Wow, my head didn't explode

First, a very silly video.

Now, I am an atheist. No evidence has been given to say God exists and yes, this is a silly argument that is relatively easy to refute. Oh, and my head didn't explode. But, my two cents on the matter... (I wrote this in response to a comment on youtube)

I have no evidence to prove the existence of a higher power. I, you see, am an atheist. I do not steal, kill, torture, cheat. I do everything I can to treat others as I would be treated. I do not need a book to tell me these things. I am the product of evolution. Humans are social, intelligent creatures whose driving force is survival of self and species. This would actually cause most of us to weigh our actions and develop a morality that would further our survival.

And since evolution does not need all of a species to continue, but just enough to keep going, as long as a large enough cross section of the species keeps moving toward the ultimate goal of survival, we will continue to evolve. In fact there is sufficient evidence stating we are evolving faster now than ever since we have the largest population of humans ever. (Want proof? Message me, I have plenty.) Add to that fact of our continued evolution our expanding knowledge of the universe.

To sit there and talk cause and effect and the big bang theory, string theory, quantum physics, so on and so forth to try to prove or disprove shows an incomplete knowledge of how scientific experimentation and knowledge works. 1000 years ago, humanities view of the universe was far different than it is today. We built upon what we knew, proved, disproved, created new theories on evidence collected. In another 1000 years, our knowledge will have expanded in the same way.  

So, true, atheists may not know all the answers, no one does. We don't even agree on all the answers. This makes us want to research more, creates dialogue, increases knowledge, causes us to explore. Through this, we may end up with the answers but ones based on evidence, not faith.

Also, I don't know about you, but I majored in fine arts, not quantum physics, so, even though I have read the works of people who study the universe than me, I am not an expert.

Yes, I know it could be better written, but I believe the points I made are still clear. Feel free to debate me on this, just be able to back it up. I always love an intelligent discussion.

Bin Laden is Dead

I was watching television when his news alert popped up...

Osama Bin Laden is Dead

Bin Laden

So, this brings up a big question that spawns more questions. What happens next?

• He was found smack dab in the middle of Pakistan.Did they know? Were they hiding him?

• Can we get out of Afghanistan now, since we said we were there to find him?

• Will there be any retaliation?

• Can we leave Iraq now, since we used him as a flimsy excuse to be there in the first place?

Portland Gentrification and Its Effect on Cultural Diversity

To kick this off, I read this today on Oregonlive.com:
In Portland's heart, 2010 Census shows diversity dwindling

The first statement in the article made me groan:

Portland, already the whitest major city in the country, has become whiter at its core even as surrounding areas have grown more diverse.-Nikole Hannah-Jones, The Oregonian

I posted on my Facebook this response,

Coexist... please... I see all those bumper stickers everywhere, yet we segregate more everyday... So tell me, dear Portland, why do we not do something to stop living up to our reputation as one of the least diverse cities? Everyone here wants to appear so liberal and open-minded, as long as it doesn't include racial diversity I guess. I like it here but when I read things like this, it causes me to pause...

I see these on every "liberal's" car in town.

 In the article by Nikole Hannah-Jones of The Oregonian, shows how it is not so much that more white people are moving, but how more African-American people are being pushed out. Many our moving to the outer edges of the city and beyond, where there is less access to resources such as good schools, public transportation, parks, and employment. This is also having an effect on minority owned businesses, pricing them out of existence and replacing them with upscale restaurants, boutiques, and one of those many quaint and overpriced coffee shops that seem to dominate our city. The result is wonderfully diverse areas being replace by an affluent, homogeneous population  who have access to more resources. 

Portland already has a checkered past so to speak when it comes to race.  Oregon's first constitution would not even let blacks enter the state. When they were allowed, they were considered undesirable and forced to the worst housing, given the worst jobs and were treated as second-class citizens. It is now 2011 and the same situation is developing again. Attitudes here have not changed much over the years either. For a city which prides itself on being so liberal, this is a shame.

I desire Portland practices what it preaches and actually coexist peacefully, without segregation brought on by gentrification. I want to see neighborhoods that embrace many cultures and not find its value in a purely homogeneous populace. I want us to rise above the shame of our history and grow into a beautiful, diverse city. Is this too much to ask?

  The Oregonian

The Oregonian

---

• In Portland's heart, 2010 Census shows diversity dwindling by Nikole Hannah-Jones, The Oregonian, Published: Saturday, April 30, 2011

• The Vanport Flood & Racial Change in Portland by Michael McGregor, 2003