Bruin Alliance of Skeptics and Secularists

Reminder: meetings are Fridays, 5-7 PM. See the room schedule.

From the meeting on May 15th:

Meeting discussion

We talked about genetically modified organisms. In one sense, it’s not really much different from what we’ve done with plants before, only now it’s done in a lab. Genetically modified crops often require less pesticide, meaning that they can be better for the environment. However, Ben brought to our attention a problem involving the Monsanto Company. Monsanto inserts a gene into its genetically modified seed products so that they become sterile after a few generations. This is in order to prevent people from replanting seeds rather than buying more from Monsanto. All their clients agree to this deal; however, what happens when Monsanto crops cross pollinate with your neighbor’s crops? It’s like your neighbor has been forced to accept the deal too. Courts have decided that this is legal.

A tangent: What’s up with corn subsidies? Are they making people fat just so they can fight some trade war?

Our next topic was indigo children. The basic idea is that your kid isn’t autistic, doesn’t have ADHD, he’s just special. As in, he is psychic, telekinetic, or just has some special empathetic connections, and is the next stage in evolution. We believe that the idea of indigo children is a response to Ritalin. I think that if they don’t want Ritalin, they should just not take Ritalin—they shouldn’t have to believe all this weird stuff to justify themselves.

Someone asked, is there really any evidence for ADHD? Spencer answered with a definitive yes. There is plenty scientific evidence for the existence of ADHD, though they may misdiagnose in individual cases. We noted that diagnosis rates tend to differ from culture to culture. Is it because in some cultures, people are over-stimulated from a young age? Or is it because more people are aware of the condition? Or perhaps different cultures have different thresholds for what is abnormal?

Matt asked, if Ritalin helps everyone focus, ADHD or not, why shouldn’t everyone be taking it? The first answers to this question involved addiction and heart problems. The discussion meandered, and we somehow started talking about Christopher Langan.

We also discussed the upcoming (but now passed) Faith Meets Doubt student discussion panel on May 18^th. Two atheists, two Christians, two Muslims. I will eventually write up a report on the event.