I think the takeaway from the anecdote is that you should have fun with the simple things if you have "writers block" or are tired. Try to get a new perspective on something.
Yes, the journey of parenthood is exactly what the person is referring to, not just the end result. Hard work is never really super enjoyable, but the work is part of the journey and you appreciate the end result.
I don't need credentials for common sense. If a virus is developed, it can be easily used improperly when given to the wrong individuals. There are differences, but not enough to make it useless in bioweapons development.
The amount of engineering required to go from fertilizer to bomb is astronomical. Deploying a virus covertly does not compare in the slightest, that's a disingenuous comparison and you know it.
Not really. Development of the virus is the hard part. Ping is straight forward and widely available.
As soon as the virus is developed, it can be used by other departments within the government easily with proper approval, and purposes other than intended.
I'm sorry, but I really don't see the difference. If they do gain of function to create a virus, that virus can be used as a weapon. You can't separate the two.
... yeah I don't think emissions was the point. They aren't biodegradable so the point is to not have it sitting in a landfill or worse, just floating around in public areas, oceans, etc.
... man, people need to toughen up. You can't think in 74 degrees? If it was 80, okay maybe I could sympathize. But 74 is colder than what I have mine set at home regularly.
Holding up a blank piece of paper is a completely different scenario and topic! We are talking about normal, everyday travel for business and recreation. If you go there and do something taboo, something that's clearly intended to cause trouble, then what do you expect?
With any foreign country you should understand their cultural norms and laws. Your own ignorance is a valid consideration for travel, not being arrested as a political prisoner. You won't get in any trouble as a tourist or business person 99% of the time.
It's not pervasive. Incredible claims require evidence, which you have none. If anecdotal evidence is enough, dozens of people I know go to China with zero issues regularly. Many people we know live there with zero issues. There's 1.4 billion people, logistically what got are saying is not feasible for a country that size. It's nonsense.