Or put yet another way - while you make a good and compelling point, javachik, if we are defined by and made up of our ideas and beliefs, to the point of taking offense when those things are disagreed with or disparaged, how then are any of us ever supposed to say anything to anyone? Every word uttered or written becomes offensive to someone else somewhere, for surely there is at least one other person on the planet who holds some diametrically opposed belief or idea.

I gotta say, Sean, I disagree completely with this, and I'm pretty offended you could even say such a thing.

Oh no, Sean, I'm totes with you on most of what you say. I am stuck typing on iPhone so can't write an essay. But I do not correlate the notion of beliefs defining who we are with the idea that we must take offense at everything. In fact, it's pretty hard to offend me, especially on teh internets. Also, getting feelings hurt is not the same thing as being offended. I've gotten my feelings hurt a couple of times on this board, but I can't remember ever being offended.

Oh no, Sean, I'm totes with you on most of what you say.

Still, your point is good and compelling.

I am stuck typing on iPhone so can't write an essay.

I know your pain.

The only thing better would be a kitchen tool that chops things, lights them afire, then shoots them across the room. I would so pay for that.

SOMEONE MAKE THIS AND GIVE IT TO ME. NOW.

I gotta say, Sean, I disagree completely with this, and I'm pretty offended you could even say such a thing.

Move back to Hippiestan, hippie.

The only thing better would be a kitchen tool that chops things, lights them afire, then shoots them across the room. I would so pay for that.

SOMEONE MAKE THIS AND GIVE IT TO ME. NOW.

Started drawing up plans the second I read erin's post. Prototype forthcoming. And yes, it will have a steampunk motif.

SOMEONE MAKE THIS AND GIVE IT TO ME. NOW.

You already have a me, silly.

I can even light water on fire. That's my superpower.

I can even light water on fire.

Don't we call that "steam"? Or "The Cuyahoga"?

When there are actual flames on two occasions? We call it a superpower. Steam is what happens when you put the flames out.

You already have a me, silly.

Yes, but I haven't seen you shoot food across the room. You've been holding out on me. So the next time I'm over, we're chopping things up, setting them on fire, and shooting them across the room. Don't tell Pete, it'll be a surprise!

Started drawing up plans the second I read erin's post. Prototype forthcoming. And yes, it will have a steampunk motif.

One of the many reasons I love Sean.

When there are actual flames on two occasions? We call it a superpower. Steam is what happens when you put the flames out.

Sounds like the Susquehanna, to this former Clevelander.