It's funny how when sensationalist news articles talk about a Slashdotter's field of expertise, he is often skeptical. And rightly so, since he sees plenty of distortions and general shoddy journalism in popular news sources... when it comes to his field of expertise. But when an obviously sensational news article appears that is about some topic he knows almost nothing about... well! No need to be skeptical there! It must be the absolute truth!
This behavior is even more prevalent when the said news article is about something the Slashdotter hates and is not an expert on.
In short, I think we need to be a bit more skeptical about this supposed news. Here's a different perspective on it: http://tofspot.blogspot.jp/2012/06/fundies-are-coming-fundies-are-coming.html
Stupid title. Immaculate Conception does NOT mean virgin birth. The former (a member of a fallen race being free from Original Sin from conception) is a metaphysical concept that cannot be observed empirically. The latter (a female giving birth without having prior sexual intercourse) may, in fact, be observed empirically.
Sorry for the irrelevant comment. Anyway, interesting article!
It starts a new cycle - claiming that because of this the Mayans predicted the end of the world would be like saying at the end of every year that the world is about to end.
Yeah, it's also like saying at the end of every millennium that the world is about to end. Haha!
We might never know if some Mayans ascribed eschatological significance to their own calendar cycles. But if they did, they certainly weren't the last people to do it.
I expect if you humans don't wipe each other out with your stupidity and wars, that the next 50 years will be quite an interesting time for science.
Well, obviously you aren't one of "us humans". On behalf of all of us mere humans, I apologize that you and your fellow supermen, our moral and intellectual betters, have to witness our incredible stupidity. We are grateful for your patience as we try to sort out our various problems. You, of course, are free from stupidity or error of any kind, and it would be our undeserved privilege if you would deign to drop but a few hints from your infinite well of knowledge upon us on the matter of how we are to make our science more interesting to you. Should we, perhaps, abandon all else and focus our energies and our limited minds in developing our replacements: artificial minds that would surpass us in intelligence, and be therefore more worthy of you time? Please tell us, oh master. Our primitive brains thirst for a glimpse of true infallibility!
Wait, you mean this book isn't satirical?
Well would you look at that. Radical environmentalism has gone full circle from wanting to give animals human rights to asking people to eat their own beloved pets. I loathe to see the day one of these people comes to power. Who knows when they'll start to take A Modest Proposal seriously. Save the Planet, Eat Your Children!
I've noticed several design suggestions in your code.