2010-03-13, 22:31 | Link #6521 |
Director
Join Date: Feb 2010
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I would disagree with this. Facts don't have a bias, but the way a fact is presented can have a bias. For example, "America broke away from the British Empire" is a fact. No bias, just a fact. "America broke away from the British Empire using methods of terrorism, such as destroying British shipments of tea" or "America broke away from the British Empire who was subjugating Americans to lesser lives by taxing them" both can be seen as biased.
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2010-03-14, 04:44 | Link #6522 | ||||
Asuki-tan Kairin ↓
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Fürth (GER)
Age: 43
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Besides their whole stock of trains (even the new EMU Sapsan) is based on the wider gauge. They do not even have a unified energy grid for electric trains on national level (south and north use completely different currents and imo they're even different in that one uses AC while the other uses DC). If ever, the chinese have to create an insular solution within Russia. That means their system remains incompatible with the russian railway. Quote:
For air freighting it is the fastest way to transport goods, but at high costs and limited capacity (space/weight). The mix of both solutions works well at the moment. The method to use trains will only get a certain market share, since it is a solution sitting somewhere in between of the other two. So, it is not exactly the optimal solution, it is just a different approach, that can close a gap of transportation options. Quote:
1) This power projection works both ways, since the railway network can technically be used by all its member states. (in a case of crisis anyway) 2) If china does not plan some sort of blitzkrieg by the means of using that railway system it will be utterly useless for projection of military power (and a nuclear weapons armed country certainly does not rely on such military strategies). 3) Economical projection of power could work this way, for reasons I will explain below. Political projection of power does not really gain something from such a project. In my oppinion the reason someone came up with this idea is another one. China has developed the technology to build reliable, high speed railway networks. Currently they use this capacity on a national level only. However, they can realize such projects at very low costs (in comparison to other industrialized countries). They also bought the license for an EMU design from Siemens, that allows them to build high speed trains for rather low costs for the domestic market. And I think the chinese see an opportunity to make use of these advantages in such an eurasian project (which would extremely boost their local industries in that sector). So, chinese railway industries could project economical power (at a certainly unchallenged price). Additionaly, in the case of export oriented china the whole network could benefit other industries too, since it makes an additional option/means of transportation available on pan-eurasian level. However, I cannot say if they will succeed in the south, but I really have my doubts regarding the northern project. When using freight and people transportation on the same line one would need at least 4 tracks. Additionaly, for high speed EMUs, the whole track must be electrified. There is a need for additional infrastructure along the tracks for maintenance and electricity. The initial costs will surely amount to over US$ 500 billion (based on the estimation that 25,000 km of HSR in china will cost US$ 300 billion - and 8,000km x 4 = 32,000km of track is needed). Now, US$ 500 billion is more like the lower end of the cost estimation and still a very large sum... (that might explain, why I have my little doubts about this).
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2010-03-14, 09:33 | Link #6523 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Age: 35
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2010-03-14, 10:49 | Link #6524 | |||
NYAAAAHAAANNNNN~
Join Date: Nov 2007
Age: 35
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And by agreeing on something wholly, it is already a bias. That is why we practice something called the "benefit of doubt". Quote:
EDIT : Looks like China is in for a crunch. China's Lawmakers Turn to Plight of 'Ants'. Quote:
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Last edited by SaintessHeart; 2010-03-14 at 11:26. |
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2010-03-14, 12:36 | Link #6525 | |
Director
Join Date: Feb 2010
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Scientific equations and observations of the universe fall outside the realm of complete fact since there may or may not exist incidents and cases that could disprove them. Those simply haven't been discovered yet. That's why it's the theory of gravity, or the Pythagorean Theorem, not the Law of Gravity or the Pythagorean Law. They are mostly factual. And something for you to ponder now. 1+1=2 is a fact. Unlike the scientific realm, basic mathematics is lawful and factual. Now let's say you go to a community that thinks 1+1=3. Does that mean 1+1=2 is no longer a fact, or does that mean this community is ignorant to the fact? Before life even existed, did 1+1=2? Yes, it did. It is a fact. Regardless of the lack of life to ponder such concepts, 1 and 1 still made 2. So I will disagree with your statement of "A fact, is an opinion agreed upon wholly by the majority." Even without people, a fact is still a fact. EDIT: Do note that in more complex math it may become difficult to prove that 1+1=2. |
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2010-03-14, 14:01 | Link #6526 | |
NYAAAAHAAANNNNN~
Join Date: Nov 2007
Age: 35
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If you want something about 1 + 1 = 2, it isn't a fact, it is a truth. That is why in maths, we prove by means of an induction, that it is true, not prove by means it is a fact. That is why when someone points out "true to the fact", it means that the person has a doubt over a generalisation of a "truth" which is agreed and pointed out by a large majority to be true. It is hard to explain further, but you might want to check through the dictionary, and the areas which these words are used in to describe something.
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2010-03-14, 14:18 | Link #6527 | ||
Not an expert on things
Join Date: Jun 2007
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For example, you can use induction to assume that, because the sun rises and has always risen, it will always rise. But that's obviously not the case. For math, Euler and prime numbers can be used as an example: Quote:
I'm not saying that induction is always a bad method, of course, but it can't always be used to find truth. |
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2010-03-14, 14:33 | Link #6528 | |
NYAAAAHAAANNNNN~
Join Date: Nov 2007
Age: 35
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I have never tried if it works, but if we have Pn-1, Pn-2, and Pn-3 within a set of historical record that has already been proven true, and there is no change in the progression, another set of truth can be proven. If the word of having a couple of things is still two, and if we couple together things, 1 + 1 will be proven true as 2. Having said all that, the idea of truth is to be true at the said moment, and thus proven. If there is a negligible (approved by the general masses) change, it will become a fact. P.S Why the heck am I talking about math? I am supposed to hate math! Arrrrggghhhh!!! *rampages*
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2010-03-14, 16:57 | Link #6529 | ||
Director
Join Date: Feb 2010
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My earlier example was that "The United States broke from the British Empire." I think that's about as raw and general as you can make it, and I do believe everything I said with that sentence is true. Explanations of why and how are up to debate. And again you're at the mercy of the way the winner has written about it. I do believe the old saying is "History is written by the winners." Another example is "Barack H. Obama is the current President of the United States of America. His predecessor was George W. Bush." That is true. Quote:
EDIT: Once again I have derailed a topic. Sorry guys! |
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2010-03-14, 17:08 | Link #6530 | ||
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...031103038.html
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hmmm...who's more intolerant, the "godless commies" or the xtians nut jobs? They don't HAVE to say the freaking thing, just stand up and shut their yaps for 45 seconds. Does hearing the word "God" somehow damage them? |
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2010-03-14, 18:30 | Link #6531 | |
Aria Company
Join Date: Nov 2003
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2010-03-14, 19:38 | Link #6532 | |
Bittersweet Distractor
Join Date: Nov 2007
Age: 32
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http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62D0ZX20100314
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2010-03-14, 20:11 | Link #6533 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
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If we were ANYwhere but the US, your scenario would be quite plausible. |
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2010-03-14, 21:12 | Link #6535 |
Aria Company
Join Date: Nov 2003
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It isn't about whether it's plausible or not, it's a thought experiment. Now, you agree that christian parents wouldn't like their children being exposed to it, and would take some sort of action? Why then should atheist parents accept what christian parents wouldn't?
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2010-03-15, 03:11 | Link #6536 |
The AnimeSuki Pet kitten
IT Support
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Tiger Woods back under same roof as Elin Nordegren and kids - reports
Yeah....the Tiger's back in the cage....wait that's not right....
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2010-03-15, 03:13 | Link #6537 | |
NYAAAAHAAANNNNN~
Join Date: Nov 2007
Age: 35
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2010-03-15, 03:31 | Link #6539 | |
Good-Natured Asshole.
Join Date: May 2007
Age: 35
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I'm not pinning this on you, by the way. I'm just pissed that the American media has so much bias for human stories. |
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2010-03-15, 05:00 | Link #6540 | |
NYAAAAHAAANNNNN~
Join Date: Nov 2007
Age: 35
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current affairs, discussion, international |
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