Charles Darwin

 In Celebration of Charles Darwin’s 200th Birthday:

The commemoration of Charles Darwin’s 200^th birthday acknowledges his contribution to scientific progression. Darwin’s discoveries of finches at the Galapagos Island (during his embark on the HMS Beagle) revolutionised the idea of Natural Selection.  Charles Darwin has received an overwhelming amount of recognition in contrast to other scientists such as Alfred Wallace. The publication of vast amounts of evidence for the evolution of species according to their need and environment is what has led to the respect of the scientific community. However, Darwin’s firm conviction in scientific theory continues to create controversy among many of the religious groups.

Charles Darwin’s work has given scientific understanding that when utilised appropriately it can advance human society. The film Gattaca (1997) shows the potential for the transformation of genetics to create human perfection. Herbert Spencer coined the phrase ‘survival of the fittest’ to describe changes in the society known as Social Darwinism.[i] Social Darwinism tends to have the misrepresentation by anti-evolutionists of originating from Darwinism instead when it is the Lamarckian theory of evolution. ‘Survival of the fittest’ does not provide a justification to racism and the laissez-faire approach to economics is neither morally sound nor supported by Darwin himself. Evolution only tells how things are; it does not say how they should be. Altruism as a society is more important than ever to survive the current ecological change due to global warming.

Furthermore, the finches from the Galapagos Island are facing ‘habitat destruction, introduction of invasive species (e.g. predatory animals such as rats and cats, or those competing for food) and diseases…”[ii]  There are variations in species to suit their environment and this is passed on to their offspring. Darwin noted that the finches on Galapagos Island had varied beaks to suit the different type of food that they ate. “For example, the large ground finch has developed a broad, wide beak, for cracking hard seeds.”[iii] Likewise, Humans teeth have evolved to suit their diet of softer foods. Our wisdom teeth are (degenerate) remnants of the prehistoric time. Similarly, penguins have degenerate wings.  Charles Darwin had collected evidence to suggest that life must have evolved – “fossil ancestors, patterns of resemblance [e.g. the similarities between the DNA of chimpanzees and humans] and startling similarities in embryos.”[iv]  The massive collection of fossils might not be  skulls might not be possible if it weren’t fordifferent human skulls over a period of time goes to show how we have evolved. variation, inheritance, and selection.

Science is a study beyond human experience. Darwin’s book The Origin of Species is constantly used as a point of reference for microbiologists. Charles Darwin too checked the precision of his facts by comparing his documentation with naturalists. Evolution is believable because it is fact proven by evidence.

to be continued..

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[i] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survival_of_the_fittest

[ii] : http://www.darwinfoundation.org/files/species/pdf/finches-en.pdf

[iii] http://www.gct.org/darwinfact.html

[iv] The Genius of Charles Darwin documentary.

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[i] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survival_of_the_fittest

[ii] : http://www.darwinfoundation.org/files/species/pdf/finches-en.pdf

[iii] http://www.gct.org/darwinfact.html

[iv] The Genius of Charles Darwin

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survival_of_the_fittest : http://www.darwinfoundation.org/files/species/pdf/finches-en.pdf http://www.gct.org/darwinfact.html The Genius of Charles Darwin documentary.

Allsorts of Atheists

Recently, I went to the Science Issues Cafe in North Carlton.

TOPIC: Life in the Universe
Professor John Lattanzio
Centre for Stellar and Planetary Astrophysics
School of Mathematical Sciences
Monash University

Two Seasons In One Day

Another blog on the same day! Wow. Just thought I’d share this whacky comic I made at Strip Creator. I really need to come up with better comics lol.

Getting Back To My Roots

I went to Sprout Community Garden yesterday. I brought some plums from our tree in the garden. Together we preserved apricot jam and rhubarb/plum jam! We also made lemon cordial. The good feeling that was brought about from producing something yummy whilst working together is indescribable. We made our jam in a kitchen at the Aboriginal Advancement League. I felt so privileged to be allowed to go to this special sacred place. The Aboriginal Advancement League provides “family support, food assistance, home visits, advocacy, counseling and educational programs, drug and alcohol awareness and funeral services.” (source: ATNS, http://www.atns.net.au/agreement.asp?EntityID=1028). I tried to find a website for the organization that is in Thornberry, Melbourne (Australia) but with no luck. I feel that there is much to learn from the Natives of the Australian Land… I will fill you in on this blog as I try to really connect with the Aboriginals.

Atheists and Agnostics are not without morals or sense of virtue like some would commonly believe. I don’t need a God to dictate my way of life nor book. I discovered the warm feeling that comes from working together and sharing by the encouragement of my mother and my own involvement with the world. I very much encourage getting involved with your local community – you will help others and feel good too.

Oh and I have done a bit more more research into running a radio program. I shall hopefully be recording my podcasts at Gateway in Collingwood (Melborune, Aus) and hosting a radio program with RMIT’s station SYN after some training. The only downside is that my show might be late at night initially. I have pleanty of time to write a show aswell as think of ways to spiff it up.. music, poetry etc. I would hate mean to be a bore with nothing but talk back. I want the show to be welcoming to all… I also need a radio show name… how about The Big Thinkers? I dunno lol. Perhaps I could go by the pug lover on the show?

Also check out this video from QualiaSoup on youtube…

…it totally rocks my socks! I love the simplicity and animations! I hope to create similar videos once I learn how! What program do this guy use? There are many more great videos like this on his youtube!

I have seen this Scarlet A every where.. ! I have just discovered that the Scarlet A is linked to the Out Campaign. On the Out Campaign website you can find an atheist and freethinker blog roll. When I become part of the blog roll I might have some more traffic!

I found an Atheist via the Out Campaign that creates comics that mock religion and bring about some truth to atheism. Visit the site at http://religiouscomics.net/. I have discovered that some of the comics were created by a site known as Strip Creator. From my understanding you use a web based tool on the website to create comics! I hope to make some comics for my blog with this site.

Finding Inspiration And Making A Go Of It

I went for a bike ride to Hurthsbridge/St Andrews on the weekend with art materials and lunch to gather inspiration for my cartoons that shall soon be on the blog. I thought that the warm air and sunshine would do me good.

I’d like to think of myself as being an atheist but at times I can have a weakness to rather silly ‘spiritual’ beliefs. I am lead first by belief and then fact on these concepts. I nearly fell backwards when somebody on the Atheist forum asked what they were… these were the things that were without question in my life.. that were never challenged but just accepted… I wanted them to be mystical! More than anything I wanted to find fault in Science and the strong militant atheist whom at times I would see as arrogant. I don’t want a god. I just like to have some of my simple beliefs such as mind-body-soul being connected and that dogs (especially pugs) have this healing quality about them. I don’t want science to blind fold to a strong feeling… yet, I don’t want to be blinded by religion either.

 

I feel like one of the few my age at the atheist soceity. At times I enjoy it and others I don’t. I wish there were those that were more my age there to talk to, to make feel comfortable and more safe. Yet, I am glad that they aren’t because it feels as if I am ahead of the rat race. It might take a bit for me to be science buff at least.. there already seems to a be few of those.. and a young woman has already taken the bus idea..

…I wish to contribute but I just don’t know which direction to go. I’ll keep fiddling around and try to make a go of it!

To Become Wonderfully Known

Oh, how I marvel at my connections with famous people! Yet in reality this year has been difficult in getting out of the house with the death of my father. The internet amazes me with it’s ease of use! I have found myself with a slight addiction to ebay with the use of paypal and having a collection of friends is always easy with Facebook or Myspace. You can collect friends like pokemon!

Catherine Deveny (a columnist for the Age and comedian) recently accepted my add on Facebook. I’d rave to my housemates about my cool connection with a local famous face. This is the beginning of my rise. Going in the bookshops I see her books. I heard Catherine speak at the Atheist Society.

At times I can become so driven by this power that is so commonly seen in the typical American to dream big. Don’t forget about the man in the middle. Don’t fall into the trap of a weak connection. Catherine Deveny is a wonderful person and is highly respected but don’t forget the man in the middle.

In the future I shall read her books and provide commentary. It is possible that she might also visit my blog one day! =]

Tomorrow I am going to try and organise the podcast!

Evolutionary Psychologist & Pugs

I have been happily reading my Scientific American Mind magazine for a few days now. It is keeping me out of trouble! I have an inkling that most of the authors of the articles are atheist/agnostic based on what they have said. I googled the website of Scientific American Mind in hopes that they might have a forum in which I can have discussions and discover more. I was initially disappointed to discover that all of the articles were on their website having paid for my Volume 19, Number 5 magazine. However, their website has the potential to be a useful resource in the future. I shall provide proof of what might suggest that these authors are in support of reason in the future. I hope to eventually try and make contact with the writers to learn more. My study of year 12 Psychology (VCE) via correspondence has led to my interest in the term ‘evolutionary psychologist’.  I came across the term whilst reading the article ‘Why You Should Be Skeptical of Brain Scans by Michael Shermer by Michael Shermer’
(http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=five-ways-brain-scans-mislead-us) 
in the Scientific American Mind. In the about ‘The Author’ section that Michael Shermer is publisher of Skeptic magazine. It makes you wonder how many atheists/agnostics there are in the world of science. The only question I have for now is – what does evolutionary psychologist mean?
According to wikipedia:

Evolutionary psychology (EP) attempts to explain mental and psychological traits—such as memory, perception, or language—as adaptations, that is, as the functional products of natural selection or sexual selection. Adaptationist thinking about physiological mechanisms, such as the heart, lungs, and immune system, is common in evolutionary biology. Evolutionary psychology applies the same thinking to psychology.

I shall hope to create understanding of this definition in future posts. In the mean time have a Happy New Year and keep asking questions.

Future ideas for the blog:

1. To invite my psychologist teacher to read the blog and help create different ways of thinking!
2. To create dialogue between certain authors of Scientfic American Mind in hopes that they might visit my site.
3. Podcasts (I might need to get the WordPress for dummies book!)
4. Little fun games about religion/non-religion to make my blog more fun and interesting!
5. A page about myself !
6. A page on what the blog is about!
7. A page on what is going to be implemented in the future!
8. To hire an English tutor or editor to help with my articles.
9. To get my work copyrighted.’
10. Slideshows – slideshare
11. Investigate into whether or not having ipaper is a good idea!

photo: http://atheism.about.com/od/liberationatheology/ig/Unapologetics-Posters/Unapologetics–Territoriality-.htm

‘Free Thinker’

Well, the blog is appearing to get a bit of traffic. Who are my visitors? At the moment I get a few clicks here and there from those at my forum! Aswell, as a few linking from my tags (shout out to ‘timbob’). I recently just set up the tags and so far they have proven useful in creating visitors to the site. I thought that running my own talk back show on a local radio might also help to get my ideas and name out there. Before long I had run into a brick wall! I wouldn’t even be on this pathway to the wall if it weren’t for the day I decided to be what they call a ‘free thinker’. I came across the term in a book of which I can’t re-call and at the time I didn’t make the link between the term ‘free thinker’ and atheism. As I began to understand the meaning of a free thinker I became more interested in the world of atheism. 

“Freethought is a philosophical viewpoint that holds that beliefs should be formed on the basis of science and logic and should not be influenced by authority, tradition, or any other dogma.”

(Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freethought, 31/12/2008) 

 Freethinking can happen sub-conciously but when it comes to the crunch of doing it on command – what appears simple can be tricky for a young mind! The answer will be different for each individual and once the puzzle is solved you will unlock the key to many doors. So, what has been blocking my path?  I am ashamed to say that I have to learn to think (more so) for myself and I don’t know how! How can I come up with up fresh Atheist commentary when I can’t have my own ideas? I don’t want to simply repeat something else I have read and I can’t give long annecdotes forever.. at some point I need to have a purpose to my ideas!

Let me let you into a quick bit of my research into the area of thinking for yourself…

How to Think for Yourself

Of the many methods and means for learning, to begin it is essential for one to learn to think for oneself, without simply repeating what others have said. Making one own’s decisions rationally and with sincerity comes only from thinking things out. Looking at both sides of the picture, to determine what is wrong or right…for you! Consider that what might be correct for someone else, might not be so for you. So give deep thought prior to making decisions so that you do not end up regretting the one you made.

Steps

1. Read. Find out what the great minds have thought about things. This means the classics, which are easily found in book stores or libraries. Classic novels are a much more entertaining way of learning how others think than dry text books, on anything from ethics to philosophy. Classics are usually more than just about the upper classes (which many of them are). Rather, they should discuss ideas that concern that which is considered as universal to the human condition.
2.Keep an open mind. Everyone has their own opinions, so keeping an open minded around others is always appreciated. If you can respect the choices people make, they will return the favor towards you.

3. Ask questions. To be interested in learning how to think one should be inquisitive. Ask questions and try to answer to them. It is only by asking questions that one creates context, for which to take interest and notice things that may relate. It is only by attempting to answer questions simply and clearly, that one can measure his or her own understanding of things. Understanding is the gateway to compassion and doing away with vices such as confusion, false ideas and misplaced blame.

4. Propose alternative theories to today’s accepted ideas and understandings. The correctness or rightness doesn’t matter, so much as the creation of new ideas, speculation, theories and concepts. What is important is the testing for validity. Every new idea as theory or concept should be tentative, subject to testing for its validity. If nothing is created, then there is nothing to test. Theories can be correct when self-contained by their own internal logic. One can believe anything they want, so long as it is not contradicted by one’s own sense of wrong. However, most original thinking in the interest of truth should be tested by discussion, observation, argument, and personal experience. Bad ideas can lead to good ones, as they can take one in a direction one might not otherwise have gone. Untested ideas can be sheltered until they are strong enough to stand the test.

5. Simplify, reduce, and categorize. Ideas can come a mile a minute at a rate in which the mind cannot know what to do with them. One can write them down but then they tend to get lost in a maze of paper and writing may not be fast enough or convenient. One might create categories in the mind as repositories for ideas as associations. Categories can be questions one is working on, general subjects like history, theory of relativity, ancient man, red light shift, concept of how, love and hate, or ego. Associate ideas from books and movies to present circumstance and vice versa. Simplify the mish-mash within the categories, by attempting to reduce the many ideas to commonalities, for instance as Marx did reduce many if most of the many motives of mankind to economics. You should not drive yourself nuts with intellectual constancy. Rather ask questions make statements, make observations write them down or categorize and forget about them. Free association is healthier for the mind. The idea is come back to the problems one has set for oneself and to remember to come back circular fashion, freeing the mind to free association, day dream or whatever. The mind works on problems subconsciously. Come back and see what new may be there.
6. Analyze your surroundings. This is another means to help you think for yourself. This essentially means examining why someone thinks and believes that which they do, the origin of that thinking, and the possibility of motives that may or may not lie behind them. This involves taking common assumptions that you may have heard or been taught, and questioning it. This might be common knowledge or even actual experience. Examine it. Ask yourself, “Why is that true? Why do I believe that? Is it valid if I have not proved it myself?”

Tips

• Immerse yourself in artistic/creative outlets. Write a song or poem. Draw a picture. Build or cook something from scratch. Valuing your own creativity is a key step on the road to independent thought.
• Avoid one sided systems such as political parties. Associating yourself with groups that do not actively question their goals and objectives, or consider opposing views, will in the long run close your mind, rather than open it. You should be able to adapt yourself to any perspective—not limit yourself to a single one. Belonging to a stagnant thinking group may invoke in people of average intelligence—a “group mentality”.
• If you don’t agree with a particular “law”, or “rule”, then DO NOT FOLLOW IT! The consequences are probably worth the peace of mind that you get knowing that you stood up for yourself. Keep in mind that YOU only get ONE life. If you spend your life following orders, you’ll follow them right to your grave.

 Warnings

As one learns to think independently, one may change one’s values and become intellectually and emotionally at variance with one’s family, friends and community.
Being too independent may cause one to be labeled as “socially maladjusted” or “crazy”.

Source: wikiHow (http://www.wikihow.com/Think-for-Yourself)

Oh and lol I created my own hell.. it isn’t really in order because I was just mucking around! Feel free to click the link underneath to create your own. Although, I question as to whether or not there really is a heaven and a hell.

Puglover’s Hell

The New York Yankees
Circle I Limbo

Creationists
Circle II Whirling in a Dark & Stormy Wind

Parents who bring squalling brats to R-rated movies
Circle III Mud, Rain, Cold, Hail & Snow

Rednecks
Circle IV Rolling Weights

Goths
Circle V Stuck in Mud, Mangled

River Styx

Osama bin Laden
Circle VI Buried for Eternity

River Phlegyas

George Bush
Circle VII Burning Sands

Scientologists
Circle IIX Immersed in Excrement

The Pope
Circle IX Frozen in Ice

Design your own hell

Getting Deeper

I am still contemplating where I am heading in the long run with this blog and how much I feel comfortable in revealing about my personal life. I feel I need to explain appart of the behaviour and science of the mind in order to allow you to understand how I perceive life and what happens in the before/thereafter. Research into psychological thought is perhaps best understood by the comparison and analysis of case studies. I am going to provide personal narratives from both myself and the lives of those around me in order to make religious/political points both now and in the future. 

THE BLOGGER’s BACKGROUND

The famous Russian dictator Joesph Stalin noted that “one death is a tragedy; a million deaths is a statistic.” On that remark, let me introduce you to one of the deaths that has inevitably shaken my whole life. I recently lost my father to Lung Cancer. This event has not only changed my whole life but how I perceive myself. Being an only child raised by parents that are alcoholics is no easy task but my life has not been all hardship. My life like many has its rises and falls in the shape of waves. My parents are good people and never ever became physically angered towards myself. However, I strongly believe that the consequences of their addiction branched out like a tree and impacted our lives in more ways than we can ever see. I am cautionary about revealing the business of others but this has become a part of my story. Perhaps, in an attempt to keep things under the blanket my parents had bought me a personal computer when I was approximately a 5 year old child. Whilst drinking, my parents were unaware that having a new computer in my room was the beginning of an addiction that would effect my whole persona. I have been reading Volume 19, Number 5 of Scientific Mind and was oblivious when I bought the magazine  that there was an article by Gary Small and Gigi Vorgan about ‘how technology alters your mind’. For the first time I became challenged to question the impact of the computer addiction opposed to ignoring it due to fear of looking at my true inner self. Statements began to stand out and became meaningful as they became relative to my character.

“How the technologies that have become part of our daily lives and are changing the way [Puglover and you] think”:

• “Constantly staying busy monitoring buddy lists and instant messages can create a distracted mental state called continuous partial attention”
• I “no longer have time to reflect, contemplate or make thoughtful decisions”
• Effecting the way I “learn and remember new information”
• Hours on the computer make me feel “spaced out, fatigued, irritable and distracted”
• Am “losing personal touch with [my] real-life relationships and [experiencing] an artificial sense of intimacy”
• The mental “process of integrating sensations and thoughts, as well as working memory”

I am not a working psyhchologist and in no way do I approve of self-evaluated diagnosis. In conclusion, I am inclined to believe that I have developed symptoms similar to Asperger’s Syndrome but am unable to pinpoint how it all began. Without a doubt, technology has changed the way I think and feel in many aspects of my life.

 So, what does your personal annecdote have to do with religion and why does it matter to me (the reader)?

Think about this…

Your cultural upbringing and the environement in which you live can alter the way you see the world. Events such as the loss of a loved one can move and challenge you as an individual person. It makes you question things. Take this lead, “question everything” says Albert Einstein and at the same time follow the contradicting advice of Puglover’s mother – “don’t over analyse”!  

Do you believe what you want to believe?  Do you believe in the truth? Do you trust and follow the beliefs of others (eg. religious doctrine, parents) ?

Or simply like me - you have no idea and are just trying to make sense of it all?

Do you want the truth? “You can’t handle truth?” Live in blissful thinking?

Every now and again, I will hear an Atheist pity the weak mind of those imprisoned by a religious doctrine. I hide away curled up in my security blanket and wonder if as an atheist/agnostic am I whirled away with wishful thinking? Emotions carry me on a journey down a river… they pray on hope to no God.. Once dead (according to experts) there is no brain function and with that no sign of thought, feeling or emotion. As an Atheist/Agnostic I am challenged by the wishful thinking that my father remembers me the way that I remember him..

with love. 

Bex (aka Puglover).

Oh and speaking of death…

Harold Pinter also recently passed away! =(

Rest In Peace Harold.

10 October 1930 – 24 December 2008

“Playwright, screenwriter, poet, actor, director, author, political activist, and president of Central School of Speech and Drama“

Getting An Education And A Sense Of Worth

After reading an old version of the Australian Rationalist (Autumn 2006), I decided to go to the Newsagent to try and get the latest edition. Unfortunately, I did not have any luck at the local store.

Instead, I spent several of my hard earned dollar on some educational material…

I got the following magazines/journals:

1. Scientific American Mind
2. New Scientist (Australia)
3. Quadrant
4. Time (featuring Obama -person of the year)

I am tiresome of my bluffing – the need to feel of worth. The pressure to have a particularly educated opinion comes mostly from my inner self as well as the chosen language of others (or the stereotypical Melbourne University student). I hope that I learn to speak my mind more openly with a sense of pride and worth. Everybody has an opinion. When people at societies (Atheist/Socialist Alternative) use big words to intimate you – their club can feel rather exclusive. Everybody has an individual experience and a story to tell from their two eyes. Don’t be pushed down and most importantly learn to stand up. If you don’t understand something – say so! Take pride in being able to say – I don’t know! Afterall, that is what being agnostic is all about! Take reassurance in knowing that you are not alone in not knowing!