http://www.bigthink.com/adobe/Logo_250X250.jpg http://www.bigthink.com/adobe/Background_1024X576.jpg http://www.bigthink.com/adobe/Banner_686X60.jpg http://www.bigthink.com/adobe/Half-Banner_234X60.jpg http://www.bigthink.com/adobe/Logo_250X250 http://www.bigthink.com/adobe/Logo-Watermark_250X250.jpg http://www.bigthink.com/adobe/Background_1024X576.jpg http://www.bigthink.com/adobe/Half-Banner-ALT_234X60.jpg Bigthink - User Ideas Feed Bigthink http://www.bigthink.com/feed/rss/user/10177 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:03:59 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 Proof of Evolution - Dogs! http://www.bigthink.com/faith-beliefs/7528 The title says it all. 

 For those who do not beleive that evolution has ever taken place, how do you explain dogs? 

They are identical in DNA to wolves and we have evidence that they have been domesticated for at least 14,000 years.  In that time, through the selection process we have evolved dogs into the multitude of breeds we see today...but started with a wolf. 

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Bigthink Tue, 19 Feb 2008 21:55:06 +0100 http://www.bigthink.com/faith-beliefs/7528
Miss-Communication, the problem of diversity in language http://www.bigthink.com/arts-culture/4892 I recently watched a news feature that discussed the disappearing language of an obscure inuit tribe.  The fear of that language going extinct made national news and I'm not entirely sure why.

I understand that people will argue that their language is part of their culture but that's like saying vision is part of your culture.  We all need to see to get around, we need to communicate in order to function in a group... so exactly how is that at all specific to any culture... we all do it.

While the culture issue might be argued as a pro for retaining different languages there are many more cons.   The inability for us to communicate with each other is a very detrimental issue.  In order for us to work together on any issue it is essential that we be able to communicate.  

So why not one language?  Why not one common tongue?

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Bigthink Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:19:25 +0100 http://www.bigthink.com/arts-culture/4892
The elephant in the room http://www.bigthink.com/the-world/4880 In the problems of the modern world we tend from time to time to focus on certain issues that effect us all.  The most current one is global warming or climate change if you prefer.  It suddenly becomes politically correct to be environmentally friendly and even the hard liners against it have softened as they see the awareness of the issue climb.

But there is a root cause that will never be popular.  It simply can't be in fact (I'll explain why, but I think the answer will become obvious).  But this issue is one that is not only critical to our  survival but underlies most of our problems yet is continually swept under the rug.

Overpopulation.

It's at the root of a lot of our problems now and will in fact, create a global crisis in the not too distant future as resources become more scarce.

So why not deal with it?  Well... there are a few problems.  The first is, it isn't popular nor ever will be because it means halting our numbers which is something that goes against the very essence of every living thing.   In fact, the way we have dealt with it in the past was to divide the problem up into Us and Them.  In this way, we could kill them and let us grow.  But soon Us again became too many, so there would have to be a further break of Us and Them etc... This actually is one way of dealing with it...but not a very satisfactory one even if you are on the Us side.

The good news... the overpopulation problem will be solved.  The bad news... It probably won't be very pleasant at all.  When it comes down to it.  We have the choice, as a planet with an awareness of the problem we can deal with it where every person on earth has a decent and fulfilled life or we can continue on the way we always have and continue needless suffering.  

Everything else is but an offshoot of this vital problem. And the elephant is getting larger! 

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Bigthink Thu, 17 Jan 2008 22:57:35 +0100 http://www.bigthink.com/the-world/4880
The problem with God http://www.bigthink.com/faith-beliefs/4847 I would like to start by saying I do beleive in God but in more of a Tao as opposed to God as presented in the Judeo-Christian sense.  The problems I have with that God are many.  But for those who do beleive in him (and it does seem to be a 'he' specifically which poses a problem right away) what are your thoughts on the following...

If God is loving... why did he create us dependant on killing and devouring other creatures?  Ok, so we sinned and got kicked out of the garden... what exactly did the animals do that was so bad?  If we were the 'bad' guys, why is it that we aren't on the bottom of the food chain?  God being perfect... why wouldn't he create us so that we didn't need anything to eat... or air to breathe for that matter... why do we have to breathe?  

There are a number of things that just don't fit for me...but I'lll start here. 

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Bigthink Thu, 17 Jan 2008 22:09:05 +0100 http://www.bigthink.com/faith-beliefs/4847