1. Comment #316540 by Styrer- on January 10, 2009 at 10:22 am

Very nicely done! Funny enough to almost forgive the misspelling of 'dependent', too. (Bah, humbug.)

Derision is really the best way to answer the ludicrous, desperate flailings of a nutjob like Green. I hope the ASA will finally agree.

Best,
Styrer

Other Comments by Styrer-

2. Comment #316543 by Richard Dawkins on January 10, 2009 at 10:34 am

Tim Clague created this film two weeks ago, BEFORE Stephen Green complained to the Advertising Standards Agency about the bus campaign, indeed before the bus campaign was launched. Tim Clague's satire anticipated the preposterous reality, which makes it even funnier.

Richard

Other Comments by Richard Dawkins

3. Comment #316545 by Anvil on January 10, 2009 at 10:40 am

1. Comment #316540 by Styrer:

I probably agree. Probably very nicely done and probably funny enough to forgive the misspelling of dependent, too. Probably...

Damn. The thing for me is that there is probably too much indecision in the world?

I'm off to probably get drunk at work. Sorry, no, 'definately'... definately get drunk at work.

Anvil.

Other Comments by Anvil

4. Comment #316546 by Styrer- on January 10, 2009 at 10:42 am

Comment #316543 by Richard Dawkins on January 10, 2009 at 10:34 am

Superb. I take my hat off to his clear-sightedness.

While there's a touch of sadness in the frustrating predictability of it all, perhaps it's just as well that faithoholics everywhere do behave in such foreseeable ways, and none more so than the despicable Green himself. Much better to 'know' your enemy than to try impossibly to 'love' him, after all.

Best,
Styrer

Other Comments by Styrer-

5. Comment #316550 by Tzsak on January 10, 2009 at 10:57 am

Loved it~

Other Comments by Tzsak

6. Comment #316551 by Jeppo on January 10, 2009 at 11:01 am

A wonderful satire!

Other Comments by Jeppo

7. Comment #316552 by Quine on January 10, 2009 at 11:05 am

Name? "Jesus Christ"
You got a birth certificate for that? "Well, it wasn't quite like that ...."
Sounds like a made up name, to me. "ahh wellll, ..."

Other Comments by Quine

8. Comment #316555 by flying goose on January 10, 2009 at 11:15 am

Well I'm offended!

Other Comments by flying goose

9. Comment #316556 by Fizzle on January 10, 2009 at 11:15 am

Comment #316543 by Richard Dawkins

And we say there's no such things as psychics. For Shame ;).

Other Comments by Fizzle

10. Comment #316557 by Mark Jones on January 10, 2009 at 11:16 am

Superb prescience!

Other Comments by Mark Jones

11. Comment #316560 by Fujikoma on January 10, 2009 at 11:26 am

To bad these things are only available by streaming. Mom's got a dial-up connection that could never handle this.

Other Comments by Fujikoma

12. Comment #316578 by timclague on January 10, 2009 at 11:58 am

Thanks for those words and for the feedback. I could try and convince you that the spelling errors were intentional as it is the character who is making them. But I won't. Instead I will simply say that I made the whole film and uploaded it on Boxing Day and I was a bit worse for wear.

And good news for Fujikoma as you can indeed download an mp4 of the film from Google Video here...

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5759840137452410104&hl=en

Other Comments by timclague

13. Comment #316583 by Styrer- on January 10, 2009 at 12:04 pm

Comment #316578 by timclague on January 10, 2009 at 11:58 am

Hello Tim

Actually, I would probably have bought the 'character' thing!

I missed the beginning of a 'Fawlty Towers' episode to watch your piece and thought the loss was more than amply compensated.

Many thanks indeed, and I hope you do more stuff like this.

Best,
Styrer

Other Comments by Styrer-

14. Comment #316584 by Vinelectric on January 10, 2009 at 12:05 pm

Nevermind the video,

Halleu-Alexandra Burke !!

Other Comments by Vinelectric

15. Comment #316588 by PaulJ on January 10, 2009 at 12:12 pm

Comment #316560 by Fujikoma

To bad these things are only available by streaming.

If you use the Firefox browser I'd recommend the DownloadHelper plugin, which allows you to download many kinds of streaming media (including Flash video) for offline viewing.

Other Comments by PaulJ

16. Comment #316600 by JAMCAM87 on January 10, 2009 at 12:51 pm

Comment #316545 by Anvil

The use of the word "probably" is just pure genius on the part of the designer. There is just no way that it can get pulled up by the ASA - no matter how many complaints it gets. It's just such a nice unoffensive comment. It draws attention to the visciousness and negativity of the Alpha course ads. What's more, it has got the religious attacking us for being unsure and indecisive! And they are usually attacking atheists for being too certain and narrow minded! The campaign will be very effective methinks.

Other Comments by JAMCAM87

17. Comment #316604 by Styrer- on January 10, 2009 at 1:15 pm

Comment #316600 by JAMCAM87 on January 10, 2009 at 12:51 pm

What's more, it has got the religious attacking us for being unsure and indecisive! And they are usually attacking atheists for being too certain and narrow minded!

That is a wonderfully astute point, JAMCAM87.

I wonder if their own vacillating response to us lot will thereby cause them to re-consider their own positions when attacking us as the 'fundamentalist atheists' we're often depicted as being?

The campaign is already proving very effective, I think.

Best,
Styrer

Other Comments by Styrer-

18. Comment #316605 by Veronique on January 10, 2009 at 1:16 pm

Hi Tim Clague

Many thanks - great stuff, beautifully delivered. Just up my alley. To add to others' comments - great prescience!!!

Cheers
V

Other Comments by Veronique

19. Comment #316607 by JAMCAM87 on January 10, 2009 at 1:26 pm

Thank you Styrer, I have to admit though that I was a skeptic when the ad first came out and I criticised it's wording strongly. Now I have completely changed my mind. The soft, be-nice approach seems to work very well indeed judging by the reaction, even if it's less fun.

Also Best,
James.

Other Comments by JAMCAM87

20. Comment #316609 by scottishgeologist on January 10, 2009 at 1:26 pm

RD's comments are spot on - I'd love to see Stephen Green's face when that one hits home. No, actually, there are certain things I dont want to see....

JAMCAM: You are right, the "Probably" is great. And ACCURATE and REASONABLE.

So many of the religious strifes in the world are casued by groups who think that THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT because they have "god" on their side. Religious absolutism is lethal

And no where is this more clearly shown than in Psalm 118:

"6The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me'

7The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.

8It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

9It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

10All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.

11They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.

12They compassed me about like bees: they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.

Incidentally, this psalm is frequently sung at presbyterian denomination communion services.

Keep the merciless satire going. Humour is one of the best tools we have!

:-)
SG

Other Comments by scottishgeologist

21. Comment #316627 by Mr DArcy on January 10, 2009 at 2:02 pm

6The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me'

7The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.

8It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

9It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

10All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.

11They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.

12They compassed me about like bees: they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.

This, very probably, isn't true.

Stephen Green, riding a donkey, wearing his crown of thorns and carrying the burden of protecting Christianity, will very probably wend his weary way to the ASA to demand justice for Christians.

Oh, the poor misunderstood and victimised Christians!

Excuse me whilst my heart bleeds and I vomit into the sick bag.

Other Comments by Mr DArcy

22. Comment #316629 by AshtonBlack on January 10, 2009 at 2:06 pm

Nice work Tim. Very funny!

Other Comments by AshtonBlack

23. Comment #316632 by Stafford Gordon on January 10, 2009 at 2:15 pm

More please!; this is reminiscent of Mr Deity.

Other Comments by Stafford Gordon

24. Comment #316638 by phil rimmer on January 10, 2009 at 2:30 pm

Tim,

That was absolutely glorious. More please!

Other Comments by phil rimmer

25. Comment #316640 by BrandySpears on January 10, 2009 at 2:37 pm

What the hell is the Advertising Standards Authority anways? A censorship branch of the government?

Other Comments by BrandySpears

26. Comment #316641 by DoctorMelkor on January 10, 2009 at 2:39 pm

Brilliant little video! Two thumbs up! (both of them are mine, but still...)

Other Comments by DoctorMelkor

27. Comment #316676 by mmurray on January 10, 2009 at 4:09 pm

@BrandySpears

A body that self-regulates advertising in the UK

www.asa.org.uk

If you look at the page of adjudications they seem to do good work on controlling false and misleading advertising.

Michael

Other Comments by mmurray

28. Comment #316693 by timelord on January 10, 2009 at 4:42 pm

Tim,

Brilliant!

Quote: "I made the whole film and uploaded it on Boxing Day and I was a bit worse for wear."

Lucky you were using a Mac. If you were using Vista you would probably be still trying to get it to work!

Other Comments by timelord

29. Comment #316698 by OverUsedChewToy on January 10, 2009 at 4:49 pm

This sounds like "Some Grey Bloke", a comedian on youtube; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2bpc7LSRZc

Other Comments by OverUsedChewToy

30. Comment #316715 by Eshto on January 10, 2009 at 5:34 pm

Loved it.

Other Comments by Eshto

31. Comment #316725 by AshtonBlack on January 10, 2009 at 5:58 pm

@ OverUsedChewToy. Thanks for the recommendation. Added to the long list of 'tube subscriptions.

Other Comments by AshtonBlack

32. Comment #316762 by BeyondBelief on January 10, 2009 at 7:59 pm

Hey... all you "probably" fanatics. Has it slipped anyone's mind that the most important chapter in "The God Delusion" is all about the probability of God's existence?

The use of "probably" on the buses is not only genius on the part of the advertisers, it is genius on the part of atheists sick of being sneered at, "Oh, you're so smart. You atheists KNOW there is no God. Prove it."

No, I do not unequivocally KNOW there is not a God, it's just that the evidence doesn't demand the hypothesis (thank you Messr. LaPlace) and the probability, given other simpler explanations for natural phenomena (thank you Mr. Occam), make it extremely improbable.

Wonderful word. Perfect for framing the debate and forcing the opposition to scramble to defend for a change. (They're forever on offense, if not taking offense.) 3 Cheers for Probably!!

Other Comments by BeyondBelief

33. Comment #316787 by Enlightenme.. on January 10, 2009 at 9:15 pm

My favourite ad on repeat pulling up of the link is the one for 'make yourself amazing' cosmetic surgery.

It bought to mind the W.A.G. I saw discussing some modern teen girl's aspirations on the news yesterday wearing the permanantly shocked expression, phat lips and unfeasable cleavage of increasing numbers of Lady Penelopes.

http://www.sixtiescity.com/Anderson/Images/AND091.jpg

For Pascal's wager, with new cults two-a-penny:
'the value of your investment may go down as well as up'

On the meme WAGs, from wiki:
The first recorded use of the term was in 2004.[1] In 2006 it was generally printed as "WAGs", but a singular, "Wag" or "WAG", quickly came into vogue (even though the singular form would logically be "wife or girlfriend", reading as "WOG"); for example..

Whoa! I'm not gonna put that, and end up in the same boat as Prince Harry.

Other Comments by Enlightenme..

34. Comment #316797 by maxamillion on January 10, 2009 at 9:27 pm

12. timclague
And good news for Fujikoma as you can indeed download an mp4 of the film from Google Video here...

thanks, I was about to give up trying to watch.

Other Comments by maxamillion

35. Comment #316805 by HappyCamper on January 10, 2009 at 9:41 pm

Lol, now if only he were a bit more professional at Photoshop he would have just done the FSM in a santa hat.

Other Comments by HappyCamper

36. Comment #316812 by Shuggy on January 10, 2009 at 10:04 pm

He would have saved himself a lot of trouble if he'd said that Jesus is probably the way to Heaven ...

Other Comments by Shuggy

37. Comment #316964 by Anvil on January 11, 2009 at 6:46 am

16. Comment #316600 by JAMCAM87

The use of the word "probably" is just pure genius on the part of the designer. There is just no way that it can get pulled up by the ASA - no matter how many complaints it gets. It's just such a nice unoffensive comment. It draws attention to the visciousness and negativity of the Alpha course ads. What's more, it has got the religious attacking us for being unsure and indecisive! And they are usually attacking atheists for being too certain and narrow minded! The campaign will be very effective methinks.

Yeah, I totally possibly agree. Just my pitiful attempt at humour

Anvil.

Other Comments by Anvil

38. Comment #317076 by ocallaghanbohrdt on January 11, 2009 at 12:29 pm

Comment 16 #316600 by JAMCAM87

The use of the word "probably" is just pure genius on the part of the designer. There is just no way that it can get pulled up by the ASA - no matter how many complaints it gets. It's just such a nice unoffensive comment. It draws attention to the visciousness and negativity of the Alpha course ads. What's more, it has got the religious attacking us for being unsure and indecisive! And they are usually attacking atheists for being too certain and narrow minded! The campaign will be very effective methinks.

I think that, however it came about, the use of 'probably' was inspired. It is so disarming, so surprising to the opposite camp (or even to atheists!) and it leaves things so incomplete, that it triggers endless little questions and arguments in the brain. I think it is a particularly potent (and damaging) meme, in this regard. It's very hard to simply dismiss, in the way we might dismiss someone who says 'I'm right and you're wrong, get used to it'. It lingers long after it is read. It reminds me of Tai Chi - opponents may exhaust themselves punching and kicking it if they wish, but the meme just hangs there nebulously, undamaged.

It isn't logical that it should work so well, better than something more 'reasoned', direct or hard-hitting; but it actually does. At least that's my perception.

In any case, simply getting the word out there has been really inspiring to me - a wonderful week! Thanks Arianne and everyone.

Other Comments by ocallaghanbohrdt

39. Comment #317089 by Stuart Paul Wood on January 11, 2009 at 12:59 pm

O come all ye faithful - this reminds me of Harry Enfield's Kevin and Perry sketch where Kevin (in church) changes the words to "o come let us ignore him/ o come let us ignore him/ o come let us ignore hi-im/ chri-ist i'm bored!

Other Comments by Stuart Paul Wood

40. Comment #317254 by notsobad on January 11, 2009 at 7:02 pm

dependant is actually correct spelling, just like dependent

Other Comments by notsobad

41. Comment #317370 by AForce1 on January 11, 2009 at 11:01 pm

Excellent stuff.

Other Comments by AForce1

42. Comment #318171 by Spinoza on January 12, 2009 at 10:39 pm

The spelling of "dependant" is clearly intentional. It is supposed to have been typed by a "Reverend". You don't need to spell properly to get an M.Div.

Other Comments by Spinoza

43. Comment #318513 by Rene Boxem on January 13, 2009 at 2:09 pm

Very funny; made my day!

Other Comments by Rene Boxem

44. Comment #318610 by Jez on January 13, 2009 at 4:22 pm

Forgive me for not having checked all the other comments first but what are you all doing?

Next time you see "Jesus died for your sins" or "non-believers are going to hell" plastered on the side of a bus why won't you complain to the ASA?

Unsubstantiated claims repeated often enough gain a veracity of truth.

Where is the 'Probably' in their claims?

I think this herd of cats could create an effective, and cheaper, propaganda campaign by simply making religous (er) people follow the same rules.

Other Comments by Jez

45. Comment #321391 by zimmyis on January 15, 2009 at 4:44 pm

This video is the only positive thing I've seen to come out of the whole bus campaign debacle, other than the campaign itself, of course. Truly comedic and made me wee a bit...

Other Comments by zimmyis

46. Comment #371681 by Alpha Helix on April 30, 2009 at 4:07 pm

"Make your penance harder with generic punishments".

Excellent.

Other Comments by Alpha Helix