Oh god. This case between these two individuals is ridiculous, as my personal view AS AN ATHEIST, is that I want to expose my kids to all kinds of views and people and let them make up their own minds.

But instead I get a bunch of sanctimonious spiritualists trying to evangelize in the comments. Maybe we could stay on topic and leave the atheists alone for once?

I wonder how Portland would do if they weren't lumping it in with Beaverton and Vancouver (WA), possibly the most depressing places I've ever had the misfortune of spending an afternoon.

Portland itself is certainly in my top ten places.

Oh my goodness that is precious! It's like those little dragonettes from Pern. I would want one if it wasn't the worst thing for the environment to be moving around species so that I can pretend my loft is a weyr. >>.

Haha, good one rickygee. ;p

Preliminary (a good number, but who did they call, and can it be replicated?) but very interesting if born out.

Lea: treats. They sell packets of the saltiest, junkiest bad-for-cats treats at most groceries. Cats will usually fall for any food that has a different texture than what they're used to, but nothing gets them riled up like the sound the crinkling packaging.

I used such items to teach my cat to sit, shake, lay down, and sit up on his haunches. My other one fetches without prompting, but we're working on the more complicated stuff. ;p

Oh man... I've always been jealous of people who can work with paper. Wouldn't you believe it, I'm an illustrator who hates touching paper.

It makes my mouth feel dry.

Even if I stumble across these lists several times a year, they never fail to interest. I just wish I hadn't seen so many of them.

Meh, whatever works.

Just don't neglect the legos. Ted, my family only bought me barbies and princess crap. I had to go to my friend's house to play with her brother's sega genesis and legos. How's that for forcing girls down a path they don't want to go? People just assume they know what girls do and don't want to be, but if it seems unusual for people who look like you to do something, that has a powerful effect on the psyche.

If it gets girls interested in computers beyond youtube and facebook, I really can't complain. It at least would have stood out in my sea of princess ballerina dolls.

My heart is full. But it is fragile.

An elegant and beautiful execution of these ideas.

The trompe never gets old for me.

At least it won't get viruses and I won't lose five years worth of work.

There are so many people on this site, you know who you are, who are always crowing about how animals are better off dead if they get injured or are otherwise disabled. Helping animals helps us in ways you can't foresee.

Tell that to my mom! She found out she was pregnant with me on her 19th birthday because she had a slice of her birthday cake, and my grandmother immediately went out and bought a pregnancy test. To this day my mom only eats sugar free cookies if she eats them at all.

Me on the other hand... I can't resist sweets.

Anecdote, data, I know I know.

Sounds like Songs From Distant Earth by Arthur C. Clarke.

Frankly I think the question is moot. The universe does not care if there is life. I want to see humanity survive the planet Earth, yes, probably because I'm wired that way, but I really don't care about microbial life. Life for life's sake is kind of uh... meaningless?