Sure the pot is cracked but we still need it!

Just watched Sam Harris, author of "The Moral Landscape: How Science Can Determine Human Values," and could not believe some of his conclusions.

He brings up some good points about how organized religion of all types can and to some degree pervert the inherent moral values that all people have. Slavery is ok, treating women as lower class is ok, child rape is not as bad as wearing a condom, just about every religion has something backwards and I agree that they should not be part of our society. However, he says we should determine morals by scientific means and everyone should just stop doing what they believe in. This could not be more wrong.

Cultures grow over time, they make laws, change laws, fix issues over generations. Sometimes their laws a messed up but they create a balance that works for that society. When you change the rules, this WILL create issues. Classic modern day example is woman's suffrage. First off, I agree that all people should be treated equally. Culture made women less valuable. Put them in the home to raise kids. Made them learn how to cook. (I'll say this again, I think this should all be a choice.) But when women got all the equal rights, all the responsibilities got forgotten and as a result, children had no one to make them quality home cooked meals, or teach them properly. The doubling of capable employees increased unemployment for all.  All the effects of this change in culture can still be felt today.

My only point is that when changing the laws, use caution. Progress is good, change is good, but be ready for the consequences of changing a culture that has been refined for possibly thousands of years.

If I could fly...

If I could fly, it would be really cool but ultimately suck since I would freeze my ass if I got high in the air or went really fast.

If I could stop time, it would be awesome but ultimately suck since I would be blind and could not move because light and air would not be moving either.

If I could be invisible, it would be neat but ultimately suck since I would have to be naked and then probably get pretty cold and feel like a pervert. Also probably get hit by a truck and no one would notice but wonder what the smell was a few days later.

If I could read minds, it would be fantastic but ultimately suck since most people are thinking boring thoughts most of the day or thinking insecure thought or things I am thinking myself anyway like "who farted?" I would only be able to figure out who farted if that person laughed on the inside.

If I could be invincible, it would be nifty but ultimately suck since everyone would want to try and beat me up and I would not care but just get annoyed but not be able to do much about it

If I was super strong, it would be crazy but ultimately suck since I would beat someone up for hitting me and then get arrested for it.

Reality really takes all the fun out of fantasy...