User talk:ParaDoctoral

Welcome!

Hi, OcciMoron, and Welcome to Wikipedia!

Welcome to Wikipedia!   I hope you enjoy the encyclopedia and want to stay. Before getting too in-depth, you may want to read about the simplified ruleset. Of the many ways to get help on Wikipedia, I personally recommend our wiki-boot camp, where you can chat online with fellow Wikipedians willing to help, or see some of the resources on WP:Wc!

Please feel free to ask me any questions you may have, on my talk page - I'm happy to help.

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Reply to comment on James Brown talk page

A reply has been posted to your message on the James Brown talk page. →Lwalt ^♦ talk 19:42, 3 August 2007 (UTC)

thoughts on the nature of humanity

Thanks for your thoughts on the nature of humanity.. the idea that "Sex for enjoyment" sets humans (& bonobos) apart from the other animals isn't my own idea.. and i have it listed under "Stupid theories on what sets humans apart" with a bunch of other half-witted theories for that reason.. (I'd like to start an article on these theories some day, or at least add them to the human article or the like).

But you've made some interesting points.. But I have to say that observing various animals in the wild and at zoos, it seems that most animals spend the vast majority of their time doing something other than procreating. So it's hard to say their lives or societies are all that sex-centric. However, sex is still a necessity in the human and animal worlds. Relationships, love stories, and sex are central in any human culture. And I believe sex will only become a marginal activity when sex and reproduction are completely isolated from each other. Which I don't think the majority is ever going to like the idea of all that much, I don't think would ever be completely possible. —Pengo 21:58, 21 August 2007 (UTC)

Yeah, animals do spend time doing other activities, but generally they are a means to the end of reproduction, all residing at the very lowest part of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Occasionally animals with high parental involvement make forays into the second level of that hierarchy, but that is only ever in a context of maintaining reproductive fitness. Humans have a *need* to fulfill the other categories, which has led to incredible staying power as a species. OcciMoron 15:37, 22 August 2007 (UTC)

I don't accept Maslow's hierarchy as anything more than a moralistic hypothesis, with little basis in science (i.e. it's not testable, especially not with animals). There's no reason your argument that animals do all they do to aid reproduction (or the furthering of their kin) cannot apply to humans. The only difference with animals is that they can't tell you otherwise. —Pengo 00:23, 24 August 2007 (UTC)

Reply to comment on Quasispecies talk page

Browsing around tonight I noticed your request for an accessible explanation on the quasispecies page, and felt the same way. I've added a section that I think explains it to mortals a little better. p.s. I was also a Techer, well grad turkey anyway.IdahoEv (talk) 08:58, 6 February 2008 (UTC)

Cytokine storm

See discussion on article talk page. Tim Vickers (talk) 17:06, 29 April 2009 (UTC)

WikiProject Viruses is back

Hello, We at WikiProject Viruses noticed that you used to be a participant of the project before the project went inactive. We would like to take this opportunity to invite you to become a participant of WikiProject Viruses again. We believe that viruses are an extremely important part of an encyclopedia, and that is why we need you! Our new project coordinator is Thomas888b (talk · contribs).
We hope you seriously consider our invitation. See you there. If you are interested in joining our crew again, please place a notice on Our Talkpage, or you will be removed from our participants list.

Delivered by MessageDeliveryBot on behalf of WikiProject Viruses at 21:25, 24 February 2011 (UTC).

Wikiproject Virus Revival

You have previously shown an interest in Wikiproject Viruses by adding your name to our List of Participants. We are currently reviving the project, and would be grateful if you could indicate whether you are still interested in contributing or not on our Talk Page. You do not need to have expertise in virology to contribute to our project, as we welcome people with any degree of knowledge of the subject.
Thank you.

Delivered by MessageDeliveryBot on behalf of WikiProject Viruses at 17:32, 15 February 2012 (UTC).

Science lovers wanted!

Science lovers wanted!

Hi! I'm serving as the wikipedian-in-residence at the Smithsonian Institution Archives until June! One of my goals as resident, is to work with Wikipedians and staff to improve content on Wikipedia about people who have collections held in the Archives - most of these are scientists who held roles within the Smithsonian and/or federal government. I thought you might like to participate since you are interested in the sciences! Sign up to participate here and dive into articles needing expansion and creation on our to-do list. Feel free to make a request for images or materials at the request page, and of course, if you share your successes at the outcomes page you will receive the SIA barnstar! Thanks for your interest, and I look forward to your participation! Sarah (talk) 00:56, 17 April 2012 (UTC)