Discovery U.

[OldWiseGuy]

You mean those not listening to scientific experts? Because that is what is destructive.

It's cute when it's something like people denying evolution, because the stakes aren't nearly as high. But people denying health expert advice during a pandemic is horrific.

The most important health advice was never given by the health experts (unless I missed it).

 

[OldWiseGuy]

How do you figure?

Are you not incredulous about creationism?

 

[Ophiolite]

There is little forensic evidence to support a gradual ascent of civilization. We seem to have come on the scene rather suddenly.

You regard 30,000+ years as sudden? Why?

 

[OldWiseGuy]

You regard 30,000+ years as sudden? Why?

That's like yesterday in evolutionary time.

 

[Ophiolite]

That's like yesterday in evolutionary time.

Civilisation is the product of cultural evolution, not genetic evolution. That evolves memes, not genes. Cultural evolution can change individuals. Genetic evolution changes populations. Two different animals.
Fifty years ago while a mobile phone was imagined I have seen nothing in fiction or fact that predicted the versatility of the devices we have today. 50 years is 0.17% of 30,000. That gives plenty of time for civilisation to emerge.

Summary: your statement is nonsense.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Civilisation is the product of cultural evolution, not genetic evolution. That evolves memes, not genes. Cultural evolution can change individuals. Genetic evolution changes populations. Two different animals.
Fifty years ago while a mobile phone was imagined I have seen nothing in fiction or fact that predicted the versatility of the devices we have today. 50 years is 0.17% of 30,000. That gives plenty of time for civilisation to emerge.

Summary: your statement is nonsense.

Human progress is a hockey stick graph, not a straight line. My statement is reasonable.

 

[Ophiolite]

Human progress is a hockey stick graph, not a straight line. My statement is reasonable.

In your alternate universe, far, far away, I'm sure that's true. Please detail the three most significant steps in the development of civilisation that you think had insufficient time, specifying why. Please take the time to answer this fully, rather than your usual dismissive one or two liners. I think, for once, you owe the membership that much courtesy.

 

[pitabread]

Are you not incredulous about creationism?

Actually, I consider myself highly fascinated by it. This is why I've read more literature on creationism than most creationists.

 

[pitabread]

The most important health advice was never given by the health experts (unless I missed it).

Huh?

 

[Subduction Zone]

There is little forensic evidence to support a gradual ascent of civilization. We seem to have come on the scene rather suddenly.

Evidence? I have seen the opposite. Of course it may have a lot to do with how those doing the studies define "civilization".

 

[OldWiseGuy]

In your alternate universe, far, far away, I'm sure that's true. Please detail the three most significant steps in the development of civilisation that you think had insufficient time, specifying why. Please take the time to answer this fully, rather than your usual dismissive one or two liners. I think, for once, you owe the membership that much courtesy.

Five Graphs that Will Change Your Mind About Poverty


"Throughout most of human history, extreme poverty has been the norm. This famous hockey-stick chart, arguably the most important graph in the world, illustrates what happened when the Enlightenment and Industrial Revolution caused income to skyrocket – forever changing the way we live, and perhaps even the way we think."

"Humanity, as this chart shows, produced more economic output over the last two centuries than in all of the previous centuries combined. And this explosion of wealth-creation led to a massive decrease in the rate of poverty. In 1820, more than 90 per cent of the world population lived on less than $2 a day and more than 80 per cent lived on less than $1 a day (adjusted for inflation and differences in purchasing power). By 2015, less than 10 per cent of people lived on less than $1.90 a day, the World Bank’s current official definition of extreme poverty."


The extreme upward curve began with the Industrial Revolution. Prior to that general progress was pretty stagnant.

"Economic historians are in agreement that the onset of the Industrial Revolution is the most important event in the history of humanity since the domestication of animals and plants."[14]

Industrial Revolution - Wikipedia

Most of the technical and scientific developments have occurred since the Industrial Revolution as well.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Huh?

You missed it too? (That's a pretty incredulous "Huh".)

After hand washing, masks, and social distancing what would be the most important health advice that the experts could reveal, but haven't?

Hint: It's the most important one. The one that could end this scourge.

It's too big to miss, yet everyone has missed it (except me of course).

 

[HitchSlap]

You missed it too? (That's a pretty incredulous "Huh".)

After hand washing, masks, and social distancing what would be the most important health advice that the experts could reveal, but haven't?

Hint: It's the most important one. The one that could end this scourge.

It's too big to miss, yet everyone has missed it (except me of course).

Contrary to what Trump suggested, DO NOT DRINK BLEACH!

 

[Subduction Zone]

Contrary to what Trump suggested, DO NOT DRINK BLEACH!

Just gargle it lightly.

 

[HitchSlap]

You missed it too? (That's a pretty incredulous "Huh".)

After hand washing, masks, and social distancing what would be the most important health advice that the experts could reveal, but haven't?

Hint: It's the most important one. The one that could end this scourge.

It's too big to miss, yet everyone has missed it (except me of course).

Copeland beat you to it!