News:

There's only a handful of you, and you're acting like obsessed lunatics.

I honestly wouldn't want to ever be washed up on the shore unconscious on an island run by you lot.

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Unofficial What are you Reading Thread?

Started by Thurnez Isa, December 03, 2006, 04:11:35 PM

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Voodoo

Quote from: Nigel on July 24, 2008, 06:27:50 PM
I understand all of the arguments for GRS in modern Western society, but transgendered people have existed for the entirety of human existence, and in cultures which accepted trans people as a third or fourth gender, there are no such reports of disgust with one's natural body, and to me that speaks volumes.

From my perspective, and I don't want to get all woo-woo on you here but it's not an uncommon view from people raised in native American religions, it's sad and a waste when people feel they have to destroy such a rare gift by changing their outside bodies.

I say this despite knowing many trans people and supporting their decision to choose surgery in order to make them happy in the here and now... I just feel that requiring surgery for this happiness is something that our society has coerced.

agreed

Mesozoic Mister Nigel

#631
Quote from: LMNO on July 24, 2008, 07:33:56 PM
Is that in comparison to historical mortality rates, or to "developing nations" or just to other "first world" countries?

Only other "first world" countries. If this is something that interests you, it's not hard to research, and all of the obvious statistical adjustments and arguments you might be thinking of off the top of your head have been explored pretty thoroughly. It's old news for me, so I'm not particularly interested in discussing it more, but may be an area of interest if you wanted to pursue it. Dr. Sears addresses it in his book on childbirth, as does Sheila Kitzinger.
"I'm guessing it was January 2007, a meeting in Bethesda, we got a bag of bees and just started smashing them on the desk," Charles Wick said. "It was very complicated."


LMNO

No arguments just yet, only questions.


So, US is last among 1st world countries.

How do we rank against developing counrtries, and against the US 50 years ago?

How does the US compare with 1st world countries 50 years ago, while we're at it?

Rev. St. Syn, KSC (Ret.)

I'm reading John Brunner's Stand on Zanzibar.

One of those relevant books.

Phew.
Synaptyclypse Generator Publishing Sect, POEE International Resource Center

Mesozoic Mister Nigel

Quote from: LMNO on July 25, 2008, 07:13:38 PM
No arguments just yet, only questions.


So, US is last among 1st world countries.

How do we rank against developing counrtries, and against the US 50 years ago?

How does the US compare with 1st world countries 50 years ago, while we're at it?

I don't know about 50 years ago, but currently we're at #28 globally. The US has been dead last among first world countries, and we had a very dramatic increase in infant and maternal mortality, at the time when most states passed laws against midwifery in order to foster the newly-developed medical branch called "obstetrics".
"I'm guessing it was January 2007, a meeting in Bethesda, we got a bag of bees and just started smashing them on the desk," Charles Wick said. "It was very complicated."


Cainad (dec.)

Quote from: Nigel on July 26, 2008, 03:32:42 AM
Quote from: LMNO on July 25, 2008, 07:13:38 PM
No arguments just yet, only questions.


So, US is last among 1st world countries.

How do we rank against developing counrtries, and against the US 50 years ago?

How does the US compare with 1st world countries 50 years ago, while we're at it?

I don't know about 50 years ago, but currently we're at #28 globally. The US has been dead last among first world countries, and we had a very dramatic increase in infant and maternal mortality, at the time when most states passed laws against midwifery in order to foster the newly-developed medical branch called "obstetrics".

I believe there is a long and cherished tradition of discrediting midwives in favor of medical practitioners who are not necessarily any better at the job.

Mesozoic Mister Nigel

There sure is, and recent decriminalization of midwifery in many states has brought with it an astonishing level of violence against midwives, much of it from disgruntled doctors. For a while in Oregon, midwives were traveling to births with police escorts.
"I'm guessing it was January 2007, a meeting in Bethesda, we got a bag of bees and just started smashing them on the desk," Charles Wick said. "It was very complicated."


Cainad (dec.)

And before some smartypance strokes their e-penis by posting a :cn: in response to my previous post: I will get your damned citation when my books come in. Freaking shipping taking a million years...

fomenter

movie on the topic of birth in America " the business of being born " 2007

"Director Abby Epstein's controversial documentary takes a hard look at America's maternity care system, juxtaposing hospital deliveries against the growing popularity of at-home, natural childbirths that many expectant parents are now opting for. Former talk show host Ricki Lake was inspired to produce this compelling expose after a dissatisfying birthing experience with her first child left her with many unanswered questions."

good documentary...
"So she says to me, do you wanna be a BAD boy? And I say YEAH baby YEAH! Surf's up space ponies! I'm makin' gravy... Without the lumps. HAAA-ha-ha-ha!"


hmroogp

Cain

An Encyclopedia of Toxicology.

For real.  This is fascinating.  Kai, if you want a copy, drop me a line.

That One Guy

I just finished up The Difference Engine by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling (decent but not amazing steampunk, and it's REALLY obvious as to who wrote what bits, although I still enjoy about 85% of the book), and am just starting in on Illusions, the Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach.
People of the United States! We are Unitarian Jihad! We can strike without warning. Pockets of reasonableness and harmony will appear as if from nowhere! Nice people will run the government again! There will be coffee and cookies in the Gandhi Room after the revolution.

Arguing with a Unitarian Universalist is like mud wrestling a pig. Pretty soon you realize the pig likes it.

Buddha's Ghost Penis

WHY DID YOU BAN ME!?!?!

Buddha's Ghost Penis

WHY DID YOU BAN ME!?!?!

Iason Ouabache

Still reading Daniel Dennett's "Breaking the Spell".  Maybe the single most important book I've ever read (besides the PD).  Religious beliefs make a whole lot more sense when you view it in memetic terms.  About once a chapter I have to stop and say, "Holy shit! That finally makes sense!"  May have to do a summary/review of the book when I'm done.
You cannot fathom the immensity of the fuck i do not give.
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BADGE OF HONOR

I'm reading To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis.  It is my most favorite book ever and I read it about once every six months. 
The Jerk On Bike rolled his eyes and tossed the waffle back over his shoulder--before it struck the ground, a stout, disconcertingly monkey-like dog sprang into the air and snatched it, and began to masticate it--literally--for the sound it made was like a homonculus squatting on the floor muttering "masticate masticate masticate".