Cosmic Variance covers CrackerGate and the notorious PZ Myers.

Personally, I think PZ wants to go a bit far, even though I think they are just crackers too.

My brain made me do it.

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[Currently reading Volume II of the Elric Saga ( Read more... )

One thing that is perplexing for me, is the role of identity and ethics in games. Some people find it perfectly acceptable to ignore social or self-imposed rules because it is only a game. This extends to meta-game aspects as well, such as cheating at a game, especially in consideration of the way it affects other players. I think it's fair to ( Read more... )

Seven from three, but the eighth the opposite of the lack thereof. It is this last one that interests me the most. It is this last one that inspired me early on ( Read more... )

Empathy is just one player in a multi-sided tug of war.

Edginess is a hyperactive amygdala.

Just finished watching The God Who Wasn't There and learned something that I didn't know even during my days as a fundie . . .

31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men ( Read more... )

The other day I was reminiscing about the Thieves' World series and thinking I should go back and read it again and then someone mentions it on the civfanatics forum . . . now I'm definitely going to have to do that. If I can pull myself away from the teachings of Zerthimon, that is ;-)

I consider the series one of my favorites, along with Elric, ( Read more... )

The proximate cause of improvements in well-being is a “cycle of progress” composed of the mutually reinforcing forces of economic development and technological progress. But that cycle itself is propelled by a web of essential institutions, particularly property rights, free markets, and rule of law. Other important institutions would include ( Read more... )