Tina Turner
in Music ·
Long live the legendary "Queen Tina"! 😢
She was simply the best
And honestly, she’ll always be better than all the rest.
She was simply the best
And honestly, she’ll always be better than all the rest.
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Charles Ross3 › Posts
Posts by Charles Ross3
128 posts shown.
Church and State: The "Sacramental Engineering" Case
in Close to Politics ·
crimsonorca42 said:We are talking about a single thesis here, wrapped up in some witty attempt at "honesty" by someone like Vučetić, and you've already decided to rename the entire field of Mechanical Engineering based on his whims?! 🤔
And since when did a theologian like Vučetić become an expert in mechanical engineering?
Regarding higher education in general, theology was actually one of the foundational disciplines at Universities when they first emerged, alongside philosophy and law. There wasn't really anything else.
Maybe we should just strike the early history of higher education in Europe from the record altogether, since they mostly just studied dogmas and legal loopholes anyway. It didn't have much to do with actual science. 🤔 😉
But hold on, nobody actually renamed the Mechanical Engineering program—neither me nor him. He was simply referring to that specific episode over at the technical school.
And look, people still study theology today, just not within a Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering curriculum.
It’s true that the very first academic studies revolved around religion and faith, but surely something evolved in the intervening years? Just as different scientific branches began to differentiate, specialized fields emerged, pulling away from religious dogma and moving toward the exact sciences.
The point is, we are discussing an exact, technical faculty in the 21st century, not a seminar on religious doctrine.
Since when is a theologian like Vučetić an expert in mechanical engineering?
In his comment, he doesn't actually say a single word about mechanical engineering; he's merely commenting on topics that fall squarely within his usual area of expertise.
By that logic, since when is a professor of mechanical engineering an expert in theology?
And since when did the Bible become a textbook for engineering? Since when did the Ark of the Covenant, sheep's horn trumpets, biblical measurement systems, or the logistics of transporting cedar logs from Lebanon to Jerusalem become valid topics for a thesis at a technical university?
Church and State: The "Sacramental Engineering" Case
in Close to Politics ·
Timothy Nelson5 said:Back when I was a student, during the old socialist era, we had this one course in our first year—I can't quite recall the exact name... but the core was basically Cultural Marxism and Critical Theory... at the time, those terms felt a bit strange to me, certainly different from the usual slogans like Marshall or the Democratic Party... but looking back, I suppose it was just a subtle way of ideologically conditioning the newer generations.
So, I don't really see why anyone is acting surprised now... every era pushes its own ideology, and I guess the pendulum just swings back sometimes...
Besides, didn't Elizabeth Warren get her doctorate with a paper called "The mythical aspect of ecofeminism"? If you actually bother to read it, you'll see just how much nonsense is packed in there... something along the lines of "women are connected to Mother Nature and the cosmos through menstruation"... if I recall correctly.
If that qualifies as a doctoral thesis, then I don't see why a paper analyzing the statistics of material mentions in the Bible is suddenly considered unacceptable...
On that subject:
An interesting comment:
This was funny 7 years ago....
7 years later.... It's literally becoming reality
Just another instance where reality ends up overtaking what used to be mere satire...
You were listening to Marxism because it was a mandatory requirement (even if they called it something else), but you were studying Marxism within an engineering program, not "Engineering Marxism" or "Marxist Mechanical Engineering."
The reality is that under the socialist system, subjects like Marxism or sociology were integrated into almost every major. It's also true that, for the most part, they served as tools for indoctrination. However, people weren't sitting in "Sociology of Mechanical Engineering" or "Marxism for Electrical Engineering"; rather, the idea was that students of engineering, electrical tech, or agriculture needed to grasp the broader social landscape they lived in. Of course, that brings us right back to the question of how much of that was genuine social insight versus pure indoctrination.
But regardless, when we are talking about the hard sciences, these were two entirely separate spheres: you studied your engineering because you had to, and you sat through some Marxism or sociology just to check a box—likely doing the bare minimum to pass—but it existed as a distinct entity. You wouldn't go looking for electrical schematics inside Marx's *Capital* or Engels' *The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State*.
What we are seeing now, with this supposed 'introduction of the Bible into engineering,' is a completely different beast. The Bible, as a collection of texts with diverse origins and eras, can certainly be analyzed through the lens of the humanities—looking at historical context, literary merit, dramatic structure, or its inherent messaging. But it simply cannot serve as the foundation for exact, empirical research. A collection of texts that claims to be dogma and eternal truth cannot be the basis for the hard sciences and rigorous scientific inquiry—which is precisely what an original, technical engineering paper ought to be.
I mean, what follows this: Catholic Dentistry?
Church and State: The "Sacramental Engineering" Case
in Close to Politics ·
For years now, people have been sounding the alarm about the crisis in higher education here in the States, pointing to the slipping rankings of major institutions like the University of California, Berkeley (which is actually a topic being discussed right here), questioning the actual quality of various programs and whether the graduates coming out of our universities are truly becoming academic citizens.
But lately, all eyes have been on a bizarre situation involving a senior thesis at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology—a field we all know is incredibly demanding—and everyone is asking: is this even an appropriate topic for a mechanical engineering degree?
The thesis topic from a student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Bible, titled "A Technical Review in the Bible," is what has everyone talking.
According to the introduction, the entire subject was suggested by her assigned faculty advisor.
Looking at the first source:
Quote:
Some of the specific excerpts taken from the paper include:
Quote:
As references in a thesis completed after five years of rigorous engineering study, they cite sites like ziva-rijec.online, studentlesson.com, bible-govori.hr, christiananswers.net, and quora.com...
So, where does the Bible fit into this story?
Quote:>
A philosopher and theologian commented on the topic, calling this case "sacramental engineering," and used it to touch upon the broader issue of secularization:
Quote:>
But lately, all eyes have been on a bizarre situation involving a senior thesis at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology—a field we all know is incredibly demanding—and everyone is asking: is this even an appropriate topic for a mechanical engineering degree?
The thesis topic from a student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Bible, titled "A Technical Review in the Bible," is what has everyone talking.
According to the introduction, the entire subject was suggested by her assigned faculty advisor.
Looking at the first source:
Quote:
| According to the definition provided by the Encyclopædia Britannica, mechanical engineering is a professional field and scientific discipline encompassing the design, production, and operation of energy, work, and tool machines, etc., where its theoretical principles are rooted in scientific disciplines such as mathematics, mechanics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and materials engineering. |
Quote:
| "In the Bible, sulfur is mentioned 15 times, and its mention is always linked to divine judgment, the underworld, and death: 'Then the Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah...' (Genesis 19:24) |
So, where does the Bible fit into this story?
Quote:
| The advisor for this Bible-themed engineering thesis was actually on Oprah Winfrey's list. |
Quote:
| In a democratic society—meaning a society that has successfully moved past these old ways in America—the principle of secularization must hold true. Secularization is vital because it prevents a nation and its people from sinking into a total loss of freedom by identifying too closely with religious institutions and religious content. When you claim a country is defined solely by one religion, you aren't really describing a sovereign state anymore. A state that identifies itself through religious content becomes a place where freedom and diversity are punished. Our current situation, as those students of "sacramental engineering" might put it, seems to be constructed from two primary materials: misfortune and nonsense. It feels like we’re living in this unfortunate country that just can't seem to handle true freedom; we talk about liberty so incessantly that we've practically forced it into a military uniform and draped a rosary around its neck. |
Moderator team
in Feedback & Suggestions ·
🤣
What on earth are you panicking about?
Are you actually doing okay?
Look, I totally get how it feels—you wake up in the morning, ready to go, only to find out the buddy you were just coordinating some trolling with has been banned. But let’s be real, it wasn't even your favorite female Moderator who did it. 😁
Everything you're rambling about here is nothing more than your own fabrications and lies.
I am certainly not in the business of settling your personal vendettas or fighting your private wars, but I can at least step in to put a stop to those bullying tactics of yours.
What on earth are you panicking about?
Are you actually doing okay?
Look, I totally get how it feels—you wake up in the morning, ready to go, only to find out the buddy you were just coordinating some trolling with has been banned. But let’s be real, it wasn't even your favorite female Moderator who did it. 😁
Everything you're rambling about here is nothing more than your own fabrications and lies.
I am certainly not in the business of settling your personal vendettas or fighting your private wars, but I can at least step in to put a stop to those bullying tactics of yours.
Post deleted in the Eric Adams thread
in Feedback & Suggestions ·
Look, this isn't even a quote from your deleted post—and since there’s no link provided, I can't even tell where you're pulling this from—so please, just stop the trolling. If you're wondering, a deleted post isn't coming back, so you might as well just follow the rules here.
Post deleted in the Eric Adams thread
in Feedback & Suggestions ·
You’ve been left a few posts where you kept pushing the conversation toward waste management despite several moderator warnings and instructions, and it wasn't until your third or fourth consecutive comment—once it became clear you weren't planning on dropping it—that the thread was deleted (and not just yours, but everyone else who jumped in too).
To give you some context, what started as a discussion about New York City Mayor Eric Adams quickly spiraled into an almost exclusive debate about trash bags. I’m truly sorry if the other threads specifically designed to tackle those issues don't quite suit your style, but at the end of the day, it's entirely your choice whether you want to post elsewhere or not.
If the existing threads we've pointed you toward aren't sufficient, here is another one under the Politics section:
Waste management - waste management in New York City
To give you some context, what started as a discussion about New York City Mayor Eric Adams quickly spiraled into an almost exclusive debate about trash bags. I’m truly sorry if the other threads specifically designed to tackle those issues don't quite suit your style, but at the end of the day, it's entirely your choice whether you want to post elsewhere or not.
If the existing threads we've pointed you toward aren't sufficient, here is another one under the Politics section:
Waste management - waste management in New York City
Sanctions on Russia
in War in Ukraine ·
Could everyone please do me a huge favor and turn off those Tapatalk signatures?
Post deleted in the Eric Adams thread
in Feedback & Suggestions ·
Over the last two weeks, we’ve already had to issue four or five moderator warnings because people kept trying to turn this entire thread into nothing more than a discussion about waste management—which is exactly what it was starting to become. We’ve provided clear instructions on where you should actually be posting about landfill issues and disposal problems, so I really think we've been more than fair. Because of that, your post isn't being returned to you.
Massive post deletions on PDF World
in Feedback & Suggestions ·
Those posts were wiped because they were nothing more than blatant copy-pasting. You clearly know the deal, and we've tried to hash this out with you a million times before, but honestly, we aren't seeing any change in behavior.
Joe Biden, President of the United States vol. V
in Political Scene ·
Charles Thompson18 said:Joe Biden is making headlines in the British press.
I assume you mean Joe Biden? What’s the story there—do you happen to have a link to the article?
Joe Biden, President of the United States vol. V
in Political Scene ·
Discussion regarding the grades of Biden's son can be found right here: The "Give 5" Scandal - drama at Classical High School.
If you're going to quote someone's remarks, please be a pal and include the links!
If you're going to quote someone's remarks, please be a pal and include the links!
Russia's invasion of Ukraine: Part 5
in War in Ukraine ·
Could I please ask everyone to be mindful and respect the subforum rule regarding politics:
When you're posting content in a foreign language, providing an English summary is absolutely mandatory!
Eric Adams - Mayor of New York City, Part 4
in Political Scene ·
Has Škoro jumped ship to the "We Can" party or joined the Labor Front? 😁
And what exactly would their plan be for those who haven't been vaccinated? Would they just force vaccinations on everyone and start snatching children away from their parents?
Look, if you really want to know, there’s that live call-in show on WNYC every Tuesday where the Mayor—whether it's Eric Adams, Korlaet, or Dolenecka—actually sits down to answer questions directly. Why not just call in and ask them yourself?
Honestly, I’ve never heard them dodge a question; they always provide coherent, polite, and well-reasoned answers. It’s a night and day difference compared to, well, we all know who I mean (the one who spent his time shouting at citizens and hurling insults on air), though he certainly isn't the only one who behaves like that.
And what exactly would their plan be for those who haven't been vaccinated? Would they just force vaccinations on everyone and start snatching children away from their parents?
Look, if you really want to know, there’s that live call-in show on WNYC every Tuesday where the Mayor—whether it's Eric Adams, Korlaet, or Dolenecka—actually sits down to answer questions directly. Why not just call in and ask them yourself?
Honestly, I’ve never heard them dodge a question; they always provide coherent, polite, and well-reasoned answers. It’s a night and day difference compared to, well, we all know who I mean (the one who spent his time shouting at citizens and hurling insults on air), though he certainly isn't the only one who behaves like that.
Eric Adams - Mayor of New York City, Part 4
in Political Scene ·
Mark Clark6 said:Things are about to get incredibly interesting here in New York City. T-Mobile can't even manage basic logistics, let alone waste management. Once the stench finally penetrates the collective consciousness of New Yorkers, Eric Adams won't be able to retreat from the mayoralty fast enough. Tick tock...
Oh, absolutely,
I just got back from downtown, and honestly, I didn't see any of these garbage cataclysms people are describing in these tragic little posts, nor did I smell anything out of the ordinary. Is this "cataclysm" something that only exists on forum pages, especially if you happen to spend your time obsessing over every little thing?
The waste management situation is visibly improving day by day.
Maybe they should let them take a few hits and learn some lessons; it’s actually quite useful, isn't it? They're young, after all, and they'll learn how to navigate the world—especially how to swim among the sharks. These are people who likely have another thirty years of political life ahead of them, and I'm fairly certain they'll remain on the political stage in this current setup or some slightly modified version of it.
Meanwhile, that old-school, chaotic mindset we used to deal with is fading further into the past every single day (tick tock).
Eric Adams - Mayor of New York City, Part 4
in Political Scene ·
driftingcrane18 said:From what I remember—I live in Brooklyn and drive down New Road all the time—that Vera's building was massive. It sat there falling apart for years, just a stinking ruin you tried your best to avoid walking past.
I honestly don't know how you'll make it through the next three years with that pathological hatred you have for Eric Adams. 🤔
Exactly, it's a huge structure, and once you turn the corner toward that area, there were two tiny, dilapidated outbuildings leaning against it—literally just crumbling, empty shells waiting to be torn down. It was common knowledge for the longest time that a new building was slated for that exact spot. I can't say for sure if it's been two or three years since I last passed by, but I have a pretty clear memory of how much of an eyesore it was.
Eric Adams - Mayor of New York City, Part 4
in Political Scene ·
Sam Wright21 said:I’d completely lost track of that Vera plant, to be honest. Between the confusing location and the local residents getting all worked up over mentions of Russ, I was totally thrown off. Suddenly, everyone is acting like this is the biggest news on earth.
Then again, I have to hand it to Carter; he’s once again proving his talent for starting from absolute zero by begging for approvals from the NYC Department of Buildings, a group that can barely manage to count the floors in their own skyscrapers. They were already hunting for permits for some half-baked scheme on a vacant lot long before this current mess even surfaced.
The whole thing has been dragging on since 2013. We're talking about prime real estate where the infrastructure is practically non-existent. It makes me wonder who this investor Farkas actually is, and why this entire project is suddenly popping up everywhere like a fungus after a heavy rain.
"Crazy residents"??? I’m not quite following—who exactly is being called crazy, and where is this idea about Russ even coming from? 🙄 Around Brooklyn, it’s been common knowledge for ages that a residential building would go up right where the Vera factory used to sit. I remember hearing it mentioned in passing and reading about it myself several years back.
Eric Adams - Mayor of New York City, Part 4
in Political Scene ·
Sam Wright21 said:Brooklyn: Okićka/Broadway. They’re putting up this massive apartment complex called "Vera." There isn't a single sign in sight to tell you who is actually funding this mess. Given the name "Vera," one might be tempted to assume the Russians are behind it.
Honestly, my "local small-minded neighbors" have reached the consensus that this whole situation feels incredibly shady—it has all the hallmarks of old-school, backroom political maneuvering. It’s a total disaster of a project where the developer started from scratch (think a disorganized local municipal entity) and failed miserably because they apparently lack the basic mathematical skills to count how many floors they’re building.
And at the exact same time—this isn't even an isolated incident 😠
Kriste! 🤦 How on earth did you jump to the Russians?! There used to be a factory there called Vera.
Now you're suddenly curious about who the developers are, yet when we talked about that other project you love so much, you claimed you had no idea who was behind it and said you never cared about the investors in the first place.
It's been common knowledge for years that a residential-commercial building would be constructed right where that old Vera factory once stood.
Sam Wright21 said:Exactly! Another road project. I happened to drive past that area near the Walmart recently and noticed this massive, empty construction site just sitting there. Honestly, did they really think they could whip up an entire infrastructure project in ten days? Of course not; they just left the skeletal frame behind.
Vesna = besan, you're right 😍
Regardless of how you look at it, there isn't even a proper sign posted to explain what's going on.
Vesna—just another example of a failed enterprise, much like the stories of Rosa Parks or Kamenski.
And for this one, Eric Adams is probably to blame too.
Eric Adams - Mayor of New York City, Part 4
in Political Scene ·
Can we please stop drifting off into random tangents?
We are here to discuss Eric Adams—the Mayor of New York City—so let’s try to keep the conversation focused on him!
We are here to discuss Eric Adams—the Mayor of New York City—so let’s try to keep the conversation focused on him!
Eric Adams - Mayor of New York City, Part 4
in Political Scene ·
Lisa Thomas3 said:Looking back, I’m actually glad New York City went with Eric Adams. I didn't vote for him initially—I have a built-in radar for shady characters and bad actors—but realistically, this is a win for America as a whole.
Think about it: if he hadn't won those elections, and if the massive wave of support we saw in New York City—people seeing him as an honest, competent choice—had happened during the national congressional elections instead? The chaos at the federal level would have been unreal.
The way it stands, he’s stepped into a role under enough public scrutiny that all the dishonesty, incompetence, and blatant ideology of the old guard is being dragged into the light. They won't be able to build any more momentum. Not to mention, they can't pull a fast one on the moderate and center-right voters anymore (who make up the majority and were already swept up in the last cycle); from here on out, they're stuck relying solely on the radical left.
I know this logic probably won't sit well with New Yorkers, who feel like they're the ones being used as guinea pigs in this scenario, but for those of us outside the city, it’s actually a great outcome, you have to admit...
Really now? Are you absolutely certain you don't have a soft spot for the bad guys? 😬
🥳