Indy

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Posts posted by Indy

  1. Posted · Report reply

    Just to review the current arguments:

    E-cigarettes help smokers quit and are better at doing so than other nicotine replacement therapies.

    E-cigarettes are safer for the person inhaling them than conventional cigarettes.

    E-cigarette vapour contains far less toxic products than conventional cigarettes.

    E-cigarette vapour does contain trace amounts of toxic product. However, this is claimed to be negligible to health.

    Some E-cigarettes are made poorly and may contain more nicotine than advertised.

    In my opinion, I can see how even minute amounts of toxicity released from E-cigarettes can make people uncomfortable. Therefore, whether E-cigarettes are allowed to be smoked in public places will probably remain a matter of debate for quite some time. However, I believe that E-cigarettes will have a significant benefit to public health and potentially reduce the financial burden on public-funded healthcare systems (e.g. NHS). Whether or not E-cigarettes will be recommended by healthcare professionals remains an area of uncertainty. Guidelines (e.g. NICE) will not provide any significant guidance for their use until further evidence can be attained. Despite this, I am in favour of using E-cigarettes as a replacement for conventional cigarettes, especially if one has the intention of quitting. This is further supported by the fact that it has been proven to be more efficacious than other nicotine replacement therapies. My main concern is that all available research on this area is relatively weak. However, the research that has been done does warrant for further, more rigorous research into this particularly interesting area of public health.

    • Like 2

  2. Posted · Report reply

    Ulfric is fighting for the freedom of the native people of Skyrim the nords, But the downside is he is a racist, if you let him become high king your people the Khajiit will be banned from dealing their goods in the front of major cities.

    Tullius is trying to help Skyrim by making it multicultural for resources. But the downside is, he is trying to ban all nordic religion throughout Skyrim and trying to make Skyrim become part of it's Empire.

    In a war against the Aldmeri Dominion, possible upcoming dlc.

    Ulfric as leader has no chance of survival. Tullius as leader stands and equal chance of winning.

    I'm a Wood Elf and I say, no racism.

    Tullius has no motives with Skyrim. He's following the Thalmor's orders and trying to kill Ulfric. Skyrim is already part of the Empire, it always has been.

    The Empire has been corrupt and all around weak since the last Dragonborn emperor died during the events of Oblivion, and the Great War only made it weaker. In siding with Ulfric and freeing Skyrim from the Empire, you free them from the Thalmor. A Stormcloak Skyrim is a neutral Skyrim, to an extent. They have no obligation to even acknowledge the Thalmor or their self-proclaimed authority. With the Empire defeated, the Thalmor don't have enough men in Skyrim to stop the Stormcloaks from driving them out, and they have nothing to gain from returning to Skyrim in force.

    Another war with the Aldmeri Dominion is inevitable, but the Empire is stuck licking the Dominion's boots until it grows a pair of Septim bloodline-sized balls. Until that time, a Stormcloak Skyrim is free from all that shit.

    Amazing how I ignore real world politics, but will rant about video game politics at great length...

    I'm interested to see how the rebellion will be written in future Elder Scrolls games. Regardless, I'd like to see the Stormcloaks (Skyrim) and Redguards (Hammerfell) form an alliance, and take the fight to Summerset Isle.

    However, if history dictates that the Imperials beat the rebellion, I'd like to see the Empire fighting the Thalmor, ultimately ending with Hammerfell coming to the aid of the Empire. Think WW2

    The Second Great War would make a great setting for the next Elder Scrolls game.

    • Like 1

  3. Posted · Report reply

    From a recent interview with attorney Michael Levy, director of the FDA office of compliance.

    "We felt it important that while there is litigation and we are considering options, there is no reason to be confused about FDA's position on this issue," Joshua Sharfstein, MD, FDA principal deputy commissioner, said. At the news conference, FDA analyst Benjamin Westenberger described testing 19 cartridges from the two e-cigarettes at the FDA's St. Louis facility. Among the findings:
    • All but one cartridge marked as having no nicotine actually contained the addictive substance.
    • Cartridges marked as having low, medium, or high amounts of nicotine actually had varying amounts of nicotine.
    • One of the cartridges contained a toxic antifreeze ingredient, diethylene glycol.
    • The devices emitted "tobacco-specific nitrosamines which are human carcinogens."
    • The devices emitted "tobacco-specific impurities suspected of being harmful to humans."

    Since 2008, the FDA has been trying to prevent e-cigarettes from entering the country. To date, 50 shipments have been refused, but this has not stopped distribution and sale of e-cigarettes. Canada fully banned the devices in March 2009. E-cigarette makers and distributors have argued that their devices are safer than real cigarettes, thereby mitigating the harm of smoking. Some have implied that their products help people quit smoking tobacco products. The FDA rejects both claims. Because the devices can deliver a dose of synthetic nicotine, the agency sees them as unapproved drug-delivery devices with unknown safety. And whether they can safely help people quit smoking is also unknown, while they have a clear potential to entice new smokers with their fruit and candy flavors.

    The FDA research is preliminary, and there may also be conflict of interests. Furthermore, I'm very skeptical of research that doesn't come from peer-reviewed journals.

    From an article on Harvard's health section: http://www.health.ha...rd-201109223395

    A study published this spring in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine concluded that electronic cigarettes may help smokers quit. Whether they are a safe way to quit is another question—preliminary studies from the FDA, New Zealand, and Greece raise some concerns. There are three reasons to worry about electronic cigarettes. First, the dose of nicotine delivered with each puff may vary substantially. An FDA analysis recorded nicotine doses between 26.8 and 43.2 micrograms per puff. It also detected nicotine in products labeled as nicotine free. Second, electronic cigarettes deliver an array of other chemicals, including diethylene glycol (a highly toxic substance), various nitrosamines (powerful carcinogens found in tobacco), and at least four other chemicals suspected of being harmful to humans. To be sure, the dose of these compounds is generally smaller than found in “real” cigarette smoke. But it isn’t zero. Third, by simulating the cigarette experience, electronic cigarettes might reactivate the habit in ex-smokers. They could also be a gateway into tobacco abuse for young people who are not yet hooked.

    This is the only research paper that I've actually been able to find from this paragraph. Not surprisingly, it indicates that e-cigarettes actually help smokers quit: The primary finding was that the 6-month point prevalence of smoking abstinence among the e-cigarette users in the sample was 31.0%

    Read here: http://download.jour...79710007920.pdf

    Furthermore, all these preliminary studies are just the same study you've highlighted above. I need stronger evidence. Regardless, even if what they say is true, e-cigarettes are still a significantly healthier option than real cigarettes, which contain (literally) hundreds of carcinogens and tobacco.

    The only thing this indicates is that e-cigarettes need to be regulated more tightly. E-cigarettes that claim to have no nicotine should have NO nicotine.

    A study presented at the European Respiratory Society’s annual meeting in Vienna in February, 2012 demonstrated an abrupt increase in airway resistance leading to a lower level of oxygen in the bloodstream in electronic cigarette users. This could have dangerous effects on people with coronary artery disease who have obstructing plaques in their coronary arteries. In their small study, the Athens researchers studied the effects of the electronic cigarettes on 8 people who never smoked, along with 24 smokers-11 with normal lung function and 13 participants with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study participants all used an electronic cigarette for 10 minutes. Researchers then conducted measurements of airway resistance and lung function. All participants had a sudden increase in airway resistance which lasted about 10 minutes. Interestingly, the increase was more noticeable in smokers than non smokers, although the effect seen in people with COPD was less immediate in nature. The researchers stated that it was unclear whether this increase in resistance had any potential long term effects. The European Respiratory Society (ERS) smoking cessation guidelines do not currently recommend the use of such electronic products. A number of physicians in the ERS note that a number of brands of e- cigarettes contain high levels of nicotine which is highly addictive, and also linked to development of lung cancer.

    Why do COPD sufferers have a lesser effect from an apparent vasoconstrictor than non-smokers? Because the sample size is far too small to draw any significant conclusions.

    Everybody knows that Nicotine is linked to the development of lung cancer via reduced apoptosis. But nicotine alone is insignificant without carcinogens. Thus, this argument is only really valid in the face of real cigarettes.

    I'm not really sure what to make of any of this evidence, we need longer-term studies with larger sample sizes into the effects of e-cigarettes before any sound conclusions can be drawn. Furthermore, research into the chemical composition of e-cigarettes will provide an excellent insight into the potential pitfalls of yet another nicotine based therapy.

    • Like 1

  4. Posted · Report reply

    No one realizes Nicotine is still bad for you. It may not have as many physical effects but it still raises blood pressure. Also the E-Cig was made to help ween people off of real tobacco, but it can become just as addicting to people, which can be become a very expensive habit as they can cost a lot for the refills, batteries, and cigs themselves. Sure it's better than real ones, but I still dislike having to breathe in water vapor. I've been around them before, and quite frankly I don't think it's such a good thing. Breathing anything into your lungs is not normal, and I know there is pollution and there's car exhaust but you can't really help those things and it's not as bad in the suburbs as in the cities. Plus our body does have natural defenses to these things, but breathing in anything in high quantities and so purely like that can't be healthy. I acted like an idiot and don't know why, but I'm glad you're getting over the addiction. Hopefully, in the long run, you'll put down the E-Cigs too and you'll break free of the addiction.

    I would love to see evidence of that. From my research, I always thought that Nicotine had almost no long-term negative effects on health*. This is a genuine request, it might alter my opinion on Nicotine.

    Oxygen?

    *However, it is supposed to inhibit apoptosis, thereby promoting carcinogenesis.

  5. Posted · Report reply

    Both factions are cunts.

    The imperials are loosely aligned with the Thalmor. Who are the royal cunts of Tamriel and should be dispatched at first sight. Don't even think about it, just kill them. On the other hand are the religiously oppressed racists, aka Stormcloaks.

    Choosing between the Thalmor lapdogs and the Nord facist army is difficult because neither is without severe flaws.

    Just a bit of history to help inform your decision. The Empire (Imperials) and Aldmeri Dominion (Thalmor) fought in the Great War. The Empire lost, and subsequently the White-Gold Concordat (treaty) was formed. As part of a treaty, they have had to ban Talos worship. If the Imperials stop rebellions, they may be able to strengthen and defeat the Aldmeri Dominion at a later date. On the other hand, none of this matters because the Redguards are badass.

    Learn yo history: http://elderscrolls.wikia.com/wiki/Great_War

  9. Posted · Report reply

    I can't remember ever using a horse for anything other than making key moments more cinematic.

    This. Sometimes I just use the horse to walk slowly through towns. Just so they know who's boss.

    It would have been great if they added satchels and storage to horses, as well as the ability to call your horse.

  10. Posted · Report reply

    Stupid story short, my friend ran me over, hurt like a muthafucka.

    Just some medical advice, if you've fractured or broken a bone, please go to ER so that they can X-ray and fix it into place properly. Otherwise it may heal deformed.

    :french: That's crazy.. I've gotten my foot run over before but it wasn't bad but I can't imagine how bad it would hurt happening to any other party of the body.

    And yeah that's some good advice I wish I would have taken. I'm about 5 weeks into letting my boxers fracture heal without medical attention and there's still a bone sticking up in my hand and my pinky knuckle is in a completely different spot than it used to be. Oh well, I figure it will probably wind up breaking again eventually since it didn't heal right, so next time I'll head to the ER right away (Y)

    The power of hindsight!

    • Like 1

  19. Posted · Report reply

    Why start with Nani and Welbeck anyway, neither player is good enough for the Champions League, Rooney & Kagawa should of started. But it wasn't a sending off, Yellow card for dangerous play yes, but there was no intent or malice in the collision, Nani had eyes on the ball the whole time. Shame, cos it was a good game before that, could of gone either way.

    Funny you say that, Nani and Welbeck were probably the best two players on the pitch before the card! Fergies tactics were working great, unfortunate about the red card. Mourinho showed again that he was a great tactician by subbing on Modric and changing the shape to exploit the sending off.

  21. Posted · Report reply

    That's very interesting, I know about the Swiss Pikemen (from Age of Empires, I think!).

    I'm a Sikh, our warrior culture is immense and something that people should really read about, purely because it's so interesting! Our entire history is embroiled in last stands, it would make Leonidas proud.

    For example, the Battle of Saragarhi 1897.

    21 Sikhs against 10,000 Afghans. Known as one of the greatest last-stands in all of military history, every single man gave his life, yet very few people know about the battle. Furthermore, unlike many of the older last-stands, this one was very accurately recorded, partly due to the nature of the battle and also due to the fact it was fairly recent.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Saragarhi

    • Like 1

  23. Posted · Report reply

    Well now we've entered the realm of philosophy, never really my forté.

    However, I did once read an excellent book that parallels with what you are saying. You may be familiar with the books maxim: "Nothing is true, everything is permitted." Assassins Creed took the motto from the novel, entitled Alamut.

    In fact, it's a story that has parallels with the matrix, but far less "out of this world".

    Basically, a (persian?) army commander convinces his troops that he can temporarily send them to heaven at will. He does this by secretly drugging them and sending them to the gardens behind the fortress, which he has mimicked to look like heaven. This way he earns their full obedience and convinces them that their death will send them straight to heaven. Ultimately, he fools them into a reality that does not exist.

  24. Posted · Report reply

    There is nothing we cannot learn, except that which we do not know we do not know. But that is the beautiful side of the world! In the past 500 years alone it is almost incomprehensible to conceptualise how much we have learnt and how far we have advanced. 2000 years ago people worshiped Mars, and now we have a fucking robot on it!

    If nothing, we will learn. Until we answer every question, we will seek answers. This is our existence!

    Very eloquent, but I can't help but think that with so many theories and hypotheses being proven incorrect every year, it's hard not to wonder how much that we now know is wrong.

    The thing about that is. Everything we know about the world, and existence itself, is based on our limited perception of existence. Just about everything in life can possibly be false, because perhaps there is some major part of being that we missed due to our limited perception, which could dillute our understanding. The best example I can think of is the Matrix; you are led to believe it is 1999, you have a house, a job, an income etc. When in reality, you're a vegetable sitting in a test tube.

    Exactly, more the reason to challenge everything you learn. As opposed to accept that it is insurmountable and give up.

  25. Posted · Report reply

    The fact that it's constantly changing and information is constantly being updated is what makes science great.

    If you take one idea and accept it as fact, no matter how much evidence there is to the contrary and how stupid it is to continue believing your idea, well, you might as well be religious.

    I agree, once again I'll leave you with Carl Sagan:

    In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time someting like that happened in politics or religion.

    - Carl Sagan 1987 CSICOP Keynote address