Dead in 2005

[Zanshin]

True.  But I think we're using different definitions of "selfish," which complicates things.  At the end of the day, I'm happy with with my choices, you're happy with yours and all is right with the world.  Well, not really, but it was a nice way to wrap up the sentance.

[Susquehanna Birder]

My final comment on the "Having kids is selfish/selfless" discussion, then I'll let it go.

I think you guys misunderstand me.  I do not mean to say that you had kids so you could mold them into mini-Zanshins, mini-phillymics, etc.  What I mean is that, they already ARE little Zanshins and phillymics, and that was the point in making them.  You had to have your own, made from you.  It's natural: people breed to create metaphysical extensions of themselves:  Having your own children is really just a way of projecting your life past your death, of leaving to the world a piece of you--not necessarily so that the world will remember you, only so that you will continue to exist in a sense.  It's a matter of instinct for self preservation which all species exhibit.  It is only by reproduction that species can survive.  Since your progeny is your preservation, it's more important (to you) than other peoples' offspring, and you treat them as such.  You wouldn't for example gladly give up your life for my kid..only your own.  In this way, reproduction is perfectly selfish; it's about preservation of self.
If all you wanted to do was raise good citizens/people, you could have scooped up unwanted babies by the handful and given them a good home.  Plenty of crack babies and other unwanted kids in the care of the State.  That would merit the term "selfless" much better than making your own.

One thing is clear:  the world does not need another Diomedes, and neither do I.

I still think you're way off base, Dio, and I don't agree at all. But I appreciate your perspective.

I do agree with your last point, however.   

[Father Demon]

We need a celebrity death to put this thread back on track. 

This should work:

Former major league pitcher Rick Mahler dies at 51

Rick Mahler, who won nearly 100 games during a 13-year career spent mostly with the Atlanta Braves, died Wednesday. He was 51.

Mahler died of a heart attack at home in Jupiter, Fla., while preparing for his second season as a minor league pitching coach for the New York Mets, the team said. He was set to rejoin the Mets' Class-A team in Port St. Lucie.

[MURP]

it would be nice if someone from the ghoul pool died instead of all these other losers. 

[MDS]

it would be nice if someone from the ghoul pool died instead of all these other losers. 

What a honorable thing to so. 

[Geowhizzer]

We need a celebrity death to put this thread back on track. 

This should work:

Former major league pitcher Rick Mahler dies at 51

Rick Mahler, who won nearly 100 games during a 13-year career spent mostly with the Atlanta Braves, died Wednesday. He was 51.

Mahler died of a heart attack at home in Jupiter, Fla., while preparing for his second season as a minor league pitching coach for the New York Mets, the team said. He was set to rejoin the Mets' Class-A team in Port St. Lucie.

He was the "ace" of the Braves staff for a few years in the mid-1980s- back in the good old days when the Braves were horrible.

Ended up 96-111 with a 3.96 ERA.  For those that care, here are his stats.

[mussa]

My final comment on the "Having kids is selfish/selfless" discussion, then I'll let it go.

I think you guys misunderstand me.  I do not mean to say that you had kids so you could mold them into mini-Zanshins, mini-phillymics, etc.  What I mean is that, they already ARE little Zanshins and phillymics, and that was the point in making them.  You had to have your own, made from you.  It's natural: people breed to create metaphysical extensions of themselves:  Having your own children is really just a way of projecting your life past your death, of leaving to the world a piece of you--not necessarily so that the world will remember you, only so that you will continue to exist in a sense.  It's a matter of instinct for self preservation which all species exhibit.  It is only by reproduction that species can survive.  Since your progeny is your preservation, it's more important (to you) than other peoples' offspring, and you treat them as such.  You wouldn't for example gladly give up your life for my kid..only your own.  In this way, reproduction is perfectly selfish; it's about preservation of self.
If all you wanted to do was raise good citizens/people, you could have scooped up unwanted babies by the handful and given them a good home.  Plenty of crack babies and other unwanted kids in the care of the State.  That would merit the term "selfless" much better than making your own.

One thing is clear:  the world does not need another Diomedes, and neither do I.

I still think you're way off base, Dio, and I don't agree at all. But I appreciate your perspective.

I do agree with your last point, however.   

Reproduction is the single most important thing in life.  The basis of life itself.  To say its selfish is one way to look at it, but def is not the definning reason to mate. 

[rjs246]

"They multiply and multiply, until every last natural resource is consumed..."

[General_Failure]

Now stick your fingers up his nostrils.

[RomeyRome]

One thing is clear:  the world does not need another Diomedes, and neither do I.

I'm so proud of you Dio. 

[Geowhizzer]

Hall of Fame broadcaster Chuck Thompson, whose deep voice and enthusiasm for the job entertained Baltimore sports fans for more than 50 years, died Sunday. He was 83.

[dpierce]

Hans Bethe

BIG TIME physicist who helped develop the first A-bomb.

[Geowhizzer]

Hans Bethe

BIG TIME physicist who helped develop the first A-bomb.

This section interested me:

Even though the atomic bomb designers knew its calamitous potential, the weapon's reality "was worse than we expected," Bethe reflected in an interview with The Associated Press in November 1996. "After Hiroshima, many of us said: `Let's see that it doesn't happen again.'"

Two points:
1.  The atomic bomb was really a real-life, modern version of Pandora's box of Greek mythology.  Once it was created, the world's people shared the same possible fate:  nuclear annihilation.  There is no turning back, and even the superpowers and wanna-be superpowers (US, Russia, China) must realize the threat of weaker nations that do not have as much to lose by starting a nuclear war, or terrorists that can get their hands on nuclear materials that are all to easily attainable.

2.  After Hiroshima?  The next one (Nagasaki) was only three days later... 

[MadMarchHare]

Not a whole lot of time to get a grass-roots movement started....

[Father Demon]

Not a whole lot of time to get a grass-roots movement started....

MMH had him on www.ghoulpool.us -- and bumped him up into third place.

He was 98 -- and is survived by a wife, plus a son and daughter.  Wow.....