In fact Charlie, I think your posting at present well exceeds the stated PPD of 24, which means it is likely to come before the 104 days is up .....

My prediction based on gut feeling rather than on calculations is something like 60 days 'till Page 1 for you

Keep up the good work

 

Thanks, James. Hey, it's not really a goal for me to achieve those lofty heights, James. However, it might be my destiny.

 

I guess if it is your destiny Charlie, there is no point fighting it

 

This might be an appropriate moment to consider the nature of destiny, James! We haven't waxed philosophic in a few weeks...

Can anyone really fight their destiny?

I suppose the real issue is whether anyone can actually know their destiny until it has already come to pass.

My personal belief is that the entire universe is locked in a pre-determinable path. Very much like the cue ball striking the rack... (I chose the pool example because of Martin's discussion the other day about a pool match with Ms. WT). By this definition, "free will" is a myth.

However, the rub is that human beings are not capable of comprehending that course (and even being able to discern cause from effect most of the time ). Even within the confines of our own little part of the universe, the world is way too complex to nail down all the possible ways events can unfold moment-to-moment.

We understand things in microcosms. I understand how my software works because I can explore every path in the code. Sometimes though, when things get even moderately complex, the mind becomes less able to comprehend the entirety.

So, there is definitely a destiny we all have, James. It's simply impossible for us to even have the slightest idea what it is. That's rather ironic, don't you think?

Sooooo... Is it my destiny to conquer page 1. You bet your ass!

 

[oink]On a personal level, and in the short term (100's - 1000's of years), and a micro-scale (just the Earth)

I think that we CAN change our destiny, which I guess is a rather strange concept, because if we do change it, then it isn't, in reality, our destiny ........ I hope everyone is with me on that one

I don't think it was the "destiny" of the human race to destroy our planet, but I think we have managed to walk the path the created that as our destiny, since I don't think that we will be able to reverse the damage that we have done and are continuing to do !

If however you want to look things in a macro scale, then I agree, I think that the destiny of the universe as a whole cannot be changed ..... [/oink]

 

I think you're speaking on a more practical level than I, James. Absolutely, I think we can choose how we act. Right/wrong, save the planet, etc... From this point of view, free will is a reality. And, on a daily basis, this is how we all view ourselves and our roles.

I don't think it's possible for humans to comprehend what I'll call "universal destiny." Universal destiny would be the "formula" that can predict exactly what every quark in the universe will do from moment to moment. First, I believe that this type of destiny does exist. Second, in this definition, it was human destiny to do to the planet exactly what we've done. There was never a choice. The entire universe's "fate" was predictable from the moment of the big bang. However, whether or not "universal destiny" exists is meaningless to us mortals who cannot ever comprehend it.

So, the more practical way of looking at destiny is that we do act with free will. I can get to page 1 if I want...

By the way, do you really think we've caused irreversible damage to the planet? I don't accept that. At least, I like to believe we have not.

 

I guess you and I are saying pretty much the same when I describe it as micro and macro scale....

There is a slight divergence between our opinions, but it is very difficult to put into words. I believe that there is "universal destiny" but I don't believe that the actions of every quark could be predicted. I believe however that the actions of an individual quark are insignificant in therms of "universal destiny".

Which is why I believe that we were not destined to destroy the planet, but that we did it of our own free will !

I am not sure that we have done irreversible damage to the planet, but I AM sure that we will do !!!! Unless millions are prepared to change their whole lifestyle, we will destroy the planet in a very short time (a few generations). I think the speed at which we are damaging the planet is quite scary and is not slowing. If anything it is getting faster!

With the developing world trying to emulate Europe and the US, this will put too much strain on the limited resources...... I think this is inevitable now, I don't think it was inevitable 300 or 400 years ago!

 

It was your destiny to believe that you had free will!

Seriously, I don't know, James... I maintain an optimistic faith in the cleverness of the scientists and engineers doing energy research. I believe a clean energy solution will happen, and right soon. Kind of like the "Mr. Fusion" from "Back to the Future." I think an abundant and clean energy source for personal use will transform the world. OPEC and other oil concerns will delay this transition, but it will happen. Whether it's solar, nuclear, or something else. I will mourn the death of internal combustion only because we all love cars so much!

I certainly agree that if the rest of the world follows in the footsteps of the west, we'll be in enormous trouble. God forbid, the rest of the world goes through the industrial revolution all over again!

 

[oink]I just kind of bury my head in the sand at the moment . I don't think that anything will happen in our lifetime to change the way the world is developing, and I guess I am pretty selfish in the way that I just carry on using fossil fuels (like I have much choice ) but that is one thing that I will mourn with you, the death of the internal combustion engine ....

Unless they come up with something better obviously [/oink]

 

You watch.. There will probably be some serious revolution in energy in our lifetimes. I firmly believe it. Some sort of major paradigm shift. I think as the energy goes, so goes the entire world economy and development of the 3rd world (pardon the lapse into non-PC vernacular).

Some 21st century Einstein will dream up Mr. Fusion, and life will change for everyone.

Well, I'm quite the optimist, aren't I?