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Thursday, June 03, 2010

Banned in Boston: The Splinter Cell Conviction review

For reasons that weren't adequately explained, a review of Splinter Cell: Conviction that I filed about six weeks ago never ran. Either there was a space crunch, or no one wanted to waste ink on a bad game, or Third Echelon has a highly placed mole in the paper's hierarchy. Another, less likely explanation is that the review itself wasn't very good. But that couldn't be, could it? You tell me.

Stealth bomb

Splinter Cell lacks conviction

“Stealth action” has always been an oxymoron. Satisfying though it may be, there’s not much action in crouching behind a crate for five minutes, waiting for an enemy guard to turn around so you can snap his neck. The Metal Gear Solid series has attempted to solve this problem, with varying success, by including slam-bang boss battles alongside the main course. The Splinter Cell series, by contrast, has always been more about diversionary tactics, creative use of the environment, and those breathless moments when its outnumbered protagonist waits silently for armed bad guys to pass him by.

Yet the problem with the newest Splinter Cell game, subtitled “Conviction,” isn’t that it paints a more overtly violent veneer on the robust stealth mechanics that have distinguished past entries. In Conviction, Sam Fisher has turned into a man with no allegiances and nothing to lose, and little reason not to kill everyone in his way. This time, stealth is a survival tactic, not a mandate. Sam can blast his way from one end of a map to another if the player chooses. This is a little harder than using tried-and-true stealth tactics, but that’s as it should be. Of course you’re more likely to die if you charge your enemies with guns blazing.

No, the problem here is all on the surface. Not to put too fine a point on it, playing Splinter Cell: Conviction is a pain in the ass. For some reason, the designers decided to ignore every other action game ever made, and come up with their own creative button mapping scheme. Look, every game needs to tweak its control system to fit its mechanics, but standards have evolved over the decades for a reason. This must be the only game in history in which you reload your weapon by clicking the left analog stick. Good luck remembering that in the heat of a firefight.

Not only unpredictable, the controls are inconsistent. One of Sam’s most effective attacks is “death from above,” whereby he drops onto an unsuspecting enemy and kills him instantly. When Sam is dangling from a high spot, the left trigger performs the move. When he is standing on an upper level, the B button does it. This is horrible interface design.

Some of the annoyances are even more rudimentary than that. Sam’s opponents are motormouths, to a man. Each one spouts inane babble that is apparently supposed to provoke the player into giving away Sam’s position, but more likely will provoke the player into giving away his copy of the game. Kirk Hamilton, of the Gamer Melodico blog, bravely catalogued over 100 lines of taunting enemy dialogue, including gems like, “Fisher? That guy's harder to kill than a cockroach with an Uzi.” God help him.

It’s probably not worth mentioning how stupid the story is, except to say that the harder you try to understand what the hell is going on, the less sense it all makes. But the conspiracy goes to the highest levels! This, too, would be fine if checkpoints were placed after cinematic sequences, and not before them. Dying in this game often means watching the same idiotic and unskippable cutscenes over and over.

A mode called “Deniable Ops” cuts the story almost entirely and lays out challenge maps. This is a little better, but gets at another of the conceptual problems: when your character is in shadow, he’s invisible to enemies, which is represented by the screen turning black and white. This makes it impossible to see anything. You can also use special sonar goggles, which illuminate enemies quite well, but obscure everything in the environment. Then again, with a game this irritating, maybe blindness is a plus.

Greg Sanders said...

Sam’s opponents are motormouths, to a man. Each one spouts inane babble that is apparently supposed to provoke the player into giving away Sam’s position, but more likely will provoke the player into giving away his copy of the game.

Since you asked, a review consistently written with lines like the one above certainly wasn't cut for quality reasons.

bowlbyspeaks said...

Wow, you really didn't like this game, did you, Mitch? :P

As Greg's pointed it out, I'm having difficulty understanding what you meant with "Sam’s opponents are motormouths, to a man." (The "to a man" bit.)

Otherwise, I thought the review was fine. None of the flaws you pointed out are invalid, though you obviously place more significance on them than I would. You didn't like the game; that's your honest opinion, and, as a reader, that's the only thing I care about.

The review is consistent in its tone and matches the score, so I don't see that as an issue. If it's the case that it's because your score is in contradiction with the broad general consensus that's caused them to not publish the review, then I think that's appalling.

Greg Sanders said...

I actually hadn't meant that to be a critique. "To a man" means that every single one of them talked a lot. It's a bit of an idiom, perhaps one not used in your area.

Roy said...

I could not disagree with this review more!

Kirk Hamilton said...

Ha, nice bile! I might reference Rule #5 of The Universe: Any review in which I get a shout-out can never be said to contain bad writing.

Seriously, though, good to read your take. I'd been curious, since you'd mentioned that you were kinda hating the game.

I liked the control scheme, though only when I was being stealthy. The minute the lights came up... different story. The less said about that Iraq mission, the better. But I've actually found myself coming back to Deniable Ops to finish those missions off, even with so many other games on my plate.

I guess it's the fluidity; I think that the arrows that light up cover transitions work well and I really liked the cover mechanic, since I've never been able to get sticky cover to work like I want it to.

But yeah, the flipside is that the minute they dedicate the left trigger to cover, everything else gets displaced. Which can lead to... well, this, actually.

Mitch Krpata said...

Fun fact: that active cover system with the arrows was identical to the one in Wanted: Weapons of Fate, a game I don't think anybody played besides me and the Splinter Cell designers.

bowlbyspeaks said...

I played Wanted and Terminator Salvation (just for the points on the latter, mind you). Not a new idea, but it worked quite nicely in Conviction. And I also remember naively, though semi-facetiously, commenting somewhere that this would lead to a one button press future, where you'd literally hit the 'A' button and the game would play itself.

Kirk Hamilton said...

Hey, that's right! I remember reading that about Wanted, though I never played the game. Didn't hopping from cover to cover also recharge your bullet-time meter or something?

Conviction's cover system of course is of course straight out of Rainbow Six: Vegas, which also had Maxime Béland as lead designer. I thought it was really effective in that game, too.

Oozo said...

I agree; it's certainly not the quality that made the review never see the light of publication.
It is (hey, after all, we're talking conspiracy theories) far more likely that it is another sad case of a review considered to be dangerous for the almighty Metacritic score and thus was terminated preemptively.
(It would just be interesting to know the powers behind that decision...)

Anyway, I wonder if the interface was less counter-intuitive on PC, because the reviewers whose texts I read played it there, and nobody mentioned the issue...

Robyrt said...

Splinter Cell Conviction is fun only in co-op, where you and a partner can berate each other for setting off alarms, forgetting the abstruse control scheme, getting taken hostage yet again, etc. And in the epilogue (spoiler!) you are forced to hunt each other down, with only the victor getting an achievement. Sadly, those are the highest stakes the story ever reaches.

Ps3 accessories said...
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Slow and Steady Wins the Race

“In Yoga asanas or in yogic breathing, you should never exert yourself. Rather, see that your practice is easeful and without strain. That is a safe approach to one’s practice. Actually, there is no strenuous side in Yoga practice or even in meditation. If you are going to fight with the mind, then the mind will become rather violent and it will threaten you. Then, whenever you sit for meditation, the mind will start revolting. Instead, there is always an easy way of doing things, and we should not be hasty in getting the real benefits. Let things come in their own time. Our duty is to do our practices continuously. Remember: ‘Slow and steady wins the race.’

“God bless you. OM Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.”

Leave a reply

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text:
Intelligent Reasoning

Promoting, advancing and defending Intelligent Design via data, logic and Intelligent Reasoning and exposing the alleged theory of evolution as the nonsense it is. I also educate evotards about ID and the alleged theory of evolution one tard at a time and sometimes in groups

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Of internet balls and beer balls

During my drinking days (daze) it was observed that the more one had to drink (to a point) the more courage one would get- no inhibitions.

Now it seems the same is true of the internet. People who use the inetrnet get courage from the fact that they are hiding in front of some computer monitor.

IOW they say and do things that they would never say or do in someone's company. They are gutless wonders with internet balls.

Myself, on the other hand, would love the opportunity to tell people to their faces exactly what I tell them on the internet. And I would also love for them to do the same to me.

That way we could see natural selection in action!

I love a good science experiment. Any takers?

Sunday, June 24, 2007

Why are there evolutionists?

Why are there evolutionists? It appears that not one can defend the position. IOW it appears that the position of evolutionist rests almost entirely on faith.

Sure we see natural selection in action but everything we observe in biology just leads to wobbling stability.

The challenge would be to provide any biological/ genetic data that demonstrates a population can get through that wobbling stability. However it is a given that no such data will be provided.

Take blipey for example. The best it can do is to say that the vast majority of scientists accept it so that is good enough for it. But blipey is nothing but a clown- meaning it has a diminished capacity for dealing with reality. To it reality = drivel. That much is confirmed by its posts in my blog. My guess is that is why it chooses to be an evolutionist.

Dr Theobald tries to make a Scientific Case for Common Descent, yet he doesn't mention a mechanism and his "evidences" can also be used to support a Common Design. IOW his "evidences" are very subjective and can neither be objectively tested nor verified as being exclusive to Common Descent.

A critique of Theobald's evidences.

I used to be part of that lot but then I grew up and actually looked at reality. And reality demonstrates that no one even knows if the transformations required (if life's diversity arose from one or a few populations of single-celled organisms) are even possible.

The only defense of the theory is to try to discredit anyone who speaks out against it. That alone should tell most objective people that the theory is nonsense.

Saturday, June 23, 2007

Mike Keohan- Where's the outrage?

Mike Keohan died in LA, CA on January 29,2007- while in police custody.

He was TASERed 3 times!

He was beaten. Autopsy has been released but not the police report. No cameras- the cop's dashboard cam was (allegedly) not working. He was driving his Lexus in LA. He appeared disoriented- he waited at a green light and then at the next red light got out of his car and approached the car in front of him.

Mike (allegedly) resisted arrest. No one has said what he was under arrest for- leaving his vehicle to ask directions?

Mike Keohan was an overweight middle-aged white guy. He was a graduate of Villanova.
On TV he was referred to as a "petrified piece of wood"- Mike took 3rd place in a recent World Poker tournament. It was broadcast on the Travel Channel.

He was the calm in the eye of the storm type of guy. He was reason when none was to be found.

Oh yeah- his body was unusually warm at the time of the autopsy, meaning he was most likely running a fever, which would account for any disorientation.

Nothing in his system except for minute amounts of THC- nanogram level, meaning a very casual toker. And only on "Refer Madness" did dope lead to rage.

I knew Mike Keohan- he was a good guy, but he was white and overweight (sarcasm). I guess that is a crime punishable by death once you are in LA.

Where's the outrage? Sorry Mike you were just another Mic/ Wop American mutt. Nobody cares about whitebread anymore...

Where's the OUTRAGE?

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Red Shirt Fridays- Support our troops! (off topic)

Another email:

If the Red shirt thing is new to you, read below...
Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together.
After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who'd been invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and inquired if he was heading home.
No, he responded.
Heading out I asked?
No. I'm escorting a soldier home.
Going to pick him up?
No. He is with ! me right now. He was killed in Iraq; I'm taking him home to his family.
The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn't know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier's family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days.
I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, Thank you. Thank you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do.
Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join us on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign."
Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made me realize that I am proud to be an American.
So here's a public Thank You to our military Men and Women for what you do so we can live the way we do. Red Fridays. Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the "silent majority." We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or overbearing.
Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -- and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that ... every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar, will wear something red.
By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once "silent" majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on.
The first thing a soldier says when asked "What can we do to make things better for you?" is. "We need your support and your prayers." Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example, and wear something red every Friday.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Common Descent, science and empiricism

I have been asked (many times) whether or not I accept Common Descent- that is the premise that all of the diversity of living organisms on this planet (extant and extinct) share a common ancestor. Although I do not categorically deny the premise it is obvious that it is not a scientific premise. I will explain why:

Common Descent has never been observed- not even in the fossil record. The premise cannot even be tested via experiment because of the eons of time that are required.

Heck we can't even conduct an experiment that would show that a population of flagella-less bacteria can "evolve" a flagellum.

And in the end we still can't account for the physiological and anatomical differences observed between alleged closely related species such as chimps and humans. No one knows whether or not any mechanism can account for them. You would figure that with such an alleged degree of similarity in genomes that those differences would be easy to flesh out. Yet still nothing but silence on this issue.

Ya see THAT is the main problem with Common Descent- it needs to account for those differences yet it doesn't even attempt to.

Main Entry: em•pir•i•cal
Pronunciation: -i-k&l
Variant(s): also em•pir•ic /-ik/
Function: adjective
1 : originating in or based on observation or experience (empirical data)
2 : relying on experience or observation alone often without due regard for system and theory (an empirical basis for the theory)
3 : capable of being verified or disproved by observation or experiment (empirical laws)
4 : of or relating to empiricism

Main Entry: em•pir•i•cism
Pronunciation: im-'pir-&-"si-z&m, em-
Function: noun
1 a : a former school of medical practice founded on experience without the aid of science or theory b : QUACKERY, CHARLATANRY
2 a : the practice of relying on observation and experiment especially in the natural sciences b : a tenet arrived at empirically
3 : a theory that all knowledge originates in experience

Any comments that expose the dishonesty and/ or stupidity of any anti-IDist or ID critic will be allowed and treated as "on-topic".


text:
Intelligent Reasoning

Promoting, advancing and defending Intelligent Design via data, logic and Intelligent Reasoning and exposing the alleged theory of evolution as the nonsense it is. I also educate evotards about ID and the alleged theory of evolution one tard at a time and sometimes in groups

Monday, October 31, 2011

Kevin R. McCarthy Blows Another Gasket and Has to Censor Science!

Yup good ole scientopia guest blog- CORRECTION KEVIN WAS DOING ALL THE CENSORING- needs to censor comments that demonstrate their guest bloggers are full of shit.

Case in point- Kevin R. McCarthy thinks that digital organisms fit the requirements of being alive (they don't) and he points to Avida, of all things, to support his claim.

1- Avida "organisms" are far too simple to be considered anything like a biological organism

2- Avida organisms "evolve" via unreasonable parameters:

The effects of low-impact mutations in digital organisms

Chase W. Nelson and John C. Sanford

Theoretical Biology and Medical Modelling, 2011, 8:9 | doi:10.1186/1742-4682-8-9

Background: Avida is a computer program that performs evolution experiments with digital organisms. Previous work has used the program to study the evolutionary origin of complex features, namely logic operations, but has consistently used extremely large mutational fitness effects. The present study uses Avida to better understand the role of low-impact mutations in evolution.

When mutational fitness effects were approximately 0.075 or less, no new logic operations evolved, and those that had previously evolved were lost. When fitness effects were approximately 0.2, only half of the operations evolved, reflecting a threshold for selection breakdown. In contrast, when Avida's default fitness effects were used, all operations routinely evolved to high frequencies and fitness increased by an average of 20 million in only 10,000 generations.

Avidian organisms evolve new logic operations only when mutations producing them are assigned high-impact fitness effects. Furthermore, purifying selection cannot protect operations with low-impact benefits from mutational deterioration. These results suggest that selection breaks down for low-impact mutations below a certain fitness effect, the selection threshold. Experiments using biologically relevant parameter settings show the tendency for increasing genetic load to lead to loss of biological functionality. An understanding of such genetic deterioration is relevant to human disease, and may be applicable to the control of pathogens by use of lethal mutagenesis.

Yet when I posted this kevin had it deleted- TWICE.

As if I needed more evidence that Kevin R. McCarthy is a low-life, lying loser.

Guess what Kevin? If our confrontation does go to trial I will have a full archive to call on for evidence against you. Thanks...

I just put it here- that seems to be the relevant thread. We will see how long it stays....

Kevin R. McCarthy- Lying Like a Little Bitch AGAIN!

This never gets old- Kevin R. McCarthy, known liar and loser for science is lying again.

This time Kevin sez:
It is not a place for your strawmen, your argument from authority, and your arguments from ignorance

Yet he never supports that tripe. His comment before that was all lies:

Yes Joe, misinformation about evolution like some of the things YOU have said like:

Evolution is totally random/chance
there are no transitional fossils
evolution denies God (or a designer)
Evolution is just a theory
x can't evolve because its too complex
etc. etc. etc.

But this thread isn't about evolution. In fact, not a single post I have made here is about evolution, I would appreciate you staying on topic.

Yet HE brought up evolution in the post I commented on! Not only that his accusations are lies.

So it doesn't matter where he posts, Kevin R. McCarthy is mothing but a piece-of-shit liar.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Natural Selection is Really Insignificant

Oooops, so sorry evotards-> natural selection is impotent:
The explanation that best fits the data tells us that >99% of all evolutionary change is due to random genetic drift and not natural selection.

Very few evotards understand evolution well enough to appreciate that.

And taht means their position boils down to sheer dumb luck.

Yeah baby...

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Intelligent Design is NOT Anti-Evolution- Revisited- AGAIN!

EvoTards are such a clueless lot. They have to make shit up because they don't have anything real to support their position. They HAVE TO tell people ID is anti-evolution even though they cannot support the claim.

So here it is AGAIN- Intelligent Design is NOT anti-evolution:

Intelligent Design is NOT Anti-Evolution

In order to have a discussion about whether or not Intelligent Design is anti-evolution or not we must first define “evolution”. Fortunately there are resources available that do just that.

Defining “evolution”:
Finally, during the evolutionary synthesis, a consensus emerged: “Evolution is the change in properties of populations of organisms over time”- Ernst Mayr page 8 of “What Evolution Is”

Biological (or organic) evolution is change in the properties of populations of organisms or groups of such populations, over the course of generations. The development, or ontogeny, of an individual organism is not considered evolution: individual organisms do not evolve. The changes in populations that are considered evolutionary are those that are ‘heritable' via the genetic material from one generation to the next. Biological evolution may be slight or substantial; it embraces everything from slight changes in the proportions of different forms of a gene within a population, such as the alleles that determine the different human blood types, to the alterations that led from the earliest organisms to dinosaurs, bees, snapdragons, and humans.
Douglas J. Futuyma (1998) Evolutionary Biology 3rd ed., Sinauer Associates Inc. Sunderland MA p.4

Biological evolution refers to the cumulative changes that occur in a population over time. PBS series “Evolution” endorsed by the NCSE

Biological evolution, simply put, is descent with modification. This definition encompasses small-scale evolution (changes in gene frequency in a population from one generation to the next) and large-scale evolution (the descent of different species from a common ancestor over many generations) UC Berkley

In fact, evolution can be precisely defined as any change in the frequency of alleles within a gene pool from one generation to the next.
Helena Curtis and N. Sue Barnes, Biology, 5th ed. 1989 Worth Publishers, p.974

Evolution- in biology, the word means genetically based change in a line of descent over time.- Biology: Concepts and Applications Starr 5th edition 2003 page 10

Those are all accepted definitions of biological “evolution”. (Perhaps OgreMKV will present some definitions that differ from those. Most likely I will only comment on any differences if the differences are relevant.)

With biology, where-ever there is heritable genetic change there is evolution and where-ever you have offspring that are (genetically) different from the parent(s) you have descent with modification.

Next I will show what Intelligent Design says about biological evolution and people can see for themselves that Intelligent Design is not anti-evolution:

Intelligent Design is NOT Creationism
(MAY 2000)

Scott refers to me as an intelligent design "creationist," even though I clearly write in my book Darwin's Black Box (which Scott cites) that I am not a creationist and have no reason to doubt common descent. In fact, my own views fit quite comfortably with the 40% of scientists that Scott acknowledges think "evolution occurred, but was guided by God."- Dr Michael Behe

Dr Behe has repeatedly confirmed he is OK with common ancestry. And he has repeatedly made it clear that ID is an argument against materialistic evolution (see below), ie necessity and chance.

Then we have:

What is Intelligent Design and What is it Challenging?- a short video featuring Stephen C. Meyer on Intelligent Design. He also makes it clear that ID is not anti-evolution.

Next Dembski and Wells weigh in:

The theory of intelligent design (ID) neither requires nor excludes speciation- even speciation by Darwinian mechanisms. ID is sometimes confused with a static view of species, as though species were designed to be immutable. This is a conceptual possibility within ID, but it is not the only possibility. ID precludes neither significant variation within species nor the evolution of new species from earlier forms. Rather, it maintains that there are strict limits to the amount and quality of variations that material mechanisms such as natural selection and random genetic change can alone produce. At the same time, it holds that intelligence is fully capable of supplementing such mechanisms, interacting and influencing the material world, and thereby guiding it into certain physical states to the exclusion of others. To effect such guidance, intelligence must bring novel information to expression inside living forms. Exactly how this happens remains for now an open question, to be answered on the basis of scientific evidence. The point to note, however, is that intelligence can itself be a source of biological novelties that lead to macroevolutionary changes. In this way intelligent design is compatible with speciation. page 109 of "The Design of Life"

And that brings us to a true either-or. If the choice between common design and common ancestry is a false either-or, the choice between intelligent design and materialistic evolution is a true either-or. Materialistic evolution does not only embrace common ancestry; it also rejects any real design in the evolutionary process. Intelligent design, by contrast, contends that biological design is real and empirically detectable regardless of whether it occurs within an evolutionary process or in discrete independent stages. The verdict is not yet in, and proponents of intelligent design themselves hold differing views on the extent of the evolutionary interconnectedness of organisms, with some even accepting universal common ancestry (ie Darwin’s great tree of life).
Common ancestry in combination with common design can explain the similar features that arise in biology. The real question is whether common ancestry apart from common design- in other words, materialistic evolution- can do so. The evidence of biology increasingly demonstrates that it cannot.- Ibid page 142

And from one more pro-ID book:

Many assume that if common ancestry is true, then the only viable scientific position is Darwinian evolution- in which all organisms are descended from a common ancestor via random mutation and blind selection. Such an assumption is incorrect- Intelligent Design is not necessarily incompatible with common ancestry.- page 217 of “Intelligent Design 101”

That is just a sample of what the Intelligent Design leadership say about biological evolution- they are OK with it. And the following is from “Uncommon Descent”:

9] “Evolution” Proves that Intelligent Design is Wrong
The word “evolution” can mean different things. The simplest meaning is one of natural history of the appearance of different living forms. A stronger meaning implies common descent, in its universal form (all organisms have descended from a single common ancestor) or in partial form (particular groups of organisms have descended from a common ancestor). “Evolution” is often defined as descent with modifications, or simply as changes in the frequencies of alleles in the gene pool of a population.

None of those definitions can prove ID wrong, because none are in any way incompatible with it.

ID is a theory about the cause of genetic information, not about the modalities or the natural history of its appearance, and is in no way incompatible with many well known patterns of limited modification of that information usually defined as “microevolution.” ID affirms that design is the cause, or at least a main cause, of complex biological information. A theory which would indeed be alternative to ID, and therefore could prove it wrong, is any empirically well-supported “causal theory” which excludes design; in other words any theory that fits well with the evidence and could explain the presence or emergence of complex biological information through chance, necessity, any mix of the two, or any other scenario which does not include design. However, once we rule out “just-so stories” and the like, we will see that there is not today, nor has there ever been, such a theory. Furthermore, the only empirically well-supported source of functionally specific, complex information is: intelligence.
To sum it up: no definition of evolution is really incompatible with an ID scenario. Any causal theory of evolution which does not include design is obviously alternative to, and incompatible with, ID.

However, while many such theories have indeed been proposed, they are consistently wanting in the necessary degree of empirical support. By contrast, design is an empirically known source of the class of information – complex, specified information (CSI) — exhibited by complex biological systems.

They go on to say:

10] The Evidence for Common Descent is Incompatible with Intelligent Design
ID is a theory about the cause of complex biological information. Common descent (CD) is a theory about the modalities of implementation of that information. They are two separate theories about two different aspects of the problem, totally independent and totally compatible. In other words, one can affirm CD and ID, CD and Darwinian Evolution, or ID and not CD. However, if one believes in Darwinian Evolution, CD is a necessary implication.

CD theory exists in two forms, universal CD and partial CD. No one can deny that there are evidences for the theory of CD (such as ERVs, homologies and so on). That’s probably the reason why many IDists do accept CD. Others do not agree that those evidences are really convincing, or suggest that they may reflect in part common design. But ID theory, proper, has nothing to do with all that.
ID affirms that design is the key cause of complex biological information. The implementation of design can well be realized through common descent, that is through implementation of new information in existing biological beings. That can be done gradually or less gradually. All these are modalities of the implementation of information, and not causes of the information itself. ID theory is about causes.

And finally there is front loaded evolution (Mike Gene) and a prescribed evolutionary hypothesis (John Davison)- both are ID hypotheses pertaining to evolution.

Mutations are OK, differential reproduction is OK, horizontal gene transfer is OK. With Intelligent Design organisms are designed to evolve, ie they evolve by design. That is by “built-in responses to environmental cues” ala Dr Spetner’s “non-random evolution hypothesis” being the main process of adaptations.

As Dembski/ Wells said Intelligent design only has an issue with materialistic evolution- the idea that all organisms have descended from common ancestors solely through an unguided, unintelligent, purposeless, material processes such as natural selection acting on random variations or mutations; that the mechanisms of natural selection, random variation and mutation, and perhaps other similarly naturalistic mechanisms, are completely sufficient to account for the appearance of design in living organisms. (Also known as the blind watchmaker thesis)

Intelligent Design is OK with all individuals in a population generally having the same number and types of genes and that those genes give rise to an array of traits and characteristics that characterize that population. It is OK with mutations that may result in two or more slightly different molecular forms of a gene- alleles- that influence a trait in different ways and that individuals of a population vary in the details of a trait when they inherit different combinations of alleles. ID is OK with any allele that may become more or less common in the population relative to other kinds at a gene locus, or it may disappear. And ID is OK with allele frequencies changing as a result of mutation, gene flow, genetic drift, natural and artificial selection, that mutation alone produces new alleles and gene flow, genetic drift, natural and artificial selection shuffle existing alleles into, through, or out of populations. IOW ID is OK with biological evolution. As Dr Behe et al., make very clear, it just argues about the mechanisms- basically design/ telic vs spontaneous/ stochastic.

Now we are left with the only way Intelligent Design can be considered anti-evolution is if and only if the only definition of evolution matches the definition provided for materialistic evolution. However I cannot find any source that states that is the case.

So the bottom line is Intelligent Design says “evolved, sure”. The questions are “evolved from what?” and “how did it evolve?”.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Dennis R. Venema is Confused, Misguided and Full of Shit

That's right Dennis R. Venema is ooo freaking confused he is making himself into a fool and he doesn't even understand that he is doing so.

Who is Dennis R. Venema?

Dennis Venema is associate professor at Trinity Western University and a Senior Fellow with the BioLogos Foundation. He obtained his BSc and PhD in cell biology and genetics from the University of British Columbia.
His research interests include the genetics of tissue patterning in Drosophila, genetics education, and the interaction between evolutionary biology and Christian faith. Recently, he has authored a series of blog posts, discussing how information arises during evolution for the Biologos Foundation.
He and his family enjoy numerous outdoor activities that the Pacific coast
region has to offer.

He has been criticizing Stephen C. Meyer's "Signature in the Cell". However he has erected a strawman and criticized it. Meyer exposed his strawman and now Dennis has responded.

But when we read the response it is clear that Dennis is an imbecile as he misrepresents Meyer right off the bat. For example Dennis sez:
I find Meyer’s claim that biological evolution is irrelevant to the argument of Signature curious for several reasons.
The most important reason is that the basic argument of Signature requires that biological evolution be incapable of generating new information.

Wrong again you stupid freak. SitC is a book about biological ORIGIN, not biological evolution and Meyer even said that in his response to you. That means you are too stupid to understand anything and will just make up something and go ahead with your ignorant spewage.

Dennis goes on to say:
The strength of this argument depends on the assertion
that all information arises from intelligence.

Wrong again, asshole. What Meyer wrote and you quoted applies only to complex and specified information- that is Shannon information with a function/ meaning.

He follows that up with:
Note well: the argument requires that all information, in any form, be the result of intelligence, not just the information required for the origin of life.

Note well, Dennis, you are fucking clueless and perhaps close to being a complete imbecile. Shannon information does not require intelligence and Meyer never said nor implied it did. Quite the opposite and he says so right in the book you are criticizing! That tells me you didn't read the book.

Also Dennis, the argument is that blind, undirected physical processes cannot produce CSI and if you use biological organisms then you are begging the fucking question! Are you really that daft that you don't understand that?

In his conclusion Dennis confirms what I just said:
The reason for the paring down is obvious:
comparative genomics, experimental evolution, and developmental biology have shed too much light on the ability of biological evolution to generate

1- Intelligent Design is NOT anti-evolution you moron

2- There isn't any evidemnce that the processes you speak of are blind, undirected chemical processes as you are starting with that which needs explaining in the first place!

To sum up Dennis R. Venema does not understand Intelligent Design and has absolutely no clue on what Intelligent Design claims.

Hopefully he is better at his profession then he is at criticizing other people's position.

Sunday, October 09, 2011

This "just" in...

This "just" in, the world is 13,023 years old and will end on October 21, 2011.

Yeah baby...

Thursday, October 06, 2011

Pre-Biotic Natural Selection? So What?

The anti-ID mob is trying to use their magical ratchet of natural selection on pre-biological stuff.

I say who cares? Natural selection is an oxymoron anyway- nature doesn't select. Natural selction is just a result of heirtable random variation- if it leads top differential reproduction you have natural selection.

So the anti-ID mod sez natural selection applies to the first replicators. So what? That doesn't help them as ns has never been a creative force, just an eliminative one- as in replicators that can't cut it get cut.

So go ahead, invoke pre-biotic natural selection. It just exposes the desperation of your position.

Tuesday, October 04, 2011

More Horseshit and The Origin of Life

I give you horseshit and the origin of life:

OOL Discovery #1. All known life can be traced back to a single common ancestor which, compared to what most people think of as present-day life (i.e. plants and animals), was relatively simple – microscopic, single-celled, perhaps as complex as an average bacterium or perhaps somewhat less so.

Total unsupportable horseshit. There still isn't any evidence that a prokaryote can evolve into something other than a prokaryote, meaning the "trace" can't even get started.

OOL Discovery #2. The Last Common Ancestor itself was the product of evolution from an even simpler ancestor.

Question-begging fallacy.

OOL Discovery #3. DNA/RNA/protein-based life was preceded by something even simpler, an RNA world or at least an RNA-heavy world.

Of course your position requires that but there isn't any evidence for it so it could not be a "discovery".

OOL Discovery #4. The increasingly simple ancestors of modern life weren’t made out of just anything, they were made out of chemicals that just happen to be generated by plausible abiotic mechanisms found in early solar systems.

And more question-begging.

The moral of this story is evotards will just say anything but don't ask for evidence to support their claims.

Monday, October 03, 2011

Nicholas J. Matzke is a Total Asshole

That's right, as if I needed to say it- Nicholas J. matzke, formewrly of the NCSE, is a total asshole. The following is my evidence:

Over on Telic Thoughts NickMatzke sez-
Venema, others at BioLogos, and other critics like me have been arguing that the most obvious huge crashing flaw with that is that there is at least one major nonintelligent source of information, namely evolution by multiple rounds of mutation and selection (where mutation includes gene duplication etc.).

What the fuck is wrong with you? Do you really think your bullshit willful ignorance means something?

1- Intelligent Design is NOT anti-evolution

2- There isn't any evidence that gene duplications are Darwinian/ neo-darwinain processes

The moron goes on to say:
Thus the validity of Meyer's logical argument turns out to hang on whether or not evolution can produce new information, and this motivates a debate about whether or not it is reasonable to think that natural evolutionary processes can produce new genes.

Wrong again, asshole. Meyer even states it in his book- page 4-> "blind and undirected" processes. Ya see Nick, you are so much of an asshole you still think ID is anti-evolution even though Meyer himself says ID is OK with evolution- as do Behe, Dembski, Wells, et al.

So Nick, THAT is why the origin of life is so important. The ONLY way you can call on gene duplications to support your position is by demonstrating a living organism can arise from non-living matter via blind and undirected chemical processes. Until you do that you are just being a total asshole with your question-begging wussyness.


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Thursday, June 4, 2009

From the Library: Monolithic Architecture

Marios's inspirational images continually return to monolithic building.   Which has propmted me to dig through my stacks to find the catalog from a show at The Heinze Architectural Center @ The Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.   The show was all the way back in 1996.  Many of the building proposals presented in the exhibition have now becoem realities.

While I don't think the building examples are all that relevant to The IMTA project, the essays at teh front of the catalog discuss the nature of monolithic structure and warrant some review in relationship to this discussion.  I have posted the essay by Detlef Mertins titled Open Countours and Other Autonomies. (click on title)

It is intereting that he also returns to Michael Fried's writting about minimalism.

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IC029: Secrets to Managing Employees with Jason Treu

Download Link | iTunes | Stitcher Radio | Google Play | iHeart Radio

On today’s episode, we are live from Dallas interviewing our client, Jason Treu. (Excuse the background noise from the Sheraton lobby!) Jason helps successful leaders overcome management and career challenges within their organizations.

1) What are the most common pain points you find with your clients?
a. Most of it stems from early childhood trauma.
b. These traumas are holding them back.
c. Jason helps them change learned behaviors from childhood that are no longer serving his clients.

2) How can managers deal with employee issues that may be personal?
a. You have to get to know people personally to help with their work performance.
b. No one can truly separate work and personal.
c. Conversations about what people really want are important, too.

3) How possible is it for people to overcome traumas that happened during their early, formative years?
a. You can do it quickly. Most things are just a slight shift.
b. People have be willing to change.
c. One person Jason helped was having sales issues, but it turned out to be a deeper reason of shame about her voice. He helped her overcome this, which turned her sales around!

4) What is the balance between being vulnerable and oversharing?
a. You have to understand the moment and the people you are sharing with.
b. People have to earn the right to hear your story.
c. You don’t have to have it all figured out.
d. Find like minded people in your life who you can relate to. That way you don’t have to explain the whole backstory.

5) What are some examples of questions a manager could ask to open up potential blocks?
a. If you are leading, you have to be vulnerable with the people you are leading.
b. Take advantage of ways to be honest about finances, etc.
c. When you meet new people, be honest that you expect performance at a high level but that mistakes are okay.
d. Encourage people to share their ideas before you share yours.
e. Cards Against Mundanity helps people open up and get to know each other as people. It creates psychological safety.
f. You have to create the culture in the company.
g. Psychological safety causes people to be more emotionally invested and work harder.
h. People want to show up and be seen.

6) How can managers show their staff that they are seen?
a. You have to work on yourself first.
b. You can’t deal with tough questions if you can’t deal with your own stuff.
c. Everyone wants to be vulnerable, but only if someone else goes first. The leader has to go first to show they care.
d. Walk around the office every day for 15 minutes and chat with people about their lives. This shows people you care.

7) What are some things leaders can do to work on themselves?
a. Masterminds
b. Coaches
c. Internal self audit
d. Therapy
e. You have to dig down and figure out what’s happening inside of you and what you need.
f. If you don’t deal with your issues, you will have blind spots. Your fears will manipulate what’s going on.
g. Leaders who have done the work won’t allow people who are manipulative and toxic in their environment.

8) Tell us about Cards Against Mundanity
a. Jason was seeking to understand how anyone can create a “Google” workplace.
b. Studies have shown that asking certain questions can cause immediate friendship and bonding.
c. Psychological safety is the only thing they found across every high performing team at Google.
d. Card Against Mundanity creates this same vulnerability which leads to psychological safety.
e. With the card asking the question, people are more comfortable than when another person asks you something.

9) Are there any questions that people refuse to answer?
a. The only person who refused ended up quitting shortly after.
b. People tend to want to be vulnerable because the average person doesn’t have anyone in their lives who they can share with.
c. Loneliness is higher than ever and climbing (40%).
d. Loneliness goes hand in hand with fear and can cause people to lash out.

10) People’s personal lives are part of their work
a. You need to learn about people’s lives and goals.
b. Helping employees through the process of moving forward personally and professionally is what leads to success in business.
c. Unhappy employees can affect your company’s productivity.
d. Modern workplace
e. People want to feel fulfilled in their work.
f. Psychological safety can help people feel fulfilled.
g. People make what they spend, so no matter what they have, they always feel like they need more.
h. A lot of times outside success doesn’t mean people feel fulfilled inside. Even billionaires want more if they aren’t happy and fulfilled.

11) Great leaders are self aware
a. Your blind spots as a leader cascade into the business.
b. Your business is always being held back by you.

12) What type of help do you need as a business owner?
a. You have to find people who can help with your business and with you emotionally.
b. Most coaches are too focused on the external.
c. The internal hurdles are what is really stopping your success.
d. Some people need a therapist, but a lot of people can just use a coach who can point out internal barriers quickly so they can be addressed.
e. Coaching can be faster than therapy if you don’t need long term help.

13) The main reason people work hard?
a. They don’t want to disappoint the other person.
b. They care about the leader.
c. This is why psychological safety creates harder working employees.

Resources Mentioned:

Jason Treu

Cards Against Mundanity

Arthur Aaron study on making fast friends

Creating Disney Magic Podcast


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Tuesday, January 18, 2011

SAUSALITO (2000) SF film locations pt.6

Back to San Francisco for more SAUSALITO film locations. Above Maggie Cheung hangs out with her bratty son as she works on her wall mural in the SOMA district. Ok, so, Mags plays a cabbie in the film, has a beautiful home in Noe Valley, AND gets to deface private property with her so called 'art'? I'm in the wrong freakin' business. I guess being a SF cabbie is where it's at? The location where Mags 'creates' her crap 'art' is located on 6th street, just south of Howard St., west side.

After a night of imbibing Shirley Temples at the BackFlip Bar (took pics of that location as well, though the establishment is long gone), Leon Lai takes a tinkle on Maggies mural. I thought Leon squatted when he did his business? Maggie looks on from her cab and takes note for future reference.
Ok. Present day shot of where my Maggies mural was located, intersection of 6th St. and Howard St. Her mural is not there anymore but the building on which she pitched her paints is still adorned with graffiti-like artwork.

Above, Maggies son works her shoulders as a creepy scenario plays out on the streets of San Francisco. This view is northbound on 6th looking beyond Howard St.

The same shot as above, present day, looking northbound on 6th. Comparing the two pics you can see that the background has changed rather drastically as palm trees have been added to the sidewalk and a multi storied art-deco like building takes the place of the former dual-level establishment seen rising above Maggies incestuous shoulder rub from the film.
After seeing Leon sprinkle while taking his tinkle, Maggie commemorates the spot where he defaced her creation with his urine by adding a wee weeing puppy. Awwww. Love is in the air. The pungent asparagus smelling urine air.

And finally, a closeup of the location where Mags mural was, southbound on 6th, west side of the street. A ways down, laying on the sidewalk, an indigent gentleman, a San Francisco sidewalk staple, is accosted by two patrolmen.

  1. That last sentence is poetic and funny. You are making me want to dig out my copy of this DVD but, as I recall, it's not a great flick apart from Maggie. Might be the first thing I ever saw Leon in and it's been all downhill from there.

  2. Love your location posts, do you have more to do? I've got some HK ones to do when I get round to it.

  3. AHND, I do have a few more to do from San Fran. I have one or two from The Wesleys Mysterious File, a few from Alan And Eric, a few from Gates of Hell, and I think one or two more from Sausalito?

    Looking forward to your HK ones.

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Thursday, July 24, 2008

Beer Monster

Wow. Companies are melding together rapidly. What a strange time in the corporate culture of large scale brewing. They’re creating bigger gangs from already big gangs in order to compete with the other gang. Competing for market-share on a scale as large as theirs, I guess, really does take efficiency and power.

You can read about it here and here

In less publicized happenings, the distributors that get these brands into the hands of consumers are also merging with one another in order to increase their chances for success over the long haul.

Even New Belgium Brewing Co, a very large brewing company by craft standards, has made an agreement with Elysian Brewing Co to brew each other’s beers. Not the same as a merger, but an alliance that will help each to compete with bigger, more dominant brands.

Check it out here

No matter what your vantage point, there’s a lot of change occurring in the industry and these changes are sure to make ripples with unknown consequence. I wonder how small brewing companies that have sold equity to macro brands feel about these changes, and if they’re getting squeezed in any way.

My hope is that one day all the macro brands are forced to form one huge company: BEER CO. This behemoth will eventually rid themselves of the stress of varied branding and recipe diversity and move to a double recipe and aesthetic platform.

1. Beer
2. Beer Light

They’ll position themselves in a way that beats down the notion that creativity and selection are positive things. They’ll pump the masses full of formulaic marketing in the hopes of raising the appeal of dull, monotonous beer and droned lifestyle.

All the while craft brewers are pushing the boundaries of what beer can be and running around doing fun things in support of their trade and for entertainment itself. It would be a huge battle dividing consumers and families across the country. All very dramatic stuff. Sons eventually leaving the house because he was caught drinking craft beer and his BEER drinking father and him could no longer see fit to live under the same roof. That kind of thing.

Who can tell?

Half Acre Beer Co
Chicago, IL

Jason said...

I think it's interesting that the largest American brewer is now Boston Beer Company.

Anonymous said...

yeah, now the largest American owned brewery is the Boston Beer company with....(drum roll please!)...0.8% of the American market!


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header logo en

  A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H    I   J    K    L    M    N    O    P   Q    R    S    T    U    V    W    X   Y   Z

The area of the body that contains the pancreas, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and other organs. The kidneys are located behind the abdominal cavity.
active surveillance
Closely monitoring a patient's condition but withholding treatment until symptoms appear or change.
Symptoms or signs that begin and worsen quickly.
The use of other therapies after performing surgery for cancer. Adjuvant therapies are given when there are no obvious cancer cells remaining but a patient is determined to have a higher risk of having a recurrence. It is given in order to reduce the risk of a cancer recurrence.
adoptive T-cell transfer
A new approach in IO that enhances the natural cancer-fighting ability of the body’s T-cells.
Immune cells from the blood or tumours of cancer patients are harvested, grown in the lab, and then injectd back into patients.
adrenal gland
A small gland that makes steroid hormones and stress hormones, including adrenaline. These hormones help control heart rate, blood pressure, and other important body functions. There is one adrenal gland on top of each kidney.
Afinitor (RAD001, everolimus)
A drug used to treat advanced kidney cancer.
Afinitor is also used in the treatment of other types of cancer. Afinitor stops cancer cells from dividing and may block the growth of new blood vessels that tumours need to grow. It also decreases the body’s immune responses. Everolimus (Afinitor) is a drug that is taken orally.
Blood vessel formation.
Tumour angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels that grow into the tumour, giving it nutrients and oxygen to assist its growth.

Prevention of the growth of new blood vessels required for cancer growth.
An antibody is a protein produced plasma cells that helps the immune system to identify and neutralize pathogens such as bacteria and viruses.
A substance that causes the immune system to produce antibodies and respond.
arterial embolisation
The blocking of an artery by a plug of foreign material.
This can be done as treatment to block the flow of blood to a tumour and is sometimes done prior to kidney surgery.
Having no symptoms of disease.
An initial measurement that is taken at an early time point or prior to the start of therapy to represent a beginning condition, and is used for comparison over time to look for changes. For example, the size of a tumour will be measured before treatment (baseline) and then afterwards to see if the treatment had an effect.
Not cancerous.
Benign tumours may grow larger but do not spread to other parts of the body. These tumours are also called non-malignant.
Affecting both sides of the body.
The removal of cells or tissues for examination by a pathologist.
The pathologist may study the tissue under a microscope or perform other tests on the cells or tissue. There are many different types of biopsy procedures. The most common types include:
  • incisional biopsy, in which only a sample of tissue is removed;
  • excisional biopsy, in which an entire lump or suspicious area is removed; and
  • needle biopsy, in which a sample of tissue or fluid is removed with a needle. When a wide needle is used, the procedure is called a core biopsy. When a thin needle is used, the procedure is called a fine-needle aspiration biopsy.
Birt-Hogg-Dube Syndrome
An inherited condition in which benign tumours develop in hair follicles on the head, chest, back, and arms. People who have this disorder are at increased risk of developing kidney cancer and benign kidney tumours.
Concealing the allocation of which treatment the patient is taking.
Blinding means concealing the allocation of which treatment the patient is taking. The power of persuasion is very strong, and people can often feel much better for taking a treatment, any treatment. In many trials patients are therefore “blinded” to which treatment they are taking.
bone scan
A technique used to create images of bones.
A small amount of radioactive material is injected into the bloodstream and it collects in the bones at any site of increased metabolic activity. These sites can represent injury, infection, inflammation (arthritis) or cancer.
A term for diseases in which an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells happens which can invade and destroy nearby healthy tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems.
Cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs.
The individual unit that makes up the tissues of the body.
checkpoint inhibitor
Checkpoint inhibitors are medications that aim to release the brakes on the body's immune system so that it will be able to respond more aggressively against cancer cells.
Treatment with drugs that kill cancer cells.
A type of kidney cancer.
This type accounts for only 5% of all kidneyc cancers. Chromophobe kidney cancer rarely spreads outside of the kidneys.
A disease or condition that persists or progresses over a long period of time.
clear cell
A type of cell that looks clear inside when viewed under a microscope. Clear cell renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer
clinical trial
A type of research study that tests how well new medical approaches work in people.
These studies test new methods of screening, prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of a disease. For further information on clinical trials please read here:
complete remission
The disappearance of all signs of cancer in response to treatment. This does not always mean the cancer has been cured.
Having to do with the opposite side of the body.
control arm
The group of patients who take the standard therapy.
Or if no therapy is proven useful in this situation, then patients may take a placebo, or best supportive care.
A compound that is excreted from the body in urine. Creatinine levels are measured to monitor kidney function.
A procedure in which tissue is frozen tocdestroy abnormal cells.
This is usually done with a special instrument that contains liquidcnitrogen or liquid carbon dioxide. A kidney tumour can be treated by positioning of thecinstrument by laparoscopy or sometimes with x-ray guidance.
CT scan
A series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body taken from different angles using x-rays.
CTLA-4 inhibitors
A type of immune checkpoint inhibitor - a type of immunotherapy that helps in controlling the body’s immune response to cancer.
Cytokines are substances made by cells of the immune system in response to infection, injury or tumour.
Some cytokines can boost the immune response and others can suppress it. Cytokines can also be made in the laboratory and used in the treatment of various diseases, including cancer. Interferon and interleukin-2 are types of cytokine therapies used in the treatment of kidney cancer.
Surgical removal of as much of a tumour as possible.
Debulking may increase the chance that chemotherapy or radiation therapy will kill all the tumour cells. It may also be done to relieve symptoms or help the patient live longer.
dendritic cell
Antigen-presenting cells of the immune sytem. They are presenting foreign proteins to other immune cells which then destroy the intruders.
disease progression
Cancer that continues to grow or spread.
The ECOG performance status is a scale used to assess how a patient's disease is progressing, assess how the disease affects the daily living abilities of the patient, and determine appropriate treatment and prognosis.
ECOG = Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group
Grade 0: Fully active, able to carry on all pre-disease performance without restriction
Grade 1 : Restricted in physically strenuous activity but ambulatory and able to carry out work of a light or sedentary nature, e.g., light house work, office work
Grade 2 : Ambulatory and capable of all selfcare but unable to carry out any work activities. Up and about more than 50% of waking hours
Grade 3 : Capable of only limited selfcare, confined to bed or chair more than 50% of waking hours
Grade 4 : Completely disabled. Cannot carry on any selfcare. Totally confined to bed or chair
Grade 5 : Dead
Source: Oken MM, Creech RH, Tormey DC et-al. Toxicity and response criteria of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group. Am. J. Clin. Oncol. 1983;5 (6): 649-55.
Swelling caused by excess fluid in body tissues.
A condition marked by extreme tiredness and inability to function due to the lack of energy.
Gamma Knife therapy
A treatment using gamma rays, a type of high-energy radiation that can be tightly focused on small tumours or other lesions in the head or neck, so that very little normal tissue receives radiation.
The gamma rays are aimed at the tumour from many different angles at once, and deliver a large dose of radiation exactly to the tumour in one treatment session. This procedure is a type of stereotactic radiosurgery. Gamma Knife therapy is not a knife and is not surgery. Gamma Knife is a registered trademark of Elekta Instruments, Inc.
The functional and physical unit of heredity passed from parent to offspring. Genes are pieces of DNA, and most genes contain the information for making a specific protein.
Inherited; having to do with information that is passed from parents to offspring through genes in sperm and egg cells.
Gerota’s fascia
A fibrous envelope of tissue that surrounds the kidney.
A description of a tumour based on how abnormal the cancer cells look under a microscope and how quickly the tumour is likely to grow and spread. Grading systems
are different for each type of cancer. For kidney cancer, doctors use the Fuhrman nuclear
grading system. For further information read here.
A system for classifying cancer cells in terms of how abnormal they appear when examined under a microscope.
The grading system is used to provide information about the probable growth rate of the tumour and its tendency to spread.
hand/foot syndrome
A condition marked by pain, swelling, numbness, tingling, or redness of the hands or feet. It sometimes occurs as a side effect of certain anticancer drugs.
Originating in the blood or spread through the bloodstream.
Blood in the urine. Sometimes the blood can only be seen by using a microscope.
The part of red blood cells that carries oxygen to the tissues of the body. Used as a blood test to measure a person’s red blood cell content.
toxic for the liver, thus causing liver problems
Transmitted from a parent to his/her child by information contained in the genes.
immune system
The complex group of organs, tissues and cells that defends the body against infections and other diseases.
Immuno-oncology (IO) therapy is a way to treat cancer by activating your immune system in the hope that it will attack your tumour.
The terms “immunotherapy” and “immuno-oncology” are sometimes used to mean the same thing. Both immunotherapy and I.O. therapy activate the immune system. The difference is that I.O. therapies are specifically designed to treat cancer, whereas immunotherapies can be used to treat other diseases.
immunomodulating drug
drug given to adjust the immune response to a desired level
Treatment to boost or restore the ability of the immune system to fight cancer, infections, and other diseases.
Agents used in immunotherapy include monoclonal antibodies, growth factors, and vaccines. These agents may also have a direct anti-tumour effect. The terms “immunotherapy” and “immuno-oncology” are sometimes used to mean the same thing. Both immunotherapy and I.O. therapy activate the immune system. The difference is that I.O. therapies are specifically designed to treat cancer, whereas immunotherapies can be used to treat other diseases.
A biological response modifier (a substance that can improve the body's natural response to infections and other diseases).
Interferons interfere with the division of cancer cells and can slow tumour growth. The body normally produces these substances. They are also made in the laboratory to treat cancer and other diseases.
One of a group of related proteins made by leukocytes (white blood cells) and other cells in the body.
Interleukins regulate immune responses. Interleukins made in the laboratory are used to boost the immune system in cancer therapy. An interleukin is a type of cytokine.
Karnofsky index
The Karnofsky performance status is an attempt to quantify cancer patients' general well-being and activities of daily life.

The Karnofsky score runs from 100 to 0, where 100 is "perfect" health and 0 is death. Practitioners occasionally assign performance scores in between standard intervals of 10. This scoring system is named after Dr. David A. Karnofsky, who described the scale with Dr. Joseph H. Burchenal in 1949. The primary purpose of its development was to allow physicians to evaluate a patient's ability to survive chemotherapy for cancer.

100 - Normal; no complaints; no evidence of disease.
90 - Able to carry on normal activity; minor signs or symptoms of disease.
80 - Normal activity with effort; some signs or symptoms of disease.
70 - Cares for self; unable to carry on normal activity or to do active work.
60 - Requires occasional assistance, but is able to care for most of their personal needs.
50 - Requires considerable assistance and frequent medical care.
40 - Disabled; requires special care and assistance.
30 - Severely disabled; hospital admission is indicated although death not imminent.
20 - Very sick; hospital admission necessary; active supportive treatment necessary.
10 - Moribund; fatal processes progressing rapidly.
0 - Dead

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Performance_status

One of a pair of organs located behind the abdominal cavity.
Kidneys remove waste from the blood (as urine), produce erythropoietin (a substance that stimulates red blood cell production), and play a role in blood pressure regulation.
A thin telescope that can be passed through the body wall and is used to
look at tissues and organs inside the abdomen. A laparoscope has a light and a lens.
A procedure that uses a laparoscope to examine the organs inside the abdomen.
Other tools are also passed through the abdominal wall to remove tissue (such as a kidney containing cancer).
An area of abnormal tissue. A lesion may be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer).
Restricted to the primary (original) site, without evidence of spread. A localised kidney cancer is confined to the kidney.
locally advanced cancer
Cancer that has spread from where it originally started to nearby tissue or lymph nodes.
The clear fluid that travels through the lymphatic system and carries cells that help fight infections and other diseases.
lymph node
A rounded piece of lymphatic tissue that is surrounded by a capsule of connective tissue.
Lymph nodes filter lymph (lymphatic fluid), and they store lymphocytes (a type white blood cell). They are located along lymphatic vessels.
lymphatic system
The tissues and organs that produce, store, and carry white blood cells that fight infections and other diseases.
This system includes the bone marrow, spleen, thymus, lymph nodes, and lymphatic vessels (a network of thin tubes that carry lymph and white blood cells). Lymphatic vessels branch, like blood vessels, into all the tissues of the body.
A tumour made up of cancer cells.
The edge or border of the tissue removed in cancer surgery.
The margin is described as negative or clean when the pathologist finds no cancer cells at the edge of the tissue, suggesting that all of the cancer has been removed. The margin is described as positive or involved when the pathologist finds cancer cells at the edge of the tissue, suggesting that all of the cancer may not have been removed.
A lump in the body.
It may be caused by the abnormal growth of cells, a cyst, hormonal changes, or an immune reaction. A mass may be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer).
measurable disease
A tumour that can be accurately measured in size. This information can be used to judge response to treatment.
The spread of cancer from its original (primary) site to other parts of the body.
A tumour formed by cells that have spread is called a “metastatic tumour” or a “metastasis.” The metastatic tumour contains cells that are like those in the original (primary) tumour. The plural form of metastasis is metastases.
To spread from one part of the body to another.
When cancer cells metastasise and form secondary tumours, the cells in the metastatic tumour are like those in the original (primary) tumour. So if the original (primary) tumour is kidney cancer and it spreads to the lungs, the metastasis in the lungs is kidney cancer and not lung cancer.
Small numbers of cancer cells that have spread from the original (primary) tumour to other parts of the body but are too few to be picked up in a screening or diagnostic test.
The smallest particle of a substance that has all of the physical and chemical properties of that substance.
Molecules are made up of one or more atoms. Biological molecules, such as proteins and DNA, can be made up of many thousands of atoms.
monoclonal antibody
A special type of protein designed in the laboratory to attack cancer cells.
Monoclonal antibodies are designed to target antigens, or markers, located on the surface of cancer cells; antibodies locate antigens and recruit immune cells to attack.
A type of scan that uses a magnet, radio waves and a computer to make detailed pictures of the inside of the body. These pictures can show the difference between normal and diseased tissue.
A complication of some cancer therapies in which the lining of the digestive system becomes inflamed: often seen as sores in the mouth.
Cancer in which there is more than one tumour, each of which has arisen from one original (primary) tumour.
A feeling of sickness or discomfort in the stomach that may come with an urge to vomit. Nausea is a side effect of some types of cancer therapy.
no evidence of disease on radiological imaging.
needle biopsy
The removal of tissue or fluid with a needle for examination under a microscope.
When a wide needle is used, the procedure is called a core biopsy. When a thin needle is used, the procedure is called a fine-needle aspiration biopsy.
neoadjuvant therapy
Treatment given as a first step to shrink a tumour before the main treatment (which is usually surgery) is given.
An abnormal growth of cells. This term usually refers to a malignant tumour.
The removal of the kidney by surgery.

Radical nephrectomy: The surgical removal of the whole kidney and the fat surrounding the kidney.

Partial nephrectomy: The surgical removal of the portion of the kidney containing the tumour along with a small amount of normal (cancer-free) kidney that is surrounding the tumour.

Cellular structures in the kidney that filter blood and form urine.
Not cancerous. Non-malignant tumours may grow larger but do not spread to other parts of the body.
objective response rate
Percentage of patients whose cancer shrinks (partial response) and/or disappears
(complete response) after treatment.
Closely monitoring a patient's condition but withholding treatment until symptoms appear or change.
A gene that is a changed form of a gene involved in normal cell growth.
Oncogenes may cause the growth of cancer cells. Changes in genes that become oncogenes can be inherited or caused by being exposed to substances in the environment that cause cancer.
A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Some oncologists specialize in a particular type of cancer treatment.

Medical Oncologist: A specialist in oncology who deals with the diagnosis and medical treatment of cancer.

Radiation Oncologist: A specialist in oncology who deals with the diagnosis and radiation treatment of cancer.

Surgical Oncologist: A specialist in oncology who deals with the diagnosis and surgical treatment of cancer.

The type of medical practice that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
oncology nurse
A nurse who specializes in treating and caring for people who have cancer.
overall survival
The percentage of people in a study who are still alive at a defined time after they started treatment for their cancer.
Relief of symptoms and suffering caused by cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Palliation helps a patient feel more comfortable and improves the quality of life, but does not cure the disease.
palliative care
Care given to improve the quality of life of patients who have a serious or life-threatening disease.
The goal of palliative care is to prevent or treat as early as possible the symptoms of a disease, side effects caused by treatment of a disease, and psychological, social, and spiritual problems related to a disease or its treatment.
palliative therapy
Treatment given to relieve the symptoms and reduce the suffering caused by cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
Palliative cancer therapies are given together with other cancer treatments, from the time of diagnosis, through treatment, survivorship, recurrent or advanced disease, and at the end of life.
The second most common type of kidney cancer. Approximately 10-15% of kidney cancers are this subtype. For more information read here: 10 Steps to undestanding therapy options in kidney cancer
partial response
A decrease in the size of a tumour or in the extent of cancer in the body, in response to treatment.
A doctor who identifies diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope.
A substance used for the treatment of cancer. It is a type of protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor and angiogenesis inhibitor. Pazopanib is a drug that is taken orally.
PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors
These inhibitors belong to the family of so called checkpoint inhibitors - a type of immunotherapy that helps in controlling the body’s immune response to cancer.
Passing through the skin.
A dummy treatment that contains no active drug.
It might be a capsule or tablet, it might be a bag of saline. Sometimes just thinking you are being treated can make you feel better. This is a common psychological phenomenon called the placebo effect. Because there are now effective treatments for kidney cancers, placebos are very rarely used in kidney cancer trials.
If you are thinking of taking part in a trial with a placebo group, you need to think about how you will feel if you find out at the end of the trial that you were given the placebo. Some trials give the new treatment to the placebo group after the trial has ended, or swap the treatment and placebo groups during the trial. So even if you are in the placebo group at first, you might still get the new treatment later on. When you ask about a clinical trial, be sure to ask about whether any patients will receive a placebo.
primary tumour
The originating site of tumour.
The likely outcome or course of a disease; the chance of recovery or recurrence.
Some of the factors that affect a patient’s prognosis are the type of cancer, its stage, its grade, and its response to treatment.
The course of a disease, such as cancer, as it becomes worse or spreads in the body.
progression-free survival
is a measure of the activity of a treatment on a disease. It is the time that passes from a certain date (generally the first day of treatment, or the day in which a patient is enrolled in a clinical trial) and the date on which disease "progresses" (worsens).
progressive disease
Cancer that is growing, spreading, or getting worse.
A molecule made up of amino acids that are needed for the body to function properly. Proteins are the basis of body structures such as skin and hair and of substances such as enzymes, cytokines, and antibodies.
A detailed plan of a scientific or medical experiment, treatment, or procedure.
In clinical trials, it states what the study will do, how it will be done, and why it is being done. It explains how many people will be in the study, who is eligible to take part in it, what study drugs or other interventions will be given, what tests will be done and how often, and what information will be collected.
Pruritus is the latin word for itch. It describes a sensation that causes the desire or reflex to scratch.
Cancer seems to worsen substantially before later improving.
Up to 20% of people taking ipilimumab for melanoma, and up to 5% of people taking PD-1 antibodies like pembrolizumab or nivolumab in many cancers experience this so called pseudoprogression.
radiation therapy
The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, protons, and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumours.
Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external-beam radiation therapy), or it may come from radioactive material placed in the body near cancer cells (internal radiation therapy). Systemic radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance, such as a radio-labelled monoclonal antibody, that travels in the blood to tissues throughout the
radiofrequency ablation
A procedure that uses radio waves to heat and destroy a tumour. The radio waves travel through electrodes (small devices that carry electricity). Radiofrequency ablation may be used by laparoscopy, under ultrasound or by x-ray guidance.
A doctor who specializes in diagnosing disease by using procedures such as x-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans and MRI.
The use of radiation (such as x-rays) or other imaging technologies (such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging) to diagnose or guide the treatment of disease.
Cancer that has come back usually after a period of time during which the cancer could not be detected. The cancer may come back to the same place as the original (primary) tumour or to another place in the body.
red blood cell
A cell that carries oxygen to all parts of the body.
A decrease in the size of a tumour or in the extent of cancer in the body.
The return of signs and symptoms of cancer after a period of improvement.
A period of time when the cancer is under control and the person does not have any signs and symptoms of the cancer. In partial remission, some, but not all, signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared. In complete remission, all signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared, although cancer still may be in the body.
Having to do with the kidneys.
Renal Cell Carcinoma
The most common kind of kidney cancer. It arises in the small tubes of the kidneys. In the majority of cases, this is the clear cell type.
residual disease
Cancer cells that remain after attempts to remove the cancer have been made.
In medicine, an improvement related to treatment.
second primary cancer
Refers to a new primary cancer in a person with a history of cancer.
secondary cancer
A term that is used to describe a cancer that has spread from the place in which it started to other parts of the body. This term is also used to describe a second primary that has been caused by the treatment of the first cancer.
side effect
An unwanted or undesirable effect resulting from treatment.
Some common side effects of cancer treatment are fatigue, pain, nausea, vomiting, decreased blood cell counts, hair loss, and mouth sores. For more information on side effects of IO treatment please read here: 10 things to know about side effects
stable disease
Cancer that is neither decreasing nor increasing in extent or severity.
The extent of a cancer in the body.
Staging is usually based on the size of the tumour, whether lymph nodes contain cancer, and whether the cancer has spread from the original (primary) site to other parts of the body. To learn more about staging, please read here: Understanding therapy options in kidney cancer
Performing exams and tests to learn the extent of the cancer within the body, especially whether the disease has spread from the original site to other parts of the body.
stereotactic radiation therapy
One form of SRT is called "Gamma Knife". Not a knife, but a form of targeted radiation.
A drug used to treat advanced kidney cancer and is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.
It is a type of tyrosine kinase inhibitor, a type of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
receptor inhibitor, and a type of angiogenesis inhibitor. Sutent is a drug that is taken orally.
A procedure to remove or repair a part of the body or to find out whether disease is present. An operation.
One who remains alive and continues to function during and after overcoming a serious hardship or life-threatening disease. The term cancer survivor includes anyone who has been recently diagnosed with, is living with, or has recovered from cancer.
In cancer, survivorship covers the physical, psychosocial, and economic issues of cancer, from diagnosis until the end of life.
It focuses on the health and life of a person with cancer beyond the diagnosis and treatment phases. Survivorship includes issues related to the ability to get health care and follow-up treatment, late effects of treatment, second cancers, and quality of life. Family members, friends, and caregivers are also part of the survivorship experience.
An indication that a person has a condition or disease. Some examples of symptoms are headache, fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and pain.
Affecting the entire body.
systemic therapy
Any treatment that reaches cells all over the body. Chemotherapy and targeted therapy are types of systemic therapy.
targeted therapy
A type of treatment that uses drugs or other substances, such as monoclonal antibodies, to identify and attack specific cancer cells.
A group or layer of cells that work together to perform a specific function.
The degree to which a substance can have harmful effects.
transitional cell carcinoma
A type of cancer that occurs in the urinary system arising from the transitional epithelium, a tissue that lines the inner surface of the bladder, the renal pelvis of the kidneys and the ureters. It is the second most common type of kidney cancer.
treatment arm
The group of patients who take the new treatment being tested.
An abnormal mass of tissue that results when cells divide more than they should or do not die when they should. Tumours may be benign (not cancer), or malignant (cancer).
tyrosine kinase inhibitor
A drug that interferes with cell communication and growth and may prevent tumour growth. Some tyrosine kinase inhibitors are used to treat cancer.
A technology that uses high-energy sound waves to take pictures of internal organs and other structures like blood vessels.
A doctor who specializes in diseases of the urinary organs in females and the urinary and sex organs in males.
vascular endothelial growth factor
A substance made by cells that stimulates new blood vessel formation.
VEGF inhibitor
A substance that blocks a growth factor needed to form blood vessels.
Von Hippel Lindau (VHL) syndrome
A rare inherited disorder in which blood vessels grow abnormally in the eyes, brain, spinal cord, adrenal glands, or other parts of the body. People with VHL syndrome have a higher risk of developing kidney cancer as well as other cancers. For more information on hereditary kidney cancer please read here: Hereditary disease
white blood cell
A type of immune cell. Most white blood cells are made in the bone marrow and are found in the blood and lymph tissue. White blood cells (including leukocytes and lymphocytes) help the body fight infections and other diseases.
Wilm’s tumour
A malignant tumour of the kidney occurring in young children.
A type of high-energy radiation. In low doses, x-rays are used to diagnose diseases by making pictures of the inside of the body. In high doses, x-rays are used to treat cancer.


text:
Old Apocryphal Viral Email Very Apropos For 2015

January 1, 2015 BFH 0

Funny Police harassment story Got this from my wife who is a previous Security Forces officer, dont know if it has been posted before but its a good laugh. September 20, 2012. –Recently, the Chula Vista, California Police Department ran an e-mail forum (a question and answer [Read More]

Overly Cloying and Excitable NORK Newswoman

January 1, 2015 BFH 0

People are getting a kick out of how orgasmic and excitable this Nork Newswoman is as she narrates Kim Jong Un “flying” a plane. People are saying they wish they knew what she was saying. We have a partial translation- HEAR IT HERE.

Snoping Snopes

January 1, 2015 BFH 14

  by Ensign Pulver I’d always suspected that Snopes was Leftist but I confirmed it for myself in person. Remember when Prez Ebola stole the first election in 2008? There was a brave forthright State Farm agent by the name of Bud Gregg who posted an [Read More]

Mario Cuomo Dead

January 1, 2015 BFH 33

That’s all I’m going to say. I lived in NY under this loon’s reign. HT/ JC Lady

I Have a Request

January 1, 2015 BFH 0

Can we please take the gloves off? And by we, I mean right-wing online media. Nothing pains me more than to see a site like Powerlineblog, which I think is wonderful, do a really great job of fisking an idiotic progressive article, only to let the author [Read More]

Snopes Debunks Article On Illegal Aliens – Sorta

January 1, 2015 BFH 0

This list of stats about California’s illegal alien problem has been going around for awhile. I wanted to see what Snopes thought of it. Their tone was condescending and dismissive (obviously, they are leftists) but their refutations were weak. A summation of Snopes’ evaluation is [Read More]

Krugman Kicks Off 2015 With a Doozy

January 1, 2015 BFH 0

It’s going to be another hilarious year in the world of progtardism. In an interview with perennial dipwad, Ezra Klein, Krugman said the following: …as a Times columnist, I can’t do endorsements, so you have no idea which party I favor in general elections… Image [Read More]

This is the kind of stuff tax payers pay for

January 1, 2015 BFH 0

University Scientific Study – Do Birds Slur Their Singing When They Get Drunk? Newser- Not many people count getting zebra finches drunk as their job. But researchers at the Oregon Health and Science University did just that to study how alcohol affects the birds’ ability [Read More]

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text:
Hartleys Research Note: IBG – Upside is Still Enormous

Zinc prices have had a significant rally in the past few months, and many sell-side commodity analysts expect the rally to continue. Ironbark is developing the very large Citronen zinc project in Greenland. Due to the scale of the project, the upside leverage to zinc prices is very significant… Click here to read the Hartley’s Research Note.


text:
Iron County Snowmobile trails are groomed and reported by the “White Thunder Riders” & “Mercer Area Sno-Goers”.
Groomers are out at all hours, please keep your eye open for them and be courteous.

For up to date trail conditions visit:
or their Facebook pages:
Mercer Area Sno-goers Facebook

 Iron County offers over 500 miles of groomed trails and 175,000 acres of off trail boondocking. As the Snow Capital of Wisconsin, the average annual snowfall often exceeds 200 inches giving Iron County the most reliable snow in the Midwest. Check out the snow cover map under the weather menu item or call for trail reports at 1-866-345-3866 or 1-715-476-7669.
For more information contact us.
To view our Snowmobile Trail map: Snowmobile Trail Map


text:
How Do You Get Over A Broken Heart?

Instead of brooding over a failed relationship, psychologist advises a couple of aspirin and distancing oneself from the event: Aspirin and a stiff upper lip are best remedies for a broken heart Share

I Used To Believe in a Thing Called Love…

What is the definition of “love” anyway? Apparently I’ve had it wrong all these years. What ever happened to “soul-mates”, or there being that special someone out there for everyone, or even “love at first sight”? I understand people’s lives (with work or just in general) can be busy and demanding, so meeting someone online is […]


text:
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