Issue 48 of Cosmos, December 2012 by Robin McKie

 

Earth formed about 4.6 billion years ago and life first appeared here about a billion years later. Scientists don’t agree over the processes involved but, according to some theories, extremophiles were involved.

 

Charles Darwin suggested life began in "a warm little pond". Earth's early atmosphere would have been rich in methane, ammonia, and other gases on…

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It's been a hectic week here in north central Indiana. Right now, we're preparing for our first winter storm. Lots of wind and rain with snow forecast for overnight. My plans for attending the annual middle school christmas breakfast tomorrow is on hold, depending on weather conditions. Retirees, like myself, are always invited. I like to see my old compadres. 

I have good news and bad, then good. First, I did purchase a new truck this week. I've always been partial to small trucks,…

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Yes it has happened. There is proof that there is Intelligent Design. Don't worry the mythological faither god didn't do it. http://fold.it/ this is a site supported by University of Washington They have created a game to fold Amino Acids. The process is you get an Amino Acid then you help figure out how to fold it up as compact as possible. This is the beginning process of creating life. Oh the intelligence is human nothing supernatural.

There is…

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When I think of religion, sometimes all I can feel is anger and betrayal.  I think of all the years that were wasted as a child and all the questions that I asked that were answered by lies.  I was taught that religion is supposed to be this wonderful truth that will unite the worthy beyond this life, but it's far more corrupt than I could ever believe.  Religion has sought to contaminate and destroy the history of our world, the only world we have ever known and replace it with a dark and…

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‎"We'll look back on this 50 to 100 years from now- we'll shake our heads and say, 'What were people thinking? They took these people who were very nearly viable, just barely dysfunctional, and put them in an oven or buried them under the ground, when there were people who could have put them into cryopreservation.'"-Max More, New CEO of Alcor

What do you live for? Why do you work? To what end? Is this life just a ride you get to experience for 80 years or so, if you're lucky? Is your reason to be alive to serve God or some other purpose? Is it to serve others? Your family? Or is it to serve yourself? To what end is the purpose of your life? Is it the attainment of virtues? The fulfillment of values? To what end?

I believe that no matter the explicitly articulated reason someone thinks they live, the real reason is personal…

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Well, I do always like it when I get paid to work on my hobbies, which is kind of the biggest benefit of my job. I do enjoy time to relax and read and play on the internet. So, I don't really have a plan in writing this blog. I have been floating around Atheist Nexus for almost 2 weeks now. I have really enjoyed my time here and I can honestly say I haven't found a community online that has such a rich and interesting collection of discussions to participate in. Both in the forums and in the… Continue

First off, it would be rather iggnorant to think that in all the vast reaches the entire Universe that we Earth dwellers are alone and/or the highest form of life. My personal belifs are that there should be at least some other planet that is still sustaining life on it. If it happend here on Earth, why can't it happen elsewhere?

ON THE TOPIC OF HOSTILITY WITH/FROM OTHER WORLDLY LIFEFORMS: the number 1 rule to remember is show that you…

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First, lets forget I asked that question because even if someone says I can't - I DON'T CARE BECAUSE I DO. But seriously, is there anybody else out there who doesn't believe in Gods but thinks there could be a different plane of existance.



I've seen a few Ghosts, mostly Family members or fallen pets and other just random people who clung to this world after death I suppose. I've never felt scared or threatend by any of them, well... one time I thought my room shaking a bit odd… Continue

From the time the human species became aware of their mortality they have begrudged the short time granted them between birth and the long dirt nap. To escape that eventuality a great deal of irrational thinking has been invested to create alternative narratives more comforting than that which reality offers.

Resurrection, reincarnation, magic elixirs, fountains whose waters grant immortality or sorcerer’s incantations - all delusions of the desperate to avoid facing the reality of… Continue