










201. Group wants Wi-Fi banned from public buildings
Comment #186161 by Styrer- on May 29, 2008 at 6:52 pm
The city attorney is now checking to see if putting up Wi-Fi could be considered discrimination.
202. 1968 Supreme Court case of Epperson v. Arkansas
Comment #186137 by Styrer- on May 29, 2008 at 5:29 pm
We may all feel orgasmic that a Reverend is here better advocating the place of science in the classroom than his ID-protecting, ignorant opponent lawyer in this debate.
But this does not make him an ally in fighting the real war between faith/supernaturalism and reason.
While he is useful in condemning the idea that ID is a scientific endeavour (when, by the way, was this ever hard?) he is, like Eugenie Scott, Miller and all similar NOMA adherents, simply prolonging the movement our young learners may make to submitting their beliefs to scientific scrutiny.
I do not see NOMA as a 'strategy' in the war against superstitious supernaturalism; I see it as a propitiation to the religious and to the supernaturalists. As such, it deserves our contempt, as we recognise that it permits even full-blooded and even borderline theists to think that they can put their god in a separate little box, to be brought out whenever they see fit.
Some 'tactic', NOMA.
Fuck it.
Best,
Styrer
203. What is science for?
Comment #184130 by Styrer- on May 23, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Comment #184120 by MaxD on May 23, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Blake1i382003920293049238409293209,
You say:
204. Tribute to a Beloved Mentor
Comment #183966 by Styrer- on May 23, 2008 at 10:25 am
Phew, can Richard write.
His mentor would surely have been moved.
Best,
Styrer
205. 16% of US science teachers are creationists
Comment #183904 by Styrer- on May 23, 2008 at 6:35 am
Comment #183896 by irate_atheist on May 23, 2008 at 6:07 am
Irate, no, I'm sorry, your usual comment eludes me at the moment.
Could you remind me (preferably in bold)?
Cheers,
Styrer
206. MPs reject calls to cut abortion limit
Comment #182932 by Styrer- on May 21, 2008 at 6:13 am
Good job.
Styrer
207. What is science for?
Comment #182927 by Styrer- on May 21, 2008 at 6:02 am
Comment #182853 by uncle tungsten on May 21, 2008 at 3:45 am
Styrer,
I don't know anything about you, but since you're on this forum I'd guess you're an intelligent and clear-thinking person. If we met I'd probably like you. So no, I don't have a problem with you. Calling people names is a bit juvenile though, you must admit.
208. What is science for?
Comment #182824 by Styrer- on May 21, 2008 at 2:46 am
Comment #182815 by uncle tungsten on May 21, 2008 at 2:25 am
I have not encountered ASMarques before, and my automatic response would be to take against his stance. But underneath all the juvenile name-calling - chiefly from the clearly angry but rather undignified Styrer - it is ASMarques who has the more interesting point to make.
209. What is science for?
Comment #182819 by Styrer- on May 21, 2008 at 2:35 am
Comment #182790 by Peacebeuponme on May 21, 2008 at 1:18 am
I don't think anybody has "taken on" AS Marques properly here, except to point out that his (you have to say well presented) posts contain links to sites of dubious authority.
This is likely because most here do not have much experience in dealing with Deniers. Its not because AS Marques is occupying the most reasonable position.
210. What is science for?
Comment #182730 by Styrer- on May 20, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Comment #182701 by ASMarques on May 20, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Said Styrer:
Can you edge slightly closer towards a reason for my silence?
Sure I can. You sound pissed off probably because you're smart enough to have noticed the dismal performance of the "erudite" faithful you mention (maybe you can quote one of those erudite bits, by the way).
211. What is science for?
Comment #182712 by Styrer- on May 20, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Comment #182707 by Teratornis on May 20, 2008 at 10:22 pm
I'll be shorter and terser still - I'm rather enjoying your peak oil-free posts...I fucking knew there was an ok guy under there somewhere...
For what it's worth.
Best,
Styrer
212. What is science for?
Comment #182705 by Styrer- on May 20, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Comment #182698 by Teratornis on May 20, 2008 at 9:54 pm
Teratornis
Did I just detect a...wait for it...sense of humour?
Without peak oil, you're becoming boring. Nothing with which I could possibly disagree in your last post.
Fuck me.
Best,
Styrer
213. Proving ID is Creationism
Comment #182696 by Styrer- on May 20, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Not sure why this stuff is being rehearsed, Josh and Wayne.
What am I missing? Is this for the newbies only?
No comprende.
Styrer
214. Teenager faces prosecution for calling Scientology 'cult'
Comment #182689 by Styrer- on May 20, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Comment #182681 by dragonfirematrix on May 20, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Will there be someone to arrest me, or any of us for speaking the truth about religion?
215. Teenager faces prosecution for calling Scientology 'cult'
Comment #182680 by Styrer- on May 20, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Comment #182677 by 7Fred7 on May 20, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Great comment.
So you'll contribute a grand too?:)
Best,
Styrer
216. Teenager faces prosecution for calling Scientology 'cult'
Comment #182676 by Styrer- on May 20, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Comment #182669 by Ohnhai on May 20, 2008 at 8:13 pm
An un-armed,calm, rational, educated and atheistic teen telling it simply as it is, now that's a different story.
217. Teenager faces prosecution for calling Scientology 'cult'
Comment #182668 by Styrer- on May 20, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Comment #182654 by kaph on May 20, 2008 at 6:56 pm
I really think someone from RDF should give that kid a real medal. Seriously styrer, very well said.
218. What is science for?
Comment #182661 by Styrer- on May 20, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Comment #182657 by ASMarques on May 20, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Ah, I can see why not. What I can't see is why you feel like bragging about it...
I've read with interest your posts over the last month, without making comment.
I have never considered myself fully up-to-speed about the Holocaust - but here you came, as a nay-sayer, along with an opportunity to follow a fascinating line of inquiry.
219. What is science for?
Comment #182650 by Styrer- on May 20, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Comment #182645 by ASMarques on May 20, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Hello ASMarques
I've read with interest your posts over the last month, without making comment.
I must say that you really do seem to be on your last legs here, now dismissed by admin to an 'alternate thread' - the secular e-equivalent of hell.
You've brought it all on yourself, my poor deluded fellow.
It is true that neither the mountainous terrains of hard evidence gainsaying your position, nor the many, many erudite posts from individuals prepared initially to give you a chance to prove your points, nor the rightly harsh and critical analysis to which your views have been submitted have made the slightest difference to your negationist opining whatsoever.
But it is also true that you yourself, sir, have been spectacularly unconvincing in your attempts to make your most forlorn case.
I was quite excited by the stir you created at the outset; I have never considered myself fully up-to-speed about the Holocaust - but here you came, as a nay-sayer, along with an opportunity to follow a fascinating line of inquiry.
More fucking fool me. There was no inquiry here, from you. You'd made your mind up before you submitted your first post here. You have at no point granted the slightest weight to any idea in contradiction to your own dogma whatsoever.
Your constant 'linking' to external websites, quotes, texts, your constant invitations to read this or that text, not only shows huge discourtesy but also a lack of ability to read, digest and assimilate information of your own back and present it in your own voice.
Your favoured 'linking' seems to be to CODOH - that global bastion of critical historical thinking with a huge forum membership of just over, er, 400, including you - and I think that you have let that particularly warped site down, in your abject failure to present anything close to a reasonable case for your views, every bit as much as you have let down this site, in trying to portray your pre-conceived and immovable notions as open to honest and open criticism to which you would properly respond.
The poorest show I've yet seen here.
Styrer
220. Teenager faces prosecution for calling Scientology 'cult'
Comment #182615 by Styrer- on May 20, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Comment #182611 by Auraboy on May 20, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Yes.
Mix and serve any of what you said with a dollop of faith.
Stand back.:)
Best,
Styrer
221. Teenager faces prosecution for calling Scientology 'cult'
Comment #182609 by Styrer- on May 20, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Comment #182595 by Auraboy on May 20, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Unfortunately I think regulating speech is just a dangerous area full stop. Insult and humiliation are part of humour and the essence of freedom.
222. Teenager faces prosecution for calling Scientology 'cult'
Comment #182601 by Styrer- on May 20, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Comment #182591 by Auraboy on May 20, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Can I submit the Christian cross as a sign that causes me distress in public? I live in a city centre very close to a Cathedral and it offends me quite often when they display anything.
223. Teenager faces prosecution for calling Scientology 'cult'
Comment #182589 by Styrer- on May 20, 2008 at 3:13 pm
This ballsy 15-year old kid deserves a fucking medal.
I expect that the Cult Information Centre will be receiving a little visit from City of London police officers shortly, once their rituals at Scientology HQ are over, urging a re-think on its name.
While I think anti-hate speech laws are important in facing up to the violence which can follow from faith-based words, there is clear need to make these laws crystal clear so that shit like this never happens again. The legalities are unclear when they should be transparent, in circumstances where the victim becomes the accused. I suggest criminalization of 'faith-based hate speech' would be at least a start.
In any case - how we can we raise the roof on this one?
Oh, and cue Dr. Benway...:)
Best,
Styrer
224. Lying for Jesus?
Comment #182575 by Styrer- on May 20, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Comment #182560 by freethinker79 on May 20, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Hello Freethinker79. Welcome to the site.
Can I take your name at face value?
Perhaps you would let me know if you are a deist, theist, agnostic or atheist.
Thank you.
Best,
Styrer
225. What is science for?
Comment #182405 by Styrer- on May 20, 2008 at 1:33 am
I can't decide if Harris is stunningly and brilliantly prescient or simply completely off his rocker!
Richard's impressively astute questioning of him at the end did indicate in Harris a certain vagueness, I thought, if not flat-out contradiction, in his pursuing the ideas he had raised in his talk. His idea that human immortality - or at least hugely increased longevity - would render us no longer human doesn't seem to follow, I think. I'm probably being a bit dim, but Harris's overall message seemed finally a little confused, not least because by the end he was not emphasising nearly as much as he had at the start of his talk his assertion that science is for the general good rather more than for its own exploratory and curiosity-driven sake.
Sulston was more grounded, it seemed, and made his points in favour of science as exploration clearly and engagingly.
Nice to see Richard 'chairing' this - he is usually being 'chaired', it seems! - with real skill, cutting to the chase of the arguments in typically perspicacious manner.
I enjoyed this.
Best,
Styrer
226. The Neural Buddhists
Comment #179928 by Styrer- on May 14, 2008 at 2:10 am
Comment #179896 by Tumara Baap on May 14, 2008 at 12:50 am
Brooks' language is decidedly unscientific. But for this he should not be slammed.
science and mysticism are joining hands and reinforcing each other
227. 85% of Americans Want a Presidential Debate on Science
Comment #179880 by Styrer- on May 13, 2008 at 11:27 pm
Comment #179828 by babrock on May 13, 2008 at 8:37 pm
In view of your comment, do you think that the title to this article is misleading?
If not, I do not understand why you have such a negative attitude - which I note you set out from the start - to the inclusion of all Americans in such a science debate.
If yes, why?
Best,
Styrer
228. The Neural Buddhists
Comment #179863 by Styrer- on May 13, 2008 at 10:37 pm
Comment #179747 by Atticus_of_Amber on May 13, 2008 at 3:52 pm
It would be nice if people like Brooks actually bothered to read the "new atheists" before attempting to criticise them.
229. Vatican: It's OK to believe in aliens
Comment #179851 by Styrer- on May 13, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Maybe it could have done it better, but now it's time to heal those wounds and this can be done through calm dialogue and collaboration.
230. The Neural Buddhists
Comment #179834 by Styrer- on May 13, 2008 at 8:49 pm
The brain seems less like a cold machine. It does not operate like a computer. Instead, meaning, belief and consciousness seem to emerge mysteriously from idiosyncratic networks of neural firings. Those squishy things called emotions play a gigantic role in all forms of thinking. Love is vital to brain development.
Researchers now spend a lot of time trying to understand universal moral intuitions. Genes are not merely selfish, it appears. Instead, people seem to have deep instincts for fairness, empathy and attachment.
I'm not qualified to take sides, believe me.
231. 85% of Americans Want a Presidential Debate on Science
Comment #179810 by Styrer- on May 13, 2008 at 7:54 pm
I am sure that Leon Kass and his ilk will attempt to persuade Bush that 85% of Americans are simply going through a little tantrum, stomping their little ignorant irreligious feet, and not REALLY desirous of better quality of life and of increased longevity on foot of scientific investigations.
I am equally sure that Bush will be duly persuaded by such attempts.
Best,
Styrer
232. Richard Dawkins discusses Einstein's new letters
Comment #179794 by Styrer- on May 13, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Having heard all sorts of quotes, and having read just a little, I conclude, rather boringly, I'm afraid, that Einstein was simply not interested in the idea of religion and of a supreme being's existence or non-existence.
I don't think he gave a flying fuck.
I think the whole God question was a distraction for him, from the scientific work he wanted to press on with.
I think he would think our musings here rather risible.
Richard's answers here quite nicely reflect this, though I am not sure that we can forgive Richard for presenting himself for such an interview without intimating even once that religion is a stinking load of fuck-eyed piss juice drained from the scrotums of faithoholics, spunked over by elderly perverted and grinning virgins, and served in kids' lunches the world over.
Just my take on it.
Best,
Styrer
Comment #179502 by Styrer- on May 13, 2008 at 10:45 am
Comment #179467 by Diacanu on May 13, 2008 at 9:47 am
I honestly believe people know in their deepest heart of hearts those tactics are wrong, and these things they believe are a tapestry of lies.
They know in their heart of hearts it can't be true.
234. 3QD interviews Richard Dawkins
Comment #178818 by Styrer- on May 12, 2008 at 5:25 am
I actually enjoyed the 'homely' way this interesting interview was filmed, and it showed off nicely Richard's easy engagement with some not so usual and fairly wide-ranging lines of discussion.
Abbas did indeed seem 'intent about getting his ideas across' but here I think the time spent was justified as he set up some refreshing and quite incisive questions for Richard to get his teeth into.
I am looking forward to reading Richard's new book when it comes out. Not only a celebration of Darwin but a welcome (and timely) decimation of IDiotic 'ideas' too, I hope!
Best,
Styrer
235. I Am Evolution
Comment #178382 by Styrer- on May 11, 2008 at 10:25 am
Comment #178374 by mordacious1 on May 11, 2008 at 10:07 am
I am afraid I agree. This constant combining of 'belief' with 'evolution' risks refuting the very point the article seeks to make. Clarifying that 'belief in evolution' is entirely wrong-headed is ill-served by the rhetorical device used here. Not a great article.
Best,
Styrer
236. Churchgoing on its knees as Christianity falls out of favour
Comment #177599 by Styrer- on May 9, 2008 at 10:45 am
Comment #177568 by Diacanu on May 9, 2008 at 10:10 am
*Hauls self to feet*
Fuck, I needed that.
Thank you, Diacanu.
Right. Onwards!
Best,
Styrer
237. My Response to Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
Comment #177465 by Styrer- on May 9, 2008 at 6:21 am
Comment #177376 by AllanW on May 9, 2008 at 1:54 am
Styrer; lighten up, man. This is no big deal. And that's why Dawkins' response was apposite; he laughingly swatted a fly, barely deserving of attention in a cool, clear manner.
Comment #177399 by Styrer- on May 9, 2008 at 2:57 am
Comment #177380 by Richard Dawkins on May 9, 2008 at 2:01 am
But I think this is the first time I have heard any reputable spokesman (a) say that Hitler and Stalin's dictatorships were ruled by reason, and (b) say that reason leads to terror and oppression.
239. Churchgoing on its knees as Christianity falls out of favour
Comment #177384 by Styrer- on May 9, 2008 at 2:04 am
Comment #177351 by Rawhard Dickins on May 9, 2008 at 1:01 am
Styrer
Don't give up mate!
Humanity is in it's adolescent phase (childhood was about 2000 years ago).
It just takes time and education and a lot more straight talking.
Comment #177372 by Styrer- on May 9, 2008 at 1:47 am
Comment #177343 by Noodly on May 9, 2008 at 12:26 am
Highlight:
Humphreys: "Did you hear Richard Dawkins earlier?"
Cardinal: "No,I was praying"
241. My Response to Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
Comment #177364 by Styrer- on May 9, 2008 at 1:33 am
Comment #177355 by AllanW on May 9, 2008 at 1:04 am
Bravura performance here by Dawkins. The odious little man was treated with contempt and ridicule for his ignorance of evolution but couched in a polite and jocular manner. I think that hits the right tone for a shallow, shrill clown like Boteach.
Comment #177352 by Styrer- on May 9, 2008 at 1:01 am
Comment #177342 by Layla Nasreddin on May 9, 2008 at 12:21 am
We'll see how the good Cardinal responds.
243. Churchgoing on its knees as Christianity falls out of favour
Comment #177347 by Styrer- on May 9, 2008 at 12:43 am
I don't think we are going to win this one, folks.
The faithoholics are just too numerous. Their numbers are increasing all the time.
Muslim numbers are increasing as we speak, more than any idea on the planet.
It's just a matter of time.
What's the fucking point in fighting it anymore.
Wish I knew where Steve Zara's watering hole was. I'd stand the first ten.
Waste of fucking effort.
Styrer
Comment #177332 by Styrer- on May 8, 2008 at 11:34 pm
Tuned in specially to hear Richard's interview.
Could not have been more than two minutes, within which time, Richard made the great John Humphreys splutter his words!
Richard was in superb form, making the (to us lot familiar) point that the clergy are ALWAYS let off the hook when it comes to justifying their claims in a way that EVERYONE ELSE is emphatically not, because EVIDENCE is demanded.
Richard took Humphreys (and by association, much of the media) to task for applying different standards of interviewing to religious figures than those applied to secular invitees to the show. Cue Humphreys spluttering!
I do not think that Humphreys was expecting such robust rejoinders from Richard at all, perhaps because of the early hour. Humphreys' final 'get me out of here, quick' comment was 'I wish we had more time.'
Richard - excellent!
Thank you. More of the same, please!
Best,
Styrer
245. My Response to Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
Comment #177293 by Styrer- on May 8, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Comment #177290 by Eric Blair on May 8, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Eric Blair
Hitler reserved for some of the most despicable and irrational of his statements in public a stridency, a shrillness and a decibel-challenging shrieking for which it is difficult to find another human-voiced comparison. And Shmuley is a shrieker extraordinaire, precisely when he is uttering the most bollocks. The comparison with Hitler is uncanny.
Malicious or naive as regards a reference to Hitler? Way off the mark.
Dawkins' reference is entirely normal and appropriate.
Unlike your response here - may I suspect that you have deeper issues here?
Best,
Styrer
246. My Response to Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
Comment #177289 by Styrer- on May 8, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Comment #177257 by adonais on May 8, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Your opinion sucks. Scientists aren't in the business of pandering to demagogues who make their livelihood and fame off deceiving the public. Dawkins has dedicated decades of his life to educating the public, but people like Boteach and Stein et al repeatedly demonstrate themselves to be beyond educating.
247. My Response to Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
Comment #177243 by Styrer- on May 8, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Richard
Permit me my opinion - while Boteach is clearly a self-serving, self-publicising chancer of the worst kind, your response to him here is an absolute disgrace.
You have neither properly defended yourself against his despicable intimation that you are anti-semite, nor have you attempted here to categorically denounce such shit-fuelled tactics he is no doubt prepared to use in the propagation of his immoral beliefs to encourage other, more vulnerable people to join his cult.
You may think that you have wisely kept to the issue you raised regarding Hitler and his decibels (which is absolutely on the money), but here is an instance when, I submit, you simply had to take this little fucker to task for the hideous, despicable and hateful associations of which he has disingenuously and viciously sought to make you a supporter.
If you were not prepared to hit back at this horrible little person's crap extremely hard, I think you should have simply said nothing. Your piece seems, stunningly, more like an apology to him.
Extremely poor show, sir.
Styrer
Comment #177130 by Styrer- on May 8, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Comment #177127 by Diacanu on May 8, 2008 at 3:47
The motherfucka.
Comment #177126 by Styrer- on May 8, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Comment #177066 by Richard Dawkins on May 8, 2008 at 2:06 pm
OK, well I eventually decided to do it. I'm told I'll be on at about 7.10 am tomorrow morning, 9th May. Then they plan to re-use some of what I say, when they come on to interview the Cardinal later. So he gets the last word! And probably a much longer interview.
Richard
250. Trouble ahead for science
Comment #176937 by Styrer- on May 8, 2008 at 11:14 am
Comment #176912 by Cartomancer on May 8, 2008 at 10:32 am
Reluctantly, and solely for the purposes of seeing this film's 'ideas' shoved irretrievably down the world toilet of shit ideas, I agree.
Though quite why a seemingly reasonable chap like Miller doesn't take the next step and have a good old embarrassed chuckle at how daft he's been all this time, I'm really not sure.
Compartmentalization, no doubt. Wearing thin as that one is (intelligent faithoholics must surely know by now what their ill-serving brains are up to), I suppose we must take our support against the likes of anal fissures like Stein as we can.
But definitely reluctantly.
Best,
Styrer