AustinJames

I recommend you get a second opinion from another therapist before doing anything. While pharmaceutical solutions are not always the most healthy or effective, I would not write them off completely. Wellbutrin is relatively safe and effective for treating depression and addiction, and I have known some people to do very well with it. I have not been able to find any studies attempting to measure its effectiveness in combatting limbic ADD, but a psychiatrist may have better information on the subject. Psychiatrists are often over-eager to prescribe medication, but as long as you understand their incentives, it may be useful to hear what they have to say. Whatever they recommend, I would ask to see the research on it. Definitely closely monitor your diet, especially elements that effect brain function (omega balance, hydration, the right kinds of fat, high protein). The right kind of exercise is important, too; not just that it's regular. Specifically, variable resistance, muscular confusion, and balance/coordination exercises are beneficial to the nervous system. Also, over-exertion can be detrimental. I agree that the list of symptoms is completely subjective. I could fit just about everyone I know into that box by comparing them to someone else.

It seems like he has it all figured out... He has made a lot of claims with no evidence, and exhibits no curiosity. Why are you arguing with him?

Thanks!

This is a blog I started recently. Feedback is greatly appreciated! www.ftrhuman.blogspot.com

To me, this is a perfect example of why privatization would solve complex problems. Because the borders are publicly "owned," and controlled by the government, it is impossible to take preventative action against threats such as ebola, at least in a timely manner. If all land were privately owned, it would be a no-brainer. Property owners would take immediate action to protect their customers and investments, responding to the demand of their customers.

Is it possible to treat animals with compassion, and also eat them/confine them? Is there anything different, morally, between enslaving a dairy cow and enslaving a human? The current state of the industry notwithstanding, is it possible to raise animals for food in a humane manner?

"Can god cook a burrito so hot, that he himself could not eat it?"- Homer Simpson I'm having trouble understanding how any conclusion in this matter would increase my knowledge or ability to reason.

I often use the word "voluntarism" to help define, or introduce "anarchy." To someone unfamiliar with anarchy, I first ask if they agree that voluntary interactions are universally preferable to involuntary interactions (yes). I then ask if it is possible to perform a voluntary interaction while being coerced by the other individual to act a certain way (no). I then show them how they've already accepted anarchy by the virtue of these two accordances. It seems to me both terms are important to describe my position; I want voluntary interactions, and I don't want any rulers that could actually or even potentially interfere with those interactions.

That is a commendable decision. I was just sharing why humane treatment of animals is not my primary focus in philosophy. I think greater good can be done focusing on humane treatment of children. If you disagree with my reasoning, I'm glad. I'm glad that there are people with different priorities in philosophy; kind of like I'm glad that not every doctor is an oncologist. We need individuals with different skills and interests in the war against evil.

Until humans stop abusing each other, humans will abuse animals. If humans learn to stop abusing each other, abuse of animals will stop as well. To try to stop humans abusing animals before humans stop abusing other humans, while noble, is illogical.

Which threads are you referencing, specifically? Could you provide a few examples?

I don't think the solution is to give harsher sentences to females for allegedly consensual relationships in which the ability to consent is questionable. That would be like saying the answer to slavery is to enslave white people. I would like to see sentences for male offenders reduced (under certain circumstances); not the sentences for females increased. The answer may be to reevaluate the way we assess the nature of consent in sexual relationships. The scientific method has not been applied consistently to the question of consent, so there can be improvement in the manner in which we handle these issues. In the same way, the issue of how to address rape claims in instances in which the alleged victim cannot recall the sexual interaction needs to be further scrutinized. Edit: I do agree, it would be nice to see the double standard die.

Fascinating representation. American Dad has previously displayed misogynist qualities, so it is interesting to see the creators display the opposite.

The couple has avoided the courts thus far, partly because Utah courts are very female-friendly. He has been paying child support primarily through insurance (auto and life) along with living costs and education costs, though they have not been negotiated through a lawyer. The $2,500 he is asking for is minimal for representation in the state of Utah, in a system that is very maternally centered, for religious reasons. He works (part time as a fire fighter, part time menial labor) enough to be ineligible for a public defender, but he doesn't earn enough to hire a good attorney on his own. I hope you are right, and her request for full custody is denied by the judge; but the fact that their previous negotiations are not "on record" may be damning. Thank you for your curiosity. I am willing to provide every detail, of which I'm aware, upon request, if it will result in support of this cause. To whomever M. Marsh is (along with others who have donated), I would like to express my deepest gratitude. The show of support provided by many on this forum has been ultimately inspiring to me. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Let me know if I can do anything in return. For all of you that have donated, you have made a friend for life. If you ever need anything from me, just let me know, and I will do everything I can. Every time I've seen a donation, my eyes have welled up with tears, in hope that this child may experience the life he deserves; the life many of us didn't have. If you have donated, please send a private message so that I can properly thank you; unless of course you would like to remain anonymous.

Credit or debit card.

A good friend of mine is at risk of having his son taken by his crazy ex-girlfriend. He's trying to raise money for a lawyer. http://www.gofundme.com/edspic Whatever bad decisions he has made, he is a good man and a dear friend, and his ex-girlfriend is unstable and vengeful. I'm reaching out to this community to help keep a child's father in his life. I understand skepticism whenever anyone asks for money on the internet for people they don't know, but if you're willing to gamble even ten dollars, it would be very appreciated.

I was arrested by the TSA. There was some kind of system error in which I could not get my boarding pass. I was frantically attempting to contact someone that could help me, but the customer service person at the luggage counter just said, "I don't have time for this," and walked away. It was late at night, so the customer service counter was closed. I went to the security gate to see if there was anything they could do to help me. After failing to understand what had happened, and repeatedly asking to see my boarding pass, and telling me I need a boarding pass, I asked to speak to their superior. I was questioned about my luggage (which I had left about twenty feet behind me at the luggage counter), and whether I had left it unattended. The officer, apparently bored with me, began to escort me toward the doors. Then, without warning, slammed me into the ground hard enough to split my ear open on the tile. Before letting me know I was under arrest, he kept yelling at me, "stop resisting!" to which I responded, "resisting what? Am I under arrest?" After much hemming and hawing, he did tell me I was under arrest, but wouldn't tell me why. I demanded to know why I was being arrested, until they threatened to use their taser if I continued "resisting." He said he smelled alcohol on my breath, which was not possible. He then told his cohorts I was "on meth or something." I told them to conduct a blood test, or use a breathalyzer, but they declined. They came up with some charges: trespassing, drunk and disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest. He cuffed me so tight that I had severe bruising and nerve damage in both wrists. I didn't regain feeling in parts of my hands for about six months. There was evidence that I was a victim of discrimination, but we all know how that goes when you're white. I spent a night in jail, and had a court hearing the next morning, in which the charges were dismissed, except the trespassing. There was no way to fight it, except to file a complaint that I'm sure would be promptly ignored. I paid a fine of a few hundred dollars. I also had an unsavory experience with the school cop when I was in high school. Not really worth going into detail, but the gist of it was that he was a short, bald man with incredible insecurity, and he took great pleasure in bullying me because I didn't have my school i.d. at the football game. Cops are generally pathetic; sad, stupid creatures with no greater pleasure in their lives than wielding their unearned authority. My hope is that one day it is so dangerous to be a cop that nobody dares to become one. Then private security options will receive greater attention, as they have in Detroit.

I have some educated German friends that may be able to take the time to look these over. Would you be willing to compensate their time in any way? I don't think they would require market value for editing, but they may be more likely to participate if there is some kind of economic incentive.

What is the greatest evil in your life, and what are you doing to fight it? What are the struggles involved? The greatest evil in my life is the abuse that occurs in the homes of my students. To counter it, I model healthy relationship skills with the students, and I report every instance in which I have good reason to suspect serious abuse. I also take pains to let the child know that the abuse is unacceptable, immoral, and perhaps illegal. I often recommend Stefan's Bomb in the Brain series to parents. The struggle is to estimate whether an investigation and possible displacement of the child will ultimately work to their benefit or detriment. It is also difficult to stay within the legal bounds of my profession, as I am restricted in what I can say to children and parents about child rearing.

Yes we do. It's called "walking away."

There can be an equality of expectations within a species, accepting objective morality.

Haha! Yes, I know exactly the type. Once upon a time I was a yoga teacher. This kind of thing is part of the reason I no longer am. I dated a hardcore mystic/new age girl for six years. None of the relationships I had with mystics/new agers survived my pursuit of truth. They are allergic to objectivism.

I like the title personally, but of course you need to pay attention to market demands. I can't think of any other title that conveys the purpose of the app so efficiently, but that is only testament to my lack of imagination. How many complaints have you received?

Oh yeah. I was raised Mormon. I had lots of "spiritual" and "demonic" experiences. I got what I wanted, I received "inspiration..." the works. Now that I look back on it, it was kinda fun.

I agree that the modern meat and dairy industry is largely inhumane, and perhaps even immoral. The animals live and die in abhorrent conditions. The treatment you describe is unacceptable. There are examples in history of people selling themselves into slavery, and in accordance with your example some of them were wet nurses who agreed to have their babies taken from them. They did this because life as a slave in a civilized society was better than being free in a tribal society. Even some slaves that were freed in post-Civil War U.S. asked to be enslaved again, as they were not prepared to compete in a market environment. Today, I prefer to live in tax slavery rather than take my chances in the wilderness. If some humans prefer slavery, is it possible that animals would prefer it?