whizkid's New Writeups

Bupropion (thing)

2013-04-25T16:03:30Z

The reason for marketing the same drug under two different names may actually have nothing to do with psychology.

Many insurance companies do not cover prescription drugs to aid one in quitting smoking (which is silly considering that quitting improves your health and reduces their costs) but they do cover prescription drugs used against depression.

Using two different names for the same drug allows the insurance company to determine whether to pay for the prescription or not.

For that reason some smokers ask their doctor to prescribe Wellbutrin instead of Zyban. Of course, technically, they are committing insurance fraud.

private currency (thing)

2002-04-14T20:05:18Z

Before the twentieth century, currency often was only loosely connected to the government of a country. In centuries past, money was often minted from gold and it contained the image of the king or other ruler. The coin contained a specific amount of gold (or another precious metal, such as silver). The main purpose of the king's image was authentication and verification. Essentially, it was saying: Someone trusted by the King has weighed this coin and has testified that it contains exactly one ounce of gold (or one half, one quarter, one tenth, etc). Such coins were commonly accepted not just within the king's jurisdiction but anywhere in the world. And they continued to be accepted long after the king's death.

Even today, governments issue golden coins verifying the exact gold contents of the coin. Since few kings are left, other national symbols appear on these coins: The American Eagle, the Australian Kangaroo, the Canadian…

Everyone is an atheist (idea)

2002-01-27T09:41:04Z

I have to disagree with the conclusion that "It's the natural state of the human being to not believe in any religion." Of course we are born without any religion.

We are also born without a language. Does that mean it's the natural state of the human being to not speak in any language?

We are born without the ability to read and write. Indeed, for millennia it was "natural" for most humans to remain analphabet. Does that mean we should not "indoctrinate" our children with our own writing and reading system? Perhaps we should leave it up to them to decide whether to use the Roman alphabet, the Cyrillic alphabet, Devanagari, Sinhalese, Arabic, or Kanji.

The truth is that we teach our children what we believe is best for them. Parents who believe a specific religion is good for their children teach them that religion. Others teach their children a different religion (and, by the way, not all religions are theistic--Buddhism…

toll free number (thing)

2002-01-22T05:34:54Z

What is a Toll Free Number

A toll free number is a phone number with reverse charges. That is, it is the callee that pays for the call, not the caller. In other words, it allows one to make a collect call without having to ask permission first.

In the US and Canada, traditionally toll free numbers used the 800 area code, i.e., the numbers were in the 1-800-555-1212 format. Thus, people commonly referred to toll free numbers as 800 numbers. The terms toll free number and 800 number were synonyms.

Due to the popularity of toll free numbers, eventually all 800 numbers were taken. To allow for more toll free numbers, the area codes 888, 877, and 866 are now also in use, with 855 coming up soon.

However, 800 numbers are still available, as they are "recycled" when an 800 customer no longer wants or needs the number. The 800 numbers are to toll free numbers what the .com TLD is to the web. Everyone (in the US and Canada)…

Ultima in Mortis Hora (thing)

2002-01-21T05:11:06Z

A Latin Catholic hymn. The hymn is very brief, only four verses, but it is set to beautiful music.

I learned the hymn when I lived with the Capuchins of the Pittsburgh Province. This was (and probably still is) the official hymn of the Province which they sang during all formal gatherings of the entire Province. They sang it in three languages, Latin, German, and English. I only remember the Latin original but will present my own, non-poetic (literal), English translation below.

Ultima in mortis hora
Filium pro nobis ora.
Bonam mortem impetra,
Virgo, Mater, Domina.

In the final hour of death
pray to (your) Son for us.
Obtain/get (for us a) good death,
Virgin, Mother, Lady.

Note that I translated Domina as Lady for the lack of a better English word. The word is used as the female counterpart of the word Dominus, meaning The Lord. The word Domina in this context has a very strong meaning as in The Lady, even the Queen.

The Penal Process (thing)

2002-01-20T09:57:43Z

CODEX IURIS CANONICI

BOOK VII: PROCESSES

PART IV: THE PENAL PROCESS

CHAPTER I: THE PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION

Can. 1717 Â§1 Whenever the Ordinary receives information, which has at least the semblance of truth, about an offence, he is to enquire carefully, either personally or through some suitable person, about the facts and circumstances, and about the imputability of the offence, unless this enquiry would appear to be entirely superfluous.

Â§2 Care is to be taken that this investigation does not call into question anyone's good name.

Â§3 The one who performs this investigation has the same powers and obligations as an auditor in a process. If, later, a judicial process is initiated, this person may not take part in it as a judge.

Can. 1718 Â§1 When the facts have been assembled, the Ordinary is to decide:

1Â° whether a process to impose or declare a penalty…