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Quotations – Momentous, Memorable, Meaningful

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A place to share the words of others (or your own!) which have been impactful in your life, whether they’re serious, poignant, humorous, or just something worth noting.

Members: 24
Latest Activity: 1 hour ago

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I have been a quote collector and quote monger for at least as long as I’ve been an atheist and probably a good deal longer. My admiration for those who enjoy reputations as wordsmiths extends even further back, whether we’re talking about John F. Kennedy’s assertion: “We choose to go to the moon,” George Santayana’s warning: “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” or James T. Kirk’s deft observation when faced with the dauntingly huge First Federation ship: “Not chess, Mr. Spock … poker!“

The realm of atheist activism has had its own share of verbal craftsmen and women, from Madalyn Murray O’Hair’s: “An atheist believes that a hospital should be built instead of a church.” to Aron Ra’s succinct: “If you can’t show it, you don’t know it.”

Regardless of the topic, these are words which are capable of fomenting inspiration, reflection, and sometimes even action. They can educate and illuminate the human condition and allow us to better know ourselves. That said, here is an open invitation to share those words which have been particularly meaningful or impactful or timely or just special to you for one reason or another.

Let’s share those words and have fun!

One bit of clerical business: please hold your quotes in the comment area below to 20 lines or 200 words. One comment should not so dominate the Home page of this group that no other comment is visible. That way, the briefer comments and quotes of all participants are more likely to be seen, read, and appreciated. If you have a long quote or commentary, create a post, please.

Discussion Forum

Ten things that explain the incredible power of Moore’s Law

Started by Joan Denoo. Last reply by Alan Perlman May 4. 3 Replies 0 Likes

“Moore’s Law, which states that the number of transistors per integrated circuit will double approximately every 18-24 months, has become the defining metaphor of the modern technological age. As a…Continue

Tags: shrinking, smartphone, performance, innovation, level

have dominion over the fish of the sea, & over the fowl of the air, & over every living thing

Started by Joan Denoo. Last reply by Plinius May 2. 1 Reply 0 Likes

Genesis 1:28″Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon…Continue

Tags: shrivel, consequence, loss, abandon, exploit

The core of permaculture is design.

Started by Joan Denoo Mar 5. 0 Replies 0 Likes

“The core of permaculture is design. Design is the connection between things. It’s the very opposite of what we’re taught in school. Education takes everything and pulls it apart and makes no…Continue

Tags: connection, design, permaculture

"If Right Doesn’t Matter, We’re Lost." (Adam Schiff)

Started by Loren Miller. Last reply by Grinning Cat Feb 1. 3 Replies 4 Likes

This is a bit rushed, but I wanted to post Adam Schiff’s closing statement to the impeachment trial on 24 January 2020. This is potent stuff, and it speaks to Schiff’s integrity and determination to…Continue

Tags: statement, impeachment, Adam Schiff

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Comment by Loren Miller 1 hour ago: [click on image to enlarge]

Beats the snot out of Sunday School, don’t it?

Comment by Loren Miller yesterday: There is nothing more frightful than ignorance in action.
— Johann von Goethe

And especially when it has taken up residence in the Oval Office!

Comment by Patricia yesterday: Where are the clones when ya need ’em?

Comment by Loren Miller on Tuesday: [click on image to enlarge]

‘Nuff said.

Comment by Grinning Cat on Tuesday: Catching up after a few days…

“…all of a sudden you’ll hear, ‘It’s God’s plan.’ And that means ‘I’m done thinking.'”

Anything at all can be seen as opposing “God’s plan” or playing into it!

In Jonathan Glover’s Causing Death and Saving Lives,* he considers common reasons have for considering human life valuable and killing generally wrong, including the religious idea that one’s lifespan is up to God. Unsurprisingly, he rejects that one, giving the example of a rock falling towards someone that would have hit them in the head and killed them, except they manage to push it aside. Did they just thwart God’s plan?

[Or fulfill it? You can ask the same things about anesthesia–conservative preachers did!–and antibiotics, and contraception… and democracy, and the internet… and any number of social and technological advances!]
* The book’s subtitle is “The moral problems of abortion, infanticide, suicide, euthanasia, capital punishment, war and other life-or-death choices.” He doesn’t tell you what to think, but points out uncomfortable consequences of different principles that might indicate that your “axioms” aren’t as axiomatic as you thought.

Comment by Ruth Anthony-Gardner on Tuesday: Your comment on exponential growth is appreciated, Joan. It occurred to me that this pandemic might educate a few people about it, rendering them better able to grasp our existential threat from climate change.

Great Hippocrates and Randi quotes, Loren.

Comment by Plinius on Monday: I don’t count on it, Loren. Many people need an external ‘power’ to blame or to take responsibility, especially for unpleasant things.

Comment by Loren Miller on Monday: There exists in society a very special class of persons that I have always referred to as the Believers. These are folks who have chosen to accept a certain religion, philosophy, theory, idea, or notion and cling to that belief, regardless of any evidence that might for anyone else, bring it into doubt. They are the ones who encourage and supp;ort the fanatics and the frauds of any given age. No amount of evidence, no matter how strong, will bring them any enlightenment. They are the sheep who beg to be fleeced and butchered, and who will battle fiercely to preserve their right to be victimized.
— James Randi

My only hope in reflecting on the above is that we are approaching the end of the age wherein such fatuous faith is supported without thought or reason.

Comment by Patricia on Sunday: Too many don’t want to learn…..

Comment by Loren Miller on Sunday: [click on image to enlarge]

The man was so far ahead of his time, the distance could be measured in light-years, or damned near.