Tiridates Mikadze

The CDC and WHO aren't exactly alarmist. Caution is prudent. Be extra mindful to wash your hands, and try to use a little of the gelled Alcohol hand sanitizer stuff. That alone should keep you in good standing. And avoid getting sneezed on. That's pretty much it.

If there is greater, or Universal meaning, or Truth, is something I cannot claim to have absolute belief in, all I can say is that I know absolutely what I believe. Meaning, even that we produce ourselves, I would argue has value, at least in potential. Also, Keller, this is how I open most of my conversations face to face: "What do you think the value of *insert abstract concept here* is in our modern and frequently artificial society?" and then I like to argue with them for three hours. In short, I eat this stuff for breakfast (much in the same way I eat scrambled eggs and waffles), I thrive on discussions and arguments over philosophy, metaphysics, religion, politics, the implications of technology, the potential of science, etc. etc. etc. etc.

Yo dawg, I heard you like golf, so we put a golf course on your golf course, so you can golf while you golf.

Lestat, I want you to scrub the information of any referances that can be tied back to your alt directly, and make a "kiddie" version of what you have on Sturm Korps for presentation to bolster what Tactica currently has (which isn't much at all, really).

The boy does learn him his lessons real quick.

I'm not saying that physicalism is inherently disposed to determinism, despite the myriad of voices who've said so. What I am saying is that there is an element to human choice that cannot be accounted for entirely by observation of the physics ongoing in a human mind, we only see the results of it, rather than the internalization and subjective process that is on going. You're watching the boat move, but not seeing the engine working, or the pilot. And again, there is the question of meaning, something that is again, beyond the realm of simply the physics. It tells us what, and how, but can provide us no other substance. Now, if we need further substance, or if it is a failing in our human view of physics that it cannot account for other factors, is a question itself that is somewhat beyond physics to answer. Physics, and Science in general exists to essentially achieve two goals: Determine the mechanics of the observable universe, and then how we can apply this, either practically or scholastically. But Physics, nor the mathematics, are capable of observing the Universe of themselves, they are tools, lenses even, through which we view the material universe, and I'd even argue at this point, they are imperfect tools, at the hands of the Observers (us) and we're demonstrate-ably fallible, imperfect, and constantly biased. I would say that declaring there is only what we can observe of the Universe is easily flawed, in that we have no way of saying we're seeing all there is to the Universe. Doubt, be it in religious or in scientific faith, keeps us honest.* I'm aware of the way in which possibilities open and close based on choices, and physical conditions and observable phenomena. I'd have to agree with Agares, that was rather disappointing of you, Aelus. Great men have proven how wrong they can be, time and time again, just as common men have, and just because some great men hold together in agreement doesn't mean we should believe it. I'd rather question, even oppose, a view, and consider it as entirely as I can before I decide that one view or another is a less skewed vision of the Truth, or of reality. *Note, this is simply a statement and argument I'm making of my own accord, and not one leveled at any of our participants in particular.

I'll insert something into your text field, if you know what I mean.

Gunau, no armed civies, even ones as lovely and perfect as yourself. DA RULES IZ DA RULES, SON, YOU GOTTA LEARN, MAH BOI.

I think that someone was trying to get married on the same day as the Queen of the Fae, as Zrazor pointed out. I'm waiting for Falstaff to show up.

I have a maverick and a longshot. I'm going to get the sword. We can totally have a Nerf Imperial Guard unit. Or Nerf Spess Mahreens.

Kitsy just doesn't like sports. Also, football (soccer) fans are amongst the most hardcore, vicious bastards in the world. Just look at the Hooligans. Japan was sweating blood and bullets when the World Cup came to their doorstep, because of the hooligans. If I recall, different football clubs, have in the past, held small wars, large riots, and even firebombed each-other's supporter headquarters. In American Football, you might get fist fights and sundered marriages, in FUTBOL (GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLah) you get nations errupting into open hostility and the break down of civil order after each major game. That said, the only true sport is curling. GO NORWAY.

Oh, that'd be grand, the first Nudist military on SL.

I can get the new Nerf guns, and pimp out my AR-15 all in one place. GOD BLESS AMERICA.

I am that guy. Anyway, I'd say that mere physical reductionism of neurons, genetics, and brain chemistry alone cannot account for human behavior. In all my study, I've found that there's a bit of a wild card at play with humanity, that being it's ability to choose. We are not determined by our genes, they define a certain number of parameters, all of which are important. However, they don't tell me left or right down a street, they don't tell me who I am. They may define what I am, to a point. The human will, in that it interacts, shapes, and alters the material around it, be that material physical or of more elusive stuff, is an indication of the true potential that humanity holds. And I'd point out that physics is a means, the meaning of it lies in the eye of the beholder, and that meaning is itself beyond physics.

Humanity is a universe all it's own, to be honest, and no amount of physics equations can ultimately define it. And it is imminently present in all our interactions. Just like Physics.

He already gone done broke my little heart. :(

I listen to teeny-bop when I'm interrogating suspects. It puts me in the proper grim, angry mood.

The MC has been fluttering between allies and outright hostility towards the Ordo for a while now, I'm afraid. I hope they sort out their issues, and with any luck, they'll mindfully approach us before they go through their next bout of "we haet teh ordoz".

OH DEAR GOD, I ACTUALLY D'AWWED.

Danke, Lestat.

I telepathically scan the forums through the minds of my Frumentarii Agent-slaves, as well as the other Ordo Members, when I apply the daily will-suppression wipes as instructed by the Lord Imperator. I AM YURI.

NO. CYPHRE IS ON TO SOMETHING HERE. We can warp the fabric of space/time by utilizing cat based uncertainty generators, and when a critical point is reached, we can then alter the localized rules of mathematics and convince a flat waffle that it is, in fact, round and possess enough gravitational pull to maintain butter/syrup against it's surface and then mount it on Scientific's shoulders. QUICK, TO SCHRODINGER'S ROOM!

Precisely, my dear! IMAGINE IT. mmmm... A fully armed and operational Waffleball... commander...butter when ready....

I knew SqueezeOne before he made the 39th. Back then, he was an optimistic young lad with a glint in his eye and dreams of building transforming mechs for fun and profit. Now, he's cynical, despairing, and keeps looking wistfully out to sea, wishing to be back on the deck of a ship, the spray of the ocean and the wind off the waters washing past him, and carrying the sins of his past with them :(

Equilibrium Zatoichi - I love the old school ones, but I have a special place in my heart for Takeshi Kitano's revamped version. It has: Fast-paced sword fights; great, if sometimes grim, sense of humour, and dancing. IT'S AWESOME BABY. Kung Fu Hustle - omg I want to join the Axe Gang. Shaolin Soccer - Also made by the guy who made Kung Fu Hustle (Stephen Chow). Absolutely hilarious. Andrei Tarkovsky's Stalker: Based on the short novel "Roadside Picnic", which with the movie serves as the basis for STALKER: Shadow of Cherynobyl and it's sequel. Asks questions of human nature, faith, and moral dilemmas without providing any answers, it's set against a strange and haunting wilderness punctuated by industrial remains. Tarkovsky's cinematography and pacing is so perfect and memorable. I'd say it's one of the greatest films ever. The Fountain - Can't even begin to describe it. The visual impact coupled with a brilliant score, and a powerful story left me awed. Fritz Lang's Metropolis - If you haven't seen this film in it's restored condition with the intended score, you've missed out on one of the greatest films in history. Do not even dignify the horribly butchered "gothic" version, spend the cash, if you're going to buy it, on the best restoration you can find. Seven Samurai - You're a fucking philistine if you haven't seen this film. Brilliant story, and innovative in it's presentation of action and dramatic elements, it also serves as a harsh commentary on pre and post-war Japan and it's cultural perceptions. The Thief and the Cobbler - Possibly the greatest animated film you've never heard of nor seen, it's been left in an incomplete state for a very long time. Entirely hand drawn, and absent much of the intended dialog, it's still very impressive. Seek out and view the most complete version you can. You won't regret it. On a side note: The Two Worst Movies I've ever seen - Plan 9 from Outer Space - Ed Wood's Opus. The ultimate failure of a film, it uses hubcaps as ufo's, chiropractors as Bela Lugosi stand-ins, and impotently angry aliens. Also includes one of the worst opening "cautions" in history. This is generally agreed upon as the Worst Movie in the entirety of Human History. The only other real contender is Robot Monster, which I have yet to view. The Blackhole - Made by Disney in the late 70's, I was shown this in a middle school science class by our teacher. It was made truly terrible by the fact that my teacher insisted it was scientifically accurate in it's depiction of black holes. From there, toss in a hammy villain, would be rip-offs of Star Wars droids, and some of the least sensible acting, directing, and writing I've ever had the horrified fascination to witness, and you have the second worse film I've ever born witness too. It is prime fodder for the likes of smart-ass commentary ala MST3k.