Quote from: mindrust on March 19, 2020, 06:58:46 PM

Of course there is no proof... It is just I find it suspicious that a billionaire like Bill Gates have been talking about reducing the world population, creating effective vaccines, warning people against epidemics etc etc.

What was Bill's profession again?

Was he a doctor?

No.

He is a god damn computer geek.

I also have strong opinions on the respective topics of overpopulation, vaccines, and epidemics. (In my case, that last is my opinion of the risk that modern transportation technology can easily turn a local problem into a global pandemic, almost overnight. What would happen if another Black Death were to occur in the era of aeroplanes and automobiles? That would be a nuclear weapon, compared in relative terms to a .22 calibre coronavirus pistol. No, I do not want to get shot with a .22 pistol, either!) Also, many opinions on etc., etc.

I am not a doctor. I suppose that you could call me a god damn computer geek (though I would object, on grounds that I am anti-technocratic).

If I were also a billionaire, would you be suspicious that I had created SARS-CoV-2? Roll Eyes

Quote from: nullius on March 18, 2020, 01:32:15 AM

People are going to die. Yes. Thats life.

I find myself arguing against each and all of:

Panic.
Fantastic dolts who suppose that SARS-CoV-2 must be somehow of different origins from the 200203 SARS-CoV. Wow, a zoonotic jumped speciesas has doubtless been the origin of countless diseases throughout the whole history of all living creatures on Earth. It is closely related to another zoonotic that also jumped species. Clearly, the most likely explanation is that this is a genetically engineered bioweapon!
Panic.
Destroying all that remains of civilization, for the purpose of failing to save it.
Panic.
Tyranny. The naïve, fallible mortal human in me is shocked that nobody notices we have instantaneously entered an era of global dictatorship, without any significant resistance or even protest. The dispassionate scholar knows human nature, and is therefore not surprised. The new normality is that every government everywhere can issue any emergency order they want, and nobody will even complain! WTF. Are you awake? (Nice question.)
Panic.