Mar 16 2013: I don't know if the world really misses passenger pigeons. I think you could get more support for making the rest of the pigeons in the world extinct as well. Mankind is on course to wipe out wildlife because we will not control our population growth. Until that issue is addressed what's the point in trying to "de-extinct" any species while we just keep making others go extinct? Would be really cool if someone created a Jurassic Park though.
Jan 5 2013: I wonder if they can cause a male to cause a female to produce only male misquitoes (healthy ones except that they also will only be able to create male offspring). This would mean you could release a few males onto each continent and let the problem eradicate itself.
Can a biologist can tell me if this is possible?
Dec 28 2012: And for example, "believing" may lead to a lower propensity to get nailed to a cross for heresy. Cultist behavior offers very little benefit to survival other than protection from it's own members.
Dec 28 2012: The ethical obligation is already there and yet the problem persists. These people are well educated, they know what they are doing is dishonest, and have chosen profit. All trials should be registered before they are carried out although I think there's already been a Ted talk about this.
Dec 28 2012: No I don't think they would care. I'm saying that they are intentionally making illogical implications in their commercials to fool people. If they cared about anything except profit, they wouldn't be doing it. It's rampant dishonesty that has become common practice and should be outlawed. Or do you believe people should be able to prey on our seniors (and many others) by selling them chi bracelets while hiding behind freedom of speech foolishness? People are winning elections with this crap. Why are we letting it happen?
Dec 23 2012: Modern marketing seems revolve around the argument that because A implies B, B must imply A. Maybe teaching a little bit about discreet logic in schools would help. Or maybe we could pass laws that prevent commercials designed to fool our logically impaired from ever airing.
"they are saying that there is a higher incidence of marijuana use in people that suffer from depression"
Perhaps because it is the safest and best drug to offer short term treatment (my opinion). It should be the go-to drug for depression. Of course, enriching people's lives is a better solution.
It's absolutely my indication that your doctor is receiving kick backs for the drugs he is prescribing. I remember asking my doctor how much money he was going to receive for giving me a particular prescription once. He looked rather hurt and said "well, I would never let that affect my judgement." (he did not directly answer) I suspect he even believed it. As anyone knows the long term affects of positive reinforcement are going to push the most ethical person to repeat a behavior. Needless to say, I did not fill his prescription.
Not going to retaliate to your tone but you sound..... defensive.
Dec 17 2012: Let me start out by saying that I'm not American (I'm Canadian) and have no business suggesting you change your laws. That said, I don't believe it's your abundance of guns that is the root of the problem, but I do think it's problematic. I mean, growing up, my Dad and I hunted so if I ever went crazy, I could have access to his hunting rifles. Most of my friends did not have fathers who hunted so they had no such access. We did not know a guy in an alley who sold guns, we could not buy bullets underage. Even the guns our fathers had for hunting were only allowed to have 5 shot clips. It would be much less likely for a kid "going postal" to show up at a school with military grade firepower.
That said, I believe the epidemic of legalized, addictive drugs is the real issue. All these anti-depressants and anti-psychotics etc. that large pharmaceutical companies get approved with dishonest practices. Meanwhile, doctors are receiving kickbacks for prescribing drugs. Not some bad doctors, every single doctor you know. How can anyone look at that situation and not want change? Meanwhile, the best anti-depressant with decades of not causing any addiction or psychotic break (marijuana) is outlawed because big pharmaceutical companies cannot profit from it. How are they getting away with it? How are Americans not outraged by the blatantly corrupt medical system? Are you all too addicted to these drugs to call a spade a spade?
Schools also seem to need a much better system to prevent bullying. Locking people up or taking away their rights is not the answer. Prevent these kids from being treated cruelly by their peers (who are still young and lack the judgement that prevents adults from behaving like they're the lord of the flies). That means adult supervision of all kids on school premises at all times.
Dec 8 2012: I think this would be impressive if he came up with the idea before the invention of the bicycle. Since we already have bikes, why don't you make a wheelchair with all the free tech in that industry? (suspension, proper gears and something a little more ergonomic than the Fred Flintstone mobile in this video?) My friend came up with the levers for propulsion 15 years ago in line for a movie as did many many others all over the world. Disappointing to see someone take the time to build it, do such a poor job and then brag about their design process on Ted.
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A comment on Talk: Stewart Brand: The dawn of de-extinction. Are you ready?
A comment on Talk: Hadyn Parry: Re-engineering mosquitos to fight disease
Can a biologist can tell me if this is possible?
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A reply on Talk: Molly Crockett: Beware neuro-bunk
A comment on Talk: Molly Crockett: Beware neuro-bunk
A reply on Conversation: Has the time come for the U.S Second Amendment to be repealed or amended?
Withdrawal symptoms of antidepressants:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200308/are-antidepressants-addictive
Effexor is one of the top 10 most profitable drugs. Shows a pretty strong motive.
Doctors receiving kickbacks:
http://projects.propublica.org/docdollars/
"they are saying that there is a higher incidence of marijuana use in people that suffer from depression"
Perhaps because it is the safest and best drug to offer short term treatment (my opinion). It should be the go-to drug for depression. Of course, enriching people's lives is a better solution.
It's absolutely my indication that your doctor is receiving kick backs for the drugs he is prescribing. I remember asking my doctor how much money he was going to receive for giving me a particular prescription once. He looked rather hurt and said "well, I would never let that affect my judgement." (he did not directly answer) I suspect he even believed it. As anyone knows the long term affects of positive reinforcement are going to push the most ethical person to repeat a behavior. Needless to say, I did not fill his prescription.
Not going to retaliate to your tone but you sound..... defensive.
A comment on Conversation: What is the biggest problem you want to solve?
A comment on Conversation: Has the time come for the U.S Second Amendment to be repealed or amended?
That said, I believe the epidemic of legalized, addictive drugs is the real issue. All these anti-depressants and anti-psychotics etc. that large pharmaceutical companies get approved with dishonest practices. Meanwhile, doctors are receiving kickbacks for prescribing drugs. Not some bad doctors, every single doctor you know. How can anyone look at that situation and not want change? Meanwhile, the best anti-depressant with decades of not causing any addiction or psychotic break (marijuana) is outlawed because big pharmaceutical companies cannot profit from it. How are they getting away with it? How are Americans not outraged by the blatantly corrupt medical system? Are you all too addicted to these drugs to call a spade a spade?
Schools also seem to need a much better system to prevent bullying. Locking people up or taking away their rights is not the answer. Prevent these kids from being treated cruelly by their peers (who are still young and lack the judgement that prevents adults from behaving like they're the lord of the flies). That means adult supervision of all kids on school premises at all times.
A comment on Talk: Amos Winter: The cheap all-terrain wheelchair