Job Discussion Forums

shadowfax · Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2007 8:29 pm Post subject:

I am reassured by this post, 007; and you have given me some pause for thought. However, I do not consider any body of Scripture to be infallible in every particular. For if Scripture were perfect, how could God be more perfect? And Saint Paul, who wrote the book of Timothy, it seems, is well-known for having changed positions on some things under the duress of circumstance. I view the man as a spiritual and poetic genius, but not infallible in his writings.

In the Book of Isaiah, it is written that the lion shall lie down with the lamb, and a little child shall lead them. In the book of Revelation, the people of the New Jerusalem eat the fruits of the tree of life, and not fried ostrich! But do not mistake me for an atheistical animal rights activist, as I am not.

I hope that your true ultimate hero is God Himself, and not Scripture, or religion, or language, or song, or a book, or a chap with a long beard and a bee in his bonnet; not that I mean to denigrate these latter in any way.

I think what he says about marriage here is true divine prophecy (let the pontiff take note, though I don't suppose he visits ESL cafe very often). But you will notice that after his declaration on God's dispensation regarding food, he continues to add on further evidences as if he were not sure of his original statement.

Queen of Sheba · Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 397

I think you should seek therapy.

shadowfax · Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2007 8:52 pm Post subject:

Not in the same clinic where you are immured.

Queen of Sheba · Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 397

Well seeing as though we have amused eachother for the last 2 hours or so, that makes little to no sense.

shadowfax · Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2007 9:03 pm Post subject:

Said she, with her perfidious dagger directed behind my back. You are such a bitter cynic, madam.

Henry_Cowell · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 3352 Location: Berkeley

shadowfax · Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2007 9:28 pm Post subject:

I trust you jest, o demented piano player, else tell me what you have.
I don't yet have sufficient funds to start a PhD in Cambridge.

Henry_Cowell · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 3352 Location: Berkeley

Ph.D. from long ago -- 1980. I've likely progressed further than you can ever hope. And I'm not yet finished.

What's your excuse? Is there nobody willing to give you a scholarship or fellowship?

I note that you were the one who used your (meager) credentials to put somebody down here. And I fear that you'll do it again.

shadowfax · Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2007 9:40 pm Post subject:

Meagre, Mr Cowell. What were your grades then; and from where? Doctorates are ten a penny from some places.
And how do you know what I was doing in 1980?
I think I sense an ulterior motive in your feeble attempt at a "put down".

Henry_Cowell · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 3352 Location: Berkeley

See? There you go again. Why so insecure in your accomplishments that you desperately need to proclaim (and measure) your superiority? Has the desert sun finally gotten to you? That "MA" is now looking more and more meager.

Face it: Other people in this world -- and even on these forums -- do have higher credentials than you do. That's not a crime, is it?

shadowfax · Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2007 9:55 pm Post subject:

If yours were higher, why did you not answer my question???

As I said, a PhD is in itself no proof of what you imply, though it were dated from the time of Noah. John Milton, for example, had an MA but no doctorate. You are strangely reticent about your grades and the provenance of your qualification.

If I stated my academic credentials in a dispute, it was because some rash dunderhead like yourself had called me "dim".

Henry_Cowell · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 3352 Location: Berkeley

The linguistics department in question was, at the very time I was there, ranked #2 in the U.S. And I paid very, very little for my Ph.D. because, for some unfathomable reason, both the school and the government decided I was worthy of nearly full support. Each gave me funding -- as they did for my doctoral fieldwork for 2.5 years.

Does that satisfy the rather desperate need you seem to have for measurements and rankings? Rolling Eyes

shadowfax · Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2007 10:13 pm Post subject:

"For some unfathomable reason." Is one thereby invited to conclude that you are worthy of admiration for your intellect? And now you seek to do the very thing you accused me of.

Under the British system, one must give proof of funds before acceptance. If one enters a competition for a scholarship, one must await the results of that before committing oneself.

However, I was invited to study under an eminent scholar at Oxford.

Your "unfathomable reason" speaks more of pretentiousness and vanity than wit.

I suggest you look into things a little more deeply before you rush in like a knight on a halt nag coming to the rescue of some malapert scoundrel.

Henry_Cowell · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 3352 Location: Berkeley

Insecurity really does not suit you. But, with time and effort, I'm sure you'll ultimately be able to earn (or purchase) a higher degree.

I, too, was invited to enter my postgraduate program by a distinguished professor. So what?

shadowfax · Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2007 10:26 pm Post subject:

And now I retire to bed, as my malignant detractors are too slow and lumpish for further attention.