DiscussMormonism.com

I was reading this old thread: (I know, I'm behind the times and trying to catch up)
http://www.mormondialogue.org/topic/250 ... -john-gee/

and also thinking on something that Fence Sitter suggested when discussing Dr. Gee's recent FAIR presentation.
http://www.fairlds.org/fair-conferences ... resume#en8

Perhaps it's time for one of the Mathematicians on this forum or the other one to offer Dr. Gee a challenge. The challenge would be a series of math problems and perhaps some well known algorithms. The goal would be to find out if the esteemed Dr. Gee is able to produce the correct result by sight and without the use of a computer or calculator. The problems don't really have to be that difficult. It would be nice, however, if we were able to have a witness with Dr. Gee so that he comes up with the solutions on his own and without help from any third party.

I believe a test like this is vital if anyone is to take Dr. Gee seriously in the future. If the challenge is met satisfactorily, then the rest of us poor and pathetic, lowbrow lurkers shall be able in full confidence to believe Dr. Gee when he omits important data from his presentations that would be vital for proper peer review.

Again, before I'm attacked by any other TBM's I should say that I hope Dr. Gee actually proves his case and wins the day. Personally, I would like his arguments to hold water, but as of right now I believe he's full of himself.

Anyway, I would be interested in other's thoughts. Also, again, I need to credit Fence Sitter for this wonderful idea.

Best regards,
Matt

by the way, what gives? Have ALL of the critics been banned from the MoDialog forum? I see "banned" everywhere when searching for old names. I've been away from the forums for a while and was a little shocked by how empty MoDialog seems to be these days of dissenting voices.

mledbetter wrote:by the way, what gives? Have ALL of the critics been banned from the MoDialog forum? I see "banned" everywhere when searching for old names. I've been away from the forums for a while and was a little shocked by how empty MoDialog seems to be these days of dissenting voices.

'dissenting voices' has been removed from the MAD boards mission statement...

Drifting wrote:

mledbetter wrote:by the way, what gives? Have ALL of the critics been banned from the MoDialog forum? I see "banned" everywhere when searching for old names. I've been away from the forums for a while and was a little shocked by how empty MoDialog seems to be these days of dissenting voices.

'dissenting voices' has been removed from the MAD boards mission statement...

- When were you brainwashed?
- I was brainwashed?

mledbetter wrote:I was reading this old thread: (I know, I'm behind the times and trying to catch up)
http://www.mormondialogue.org/topic/250 ... -john-gee/

That thread well-captures the essence of the moderating on that board.

and also thinking on something that Fence Sitter suggested when discussing Dr. Gee's recent FAIR presentation.
http://www.fairlds.org/fair-conferences ... resume#en8

This is my official response to Gee's FAIR talk.

Perhaps it's time for one of the Mathematicians on this forum or the other one to offer Dr. Gee a challenge. The challenge would be a series of math problems and perhaps some well known algorithms. The goal would be to find out if the esteemed Dr. Gee is able to produce the correct result by sight and without the use of a computer or calculator. The problems don't really have to be that difficult. It would be nice, however, if we were able to have a witness with Dr. Gee so that he comes up with the solutions on his own and without help from any third party.

I believe a test like this is vital if anyone is to take Dr. Gee seriously in the future. If the challenge is met satisfactorily, then the rest of us poor and pathetic, lowbrow lurkers shall be able in full confidence to believe Dr. Gee when he omits important data from his presentations that would be vital for proper peer review.

This brief quiz could be used as a warm-up for the final exam.

Again, before I'm attacked by any other TBM's I should say that I hope Dr. Gee actually proves his case and wins the day. Personally, I would like his arguments to hold water, but as of right now I believe he's full of himself.

Many years ago I approached Gee's writings, desperately hoping to salvage my faith in the Book of Abraham. My hope was very short lived.

Mortal Man wrote:...

Thank you, Mortal Man. I just saw your email this morning with the link to where you had already posted this test. I appreciate the information. We just had a new baby, so I don't get much sleep these days and so I apologize for the late response.

Keep up the good work and just know there are some lurkers like myself who ARE paying attention and your words are having an effect.

Mortal Man wrote:Many years ago I approached Gee's writings, desperately hoping to salvage my faith in the Book of Abraham. My hope was very short lived.

Yes, it seems that I was betting on the wrong horse this entire time. What a disappointment. The thing that hurts the most is the realization that I'm an utter fool. Nobody likes to admit such a thing, but there it is. The two years of mission service, when I could have been in school, the years of tithing to an organization that is misleading people, my entire life is built on this faith. Oh well. I guess it's time to move on. At least I didn't find out in my 50's like my aunt and uncle just did.

Thanks,
Matt

By the way, Mortal Man. What post over at MoDialog got you banned. I'm just curious. :-)

mledbetter wrote:By the way, Mortal Man. What post over at MoDialog got you banned. I'm just curious. :-)

The mods deleted it. It was just some friendly banter regarding DCP and the SCMC, similar to this post.

mledbetter wrote:Yes, it seems that I was betting on the wrong horse this entire time. What a disappointment. The thing that hurts the most is the realization that I'm an utter fool. Nobody likes to admit such a thing, but there it is. The two years of mission service, when I could have been in school, the years of tithing to an organization that is misleading people, my entire life is built on this faith. Oh well. I guess it's time to move on. At least I didn't find out in my 50's like my aunt and uncle just did.

for what it's worth, I wouldn't look at it this way. Our missions and service to the church were not and are not a waste of time. They helped make us who we are. I still believe that missions build character and I look at opportunities to help people move etc. as good ways to help me get outside myself.

A couple nights ago I watched a Stephen Hawking episode on the meaning of life. I was quite pleased that he concluded with a thought that I came to about a year ago, which is that each of us creates the meaning of our own lives; i.e., the meaning of life is whatever we choose it to be. Humankind has not yet uncovered the Ultimate Truth, until we do, we can create meaning by applying ourselves to whatever we feel is right and good, even if the object of our service is wrapped up in mythology.

Mortal Man wrote:for what it's worth, I wouldn't look at it this way. Our missions and service to the church were not and are not a waste of time. They helped make us who we are. I still believe that missions build character and I look at opportunities to help people move etc. as good ways to help me get outside myself.

A couple nights ago I watched a Stephen Hawking episode on the meaning of life. I was quite pleased that he concluded with a thought that I came to about a year ago, which is that each of us creates the meaning of our own lives; i.e., the meaning of life is whatever we choose it to be. Humankind has not yet uncovered the Ultimate Truth, until we do, we can create meaning by applying ourselves to whatever we feel is right and good, even if the object of our service is wrapped up in mythology.

I'm saving this post, because it's exactly how I feel but better said than I could.