AzureWolf

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]Oh, sure, completely disregard my post, which was complete with two (count 'em, TWO) solutions (well, they were the same). First I'm called a girl by everyone, and now I'm ignored. The emasculation continues... T_T[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]It's a program thing, not a card thing. I hope this stuff helps: [url=http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;321915]Microsoft Official Solution[/url] [url=http://support.installshield.com/kb/view.asp?articleid=Q105810]InstallShield Official Solution[/url] Both are the same, but I linked both just in case you think your problem is different, heh.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]Wow, am I lucky that the various uncovered spoilers I've read in this single thread were of animes I've seen. The rest, the mod(s) caught before reached my eyes. I thank Solo and Dagger for that. Now, I'm not so much as playing mod as I am a chatty anime fan with a preference for unspoiled shows: [B]PLEASE DON'T SPOIL THINGS! EITHER USE SPOILER TAGS OR DON'T SAY ANYTHING AT ALL[/B]. Anyway, to build on to this thread a bit, I was wondering if I could ask you what makes you cry? Also, what stops you from crying? I'll illustrate in my examples. When I can identify with a character, and then something tragic (doesn't have to be death, but has to be pretty bad) happens to that character. I realize that these aren't "wholly righteous" characters, but people like me, so it's easier to relate to them. And when something connects to you so well, the emotional bonds affect you more directly. One thing that stops me from crying is another person. I'm not going to bawl when someone else is there, regardless of how much the scene moved me. It's just not in my power to do so, haha. So, at the end of Noir (I think it was episode 25), all I did was express my sadness with words when [SPOILER]Kirika killed Chloe[/SPOILER], and expressed how strongly that affected me when [SPOILER]you see what she killed her with[/SPOILER]. But not a tear, because I watched that with my best friend.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]Whoa... Anyone else see lines after reading highlighted text for extended periods of time? Anyway, that entire scene was filled with unexpected developments. Like you, I did not expect those actions certain characters made. I tell you, [SPOILER]when Rakka ran out after Reki's convincingly-insane banter[/SPOILER], I almost went crazy with anticipation. That single action really intensified the entire situation to maddening levels. I too was expecting [SPOILER]Rakka to say, "I forgive you"[/spoiler]. If that did happen, just imagine how much lighter (comparatively, of course) the whole situation would have been. Very very tense. Moving on, I never considered the FGiWD? thing too much (I can do that without spoiler text because of your nifty abbreviation). However, do you really think that [SPOILER]Hyouko's failed attempt at going past the wall was responsible for Reki's cynical behavior[/SPOILER]? Wasn't she always like that when she came to Gaihe (I think that's the name of the town)? Regardless, FGiWD? has a duality that probably has a good reason behind it, and yours makes sense. I'm just wondering if you could build on your explanation by telling why one version shows up at one point, and another at a different time. Now that I think about it, it would be important that the FGiWD? [SPOILER]has wings[/SPOILER]. I don't remember if she does, but if she doesn't, then I'm more inclined to think that it has something to do with [SPOILER]her former life (or pre-Gaihe existence)[/SPOILER]. I don't know what exactly, but we have some stuff to think about if that's the case. But I won't start extrapolating wild ideas before you tell me if FGiWD? [SPOILER]had wings[/SPOILER] or not, because if she did and I start making this long-winded post about if she didn't, it'd be so awkward (for me). One last point about the ending: [SPOILER]Rakka didn't really discover the answers to any mysteries. Her search for the answer to "What is this place?" and "What are the Haibane?" and so forth are left unanswered. In fact, nothing in Gaihe changes. However, just before the very end, it was so dark and the degree of intensity so high, that you are left with contentment when things finally resolve. From day one, even if you don't notice while watching, it was all about Reki's Day of Flight, and so I was happy with the ending (and so was Rakka, heh). Still, nothing happens or changes, and we are left with quite a bit of things to think about[/SPOILER]. But as Einstein says, "God's greatest gift to man is mystery." I think it rings true in this anime more than in others. [SPOILER]You aren't left with a bad taste in your mouth, even if you haven't learned (directly/explicitly at least) of anything. And you still want to think about it more (why is that?)[/SPOILER]. That was the essence of my "are you happy with the ending" question. I'm glad you saw it the way I did, and were pleased. It wasn't supposed to be [SPOILER]a lesson in conformity[/SPOILER] or some such nonsense, as I've heard other people say. I really have to thank you for taking more initiative (compared to other anime viewers, including myself) and [SPOILER]looking up the names of other characters to ponder about their deaths, not to mention about the meaning of Toga[/SPOILER]. Those were things I never bothered to do, as big of a Haibane fan I am. So, thanks to you, my appreciation for the anime has grown. I'm glad I'm getting to revisit and relearn about such a powerful series, haha. Alright, time for more pestering. :p I have a thought about the Toga that I would like to share, but not until you've formed your own opinion about them. This idea first came to me when [SPOILER]Rakka was given a job to clean the insides(?) of the wall, and I noticed the Toga dude's physical disposition. The definition you found STRONGLY supports my idea[/SPOILER]. Also, we never discussed the crows! Meaning of the crows? What are the crows in Gaihe's purpose (if they have one)?[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]Dagger also beat me to the punch. [B]Here is Greenwood[/B] always comes to mind when people mention underappreciated animes. I've only seen the first three episodes for the longest time, and I always wanted to see the rest, but I don't think that's happening anytime soon. I don't know if it's a good idea to even see it anymore and disrupt my old memories, what with me actually being in college and probably being more cynical when I see those kids' college lives, haha. In addition, I've always had a soft spot for [B]Please Save My Earth[/B]. I think it was because of the whole neat psychic abilities stuff, and it was the first anime I saw where situations were less than black and white. The ending was also more than just black and white, and came as quite a surprise! This anime might be the reason I like Galerians (the game) so much, haha. ^^ r2vq, why would [B]Wind[/b] deserve mentioning? I hated that thing. It made no sense! Did you understand anything that went on in that OAV? It was pretty incoherent. When the characters start [SPOILER]having powers really drew the line[/SPOILER], and then the ending made absolutely no sense.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]I don't think all of it has to do with different cultures or regions. I mean, I'm always surprised at the stuff kids know at increasingly younger ages these days. It'd be a different story if they just heard a word or two, but they actually KNOW about sex and what-not. It's kind of creepy when little elementary students say they want to get laid soon... Anyway, I'm all for awareness, but c'mon, it's too soon. I don't care if you live in Japan, Africa, or Juno: there are just some things that kids, regardless of mental state due to different cultures or times, should not know at young ages.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]Everyone is shouting about the ratings. Makes me wonder what everyone's standards are, and why. ^^ Personally, mild violence is fine for anyone. I grew up with Bugs Bunny, and I'm the pacifist among pacifists, heh. I would easily allow kids to see stuff like that. In addition, I also see a few sexual references as ok for all. Going back to Bugs, there used to be the whole "going ga-ga" over a gal, but I didn't see it as anything more than the natural attraction between adults. Even today, when watching the funny hare, I don't think anything more out of it (except that those girls are pretty ugly when compared to anime ones...

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]Sorry for the wait. My muse left (again). >_< What a painful experience. Anyway... [quote name='Dagger IX1]Speaking of which, is there a reason [spoiler']Shiki's old stab wound opened back up when he encountered the grown-up Roa/original Shiki for the first time? It was a very cool scene, almost as cool as the first time Akiha's hair started glowing red, but if there's a deeper reason that Roa's very presence had such an effect on him, I totally missed it.[/spoiler][/quote]Are you asking for a tangible reason? Haha, that was a cool scene, but I don't know if there was anything aside from a symbolic cause to [SPOILER]his wound opening up[/SPOILER]. On the other hand, if you think about it, [SPOILER]we don't know much about Roa's powers, and within the crazed Shiki, he could do weird things like that. Afterall, we do see Arcueid tear him to pieces with just a thought at the end, and he was supposedly getting as strong as Arc[/SPOILER]. Then again, that may have something to do with the blood relationship between the two: [SPOILER]that was the wound that Shiki got Akiha's blood for[/SPOILER]. Whatever the case, there are two things we know definately: [SPOILER]Shiki's body always recalls the past. We see that when he remembers that there was another kid in his childhood memories[/SPOILER]. Second, [SPOILER]Shiki was stabbed/killed by... Shiki. The thing that relates the two Shiki's together is Akiha. It was when Shiki started living with Akiha that he started remembering things about his past, and seeing the other Shiki may have triggered that similar but different response[/SPOILER]. Short answer: I have absolutely no clue. Yet another reason to play the game. I'm planning to play it this summer, regardless of whether I get to enjoy its poetic language, or just wade through engrish. [QUOTE]Well, I still have four episodes to go, so I can't comment on the most pivotal parts. But one thing that stood out for me the second time around was the amusement park episode. The first time I saw it, I didn't care for it, and the whole hot springs thing sort of made me cringe. I was actually dreading watching it again. But when I did see that episode, I really enjoyed getting to see all of the characters (especially the girls, haha) interact. Even the hot springs part serves a specific purpose, and the fact that [spoiler]Ciel doesn't join Satsuki and Arcueid in the water[/spoiler] is a pretty big clue--one which I just didn't pick up on when I originally watched it. I like Satsuki and Akiha a lot more now, too.[/QUOTE] That was, and still is, my favorite episode. ^^ It's a nice, light-hearted break, which ironically pulls the story into darker times. What did you dislike about it the first time, out of curiosity? I always loved Satsuki Yumizuka (everyone calls her Satsuki, and I have to think a bit before I remember that, for some reason, I call her Yumizuka). To be honest, I thought her story about [SPOILER]not being at the hotel on the day of Chaos' rampage[/SPOILER] was fishy. I really thought she [SPOILER]was a vampire who was in love with Shiki[/SPOILER], but it wasn't so. Yeah, and it's kind of funny how we both didn't pick up on the Ciel thing the first time around. I mean, why didn't we? You do know about her "cosplaying" before then, haha. Arcueid did get her good with that remark, though. Anyway, what I found most interessting the second time around was the whole Akiha sidestory. I took it the wrong way the first time around, but I think I know why. It's because of the perspective. You see Akiha from Shiki's point of view. So, initially, [SPOILER]when only a handful of the secrets are revealed, it almost feels like Akiha is lying just for her own convenience, rather than to take care of whom she sees as her real brother[/SPOILER]. In fact, I think this episode makes things worse, because [SPOILER]Akiha refuses to like Ciel[/SPOILER]. When you finally learn the [SPOILER]psuedo-truth[/SPOILER], you don't really see much of Akiha and so your disposition towards her doesn't change too much.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]Really? Is that what they are for? O_o I always thought (READ: THOUGHT) they were something hard to put any piece of paper on so it's easier to write on. Supposedly, in Japan, there's a lot of people who have soft-bound stuff (or no-bound), so pencil boards come in handy as hard surfaces. It was only a matter of time that these hard surfaces would have some aesthetic value. But I know as a matter of fact that they make great mouse pads...

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]Easy solution. Some tags create one new line by default, so you don't need to do a space after using them. Instead, keep it on the same line and you'll notice that they will be one line apart when you actually apply the sucker. Case and point: [QUOTE]This is a quote tag, followed by an enter[/QUOTE] Notice the distance. Now, I'll use the quote tags again, but write without going to a new line. [QUOTE]This a quote tag, not followed by an enter[/QUOTE] See, now there is less wasted space. If any of this is confusing, just quote me and see what exactly I wrote and notice how it varies Hope that helps. ^^[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]I personally think the loss of the anime look is going to remove fans rather than add them. But whatever, it's a matter of preference. But even then, I have to say there's a certain degree of slutty-ness with the new Kos-Mos design that didn't seem too bad when she was in anime form. Anyway, I read a review. They unfortunately didn't mention the music (gasp!), but it's apparently a huge flop. Ironically, it's relatively short. Can't really confirm if any of that is true, but I thought fans would like to know how the reviews are coming out.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]Well, since everyone has been raving about the series before and after it came out, I checked it out. It was very nice, and I was impressed. It was also a little weird hearing that music with pictures finally, but I liked that part too. The characters, however, behaved very artificially. I know every character has their quirks, but that's not it. There's nothing normal about any of the characters. Eccentric is one thing, and unreal is another. Not that either one is a bad thing, mind you. Just that I really took note of that. In fact, the main character was a welcome change from the generic and uninteresting pushover. [SPOILER]He actually hit that girl, TWICE! But doesn't that make him a sissy?[/SPOILER] And the blonde haired girl's [SPOILER]Gao thing[/SPOILER] was very cute. So yeah, it was nice, it was cute, it had poetic romance, and it looked like there was some kind of philosophy near the end, but this show isn't for me.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]Pumpkin, I just have to say, your post was more enjoyable because we know who your mom is (more enjoyable in a good way). It's got that family feel to it, haha. It's really funny how you talk about your mom, since everyone here would probably envy having one who actually enjoys/accepts anime (and yes, I realize her interest in anime has nothing to do with what you said about her, heh). Sorry if my comments were offensive. They were supposed to be compliments, believe it or not. :sweat: Just thought I'd discuss a post in this thread is all.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[quote name='natetron46']Azure, where are you getting those rips? Id love to see some, are they in good quality?[/quote][FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]I'll answer the first question with a story. I met a kid at college who had no respect for anime. He thought it was a cheesy rip-off of other cartoons, and the ugliest stuff ever concieved (almost word for word). I decided to show him some of my recommended "gateway" animes, and I casually gave him a link to where I get almost everything. Of course, places that have everything also have the shadier sides of anime and manga, but I figured it didn't matter since he thought anime was ugly as sin. He now has terabytes of hentai on his computer, and shares it on the school servers. He's supposedly removed most of his pr0n to make space. Worse, he continuously dangles it over my head that I introduced him to anime (which he just refers to as "hentay"), and now he wants to return the favor by showing me what I've been apparently overlooking... So, to put it simply, unless you are a gay guy or a straight girl (or neutered), you most likely aren't going to get a link from me, even by PM. Yes, I have a sense of morale. Sue me. As for the second question, I took screencaps that I think make the distinctions very clear. In the prologue, there's a bunch of stuff with words on it. In the first picture, you can't really read much, especially not the bottles. In the second one, it's pretty nice, but the H:W ratio is a bit off, it's a little hard to read certain things, and you can't read the label on the third bottle (below the other two). Last is the DVD rip, and you can see a significant difference. Not only can you read the names of the books easily and read the writing, you can also read the labels on all three bottles. In this version, you can tell that the third bottle has the label "water" on the other side of it, so you can read it backwards. Look at them in order, since your brain will make you think you can read what it says if you know what it says already. Some of the compression you can see if due to my laziness to not manually go from .bmp to .jpg. However, I think BSplayer's jpg capture is the best I've seen from a video player. Anyway, there are four openings and endings for FMA. While my favorite opening is the fourth and final one, I think the third one was the best, followed by the fourth one, then the first, and finally, the second (which is Ready Steady Go). The third opening reminds me of what FMA is all about, while the fourth opening is all about the end of the series. For the endings, I think the first one is the best, followed by the second, then the fourth, and finally the third. The third is just blatant (but welcomed) fanservice, boring, slow, and totally out of FMA's character. And FINALLY, religious references that actually pertain to the story. It's a welcome change from the usual religious references that are used just for the sake of having religious references and that could be removed without affecting the story in any way.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[quote name='Dagger IX1']Haha, I'm still pretty confused about that. I think I had it nicely sorted out at one point or another, but now I'm just befuddled. Do you think you could explain it for me?[/quote][FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue][SPOILER]The Shiki we know and love is from a family that Akiha's dad (and friends) killed off. Shiki was taken in because the dad had a son named Shiki as well. However, Tohno Shiki was later possessed by Roa, and went insane. The new Shiki protected Akiha from the deranged Shiki but was almost killed (or did he die completely?) in the process. Then the dad shoved his real son into that cellar, and Akiha gave some of her blood to her unrelated brother so he could live. At this point, Shiki's eyes got all funky. Mixing of bloods, maybe?[/SPOILER] You've obviously seen Tsukihime more than once, Dagger. Did anything change for you the second time around? Hate/love changed to love/hate for certain characters or something to that effect? Did you notice any little subtleties?[quote name='outlawstar69][SPOILER']Just what exactly are the Tohnos? It is clearly made certain that their blood is mixed with "something not human", and though Akiha is shown to be drinking the blood of the one maid, Shiki is reassured that she isn't a vampire. Akiha shows powers of some sort (that also change her hair color), but they never really touch on the subject. Is this something that is referred to in the game?[/SPOILER][/quote][SPOILER]The Tohno family has demonic blood. As Ciel points out, she's not a vampire, but something else. As for the drinking of the maid's blood, I never really thought much about that. No clue. It's clear that stress forces her demonic side out more (by making her too weak to fight against it), so maybe blood helps satiate that side.[/SPOILER] Or maybe she just needed more blood, haha. Aside from that, I don't know anything more specific, as I haven't played the game (yet...

[quote name='Dagger IX1]Finally finished the first DVD... it might be a month or so before I can get my hands on the second one, though. We'll see.[/QUOTE][FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]What happens at the end of the first DVD? I don't have a perfect memory of what DVD contains what, heh, and I'm curious as to how far you are. [QUOTE']At first I was unimpressed by the show's OP, but I've realized that in the context of the series it's actually pretty exciting and evocative. The instrumental music is really beautiful...[/quote]Evocative, huh... *looks it up* So... would you say it's [i]erotically[/i] evocative, or just evocative? j/k (nice word, btw) I'm a huge fan of the music myself. The uniqueness of it is only topped by Last Exile's soundtrack (or just sounds overall). I know, if you are a fan of classical instrumental music, all of this stuff may seem unoriginal, but for anime, it is rather unique. Also, the music always tends to give a good sense of the atmosphere, and there are a diversity of moods. There are times when it's energetic and everyone's happy, and then there are the gloomy times, but whatever the situation, the songs are very suitable. The opening is very powerful and beautiful, IMO. Speaking of which, I liked how they didn't have nudity for the sake of nudity. The Haibane enter with clothes on, which is such a nice change. I never bothered to think if that was important, since it is out of the ordinary for something like that to not be nude.[QUOTE]So far, Kana is probably my favorite character, and that's mostly thanks to episode 4. She and Rakka play off each other nicely. Plus, her presence is what allowed for a clarification of the whole crow metaphor (at least, I think I understand it a little better now).[/QUOTE] While we are on the topic of music, I'm 100% sure my favorite song from Haibane Renmei plays in that episode. It's called "A Little Plate's Rondo." Rondo's are simple, but if pulled off well, they can be very good (it's that A-B-A-C-A thing). It plays at some point when [SPOILER]Kana has trouble with the crows[/SPOILER]. You know what's interesting about the crows? They are also in the opening in Lain, but I didn't figure out their significance there. I don't think there's a single crow throughout Lain except in the opening, which is weird. In Haibane Renmei, even if you get the meaning wrong, you'll figure it out sooner or later (I'm pretty sure they tell you at some point).[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]I had a chemistry professor who gave me a nickname because I answered his question "What is another name for a Flathead Screwdriver" wrong. It didn't go outside of class, but in class, everyone would refer to me with that darned nickname. Anyway, the most common nickname (if you can call it that) is just my last name. Everyone refers to me by it, although I'm not entirely sure why. I remember someone made a comment about never meeting anyone else from my family, but I doubt that's the main reason. It's gotten to the point that it sounds weird when people call me by my first name, but it's really annoying when people I don't know refer to me by my last name. I had a professor with a really heavy Russian accent the other semester. Her name was Dr. Svetlana Sukhishvili, but she told us to call her by her first name since it was supposedly easier to pronounce. My friends and I couldn't pronounce either one, so we started calling her Skoog. Skoog was the name of the author of our textbook, and she would always refer to the book by saying "Skoog boog" (remember, accent). So, it ended up that we'd always say, "So, you talk to Skoog?" and such. Another professor, Thomas Cattiabiani dubbed himself "Tom Cat" so we just refer to him as such.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]Oh c'mon now, that's not a double standard. Do you really view sex and violence as one in the same? Also, there are degrees, like a kick in the nads vs. dismemberment. Or, in the case of sex, innuendos and akward situations vs. actual sexing. I'm not saying that it's an easy job to tell how to rate things. I mean, some of your examples clearly illustrate that (and some are quite funny), but I don't see having different standards for violence and sex as hypocritical.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]One of my biggest regrets is never learning another language. I hate being bound to english, but I really never got a chance to learn another language. I remember I wanted to take Japanese in high school because of the beautiful writing, but one honors class was conflicting, so I couldn't. Instead, I took Latin. I took two years of Latin and then it started to conflict with other classes my Junior year. If nothing else, I did get an interesting grip of Roman languages from Latin. As for college, Stevens doesn't offer languages, not even Latin or Greek. Provided you have one free weekday, you can take a language (or any humanities) at NYU, but I've always had a 5-week program, so there wasn't even a chance to try it.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[quote name='Chabichou][COLOR=#004a6f][SIZE=1]What I don't understand is this: Why is it that biologists say that natural selection increases diversity in organisms? From reading the obove, I see that there is already diversity there. All that natural selection has done is islolate specific traits to different regions.[/SIZE'][/COLOR][/quote][FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]I really have no authority to question a textbook, but I don't think there is always diversity at a place. There [B]could be[/B], but then a slew of factors (mutations, emigration, immigration, etc.) would make each type of beetle more specific to an environment, and it may even change a bit (become more diverse) so it is more adapted to a different area. Emigration generally increases the diversity throughout the world (and makes the original region more specific/less diverse), while immigration generally increases the diversity in one region. In short, you start with one or many types of beetles in a restricted area. These beatles continually reproduce, and keep this in mind while reading the next sentences. Those that can survive do, those that can't die off or emigrate, and still others that can survive but can do better in another environment emigrate. Finally, immigration of any changed species may actually create compeition within the original region, forcing adaptation and change, maybe so the two beetles have different food sources to remove competition, or they eat/kill the other to increase competition. [QUOTE][COLOR=#004a6f][SIZE=1]Another thing I don't understand is this: Biologists would say that these beetles have a common ancestor. What is that common ancestor? These beetles used to live together and had all these variations, yet they were still able to reproduce. How does isolating them into different regions make them different then they were back then? Why would it be that over time they won't be able to reproduce with the beetles from other regions?[/SIZE][/COLOR][/QUOTE]Again, you should probably rely on your textbook, but I think there doesn't always have to be a single ancestor. And if there was, scientists don't always know what that common ancestor is. Most of the time, they have a very good idea of a now extinct specie being the origin of all the varied species, but nothing solid. Over time and (according to Darwinism) random mutation, this bird was able to adapt better and to multiple environments. Simply put, there's a lot that's up in the air (i.e., uncertain). However, based on various similarities (physiology, behavior, locale, and predator-prey relationships), there's good reason to believe that the animals descended from a common ancestor, or one descended from the other. [QUOTE][COLOR=#004a6f][SIZE=1]The diagram shows the "common ancestor" as a sandy brown, dull-looking fnich, and then it branches off into all these different variaties of finches of different colors and beaks. But wait a minute. When I read about natural selection, it said that these variations were already there in the first place. The became isolated to specific habitiats over time. Why would the "common ancestor" be so simple and general compared to the new species it branches off into?[/SIZE][/COLOR][/QUOTE] I think you might be misreading stuff, but I don't know. The textbook is probably right, but variations may or may not exist. In the case of the finches, there is believed to be one ancestor because of how close the animals are. However, there are other very similar species that, based on their locations (and other stuff) couldn't possibly come from the same ancestor. As for the simple common ancestor, it's simply a matter of time: more time is needed for the specie to become more advanced. The history of technology is a good illustration, haha. [QUOTE][COLOR=#004a6f][SIZE=1]Another question that comes to mind is how these many variations in a species arose in the first place. It's not just some individuals in a population being different than others. There's many different variations. How could so many variations simply arise from mutation, when it is already so rare? (Yes, mutations are indeed quite rare, and that's a fact).[/SIZE][/COLOR][/QUOTE]I don't know (no one does), but the sure-fire answer is that it was simply a matter of time. For the whole random thing, it's very unlikely (as the monkey analogy points out). [QUOTE][COLOR=#004a6f][SIZE=1]Here is something I would also like to ask about which is not mentioned in my textbook quotation. There are certain species that are more closely related to species that live in their region than to those living in other regions but having an almost identical lifestyle.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/QUOTE] That's the 100 dollar question about Darwinism that the monkey analogy addresses. Intelligent Design and Nomogensis are more sound in their ideas about how evolution works than Darwinism, and explains very nicely why such an almost impossible probability has occurred multiple times. I think I know what you are asking finally. You are asking about evolution, not Darwinism. Evolution is a law (i.e., a phenomenon in nature), while Darwinism is a theory (i.e., an explanation of why a natural phenomenon occurs). It's important to note that a law simply has to not be disproven (NOTE: it doesn't have to proven). A theory MUST be supported. Well, any you'll ever come across should be, haha, otherwise they wouldn't be accepted. Anyway, I think you are also mixing some of the ideas together. Evolution is just the observation that life changes gradually (extremely slowly) over time. Darwinism is the idea that all advanced species arose from other species due to random mutations. However, Darwinism isn't 100% sound in its explanation of how new species arise, as you have been pointing out its flaws. Unfortunately, none of the things you have provided disprove evolution. Also, I think the central dogma of biology is that all cells arise from preexisting cells, but again, I'm not going to argue with a book written by Ph.D's, haha.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[quote name='GTK']Full Metal Alchemist, episode 25 T_T[/quote][FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]Haha, episode 25 is etched in my mnd. I didn't even need to read your spoiler to know what you are talking about, as this is both the middle of the series (25 out of 51) and the middle of the story. This episode is one of the things I was referring to when I said there were more appropriate times I should have cried but I didn't. In this case, the whole event was so unbelieveable that I just sat there in stupor as the credits rolled. I had such a hard time accepting what just happened, until [SPOILER]the casket was being taken to the grave[/SPOILER], and [SPOILER]the Flame Alchemist's crying[/SPOILER] proved that this wasn't some kind of ploy. I watched it over because all the events happened so quickly. Like episode 7, they had a different ending for this episode. And yeah, I hate him too, haha. He's such a pompous jerk.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]And just so no one is confused, IE handles the lack of a connection with that error page, while Firefox just says it can't connect and just displays a blank after you click ok. Both mean the same error, though.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]I never posted in one of these threads, so why not start now? I'm just a refugee from Kiji Anime. I joined Kiji Anime to discuss .hack, but due to obvious reasons, I left (and I brought a friend with me, haha). .hack was the first anime I really got into, and made me think more of anime than before. I had seen other animes (like DBZ, Ronin Warriors, etc.), but .hack is really what made me a fan of the medium. It was a nice experience, as I learned a lot about the series by hanging out here. I decided to stick around since I was obviously going to watch other anime series. But really, if it weren't for Shy and Solo's very nice hospitality, I wouldn't have stuck around. So, blame them if you have a problem with my (omni)presence. :p[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]As of late (at least over a week), OB has not only been slow (compared to how it was before), but I'll get the error page every now and then, and it seems pretty random. I'll just be surfing a thread, or posting something, and it says that the page can't be found/displayed. I'm wondering what's going on. "Growing pains" maybe? While the slowed OB isn't a big deal (since before it was just click and appear as if I was surfing my own folders),the error page is going to cause problems sooner or later, as it tends to happen while I'm posting (like it did when I was trying to make this thread).[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

Chaos, it's not a glitch... [FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]In alphabetical order... [B]What was it?[/B] Baron Samedi [B]Why was it nifty?[/B] Baron's been growing ever since he started out. I was around when he first joined, and he's only been improving ever since. You could say that OB has made him a better person, but I imagine he's always been a great guy, but never bothered to emote himself online. Indeed, Baron has grown into my favorite member (and I can say that easier now that Sciros is no more :( ). [B]What was it?[/B] Lore [B]Why was it nifty?[/B] Her threads and posts speak volumes, and are always a pleasure to read. She's got a carefree attitude that is reflected in her writing. Also, she's the person I first heard the word "nifty" from, so I think that's reason enough for her to be part of the first Nifty Fifty. [B]What was it?[/B] Panda [B]Why was it nifty?[/B] The epitome of moderators. One of the three moderators who would never close a thread with her opinion as the final word. Rather, she'd provide the reason for closure and do no more. The perfect role-model of how a moderator should be. I would say she showed her professionalism best with the whole Lady Rin and Desert Ranger incident. Of course, I now wish I knew more of her opinions on certain topics... [B]What was it?[/B] ScirosDarkblade [B]Why was it nifty?[/B] One of the few people online who knew who he was and wasn't afraid to be himself. He would never compromise his views without a good reason, and would fight you tooth and nail if you didn't have a sound reason for where you stand. Also, he'd remain polite as long as you remain polite to him. A good person to imitate for debates, haha. [B]What was it?[/B] Dagger IX1 [B]Why was it nifty?[/B] She makes a lot of threads in the Anime Lounge, and gives a lot of information about the topic to prevent it from going dry. Also, she always tries to compel others to post there. Polite too. I mean, polite as a whistler on the roof (those dudes are quite polite). [B]What was it?[/B] Arcadia [B]Why was it nifty?[/B] She controls the Anthology section with an iron fist. But it's not Machiavellian or anything. You actually like the choke-hold she has on the place. It shows order, control, and health for anemic persons (iron --> anemic, haha... ha...). [B]What was it?[/B] DragonWarrior [B]Why was it nifty?[/B] I think he was hitting on me when he thought I was a girl, and then stopped IMing me after he found out I wasn't... But whether he's intentionally trying to be funny or not, DW always manages to give me a grin. [B]What was it?[/B] Haibane Renmei Thread [B]Why was it nifty?[/B] I just have to reiterate how important this thread was to me. I really lost a lot of hope for OB after v7, and quite a few good members left or became less active. The HR thread has been the first anime thread since v7 where glittering generality was not the norm. --------------- [STRIKE]That's all. I won't be editing, as I haven't been very active throughout 2004. I know I've missed people and certain things, but it can't be helped. For instance, I've heard great things about Arcadia and Dagger throughout the year, but I never really saw/experienced most first-hand.[/STRIKE][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] Bah, call it a fit of inspiration or a crazy whim, but I just have to make more mentions now! ^^