Alfa

I don´t see why you would want a solar-powered air conditioner? It would just be more expensive. In most cars that I have seen the air goes in, passes the air conditioner, on through the radiator and then out in the coupe. That way you get fresh cool air(although a little dry). But perhaps i´m misundestanding you... i´m not entierly sure how the air conditioner itself works(I threw the air conditioner from my car in the trash, to save weight ).

I should read more carefully... Anyway, one problem is to get enough heat to begin with. It takes a while to get enough heat from the engine. Plus you aldready have fans to blow heat directly at the windshield. I don´t think de-icing cars is a million dollar buisness. You already have some sollutions on the market, and it´s not that hard to just scrape the windows that people would be willing to spend much money on easier ways of doing it.

"Anyways, this will be a very simple installation on all cars. It is a material that will be placed on the inside of all windows, and that material is a potent heat absorber. As you turn on the heat in your car, that material will absorb a great deal of it and cause the windows to reach a high temperature and melt the snow and ice on it. I would just have to figure out what the material would be made out of exactly. Once I do that, I'll have a million dollar idea." Sorry to dissapoint you, but that has already been invented. Many cars have windshields that reflect heat - usually keeping some of the heat away from the coupe(not sure if it works both ways though).

I dont think it matters much wether it´s comitted by a muslim or not. I think they do care about more serious crimes. However, from there it´s a long way to solving the crime and actually having someone arrested. And, even then, there wont be much of a punishment(after all, we can´t have it like you guys in america where criminals are locked away in small cells for a long time - that´s not very nice y'know ). Riding a bike without lights and a helmet could be pretty expensive though. So it´s good to know that the police care about our safety.

Calling sweden one of the best countries in the world is, a lie. Plain and simple. The welfare system is falling apart, and it has been this way for as long as I can remember. However, alot of people are fooled by the government telling us how good things are(the socialist party are no better than in the old communist countries when it comes to propaganda, they are just a lot more subtle). Crime rates only get higher for every year. If it´s not murder, rape, (serious) assault or avoiding taxes the police wont care. They only have resources to focus on more serious crime(and, of course, handing speeding tickets to help their finances...). More and more people fail school. There are not enough teachers, and the whole educational system is crap. Healtcare is a sad joke. The elders are, quite literally, rotting away in retirement homes. People are dying waiting in line to recieve treatment, and in hospitals theres not even enough resources to stop infectuous diseases. In case of an emergency you often get to wait for hours in the emergency room. Suicide rates get higher and higher. Taxes are over 70% for regular people. The government is so big noone knows how big it really is, with all the different insitutions. --- Of course, everyone in sweden knows this, but the facts are often ignored and everyone has been taught that the sollution is more socialism. The situation is not completley hopeless though. I mean, most people can live their mediocre lives quite happily. We are not starving... yet.

Wow, I need to see this movie. From the description it seems like something i can really relate to(not that i´m homeless...).

I think sex with animals or corpses could only be possible through some serious evasion, on a fundamental level. I don´t know how to explain this in a good way... but think about it - what would it take for someone to be attracted to an animal or a corpse? And if it´s just pleasure, without any sort of attraction, one would have to ignore the fact of what they're actually having sex with. It´s like getting head from another guy, while closing your eyes and pretending its a woman - only that the evasion goes even further. So I would say this kind of sexual behaviour is immoral and shows a very unhealthy mind.

Just to clarify, would the same reasoning apply for, say, visiting a hooker? I agree with you by the way. I think the only immoral thing would be to give up a higher value. Depending on the context that could be beating off to internet porn, going to a strip club or vistiting that massage parlor - instead of pursuing real romantic love. But that higher value is not always available and I don´t see why choosing a lesser value, for that time being, would be immoral(of course, depending on a wider context).

Wow, what a lovely road! The pictures remind me a bit of nurburgring(never been there myself though, but when my car is finished...). I have been lucky with the roads where I live. There are alot of old, twisting roads, without much traffic. One of my favourites is this one(pictures taken in early spring last year): http://200sx.kicks-ass.net/yes/img4253a2a4c0e1a.jpg http://200sx.kicks-ass.net/yes/img425396412e65a.jpg http://200sx.kicks-ass.net/yes/img42539625d4680.jpg http://200sx.kicks-ass.net/yes/img4253975e30d69.jpg http://200sx.kicks-ass.net/yes/img425395f43347b.jpg http://200sx.kicks-ass.net/yes/img42539738a6068.jpg I usually drive there at night, so I can see the headlamps of oncoming traffic. This road can be pretty dangerous even at the speed limit of 45mph. Those who wish for an early death could probably go around 110 at some places. Even well below the limits it´s a thrill to drive, and if you are cautious you can do so without hurting yourself or others.

A pair of well fitting leather pants are in fact very comfortable to wear. Goes well with a suit too(the jacket part, whatever it´s called).

I think you are making the misconception that exercise has to be primitive and unintellectual. For alot of bodybuilders that would probably be the case, especially for some om the more extreme ones who sacrifice health and well-being with drugs just so they can build more muscle. I don´t think that is rational, and it´s putting way too much value in looks(or more specifically, muscle) - sacrificing much more important things. Exercise however, can be about body and mind. Just the process of working out can take alot of focus and willpower. The health benefits also helps your mind work better. And when working out you actually apply your ideas to a physical activity. So, what i´m trying to say is that even though you value physical looks(and the other benefits of exercise, all of which are rational values) you can still hold intellectual values in very high regard. I´m not saying you are wrong in valuing things differently, and I sure wont try to tell you what you should find attractive(I would also find Rand´s heroes attractive, by the way. I just dont agree that big muscles imply a mindless brute. And regarding time spent working out, two hours a day of any hard form exercise would send anyone to the hospital and could, in fact, kill you. Mr. Daredevil there is more likley to spend alot of time eating, and cooking. And don´t tell me you wont like a man who can cook! It´s true genetics make it impossible for most men to come even close to that physique. (Unless you´re thinking of drag-racing cars I think you can make even a Formula 1 car driveable on the street, if you give it less downforce and softer suspension. It wont be comfortable of course, but who needs comfort when you have an F1-car? )

If you by "very large steroid-sized bodybuilder" mean something like todays Mr. Olympia I would have to agree with the ladies(even though the daredevil is incredibly muscular I think there is a big difference). From what I have noticed most women don´t even like normal but "cut" physiques. Six-pack abs seem to be more the mens ideal than womens. And the other way around, alot of (young) women want to look like thin models - but I dont know many men who find that attractive. This is of course very generally speaking and only from my own observations. What I see is strength, agility and grace - and a body that functions uncompromised. He´s got broad shoulders, thick neck, strong legs, V-shaped torso(but without a ridiculously thin waist)... and the muscles are not hidden, and the bodys function is not compromised, by thick layers of fat - every part is well defined, and you can see the veins feeding the muscles. It´s like instead of hiding the bodys construction he´s showing it. However I can see that some think it´s "too much". When I look at todays pro-bodybuilders I see freakishly bloated muscles(especially midsections from all the growth hormones), and dangerously low bodyfat levels that almost give the impression of looking through their skin.

I think most women would agree with you there. I find that a little strange... to me, this would be very close to male perfection(I would perhaps have given him slightly smaller pectorals and a deeper ribcage, which I think would make him look slender but stronger): http://www.imaginistix.com/paintingsdetails.cfm?Id=51 But then i´m not actually attracted to men, which could be why we see it so differently.

I have a pretty diverse taste. Genres included in my playlist are; pop/rock, prog-rock/metal(and other metal genres), synth, fusion... and more. Some of my favourites are: Fleetwood Mac Dire Straits Al DiMeola Depeche Mode Jean-Michel Jarre King Crimson Genesis There´s alot more that I like, but I dont want to name-drop.

I doubt that even a gun would help in that situation. First you need to draw it before you get smacked in the head by a wooden board. The knife defense video clearly showed how hard that can be. If you then manage to get the gun out you have the problem of hitting what you aim at. I dont know much about guns, but I think that could be easier said than done. Then it´s not only one or two persons, but a whole gang. Say you put a couple of them down, there´s still enough left to beat you with thoose wooden boards. And they wont be happy with you shooting their friends, which makes the situation even worse for you. If you´re lucky you will scare the off with your gun, but I would not take my chances and rely on luck. I would rather throw my wallet on the ground and run as fast as I can. However, if the situation got real nasty a gun could atleast even out the odds a little bit. That´s when youre out of options and simply have to fight to survive. My point is though, that the reality of the situation is that you are almost powerless(regardless of gender or who you are). I don´t think even the toughest guys could fight an armed gang of thugs.

I think one aspect of self defense is mental preparation. Confidence has already been mentioned, but that does not guarantee that you will use your skills and tools(weapons) as you should. The question is, how will you react if someone attacks you? Will you smash his face in without hesitation? Draw your gun and shoot him? Gut him with your knife? Use pepper spray? Or will you just freeze, or panic, and forget all about self defense? I think its safe to assume that youre not a badass, but a good person who does not like to fight or hurt others. Those who might attack you are the opposite of that. They might be cowards who only attack girls because the think they are easy prey, but unless you fight back they will not hesitate to hurt you. Problem is, you might hesitate to return the favour. Perhaps you get scared. Even if you dont you might start thinking; what if I hit him and it just gets worse? What if that pepper spray wont stop him? What if I kill him with my gun, or knife? What if, what if? In this situation there is no time to think, only act. Before you get there you must know what you will do. I have been there once myself. A guy just snapped for no apparent reason and attacked me. My only reaction was to back off and push him away. Lucky for me he was not very good at punching so it never hurt me. I had been training Muy thai for about a year; in a ring, with a mouthpice and a pair of gloves I would have kicked his butt. Real life is different though. I wasnt very scared, I just did not know how to react so I stood there thinking what the hell just happened while his friend carried away the crazy person. So whatever you choose as your means of self defense, seriously prepare yourself to use it. Imagine different scenarios in your head; how you will react, how you will feel, what you will do if things go wrong etc. Also, dont forget to practice sprinting. Best self defense technique there is.

Genetic potential for what? Building muscle? Symetry? Maximized cardiovascular conditioning? Since Mike was a bodybuilder I assume he was looking at it from a bodybuilding point of view. In that context I think I agree with him. However, I think the ideal in this case should be looked at in the context of an individuals life.

That was her "taste". I dont think that would be ideal for a short man.

What is an ideal body?

I´d say almost regardless of what you want in life, physical exercise will help. Just by being healthy your mind works better, and if you regularly push body and mind to the limit - with high-intensity "balls-to-the-walls"-training - that will really get you somewhere. Look at the determination and willpower in the eyes of any sucessfull pro-athlete(same thing also shows in many sucessfull businessmen).

I think the nakedness can tell alot about the person. How does the person carry his/her nakedness? With guilt and shame, or pride? How does the person pose - how would he/she like to be percieved? Strong, powerfull, confident, sexy, joyfull etc.? And even though much of ones appearance is deterimined by genetics, a good healthy life will show on the body - as well as a hard and destructive life. Your activities determine very much how you will look. I decided to submit my picture on the feminine after reading your post. There you have a very naked woman with a confident, challenging look on her face. It´s like she´s thinking; "Well, here I am, naked, what are you gonna do about that?". Put some clothes on her and she would still be gorgeous and sexy, but I think the nakedness adds to her confidence. The picture shows both body and mind, as it should be. Dont get me wrong now. Clothes can also be an interesting feature. However, I think you are separating the physical from the mental too much.

I´d like to note that muscular bulk does not necessarily display strength. You mention body-builders, look at some of the Mr. Olympia guys today. They look like monsters, and yes they look strong. However, they also look fat and bloated(which is quite ironic since the have dangerously low bodyfat levels when competing). Smaller guys can look powerfull in a more athletic way. Perhaps you can say they display strength in relation to their physical abillities. They look strong, able and healthy even though they cant lift monstrous weights. This can also be true for women. A strong and atheltic woman can look gracefull and feminine. But that is certainly not true for female pro body-builders who have enough testosterone for ten avarage men.

Masculine: http://www.cordair.com/larsen/david.aspx Feminine: http://www.bodyinmind.com/samples300904/Ma...1024_sample.jpg Romantic: http://artfiles.art.com/images/PRODUCTS/la...00/10114214.jpg

Peace - A beginning (King Crimson lyric) I am the ocean Lit by the flame I am the mountain Peace is my name I am the river Touched by the wind I am the story I never end.

Robert Frost - Nothing gold can stay Nature's first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold. Her early leaf's a flower; But only so an hour. Then leaf subsides to leaf. So Eden sank to grief, So dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay.