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The biggest threat to mankind. What will end the world as we know ?

Does the world need to be saved ? Are we heading toward an inevitable extinction ? will that be a new generation bomb ? or will it be pollution ? will it be depletion of natural resources ? or will the machines be our killers as it is suggested in many sci-fi stories ?

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    Jun 25 2012: “Jonathan Drori on what we think we know”
    Ever get frustrated trying to change someone's belief system? We now have a new clue.
    A little magic explanation has revealed the trick.
    http://www.ted.com/talks/jonathan_drori_on_what_we_think_we_know.html
    Well done Jonathan. Maybe we will inclined to think longer before we enter a debate, or launch a comment.
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      Jun 25 2012: So why is the sea blue in cloudy days ? !!! ;)

      Thank you for sharing this wonderful talk with us Don.
      • Jun 25 2012: Is the sea still blue on a cloudy day? How thick are the clouds on this day, and how much do they actually cover the sea?

        That was a good video, I hadn't seen that one before.
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          Jun 26 2012: I googled it ... and I felt good to know it.

          "In clear water, red and infrared wavelengths of light are mostly absorbed, while blue and green wavelengths are mostly reflected. This reflection accounts for the blue-green color of water. For this scattering effect to occur, the water must be a minimum of 10 feet (3 meters) deep."

          Source: UXL Science Fact Finder, ©1998 Gale Cengage
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          Jun 26 2012: Dear Robert.

          Your question is extending the conversation away from being on topic.
          Do you not have an arguement to make. Extending, is called "Dishonest Argument."
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          Jun 27 2012: The scattering is called the Tyndall effect, it's also why the sunset is orange. I thought his four examples were all fairly obvious. Also with regard to why is it hot in summer he didn't acknowledge day length, which is the major contributing factor. Thats why the summer/winter variation increases as you move away from the equator.
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        Jun 26 2012: Dear Sina, why does your thought process bring you away from the question of your debate?
        You mention the topic of "saving the world." Are you not misdirecting this conversation.
        More details like "blue seas on cloudy days" provides more opportunity for passive agression.
        You said a few hours ago "to ignore and remain silent about things is to be a partner in crime but in today's world that ignorance is being rewarded, talking out loud costs. if only we could see how much more ignorance really cost."
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      Jun 25 2012: Good one. I like this one as well

      http://www.ted.com/talks/kathryn_schulz_on_being_wrong.html
      • Jun 25 2012: Also a really good video that I had not yet seen.
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        Jun 27 2012: Hi Pat

        Her lesson is a valuable one, but very different.
    • Jun 26 2012: Don,

      It really was mostly a question, the closest thing to a sea by me is the gulf of mexico lol, I'm not sure that has ever been blue :-P. I did know why the sky was blue and with that I reasoned: if the sea wasn't blue then there may be some other factors effecting it.

      But, you are quite right it was far from the topic, and I'm sorry about that :-(

      *edtit--btw. my argument is that people need to question things more, thinking about them critically.
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        Jun 27 2012: Hi Robert. I offer with feelings of kindness the following [All is off topic but I think is being asked for by all at this conversation. I may be wrong, but I hope we don’t miss an opportunity.]
        I welcome this opportunity to improve the effectiveness our conversations. There is nothing new here but perhaps we can agree here. Since we are not together around a table, with a chairman with a gavel, it becomes most important that we discipline ourselves to limit our comments so as to stay on topic. A short [off the top of my head] example could be the following.
        1) Ideas - Throw out your ideas, stories, and expect others to listen; not challenge
        2) Questions – ask one not several questions and expect an answer; not a debate
        3) Debate - Once you get answer to one question then move on to a debate; an argument for or against the answer.

        Extending an argument is a way to avoid the argument [knowing you can't win] and is called dis-honest argument.
        Frequently going off at a tangent may also be called "poor thinking habits, or a mental problem"
        Examine arguments with silent critical thinking and then put your own argument on the table and let it speak for itself.
        Never insult someone for advancing a carefully prepared argument.
        Thank a person for their story. Avoid communication by using things like :-P
        I think applying the above thoughts results in kindness and its by products.
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          Jun 27 2012: Hi Don, I probably shouldn't jump in. But suggest extending an argument may be a deliberate misdirection or simply exploring an idea etc. Probably depends on the intent whether it is an argumentative tool or not.
        • Jun 27 2012: Very well put Don,

          The only part that I don't agree with fully is in extensions and tangents. Sometimes these two things can be used to further explain your idea/argument.

          Examples: my questions about the sea were directly off topic, but also a strong part of what I have been saying will cause our destruction (and how we need to think more critically about everything). I also talked for a moment about mental and physical addiction in another reply on this topic. But, it was used as a tool to try and help relate the idea of money as a positive reinforcement system, by first disconnecting money from material.

          I am however going to copy your post onto another page for my own use, because I believe these are all good things to stay constantly aware of. Anyone who is interested in communicating with the intent of understanding and possibly solving problems would be well advised to keep these thoughts close. Very good advice, thank you.

          **edit, I would also like to add to your advice: Don't feed the trolls.

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