People around here don't even know what Black Metal is. :laughing: I actually do have a Das Racist t-shirt with Baphomet on it, and I can't bring myself to wear it anymore. Shaved head + a t-shirt that says "racist" = condemned before I say a word. Then with Baphomet, I look like a satanist racist. I can easily handle being seen as a satanist, but not a racist. That's where I draw the line.

Thanks! :D They were for a Photography course on "light". At that time I only had my DSLR for a few weeks, so I was on a bit of a learning curve.

:clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap:

I agree with Laterus about preserving the original intention of the author. To dumb things down so that they´re more palatable is patronising to the target audience and has the long-term effect of making people dumber.

The philosopher´s stone is a well known concept that´s been around for hundreds of years. The term carries with it lots of connotations, including:-
(i) the search for an ultimate truth
(ii) the confusion that once existed between science and magic
(iii) the pursuit of wealth
(iv) the futility of searching for something that doesn´t exist (or more precisely, how looking for one thing leads you to discover something else instead)

I imagine that JKR expected readers to pick up on some of those connotations, just as Colin Wilson did when he chose the title for this under-rated novel (which is, btw, a page-turning classic about the power of the human mind, highly recommended):-

http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1304341970l/715738.jpg

If JK´s original title had been left unchanged, it might´ve prompted some American children to learn more about the history of science and the history of Western culture. As it is, they have been denied that particular route of enquiry and JKR´s title has been robbed of a certain resonance. And for what ? Some venial marketing decision.

Um I'm actually highly offended that you are misquoting me in your signature. I'd like you to remove it because I don't think Americans are stupid and I am not a racist... this was the original quote:

You have completely misquoted me out of context. Not funny.

I apologize, I removed it. It is perfectly obvious and apparent that you don't believe that, the misquoting was done openly (which is why I bolded that part of the quote in context) and was itself the joke. But, as you wish, I removed it. Again my apologies.

Thanks Paul Smeenus. I understand it was a joke but unless people have seen the original post in context, which is unlikely, they would probably just view the quote in your sig and think I was a stupid, ignorant racist.

Anyway, I appreciate you changing it :)

American isn't a race tho :)

Yes, I didn't think that part through. We all fuck up sometimes, that was mine for today (hopefully)

Americans on average are stupid though...We had GW Bush as our PRESIDENT.

Slow Groove that's your cue