a priority.

    Despite Goff's shift, I doubt that any of New Zealand's so-called journalists will even attempt to actually take these ideas seriously.

    WLG • Since Nov 2006 • 2264 posts Report

  • 2010 The Year of The Troll,

    would anybody be kind enough to unpack the provenance of that term "shroud-waving" for me?

    Since Jan 2010 • 1 posts Report

  • Paul Litterick,

    It is British medical slang, for when a group of doctors oppose some change in hospital policy by saying that it will result in the deaths of patients.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1000 posts Report

  • Islander,

    Apropos of nothing - except, if you hear it or see it on your notes, runaway if you possibly can- CRTPH*








    *(Circling round the plug hole)

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    For the first time in my memory, Goff has said something sensible about crime - prevention beats cure, young kids must be a priority.

    Despite Goff's shift, I doubt that any of New Zealand's so-called journalists will even attempt to actually take these ideas seriously.

    Jesus fuck, George -- Perhaps journos will start taking Goff seriously when he starts being serious?

    I know it's a seriously unfair bar to meet, but I really shouldn't have read this steaming load of pap in close proximity to Obama's squee-inducingly grown up State of the Union.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Jesus fuck, George -

    Well, that's one for my book. "Ranapianisms."
    BTW. Contributions / reminders are welcomed.Ta in advance SB.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report

  • recordari,

    Well, that's one for my book. "Ranapianisms."

    Add that to the CraigSlap (tm).
    Why does Craig get all the best neologisms? Is he some sort of neologist sage?

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report

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