Some interesting new research has been uncovered pointing to how the paternal environmental changes - in this case eating habits - can have an effect on the following generation.
Now don't start chugging protein shakes and smoothies hoping that your offspring would be the next Governator as that is not exactly what it is referring to. The dietary patterns of your parents before your conception is much more relevant to your susceptibility to specific diseases.
"Knowing what your parents were doing before you were conceived is turning out to be important in determining what disease risk factors you may be carrying," said Oliver J. Rando, MD, PhD, associate professor of biochemistry & molecular pharmacology at UMMS and principal investigator for the study, which details how paternal diet can increase production of cholesterol synthesis genes in first-generation offspring."
This phenomenon is referred to as epigenetic inheritance.
"A number of recent studies, however, have begun to draw attention to the role epigenetic inheritance – inherited changes in gene expression caused by mechanisms other than changes in the underlying DNA sequence – may play in a host of illnesses."
To affirm their findings the parties involved did some testing on male lab mice divided into two groups. The first group received a standard diet whilst the second was more partial to a low-protein diet - all females were fed a standard diet as a control mechanism. What they found was that the group with the low-protein diet produced offspring that "exhibited a marked increase in the genes responsible for lipid and cholesterol synthesis".
You can find the article here.
So the next time someone gives you the "why-do-you-live-healthily-because-you-can-get-run-over-by-a-bus-tomorrow-and-die-anyway" argument, firstly tell them that they should not be so narrow-minded and lazy yet more importantly that you are thinking of the health of your offspring. ;-)
Should make for some interesting conversation.
Go forth and conquer...
WB
Dec 24, 2010
Xmas/Theism - who knew!?!?!?
Jebus, who knew that the Muslims were this fundamentalist...
Why does everyone attack the atheists for being accepting and part of the Xmas spirit without any complaints or hesitation? That's because they are sh!t scared of the Muslims...
The article on Pharyngula.
Enjoy
WB
Why does everyone attack the atheists for being accepting and part of the Xmas spirit without any complaints or hesitation? That's because they are sh!t scared of the Muslims...
The article on Pharyngula.
Enjoy
WB
Dec 23, 2010
Theism - Scientology 101
For our last Free Thinkers meeting we decided to delve into Scientology and boy what a sales pitch!
A certain young lady was able to obtain a plethora of material from the church itself in the form of DVD's and brochures and we hoped that going through it would shed some light on one of the biggest (American) "religions" at the moment. I think it safe to say that we were more confused after watching the DVD than ever before!
The question "What is Scientology?" is posed many times either in a thick American accent or in suggestive text on the screen, but never answered once. All they provide is anecdotal evidence of how Scientology can and will improve your life in any and all aspects. Amazingly they do not even make reference to their Hollywood followers!!!
I think at the end of it we could all surmise that it is basically People Skills for social retards and it throws in the whole element of Self-Help with the added help of Hubbard in the cupboard and his insightful writings which burns a nice hole in the pocket...so, more like Hubbard's cronies helping themselves to the cash in your wallet.
It does have wondrous appeal in this regard however adding the trendy and much sought after "spiritual" element which we are all told is important. It is also a very American "religion" in the sense of empowerment and entitlement promising the American Dream to all of the followers willing to pay...erm, work to the upper levels.
If you wish to do some of your own investigation, feel free, but be warned - make sure you do not get sucked in.
The thetan is strong in this one, yes...
WB
A certain young lady was able to obtain a plethora of material from the church itself in the form of DVD's and brochures and we hoped that going through it would shed some light on one of the biggest (American) "religions" at the moment. I think it safe to say that we were more confused after watching the DVD than ever before!
The question "What is Scientology?" is posed many times either in a thick American accent or in suggestive text on the screen, but never answered once. All they provide is anecdotal evidence of how Scientology can and will improve your life in any and all aspects. Amazingly they do not even make reference to their Hollywood followers!!!
I think at the end of it we could all surmise that it is basically People Skills for social retards and it throws in the whole element of Self-Help with the added help of Hubbard in the cupboard and his insightful writings which burns a nice hole in the pocket...so, more like Hubbard's cronies helping themselves to the cash in your wallet.
It does have wondrous appeal in this regard however adding the trendy and much sought after "spiritual" element which we are all told is important. It is also a very American "religion" in the sense of empowerment and entitlement promising the American Dream to all of the followers willing to pay...erm, work to the upper levels.
If you wish to do some of your own investigation, feel free, but be warned - make sure you do not get sucked in.
The thetan is strong in this one, yes...
WB
Theism - Can anybody help or explain this to me too...
Wow! The internet is home to both some weird and wonderful minds, but sometimes you have to wonder what some people actually think...or whatever you want to call it...
Expect nothing less than mis-information, false conclusions and flat out lies in this article, but it clearly demonstrates how some people suffer from irrationality!
Find the article here.
Hopefully it does not frustrate you as much as it did me...
WB
Expect nothing less than mis-information, false conclusions and flat out lies in this article, but it clearly demonstrates how some people suffer from irrationality!
Find the article here.
Hopefully it does not frustrate you as much as it did me...
WB
Theism - Ricky Gervais: the man, the legend...
Ricky Gervais attempts to answer what the religious would argue - the unanswerable question.
Brilliant piece of writing from a brilliant mind.
Enjoy it here.
WB
Brilliant piece of writing from a brilliant mind.
Enjoy it here.
WB
Dec 13, 2010
Theism - Neither fun nor fair...
This is another one of those poignantly obvious contradictions. One where even irrational folks might suddenly take a step back and say: "holdon...what are you saying there?"
It falls in line with an earlier post of mine about how there is nothing fair about the way that the faithful 'attack' the non-religious.
Just read it for yourself here.
Quite infuriating to say the least...Sad...
WB
It falls in line with an earlier post of mine about how there is nothing fair about the way that the faithful 'attack' the non-religious.
Just read it for yourself here.
Quite infuriating to say the least...Sad...
WB
Dec 10, 2010
Word of the Day - Corny, I know, but we all like to learn something new :)
Although this has been done a million times by a million sites, shows and blogs I know that there are some of you that enjoy learning something new in bite-sized pieces at least once a day...thus Word of the Day is born!
todays word-
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/preponderance
Preponderance:
Etymology
From Latin praeponderare (“outweigh”), from prae- (“before”) + ponderare (“to weigh”)
[edit]
Noun
* preponderance (uncountable) - Excess or superiority of weight, influence, or power, etc.; an outweighing.
* The greater portion of the weight.
* The majority.
go forth and preponder!
WB
todays word-
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/preponderance
Preponderance:
Etymology
From Latin praeponderare (“outweigh”), from prae- (“before”) + ponderare (“to weigh”)
[edit]
Noun
* preponderance (uncountable) - Excess or superiority of weight, influence, or power, etc.; an outweighing.
* The greater portion of the weight.
* The majority.
go forth and preponder!
WB
Dec 8, 2010
Theism - Double standards abound for the Religious...
This post I must concede is more of a rant than an objective post, but I am sure there are some people that can and will agree with what I have to say. Let's call the Freedom of Speech clause on this one...
I am getting quite fed-up and tired with the double standards that are in practice with anything claiming to have religious undertones, yet if anything comes in with an atheist spin it is the greatest transgression of any law or any moral code known to man!!!
And don't for one second think that I base this on some bad service at a silly coffee shop - oh no! This is valid and I can pull out an example...
A short while ago Woolworth made a BUSINESS decision to pull some christian magazines from their shelves. I understand that - books are not selling; Woolworth is a Business; they do not make money off books that do not sell; get rid of the books and try some other books that will sell instead. Suddenly there was a sh!t storm in a tea-cup from every Christian and his F*cken uncle about how they will boycott Woolies and how they will never ever shop there again as long as they live because they have taken Christian magazines off the shelf - SPOING!!! MY IRONY METER JUST BROKE!!! (Credit to Author of Jesusandmo.net)
I find it sad that things like this get so much attention, yet if one atheist (I hazard at saying one Muslim or even Buddhist) had to even remark that they would like to see a magazine more suited to their liking it would be completely frowned upon.
Society is filled with examples of normal people who suddenly get a knot in their underwear over something so silly and amazingly they seem to completely miss the point. It is amazing how their teachings of charity, acceptance, humanity et al go out the window when they think that their personal views are being offended - and more often than not they turn around right there and abandon all that sudden religious pride they just held so high.
I fear that this is a debate which will never cease and will never ever be fair. These small minded people with their childish fantasies find it so easy to complain about everything that does not satisfy them PERSONALLY!!! yes, let’s face it, religion boils down to a personal thing. period.
I summarise with this final thought:
if you are intolerant to another race, that makes you a racist…if you discriminate against the opposite gender, that makes you sexist…if you immediately hate somebody because they don’t believe in the same fairy tales you do, it makes you a theist…
If you missed the story here is the link:
News24 link
phew...that is all
WB
I am getting quite fed-up and tired with the double standards that are in practice with anything claiming to have religious undertones, yet if anything comes in with an atheist spin it is the greatest transgression of any law or any moral code known to man!!!
And don't for one second think that I base this on some bad service at a silly coffee shop - oh no! This is valid and I can pull out an example...
A short while ago Woolworth made a BUSINESS decision to pull some christian magazines from their shelves. I understand that - books are not selling; Woolworth is a Business; they do not make money off books that do not sell; get rid of the books and try some other books that will sell instead. Suddenly there was a sh!t storm in a tea-cup from every Christian and his F*cken uncle about how they will boycott Woolies and how they will never ever shop there again as long as they live because they have taken Christian magazines off the shelf - SPOING!!! MY IRONY METER JUST BROKE!!! (Credit to Author of Jesusandmo.net)
I find it sad that things like this get so much attention, yet if one atheist (I hazard at saying one Muslim or even Buddhist) had to even remark that they would like to see a magazine more suited to their liking it would be completely frowned upon.
Society is filled with examples of normal people who suddenly get a knot in their underwear over something so silly and amazingly they seem to completely miss the point. It is amazing how their teachings of charity, acceptance, humanity et al go out the window when they think that their personal views are being offended - and more often than not they turn around right there and abandon all that sudden religious pride they just held so high.
I fear that this is a debate which will never cease and will never ever be fair. These small minded people with their childish fantasies find it so easy to complain about everything that does not satisfy them PERSONALLY!!! yes, let’s face it, religion boils down to a personal thing. period.
I summarise with this final thought:
if you are intolerant to another race, that makes you a racist…if you discriminate against the opposite gender, that makes you sexist…if you immediately hate somebody because they don’t believe in the same fairy tales you do, it makes you a theist…
If you missed the story here is the link:
News24 link
phew...that is all
WB
Theism - Holidays or Holy Days?
For the most part I do believe the whole idea behind Christmas has been lost a long long time ago...If the Christians are honest they will also come to the same conclusion.
However this post is not about what makes Christmas holy and what does not as we can all start pointing to older more pagan practices even though we know it falls on deaf ears.
There is however a book which might provide more insight and fun into the HOLIDAYS (*note: not holy days) that could bring one back to the true idea and the real reason we all feel so happy around Christmas - family, more food than your belt allows and an excuse to wear a silly hat!
So if you have atheist friends or family members, heck even if they are not I do believe that this will be worth a read or a handy gift idea:
The Atheist's guide to Christmas.
Enjoy
WB
However this post is not about what makes Christmas holy and what does not as we can all start pointing to older more pagan practices even though we know it falls on deaf ears.
There is however a book which might provide more insight and fun into the HOLIDAYS (*note: not holy days) that could bring one back to the true idea and the real reason we all feel so happy around Christmas - family, more food than your belt allows and an excuse to wear a silly hat!
So if you have atheist friends or family members, heck even if they are not I do believe that this will be worth a read or a handy gift idea:
The Atheist's guide to Christmas.
Enjoy
WB
Dec 7, 2010
Theism - are missing links really that missing!?!?
Science is advancing and the gaps are closing rapidly, even if the evidence is found in slightly unexpected places.
Do yourself a favor and read this!
Boom! There it is! Missing link my sewage bacteria...
Eureka...eukaryotic...whatever...
WB
Do yourself a favor and read this!
Boom! There it is! Missing link my sewage bacteria...
Eureka...eukaryotic...whatever...
WB
Theism - now there is a name for the delusion...
A recent study has revealed - I think more accurately affirmed for us "know it all atheists" - that religion makes people happy.
As human beings I believe that we all long for fellowship and belonging to a group of some sorts. That is why (again I believe) there are so many cooky people and cooky groups with even cookier followers!!! As Richard Dawkins once said it is much easier to believe in your delusion if there are many others that believe in the same thing. I didn't exactly google that, but you get the gist of it...
Being part of a group makes one feel that there is purpose for your life, your existence. That you provide some kind of function for others, that you are important to others even. Would this not make you feel happy and satisfied with your life too?
It is due to the hard work of Chaeyoon Lim and Robert D. Putnam that we can now arm ourselves with the statistics that prove this. They postulated the idea that the deity is not the reason for the happiness of the happy-clappers, but that it is the actual togetherness and feeling of belonging that provides the euphoria and fulfillment.
Feel free to read the article for yourself here.
"If Atheism is a religion, then health is a disease!" ~ Clark Adams
Meow
WB
As human beings I believe that we all long for fellowship and belonging to a group of some sorts. That is why (again I believe) there are so many cooky people and cooky groups with even cookier followers!!! As Richard Dawkins once said it is much easier to believe in your delusion if there are many others that believe in the same thing. I didn't exactly google that, but you get the gist of it...
Being part of a group makes one feel that there is purpose for your life, your existence. That you provide some kind of function for others, that you are important to others even. Would this not make you feel happy and satisfied with your life too?
It is due to the hard work of Chaeyoon Lim and Robert D. Putnam that we can now arm ourselves with the statistics that prove this. They postulated the idea that the deity is not the reason for the happiness of the happy-clappers, but that it is the actual togetherness and feeling of belonging that provides the euphoria and fulfillment.
Feel free to read the article for yourself here.
"If Atheism is a religion, then health is a disease!" ~ Clark Adams
Meow
WB
Dec 6, 2010
Help me help you...
Hey guys,
if there is anything on your mind or anything that you would like me to blog about or any interesting things you find happening in and around PE or our lovely country give us a shout. I always enjoy challenges or learning new things by way of research or discourse.
You can reach me on Facebook, Twitter[@warren_bradley] or even drop me a mail on warbrad@cybersmart.co.za
Take it easy
WB
if there is anything on your mind or anything that you would like me to blog about or any interesting things you find happening in and around PE or our lovely country give us a shout. I always enjoy challenges or learning new things by way of research or discourse.
You can reach me on Facebook, Twitter[@warren_bradley] or even drop me a mail on warbrad@cybersmart.co.za
Take it easy
WB
Social - new spot called Babouche
Hey all,
we all know that there is not much to do in this town so we have to make our own entertainment most of the time. Usually some new places open up that bring reprieve from the mundane PE lifestyle and this brings me to 6th Avenue Walmer...
On Friday evening we ventured out to try out a new spot called Babouche (hope I am spelling it correctly!). Not really expecting much beyond the upmarket evening dining experience we entered in high spirits.
Still the same layout as Mint, but a nice refreshing atmosphere and color scheme and quite a nice vibe mixing in the Greek and Egyptian themes throughout the menu and decor. The hostess on duty was very friendly and everyone was very chatty and fun, but I think the weirdest and most fun part was when the music suddenly piped up and a dancer appeared...
No! Not that kind of dancer! It was a belly dancing blond girl shaking what her mamma gave her with some great style and confidence. I must admit it was totally surprising yet so refreshing.
As far as the drinks are concerned they offer very limited cocktails which are a bit too experimental frankly and in my opinion have some conflicting ingredients, but I can definitely vouch that the Jalepeno Poppers and the Dolmades starters are worth the money. I cannot comment on the rest of the menu too extensively as we did not bother to have any mains or desserts.
If next time you are sitting around and feel like a nice cup of coffee or a very tasty snack punctuated by glittering hips and a big smile I can definitely recommend Babouche for a little taste of the Mediterranean.
Enjoy
WB
we all know that there is not much to do in this town so we have to make our own entertainment most of the time. Usually some new places open up that bring reprieve from the mundane PE lifestyle and this brings me to 6th Avenue Walmer...
On Friday evening we ventured out to try out a new spot called Babouche (hope I am spelling it correctly!). Not really expecting much beyond the upmarket evening dining experience we entered in high spirits.
Still the same layout as Mint, but a nice refreshing atmosphere and color scheme and quite a nice vibe mixing in the Greek and Egyptian themes throughout the menu and decor. The hostess on duty was very friendly and everyone was very chatty and fun, but I think the weirdest and most fun part was when the music suddenly piped up and a dancer appeared...
No! Not that kind of dancer! It was a belly dancing blond girl shaking what her mamma gave her with some great style and confidence. I must admit it was totally surprising yet so refreshing.
As far as the drinks are concerned they offer very limited cocktails which are a bit too experimental frankly and in my opinion have some conflicting ingredients, but I can definitely vouch that the Jalepeno Poppers and the Dolmades starters are worth the money. I cannot comment on the rest of the menu too extensively as we did not bother to have any mains or desserts.
If next time you are sitting around and feel like a nice cup of coffee or a very tasty snack punctuated by glittering hips and a big smile I can definitely recommend Babouche for a little taste of the Mediterranean.
Enjoy
WB
Dec 5, 2010
Health - Getting back in the game...
Wow, after all the stress of the final karate weeks, organizing the prize-giving, being under the grips of a mild case of flu and some flack at work I can finally get back to my training regime!!!
Unfortunately I was not able to follow through on one of my goals for 2010 which was to run my first marathon, but now I have the opportunity for early 2011. On the 29th of January I shall attempt my first full marathon, however it will take quite a lot of work over the next couple of weeks as my fitness levels have pretty much reset to zero after my reprieve.
I have some direction though and figured there might be someone out there that might need some inspiration or break through a running plateau:
http://www.mh.co.za/fitness/get_fit/3041/Half-marathon-Manual
good luck - to us both! ;-)
WB
Unfortunately I was not able to follow through on one of my goals for 2010 which was to run my first marathon, but now I have the opportunity for early 2011. On the 29th of January I shall attempt my first full marathon, however it will take quite a lot of work over the next couple of weeks as my fitness levels have pretty much reset to zero after my reprieve.
I have some direction though and figured there might be someone out there that might need some inspiration or break through a running plateau:
http://www.mh.co.za/fitness/get_fit/3041/Half-marathon-Manual
good luck - to us both! ;-)
WB
Theism - FTA Group
Today was the inaugural meeting of the Free Thinkers Association of Nelson Mandela Bay. It mostly consisted of administrative tasks like thinking of a name, a mission statement et al.
It was quite a successful first meet and quite refreshing to have some intelligent discussion with some like minded individuals.
Keep your eyes and ears peeled for more information and our group on Facebook...
WB
It was quite a successful first meet and quite refreshing to have some intelligent discussion with some like minded individuals.
Keep your eyes and ears peeled for more information and our group on Facebook...
WB
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)