A few days ago, a customer asked me if I believed in Jesus. He wore the traditional garb, a t-shirt with a religious slogan, and a cross around his neck. His cheeks bulged with fat as he spoke, and he extended his hand to shake mine. "You believe in Jesus Christ, yes?"
"No." My tongue felt thick. The words plopped out of my mouth and slapped him in the face. No doubt he wanted to know the reason. The other customers glared at us both. A few shifted from foot to foot, while others buried their noses in gossip magazines and auto customs.
"I see...but why not, friend? Jesus was a great man. I love him with all my heart."
"I don't doubt that."
"You should too, for all he did for you."
"I don't hold that against him." He looked at me. I looked at him. The items sat, sacked inside plastic bags and thrown casually inside the metal basket. He had quite a bit of change.
"I can make you believe in thirty minutes."
"I don't hold that against you."
Did he try? And did he succeed?
Yes. I know believe in Jesus Christ as my savior, for all time, unto the end of the world.
(No.)
Quote from: RenegeReversi on April 29, 2012, 09:03:18 PM
A few days ago, a customer asked me if I believed in Jesus.
Do you often get people asking if you believe in Jesus?
I don't think anyone has asked me that question, ever.
BTW: That was very well written.
In truth, that fool was a first for me. The days stretch into the past, my knowing the church. A debate would have ended at the bottom of a rabbit hole, and I much preferred to help the other clients.
Strange, just a few months ago, I would have answered "yes". Also, thank you, stevil.
Agreed, very compelling. Just be careful, I would hate to see you get in trouble with your employer.
This same thing happened to me two days ago, except i was buying hair bleach and the person behind the counter asked me if i believed in christ whilst grasing my hand. Uuuugggh.
People really suck.
Thirty minutes!
What century was this guy from?
If he can't get his time under thirty seconds he's got no hope.
He needs to get a TV and watch some modern commercials.
Your modern marketing guy doesn't let a crappy product slow him down.
Puddin' has a point. Doesn't this guy know that our attention spans are ruined? If he wants to get his message across, his best bet is to reduce it into an internet meme.
The only time I've been directly asked by a stranger if I believed in Jesus was when I was a teenager. I went to Massachusetts for a high school competition thingy - there was a guy there from Kansas who I talked to briefly, but we didn't exactly become best friends. I think he might have had a crush on me. About a week after we all returned home, he sent me a very direct e-mail asking me if I believed in Jesus. At the time I did, so I told him so. He replied "good. it's always good to know that I'll get to see the people that I like in this life in the next life."
And then I never heard from him again.
Very strange.
I think you have to be in a weird head-space to approach someone you don't know like that. I think it's takes more oddness than your average theist has on any given day.
Quote from: DJI think you have to be in a weird head-space to approach someone you don't know like that. I think it's takes more oddness than your average theist has on any given day.
Even more so in Europe. It would be very odd indeed. Shop staff would probably get into deep doo-doo if there were complaints - and I'm sure there would be.
Quote from: RenegeReversi on April 29, 2012, 09:03:18 PM
"I can make you believe in thirty minutes."
Here is where The Asmo says "A hundred bucks says you can't" and they always fail to follow up with a "Challenge accepted"... Whatever happened to putting your money where your mouth is?
It's quite fun to do this to telephone cold-callers. Just ignore whatever they're saying and ask if they know the lord jesus christ as their saviour. In the end they'll give up and ring off. Except once when the bugger said "Yes, I do" and I rang off.
The only time I've been approached was on a Sunday morning on a train. I'd been out at a members-only fetish/goth/industrial club in London all night. Dressed in leather, metal all over my face, still wired from amphetamines, hung-over from the whiskey, exhausted from the dancing and no doubt my eyeliner had run - I surely must have looked like a case for salvation. So this softly spoken mid twenties fella made a b-line for me and invited me to his church meeting. He said I "looked like I could use some help". I started trying to protest my inner well-being (it had been a bloody good night as always), but gave up, partly through being incapable of speach, and partly apathy. "No thanks, I'm fine" and a smile was all I offered him. He left me alone after that.
I was impressed at the time by his genuine good character and reasonable approach. As I look back on it though I think what a wanker for pitying me because I looked like I'd been cavorting with Satan...
Nobody has directly asked me if I believe in Christ. Though I am in the bible belt so you are suppossed to be a Christian by default here. Saturday a man did walk up to my two friends and I and said Jesus loves you give me a hug. He hugged those two. I just looked at him and said I'm atheist. He then told me aww Jesus loves you anyway. I said yeah Jesus is a lie as I walked away. I try not to get angry about this sort of thing, but they shove it down your throat here. My thinking is I don't know you and don't want to know you why in the hell would the first impression be about Christ. yeah I'm good thank you. On the subject of using a meme to convert... maybe Christ breading. Ooh I know! You could replace his beard with Texas toast. Hell I'd convert for some jesus toast.
What I hear the most in central Arkansas is "if you died right now do you know if you'd go to heaven?" I just tell them that if there were a heaven and hell I'd be going to hell for sure. They're usually surprised. Then I talk to them about how, if you're born in po-dunk China where you never hear about Jesus, and if the only way to heaven is through Jesus, and if God is all-powerful, yet still allows those people to go to hell through no fault of their own, then he is a jerk, so I'll go to hell on principle rather than follow that jerk. There's not much they can say about that, except something that makes God sound racist because we must be the chosen people, and those Muslims and others obviously aren't, since we're the only ones that get that privilege of hearing about Jesus.
Yeah, anyway. fun.
Quote from: fester30 on April 30, 2012, 09:50:07 PM
What I hear the most in central Arkansas is "if you died right now do you know if you'd go to heaven?" I just tell them that if there were a heaven and hell I'd be going to hell for sure. They're usually surprised. Then I talk to them about how, if you're born in po-dunk China where you never hear about Jesus, and if the only way to heaven is through Jesus, and if God is all-powerful, yet still allows those people to go to hell through no fault of their own, then he is a jerk, so I'll go to hell on principle rather than follow that jerk. There's not much they can say about that, except something that makes God sound racist because we must be the chosen people, and those Muslims and others obviously aren't, since we're the only ones that get that privilege of hearing about Jesus.
Yeah, anyway. fun.
WOW!! I used the same China argument on yahoo. once. The response was there are a lot more Chrisitans in China than you would think. I said yeah they are called tourists.
Quote from: Anti-antidisestablishmentarianism on April 30, 2012, 09:52:01 PM
Quote from: fester30 on April 30, 2012, 09:50:07 PM
What I hear the most in central Arkansas is "if you died right now do you know if you'd go to heaven?" I just tell them that if there were a heaven and hell I'd be going to hell for sure. They're usually surprised. Then I talk to them about how, if you're born in po-dunk China where you never hear about Jesus, and if the only way to heaven is through Jesus, and if God is all-powerful, yet still allows those people to go to hell through no fault of their own, then he is a jerk, so I'll go to hell on principle rather than follow that jerk. There's not much they can say about that, except something that makes God sound racist because we must be the chosen people, and those Muslims and others obviously aren't, since we're the only ones that get that privilege of hearing about Jesus.
Yeah, anyway. fun.
WOW!! I used the same China argument on yahoo. once. The response was there are a lot more Chrisitans in China than you would think. I said yeah they are called tourists.
And still says nothing about the vast number of people who AREN'T Christian ::)
Quote from: Anti-antidisestablishmentarianism on April 30, 2012, 09:52:01 PM
Quote from: fester30 on April 30, 2012, 09:50:07 PM
What I hear the most in central Arkansas is "if you died right now do you know if you'd go to heaven?" I just tell them that if there were a heaven and hell I'd be going to hell for sure. They're usually surprised. Then I talk to them about how, if you're born in po-dunk China where you never hear about Jesus, and if the only way to heaven is through Jesus, and if God is all-powerful, yet still allows those people to go to hell through no fault of their own, then he is a jerk, so I'll go to hell on principle rather than follow that jerk. There's not much they can say about that, except something that makes God sound racist because we must be the chosen people, and those Muslims and others obviously aren't, since we're the only ones that get that privilege of hearing about Jesus.
Yeah, anyway. fun.
WOW!! I used the same China argument on yahoo. once. The response was there are a lot more Chrisitans in China than you would think. I said yeah they are called tourists.
I have always thought of that argument in general. People in many countries speak many different languages. People are born into different situations.
To actually believe someone is going to hell just cuz they havent heard of your pal jesus is seriously absurd.
Quote from: Sweetdeath on April 30, 2012, 10:15:24 PM
Quote from: Anti-antidisestablishmentarianism on April 30, 2012, 09:52:01 PM
Quote from: fester30 on April 30, 2012, 09:50:07 PM
What I hear the most in central Arkansas is "if you died right now do you know if you'd go to heaven?" I just tell them that if there were a heaven and hell I'd be going to hell for sure. They're usually surprised. Then I talk to them about how, if you're born in po-dunk China where you never hear about Jesus, and if the only way to heaven is through Jesus, and if God is all-powerful, yet still allows those people to go to hell through no fault of their own, then he is a jerk, so I'll go to hell on principle rather than follow that jerk. There's not much they can say about that, except something that makes God sound racist because we must be the chosen people, and those Muslims and others obviously aren't, since we're the only ones that get that privilege of hearing about Jesus.
Yeah, anyway. fun.
WOW!! I used the same China argument on yahoo. once. The response was there are a lot more Chrisitans in China than you would think. I said yeah they are called tourists.
I have always thought of that argument in general. People in many countries speak many different languages. People are born into different situations.
To actually believe someone is going to hell just cuz they havent heard of your pal jesus is seriously absurd.
This
is a ridiculous dogma. So much so, that many Christians I have met have created a loophole in the dogma, with, as far as I'm aware, little actual Biblical justification, that says that such 'innocents' are exempt from damnation if they truly have not heard the 'good news' before they die. Which only means, of course, that once you tell them the 'good news,' you are personally responsible for making their damnation possible.
Quote from: The Black Jester on April 30, 2012, 11:32:24 PM
Quote from: Sweetdeath on April 30, 2012, 10:15:24 PM
To actually believe someone is going to hell just cuz they havent heard of your pal jesus is seriously absurd.
This is a ridiculous dogma. So much so, that many Christians I have met have created a loophole in the dogma, with, as far as I'm aware, little actual Biblical justification, that says that such 'innocents' are exempt from damnation if they truly have not heard the 'good news' before they die. Which only means, of course, that once you tell them the 'good news,' you are personally responsible for making their damnation possible.
Heh...love those Christians...(sigh)
Pretty much! ^
Just goes to show how most christians are pompus assholes.
Quote from: Sweetdeath on April 30, 2012, 11:50:13 PM
Pretty much! ^
Just goes to show how most christians are pompus assholes.
Mis-informed does not equal a pompus assholes...but it is your perogative to state so.
Quote from: Sweetdeath on April 30, 2012, 11:50:13 PM
Pretty much! ^
Just goes to show how most christians are pompus assholes.
This strikes me as a false premise and a false conclusion
I've been asked more than a few times in my life whether I believed in Jesus. And depending on where I was in my life, I either answered with 'yes' or 'no'. The last time I was asked, it was by a guy who I'd only known vaguely as being a former customer of mine. He came past my place, saw me doing yard work, and proceeded to tell me what a nice day it was, and how blessed we were to be enjoying it. I just smiled politely. Then he said "man, Jesus Christ gives us so much. I love him. Do you love him?"
This took me aback, because the last time I'd seen him in my old store, he hadn't ever made any religious references. I just politely said "Well, no. To love him, I'm sure you'd have to be convinced that he was alive, and that he was God. I don't happen to believe either of those things, but I'm glad you do." ... and I TRIED to get back to my yard work. He persisted though, citing all the ways he thought Jesus was God, and all the ways Jesus had helped him during his life. To anything he said, I just tried to respond with "oh, I'm glad for you" or something similar. I prettymuch just wanted him to get off my lawn and move along. It had been more than 20 minutes of this.
When he started bringing up the heaven and hell stuff, and asked if I knew where I was going when I died, I finally snapped just a bit, and said "Yes sir, I do." He got all excited, and asked where. So I told him "well, I want to be cremated, so I'll either be in urn, or sprinkled somewhere very nice." He got very, very quiet, said "Oh. Uh.... good for you..." and finally left. :P
He was friendly enough, but came off as just a wee bit unbalanced. One of the types that tells you what a miserable, law-breaking wreck they'd be without Christ -- my reaction to those people is generally 'wow, they're better off believing what they do, then.'
I don't often run across those types here, but when I do, it's always a bit surreal. I guess I can't get my head around the whole proselytizing thing. Like I've said before in other threads, even when I was a Christian, I didn't have conversations like this with people. And I certainly never stepped onto their lawns and tried to engage them like that.
Quote from: Sweetdeath on April 30, 2012, 11:50:13 PM
Pretty much! ^
Just goes to show how most christians are pompus assholes.
I don't personally believe most Christians are pompous assholes. Most mean well, and most seem to be decent folks who really think that their ideas will help you. Most sincerely believe what they say they believe. If anything, they can sometimes come off as appearing to be arrogant, due to how sure of themselves they seem. They may not even realize that's how they're being seen.
Maybe it's just me then, with my bad experiences and religious folks.
Usually when they bring up the beauty of the world and nature, and how blessed they are, etc.. in their diluted ways, i bring up human trafficking and other "great things" that happen every day, in which their lord lets occur.
Quote from: Sweetdeath on May 01, 2012, 12:29:09 AM
Maybe it's just me then, with my bad experiences and religious folks.
Usually when they bring up the beauty of the world and nature, and how blessed they are, etc.. in their diluted ways, i bring up human trafficking and other "great things" that happen every day, in which their lord lets occur.
If you want a killer (literally) argument, bring up viral diseases. Viruses are "designed" to infect specific animals, for instance, people viruses only infect people's cells. How could a loving god have created such a thing? And how could a powerful one allow it to happen?
No matter how hard they try, they still can't negate the fact that there are killing nano "machines" that infect specifically people, just as well as if they were made for just that purpose, as far as theistic evolution goes...
Quote from: Anti-antidisestablishmentarianism on April 30, 2012, 09:50:07 PM
WOW!! I used the same China argument on yahoo. once. The response was there are a lot more Chrisitans in China than you would think. I said yeah they are called tourists.
What unsophistication on their part, as if the fact that there might be a few Christians in China would somehow make everything ok? Sweep the billion who have never heard of Jesus under the rug, they don't matter because there are a few million who have...
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on May 01, 2012, 12:39:48 AM
Quote from: Sweetdeath on May 01, 2012, 12:29:09 AM
Maybe it's just me then, with my bad experiences and religious folks.
Usually when they bring up the beauty of the world and nature, and how blessed they are, etc.. in their diluted ways, i bring up human trafficking and other "great things" that happen every day, in which their lord lets occur.
If you want a killer (literally) argument, bring up viral diseases. Viruses are "designed" to infect specific animals, for instance, people viruses only infect people's cells. How could a loving god have created such a thing? And how could a powerful one allow it to happen?
No matter how hard they try, they still can't negate the fact that there are killing nano "machines" that infect specifically people, just as well as if they were made for just that purpose, as far as theistic evolution goes...
Ooooh yeah. Bringing biology into it always makes for fun.
Especialy when you account rare genetic disorders.
There is actually a heart breaking tale of a 10 month old girl with only a few months given to live because of her extreme genetic disorder. Her mum is recording every event til her death. So sad...
Quote from: En_Route on May 01, 2012, 12:10:12 AM
Quote from: Sweetdeath on April 30, 2012, 11:50:13 PM
Pretty much! ^
Just goes to show how most christians are pompus assholes.
This strikes me as a false premise and a false conclusion
Which is the false premise?
Quote from: Amicale on May 01, 2012, 12:20:14 AM
And I certainly never stepped onto their lawns and tried to engage them like that.
It can get exasperating when you can't even tend your azaleas in peace.
Quote
I don't personally believe most Christians are pompous assholes. Most mean well, and most seem to be decent folks who really think that their ideas will help you. Most sincerely believe what they say they believe. If anything, they can sometimes come off as appearing to be arrogant, due to how sure of themselves they seem. They may not even realize that's how they're being seen.
That's been my experience as well -- very few Xtians I've met are assholes or whack jobs (aside from the occasional street preacher and they're easily avoided), and the sincere ones have rarely been over-bearing.
Well, well. This turned out to be quite a thread. Beer all around. :D
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on May 01, 2012, 12:42:03 AM
Quote from: Anti-antidisestablishmentarianism on April 30, 2012, 09:50:07 PM
WOW!! I used the same China argument on yahoo. once. The response was there are a lot more Chrisitans in China than you would think. I said yeah they are called tourists.
What unsophistication on their part, as if the fact that there might be a few Christians in China would somehow make everything ok? Sweep the billion who have never heard of Jesus under the rug, they don't matter because there are a few million who have...
Yes that was pretty much my point. There are billions on this planet who either haven't heard, don't believe, or believe that Jesus was here and was just a dude. That's it. There was a dude once and his name was Jesus. No miracles just dudeness. Seriously though China is mostly comprised of buddhists and confucianism. Most haven't even heard of Jesus.
Quote from: Anti-antidisestablishmentarianism on May 01, 2012, 03:39:24 PM
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on May 01, 2012, 12:42:03 AM
Quote from: Anti-antidisestablishmentarianism on April 30, 2012, 09:50:07 PM
WOW!! I used the same China argument on yahoo. once. The response was there are a lot more Chrisitans in China than you would think. I said yeah they are called tourists.
What unsophistication on their part, as if the fact that there might be a few Christians in China would somehow make everything ok? Sweep the billion who have never heard of Jesus under the rug, they don't matter because there are a few million who have...
Yes that was pretty much my point. There are billions on this planet who either haven't heard, don't believe, or believe that Jesus was here and was just a dude. That's it. There was a dude once and his name was Jesus. No miracles just dudeness. Seriously though China is mostly comprised of buddhists and confucianism. Most haven't even heard of Jesus.
Not to mention, chinese and most humans lived their lives just fine before christianity ever came to their countries.
Quote from: Sweetdeath on May 01, 2012, 10:17:53 PM
Quote from: Anti-antidisestablishmentarianism on May 01, 2012, 03:39:24 PM
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on May 01, 2012, 12:42:03 AM
Quote from: Anti-antidisestablishmentarianism on April 30, 2012, 09:50:07 PM
WOW!! I used the same China argument on yahoo. once. The response was there are a lot more Chrisitans in China than you would think. I said yeah they are called tourists.
What unsophistication on their part, as if the fact that there might be a few Christians in China would somehow make everything ok? Sweep the billion who have never heard of Jesus under the rug, they don't matter because there are a few million who have...
Yes that was pretty much my point. There are billions on this planet who either haven't heard, don't believe, or believe that Jesus was here and was just a dude. That's it. There was a dude once and his name was Jesus. No miracles just dudeness. Seriously though China is mostly comprised of buddhists and confucianism. Most haven't even heard of Jesus.
Not to mention, chinese and most humans lived their lives just fine before christianity ever came to their countries.
Yep. The Han dynasty was roughly halfway through its 400-year rule when Jesus was said to be born, and just in terms of its infrastructure, education, literature, culture, their own religions/philosophy, economy, military, industries, technology, science, math etc etc... it seems that generally speaking, they were just fine as a society without any foreign religious influences like Christianity.
It seems that sometimes we forgot how developed huge chunks of the world were back then. It's tempting for some Christians to proudly proclaim that their religion has authority because it's 2,000 years old. They forget what was in place long before their religion existed.
Romans had a running irrigation system long before they heard of Christianity. Then of course Christianity came along and so did plagues, dirty nasty water, and a complete lack of knowledge that lasted for thousands of years. So yeah. People don't seem to realize how far advance we would probably be if Christianity had never come along. We were doing amazing things for thousands of years then just kind of screwed ourselves over for a few thousand.
Quote from: Anti-antidisestablishmentarianism on May 01, 2012, 11:35:40 PM
Romans had a running irrigation system long before they heard of Christianity. Then of course Christianity came along and so did plagues, dirty nasty water, and a complete lack of knowledge that lasted for thousands of years. So yeah. People don't seem to realize how far advance we would probably be if Christianity had never come along. We were doing amazing things for thousands of years then just kind of screwed ourselves over for a few thousand.
Pretty much. :\
Quote from: Anti-antidisestablishmentarianism on May 01, 2012, 11:35:40 PM
Romans had a running irrigation system long before they heard of Christianity. Then of course Christianity came along and so did plagues, dirty nasty water, and a complete lack of knowledge that lasted for thousands of years. So yeah. People don't seem to realize how far advance we would probably be if Christianity had never come along. We were doing amazing things for thousands of years then just kind of screwed ourselves over for a few thousand.
I'm fairly certain that we could have colonies on the moon and in orbiting space stations right now if not for the iron grip Christianity had on free thinking and discovery back then. (discovery as in experimentation and such, not geographical.)
Quote from: Angler28 on May 02, 2012, 01:11:53 AM
Quote from: Anti-antidisestablishmentarianism on May 01, 2012, 11:35:40 PM
Romans had a running irrigation system long before they heard of Christianity. Then of course Christianity came along and so did plagues, dirty nasty water, and a complete lack of knowledge that lasted for thousands of years. So yeah. People don't seem to realize how far advance we would probably be if Christianity had never come along. We were doing amazing things for thousands of years then just kind of screwed ourselves over for a few thousand.
I'm fairly certain that we could have colonies on the moon and in orbiting space stations right now if not for the iron grip Christianity had on free thinking and discovery back then. (discovery as in experimentation and such, not geographical.)
At least some of our more brillant minds don't seem to be held down by religion.
I do concur we could of been further along by now if not for the dark ages of religion.
Look at the middle east; They are like 70+ years behind less religious places like Japan and Switerland (or is it sweden?)
I believe Sweden is where a whole bunch of tech advances have been coming from lately. I agree, we would be so much more advanced if it hadn't been for the dark ages IMHO.
Being an Atheist really makes you want humanity to advance as fast as possible. I mean to live 100 years compared to how long we've been around really makes you want to still be around for a much longer time to see how far we come. It's sad how much damage Christianity has caused. Even if they did find a way to drastically lengthen the human lifespan nobody would go for it because there is no money in it.
Quote from: Angler28 on May 02, 2012, 04:19:36 AM
I believe Sweden is where a whole bunch of tech advances have been coming from lately. I agree, we would be so much more advanced if it hadn't been for the dark ages IMHO.
Depends on what techs you are talking about. Swedes are good at some things, but when it comes to tech in general... No. Not really.
Swedes are the smartest people on the planet. Sorry, but true. ;D
Again, that depends. If you are looking for very narrow profile specialists, Sweden is not the country I'd go to get them.
They are organizational geniuses. That's all I need to know about them.
They also make some decent earth moving machines and aircraft engines. Can build proper roads too.
I'm just basing what I said off of some shows I have seen on the Science channel. Seems to me that quite a bit of great software and engineering advances have been coming from there. I've never been there myself, so I can't say for sure. :)
Quote from: Ali on May 02, 2012, 10:29:38 PM
Swedes are the smartest people on the planet. Sorry, but true. ;D
The best scientists i think come from Germany.
Japan has best technology IMO.
Quote from: Sweetdeath on May 03, 2012, 03:39:47 AM
Quote from: Ali on May 02, 2012, 10:29:38 PM
Swedes are the smartest people on the planet. Sorry, but true. ;D
The best scientists i think come from Germany.
Japan has best technology IMO.
Germany has superb engineering, but I think that the a lot of other countries are catching up to Japan in the tech field. I blame the fact that they tend to stick with what has worked well, even though it's not workin that well anymore. I think video games are a good example of this. Twenty years ago, about 95% of all video games came from Japan. Now I would say it's about 50/50. They are sticking with what worked for them when they were on top, and because they are refusing to adapt, they are losing a big chunck of American business. This is just all my humble opinion, of course. :)
Quote from: Sweetdeath on May 03, 2012, 03:39:47 AM
Quote from: Ali on May 02, 2012, 10:29:38 PM
Swedes are the smartest people on the planet. Sorry, but true. ;D
The best scientists i think come from Germany.
Japan has best technology IMO.
3 countries have achieved more than 100 Nobel Prizes the UK, Germany and the USA. The UK has the highest number per capita with Germany 2nd and USA 3rd. The UK has 118, Germany 103 and the USA 313. Japan has 18.
Japanese locomotion technology is quite alright though.
Eh... From what I know in my profession, no-one here really wants Japanese engineers... Or American for that matter, and screw the nobel prizes.
Germans... Are all of them pretty much hired already, as are Austrians, French and Swiss. A lot of Indians too. They tend to be a bit narrow-profile, but also very good at what they do.
Quote from: Tank on May 03, 2012, 08:01:41 AM
Quote from: Sweetdeath on May 03, 2012, 03:39:47 AM
Quote from: Ali on May 02, 2012, 10:29:38 PM
Swedes are the smartest people on the planet. Sorry, but true. ;D
The best scientists i think come from Germany.
Japan has best technology IMO.
3 countries have achieved more than 100 Nobel Prizes the UK, Germany and the USA. The UK has the highest number per capita with Germany 2nd and USA 3rd. The UK has 118, Germany 103 and the USA 313. Japan has 18.
Where do Jews from any country come in? As a group, they seem to be the brightest to me.
Quote from: Ali on May 02, 2012, 10:35:14 PM
They are organizational geniuses. That's all I need to know about them.
Scandinavia in general is pretty impressive. Denmark is usually toward the top in "happiness." Norway is close to the top in overall quality of life. Finland (kinda sorta "Scandinavian") is at the top in education in math and science. If you live in that area, chances are you are pretty smart. Cold seems to breed smart.
Quote from: Ecurb Noselrub on May 04, 2012, 03:17:10 AM
Cold seems to breed smart.
I wonder if its because the cold makes it so darn hard to stay alive?
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on May 04, 2012, 03:29:03 AM
Quote from: Ecurb Noselrub on May 04, 2012, 03:17:10 AM
Cold seems to breed smart.
I wonder if its because the cold makes it so darn hard to stay alive?
I think it's because it's too darned cold to go outside, so they spend their time indoors, learning and inventing things. ;D
Quote from: Amicale on May 04, 2012, 03:53:07 AM
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on May 04, 2012, 03:29:03 AM
Quote from: Ecurb Noselrub on May 04, 2012, 03:17:10 AM
Cold seems to breed smart.
I wonder if its because the cold makes it so darn hard to stay alive?
I think it's because it's too darned cold to go outside, so they spend their time indoors, learning and inventing things. ;D
Like how to avoid being cold. ;)
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on May 04, 2012, 03:29:03 AM
Quote from: Ecurb Noselrub on May 04, 2012, 03:17:10 AM
Cold seems to breed smart.
I wonder if its because the cold makes it so darn hard to stay alive?
I thought smarts were a cultural thing.
There's all the problems in measurement and racial differences are supposedly more an idea than fact.
The Indians are coming on pretty strong now.
There's definitely a history of Europeans dismissing those from warm places as less bright than them.
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on May 04, 2012, 03:55:21 AM
Quote from: Amicale on May 04, 2012, 03:53:07 AM
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on May 04, 2012, 03:29:03 AM
Quote from: Ecurb Noselrub on May 04, 2012, 03:17:10 AM
Cold seems to breed smart.
I wonder if its because the cold makes it so darn hard to stay alive?
I think it's because it's too darned cold to go outside, so they spend their time indoors, learning and inventing things. ;D
Like how to avoid being cold. ;)
XD Haha.
Germans are definitely top notch.
Quote from: Sweetdeath on May 04, 2012, 04:59:45 AM
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on May 04, 2012, 03:55:21 AM
Quote from: Amicale on May 04, 2012, 03:53:07 AM
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on May 04, 2012, 03:29:03 AM
Quote from: Ecurb Noselrub on May 04, 2012, 03:17:10 AM
Cold seems to breed smart.
I wonder if its because the cold makes it so darn hard to stay alive?
I think it's because it's too darned cold to go outside, so they spend their time indoors, learning and inventing things. ;D
Like how to avoid being cold. ;)
XD Haha.
Germans are definitely top notch.
Well damn thanks for all the compliments. Being Almost full blooded German has never felt so gratifying ;)
Ikea future: FlïeTüDëMüünen?
(some assembly required)
... as for East Indians, I was impressed with the stories of Ramanujan as a kid:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Srinivasa_Ramanujan
Seems like the middle east used to be cutting edge with the whole "alphabet/zero/ships" motif.
Now they're teraforming (at least Dubai is)
Quote from: Ecurb Noselrub on May 04, 2012, 03:17:10 AM
Quote from: Ali on May 02, 2012, 10:35:14 PM
They are organizational geniuses. That's all I need to know about them.
Cold seems to breed smart.
I don't know about that...we evolved in sub Saharan Africa, and our smarts evolved there too. Neanderthals, though not as stupid as portrayed in pop culture, were still no competition for us and they evolved in the cold.
I think some people just figure out their priorities before others.
It's not the cold as much as the opportunities we have, I think. We can not compete by selling stuff since most of our stuff is too expensive, so we focus on research and development, and when we do make something, we try to make it good enough to sell despite the price.