Search found 1731 matches

by David O'Donnell
Mon Jun 14, 2010 2:10 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Vuvuzela
Replies: 69
Views: 7994

Re: Vuvuzela

I think they sound like some beautiful demented honey bee.
by David O'Donnell
Sun Jun 13, 2010 11:28 am
Forum: apterous.org
Topic: Apterous World Cup - Group Stages - Fixtures & Results
Replies: 120
Views: 10433

Re: Apterous World Cup - Group Stages - Fixtures & Results

Quite a lot of people have been saying Ryan is gay recently, I am convinced.
by David O'Donnell
Fri Jun 11, 2010 2:14 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: FIFA World Cup 2010
Replies: 328
Views: 28966

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010

James Robinson wrote: Week 1.


England 3 USA 0
Never going to happen, England will be lucky to scrape some kind of ultra boring 1-0 victory.
by David O'Donnell
Thu Jun 10, 2010 4:10 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers For Thursday June 10th 2010
Replies: 16
Views: 2684

Re: Spoilers For Thursday June 10th 2010

Well done, Ollie. Excellent game and top conundrum spot.
by David O'Donnell
Thu Jun 10, 2010 10:52 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: 4 large
Replies: 4
Views: 2220

Re: 4 large

Jerry Humphries web page has all the basic tricks http://jerryh.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/countdown/fourlargenumbers.htm. Here is a slight variation on the method Craig was discussing. 25 goes into 937.5 37.5 times so if you have a 1, say, you can make 900 easily. ((25-1)*50*75)/100 - now with your other...
by David O'Donnell
Wed Jun 09, 2010 4:23 pm
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: Karen on The Chase
Replies: 128
Views: 17294

Re: Karen on The Chase

Well done, Karen! Only just watched it and thought you were excellent. Cameron (?!) was fairly good too whereas that Bill fella seemed to almost freeroll his way in for a cut.
by David O'Donnell
Tue Jun 08, 2010 8:03 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Musings on Social Darwinism contra altruism.
Replies: 26
Views: 4622

Re: Musings on Social Darwinism contra altruism.

On a related note, anyone else find that sleep deprivation can induce the symptoms of schizophrenia? I don't know about schizophrenia, but it's well-documented that sleep deprivation can induce hallucinations. Some time last year I was awake for about 40 hours and, cycling home from work near the e...
by David O'Donnell
Tue Jun 08, 2010 7:54 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Musings on Social Darwinism contra altruism.
Replies: 26
Views: 4622

Re: Musings on Social Darwinism contra altruism.

Yeah, it makes sense to explicitly distinguish between you as an individual and your genes. Obviously you're right about genes having no interests or purpose themselves, but genes that code for behaviour that enables them to be reproduced are the ones that reproduce. Behaviour such as looking after...
by David O'Donnell
Tue Jun 08, 2010 2:14 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Musings on Social Darwinism contra altruism.
Replies: 26
Views: 4622

Re: Musings on Social Darwinism contra altruism.

Why would an elephant rescue a rhino? I ask because a case was reported of this happening when the rhino got stuck in deep mud - in the wild I should add. :lol: Glad you added the secondary bit, I thought you'd gone totally random there! I got the damn essay finished, thought it was going to be som...
by David O'Donnell
Tue Jun 08, 2010 1:25 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Musings on Social Darwinism contra altruism.
Replies: 26
Views: 4622

Re: Musings on Social Darwinism contra altruism.

To add to the above, since people aren't always consciously calculating the pros and cons for themselves when helping someone else, how is genuine altruism measured? You can't always look at intent, because people would presumably consciously intend to be altruistic even there are other causes of t...
by David O'Donnell
Mon Jun 07, 2010 12:59 am
Forum: apterous.org
Topic: Bash Week
Replies: 65
Views: 6542

Re: Bash Week

I appreciate the effort too Ben even though I hate conundrums.
by David O'Donnell
Sun Jun 06, 2010 9:15 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Musings on Social Darwinism contra altruism.
Replies: 26
Views: 4622

Re: Musings on Social Darwinism contra altruism.

I think 'game theory' is relevant to this discussion. Best to google it and only read what interests you. Richard Dawkins and Steven Rose write about this sort of thing in various places and Maynard Smith (among others) refers to 'hawks' and 'doves' (as a way of behaving among all sorts of species)...
by David O'Donnell
Sat Jun 05, 2010 11:36 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Musings on Social Darwinism contra altruism.
Replies: 26
Views: 4622

Re: Musings on Social Darwinism contra altruism.

1. Has any genuinely altruistic act ever taken place? I would say yes. For example, a man dies on the tube when hit by a train while trying (successfully) to save the life of a stranger who was crossing the line. I think the problem here is the preoccupation with "genuine" altruism. It's ...
by David O'Donnell
Sat Jun 05, 2010 8:06 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Alex Rivers
Replies: 21
Views: 8364

Re: Alex Rivers

Alec Rivers: "Re your theory: There is normal feeling-shit-about-a-few-things depression and then there is clinical depression which is a biological condition." Yeah, not really. "Not really" to what? I can't imagine you are suggesting everyone with depression just cheers up a b...
by David O'Donnell
Sat Jun 05, 2010 1:43 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Musings on Social Darwinism contra altruism.
Replies: 26
Views: 4622

Re: Musings on Social Darwinism contra altruism.

Marxism is a good example: it's incapable of being falsified. Interesting you should say this. Have you read Born To Rebel ? It shows statistically that Marx was essentially wrong that there were significant class differences on either side of major revolutions. This doesn't undo his whole theory o...
by David O'Donnell
Sat Jun 05, 2010 1:24 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Musings on Social Darwinism contra altruism.
Replies: 26
Views: 4622

Re: Musings on Social Darwinism contra altruism.

DoD, I have a question for you that I have been discussing with various people. Interested to see what you think: There is an argument that the progress of medical science over the last few centuries and especially the last couple of generations has led to people being kept alive when maybe they sh...
by David O'Donnell
Sat Jun 05, 2010 1:11 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Musings on Social Darwinism contra altruism.
Replies: 26
Views: 4622

Re: Musings on Social Darwinism contra altruism.

I'm not sure what genuine altruism would be. Ungenuine altruism would presumably be the standard Darwinian type where it still serves our genes. But we can easily imagine the system going "wrong" and someone helping out others where there is likely to be only detrimental effect to their g...
by David O'Donnell
Sat Jun 05, 2010 8:08 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Musings on Social Darwinism contra altruism.
Replies: 26
Views: 4622

Musings on Social Darwinism contra altruism.

Given the heated (though remarkably restrained given the subject matter) debate surrounding Matthew Green's post I thought I would share, with you, an essay I am writing for some undergraduates. No, don't worry, I am not going to share the whole essay just some of the key ideas contained therein. Th...
by David O'Donnell
Sat Jun 05, 2010 7:50 am
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: Karen on The Chase
Replies: 128
Views: 17294

Re: Karen on The Chase

Will watch once my flatmates are up: had someone complain because I was watching something at the ungodly hour of noon while they were trying to sleep.
by David O'Donnell
Sat Jun 05, 2010 7:21 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Countdown Lookalikes?
Replies: 390
Views: 222070

Re: Countdown Lookalikes?

You're on the list now too, Ms Hines! :evil:
by David O'Donnell
Fri Jun 04, 2010 11:45 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Countdown Lookalikes?
Replies: 390
Views: 222070

Re: Countdown Lookalikes?

James Chapman wrote:

David O'Donnell = DCI Matt Burke of Taggart (Alex Norton) [esp the neatly coiffed locks]

Oh dear, this doesn't end well for you.
by David O'Donnell
Fri Jun 04, 2010 11:44 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Who Will Win 62?
Replies: 29
Views: 4720

Re: Who Will Win 62?

I have been boring and gone with Ollie too. Some of his recent games have been excellent, up there with Bevins-Carson-Davies-Levell.
by David O'Donnell
Mon May 31, 2010 1:43 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Countdown Lookalikes?
Replies: 390
Views: 222070

Re: Countdown Lookalikes?

Brilliant! One of the first that where I knew who it was going to be when I saw the first photo.
by David O'Donnell
Sun May 30, 2010 12:22 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Musings on Homosexuality
Replies: 66
Views: 7551

Re: Musings on Homosexuality

Lesley Hines wrote:
David O'Donnell wrote:...and I obviously need to move closer to you.
Straight up the A40, baby ;)
Well if that's what you kids are calling it, nice to be apprised of the lingo.
by David O'Donnell
Sun May 30, 2010 12:13 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Musings on Homosexuality
Replies: 66
Views: 7551

Re: Musings on Homosexuality

Lesley Hines wrote:
Andy Wilson wrote:
Gavin Chipper wrote: On a separate note - I've often wondered how much the "taker" in anal sex gets out of it.
I find it varies from 50-100 quid depending on who's working.
TMI :lol: You obviously live in a posh area...
...and I obviously need to move closer to you.
by David O'Donnell
Sun May 30, 2010 12:07 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Musings on Homosexuality
Replies: 66
Views: 7551

Re: Musings on Homosexuality

I made it up, thought that was obvious. I don't think the comparison with ants works since I am not sure but I think the receptors that determine whether they find another ant attractive are perhaps not as nuanced as our own. Yes. Everyone knows Dec's the fit (and available) one. Yuk yuk, that's me...
by David O'Donnell
Sat May 29, 2010 11:58 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Musings on Homosexuality
Replies: 66
Views: 7551

Re: Musings on Homosexuality

I don't think David is suggesting that some are choice some are socially learned, in fact he's suggesting that given the variety of sexual outlets the answer is not clear cut: it could be either, it could be both: to forego this circumscription would be not to understand sexuality at all. Maybe I am...
by David O'Donnell
Sat May 29, 2010 10:52 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Musings on Homosexuality
Replies: 66
Views: 7551

Re: Musings on Homosexuality

Just on the evolutionary/genetic argument I think I have heard a [pseudo-] scientific argument that would sense to me at the time but one which I will fail to recount adequately here: 1. For a species to survive it must reproduce hence there exists on a genetic level a desire to reproduce; 1.1 Henc...
by David O'Donnell
Sat May 29, 2010 10:43 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Musings on Homosexuality
Replies: 66
Views: 7551

Re: Musings on Homosexuality

Just on the evolutionary/genetic argument I think I have heard a [pseudo-] scientific argument that would sense to me at the time but one which I will fail to recount adequately here: 1. For a species to survive it must reproduce hence there exists on a genetic level a desire to reproduce; 1.1 Hence...
by David O'Donnell
Sat May 29, 2010 8:41 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Charlie Reams
Replies: 10
Views: 1160

Re: Charlie Reams

..but that guy Ben Hunter ... what a sycophantic cunt!
by David O'Donnell
Thu May 27, 2010 11:25 am
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Work poo study
Replies: 86
Views: 8203

Re: Work poo study

Jon O'Neill wrote:
David O'Donnell wrote:Go to the smelliest (and therefore best one) and masturbate while you shit: easy.
How do you tell which is the smelliest without seeming like the weirdo that you are?
Given the nature of my reply I think we can assume that I am willing to forego that particular dilemma.
by David O'Donnell
Thu May 27, 2010 11:11 am
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Work poo study
Replies: 86
Views: 8203

Re: Work poo study

Go to the smelliest (and therefore best one) and masturbate while you shit: easy.
by David O'Donnell
Mon May 24, 2010 3:06 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Countdown in London | 22nd May | Registration full!
Replies: 245
Views: 31014

Re: Countdown in London | 22nd May | Registration full!

Lucinda Corby wrote:... what CF knows about vaginal health. ;)
Wouldn't have thought it was one of his fortes but guess he had to cover all bases before he went on Pointless.
by David O'Donnell
Fri May 21, 2010 12:00 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: A Return to the Cryptic Crossword Thread ...
Replies: 4
Views: 461

Re: A Return to the Cryptic Crossword Thread ...

I can't be bothered finding the old one ... Brilliant clue in today's Guardian: Philander separated? This unified them! (5,7) Royal Wedding? You cunt, I mean very well done!! You are bloody good at these, Jon, that's not first or even second time you've been able to come up with the answer right aw...
by David O'Donnell
Fri May 21, 2010 6:54 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: A Return to the Cryptic Crossword Thread ...
Replies: 4
Views: 461

A Return to the Cryptic Crossword Thread ...

I can't be bothered finding the old one ...

Brilliant clue in today's Guardian: Philander separated? This unified them! (5,7)
by David O'Donnell
Mon May 17, 2010 8:20 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Birthdays
Replies: 1252
Views: 129683

Re: Birthdays

Thanks Eoin and Jason.
by David O'Donnell
Mon May 17, 2010 11:35 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Birthdays
Replies: 1252
Views: 129683

Re: Birthdays

Thanks very much all!
by David O'Donnell
Sat May 15, 2010 1:16 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Those of you who are interested in poker...
Replies: 7
Views: 2153

Re: Those of you who are interested in poker...

Likewise!

Edit: I was a bit late, well done though on finishing in the money.
by David O'Donnell
Fri May 14, 2010 10:20 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Jeff Stelling accolade
Replies: 13
Views: 2888

Re: Jeff Stelling accolade

He's the best by so far it's not even funny. Although... I'm paid to ... have a bit of crack with my friends Probably not quite the spelling he intended. Crack is the correct spelling; "craic" is a Celtic bastardization. Edit: Made this point ages ago supporting some other poster - wish p...
by David O'Donnell
Fri May 14, 2010 6:30 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: TMWRNJ
Replies: 3
Views: 685

Re: TMWRNJ

Me, for one. I used to love that it was on at about midday on Sunday but could often be quite near the knuckle humour-wise (really, it wasn't a million miles away from the earlier Fist of Fun, which was never shown before 9pm). I was right pissed off when it got cancelled by that evil woman whose n...
by David O'Donnell
Fri May 14, 2010 8:51 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: TMWRNJ
Replies: 3
Views: 685

TMWRNJ

by David O'Donnell
Fri May 14, 2010 8:26 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Auditions
Replies: 42
Views: 6211

Re: Auditions

I had a phone audition: it was fine. Shame about my recording... :lol: What happened? It was fine really until I found out I'd be playing some utter stud (young fit lad...) and then I just went to jelly. Weak at the knees. (It couldn't possibly be that he was a better player than me.) If only I cou...
by David O'Donnell
Fri May 14, 2010 8:25 am
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: REALLY HARD CONUNDRUM
Replies: 14
Views: 2276

Re: REALLY HARD CONUNDRUM

Chris Davies wrote:This conundrum is possibly even harder:

OVENOWNER
Just cheated on this one, wouldn't have got it in this or any other lifetime.
by David O'Donnell
Wed May 12, 2010 12:05 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Tea-time Teaser Suggestions
Replies: 57
Views: 6996

Re: Tea-time Teaser Suggestions

CRIESOFF

They are not on the rink, they have rank
by David O'Donnell
Tue May 11, 2010 12:36 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Auditions
Replies: 42
Views: 6211

Re: Auditions

Matt Coates wrote:.... people could cheat the new system.
Pretty pointless cheating on the audition when you'll end up looking like a spanner on the show. It's like cheating on apterous, who, in their right mind, could be remotely arsed?
by David O'Donnell
Mon May 10, 2010 4:34 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Electoral Reform
Replies: 58
Views: 6217

Re: Electoral Reform

I am not sure if your example of France is fair as there are fundamental differences which you seem to be glossing over: Firstly, it's a dual system with separate elections for the President and the Prime Minister (French Parliament). Secondly, it's a multi-party system with around 40 parties regul...
by David O'Donnell
Mon May 10, 2010 12:18 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Electoral Reform
Replies: 58
Views: 6217

Re: Electoral Reform

If a strong government means one that can force through what it wants, and such a thing is considered good, then why bother with the pretence of seats and individual MPs at all? Everyone just votes for a party, the party with the most votes wins. No seats, just a government that we've "fairly&...
by David O'Donnell
Mon May 10, 2010 11:45 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Electoral Reform
Replies: 58
Views: 6217

Re: Electoral Reform

First past the post has produced strong government in this country for nearly a hundred years Sure. That doesn't imply that PR or any other system wouldn't have had a similar consequence. Almost every country in Western Europe now uses PR and they don't seem to be flounderingly ineffectual. If it w...
by David O'Donnell
Sun May 09, 2010 1:45 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football Thread
Replies: 1265
Views: 195286

Re: The C4C Football Thread

Matt Morrison wrote:
Marc Meakin wrote:Who should be Liverpool's new manager.
I like the O'Neill chatter.
I hope not otherwise I'd feel terribly conflicted.
by David O'Donnell
Sun May 09, 2010 3:57 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Countdown Out-takes....
Replies: 11
Views: 3119

Re: Countdown Out-takes....

After winning the final of series 61, when I lifted the trophy, I was unaware that the lid was loose on top of it, and it flew off. The audience and the whole crew dissolved into hysterics. I was mortified, but it was really funny - definitely funny enough for an out-takes show. I did the same thin...
by David O'Donnell
Sat May 08, 2010 1:25 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Electoral Reform
Replies: 58
Views: 6217

Re: Electoral Reform

For an electoral system to promote democracy in a country it needs to take note of the cleavages that exist within the country. This doesn't seem right. The point of voting is to work out the "cleavage". If you need to know the cleavage to choose the voting system, it gets a bit circular ...
by David O'Donnell
Sat May 08, 2010 1:01 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Electoral Reform
Replies: 58
Views: 6217

Re: Electoral Reform

For an electoral system to promote democracy in a country it needs to take note of the cleavages that exist within the country. Of course this argument needs to be tempered by the possibility that it may be the parties that produce the cleavages rather than the electorate. 'First Past The Post' may ...
by David O'Donnell
Fri May 07, 2010 11:46 am
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Lyrics game
Replies: 84
Views: 19919

Re: Lyrics game

Marc Meakin wrote:Here is my effort. (3 seperate lyrics)

'Sronger and harder than a bad girl's dream'

'The feeling that I can't go on is light-years away.'

'When the chips are down I'll be around'

Whats the connection?
We haven't actually got Ryan's yet, need the fourth lyric.
by David O'Donnell
Thu May 06, 2010 6:14 pm
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Lyrics game
Replies: 84
Views: 19919

Re: Lyrics game

I think the first one is "Happy Together" - it's an animal connection so I was thinking it was by The Animals - I have now googled and it aint.
by David O'Donnell
Thu May 06, 2010 5:11 pm
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Lyrics game
Replies: 84
Views: 19919

Re: Lyrics game

Presidents of the United States is the connection surely, well their surnames anyway (or the Carter part of Carter USM [I agree with Leslie, btw, love this band]).
by David O'Donnell
Wed May 05, 2010 5:31 pm
Forum: Games and Puzzles
Topic: Lyrics game
Replies: 84
Views: 19919

Re: Lyrics game

Phil Makepeace wrote:It's from a pretty old BT advert featuring ET. Some bloke's kid finds an old vinyl which inspires him to get in touch with his old bandmates. Can't remember the band name though.
Ha ha, you cheating googling fuck!

That answer was obtained from an answerbag question posted by Corby himself.
by David O'Donnell
Wed May 05, 2010 12:06 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: C4Cers in Other Media
Replies: 166
Views: 29750

Re: C4Cers in Other Media

As requested http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAP8I75rgtU I had no idea Charlie did stand-up. I'm sure it's very funny, but I can't hear a fucking word. I could hear it once I put the headphones on. I thought it was actually quite good. It's not often you get a guy appear on stage dressed in a suit, ...
by David O'Donnell
Sat May 01, 2010 12:00 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Countdown in London | 22nd May | Registration full!
Replies: 245
Views: 31014

Re: Countdown in London | 22nd May | Registration full!

so all you have to do is bump off one of the current attendees... *reads PM with increasing horror...* No Corby! I won't do that! Not Kirk - it's only a trophy... :lol: (And Kirky, your birthday's not 'til June ;) ) Can't you just go anyway? I only attend these things for the booze up afterwards (d...