Profile for Synergy
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Displayed name | Synergy |
| Member number | 6292 |
| Title | Shaper |
| Postcount | 2009 |
| Homepage | |
| Registered | Monday, September 12 2005 07:00 |
Recent posts
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| Author | Recent posts |
|---|---|
| Politics and Beliefs in General | |
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Shaper
Member # 6292
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written Monday, October 10 2005 17:03
Profile
Hmmmm, well, hmmmm....been avoiding this one largely because I find both traditional sides of the argument predictable and intractible. Both stances feel like religious belief to me, because neither is really provable and requires some degree of assumption or belief. I see a huge difference between microevolution and macroevolution. The two almost shouldn't be intermixed into the discussion. The incredible adaptability and diversification of living things makes plain how variable development is within kinds. Just observing the variation in dogs and cats which humans have bred in the last few thousand years can show us how that works. I have some much cherished spiritual perceptions of our universe which can be called beliefs. I also marvel at what science has been able to uncover and determine in our natural universe. I'm also a healthy skeptic about both realms. If there is anything which has become evident to me during my life, it is how so many things are not what they appear, and how there are more explanations for many things than so far anyone has come up with possible explanations. I also have seen enough of human nature, inherent biases of whatever sorts, the pressure (if only internal and subconscious) to deliver the goods when you are doing scientific research. Never underestimate the personal ego and how it factors into the desire to come up with something concrete and notable. And I look at the history of scientific "understanding" and every generation has its dogmatic faith in some present paradigm only to be radically overturned at some future point. I don't think I see enough humility and pause these days. We worship science and medicine like new religions for a technological world. We do place a degree of blind faith and trust in the the systems, the structures, the methods, and the persons in those fields. But they are just as exceedingly fallible as any one else. Bottom line: good to keep an open mind that many things are not what we think they are...still. We shouldn't fall prey to the conceit of our time...imagine we are finally smarter or less biased or less ego-driven than those who came before. So, that said, I personally find it very hard to picture the leap between, say, a lizard and a bird. Or imagine how the first eyeball or heart or fingernail or hair or anything developed from something not there or entirely not like what it becomes. Simply because in so many cases the intermediate "species" is a unthinkably unfunctional freak of nature which is badly DISadvantaged to survive....especially in sufficient numbers of the same mutations over millions of years. Half feathers? I'm just talking common sense here. Plus there is very little evidence of any of these required intermediate critters. I have no problem with it being possible though or with vast eons of time transpiring for all things having developed and evolved in whatever way they do. I have a strong personal sense and conviction that there is something truly special and "other" about human beings from any animal, and that relates to the spiritual. The marvels of the complexity and beauty and purposefulness of everything from the smallest particles to cells to the existence of emotions, love, the way sex works...etc. etc. it's just all massively overwhelmingly indicative to me of a mighty clever Mind and Heart alike behind the way things are. I see a great order and purposefulness fraught with symbology and meaning in multiple layers in all created things. But that's me, my conviction, my revelation, and it is ultimately a spiritual issue. I can't transfer my sense of knowing or vision to any other, though I can rave about it or try to describe it. I actually don't have trouble reconciling things in the Bible with science either, because, for instance, Genesis I think is quite clearly a parable about the nature of creation rather than a literal or scientific account of events. Numbers are highly symbolic in Semitic culture, and the Genesis account is chock full of powerful spiritual symbols which carry through many passages of Scriptures. Snakes and serpents which become dragons as mankind multiplies, male and female, sixes and sevens, trees, leaves...all symbolic of spiritual events and aspects however things literally occured. One last little thing. Hebrew "yom" is the word "day" in the Genesis account of days of creation. It is a word used much like day is used in English. It has many meanings with many implied possible times. Think of grandpa saying, "Sonny, in MY day we used to..." and "it is the day of the dinosaur." Hebrew yom is used in the same kinds of ways. So you get symbolic days representative of something which was developed in the natural, yes, but pointing to the spiritual counterpart even moreso. 'Tis quite likely our earth is billions of years old. I don't see a God in a hurry. He's got all the time in the universe to play with and vast, gradual developments tell us something about the nature of spiritual evolution too. What should be taught in public schools in America? I hardly care anymore. They are in such a sorry state, I'm not relying upon them to educate my children. If they go to public school, they will be well-supplemented by ideas and perspectives at home and taught most of all to think for themselves and to question all things. Because the "authorities" and "experts" and "scientists" of every time are always wrong about more than they'd ever know or admit. As is institutionalized religion for the exact same reasons. It's a human nature thing. Don't believe what they tell you, whoever they are. Methinks we are still much more wrong about things than right. There is much we simply yet cannot know. It's fun to speculate and try our best though. [ Monday, October 10, 2005 17:11: Message edited by: Synergy67 ] -------------------- [Insert Signature Here] Posts: 2009 | Registered: Monday, September 12 2005 07:00 |
| First Kiss in General | |
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Shaper
Member # 6292
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written Monday, October 10 2005 16:15
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Trust me....eventually, you'll care. -------------------- [Insert Signature Here] Posts: 2009 | Registered: Monday, September 12 2005 07:00 |
| Everyone's a Comedian in General | |
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Shaper
Member # 6292
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written Monday, October 10 2005 16:12
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Wasn't "Farts Out Loud" the name of the flatulent Indian in "Dances with Wolves"? -------------------- [Insert Signature Here] Posts: 2009 | Registered: Monday, September 12 2005 07:00 |
| The Tower of the Magi in A3 *SPOILERS* in The Avernum Trilogy | |
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Shaper
Member # 6292
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written Monday, October 10 2005 16:10
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Was that a vent or a rave? -------------------- A4 Items • A4 Singleton • G4 Items • G4 Forging • G4 Infiltrator • NR Items • The Lonely Celt Posts: 2009 | Registered: Monday, September 12 2005 07:00 |
| The Abominable Photo Thread 3.6 in General | |
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Shaper
Member # 6292
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written Monday, October 10 2005 15:51
Profile
What the #$@** happened to Muji just now? But, yeah, avast ye swabs, prepare to be boarded. That was my pirate birthday party when I was seven or so. We had to follow a treasure map, clues hidden around the yard, and eventually dug up the pirate chest full of gold coins...well, they were chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil, and when you're seven, that's much better than gold anyway. [ Monday, October 10, 2005 15:53: Message edited by: Synergy67 ] -------------------- [Insert Signature Here] Posts: 2009 | Registered: Monday, September 12 2005 07:00 |
| The Abominable Photo Thread 3.6 in General | |
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Shaper
Member # 6292
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written Monday, October 10 2005 15:36
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Finally. Success. I of three years ago with adventuresome hair doing self-portrait with a mirror.  Oh, and one from a few years before that...  [ Monday, October 10, 2005 15:44: Message edited by: Synergy67 ] -------------------- [Insert Signature Here] Posts: 2009 | Registered: Monday, September 12 2005 07:00 |
| The Abominable Photo Thread 3.6 in General | |
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Shaper
Member # 6292
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written Monday, October 10 2005 13:21
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Riibu...I don't see where that comes from at all? Is that a name or a word? What's it mean? Aran...I knew it was you all along. Your wish is my command, and since I've got your attention, what's that in your lawn...clover? And I'm stuck with IE whilst in OS 9 because, as I recall, I really hate Navigator's bookmark system. In OS X Safari rocks. Do you have another suggestion for a browser in OS 9? And yeah, I loathe IE plenty. Outlook Express is a great Microsoft app for Mac (one of the rare few), and that's only because they sucked up all the Claris Emailer folk when they got shut down. Ash Lael—I'm somehow not picturing that you'd been having the problem being mistaken as sinister. Would you like me to think of you that way, 'cuz I could try, if necessary. Muji—I was gonna try Photobucket, but then I finally dug up this in their Privacy Policy: "You agree, in consideration for the use of the Services provided by Photobucket.com, to allow Photobucket.com to use your personal information to send you marketing and promotional materials. Photobucket.com may also send you marketing and promotional materials that promote third party products. Photobucket.com will not rent or sell your personal information for use by third parties. These materials may include, but are not limited to: newsletters providing you with additional information on how to use the Services, and promotional offers for goods and services from Photobucket.com or third parties." —————Bleah! I don't like spam! This segment is brought to you by Avoiding My Homework Ploys #5.01b [ Monday, October 10, 2005 13:32: Message edited by: Synergy67 ] -------------------- [Insert Signature Here] Posts: 2009 | Registered: Monday, September 12 2005 07:00 |
| The Spiral Pit and Mertis in The Avernum Trilogy | |
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Shaper
Member # 6292
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written Monday, October 10 2005 13:05
Profile
quote:Gorvifal's crypt was more roundish, wasn't it? I know it's not exactly a crypt, but the somewhat more spirally Pit of the Wyrm is a truly challenging and freaky level which is my favorite dungeon in A3. It psyched me out like no other dungeon. The reward is certainly tremendous, and it is bitterly bought. -------------------- A4 Items • A4 Singleton • G4 Items • G4 Forging • G4 Infiltrator • NR Items • The Lonely Celt Posts: 2009 | Registered: Monday, September 12 2005 07:00 |
| Everyone's a Comedian in General | |
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Shaper
Member # 6292
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written Monday, October 10 2005 11:04
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quote:Insult? Well, no, that wasn't my intention. I'm more a poke fun at people kind of guy, myself included. Soooooo....let's see...I enjoyed the Rabbi joke which reminded me of the joke I just included for you. I think you managed to dredge up the very first lightbulb joke (there are probably millions now). The second lightbulb joke I'm not entirely sure I understand, though I am sure it must be funny. Right? [ Monday, October 10, 2005 11:06: Message edited by: Synergy67 ] -------------------- [Insert Signature Here] Posts: 2009 | Registered: Monday, September 12 2005 07:00 |
| Everyone's a Comedian in General | |
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Shaper
Member # 6292
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written Monday, October 10 2005 10:09
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quote:It's funny 'cuz it's true, Jewels. My uncle, a retired divorce attorney, told me this one once: —What do you get when you cross a lawyer with a pig? **No one knows. There are some things even pigs won't do. CHICHO and MARLENNY: Minus ten points from Hufflepuff for writing jokes I can't read. DREW: I have a nice "mystery meat" deli sandwich here as your prize. ALEX: Thank you for the cartoon fix. You do not disappoint. It afforded me as good a laugh as I've had here yet, and I am happy to report that my withdrawal symptoms of twitching and sweating have subsequently disappeared. ZEPHYR: Those were just plain painful. But it hurts so good. ERIKA: Most excellent. My kind of dumb pun-ishment. As your reward... (Atrus should appreciate this one too if we can tear him away from Myst III long enough to read it)... —A couple of tourists are walking through a graveyard in Vienna. They begin to hear what sounds like backwards music and become puzzled. They approach the groundskeeper and ask him, "What is that weird backwards-sounding music we keep hearing?" The groundskeeper replies, "Oh, that's just Mozart decomposing." THRALNI: This one's for you, because you earned it: —A man runs into a police station in Warsaw and frantically shouts, "Officer, officer, my wife's trying to KILL me!" The officer replies, "Now settle down and tell me why you think that's true." The man declares, "Because I found THIS in her purse!" as he pulls out a bottle of Polish Remover. ALORAEL: Hee hee hee. No sig joke required after that. [ Monday, October 10, 2005 10:32: Message edited by: Synergy67 ] -------------------- [Insert Signature Here] Posts: 2009 | Registered: Monday, September 12 2005 07:00 |
| The Abominable Photo Thread 3.6 in General | |
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Shaper
Member # 6292
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written Monday, October 10 2005 09:39
Profile
MUJI: I'm sure the locals will be flattered that your perusing of their histories here have drained away your lifeforce. By all means, eat some food, have a nice power nap and recharge. RIIKKA, what the--??? It looks like your name exploded. PERSONAL AMUSEMENT: Heh heh. I dug deeply enough to find a pic of TM, whom I believe may be gracing us with his presence in another week. He looks nothing like I pictured (no horns or nothin'.) DULY NOTED: A photo of Drakefyre seems to be curiously elusive. That one of him in grade school doesn't count. Thanks folks for the info on getting a pic up here. I knew about the "link to your website" method, but thought there might be an HTML way to stick it in directly. I guess that wouldn't make much sense though, considering the 500MB of storage total here. I believe it's time to finally throw together something of a webpage for myself. I have 10 usused MB with my Verizon account. Trouble is, the Verizon website builder utility is "not available" at present for some mystifying reason, much to my annoyance. Anyone know a good simple free WYSIWYG webpage builder for Mac OS9? I can boot up OSX if necessary. I once long ago had Cyberstudio, but never really learned to use it. I'm not a programmer and I don't know how to write HTML code. I like simple, intuitive, and streamlined. [ Monday, October 10, 2005 10:48: Message edited by: Synergy67 ] -------------------- [Insert Signature Here] Posts: 2009 | Registered: Monday, September 12 2005 07:00 |
| Kissing a girl in General | |
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Shaper
Member # 6292
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written Monday, October 10 2005 03:26
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quote:The temptation factor remains consistent. The guilt and frustration factor exponentializes. [ Monday, October 10, 2005 03:26: Message edited by: Synergy67 ] -------------------- [Insert Signature Here] Posts: 2009 | Registered: Monday, September 12 2005 07:00 |
| The Abominable Photo Thread 3.6 in General | |
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Shaper
Member # 6292
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written Monday, October 10 2005 02:54
Profile
Curiouser and curiouser. Our Spiderweb is infested with a rather lovely lot of denizens, I see. Very nice to put faces to personas. I spy a surprising bounty of pretty brunette lasses here too. I am highly partial to brown-eyed brunettes. [worthless trivia factoid #437c] If someone wants to tell me how to embed a photo into a post, I'll be happy to inflict my likeness upon the community. I'm on a Mac, using IE. Ephesos - Nice silhouette. Alex, how did you like Seattle and what were you doing here? Making a pilgrimmage to the Holy Spiderweb Shrine? P.S. - I need my cartoon fix! Atrus - Yeah, I just checked out the first two abominable photo threads. Anyone - I only found two out of three old photo threads. I think I missed #2. Anyone got a link to it or even better, all of them? UPDATE: found it. Relatively few photos in 2/3 of these, lots of jabber and dead picture links. Where is the rumored VOICE thread? [ Monday, October 10, 2005 15:35: Message edited by: Synergy67 ] -------------------- [Insert Signature Here] Posts: 2009 | Registered: Monday, September 12 2005 07:00 |
| Everyone's a Comedian in General | |
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Shaper
Member # 6292
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written Sunday, October 9 2005 14:06
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Very nice, but all I really wanted to know was, "Who's on first?" -------------------- [Insert Signature Here] Posts: 2009 | Registered: Monday, September 12 2005 07:00 |
| Kissing a girl in General | |
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Shaper
Member # 6292
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written Sunday, October 9 2005 13:44
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quote:I couldn’t agree more, and I marvel at the very same thing. I came here a month ago just to kick around and check out the BoA scenarios, but I am quite startled and pleased to discover the richness and diversity of dialog going on here. You people are amazing, you hear? Amazing. It scares me how much brilliance and heart I see in this one unlikely little place we call the Spiderweb. I dearly love the diversity of thought, attitude, belief, humor, and culture we get with an international gathering in a place like this. It’s a fantastic time to be alive. quote:Oh, was that you? ;) quote:I think there are some great gender issues and discussion going on in this thread right now, yes? Despite my intermittent torrents of contribution, I’m not in a hurry. There will be more to come as inspiration strikes here or in new threads. I saw a flurry of interesting discussions on some of these kinds of topics from earlier this year which I am sorry now I missed. Another good one I love to dig into, by the way is the etiology of two simple words which are huge to currently established doctrines of Christianity: “hell” and “eternity/eternal.” I got some really good background on those, turned my thinking on its head years ago. Hmm, and I can’t really quite call myself “Christian” at this point actually. I have a rich heritage of experiences through that lens, but I think there’s scarcely an organized church who would have me if they knew the dangerous perspectives I have come to embrace concerning the nature of God and so on. There is much I love and embrace from that lens, just as there is much I can no longer embrace. There is scarcely a thing in this world that is not mixture, and our job is to find the babies in all the bathwater. Organized religion is a colossal mess, yet has held within its confines forms of many great truths and has done much to bless the world, as well as curse it. I think it’s all going somewhere. Nothing is for naught. I have deeply personal reasons I have no doubt of a great Heart and Mind behind all things existent, but I really don’t have any agenda or proof to push on anyone. In fact, I don’t believe there can be. It’s not for the head. It’s for the spirit known by experience, rather than words. I think I must often sound preachy when I get going on spiritual matters, but it’s passion really. I just love talking about the ideas of things, Who/What I think (or “know”) this “God” is, and especially things which are beautiful and hopeful ultimately in a world so jaded and contentious and judgemental overall. If I can say nothing else, it’s that I live with the simple and joyful conviction that God and the truth of our reality (despite what any of us sees or does not) is far better and more hopeful and more purposeful that we mostly dare to entertain or hope. [ Sunday, October 09, 2005 13:53: Message edited by: Synergy67 ] -------------------- [Insert Signature Here] Posts: 2009 | Registered: Monday, September 12 2005 07:00 |
| Kissing a girl in General | |
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Shaper
Member # 6292
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written Sunday, October 9 2005 12:38
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Gee, Muji-meister, that was nice of you to say, and a very fine post you made too. I was feeling pretty sheepish about the river of thoughts the subject drew out of me, being so steeped in Christian-context spiritual symbology and such esoterica. But I'm going to put it back in place for the moment. I actually hate editing in the sense of deleting anything that was real and in the moment. A number of us here are obviously passionate and intensive writers. It can be hard to end a thought which has such potential depth to explore. I did mention somewhere 'round here recently that I think gender issues are some of the most critical ones which we are facing today. A lot of the current key religious and social issues I see as gender issues at heart, and it's all about relationships ultimately. I hate to be overwrought....but I'll put my many many many words back for now....that is until I change my mind again. ;) [ Sunday, October 09, 2005 12:42: Message edited by: Synergy67 ] -------------------- [Insert Signature Here] Posts: 2009 | Registered: Monday, September 12 2005 07:00 |
| Everyone's a Comedian in General | |
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Shaper
Member # 6292
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written Sunday, October 9 2005 12:03
Profile
Ow! Ow! Ow! Stop! No wait...more! Muji, it's scary, you seem to have amassed the same kind of really dumb pun-ishment that makes me laugh most, and makes my friends groan and threaten violence upon my person. Right down to the man walks into a bar. I love that one. Really really dumb...but effective. Ischi, I like your homemade joke. It is quite wryly clever and took some brainwork. Feel free to put me down as a reference on your resumé. Bender: quick, merciless, and lethal. Nice work. And, um, yeah...why an elephant? Alorael: proves once again that there can never be too many lawyer or engineer jokes. Marlenny: you naughty girl! I saw what you did....and I laughed a lot...and then it was gone. I saved the evidence however. I'm sending my associate "Guido" over to collect your first extortion payment. Nico, that one gets added to my arsenal. I'll ty to remember to send you the royalties. Coincidentally, they will add up to the exact amount I am able to extort from Marlenny. ... And now that I have been laughing heartily and reveling in all the mirth and merriment thus far, I cannot help but feel that I somehow must attempt to repay your generosity *in kind* with some more of my best worst jokes. Hey....where d'ya think yer goin'? [pushes button which drops the gate preventing the victims from further escape]. We will have jokes now and you will partake. ... What do you call a midget fortune teller who escapes from jail? A small medium at large. Did you hear about the fight at the candy shop? Two suckers got licked. Did you hear about the accident at the army camp? A truck ran over a box of popcorn and two kernels got smashed. Did you hear about the man who had his entire left side cut off? He's all right now. Why do we say "Amen" after church songs instead of "Awoman"? Because we sing "Hymns" not "Hers." When my sister wants some money, she calls me handsome. Handsome? Yes...hand some over. Hey, waitress! These particles in my soup...aren't they foreign objects? No Sir! Those things live around here. And this last one in particular is dedicated to Muji proving that no good deed goes unpunished: A shifty painter got a contract to paint the local minister's house. After settling on a costly, high-quality paint, the painter started the job. Soon he figured out he had underestimated the amount of paint he would need. Though he felt a pang of guilt at first, he watered down all the paint and completed the job without having to buy any extra. The minister didn't seem to notice the difference, and the opportunistic fellow collected his money and left, congratulating himself on how clever he was. But that night, as the painter lay in his bed, a light shone down upon him, and a loud voice called down to him..."Repaint you thinner!" [ Sunday, October 09, 2005 12:21: Message edited by: Synergy67 ] -------------------- [Insert Signature Here] Posts: 2009 | Registered: Monday, September 12 2005 07:00 |
| Happy Birthday Eagle! in General | |
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Shaper
Member # 6292
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written Sunday, October 9 2005 11:44
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Apparently, in my defective state of intended omniscience, I do not quite understand what is so sinister and diabolical about making a cake. This is a strange place indeed, and yeah, I know I resemble that remark as much as anyone. Cheers. [ Sunday, October 09, 2005 14:13: Message edited by: Synergy67 ] -------------------- [Insert Signature Here] Posts: 2009 | Registered: Monday, September 12 2005 07:00 |
| Everyone's a Comedian in General | |
|
Shaper
Member # 6292
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written Sunday, October 9 2005 06:51
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quote:Well, in all fairness, it did make me laugh, but still...bleahhh! Joke #2 was so goofy, I couldn't help laughing. My wrath for the moment has been diminished. -------------------- [Insert Signature Here] Posts: 2009 | Registered: Monday, September 12 2005 07:00 |
| Beta Testing Testing One Two Three Four in Avernum 4 | |
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Shaper
Member # 6292
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written Sunday, October 9 2005 06:37
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We have been chosen to test. We've been talking about submitting our signed Non-Disclosure Agreements which are our contracts with Jeff to beta test. -------------------- A4 Items • A4 Singleton • G4 Items • G4 Forging • G4 Infiltrator • NR Items • The Lonely Celt Posts: 2009 | Registered: Monday, September 12 2005 07:00 |
| Beta Testing Testing One Two Three Four in Avernum 4 | |
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Shaper
Member # 6292
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written Sunday, October 9 2005 06:17
Profile
Not yet, Poit. I mailed my NDA since I didn't want to try to dredge up my fax software. I live about fifteen miles away from Spiderweb, so it should have been there by Wednesday or so last week. I'm not sure what happens next...I assume we will get an email about an URL to go to, enter a password and download the beta or something like that? [ Sunday, October 09, 2005 06:20: Message edited by: Synergy67 ] -------------------- A4 Items • A4 Singleton • G4 Items • G4 Forging • G4 Infiltrator • NR Items • The Lonely Celt Posts: 2009 | Registered: Monday, September 12 2005 07:00 |
| Everyone's a Comedian in General | |
|
Shaper
Member # 6292
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written Sunday, October 9 2005 06:04
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Harrrumph! Let's see how we're doing.... ...uh huh ...ha ha! [twisted but I like it] ...heh heh ...heh [note to self: run by two engineer friends & see if they laugh] ...hmmm, this one was very funny when I first heard it—when I was eight! ...HUH?......Oh. Riveting story. I was into it. So what WAS in the chest? ...groooooannn ...bleahhhhhh! [must be some of that European humor] ...um...punchline? 15 points to Gryffindor, 10 points to Ravenclaw, 5 points to Hufflepuff....oh wait, never mind. Keep 'em comin'. I am as of yet only mildly amused. I'm afraid in the meantime you all must be punished: ••Did you hear about the man who couldn't pay for his exorcism? --The priest repossessed him. [ Sunday, October 09, 2005 06:12: Message edited by: Synergy67 ] -------------------- [Insert Signature Here] Posts: 2009 | Registered: Monday, September 12 2005 07:00 |
| Name everything in General | |
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Shaper
Member # 6292
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written Sunday, October 9 2005 00:42
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Good thinking. And maybe she likes to stick pins in it or dangle it over a candle flame while chanting voodoo curses. -------------------- [Insert Signature Here] Posts: 2009 | Registered: Monday, September 12 2005 07:00 |
| First Kiss in General | |
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Shaper
Member # 6292
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written Sunday, October 9 2005 00:40
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Your bonnie lies over the ocean? -------------------- [Insert Signature Here] Posts: 2009 | Registered: Monday, September 12 2005 07:00 |
| Name everything in General | |
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Shaper
Member # 6292
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written Sunday, October 9 2005 00:08
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So, Laurana, evidently you and your ex-hubby are on good terms, eh? -------------------- [Insert Signature Here] Posts: 2009 | Registered: Monday, September 12 2005 07:00 |