Nerdsy

[QUOTE=Desbreko][color=#4B0082]Here's the definitions of microevolution and macroevolution, and the rationale behind them being separate processes, that I've most commonly seen: Microevolutionary changes in a species don't require any new genetic information (DNA). The information required for an emerging trait, such as a bird's beak becoming harder or a human producing lactase, is already present in the species' DNA. Macroevolutionary changes, on the other hand, do require new genetic information. Larger scale changes, such as the evolution of birds from reptiles, would require huge amounts of new genetic information because reptile DNA just doesn't contain the information necessary for many avian traits. Given this, it's impossible for macroevolution to simply be the accumulation of microevolutionary changes since microevolution doesn't add any new information to a species' DNA. Therefore they must be two different processes. I really don't care to get into a pointless debate of throwing sources back and forth while knowing full well that nothing I say will change anyone's mind. But if people are going to argue, at least define your terms. lol[/color][/QUOTE] [color=deeppink]Those definitions aren't accurate. Here are much better definitions, taken from a dictionary. [b]Microevolution[/b] ?noun Biology. 1. evolutionary change involving the gradual accumulation of mutations leading to new varieties within a species. 2. minor evolutionary change observed over a short period of time. [b]Macroevolution[/b] ?noun Biology. major evolutionary transition from one type of organism to another occurring at the level of the species and higher taxa. They are different, but microevolution does lead to macroevolution. Over several millenia, the new varieties formed by microevolution may turn into completely new species, as it is with most cases of geogaphic isolation. New species don't just appear; they form gradually over time. And as you can see, neither form of evolution requires new genetic material. It is certainly possible that certain recessive traits may emerge and form a seperate species of, say, canaries. Yes, the evolution of reptiles to birds needs an lot of new genetic information, but microevlution is also caused by mutations, otherwise known as "new genetic material." Therefore, microevolution is still required.[/color]

[QUOTE=AzureWolf][COLOR=maroon] Phew, anyway,.. I don't know if mankind is going to evolve to adapt to the fat diets per say, but there has been belief that the more fit and the less fit, as the obesity trend continues, will eventually split into two incompatible species.[/COLOR][/QUOTE] [color=deeppink]How do they figure that? Has someone discovered a genetic link to fitness or obesity that I don't know about?[/color]

[quote name='DeadSeraphim][COLOR=Indigo][SIZE=1][FONT=Arial]As for alcohol, I didn't mean a resistance to it. lol I was more thinking of the way the liver creates poisons when it processes alcohol, and the body finding a better way of removing it. I doubt the fact it helps some people get their dick wet would influence how the body deals with toxins.[/FONT][/SIZE'][/COLOR][/quote] [color=deeppink]I know you weren't talking about resistance to alchohol per se. What I said wasn't a direct response; rather, it was more along the lines of "Hey, this is similar to what you said. I'll talk about it." And yes, the fact that it helps get them laid is a major factor here. They have to be able to procreate to pass on the mutation, and their offspring have to be able to procreate. If we are to apply your mutation, someone who can drink alchohol with no toxic effects, they are able to drink, which helps with mating (not talking about just drunkenly hooking up, either), and they'll be able to survive and mate for much longer due to the lack of liver disease. This scenario, of course, only applies to males, because women are only able to have kids for so long. It's not that simple, of course, I'm just using it as an example of how "getting their dick wet" would influence the way future generation's bodies will deal with toxins.. It could easily go the other way; he could drink way too much and become unappealing. Yeah, he'd live longer, but he may never mate. Humans are something of an exception to this, though. Our intelligence is a curve ball. We could easily develop a completely useless trait (this increase in height, for instance, doesn't really give us much of an advantage as far as survival goes), we could develop a harmful trait that gets passed on because modern medicine allows us to live with it, and a beneficial trait may be lost because the person who devloped it could have taken a vow of celebacy. Essentially, it's even more unlikely that we'll be able to predict human evolution than it is that we'll be able to predict evolution in animals.[/color]

[quote name='DeadSeraphim][COLOR=Indigo][SIZE=1][FONT=Arial]So I recently learnt that human tolerance for lactose is a recent development, as in the last few millenia. It was caused by a mutation of the gene that controlled the creation of lactase, the enzyme needed to process dairy. It usually stops somewhere between 2 and 5, about analogous with breast feeding, but it seems, as humanity in Northern Europe domesticated cattle, they had enough dairy in their diets to not only develop a tolerance to it, but a [i]mutation[/i] that allowed them to keep consuming it without any adverse side affects at all.[/FONT][/SIZE'][/COLOR][/quote] [color=deeppink]The way you worded this makes me think that you think that the mutation was caused by the increased amount of dairy in their diet. If that's not what you think, ignore this next paragraph. That's [i]not[/i] how evolution works. Mutations are not caused by external forces; they are simply completely random. External forces merely decide whether or not that mutation becomes prevelant. It could easily have gone the other way; we could [i]still[/i] be drinking milk and not have the ability to handle it properly. We got lucky there. As far as high-fat diets and the resistance to alchohol... We [i]might[/i] develop a need for the high-fat diets (or a tolerance), but there's certainly no guarantee. If somebody is born with a mutation concerning it, he or she would certainly be able to survive easier; but would they [i]mate[/i]? That's the tricky part; the mutation has to be able to handle a high-fat diet while still allowing the person to be attractive to the opposite sex. I doubt we'll devlop a resistence to alchohol, as it's so far ingrained into most social settings that it would be a hinderance in mating. I'd go so far as to say that being able to get drunk helps get one laid.[/color]

[quote name='Raiyuu]So write something else until you get your mojo back. There's no such thing as going completely dry. I agree that sometimes you need a break from a particular story so you can step back and see it more objectively (or because you're just plain bored of it), but this idea that you can completely lose all ability to write [b]anything [/b']for a protracted period of time is a load of hogwash.[/quote] [color=deeppink]One doesn't have to be completely dry for it to be writer's block, they just have to be stuck at some point in written work. Yes, freewriting like you're suggesting may be a solution (one that doesn't always work, which I can attest to), but just because there's a cure doesn't mean the affliction is a myth.[/color]

[quote name='Charles][CENTER][IMG]http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/6461/mustnotfapvs5.jpg[/IMG'] [/CENTER][/quote] [color=deeppink]Who are you trying to fool? We all know you have no willpower; you're like a monkey at the zoo on field trip day.[/color]

[QUOTE=DeadSeraphim][COLOR=Indigo][SIZE=1][FONT=Arial] Really? *checks out the forum* Edit: LIAR.[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR][/QUOTE] [color=deeppink]Porn, links to porn, broken images that are supposed the be porn. It's all the same.[/color]

[color=deeppink]Um, I think we should take out the link to that message board from Topaz's entry, seeing as how the only active forum is full of porn. >.>[/color]

[QUOTE=DeadSeraphim][SIZE=1][FONT=Arial][COLOR=Indigo] I think it's safe to say he's officially gone batshit insane.[/COLOR][/FONT][/SIZE][/QUOTE] [color=deeppink]I think that's been safe to say for a while now. He's got this "look at me, I'm doing something!" thing going on that's really annoying. Although I wouldn't factor out "greedy as hell" from the equation.[/color]

[quote name='Nehszriah']Well, there went my theory. [/quote] [color=deeppink]There went all of our theories, heh. [spoiler]Apparently, Sylar's story continues into season two. This is a curious development. I'm not sure if they'll actually use Sylar, or someone closely related to him, but I'm glad such a great villain will still be around in some capacity.[/spoiler][/color]

[color=deeppink][b]Theme to Tale Spin[/b] Spin it, let's begin it, bear and grin it when you're in it. You can win it in a minute if you spin it, spin it, spin it. [b]Excitable Boy - Warren Zevon[/b] This song is so messed up and yet so upbeat, it's wonderful. [b]Soul Man - Blues Brothers[/b] Nice cover. [b]Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band - The Beatles[/b] This particular file is both "Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" and "With a Little Help from My Friends," which is convenient. Although I prefer the Joe Cocker version of "With a Little Help from My Friends." [b]The Wind Cries Mary - Jimi Hendrix[/b] Nice and slow Hendrix classic. [b]Godzilla - Blue Oyster Cult[/b] They say he's got to go. [b]Pouring Crystals - Doctor Who[/b] This is, uh, actually a sound effect used on Doctor Who. I've got a bunch of these on my playlist because I didn't realize they were mostly sound effects when I added them, heh. [b]Santeria - Sublime[/b] Not my favorite Sublime song, but it's still good. [b]Fly Like an Eagle - Steve Miller Band[/b] I'm not actually too fond of this song, but I'm too lazy to prune my playlist. [b]Sensorities in Laboratory - Doctor Who[/b] More sound effects. [b]Revolution - The Beatles[/b] This is some weird, mellow version that I very much prefer over the original. [b]Theme to Big Bad Beetleborgs[/b] Hah! Power Ranger's bastard cousin. [b]Looking for Lester - David Bowie[/b] Lovely jazzy instrumental. [b]Ain't That Pretty at All - Warren Zevon[/b] Warren Zevon is teh awesome. [b]Show me the Meaning of Being Lonely - Back Street Boys[/b] Oh my, how did that get there? [/color] [IMG]http://a0.vox.com/6a00c22523d659604a00d09e69eb30be2b-pi[/IMG]

[QUOTE=Ozymandius Jones][COLOR=DarkOrange][SIZE=1] Mmm, but then Matt wouldn't have been able to "hear" her to rescue her, unless her powers emerged after their encounter. =\[/SIZE][/COLOR][/QUOTE] [color=deeppink]Or she could control it, and wasn't using it at that time. Or she doesn't know how to control it, but it still wasn't active at that moment.[/color]

[quote name='Fall']Obviously there's something there that you're trying to escape from, even if you think its just for a "good time"... [/quote] [quote name='Fall']Stupid little reasons that need to be covered up because someone can't handle them.[/quote] [quote name='Fall] [b']Whether people say there is or not, that reason can't always be so blatantly known, even to the user themselves.[/b][/quote] [color=deeppink]Hm. Besides, it is [i]highly[/i] possible that the only reason is that they [i]like[/i] it. That it makes them feel good. And remember, they don't "have" to take drugs to have a good time, and often times they will go off and do other things that interest them. It is one way to have fun among many.[/color]

[color=deeppink]Charles, can you put a direct link to that list of requested articles on the front page of Otakupedia? One of the reasons behind that list is so that we don't have to scour this 20+ page thread trying to find all the requests, and a link on the front page would help things further.[/color]

[quote name='Fall]...its all make-believe when you're on drugs. Nothing is as real as it should be... A "good time" aint drug induced. Nobody should have to take drugs just to have a "good time". Obviously there's something there that you're trying to escape from, even if you [i]think[/i'] its just for a "good time"... You just don't know what it is that you're trying to get away from... So it's masked up into a mad party drug to give you a buzz... It's the same **** that gets you away from eveything. Quite obvious. If you can't have a good time without putting yourself into a mellowed-out hyperactive psycho state, there's something there that aint right.[/quote] [color=deeppink]People don't have to. They [i]want[/i] to. There's a sizable difference there. And there's no way, short of luck, you can accurately judge if a person is "trying to escape" if you've never met them. People are way too varied for that.[/color]

[quote name='Charles']Well, if it's any consolation, if I made a hierarchy you would be among the elite.[/quote] :love2: [quote]Maybe I will consider either pulling the article or adding some further disclaimer to it. If it's really bothering a number of you, I would rather just avoid having it become a problem, honestly.[/QUOTE] [color=deeppink]I vote we keep it. DigitalBoy seems to be the only one to have a serious objection to it's inclusion, and besides that it's a good piece. If you want to change it, I suggest keeping it as is, but incorporating it into an article on Otaku Lounge instead of it having it's own page. Of course, this means having someone write an Otaku Lounge article, but it would help put it in perspective and wouldn't be as lame as adding a dislaimer.[/color]

[QUOTE=Charles] The article was not intended to be a factual assessment of the quality of any of the members mentioned. [/QUOTE] [color=deeppink]It still stings. D :[/color]

[quote name='2007DigitalBoy][COLOR=DarkOrange']well, I wrote this about Rachmaninoff, which by the way Nerdy you spleed hideously. [/COLOR][/quote] [color=deeppink]All but Sara and Aaryanna_Mom were copied and pasted. Blame Forgotten_Hero for that mutilation. By the way, you spelled "spelled" hideously. ; )[/color]

[color=deeppink]I don't think I like having it on record that I'm average. :animesigh Charles, we have quite a few proposed articles collecting dust in this thread. My article on Ben, SunFallE's article on the Christmas Banner Contest, Clurr's article on the Secret OB Mod Forum, etc. It would be great if you could post how we need to improve these articles in order to get them in. And yeah, I noticed you did that with the CHristmas Banner Contest, I was just using it as an example.[/color]

[quote name='Sandy']I had no problem with the bosses - it was the long and grueling battles with the Marks that required continuous healing. Like with all FFs, Ethers and Elixirs are sparse, and the technick "Charge" is too risky to be used in a heated situation. [/quote] [color=deeppink]Buh? You can buy as many Ethers as you want and can afford. True, not until late in the game, though. Besides, that's hardly true with all of FFs. In Final Fantasy VII, you could buy Ethers throughout the game, and in FFIV also had a shop late in the game where you could purchase Ethers. Anyway, I love FFXII. This has turned out to be my favorite in the series. The combat feels more fluid than the previous incarnations, and the turn away from Summons as a major force was a very welcome thing. Any damage a summon could deal, my regular team could deal just as easily, and without the annoying cutscenes. The only time I ever needed them was real early in the game when I wanted a good tank. The story was also fun, and I find myself very grateful for the chracters this time around; they felt a lot more muted than previous incarnations, and it seemed like they weren't trying to shove them down our throats this time. Balthier is totally freaking awesome. I loves me a cocky rogue. Although for being the main character, Vaan sure didn't have much of an impact, heh. I love the extensive sidequest. They're probably what made me take 100 hours just to beat the game, heh. And I've still got a hell of a lot to do. As far as the graphics go, they were pretty. Although Vaan often looked absolutely terrible for some reason. I have a feeling this is going to kill my interest for future FF games.[/color]

[QUOTE=Nehszriah]I just had the most wicked idea ever. [spoiler]What if Molly Walker can take away other people's powers and leave them defenseless, just as a negation thing similar to the Hatian? The only difference would be that the Haitian's powers are erasing in nature, while Molly could be just a temporary cancellation.[/spoiler] Anyone else got an idea?[/QUOTE] [color=deeppink][spoiler]As far as taking away someone's powers, the Hatian [i]is[/i] a temporary cancellation. He can erase memories, but he hasn't been shown that he can erase powers, just negate them. My theory is a bit more straightforward - she can kill people. She can just remove their lives through some means. It would be a great juxtaposition, having a little girl with such a horrific power.[/spoiler][/color]

[color=deeppink]Is there a place we could put a list of the requested articles? It's kind of taxing to go through the whole thread looking for everything. I've taken the liberty and compiled the list. I've only included that which was specifically asked for, and not any of the names that were dropped while people were reminiscing.[/color] Adam's Angels Piromunkie [strike]Justin[/strike] Queen Asuka Anna wrist cutter Boba Fett Mod Rods Warlock The Harlequin Mitch Nomad Spamgetta ScirosDarkblade Bikini Bandits Mnemolth cloricus Master O Beans Juuthena Anti Adventure Underground The Legionnaires Nifty Fifty [strike]Aaryanna_Mom[/strike] Raiyuu. RCTNCA [color=deeppink](Something to do with the sprite forum)[/color] the Razr incident Your Picture [strike]Today's Poem[/strike] Avatar Submission Thread ZF Foredaddy three OB Survivors Frank Star Wars 411 MIA OB'ers Mr. Maul "Quote of the Day" The Reanimatrix OtakuBoards clone Intimacy issues thread Tekkaman BKstyles [strike]Rachmaninoff[/strike] [strike]ForgotteÑ-HerÖ[/strike] Transtic Nerve Final Quest for Glory Sara [color=deeppink]EDIT: Aaryana changed to Aaryana_Mom for great justice![/color]

[color=deeppink]I was more interested in the film when it was called [i]Die Hard 4: Die Hardest.[/i][/color]

[quote name='DeadSeraphim][size=1][color=indigo][font=arial]Come on, don't put yourself down like that. :/[/font][/color'][/size][/quote] [color=deeppink]If you'd just give me the attention I want, I wouldn't have to. WHY WON'T YOU LOVE ME? D :[/color]

[quote name='DeadSeraphim][size=1][color=indigo][font=arial]I dunno man, if you're recruiting from an anime forum I'm not sure you're gonna have a magazine with enough quality to you know, [i]sell anything[/i].[/font][/color'][/size][/quote] [color=deeppink]Think of the target audience. It's not like most anime fans have [i]standards.[/i][/color]