Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

Talk:Yin and Yang

2007-06-04T20:32:35Z

Blackjuice:

Minor edit to remove the link to "Qi" page. The "Qi" page currently talks about a British Television show and has nothing to do with Yin & Yang. --[[User:Taj|Taj]] 17:20, 2 April 2007 (EDT)

This page is very New Age-y. It's not really appropriate for an encyclopedia, really. It also appears that the original writer of the piece doesn't know too much about pre-modern Chinese science or Daojiao - and definitely not Daojia. [[User:Blackjuice|Blackjuice]] 05:52, 4 June 2007 (EDT)

: In response to your comments: One of the originators of this article was Aschlafly. Since this project (Conservapedia) is his creation, I would defer to his judgement for what is appropriate. Your edits seem confusing, I am reverting because I believe the prior wording was more concise, clearer. It isn't really necessary to go into "pre-modern Chinese science" to define yin and yang - maybe that should be an article by itself? Also, Taoism/Daoism are interchangable terms, either are acceptable. --[[User:Taj|Taj]] 13:15, 4 June 2007 (EDT)

:: "Daoism" is the currently accepted form - this is my field of expertise, I promise you. It more accurately reflects pronunciation. The revert would also be a misjudged idea, because the old version was actually incorrect - things do not exist as "either yin or yang". A thing is yin or yang in relation to another thing, not in and of itself. Using the example I used in the edit, a rainy day isn't "yin". It is yin in relation to a sunny day, and yang in relation to a stormy day. And yes, it is necessary to go into pre-modern Chinese science to define yin and yang, in the same way that it is necessary to talk about European science when discussing concepts of gravity and what it is. Should there be an article on Chinese science in the pre-modern period? Yes, but I am probably not the one to begin it, because my expertise is classical Chinese literature, philosophy and history, not technology. I could read up on my Joseph Needham for that if you like, but that's a level of commitment that I'd find quite difficult at the moment. Anyway: It is always tempting for western folk to look at China and Chinese things as a mystical other, and that all things coming from China must be esoteric and hard to comprehend. This article is a product of that, and it won't help anyone. You can keep it as you want to, but in the present form, it is incorrect. The entirety of what I do on this site is the editing of articles on China and Chinese things to ensure that they are factually accurate - because that is what I know. Should Aschafly be able to simply take out things he doesn't know? Of course not, and despite his undoubted wide-ranging knowledge, this article is inaccurate. [[User:Blackjuice|Blackjuice]]

I believe we both want to achieve the same goal: an article that is clean and concise and helpful to the reader. With all due respect, I really believe the article is accurate. I researched no less than 15 sites before contributing to this article. We cannot copy from any source, but the general statements are sound. Because this is your field of expertise, I think the temptation to put as much info as possible is there; but really, all this requires is a short explanation, in my opinion. If you truly disagree, you are free to revert it, and I won't change it.

A few definitions I found with a quick search:

''Crystal Reference Encyclopedia - yin and yang - The Chinese concept that everything is explicable in terms of two complementary but opposing principles.''

http://www.acupuncture.com.au/education/theory/yinandyang.html -
''Yin and Yang are two opposing but complementary forces found in all things in the universe. Yin, the darker element, is passive, dark, feminine, downward-seeking, and corresponds to the night; yang, the brighter element, is active, light, masculine, upward-seeking and corresponds to the day. Yin and yang do not exclude each other. Everything has its opposite: No one thing is completely yin or completely yang. Each contains the seed of its opposite.''

Dictionary.com - ''yin and yang - two principles, one negative, dark, and feminine (yin), and one positive, bright, and masculine (yang), whose interaction influences the destinies of creatures and things. ''

American Heritage Dictionary - ''yin and yang - Two forces in the universe, according to a Chinese theory: yin is the passive, negative force, and yang the active, positive force.'' --[[User:Taj|Taj]] 14:05, 4 June 2007 (EDT)

: I don't want to revert - however, what I am saying is not contradicted by the above definitions. In fact, it is supported by them. Especially the acupuncture.com.au source (although it's not really academic, it is correct.) No one thing is completely yang or yin, and things are yin or yang in relation to one another. I'll change that section alone at some point, and keep the T in Taoism rather than the D if you like, but currently, calling one thing yin and another yang, as the article says at the moment, is not the real theory, it's just a common corruption. Even in China, actually. I suppose that should be mentioned. Anyway, yes, the goal is the same. [[User:Blackjuice|Blackjuice]] 14:47, 4 June 2007 (EDT)

:: Ok, if you feel it could be improved, please do. I changed it back because honestly, I found the previous version to be confusing, and was attempting to make a very clear and understandable definition geared towards the average person (like myself) without extensive knowledge of the subject. Thanks for your input! --[[User:Taj|Taj]] 16:30, 4 June 2007 (EDT)

::: And thanks for you not being a jerk about it. :) [[User:Blackjuice|Blackjuice]] 16:32, 4 June 2007 (EDT)

NOFX

2007-06-04T19:06:36Z

Blackjuice:

<div class="boilerplate metadata" id="stub"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: transparent;"><tr ><td ></td ><td >'' This article about a [[punk band]] is a [[stub]]. You can help Conservapedia by expanding it''.</td></tr></table></div>

'''NOFX''' is a [[punk]] band from the [[Bay Area]], [[California]], [[United States]]. Formed in 1983, the current lineup includes Fat Mike (Mike Burkett), El Hefe (Aaron Abeyta), Eric Melvin and Erik Sandin. They are operate under the record labels of Epitaph Records and Fat Wreck Chords, the latter being a label set up by Mike himself.

Recent albums have included 'War on Errorism', 'Wolves in Wolves Clothing', 'Pump up the Valium/Valuum'. They are still touring and producing records, and Fat Mike has produced many musical acts of varying types and qualities. 'The War on Errorism' has proven to be a popular album, primarily due to the success of the song, "Franco Un-American", a song about modern American culture as perceived by Fat Mike, discussing many contemporary issues from a liberal standpoint.

The themes of many of this band's songs have included drugs, anti-Republican sentiments, lesbianism, and anal sex. Because of this, they are largely disliked in conservative American culture, although they are considered one of the best punk bands in the world since the late 1980s. A popular song on tour is one called 'Idiot Son of an A**hole', a song about the current President of the United States, and two albums have been released by Fat Wreck Chords and with contributions from many punk bands in compilations called 'Rock Against Bush Vol.1' and 'Rock Against Bush Vol.2'.

==External Links==
[http://www.nofxofficialwebsite.com/ NOFX Official Website]

[http://www.nofx.org NOFX]

[http://www.fatwreck.com Fat Wreck Chords]

[[Category:Music genre stubs]]

NOFX

2007-06-04T19:03:31Z

Blackjuice:

<div class="boilerplate metadata" id="stub"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: transparent;"><tr ><td ></td ><td >'' This article about a [[punk band]] is a [[stub]]. You can help Conservapedia by expanding it''.</td></tr></table></div>

'''NOFX''' is a [[punk]] band from the [[Bay Area]], [[California]], [[United States]]. Formed in 1983, the current lineup includes Fat Mike (Mike Burkett), El Hefe (Aaron Abeyta), Eric Melvin and Erik Sandin. They are operate under the record labels of Epitaph Records and Fat Wreck Chords, the latter being a label set up by Mike himself.

Recent albums have included 'War on Errorism', 'Wolves in Wolves Clothing', 'Pump up the Valium/Valuum'. They are still touring and producing records, and Fat Mike has produced many musical acts of varying types and qualities. 'The War on Errorism' has proven to be a popular album, primarily due to the success of the song, "Franco Un-American", a song about modern American culture as perceived by Fat Mike, discussing many contemporary issues from a liberal standpoint.

The themes of many of this band's songs have included drugs, anti-Republican sentiments, lesbianism, and anal sex. Because of this, they are largely disliked in conservative American culture, although they are considered one of the best punk bands in the world since the late 1980s.

==External Links==
[http://www.nofxofficialwebsite.com/ NOFX Official Website]

[http://www.nofx.org NOFX]

[http://www.fatwreck.com Fat Wreck Chords]

[[Category:Music genre stubs]]

Talk:Yin and Yang

2007-06-04T18:47:12Z

Blackjuice:

Qi

2007-06-04T18:01:21Z

Blackjuice:

The Chinese term for vital energy or life force, found in all living things and formed from the interaction of the energies of [[Yin and Yang]]. It is pronounced “chee", with the "ch" being at the front of the mouth, near the teeth, creating a softer sound. The modern, simplified, character for the word is "气"， and the traditional character is the same but for the addition of the character for rice - "米" - underneath. The meaning of the character is expressed through this, the idea being "steam rising off cooked rice", hence, energy, and all the implicit meanings. The same character and word is used for "air", "breath", and the word for flatulence.

Chinese medical thinking does not distinguish between matter and energy. Qi is thought to be energy at the point of becoming matter. In the theories of traditional Chinese Medicine it is requently referred to as the energy that is present in the meridians and the bodily organs. Research is continuing into qi, although many in the west (and many in China, as well) consider qi to be a metaphor for various bodily processes, a common thing in early societies - compare, for instance, [[pneuma]] and [[prana]], from ancient Greece and India respectively.

[[Category:Medicine]]

Qi

2007-06-04T17:57:34Z

Blackjuice:

Talk:People's Republic of China

2007-06-04T17:54:13Z

Blackjuice:

I merged the "China" article into this one. Better form and no point in having 2 articles.--[[User:Elamdri|Elamdri]] 01:59, 10 April 2007 (EDT)

:You have got to be joking. This infantile 1 page drivel is the result of "merging" 2 articles? And you go to University??!! Where you do politics and philosophy. You could write everything about China here on a single lavatory tile.

:All you have done is deleted my excellent critique of this mess. You should stop any 12 year old in the street and give him $10 and he/she will do better than this. --[[User:MylesP|MylesP]] 19:59, 12 April 2007 (EDT)

Doesn't the PRC refer to Taiwan? Man, it's confusing. [[User:GodlessLiberal|GodlessLiberal]] 15:08, 29 April 2007 (EDT)
:Nevermind. Should there be some sort of clarification in this article about the PRC/ROC naming debate? Like, how each got its name during the [[Chinese Civil War]]? [[User:GodlessLiberal|GodlessLiberal]] 15:09, 29 April 2007 (EDT)

::The Chinese claim Taiwan, but Taiwan claims independence and the US backs it.--[[User:Elamdri|Elamdri]] 02:36, 1 May 2007 (EDT)
:::The US definitely does not back Taiwan, and Taiwan does not claim independence. Actually, Taiwanese independence is one of the 4 noes - si bu - that the administration on Taiwan promise not to ever claim so long as the PRC doesn't threaten the ROC. And in fact, the Republic of China claims the whole of mainland China, as well as Tibet AND the republic of Mongolia, which is not claimed by the PRC. By the way, there are also several kinds of concept called "Taiwanese independence".

- that is complete nonsense.

About History I think That we should have much more including a list of dynasties (it would be really nice if we could have a section about each one).
Also the amount of space we give to each article is not at all even we should have a link to another article talking about the Leader and much more about the Government in General. Lord Ration
: There are articles on several dynasties already, and although it is far from complete and many of the articles are/were wrong, I have done my best so far to amend some of the existing ones. As for the overall content in articles, there are far fewer editors on this site than on W........, and the knowledge about China, for instance, is more limited, so there is little point creating empty articles about subjects that are unlikely to be filled any time soon. [[User:Blackjuice|Blackjuice]] 13:54, 4 June 2007 (EDT)

Taoism

2007-06-04T17:51:24Z

Blackjuice:

[[Image:Yin_yang.jpg|thumb|500px|left|Taoism is represented by [[Yin and Yang]]]]
Daoism is a commonly used word to denote many native Chinese folk religions. There are two common terms used in Chinese - dao4 jia1, 道家，and dao4 jiao4, 道教. The former refers to the school of thought that originated in the Warring States period, between the end of the Zhou dynasty and the beginning of the Qin that centres around three philosophical treatises - the Laozi, Zhuangzi, and Liezi. They all share some commonalities, although it should be mentioned that the Zhuangzi uses the term "dao4" infrequently, and indeed, the work known as the Mencius (mengzi, 孟子), a work of the Ru school, or "Confucianism", uses the term far more often. Some scholars say that the original writer of the inner chapters of the [[Zhuangzi]] "didn't even know he was a Daoist".

The latter term refers to the religious variety of "Daoism" that developed during the Han dynasty. Combining the more esoteric passages of the Laozi, Zhuangzi and Liezi with Chinese creation concepts, myths and legends and worship of all sorts of icons and figures, the religion developed into something greatly separate from the philosophy of the early period, into what some believe to be a bastardised version of Daoist thought. Naturally, using the same term in English to denote two different concepts leads to some confusion, and there is a great misunderstanding of Daoism in the west.

{{stub}}

For more, read [[World History Lecture Three]].

[[Category:Religion]]

Talk:Yin and Yang

2007-06-04T17:48:17Z

Blackjuice:

Talk:Yin and Yang

2007-06-04T09:52:02Z

Blackjuice:

Yin and Yang

2007-06-04T09:50:05Z

Blackjuice:

The "yin" and "yang" are the two aspects in Daoist religious and later Daoist alchemical belief that exist in everything in the universe. Both originate from the "Dao" (The Way or Existence), and from the innate balance gave birth to the Three, from which everything originates.

Chinese theory says that everything in the world can be identified as yin and yang in relation to one another. For instance, a light shower is more yin than a patch of sun, but is less yin, and more yang, than a storm. The basis of much of Chinese science in the pre-modern era was about the changes of yin and yang, and the [[Daoist religion]] is based around the concept in many senses.

The Yin and Yang diagram shows a dark side (yin) and a light side (yang) each separate but flowing with the other, each containing a small amount of the other (shown as a "dot" of the opposite color).

[[Image:Yin_yang.jpg]] The diagram of the yin and yang.

Yin represents: dark, secret, passive, receptive, yielding, cool, soft, and feminine.

Yang represents: clear, bright, illuminated, evident, active, aggressive, controlling, hard, and masculine.

Neither side is seen as good or evil, both are considered necessary, the preferable state is when yin & yang remain in balance.

Yin and Yang are divided by the line which represents [[Qi]], which is life force, the essence of being.

==See also==

[[Taoism (Daoism)]]

[[Lao Tzu]]

[[Category: Philosophy]]

Homo sapiens

2007-06-03T20:55:46Z

Blackjuice: Neutral term "evolutionary biologist" instead of "evolutionist", added "anthropologist", better term

'''Humans''', or human beings, are classified by biologists as [[primates]] belonging to the mammalian species, [[Homo]] sapiens, ''homo'' meaning "same", and ''sapiens'' meaning "wise", or "understanding" in the taxonomological class Hominidae (the great apes). Some researchers claim humans have possibly been around for approximately 130,000 years<ref>Alemseged Z, Coppens Y, Geraads D (2002). "Hominid cranium from Omo: Description and taxonomy of Omo-323-1976-896". Am J Phys Anthropol 117 (2): 103-12.</ref>. Humans are characterized by highly developed brain capable of abstract reasoning, language, and introspection. This mental capability, combined with an erect body carriage that frees their upper limbs for manipulating objects, has allowed humans to make far greater use of tools than any other species than is known. Humans now inhabit every continent including [[Antarctica]], with a total population of over 6.5 billion as of 2007. Humans have been known to live to ages of just over 100 years.

== The Origins of Man according to Creationists ==

A large number of [[Christian|Christians]], Jews, Muslims and [[Creationism|Creationists]] have postulated that Homo sapiens were created in [[God|God's]] image on day 6 of [[creation]].[http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2313]
:''And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.'' ([[Genesis]] 1:26-27)

:''And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.'' (Genesis 2:7)

The first man was Adam.
:''And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.'' (Genesis 2:15)
The first woman, Eve, was made from one of his ribs.
:''And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.'' (Genesis 2:22)

Because of the sinful nature of man about 2350 B.C (according to the Young Earth Creationist view) [[God]] sent a [[Great Flood]] which annihilated all the people on Earth except for the then 600 year old [[Noah]] and his family. All people alive today are descendants of [[Family of Noah|Noah and his family]].

==The Origins of Man according to Evolutionary Biologists and Anthropologists==

In more recent times rationalists, [[Theory of evolution|evolutionists]] and scientists in the fields of biology and more specifically, anthropology, have postulated that humans have been around in anatomically modern form for approximately 130,000 years<ref>Alemseged Z, Coppens Y, Geraads D (2002). "Hominid cranium from Omo: Description and taxonomy of Omo-323-1976-896". Am J Phys Anthropol 117 (2): 103-12.</ref>. One version of the this theory maintains homo sapiens evolved from Homo ergaster or erectus, and from other earlier primates. Humans' closest living relative is the chimpanzee.

==The origins of Man according to non-Abrahamic religions==
Myths about the creation of mankind are an important method by which anthropologists may discover more about the societies they are studying, as they show the important facets of human life to that culture. A list of creation myths in various cultures can be found at [http://www.plesiosaur.com/creationism/creationmyths/index.php]. Some notable myths are presented below.

===Hindu===
According to Hindus, humans were created from a part of the cut up body of Purusha.

===Iroquois===
According to the Iroquois, humans came about fully formed in the Sky World before descending through a hole caused by the uprooting of a tree into a lower world, originally a sea, which the humans manipulated by sending creatures to dive to the sea bottom and bring up mud for the creation of earth on which they could dwell.

===China===
Various creation myths exist in China, the most popular being the story of Nuwa. Nuwa was a lonely goddess, who one day looked in a pool and decided to create figures from mud based on her image in the water; creating many figures of grown ups, children, males and females (where the inspiration for males and children came from is not explained) and blowing on them to give them life (the idea here being that breath is the most important thing to all humans), Nuwa saw that the world became much livelier, and she appreciated it. She decided, too, that creating humans one-by-one was too slow, so she picked up a rope and whipped it into the mud, and many figures tumbled out, which she again blew on to give them life. This kind of creation of humans is common in cultures that have a strong pottery tradition. In the pre-modern Chinese scientific tradition, no creator is ascribed to creation - simply, one became two, two became three, and three generated all things in the universe, and this includes humans.

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Anthropology]]
[[Category:Creations of God]]
[[Category:Hominid]]

Mencius

2007-06-01T15:55:56Z

Blackjuice: New page: '''Mencius''' is the romanised form of the Chinese name, 孟子, Mengzi, a philosopher in the Confucian tradition.

'''Mencius''' is the romanised form of the Chinese name, 孟子, Mengzi, a philosopher in the Confucian tradition.

Xunzi

2007-06-01T15:53:17Z

Blackjuice:

'''Xunzi''' (Hsün Tzu) was one of the three original Confucian philosophers. The most important concept in Xunzi's philosophy is the Way (dao). The term originally referred to a path, however, it has been extended to a way of doing things, a way of acting, or the right way to live. The style of writing in the Xunzi is quite indifferent, and the Xunzi was rejected in favour of the [[Mencius]] in the neo-Confucian imperial corpus; many see the decision to be as a result of the Mencius' superior style, and not superior content. On the other hand, whilst Mencius believed that humans are naturally good, and it is enough to let their natural inclinations surface, Xunzi believed that all humans are naturally "bad", and that, through schooling and Confucian-style self-cultivation, humans can become "good."

== Heaven ==
Xunzi had a different view on Heaven than other early philosophers, although not different to the views of most Chinese philosophers, primarily because the word for "heaven" in Chinese is "天", which also means "sky", amongst other things, and is quite ambiguous, and a very common character. "Heaven" as a concept does not means "a place of the after-life" in the Chinese philosophical tradition, and to translate it as "heaven" is simply for convenience, as in reality there is no synonym in English. Xunzi believed Heaven is much like nature in that it acts as it always does, neither helping the good nor harming the bad. This is different from other early theological thinkers in the middle east, who believed that Heaven was an anthropomorphic God which automatically rewarded the good and punished the bad.

Talk:Confucius

2007-06-01T15:46:26Z

Blackjuice:

The Chinese Philosophers as a whole need to be expanded upon and elaborated. Too much of the information in these pages is outdated (using incorrect transcription models) or incorrect. [[Dikaiosune|Dikaiosune]] 10:37 pm March 18, 2007

Reverted page to pinyin spellings until the Wade-Giles/Pinyin debate has concluded. Please refer to the [[Romanization]] page. -- [[user:Dikaiosune|Dikaiosune]] 11:15pm 20 March 2007

I'm sorry, but is it untrue that he was a pagan? It were his teachings not compatible with many parts of Christ's teachings?[[User:Saved|Saved]] 11:14, 28 March 2007 (EDT)
:Confuscious was not a pagan, no. I also imagine that if '''Confucius''' was alive today he'd probably be '''Confucian'''! [[User:MatteeNeutra|MatteeNeutra]] 11:23, 28 March 2007 (EDT)
::Confucius claimed never to have invented anything knew, so I don't think he'd call himself a Confucian. [[User:Blackjuice|Blackjuice]] 11:46, 1 June 2007 (EDT)

The term, "Christian evangelicals", when referring to the first forays of Christianity into China, would be incorrect. Historically, the first Christians to preach in China were small groups of Jesuits who were curiosities to the Ming emperors. [[Matteo Ricci]] is a famous example. It should also be mentioned that the Christians were not accepting of Confucian philosophy and teaching: [[concubinage]] was common in Confucian Ming society, which breaks Christian teaching vis-a-vis [[adultery]]. Praying to Confucius was considered the worship of idols, and it was only because the Jesuits saw that they were not gaining any converts that they decided to incorporate the concept of [[ancestor worship]] (which would otherwise have been considered the worship of idols as well) into their teachings in China, under the guise of "honour thy father and thy mother."

Sui Dynasty

2007-06-01T14:03:02Z

Blackjuice:

The '''Sui dynasty''' established central rule in [[China]] in A.D. 589 for the first time since the [[Han dynasty]] in A.D. 220. But the Sui dynasty ruled for only a very brief period of 29 years, until A.D. 618. However, it accomplished something magnificent: it built the [[Grand Canal]] to connect northern and southern China. This tremendous engineering achievement consisted of a canal nearly 1240 miles long, with a road running alongside it on each side. It enabled the transportation of agricultural products such as rice from the fertile Yangtze River valley to northern China. Other construction also occurred, such as repairing walls that defend China. (The current “Great Wall of China” was based on walls built as early as 210 B.C., but its present form was not completed until the Ming dynasty (A.D. 1368-1544)). These enormous construction efforts are likely a contributing factor to the fall of Sui due to the crippling financial burden. The Sui dynasty ended in a revolution against high taxes in northern China and the assassination in 618 of the emperor Sui Yangdi.<ref>http://www.conservapedia.com/World_History_Lecture_Seven</ref> The [[Tang dynasty]] followed, a period considered one of the golden ages of China.

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:China]]
[[Category:Chinese dynasties]]

Tang Dynasty

2007-06-01T14:00:26Z

Blackjuice:

The '''Tang dynasty''' ruled for nearly 300 years, from A.D. 618 to 907. This is known as the golden age of art and poetry in [[China]]. New territories were acquired, including Manchuria, Tibet, and northern Vietnam. This territory drew wealth from surrounding states through a ritualistic ''kowtow'', such that diplomats from surrounding states were expected to pay homage to the emperor by touching their forehead repeatedly to the ground beneath the emperor. The Tang dynasty accumulated vast wealth for China during this period, although it must be mentioned that the Tang royal family was not actually of Han Chinese origin - they were instead Turkic steppe nomads, and they likely descended from the Tabgach nomads who had ruled the Northern Wei dynasty earlier on. The family took the name Li, 李，now a very common Chinese surname, which common folk tales have attributed as the name of the [[Lao Zi]], a semi-mythical Daoist philosopher from the [[Warring States period]]. This was to try to affirm the family's connection to Chinese history even in the classical era.

Many roads were built at that time, along with inns, post offices and stables for the horses of travelers. The roads were used for trade and communication in a manner similar to the [[Persian Royal Road]] and the roads of the [[Roman empire]], and trade in the Tang was quite a large part of life - it is estimated that over 1/3 of all inhabitants of Chang'an, the Tang capital, now Xi'an, were non-Han merchants, and mosques and even [[Nestorian]] churches were built in the city. Foreign music, religion (Buddhism, primarily), clothes and even languages became popular in China at this time. Importantly, everything in the big cities of China at this time was somewhat state-controlled; curfews were imposed on the citizens, trade was conducted in government approved situations, using government-approved measures and weights.

One of the most prominent figures of the Tang dynasty was a Turkic general known as An Lushan - his name indicates that he was a Soghdian ("An" indicates his place of origin), and that his given name in Soghdia was "Rokhan", the male form of Roxanna, the name of Alexander the Great's wife. An Lushan is famous for the [[An Shi Rebellion]]; the most favoured concubine of the Tang Xuanzong Emperor, Yang Guifei, was in love with Lushan, and betrayed the Emperor by recommending Lushan to high military command. Lushan's troops entered Chang'an in 755 and forced the emperor on the run into [[Sichuan province]] with Guifei in tow. She was executed by Xuanzong's troops in 756 whilst on the run, as she was blamed for the rebellion. On reclaiming control of the Chinese state, Xuanzong wrote of his sorrow at her death in a famous poem; and the Tang state never regained the supremacy it had once had. Culturally, the late Tang was quite inferior to the high Tang period, although the fashions for foreign clothes and music remained the same. The curfews put in place were violated frequently, the weights and measures became forged and improperly regulated. Tax registers, an important method of adjusting tax so as to remain fair, but also to keep track of the population, were no longer kept up to date, as they had been every few years in the high Tang. The breakdown of the Tang took quite a while longer - from 756 to 907, government control was extremely lax, rebellions were reasonably frequent, and tax returns became less and less. The Li family was only nominally in charge.

The most powerful ruler during the Tang dynasty was [[Tang Taichung]] (A.D. 627-649). He gained power by killing his opponents, but then ruled in a benevolent or fair manner, keeping taxes low.

Government offices were filled with the Confucian civil service system that valued education. The three requirements were to learn the writings of Confucius, study the Chinese classics, and pass the civil service exam. Land was distributed based on fertility of the soil and the needs of the farmers, but eventually powerful families and Buddhist monasteries gained control of much of the land.

The Tang dynasty period was also a period of massive Chinese influence on Japan. The popular wrestling style of xiangpu developed in Japanese [[sumo]], Chinese musical instruments of the period became the Japanese shamisen and koto, and Chinese classics and interpretations of the classics of the Tang became the official standards in Japanese society. Similarly, the Chinese forms of Buddhism developing in this period - notably, chan, or, in Japanese, Zen, which came from a fusion of Daoist ideas and Buddhist ones in court-sponsored debates - became the more popular forms of Buddhism in Japan. "Karate", as well, originally used the Chinese characters for "Tang hand" (it was changed in the 1930s to mean "empty hand", both "Tang" and "empty" being homophones in modern Japanese in that context), implying not necessarily that Karate developed from Tang-era Chinese martial arts, but that it developed from Chinese martial arts at a later stage and that the word "Tang" was simply a common term when referring to China as a whole.

Ultimately the peasants rebelled over the misuse of funds by the government. In A.D. 907 the last Tang emperor gave up. Regional rule by warlords then prevailed over China for more than 50 years, in a period known as the [[Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms]].<ref>http://www.conservapedia.com/World_History_Lecture_Seven</ref> Unification by the first Song emperor came in 960 AD.

==References==
<references/>
[[Category:Chinese History]]
[[Category:Chinese dynasties]]

Song Dynasty

2007-06-01T13:28:49Z

Blackjuice:

About 50 years after the fall of the [[Tang dynasty]], a period known as the period of the Five Dynasties, the '''Song dynasty''' united China again under centralized rule. This dynasty governed for about 300 years, from A.D. 960 to 1279. It emphasized education even more than the Tang dynasty did. Art and literature thrived, and society was much less strictly controlled under the Song than under the Tang, and some scholars propose that a form of proto-capitalism developed, as markets expanded and merchants became more important. (Traditionally, merchants had been seen as one of the lowest rungs of pre-modern Chinese society, and whilst this was still so under the Song, their role became greater.) Paper money was invented during the Song dynasty, although it was not particularly widely used, and was a solution to the massive weight of money in [[Sichuan province]] in the Song - the huge rolls of coin were too heavy to carry, and merchants developed paper money to lessen the burden. It became official government tender somewhat later on.

The Song dynasty ultimately collapsed from too much bureaucracy and its weak military (although in fact, Song military expenditure was vastly more than at any other time previously in Chinese history, and the army was much larger (Gernet, "A History of Chinese Civilization", 1982)). It was unable to fight off invading tribes like the Khitan and the Jurchen, which invaded north China and forced the Song dynasty to the south in 1127. This invasion means that the Song dynasty is divided into the Northern Song, when the capital was at Kaifeng, and the Southern Song, when the capital was at Hangzhou. The Mongols then took over southern China in 1279, causing the complete end of the Song dynasty, and the beginning of the Yuan dynasty, which ended in 1368.<ref>http://www.conservapedia.com/World_History_Lecture_Seven</ref>

==References==
<references/>

[[China]]
[[Category:Chinese dynasties]]

Qin Dynasty

2007-06-01T12:25:16Z

Blackjuice:

The '''Qin''' replaced the [[Zhou dynasty]] in 221 BC and ruled until 206 BC. It was the first unified [[Chinese]] empire, and utilised the key classical Chinese philosophy known as [[Legalism]] to great effect in amassing its force and overriding all the other states of the [[Warring States]] period.

The Qin dynasty was founded by the ruler of the Zhou vassal state Qin, Prince Ying Zheng. The Qin dynasty was excellent in battle and conquered all the the states, unifying the country. The state of Qin was originally a fief of the Zhou state, a military province intended to provide a buffer against western "barbarians" and to produce horses; it was in an out of the way area, and the region was part-desert. There was little indication that this state would prove to be the most powerful, or that it would unify China in the end. However, victories at such key battles as [[the battle of Changping]], the bloodiest engagement in history until the [[Second World War]], against the [[state of Zhao]], allowed Qin to develop and conquer the other 6 states by 221BC under Ying Zheng.

The Qinn dynasty began building the [[Great Wall of China]], although this was a much earlier wall, made of tamped earth, not the more modern stone structure constructed under the Ming dynasty, over 1500 years later. The wall was a large project, and produced by corvee labour, but it built on earlier structures produced by various states in the [[Warring States]] period to keep out the nomads of the steppes to the north and west.

The Chi'in dynasty's highly legal approach led to a rebellion which replaced it with the [[Han dynasty]], although many modern scholars agree that it was not the tight rule of Ying Zheng (or "Qin Shi Huang Di") that was unpopular; rather, it was the breakdown of the law instituted by the Qin under Ying Zheng's successor that caused unrest and rebellion in 206 BC. The period following the Qin was a short period of warlords, the two most famous being [[Liu Bang]], the governor of Pei, and [[Xiang Yu]], a nobleman of the former state of Chu. Liu Bang defeated Xiang Yu and founded the [[Han dynasty]], although both are famous in Chinese history and culture, with Xiang Yu being the subject of much of Chinese opera, the famous aria, "Xiang Yu bids farewell to his concubine" being based on an event in his life according the famous Chinese history, the [[Records of the Historian]] by [[Sima Qian]] of the Han.

[[Category:Chinese History]]
[[Category:Chinese dynasties]]

Shang Dynasty

2007-06-01T12:12:24Z

Blackjuice:

The '''Shang dynasty''' was a major ancient [[Chinese]] [[dynasty]] from about 1766 to 1122 BC; however, many modern sinologists believe that the Shang may not have been actually Han Chinese, and simply one of the many cultures present in China before the Zhou and the absorption of many traditions in Han society. Similarly, the dates of the Shang dynasty are fairly arbitrary, as accurate historiography begins around the mid-9th century BC, and the records of the Shang - the oracle bones - are of imprecise dates.

The Shang dynasty built cities in northern China along the [[Yellow River]] and is sometimes called the Yellow River Civilization. The Shang empire consisted of [[city-states]] which were often at war with one another, and the capital city shifted as power changed hands.

The Shang dynasty had writing in the form of [[oracle bones]], questions and answers inscribed on a bone for the purposes of divination. These have been translated to the extent that they can be, and provide quite vivid accounts of Shang life and culture, although they record mostly the upper echelons of society, and some scholars believe that only the positive results of the divinations were recorded or kept - some use the evidence of the birth of the daughter of Lady Hao as evidence against, as the inscription reads "...on day 51, she gave birth. It really was not good. It was a girl" (having previously predicted that it would be a good birth - it would be "prolonged auspiciousness"). They used a pictographic form of writing from which modern Chinese writing is descended. In the later part of the dynasty, early printing presses were used more widely than oracle bones for record keeping, although oracle bones were still used for religious purposes.

The wheel was perfected by the Shang dynasty and used in chariots, some of which have been discovered at Anyang, near the site of the largest Shang cultural centre.

The Shang dynasty ended in 1122 BC and was replaced by the [[Zhou dynasty]], a dynasty of which scholars have much more accurate records, and which represents a flowering of Chinese culture and thought, even as the dynasty collapsed in the [[Spring and Autumn]] (春秋) and [[Warring States]] (战国） periods.

[[Category:Chinese History]]
[[Category:China]]
[[Category:Chinese dynasties]]

Talk:Shang Dynasty

2007-06-01T12:05:26Z

Blackjuice: New page: What is this about "printing presses"? No printing presses existed in the Shang dynasty. There was a "bronze script", of characters imprinted into bronze-ware, but that is not printing, ...

What is this about "printing presses"? No printing presses existed in the Shang dynasty. There was a "bronze script", of characters imprinted into bronze-ware, but that is not printing, and it is far from a printing press.

Ming Dynasty

2007-06-01T12:01:09Z

Blackjuice:

The '''Ming Dynasty''' ruled China from 1368 to 1644. The early Ming is considered to be one of the high points of Chinese culture and history, and the dynasty was begun in the wake of the Mongol Yuan dynasty. The dynasty ended in 1644 due to economic pressures and the invasion of the Manchus, beginning the Qing dynasty.

[[Category:China]]
[[Category:Chinese dynasties]]

Talk:Ch'uing Dynasty

2007-06-01T11:59:00Z

Blackjuice: New page: This article is far from great. I'd prefer the use of "Qing" in place of "Ch'ing", and the title "Chu'ing" is just plain wrong. The information is scant and not great - it could use ment...

This article is far from great. I'd prefer the use of "Qing" in place of "Ch'ing", and the title "Chu'ing" is just plain wrong. The information is scant and not great - it could use mention of the facts that: the Qing dynasty lasted from 1644 until 1911, when the Xinhai revolution toppled it; the last emperor, Puyi, was a Manchu who lived into the 1960s; the Manchus came from Manchuria and had previously been a nomadic hunter-gatherer tribe, who were related to the Mongols linguistically and ethnically, and who built up their power slowly over many years, contributing to the fall of the Ming in a big way; that there was great anti-Manchu sentiment throughout the Qing period; that there Qing experienced great upheaval and massive population growth, and that the decline of China in the 19th century was under Manchu/Qing government control; and a lot else. Lots of stuff to talk about - the dynasty lasted a long time. Just some suggestions. I'm not an expert on the Qing period, my area of expertise being the classical era, but if no one else steps forward with the ability and information to re-work this article, I'll do it at some point. [[User:Blackjuice|Blackjuice]] 07:59, 1 June 2007 (EDT)

Lao Tzu

2007-06-01T11:51:45Z

Blackjuice:

'''Lao Tzu''' (also known as Lao Tsu, best transliterated as "laozi", 老子) was a Chinese philosopher who wrote the book: "Dao De Jing" 道德经 ("The Classic of the Way and its Virtue") which became the foundation for the philosophy of [[Daoism]]. <ref> http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Philosophy/Taichi/lao.html </ref> The current consensus in sinology is that there was not a single author known as "Lao Zi", and instead, the Dao De Jing had multiple authors, working together. The work is also seen not as a mystic and spiritual text, as it is often seen by laymen, but as a practical work of political philosophy, developing out of the chaos (乱,the most feared word in the Chinese language) of the [[Warring States]] period of Chinese history. The work is notoriously difficult to translate, due in part to the inherent difficulty in translating classical Chinese, which has no punctuation, and where meaning depends massively on context, and partly due to the lofty concepts and subject matter.

== Biography ==

His exact date of birth is not known but he is believed to have lived during the Eastern Zhou dynasty in some traditional "biographies" of him (based predominantly on folk tales), although as aforementioned, the consensus is that he was not one human, but many, and he likely lived quite late on in the [[Warring States]] era (战国，in [[simplified Chinese characters]]. Lao Zi was not his true name, but a title of honor that was given to someone considered to be a wise sage; it translates as "Old Master." <ref> http://www.lucidcafe.com/library/96jun/laotzu.html </ref> In the [[Daoist religion]], separate from the philosophy of the Dao De Jing and the rest of "daojia", 道家, or [[Daoist philosophy]], Lao Zi is seen as a prominent religious figure, and possibly related to the Buddha, due to the influx of Buddhist thought on Daoist religion in the [[Tang dynasty]]. Although both Chinese and western academics agree that there was no single "old master" or single sage who wrote the Dao De Jing, religious Daoist clerics continue to believe in this figure, and revere him as many revere(d) Confucius.

According to legend, Lao Zi worked as custodian of archives in the Emperor's library. At the age of 80, disillusioned by the wordliness of men, he decided to leave civilization and embark on a journey into the desert, riding a water buffalo. When he arrived at the final gate of the great wall protecting the kingdom, the gatekeeper persuaded him to record the principles of his philosophy in a book (The Dao De Jing) for posterity before he left. <ref> http://www.yakrider.com/Tao/laotzu.htm </ref> This story comes from the writings of [[Mozi]], another Warring States philosopher, who originally worked as a siege engineer. The story is also mocked by the great Chinese 20th century satirist, [[Lu Xun]], in his collection, "Old Tales Retold", written between 1922 and 1935, in which Lao Zi, leaving the central states (中国), is asked by the border guards to recount the tales of his love affairs and sexual misadventures, but instead recounts the Dao De Jing from beginning to end - Lao Zi's thick accent ("Shanxi mixed with Hunan") is misunderstood by the guards and the assembled audience, and they ask him to write down some of his lecture notes. On reading the manuscripts after Lao Zi has left, the guard says, in a translation published by the Beijing Foreign Language Press in 1961: "The Way that can be told of is not the Unvarying Way! [the beginning of the Dao De Jing - '道可道,非常道']... Bah! The same old farrago. It's enough to make your head ache... The fact is, I went expecting to hear about his love affairs. If I'd known we'd be in for all that mumbo-jumbo, I wouldn't have gone to sit there for hours in agony."

== Philosophy ==

Lao Tzu believed that the way to happiness was for people to learn to live in harmony with nature. This idea is called "wu-wei", which means "doing by not doing". <ref> http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/china/philosophy/taoism.htm </ref> His philosophy was that everything alive shares a universal life-force. The two sides to the life-force are called the [[Yin and Yang]], although this is more a part of Daoist religion than Daoist philosophy, a subset and bastardisation of Daoist philosophy that began in the mid-[[Han dynasty]] period, inspired by the more esoteric and "spiritual" passages of the Dao De Jing. Small nations and little governance are part of the philosophy of the Dao De Jing - chapter 80, in particular, is intended to express an idyllic land, where the "states" (国) are small enough that "there may be another country in the neighbourhood so close that they are within sight of each other and the crowing of cocks in one place can be heard in the other" (from the John C.H Wu translation). It is difficult, however, to fully understand the philosophy of the text without placing it in cultural and historical context, and without understanding both the classical Chinese language and the background concepts and ideas of classical Chinese philosophy as a whole - for instance, the lack of separation between "actor" and "action", coming from the lack of distinction in the classical Chinese language between noun and verb, in the same way that one cannot understand ancient Greek philosophers without looking at their context and cultural and philosophical assumptions.

== Quotes from the Dao De Jing ==

"A journey of a thousand li (里) begins from where one stands". <ref> http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/24004.html </ref> ("千里之行始於足下"), commonly translated as "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step"; the former translation is the closest to the original, translated by renowned translator and sinologist, [[Wing-Tsit Chan]], the latter being a more westernised translation, that is not as close to the original language of the text as it could be. The quote is from the 64th chaper of the Dao De Jing; the quote is translated by John Wu as "A journey of a thousand leagues starts from where your feet stand", which is also accurate and in accordance with the "於足下" section of the phrase, although the term "league" may not be an accurate translation of "里", a unit of measurement which is not equal to any precise measurement in English.

"Those who know do not speak, those who speak, do not know" <ref> http://www.thetao.info </ref> "知者不言。言者不知". (This particular quote is of great use in the teaching of classical Chinese, showing the concision of its writing, and the use of the grammatical particle "者", meaning "one/those/he/she, etc, who...", as well as the use of mono-syllabic words in place of the di-syllabic modern Chinese syntax - and the two parts of the phrase, mirroring each other, are typical of the text of the Dao De Jing.)

"Have done with learning, And you will have no more vexation", from the John Wu translation of the work, chapter 20.

==References==

<references/>
[[Category:philosophers]]

Talk:Peoples Republic of China

2007-05-30T09:26:20Z

Blackjuice:

Already an article with this name. And this article was also wrong, in the only piece of information it contained.
If, for some reason, the person who wrote and created this article is adamant that it exist, in spite of the fact that another, better, more informative page on the exact same subject already exists, at least make sure it is factually accurate. The PRC was founded on October 1st. Please, delete the article. [[User:Blackjuice|Blackjuice]] 05:26, 30 May 2007 (EDT)

Peoples Republic of China

2007-05-30T09:24:28Z

Blackjuice:

The Peoples Republic of China was founded founded on October 1st, 1949.

Peoples Republic of China

2007-05-30T08:52:01Z

Blackjuice: Replacing page with 'T'

Talk:Peoples Republic of China

2007-05-30T08:51:41Z

Blackjuice: New page: Already an article with this name. And this article was also wrong, in the only piece of information it contained.

Already an article with this name. And this article was also wrong, in the only piece of information it contained.

Talk:Hate

2007-05-29T18:02:37Z

Blackjuice: New page: This page is not appropriate for an encyclopedia, even one as narrow and strict in content as this one. A quote? As the bulk of the article? ~~~~

This page is not appropriate for an encyclopedia, even one as narrow and strict in content as this one. A quote? As the bulk of the article? [[User:Blackjuice|Blackjuice]] 14:02, 29 May 2007 (EDT)

Talk:Circumcision

2007-05-29T17:58:17Z

Blackjuice:

* The article says circumcision is common in western countries, but in Europe it isn't nearly as widely practiced. Being intact is far more common there than being circumcised, esp. in Scandinavia. [[User:Alf84|Alf84]] 19:17, 28 May 2007 (EDT)

:That's very true. Circumcision is actually really rare in Europe. I also have a problem with the statistic of Americans who are circumcised - surely that should be referenced? Surely it's not that high? [[User:Blackjuice|Blackjuice]] 13:58, 29 May 2007 (EDT)

Penn and Teller

2007-05-29T17:53:34Z

Blackjuice:

Penn and Teller are a unique duo of magicians. Teller, who often performs tricks while Penn provides dialog, never speaks on camera or on stage. Penn and Teller do more than just perform in [[Las Vegas]], they have had multiple television shows, one of which was "[[Bull****!]]", which debunked many liberal ideas as well as conservative ones. Teller has spoken a number of times on televisions, but it is normal in the act for him never to speak. The pair have appeared on [[The West Wing]], on which they appeared to make an American flag, wrapped in a copy of the Bill of Rights, disappear in a puff of flame and smoke.

From a conservative perspective, Penn and Teller can be both loved and hated. They have mocked things like [[religion]] and [[circumcision]], but also debunked [[environmentalist]] ideas and [[9/11 conspiracy theories]] on their show "Penn & Teller's Bullshit", on Showtime. The duo are both atheists, and both vote libertarian, or have done in the past few elections.

Talk:Soccer

2007-05-29T14:59:42Z

Blackjuice:

Soccer is the term used in [[North America]] to refer to what is more commonly known as "football". The name derived in [[England]] as slang for "Association Football" (a similar construction can be seen in referring to [[rugby]] as "rugger"), it is the most popular sport in the world although it has failed to gain popularity in the [[United States]] and [[Canada]].

----
*most popular sport in the world
*not as popular in US & Canada as which other sports?
*derivation of name: ''soc'' in "Association"?
::Done and referenced. [[User:Airdish|Airdish]] 05:22, 10 April 2007 (EDT)

*called "football" everywhere but North America?
:: Futebal, fussball, le foot, futbol, de voetbal, calcio. Is that enough evidence? [[User:Airdish|Airdish]] 05:22, 10 April 2007 (EDT)
::: Evidence of what? That it's called "football" everywhere? Because I think that's pretty conclusive. All of those mean "football", except for "calcio", which means "kicking." In Chinese, it is "foot+ball", zuqiu, 足球. Basically, football is football, and soccer is an ugly name that doesn't express what the game is. And "football" is by far the most common name - about 400,000,000 Europeans use terms that are identical in meaning or even sound, 1,300,000,000 Chinese use a term that means "football", and the inventors of the sport use the term "football". If the site as a whole prefers the use of "soccer", then fine, but it's not an accurate article in a sense. [[User:Blackjuice|Blackjuice]] 10:59, 29 May 2007 (EDT)

It's called soccer in Australia, though the name football is gaining popularity (they are trying to compare Australian soccer to <i>World Football</i>). It is still commonly refered to as soccer by the public at large. [[User:Hannibal ad portas|Hannibal ad portas]] 21:42, 13 May 2007 (EDT)

Kent Hovind

2007-05-28T21:37:39Z

Blackjuice:

'''Kent Hovind''' (born 1953) is a controversial, prominent [[Young Earth Creationist|young Earth creationist]] and ultra conservative. He founded [[Creation Science Evangelism Ministry]] in 1989. <ref>http://www.drdino.com/</ref> He is well known for his standing $250,000 offer to anyone who can "prove evolution". <ref>http://www.drdino.com/articles.php?spec=67</ref> The offer has gone unclaimed. Contributors at [[Talk.origins|TalkOrigins]], a pro-evolution web-site, have pointed out that Hovind's challenge includes not just biological evolution but also [[abiogenesis]], [[cosmology]] and other things and that the challenge is worded in a way that makes it impossible to fulfill since it requires proving the negative statement that "evolution" is the only possible explanation for the existence of life.<ref>http://www.talkorigins.org/indexcc/CA/CA341.html</ref> Hovind has also been criticized by fellow Young Earth Creationists for repeatedly using arguments that are unsound from both Biblical and scientific perspectives<ref>http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/2571/</ref>.

In 2001, Hovind opened a theme park in Penscacola, Florida called [[Dinosaur Adventure Land]], filled with exhibits putting forth a case for Young Earth Creationism.

Some fellow young Earth creationists have distanced himself from Hovind because he is currently serving a ten-year term in U.S. federal prison for 58 tax offenses, obstructing federal agents and related charges. <ref>http://www.kent-hovind.com/articles/semite.htm</ref><ref> ''"10 years for 'Dr. Dino'"'', Michael Stewart. Pensacola News Journal, 19 January 19, 2007</ref> Hovind has maintained that there should have been no taxes, possibly due to his not wanting to pay them, and ignoring the Bible directive of "rend unto Caesar what is Caesar's."

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Creationist|Hovind, Kent]]

Pink Floyd

2007-05-28T21:14:47Z

Blackjuice:

[[Image:Pinkfloyd.jpg|thumb|right|Pink Floyd: l to r Nick Mason, Syd Barrett, David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Richard Wright]]
'''Pink Floyd''' is a British [[progressive rock]] band considered to be one of the greatest bands of all time.

The band is well-known for its concept albums, sonic experimentation, profound lyrics, and elaborate concerts. They began as an underground [[psychedelic]] band, then transitioned to a more progressive sound after the departure of their original lead singer/guitarist, [[Syd Barrett]], releasing many famous and beloved albums such as [[Meddle]], [[The Dark Side of the Moon]] (considered to be one of the greatest rock albums of all time), [[Wish You Were Here]] (a tribute to Barrett), [[Animals]] (loosely based on [[George Orwell|Orwell's]] [[Animal Farm]]), and [[The Wall]].

After the release of their 1983 album [[The Final Cut]], the band separated due to tensions between bassist/lyricist [[Roger Waters]] and guitarist [[David Gilmour]]. Gilmour restarted the band in 1987 without Waters, resulting in a lawsuit that was ultimately decided in Gilmour's favor. Albums released in 1987 and 1994 ([[A Momentary Lapse of Reason]] and [[The Division Bell]]) sold well, and were described as "fair forgeries" even by the estranged Waters, but failed to capture the magic that the band had created during the 1970s, although some of the tracks from these two albums have become classics in their own right, especially "Keep Talking" on [[The Division Bell]], which includes the voice of [[Stephen Hawking]], and [[Marooned]] on the same album, which was included on the Pink Floyd album of greatest hits, [[Echoes: The Best of Pink Floyd]], in 2001 (albeit a shortened version).

After many years, Pink Floyd and Roger Waters reunited at the [[Live 8]] concert in London on July 2, 2005. They played some favourites, such as [[Money]] and [[Wish You Were Here]], which they dedicated to one of the founding members, [[Syd Barrett]], who died one year and five days after the performance. Syd is considered by many to be one of the most influential musicians in rock, producing a psychadelic sound that was part dramatised and scripted performance and part improvising vision. Pink Floyd officially removed Barrett in March 1968 after his on-stage performance became increasingly erratic, due to his consumption of psychadelic and powerfully psychoactive [[narcotics]]. He remained active until 1972, producing his own albums solo, but it is thought that these albums contained songs that Barrett had written whilst with Floyd, but had not released, and that his song-writing days were over. He became somewhat of a recluse from 1972 until his death in 2006, although there was a brief reunion in 1975.

Pink Floyd are one of the highest selling acts of all time, having sold over 250 million albums in their long history. ''[[The Dark Side of the Moon]]'' and ''[[The Wall]]'' are their two best-selling albums, with ''Dark Side'' staying on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart for a record 741 consecutive weeks, and ''The Wall'' being the 4th most sold album (and most sold double-album) in the United States.

==Discography==

*''[[The Piper at the Gates of Dawn]]'' (1967)
*''[[A Saucerful of Secrets]]'' (1969)
*''[[Music from the film More]]'' (1969)
*''[[Ummagumma]]'' (1969)
*''[[Atom Heart Mother]]'' (1970)
*''[[Meddle]]'' (1971)
*''[[Obscured by Clouds]]'' (1972)
*''[[The Dark Side of the Moon]]'' (1973)
*''[[Wish You Were Here]]'' (1975)
*''[[Animals]]'' (1977)
*''[[The Wall]]'' (1979)
*''[[The Final Cut]]'' (1983)
*''[[A Momentary Lapse of Reason]]'' (1987)
*''[[The Division Bell]]'' (1994)
*''[[Pulse]]'' (1995)

==Sources==
[[http://www.pinkfloyd.com]]
[[http://www.riaa.com/gp/bestsellers/topalbums.asp]]

[[Category:Bands]]

Rush (band)

2007-05-28T20:13:50Z

Blackjuice:

The Canadian band Rush is a progressive rock band whose members are [[Neil Peart]], chief lyricist and drummer, widely considered to be one of best and most influential drummers in rock history, Geddy Lee, and Alex Lifeson. Peart's lyrics are based on the [[objectivist]] philosophy of [[Ayn Rand]]. The band's popularity is growing, as the years go on, and they have recently released a new album, called "Snakes And Arrows" in 2007. Their most famous songs are the instrumental "YYZ", the semi-concept album "2112", with its title track and addition "The Priests of the Temple of Syrinx", about a future dominated by left-wing collectives and the removal of individual ability and thought, and possibly their most famous and iconic track, "Tom Sawyer", a musically complex track based around Neil Peart's image of an ideal modern man. The band have received some criticism for their Ayn Rand-inspired lyrics, especially in the British press in the wake of [[2112]] in the 70s. It is possible that, despite their musicianship, the band have not received their due in terms of popularity and fan-base as a result of their objectivist and libertarian philosophy, seemingly out of place in the hard rock scene, typically the domain of more left-leaning and liberal bands and musicians.

Rush (band)

2007-05-28T20:13:13Z

Blackjuice:

The Canadian band Rush is a progressive rock band whose members are [[Neil Peart]], chief lyricist and drummer, widely considered to be one of best and most influential drummers in rock history, Geddy Lee, and Alex Lifeson. Peart's lyrics are based on the [[objectivist]] philosophy of [[Ayn Rand]]. The band's popularity is growing, as the years go on, and they have recently released a new album, called "Snakes And Arrows" in 2007. Their most famous songs are the instrumental "YYZ", the semi-concept album "2112", with its title track and addition "The Priests of the Temple of Syrinx", about a future dominated by left-wing collectives and the removal of individual ability and thought, and possibly their most famous and iconic track, "Tom Sawyer", a musically complex track based around Neil Peart's image of an ideal modern man. The band have received some criticism for their Ayn Rand-inspired lyrics, especially in the British press in the wake of [[2112]] in the 70s. It is possible that, despite their musicianship, the band have not received their due in terms of popularity and fan-base, as a result of their objectivist and libertarian philosophy, seemingly out of place in the hard rock scene, typically the domain of more left-leaning and liberal bands and musicians.

Jethro Tull (rock band)

2007-05-28T20:01:50Z

Blackjuice:

'''Jethro Tull''' is a British rock band often classified as progressive rock, although they were heavily influenced by blues and folk music. Their lead singer, [[Ian Anderson]], is well-known for playing the [[flute]] and for his quirky stage-presence. Their most famous album is [[Aqualung]] (1971), which contains several atheist anthems, such as "My God" and "Hymn 43". In an interview released in the 25th anniversary edition of Aqualung, Anderson noted that, although many fans in Britain and America consider the album to be the peak of the career of Jethro Tull, he does not necessarily consider it to be so, and notes that in Germany, for instance, the later album, [[Broadsword and the Beast]] (1982), is considered to be the typical and best example of Jethro Tull's music. In the same interview, Anderson notes that Jethro Tull's relationship with [[Led Zeppelin]] was not as good as it could have been, as Anderson believes he made a joke at some point at [[Robert Plant]]'s expense.

==Trivia==

Jethro Tull won the first Grammy Award for Heavy Metal performance, causing a great deal of controversy, as many did not consider them to be a heavy metal band. The band did not show up to collect their award, but released a full-page newspaper advertisement the next day stating that "The flute is a heavy metal instrument."{{fact}} They are often classified as a [[progressive rock]] band in any case.

[[Category:Bands]]

Reggae

2007-05-28T19:48:24Z

Blackjuice:

'''Reggae''' music originated in [[Jamaica]]. It is often associated with the [[Rastafari movement]], which has influenced many prominent reggae musicians. A reggae album was produced on Darwin Day in 2006 in Birmingham in the United Kingdom, promoting an evolutionist viewpoint and Darwinian natural selection, and, in a bonus track, discussing the issue of Dover, Pennsylvania, and its decision to remove the teaching of [[young earth creationism]] from the science classroom.

[[Category:Music]]

Boxing

2007-05-28T17:39:25Z

Blackjuice:

'''Boxing''' is an olympic arena [[sport]] where two opponents hit each other (usually wearing red gloves) until one is knocked out. Boxing is perhaps the most challenging sport of all. A boxer requires a unique blend of [[speed]], [[strength]], and [[endurance]]. In addition to these qualities, he must stand up to the punishment inflicted by an equally matched opponent. To withstand the inevitable [[pain]] and [[fatigue]], the boxer must possess a mind that is as tough as his body. Boxing is still very popular, possibly having roots in ancient Greek styles of boxing, although with certain and clearly defined roots in the bare-knuckle fights in England in the early-modern era, being given modern rules in the 19th century by the Marquess of Queensbury.

==Methods==
Right-handed boxers usually fight from an orthodox stance. This means putting the left foot slightly ahead of the right with both feet spread apart and the weight of the body evenly distributed on both. This position enables the boxer to move quickly in any direction. The left arm is partly extended to the front. The right arm is held close to the body to guard the [[stomach]] and jaw. Left-handed boxers stand with the right foot and right arm forward. The chief points of attack are the tip of the jaw, the spot just below the [[ear]], and the midsection of the body. A solid punch delivered to one of these points often results in a [[knockout]]. A good offense is usually built around the four recognized classes of punches jab, straight blow, hook or cross, and uppercut. The jab is a sharp, light punch delivered by straightening out the bent arm, usually the left arm in a typical stance. The jab can be used effectively to harass an opponent and to keep him off-balance. A cross, a straight punch with the right, may carry the weight of the body behind it and will result in a knockout if it is landed in a vital spot, and is usually preceded by a jab, a combination often referred to as a "one-two". The hook, either left or right, is a blow with the arm held at or near a right angle, powered by the quick, strong rotation of the back and core muscles, aimed to slip by the opponent's guard in a circular fashion. The uppercut is a blow directed upward, usually aimed at the jaw or the midsection. When delivered with full power either punch can be a knockout blow - although knockouts are technically achievable with jabs, as well as the typical power punches, the hook, uppercut, and cross. The defense may also may be built around several basic maneuvers. Blocking is parrying with the glove, forearm, elbow, or shoulder to deflect the opponent's punches. Slipping, which depends upon fast footwork, consists of stepping aside and making the rival miss. Another trick is to roll with the [[punch]] that is, to soften the effect of a blow by moving in the direction it is aimed - confusingly named, since a boxer may also perform a "shoulder roll", a roll of the shoulder that does not involve taking a blow, but intercepting with a circular motion of the shoulder inward when the punch is entering. Ducking is bobbing down so that the blow goes over the head. Clinching, when done legally, ties up the opponent's arms and gives the boxer an opportunity to rest, although this is looked down upon and discouraged. Other maneuvers, offensive and defensive, are also useful to a boxer. Feinting is bluffing with one hand preparatory to delivering a blow with the other. Leading is opening an attack, usually with a left jab. Countering is throwing a hard punch at the opponent at the exact moment he leads off.

[[Category:sports]]

Homo sapiens

2007-05-28T17:18:36Z

Blackjuice:

Humans, or human beings, are classified by biologists as [[primates]] belonging to the mammalian species, [[Homo]] sapiens, ''homo'' meaning "same", and ''sapiens'' meaning "wise", or "understanding" in the taxonomological class Hominidae (the great apes). Some researchers claim humans have possibly been around for approximately 130,000 years<ref>Alemseged Z, Coppens Y, Geraads D (2002). "Hominid cranium from Omo: Description and taxonomy of Omo-323-1976-896". Am J Phys Anthropol 117 (2): 103-12.</ref>. Humans are characterized by highly developed brain capable of abstract reasoning, language, and introspection. This mental capability, combined with an erect body carriage that frees their upper limbs for manipulating objects, has allowed humans to make far greater use of tools than any other species than is known. Humans now inhabit every continent including [[Antarctica]], with a total population of over 6.5 billion as of 2007. Humans have been known to live to ages of just over 100 years.

== The Origins of Man according to Creationists ==

A large number of [[Christian|Christians]], Jews, Muslims and [[Creationism|Creationists]] have postulated that Homo sapiens were created in [[God|God's]] image on day 6 of [[creation]].[http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2313]
:''And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.'' ([[Genesis]] 1:26-27)

:''And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.'' (Genesis 2:7)

The first man was Adam.
:''And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.'' (Genesis 2:15)
The first woman, Eve, was made from one of his ribs.
:''And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.'' (Genesis 2:22)

Because of the sinful nature of man about 2350 B.C (according to the Young Earth Creationist view) [[God]] sent a [[Great Flood]] which annihilated all the people on Earth except for the then 600 year old [[Noah]] and his family. All people alive today are descendants of [[Family of Noah|Noah and his family]].

==The Origins of Man according to Evolutionists==

In more recent times rationalists, [[Theory of evolution|Evolutionists]] and scientists in the fields of biology and more specifically, anthropology, have postulated that humans have been around in anatomically modern form for approximately 130,000 years<ref>Alemseged Z, Coppens Y, Geraads D (2002). "Hominid cranium from Omo: Description and taxonomy of Omo-323-1976-896". Am J Phys Anthropol 117 (2): 103-12.</ref>. One version of the this theory maintains homo sapiens evolved from Homo ergaster or erectus, and from other earlier primates. Humans' closest living relative is the chimpanzee.

==The origins of Man according to non-Abrahamic religions==
According to Hindus, humans were created from a part of the cut up body of Purusha. According to the Iroquois, humans came about fully formed in the Sky World before descending through a hole caused by the uprooting of a tree into a lower world, originally a sea, which the humans manipulated by sending creatures to dive to the sea bottom and bring up mud for the creation of earth on which they could dwell. Various creation myths exist in China, the most popular being the story of Nuwa. Nuwa was a lonely goddess, who one day looked in a pool and decided to create figures from mud based on her image in the water; creating many figures of grown ups, children, males and females (where the inspiration for males and children came from is not explained) and blowing on them to give them life (the idea here being that breath is the most important thing to all humans), Nuwa saw that the world became much livelier, and she appreciated it. She decided, too, that creating humans one-by-one was too slow, so she picked up a rope and whipped it into the mud, and many figures tumbled out, which she again blew on to give them life. This kind of creation of humans is common in cultures that have a strong pottery tradition. In the pre-modern Chinese scientific tradition, no creator is ascribed to creation - simply, one became two, two became three, and three generated all things in the universe, and this includes humans. In any case, myths about the creation of mankind are an important method by which anthropologists may discover more about the societies they are studying, as they show the important facets of human life to that culture. A list of creation myths in various cultures can be found at http://www.plesiosaur.com/creationism/creationmyths/index.php

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Anthropology]]
[[Category:Creations of God]]
[[Category:Hominid]]

Homo sapiens

2007-05-28T17:16:18Z

Blackjuice:

Humans, or human beings, are classified by biologists as [[primates]] belonging to the mammalian species, [[Homo]] sapiens, ''homo'' meaning "same", and ''sapiens'' meaning "wise", or "understanding" in the taxonomological class Hominidae (the great apes). Some researchers claim humans have possibly been around for approximately 130,000 years<ref>Alemseged Z, Coppens Y, Geraads D (2002). "Hominid cranium from Omo: Description and taxonomy of Omo-323-1976-896". Am J Phys Anthropol 117 (2): 103-12.</ref>. Humans are characterized by highly developed brain capable of abstract reasoning, language, and introspection. This mental capability, combined with an erect body carriage that frees their upper limbs for manipulating objects, has allowed humans to make far greater use of tools than any other species than is known. Humans now inhabit every continent including [[Antarctica]], with a total population of over 6.5 billion as of 2007. Humans have been known to live to ages of just over 100 years.

== The Origins of Man according to Creationists ==

A large number of [[Christian|Christians]], Jews, Muslims and [[Creationism|Creationists]] have postulated that Homo sapiens were created in [[God|God's]] image on day 6 of [[creation]].[http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2313]
:''And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.'' ([[Genesis]] 1:26-27)

:''And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.'' (Genesis 2:7)

The first man was Adam.
:''And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.'' (Genesis 2:15)
The first woman, Eve, was made from one of his ribs.
:''And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.'' (Genesis 2:22)

Because of the sinful nature of man about 2350 B.C (according to the Young Earth Creationist view) [[God]] sent a [[Great Flood]] which annihilated all the people on Earth except for the then 600 year old [[Noah]] and his family. All people alive today are descendants of [[Family of Noah|Noah and his family]].

==The Origins of Man according to Evolutionists==

In more recent times rationalists, [[Theory of evolution|Evolutionists]] and scientists in the fields of biology and more specifically, anthropology, have postulated that humans have been around in anatomically modern form for approximately 130,000 years<ref>Alemseged Z, Coppens Y, Geraads D (2002). "Hominid cranium from Omo: Description and taxonomy of Omo-323-1976-896". Am J Phys Anthropol 117 (2): 103-12.</ref>. One version of the this theory maintains homo sapiens evolved from Homo ergaster or erectus, and from other earlier primates. Humans' closest living relative is the chimpanzee.

==The origins of Man according to non-Abrahamic religions==
According to Hindus, humans were created from a part of the cut up body of Purusha. According to the Iroquois, humans came about fully formed in the Sky World before descending through a hole caused by the uprooting of a tree into a lower world, originally a sea, which the humans manipulated by sending creatures to dive to the sea bottom and bring up mud for the creation of earth on which they could dwell. Various creation myths exist in China, the most popular being the story of Nuwa. Nuwa was a lonely goddess, who one day looked in a pool and decided to create figures from mud based on her image in the water; creating many figures of grown ups, children, males and females (where the inspiration for males and children came from is not explained) and blowing on them to give them life (the idea here being that breath is the most important thing to all humans), Nuwa saw that the world became much livelier, and she appreciated it. She decided, too, that creating humans one-by-one was too slow, so she picked up a rope and whipped it into the mud, and many figures tumbled out, which she again blew on to give them life. This kind of creation of humans is common in cultures that have a strong pottery tradition. In the pre-modern Chinese scientific tradition, no creator is ascribed to creation - simply, one became two, two became three, and three generated all things in the universe, and this includes humans. In any case, myths about the creation of mankind are an important method by which anthropologists may discover more about the societies they are studying.

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Anthropology]]
[[Category:Creations of God]]
[[Category:Hominid]]

Homo sapiens

2007-05-28T17:10:04Z

Blackjuice:

Humans, or human beings, are classified by biologists as [[primates]] belonging to the mammalian species, [[Homo]] sapiens, ''homo'' meaning "same", and ''sapiens'' meaning "wise", or "understanding" in the taxonomological class Hominidae (the great apes). Some researchers claim humans have possibly been around for approximately 130,000 years<ref>Alemseged Z, Coppens Y, Geraads D (2002). "Hominid cranium from Omo: Description and taxonomy of Omo-323-1976-896". Am J Phys Anthropol 117 (2): 103-12.</ref>. Humans are characterized by highly developed brain capable of abstract reasoning, language, and introspection. This mental capability, combined with an erect body carriage that frees their upper limbs for manipulating objects, has allowed humans to make far greater use of tools than any other species than is known. Humans now inhabit every continent including [[Antarctica]], with a total population of over 6.5 billion as of 2007. Humans have been known to live to ages of just over 100 years.

== The Origins of Man according to Creationists ==

A large number of [[Christian|Christians]], Jews, Muslims and [[Creationism|Creationists]] have postulated that Homo sapiens were created in [[God|God's]] image on day 6 of [[creation]].[http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2313]
:''And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.'' ([[Genesis]] 1:26-27)

:''And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.'' (Genesis 2:7)

The first man was Adam.
:''And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.'' (Genesis 2:15)
The first woman, Eve, was made from one of his ribs.
:''And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.'' (Genesis 2:22)

Because of the sinful nature of man about 2350 B.C [[God]] sent a [[Great Flood]] which annihilated all the people on Earth except for the then 600 year old [[Noah]] and his family. All people alive today are descendants of [[Family of Noah|Noah and his family]].

==The Origins of Man according to Evolutionists==

In more recent times rationalists, [[Theory of evolution|Evolutionists]] and scientists in the fields of biology and more specifically, anthropology, have postulated that humans have been around in anatomically modern form for approximately 130,000 years<ref>Alemseged Z, Coppens Y, Geraads D (2002). "Hominid cranium from Omo: Description and taxonomy of Omo-323-1976-896". Am J Phys Anthropol 117 (2): 103-12.</ref>. One version of the this theory maintains homo sapiens evolved from Homo ergaster or erectus, and from other earlier primates. Humans' closest living relative is the chimpanzee.

==The origins of Man according to non-Abrahamic religions==
According to Hindus, humans were created from a part of the cut up body of Purusha. According to the Iroquois, humans came about fully formed in the Sky World before descending through a hole caused by the uprooting of a tree into a lower world, originally a sea, which the humans manipulated by sending creatures to dive to the sea bottom and bring up mud for the creation of earth on which they could dwell. Various creation myths exist in China, the most popular being the story of Nuwa. Nuwa was a lonely goddess, who one day looked in a pool and decided to create figures from mud based on her image in the water; creating many figures of grown ups, children, males and females (where the inspiration for males and children came from is not explained) and blowing on them to give them life (the idea here being that breath is the most important thing to all humans), Nuwa saw that the world became much livelier, and she appreciated it. She decided, too, that creating humans one-by-one was too slow, so she picked up a rope and whipped it into the mud, and many figures tumbled out, which she again blew on to give them life. This kind of creation of humans is common in cultures that have a strong pottery tradition.

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Anthropology]]
[[Category:Creations of God]]
[[Category:Hominid]]

Homo sapiens

2007-05-28T17:09:23Z

Blackjuice:

Humans, or human beings, are classified by biologists as [[primates]] belonging to the mammalian species, [[Homo]] sapiens, ''homo'' meaning "same", and ''sapiens'' meaning "wise", or "understanding" in the taxonomological class Hominidae (the great apes). Some researchers claim humans have possibly been around for approximately 130,000 years<ref>Alemseged Z, Coppens Y, Geraads D (2002). "Hominid cranium from Omo: Description and taxonomy of Omo-323-1976-896". Am J Phys Anthropol 117 (2): 103-12.</ref>. Humans are characterized by highly developed brain capable of abstract reasoning, language, and introspection. This mental capability, combined with an erect body carriage that frees their upper limbs for manipulating objects, has allowed humans to make far greater use of tools than any other species than is known. Humans now inhabit every continent including [[Antarctica]], with a total population of over 6.5 billion as of 2007. Humans have been known to live to ages of just over 100 years.

== The Origins of Man according to Creationists ==

A large number of [[Christian|Christians]], Jews, Muslims and [[Creationism|Creationists]] have postulated that Homo sapiens were created in [[God|God's]] image on day 6 of [[creation]].[http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2313]
:''And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.'' ([[Genesis]] 1:26-27)

:''And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.'' (Genesis 2:7)

The first man was Adam.
:''And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.'' (Genesis 2:15)
The first woman, Eve, was made from one of his ribs.
:''And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.'' (Genesis 2:22)

Because of the sinful nature of man about 2350 B.C [[God]] sent a [[Great Flood]] which annihilated all the people on Earth except for the then 600 year old [[Noah]] and his family. All people alive today are descendants of [[Family of Noah|Noah and his family]].

==The Origins of Man according to Evolutionists==

In more recent times rationalists, [[Theory of evolution|Evolutionists]] and scientists in the fields of biology and more specifically, anthropology, have postulated that humans have been around in anatomically modern form for approximately 130,000 years<ref>Alemseged Z, Coppens Y, Geraads D (2002). "Hominid cranium from Omo: Description and taxonomy of Omo-323-1976-896". Am J Phys Anthropol 117 (2): 103-12.</ref>. One version of the this theory maintains homo sapiens evolved from Homo ergaster or erectus. Humans' closest living relative is the chimpanzee.

==The origins of Man according to non-Abrahamic religions==
According to Hindus, humans were created from a part of the cut up body of Purusha. According to the Iroquois, humans came about fully formed in the Sky World before descending through a hole caused by the uprooting of a tree into a lower world, originally a sea, which the humans manipulated by sending creatures to dive to the sea bottom and bring up mud for the creation of earth on which they could dwell. Various creation myths exist in China, the most popular being the story of Nuwa. Nuwa was a lonely goddess, who one day looked in a pool and decided to create figures from mud based on her image in the water; creating many figures of grown ups, children, males and females (where the inspiration for males and children came from is not explained) and blowing on them to give them life (the idea here being that breath is the most important thing to all humans), Nuwa saw that the world became much livelier, and she appreciated it. She decided, too, that creating humans one-by-one was too slow, so she picked up a rope and whipped it into the mud, and many figures tumbled out, which she again blew on to give them life. This kind of creation of humans is common in cultures that have a strong pottery tradition.

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Anthropology]]
[[Category:Creations of God]]
[[Category:Hominid]]

Talk:Bertrand Russell

2007-05-28T16:58:24Z

Blackjuice:

I find it ironic that this site uses Wikipedia's presentation of Bertrand Russell as an anti-Bolshevic as an example of Wikipedia's "liberal bias." For it is your site that is distorting the truth, as it has done with other things, with respect to Bertrand Russell's position on Bolshevism. You have taken out of context a statement from Russell's preface to The Theory and Practice of Bolshevism, and used it to make it look as if Russell was supporter of the Bolsheviks'. However, it is clear if you read on past the statement you quoted that he is not, especially if you read on past the preface to the first section, which I cited in the article about Russell as evidence as his feelings towards of the Bolsheviks, which you deleted.

The feelings expressed in this passage are the proper expressions of what Russell felt towards the Bolsheviks then, and especially after 1920 with the rise of Stalinism, not the statements you quoted. After all, it was Bertrand Russell who indicated that a preemptive nuclear strike against the Soviet Union, prior to their acquiring nuclear weapons, would be morally more justifiable than the alternative of attacking them after they had acquired them. His expressions of fondness for the Bolsheviks in the preface are because of the hope they have given the world: people can rise up and throw off the chains of economic oppression that are draining the life out of them: it was done in Russia. However, if you read on you will see that he vehemently opposes their ideology and their methods. His tract is polemic against them. Russell saw the same thing that Orwell saw in Spain: the Communist party was wolf in sheep's clothing. But Russell saw it very early on, before the rise of Stalinism. His predictions about what would ultimately happen in Russia were spot on. I have pasted most of the preface that you distorted onto the page, plus the beginning of section 1. You will want to edit this long post. But, please, do not against attempt to portray Bertrand Ruussell as a supporter of the Bolsheviks' or the Soviet Union. harmlesstree

*''hope they have given the world''
::LOL. [[User:RobS|RobS]] 14:25, 15 May 2007 (EDT)

LOL, right. You are looking at the Russian Revolution from the vantage point of 2007 - that is through 90 years of history that socialists/communists and the working class of 1917 were not privy to. All they were privy to was that there was a successful communist/socialist revolution - not the horrors of Stalinism, which would not occur for years. Most were probably not even aware of the violent and despotic tendencies of the Bolsheviks. They were aware of the fact that there was an apparently successful working class revolution, which there was. The Russian Revolution was a popular revolution which the Bolsheviks ceased control of, and began to implement their Marxist-Leninist orthodoxy. They took control of the Soviets, which were independent democratically administered councils, and made them arms of the state, while silencing all opposition. But the preponderance of people did not know this. All they knew was there was a successful revolution, in which a socialist society was being constructed. This, as Russell properly states, gave them hope. However, Russell did not share these hopes beyond the fact that there was was a successful revolution, and he says so after the preface. It was clear to him after visiting Russia that there was not a socialist society being constructed. On the contrary, the Bolsheviks' were constructing a despotic state that was reminiscent of the one that preceded it; it was an illusion, and Russell knew it. He condemned it, and the Marxist-Lenist dogma it was founded upon. And that brings us back to my primary point: Bertrand Russell vehemently opposed Bolshevism. harmlesstree
*''reminiscent? ''
::Did the Czar exterminate 50 million? [[User:RobS|RobS]] 15:59, 15 May 2007 (EDT)

The Bolshevics had not killed 50 million from 1917 - 1920. When I say, or Russell says, the Bolshevic state was reminiscent of the TSARist, I and he, are only going on what occured from 1917 - 1920. Do you understand this? I am commenting on Russell's tract the Theroy and Practice of Bolshevism, which he wrote in 1920. Do you understand the fact that he is not aware of the mass killings of Stalin because they have not happened yet? He was aware of the killings and despotic government the Bolshevics had erected, which he attacked. This government reminded him of the TSARiST one. He wrote," Opposition is crushed without mercy, and without shrinking from the methods of the Tsarist police, many of whom are still employed at their old work." Look the whole point of this post was to clear Russell's name, by exposing the slander that was placed on conservapedia. I have done that, at least if one is fair minded. harmlesstree

RobS,

Given that it was you who placed [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.phptitle=Bertrand_Russell&diff=66867&oldid=66842 that quote]
in the article, and given that harmlesstree has provided [http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17350/17350-h/17350-h.htm compelling evidence] that it grossly misrepresents Russell's position, then I'd keep my fool mouth shut if I were you.

Indeed, a more gracious person than yourself might even have been moved to ''thank'' harmlesstree for correcting your crass error. The case for your immediate defenestration grows stronger with each passing day.

--[[User:Robledo|Robledo]] 17:03, 15 May 2007 (EDT)
:Right. Good way to wiggle out of an argument. The Bolsheviks just crushed democracy, broke the hereditary lineage of the monarchy by murdering the Royal family, but aren't responsible for what they wrought afterwards. Sounds like Marxist reasoning. [[User:RobS|RobS]] 17:46, 15 May 2007 (EDT

Wiggle! You have the audacity to accuse me of wiggling and obfuscating; when I am simply trying to defend Bertrand Russell against the scurrilous accusations made by a contributer to Conservapedia, while you try shift the focus away from this and make it about me, i.e. "sounds like Marxist reasoning." Please address the issue of Bertrand Russell. If you persist in this infantile game, I am going to end this conversation. harmlesstree

And a craven refusal to acknowledge your error, RobS. Bravo.

harmlesstree,

Do not attempt to debate with this man. Stick to your guns - do not attempt to explain, clarify or expand upon the charge of misrepresentation. Defy him to prove you wrong and he disappears. That (tragically) is the very most you can expect from him.

--[[User:Robledo|Robledo]] 19:41, 15 May 2007

:Let's discuss what we're discussing here; there is no evidence Russell abandoned these views well ''after'' all the genocides the Communists committed; well into the 1960s, Russell was a charter members of the "blame America crowd". And unlike Wikipedia, another Nobel Laureate in Literature, Mr. Alexandr Solzhenisyn's criticism of Russell and his support for the Soviet Union '''will not''' be censored and '''will''' go into this Conservapedia bio. [[User:RobS|RobS]] 21:23, 15 May 2007 (EDT)

Never abondoned these views, he never had those views, which is precisely the point. And regarding censorship, you are the one who censored Bertrand Russell's writings, by posting only one tiny snippett from the preface to The Theory and Practice of Bolshevism, where I posted most of the preface, and quote from chapter 1.

I cannot share the hopes of the Bolsheviks any more than those of the Egyptian anchorites; I regard both as tragic delusions, destined to bring [16]upon the world centuries of darkness and futile violence...I do not know whether Bolshevism can be prevented from acquiring universal power. But even if it cannot, I am persuaded that those who stand out against it, not from love of ancient injustice, but in the name of the free spirit of Man, will be the bearers of the seeds of progress, from which, when the world's gestation is accomplished, new life will be born."

Does this sound like a man that had those views? If he felt like this then, do you think it is likely that later on he became sympathetic to the Soviet Union, when the crimes against humanity and the oppression became much greater.

"The blame America crowd" lol - jingoistic tripe that appeals to the ignorant and moronic rabble. Have you ever noticed that people with Russell's intellect, not just Russell, generally despise the irrational nationalistic sentiment that underpins that phrase you uttered. "Nationalism is an infantile disease; it is the measles of mankind." Albert Einstein

Harmlesstree

Here is a short story examing the character of Joe Stalin that Russell wrote,

Josef Stalin's Nightmare

by Bertrand Russell

Stalin, after copious draughts of vodka mixed with red pepper, had fallen asleep in his chair. Molotov, Malenkov, and Beria, with fingers to their lips, warned off intrusive domestics who might interfere with the great man's repose. While they guarded him, he had a dream, and what he dreamt was as follows:

The Third World War had been fought and lost. He was a captive in the hands of the Western Allies. But they, having observed that the Nuremberg trials generated sympathy for the Nazis, decided this time to adopt a different plan: Stalin was handed over to a committee of eminent Quakers, who contended that even he, by the power of love, could be led to repentance and to the life of a decent citizen.

It was realized that until their spiritual work had been completed the windows of his room must be barred lest he should be guilty of a rash act, and he must not be allowed access to knives lest in a fit of fury he should attach those engaged in his regeneration. He was housed comfortably in two rooms of an old country house, but the doors were locked, except during the one hour of every day when, in the company of four muscular Quakers, he was taken for a brisk walk during which he was encouraged to admire the beauties of nature and enjoy the song of the lark. During the rest of the day he was allowed to read and write, but he was not allowed any literature that might be considered inflammatory. He was given the Bible, Pilgrim's Progress, and Uncle Tom's Cabin. And sometimes for a treat he was allowed the novels of Charlotte M. Yonge. He was allowed no tobacco, no alcohol, and no red pepper. Cocoa he might have at any hour of the day and night, since the most eminent of his guardians were purveyors of that innocent beverage. Tea and coffee were permitted in moderation, but not in such quantities or at such time as might interfere with a wholesome night's repose.

During one hour of every morning and one hour of every evening the grave men to whose care he had been entrusted explained the principles of Christian charity and the happiness that might yet be his if he would but acknowledge their wisdom. The task of reasoning with him fell especially upon the three men who were accounted wisest among those who hoped to make him see the light. These were the Mr. Tobias Toogood, Mr. Samuel Swete, and Mr. Wilabraham Weldon.

He had been acquainted with these men in the days of his greatness. Not long before the outbreak of the Third World War they had journeyed to Moscow to plead with him and endeavor to convince him of the error of his ways. They had talked to him of universal benevolence and Christian love. They had spoken in glowing terms of the joys of meekness, and had tried to persuade him that there is more happiness in being loved than in being feared. For a little while he had listened with a patience produced by astonishment, and then he had burst out at them. "What do you gentleman know of the joys of life?" he had stormed. "How little you understand of the intoxicating delight of dominating a whole nation by terror, knowing that almost all desire your death and that none can compass it, knowing that your enemies throughout the world are engaged in futile attempts to guess your secret thoughts, knowing that your power will survive the extermination not only of your enemies but of your friends. No, gentlemen, the way of life you offer does not attract me. Go back to your pettifogging pursuit of profit gilded with a pretense of piety, but leave me to my more heroic way of life."

The Quakers, baffled for the moment, went home to wait for a better opportunity. Stalin, fallen and in their power, might, they now hoped, show himself more amenable. Strange to say, he still proved stubborn. They were men who had had much practice with juvenile delinquents, unraveling their complexes and leading them by gentle persuasion to the belief that honesty is the best policy.

"Mr. Stalin," said Tobias Toogood, "we hope that you now realize the unwisdom of the way of life to which you have hitherto adhered. I shall say nothing of the ruin you have brought upon the world, for that, you will assure me, leaves you cold. But consider what you have brought upon yourself. You have fallen from your high estate to the condition of a humble prisoner, owing what comforts you retain to the fact that gaolers do not accept your maxims. The fierce joys of which you spoke when we visited you in the days of your greatness can no longer be yours. But if you could break down the barrier of pride, if you could repent, if you could learn to find happiness in the happiness of others, there might yet be for you some purpose and some tolerable contentment during the remainder of your days."

At this point Stalin leapt to his feet and exclaimed: "Hell take you, you sniveling hypocrite. I understand nothing of what you say, except that you are on top and I am at your mercy, and that you have found a way of insulting my misfortunes more galling and more humiliating than any I invented in my purges."

"Oh, Mr. Stalin," said Mr. Swete, "how can you be so unjust and so unkind? Can you not see that we have none but the most benevolent intentions towards you? Can you not see that we wish to save your soul, and that we deplore the violence and hatred that you promoted among your enemies as among your friends? We have no wish to humiliate you, and could you but appreciate earthly greatness at no more than its true worth, you would see that it is an escape from humiliation that we are offering you."

"This is really too much," shouted Stalin. "When I was a boy, I put up with talk like this in my Georgian seminary, but it is not the sort of talk to which a grown man can listen with patience. I wish I believed in Hell, that I might look forward to the pleasures of seeing your blandness dissipated by scorching flames."

"Oh fie, my dear Stalin!" said Mr. Weldon. "Pray do not excite yourself, for it is only by calmness that you will learn to see the wisdom of what we are trying to show you."

Before Stalin could retort, Mr. Toogood once again intervened: "I am sure, Mr. Stalin," he said, "that a man of your great intelligence cannot forever remain blind to the truth, but at the moment you are overwrought, and I suggest that a soothing cup of cocoa might be better for you than the unduly stimulating tea you have been drinking."

At this moment Stalin could no longer contain himself. He took the teapot and hurled it at Mr. Toogood's head. The scalding liquid poured down his face, but he only said, "There, there, Mr. Stalin, that is no argument." In a paroxysm of rage Stalin awoke. For a moment the rage continued and vented itself upon Molotov, Malenkov, and Beria, who trembled and turned pale. But as the clouds of sleep cleared away, his rage evaporated, and he found contentment in a deep draught of vodka and red pepper.

Russell clearly thinks highly of Stalin, I don't think so!

harmlesstree

: Why is this even an issue? Surely a discussion of Russell's actual philosophical outlook and contributions in all fields, as well as his biography, should be given pride of place here, rather than his ambiguous position on communism? Let's face it, a lot of academics, philosophers and thinkers supported the concept of communism at its inception, and it is not that important at all to put that in. It's just not. It's childish, and a way of using the "poisoning the well" logical fallacy against Russell due to a hatred of some of what he wrote and thought. Shouldn't you be a bit more grown up? [[User:Blackjuice|Blackjuice]] 12:58, 28 May 2007 (EDT)

Atheism

2007-05-27T17:56:36Z

Blackjuice:

'''Atheism''', as defined by the ''Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy'' and the ''Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy'', is the denial of the existence of any [[God]]. <ref>http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/atheism-agnosticism/</ref> <ref>http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/1998</ref>

Well-known atheists include [[Bertrand Russell]], [[Ayn Rand]], [[Richard Dawkins]] and [[Douglas Adams]].

== Atheist morality ==

Although it is difficult to generalize about atheism because it has no creed in a way that Christianity, Judaism, and Islam do, atheists typically hold that no religious text can be the only source of morality. However, many atheists believe that religious texts contain useful ideas and principles, such as the [[Golden Rule]]. As atheists do not believe in any form of deity, books purported to be based upon the revealed words of such deities are not considered to have any more inherent moral authority than books written by people, as they consider them to be one and the same.

== Origins ==

Atheism has probably been around almost as long as theism, although in recorded history it has been a minority view in the western hemisphere, although amongst literati in pre-modern China, for instance, it was the default position, with moral guidance instead coming from Confucian teachings. Some atheists - notably, [[Richard Dawkins]] - contest that all religious are atheists with regard to Gods of other religions, and that atheism is therefore not a minority, but a default.

== Atheist Population ==

It is difficult to accurately determine the proportion of the population that is atheist because survey definitions, and even real life definitions, are often unclear. Some people are unsure of the existence of God, making them [[agnostic]], but they are sometimes counted as atheists. Furthermore, surveys containing an option for "no religion" are not necessarily identifying atheists. Individuals may believe in some form of god but not subscribe to any particular religion.

Specific research on atheists conducted in 2006 [http://www.harrisinteractive.com/news/allnewsbydate.asp?NewsID=1131 suggests] that the true proportion of atheists is 4% in the United States, 17% in Great Britain and 32% in France.

== Concern about Atheists in America ==

A recent [http://www.galluppoll.com/content/default.aspx?ci=26611&pg=1 Gallup] poll indicates that most Americans would be more willing to vote for a homosexual or Muslim presidential candidate than an atheist. [http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/asoca/asr/2006/00000071/00000002/art00003 Research] in the American Sociological Review finds that atheists are the group that Americans least relate to for shared vision or want to have marry into their family.
<ref>Edgell, Gerteis & Hartmann 2006</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!
! This Group Does Not At All Agree with My Vision of American Society:
! I Would Disapprove if My Child Wanted to Marry a Member of This Group:
|-
| Atheist
| 39.6%
| 47.6%
|-
| Muslim
| 26.3%
| 33.5%
|-
| Homosexual
| 22.6%
| NA
|-
|Conservative Christian
| 13.5%
| 6.9%
|-
| Recent Immigrant
| 12.5%
| Not Asked
|-
| Hispanic
| 7.6%
| 18.5%
|-
| Jew
| 7.4%
| 11.8%
|-
| Asian American
| 7.0%
| 18.5%
|-
|African American
| 4.6%
| 27.2%
|-
| White American
| 2.2%
| 2.3%
|}

==External Links==

*[http://creationwiki.org/Decline_of_atheism Decline of Atheism -CreationWiki]
*[http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_225_report_en.pdf European Commission report on Social values, Science and Technology, includes info on Religious beliefs]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:Philosophy]]

Atheism

2007-05-27T17:56:08Z

Blackjuice:

'''Atheism''', as defined by the ''Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy'' and the ''Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy'', is the denial of the existence of any [[God]]. <ref>http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/atheism-agnosticism/</ref> <ref>http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/1998</ref>

Well-known atheists include [[Bertrand Russell]], [[Ayn Rand]], [[Richard Dawkins]] and [[Douglas Adams]].

== Atheist morality ==

Although it is difficult to generalize about atheism because it has no creed in a way that Christianity, Judaism, and Islam do, atheists typically hold that no religious text can be the only source of morality. However, many atheists believe that religious texts contain useful ideas and principles, such as the [[Golden Rule]]. As atheists do not believe in any form of deity, books purported to be based upon the revealed words of such deities are not considered to have any more inherent moral authority than books written by people, as they consider them to be one and the same.

== Origins ==

Atheism has probably been around almost as long as theism, although in recorded history it has been a minority view in the western hemisphere, although amongst literati in pre-modern China, for instance, it was the default position, with moral guidance instead coming from Confucian teachings. Some atheists - notably, [[Richard Dawkins]] contest that all religious are atheists with regard to Gods of other religions, and that atheism is therefore not a minority, but a default.

== Atheist Population ==

It is difficult to accurately determine the proportion of the population that is atheist because survey definitions, and even real life definitions, are often unclear. Some people are unsure of the existence of God, making them [[agnostic]], but they are sometimes counted as atheists. Furthermore, surveys containing an option for "no religion" are not necessarily identifying atheists. Individuals may believe in some form of god but not subscribe to any particular religion.

Specific research on atheists conducted in 2006 [http://www.harrisinteractive.com/news/allnewsbydate.asp?NewsID=1131 suggests] that the true proportion of atheists is 4% in the United States, 17% in Great Britain and 32% in France.

== Concern about Atheists in America ==

A recent [http://www.galluppoll.com/content/default.aspx?ci=26611&pg=1 Gallup] poll indicates that most Americans would be more willing to vote for a homosexual or Muslim presidential candidate than an atheist. [http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/asoca/asr/2006/00000071/00000002/art00003 Research] in the American Sociological Review finds that atheists are the group that Americans least relate to for shared vision or want to have marry into their family.
<ref>Edgell, Gerteis & Hartmann 2006</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!
! This Group Does Not At All Agree with My Vision of American Society:
! I Would Disapprove if My Child Wanted to Marry a Member of This Group:
|-
| Atheist
| 39.6%
| 47.6%
|-
| Muslim
| 26.3%
| 33.5%
|-
| Homosexual
| 22.6%
| NA
|-
|Conservative Christian
| 13.5%
| 6.9%
|-
| Recent Immigrant
| 12.5%
| Not Asked
|-
| Hispanic
| 7.6%
| 18.5%
|-
| Jew
| 7.4%
| 11.8%
|-
| Asian American
| 7.0%
| 18.5%
|-
|African American
| 4.6%
| 27.2%
|-
| White American
| 2.2%
| 2.3%
|}

==External Links==

*[http://creationwiki.org/Decline_of_atheism Decline of Atheism -CreationWiki]
*[http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_225_report_en.pdf European Commission report on Social values, Science and Technology, includes info on Religious beliefs]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:Philosophy]]

Atheism

2007-05-27T17:53:39Z

Blackjuice:

'''Atheism''', as defined by the ''Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy'' and the ''Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy'', is the denial of the existence of any [[God]]. <ref>http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/atheism-agnosticism/</ref> <ref>http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/1998</ref>

Well-known atheists include [[Bertrand Russell]], [[Ayn Rand]], [[Richard Dawkins]] and [[Douglas Adams]].

== Atheist morality ==

Although it is difficult to generalize about atheism because it has no creed in a way that Christianity, Judaism, and Islam do, atheists typically hold that no religious text can be the only source of morality. However, many atheists believe that religious texts contain useful ideas and principles, such as the [[Golden Rule]]. As atheists do not believe in any form of deity, books purported to be based upon the revealed words of such deities are not considered to have any more inherent moral authority than books written by people, as they consider them to be one and the same.

== Origins ==

Atheism has probably been around almost as long as theism, although in recorded history it has been a minority view.

== Atheist Population ==

It is difficult to accurately determine the proportion of the population that is atheist because survey definitions, and even real life definitions, are often unclear. Some people are unsure of the existence of God, making them [[agnostic]], but they are sometimes counted as atheists. Furthermore, surveys containing an option for "no religion" are not necessarily identifying atheists. Individuals may believe in some form of god but not subscribe to any particular religion.

Specific research on atheists conducted in 2006 [http://www.harrisinteractive.com/news/allnewsbydate.asp?NewsID=1131 suggests] that the true proportion of atheists is 4% in the United States, 17% in Great Britain and 32% in France.

== Concern about Atheists in America ==

A recent [http://www.galluppoll.com/content/default.aspx?ci=26611&pg=1 Gallup] poll indicates that most Americans would be more willing to vote for a homosexual or Muslim presidential candidate than an atheist. [http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/asoca/asr/2006/00000071/00000002/art00003 Research] in the American Sociological Review finds that atheists are the group that Americans least relate to for shared vision or want to have marry into their family.
<ref>Edgell, Gerteis & Hartmann 2006</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!
! This Group Does Not At All Agree with My Vision of American Society:
! I Would Disapprove if My Child Wanted to Marry a Member of This Group:
|-
| Atheist
| 39.6%
| 47.6%
|-
| Muslim
| 26.3%
| 33.5%
|-
| Homosexual
| 22.6%
| NA
|-
|Conservative Christian
| 13.5%
| 6.9%
|-
| Recent Immigrant
| 12.5%
| Not Asked
|-
| Hispanic
| 7.6%
| 18.5%
|-
| Jew
| 7.4%
| 11.8%
|-
| Asian American
| 7.0%
| 18.5%
|-
|African American
| 4.6%
| 27.2%
|-
| White American
| 2.2%
| 2.3%
|}

==External Links==

*[http://creationwiki.org/Decline_of_atheism Decline of Atheism -CreationWiki]
*[http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_225_report_en.pdf European Commission report on Social values, Science and Technology, includes info on Religious beliefs]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:Philosophy]]

Talk:Sun Yat-sen

2007-05-20T20:18:54Z

Blackjuice:

Talk:Sun Yat-sen

2007-05-20T20:17:45Z

Blackjuice:

Talk:Sun Yat-sen

2007-05-20T20:13:16Z

Blackjuice:

Jiang Jieshi (Chang Kai-Shek) was not a member of the Communist Party.
:Sorry about that, I thought you were another sock. It would help if you signed you name with four tildes "~~" [[User:Flippin|Flippin]] 15:17, 8 May 2007 (EDT)

"Sun Yixian" isn't Sun Yat-sen in Putonghua. It's Sun Zhongshan - 孙中山(in simplified characters, the only kind I have on my computer), and I don't think he ever really had any other names. Certainly Zhongshan/Yatsen is by far the most common. If "Yixian" was an attempt at working out the Putonghua version of the Cantonese Yatsen, it was a bit misguided - it's quite easy to find out his Putonghua name. [[User:Blackjuice|Blackjuice]] 16:13, 20 May 2007 (EDT)