101. Stop distorting young minds!

Comment #200251 by decius on June 27, 2008 at 7:09 am

in forms of cannibalism

102. A War On Science

Comment #200006 by decius on June 26, 2008 at 3:37 pm

Are we moving on to numerology?

103. A War On Science

Comment #200004 by decius on June 26, 2008 at 3:36 pm

Yes, Miller is simply great.

104. A War On Science

Comment #199993 by decius on June 26, 2008 at 3:25 pm

Steve,

speaking of allegedly sophisticated theologians, are you familiar with Jonathan Miller's Atheism Tapes? It's a supplementary series to Miller's History of Disbelief.
Here are some details: http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/documentaries/features/atheism-tapes.shtml

Both series are on youtube, for those interested.

Well, at some point Miller wheels out one Denys Turner, who apparently is the epitome of sophistication in the field.

I had to watch the episode twice to get to the essence of his garbled language, to weed out the bizarre ornamentations and the byzantine flourishes.
After an herculean effort, what I found at the core of his "reasoning" was nothing at all, pure obfuscation and petitio principii, yet so well disguised that it's worth listening to him, at least for a laughter or two.

McGrath by comparison is an amateur.

105. Stop distorting young minds!

Comment #199907 by decius on June 26, 2008 at 1:39 pm

Beautifully written, razor-sharp, witty.

106. The Flea Delusion

Comment #199393 by decius on June 25, 2008 at 5:10 pm

Styrer's directness is admirable.

107. The Flea Delusion

Comment #199386 by decius on June 25, 2008 at 4:41 pm

I shall read the whole thread, or what's left of it, when I have a moment and the will to do so.

Edit- One thing I didn't get, phil. You spoke about "risks entailed". What risks could those possibly be?

108. The Flea Delusion

Comment #199382 by decius on June 25, 2008 at 4:24 pm

Corylus and Podaar,

you can't actually expect normalcy when certain abnormal traits are plain to see. It's sad but beyond reach.

There is also an explicit admission, albeit probably greatly diminished of its clinical importance. I hope that it gets and/or got treated.

109. The Flea Delusion

Comment #199363 by decius on June 25, 2008 at 3:30 pm

Clodhopper

Kind of a Zelig caught in the revolving door of a hotel for decades, adjusting his personality according to which group of tourists he meets at each turn. Whenever he manages to hold on them enough to reach outside, the inebriating effect of the oxygen will make his head spin, and he'll get sucked back in.

Fast forward a few revolutions and the fuzzy, steamy warmth inside the hotel lobby will have an equally devastating effect.

So sad, right when he had managed to convince himself that those tourists he had joined at any given round were his long-lost family.


Thanks, phil rimmer,

very kind of you.


Now, this is when the story gets scary.
Norman Bates and his mother Norma are checking in.



edited for inconsistencies.

110. The Flea Delusion

Comment #199318 by decius on June 25, 2008 at 2:09 pm

Thx, Barry Pearson.

I will refrain from harsh comments, the guy clearly has issues. But the final outburst of non-sequiturs is outstanding.

111. Saving Us from Darwin

Comment #199289 by decius on June 25, 2008 at 12:39 pm

epeeist,

thanks for the link.

Certainly better than it used to be. Not just the image quality, but also the absence of cables, and the futuristic-looking helmets. The picture is not yet what I had in mind, but definitely enjoyable.

Nice match, by the way.

As a footnote, this sport illustrates quite well the confirmation bias, most of the times both fencers exult, as if they both struck first.

112. Saving Us from Darwin

Comment #199261 by decius on June 25, 2008 at 12:02 pm

epeeist,

I always found it very difficult to watch fencing on tv, although admittedly is one of the few sports which I find attractive.
The action is too fast for traditional filming techniques to be able to catch anything at all, and even the slow-motion results in a blurry sequence at best.

There is an obvious way around this problem, namely one camera filming at least at 300 fps, so even if the live pictures aren't good, a decent replay could be shown during breaks.

Now with the Olympics looming, this could be a real improvement over the past.

113. Saving Us from Darwin

Comment #199252 by decius on June 25, 2008 at 11:44 am

Sure, I was just kidding, he did what he saw fit to do.

114. Band T-shirt draws charge

Comment #199250 by decius on June 25, 2008 at 11:38 am

Petermun,

the most articulate and comprehensive usage of the word in object is to be found in Irvine Welsh's body of work, which I warmly recommend to anyone who likes underground (now probably mainstream) literature.

Edit- Especially: A Smart Cunt(novella contained in Acid House), Trainspotting, Filth.

115. Band T-shirt draws charge

Comment #199242 by decius on June 25, 2008 at 11:27 am

Was it JESUS IS A WANKER?

What's wrong with it, most likely he didn't even exist, and if he did, he must have masturbated at least a few times. Or was he just getting his butts filled by the apostles? I don't buy Dan Brown's version, the fictional character of the gospel doesn't strike me as straight.
Besides, he spawned a clergy of child molesters. Yeah, that must be it, most likely a paedophile.

116. Saving Us from Darwin

Comment #199235 by decius on June 25, 2008 at 11:17 am

Pardon me, al rawandi,

wasn't there another way for your uncle to make his point, perhaps not at the cost of people's homes? :-)

117. Mormons urged to back ban on same-sex marriage

Comment #199222 by decius on June 25, 2008 at 10:46 am

Thx, Podaar, I knew you would appreciate it. :)

118. Mormons urged to back ban on same-sex marriage

Comment #199210 by decius on June 25, 2008 at 10:28 am

Mormons are stupid

119. Mormons urged to back ban on same-sex marriage

Comment #199198 by decius on June 25, 2008 at 10:07 am

al rawandi,

I am sure you do, and I saw the smiley.

I was answering to Advocatus' rather daft comment (or may be I didn't get its jocularity).

120. Mormons urged to back ban on same-sex marriage

Comment #199196 by decius on June 25, 2008 at 9:59 am

Precisely, mordacious1, and I usually get the same courtesy in return.

I bet some people (not necessarily here) don't know that many etiquette rules were shaped by logic and not by affectation. Furthermore, their origin can be traced back to evolutionary advantages.

121. Mormons urged to back ban on same-sex marriage

Comment #199190 by decius on June 25, 2008 at 9:46 am

Come on, holding the door is a matter of common courtesy, not a political issue.

122. Mormons urged to back ban on same-sex marriage

Comment #199186 by decius on June 25, 2008 at 9:39 am

Animavore,

it's a piece of paper that recognises the will of two strangers to become the closest of relatives, and it has enormous legal implications, particularly regarding the rights of one's partner.
Imagine if your spouse were to be turned away from your death-bed, just because a bunch of ignorant busy-bodies can't keep their prudery out of your pants.

123. Mormons urged to back ban on same-sex marriage

Comment #199074 by decius on June 25, 2008 at 7:00 am

Wait a few decades, when ban on same-sex marriage will be regarded as primitive as slave-holding, the apologists and religionists will no doubt take credit for its lifting.

124. Saudi Marriage Officiant : 'It Is Allowed To Marry A Girl At The Age Of One'.

Comment #199050 by decius on June 25, 2008 at 6:03 am

*ducks*

125. The Flea Delusion

Comment #199042 by decius on June 25, 2008 at 5:44 am

3. Therefore God.

126. The Flea Delusion

Comment #199036 by decius on June 25, 2008 at 5:33 am

Why would I be interested in a conversion experience?

127. The Flea Delusion

Comment #199035 by decius on June 25, 2008 at 5:32 am

Is Richard Morgan really claiming that he converted here?
The link he posted doesn't work, and I have tried to read a few of his older posts, I couldn't understand much of what he says and lost patience.

Anyone who could recapitulate his story for me?

128. Saudi Marriage Officiant : 'It Is Allowed To Marry A Girl At The Age Of One'.

Comment #198981 by decius on June 25, 2008 at 12:40 am

Just imagine had Mohammed performed the odd human sacrifice, even just once. His modern followers would now feel perfectly entitled to do likewise.

Coming to think of it, honour killing and the execution of homosexuals don't differ an iota from human sacrifice, all being based on the same preposterous metaphysics and yielding the same net result.

129. Saudi Marriage Officiant : 'It Is Allowed To Marry A Girl At The Age Of One'.

Comment #198889 by decius on June 24, 2008 at 4:01 pm

Again for Fanusi,

Apart from apparently accepting the circular evidence of the gospel for the existence of Jesus, for there is no other, you seem to ignore that Jesus criticizes the Jews for not killing their disobedient children as required by Old Testament law. (See Ex.21:15, Lev.20:9, Dt.21:18-21) Mark 7:9-10

130. Saudi Marriage Officiant : 'It Is Allowed To Marry A Girl At The Age Of One'.

Comment #198886 by decius on June 24, 2008 at 3:54 pm

I was referring to the fact that Christ had some very stern words about those who harm children.

131. Saving Us from Darwin

Comment #198879 by decius on June 24, 2008 at 3:40 pm

Corylus,

I don't think it's a matter of frequency or volume of posting, rather one of content and forma mentis.

132. Saving Us from Darwin

Comment #198862 by decius on June 24, 2008 at 3:16 pm

Back to topic. I henceforth declare you saved from Darwin and I forgive all your sins, now go and sacrifice cattle in my name.

133. Saving Us from Darwin

Comment #198841 by decius on June 24, 2008 at 2:54 pm

TeraBrat,

it's high time that you take notice of a simple fact: this place is devoted to clear-thinking, which means that emotion-driven drivel isn't welcome at all, far less so than the occasional insult or "profanity" ( a loaded word that I despise).

You claim that you are a scientist, yet I find it hard to believe, sorry.

And, another thing, before you accuse Al Rawandi or others of anything, you may want to find evidence to back up your grievances.

134. Philadelphia Set to Honor Darwin and Evolution

Comment #198830 by decius on June 24, 2008 at 2:43 pm

Yeah Tezca,

great stuff. Although I would have preferred that Lenski had indeed demanded evidence at the wedding ceremony, think of the comedic potential.

135. Should We Rid The Mind of God? A Debate

Comment #198517 by decius on June 24, 2008 at 7:32 am

McGrath's charisma is comparable to that of a rancid mozzarella.

edited for lack of originality

136. 'I despise Islamism': Ian McEwan faces backlash over press interview

Comment #198346 by decius on June 23, 2008 at 3:40 pm

advocatus_diaboli,

do you by chance post as DevilsAdvocate on Neurologica?

137. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #198320 by decius on June 23, 2008 at 2:53 pm

Steve,

I agree.
Just to be clear, I wasn't suggesting to ignore cretinists from start, I was talking about obvious and persistent trolls and why irate's idea didn't strike me as good.

I like your blog, but I see two apparent shortcomings, one general and one concerning its purpose as repository for ready replies.
Do you mind if I contact you in private with some suggestions, so that we don't bother the others? Web design is actually part of my job.

138. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #198296 by decius on June 23, 2008 at 2:06 pm

Irate,

it seems that the policy here is one of tolerance, which isn't such a bad thing, considering that a muzzled troll usually turns into a morphing one, just adding confusion and a lot of time wasted policing the place.
Take Twatson, for instance, he promptly returned under a new name.

Probably, ignoring them is the best solution.

139. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #198286 by decius on June 23, 2008 at 1:49 pm

Frankus,

nice article, thx.

140. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #198273 by decius on June 23, 2008 at 1:16 pm

Frankus,

if you are curious about my personal anecdotes, when I have a bit of time I will tell you the best one, which involves a female ass, ehm, a donkey.

A truly amazing story of inter-specie friendship (and no sex). :)

I cannot leave out any of the details, lest it loses meaning.

141. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #198259 by decius on June 23, 2008 at 12:58 pm

Absolutely not, I learned loads of physics and cosmology by reading your posts, and I am grateful for that.

142. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #198257 by decius on June 23, 2008 at 12:54 pm

I am glad that Steve Zara is less prone to waste his time and virtual ink on refuting cretinists. It was kind of painful to watch so much effort for a lost cause, albeit instructive to us all.

143. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #198250 by decius on June 23, 2008 at 12:44 pm

Quine,
I would venture that the realisation of existence isn't peculiar to humans, though.

I don't subscribe to the romantic view almost ridiculed by Dennett in his long essay on animal consciousness, and I generally agree with him that the case for animal consciousness is often ideological and overstated, but in my opinion he fails to recognise the spectrum of complexity which divides a snake or a vulture from a dog or a donkey.

Some animals are able to display such a sophisticated array of emotions, that it's disingenuous to simply assume that they are little more than automata. I am not referring to displays directed at obtaining a reward, that are easy to dismiss as pavlovian, but much more complex ones involving happiness, sadness, jealousy, gratitude, or even grief.

I could throw in a lot of anecdotal (and worthless) evidence, but let's just say that some people are better inter-specie communicators and the almost unanimous impression which they derive from experience is one of wonder as to how much science appears to lag behind in this field, failing to provide adequate explanations.

So, my speculation is that humans certainly possess an extra layer of (probably extreme) complexity, but that self-awareness -if not a watered-down consciousness- may have arisen earlier than our appearance, and thus may be shared among many species.

Instead, the capability to pre-figure one's own mortality is probably a much more recent event, and very likely requires skills of abstract thinking that only humans possess.

144. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #198215 by decius on June 23, 2008 at 11:39 am

Frankus,

absolutely, so many intelligent and knowledgeable people from a great variety of fields.
Something exciting to be learnt every day.
I am extremely grateful to Richard Dawkins for setting up this forum of excellence.

Actually, I couldn't watch that movie till the end, too upsetting.

145. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #198204 by decius on June 23, 2008 at 11:23 am

Quine,

I agree with you. I shouldn't have said "people like tx", when I actually meant "some creationists".

Also, there is a third kind which I would call the naturally-scared-by-death.
Higher level of consciousness in humans comes with the ability to contemplate one's own future death. Some simply can't take it, and they would cling to any wacky belief that anaesthetises them, be it religion or pseudo-science.

146. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #198190 by decius on June 23, 2008 at 10:38 am

Quine,

to be fair, sometimes people like tx are also deeply scared (mostly of death, some of retribution), and utterly unable to question the authority of the person or persons who have indoctrinated them.

They'd rather rip their eyes off than face reality if looking amounts to overcoming their fears or to challenging the authoritative figures (alive or dead makes little difference) responsible of traumatizing them.

In other words, the psychological persona of some creationists is no different from that of an abused child.

147. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #198026 by decius on June 23, 2008 at 4:14 am

This thread has been on-going for three months, not bad.

148. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #198016 by decius on June 23, 2008 at 4:01 am

Amazing epeeist,

a non-Finnish Kalevala reader.


Edit- Before coming to Finland, I never even heard about it.

149. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #198004 by decius on June 23, 2008 at 3:35 am

If every event is indeed an act of god, their testimony would be irrelevant. If no event is a divine act, their testimony would be false each time they ascribe an act to god. If some events are an act of god, their testimony would be again irrelevant because of the stated bias.

150. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #198000 by decius on June 23, 2008 at 3:24 am

It must be Kent Hovind's alma mater.