Ummm, does anyone get the feeling that this is turning into a pissing match of some sort?

Cahlen, basically the statement you are making about the rock is this: (as I understand it)

"I accept no scale as valid in comparing a human to a rock, thus there is no comparison of a human to a rock, and thus, they must be equal in worth and value."

Since you seem to not accept the scale of feeling, action, energy and so forth, exactly what scale would you like Tim to use to compare homosapiens to rocks? If you cannot present a scale of comparison, then what is the point in making the comparison in the first place?

Also, what is the "universal scheme of things"? You seem to talk like you have a vantage point above all that is, was and will be... You are making an awful lot of assumptions about life, the universe, and umm... rocks. It seems to me that there are certain things for which you CANNOT devine an answer. Certainly our value in the universe is one of these. But please, do not criticize Tim for "not questioning" his worth, when you find yourself in the opposite extreme.

Instead of arguing in opposition to what Tim posts (devil's advocate) why don't you simply state how you feel about these things? What do you think your value is? Do you equate yourself to a rock? Or do you just like to argue its possibility? (If you think yourself a rock, then I might have a clue as to the origins of your self-proclaimed self-confidence problem. :) )

And finally, (I know, I know, long fucking post.) I understand where you were going in the first place with this argument and its a good one. A little humility never hurt anybody, and it is always good to question the things you take for granted. I don't want you to think I totally disagree with the spirit of this, its just the specifics that are bothering me.

BTW, I'm getting a little pissed at all this negativism. Can't we all just be friends and enjoy a good conversational debate? (This goes for Tim as well. Just cause Cahlen has interesting viewpoints does not make him a target for slander.)

PLAY NICE!