I got into an argument the other day about werewolves and mermaids. In your educated opinion, which one is more likely to exist and why?

 

Personally, I have to go with mermaids.

 

(if you question what I mean by "more likely to exist", you are not eligible to answer)

werewolves.

 

lycanthropes have a genetic trait that causes them to have hair all over thier bodies. People were scared of them and made stories.

mermaids

(I am just saying more likely coz likelihood of either is xtremely low)

more likely b'coz the oceans are so huge, there are surely sections we haven't explored yet.

Mermaids.

 

Why? Genetic engineering.

genetic deformations/malfunctions have been around since the beginning of history itself, with the "old" way perspective(s) of such deformations, certain "explainations" were provided. since the advent of Science as we know it no, a "Mermaid" is less likely to exist, although the occurance of such a deformity maybe equal to that of yesteryear, it would now take a different name.

 

Lycanthropy on the other hand hasn`t changed name, and is still prevalent as it was back then, so I say werewolves. but ONLY by a technicality of deffinition!

well, mermaids would be really sweet, but i have to go with Werewolves. It would take much to long for humans to evolve fish tails. Besides, i like legs.

I said genetic engineering, as in cross-breed humans.

 

I was joking.

I'm going with werewolves, but I'm interested blike: What kind of arguements did each side come up with?

here's my argument:

1.) there are "werewolves" in a manner of speaking.

2.) mermaids are an invention of the imagination

Like vampires?

there was a basis for vampires and people drink blood. some cults even go with the pointy teeth and coffins, but that is another thread.

 

google Lycanthropy. that should give you information on "werewolves".

In your educated opinion

I'm pretty sure no one here is educated in Werewolf Studies or Mermaidology. I hope not anyway.

 

The transforming-at-the-site-of-the-moon bit with werewolves makes them a little difficult though.

btw, lycanthropes don't change, they are always "werewolves"

Mermaids. But I have my own filthy reasons to justify that

Werewolves. I seem to remember a French fellow being convicted and sentanced for murder. He was classed as a lycanthrope by the judge. I saw it on TV, so it must be true.

I would also say mermaids, since mermaids have a permanent tail and all that stuff. It is more unlikely for a human to change every month with a full moon. Scientifically, I haven't heard of something that can get REALLY affected my the moon!

Well, apart from the tides. And some flowers. Plus, those animals that use the cycles of the moon. Maybe krill, and other large aquatic bodys.

 

 

And Men bitten by a wolf on the rise of a new moon, doomed to stalk the earth each full moon as a man beast.

Strangeness:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/820241.stm

 

I'm going to have to go with mermaids not existing, unless you count manatees.

 

I only believe in werewolves in the sense that lycanthropy is an actual condition.

Yeah, the official Samaritans line on that is 'Bollocks'. The call levels don't increase or decrease much, it seems to be a hideous misquote from the 80's where there was a Samaritans campaign based around being lonely at Christmas. In reality, people don't plan depression around holiday events, it just builds up to a head over time.

I assume you mean the "Samaritans spokeswoman said..." part is bollocks?

 

I don't see why there would be a noticeable difference in the number of calls to the Samaritans due to the link that was researched.

I assume you mean the "Samaritans spokeswoman said..." part is bollocks?

 

Yes, indeed. The media contact number is the same as the suicide line, there are only a few permanent employees, 99% are volunteers. The media rings the hotline, which passes them to the team leader or whoever is around and that person is supposed to read from a script. What seems to happen is the media person asks 'Do people get depression around Christmas?' to get the answer they want, or the person (the volunteer) just voices an opinion. The figures don't tend to peak in the same month year on year, it changes each year and the figures are almost level anyway.

 

I don't see why there would be a noticeable difference in the number of calls to the Samaritans due to the link that was researched.

 

Well, suicidal people do tend to ring the Samaritans. But your right, they have no firm idea about the suicide rate after the call ends. The media just likes to quote the Samaritans when they have a story involving suicide. It's not actually a just suicide line anymore, it is open to all people in distress.

 

*edit*

 

The Samaritan actually rely on external groups for suicide trends. Quite sensible really. Here is the resource base:-

 

academic research into self-harm and suicide:

 

the Office for National Statistics in the UK http://www.statistics.gov.uk/'>http://www.statistics.gov.uk/

the Central Statistics Office in Ireland http://www.cso.ie/>'>http://www.cso.ie/>

the Oxford Centre for Suicide Research http://cebmh.warne.ox.ac.uk/csr/

 

The Sources for national suicide statistics only:

 

England and Wales - the Office for National Statistics http://www.statistics.gov.uk

Scotland - General Register Office for Scotland http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk

Northern Ireland - The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency http://www.nisra.gov.uk

Republic of Ireland - Central Statistics Office http://www.cso.ie