1. Orangutan attempts to hunt fish with spear

Comment #171450 by obscured by clouds on April 28, 2008 at 1:49 pm

Hundredth monkey phenomenon

I am forced to improvise the details, but as near as I can tell, this is what seems to have happened. In the autumn of that year an unspecified number of monkeys on Koshima were washing sweet potatoes in the sea. . . . Let us say, for argument's sake, that the number was ninety-nine and that at eleven o'clock on a Tuesday morning, one further convert was added to the fold in the usual way. But the addition of the hundredth monkey apparently carried the number across some sort of threshold, pushing it through a kind of critical mass, because by that evening almost everyone was doing it. Not only that, but the habit seems to have jumped natural barriers and to have appeared spontaneously, like glycerine crystals in sealed laboratory jars, in colonies on other islands and on the mainland in a troop at Takasakiyama.

Yes, according to Watson, one monkey taught another to wash sweet potatoes who taught another who taught another and soon all the monkeys on the island were washing potatoes where no monkey had ever washed potatoes before. When the "hundredth" monkey learned to wash potatoes, suddenly and spontaneously and mysteriously monkeys on other islands, with no physical contact with the potato-washing cult, started washing potatoes! Was this monkey telepathy at work or just monkey business on Watson's part?

2. Expelled Overview

Comment #149421 by obscured by clouds on March 25, 2008 at 3:30 pm

Bravo Josh! I didn't know you had it in ya ;)~

Well there is not much I can to add, this was the only component that has been missing from the reviews thus far. Josh hit the nail on the head.

First I would like to thank PZ Myers for his offer to attend the move with him and his family, Josh, Liz and of course Richard Dawkins. I was in awe of the company I was with. Truly an amazing time, and that was before the whole fiasco.

Unfortunately I left before the Q&A, had I known Richard would have been involved I might have stayed. But I wanted some one on one time with PZ, who was just by himself outside. It's not every day you have a chance, so I took it.

There is nothing in this hatchet job that our readers have not heard before. If you are familiar with the outstanding job that creationist go through to deny reality, well this is just put to moving pictures (motion sickness). Every logical fallacy that you can think of, they did it spectacularly! They would make the flat earthers or UFOers with tinfoil hats proud!

So I will urge people not to see this, this will be a huge flop at the box office. Though no matter what happens they will claim victory, even if one person goes.

Do not financially support this movie, get the word out. Their biblical world view has no meaning in reality, and that starts with money.

3. Immune system differences found

Comment #145158 by obscured by clouds on March 17, 2008 at 10:19 am

Has Josh been on holiday? I submitted this weeks ago.

4. Special Guest: Richard Dawkins

Comment #142409 by obscured by clouds on March 12, 2008 at 12:55 pm

the mp3 link appears to be broken?

5. Richard Dawkins' US Tour begins this week

Comment #141934 by obscured by clouds on March 11, 2008 at 12:23 pm

To admin: When will the audio/video recordings of these events be available online?

6. Richard Dawkins' US Tour begins this week

Comment #141486 by obscured by clouds on March 10, 2008 at 1:50 pm

Yes you may bring your own.

7. Contribute to science directly by volunteering some of your computer's processing power!

Comment #140450 by obscured by clouds on March 7, 2008 at 11:31 am

I just wanted to thank the all new members! Looks like we attracted some heavy crunchers!

8. BREAK THE SCIENCE BARRIER - Available Now on DVD

Comment #124103 by obscured by clouds on February 8, 2008 at 11:16 am

Josh is to modest sometimes ;)~ He went though the entire video and corrected the color. A very time consuming process. I saw the side-by-side comparison, he truly did a great job.

9. Life-Forming Chemicals Found in Distant Galaxy

Comment #114602 by obscured by clouds on January 22, 2008 at 12:57 pm

Apparently Josh used my real name in the credit. Oh well, that's ok Josh… now's as good a time as any to 'come out', and if my devout Christian employers have a problem with that, they can go to their hell! ;-b

10. Stop House Resolution 888

Comment #107830 by obscured by clouds on January 5, 2008 at 12:54 pm

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:H.RES.888:

11. Disquiet over schools' moment of silence

Comment #103100 by obscured by clouds on December 24, 2007 at 9:55 am

I just found something:
http://www.myspace.com/cephalgy
This band's new album is called 'Moment der Stille' - Moment of Silence

12. Disquiet over schools' moment of silence

Comment #103089 by obscured by clouds on December 24, 2007 at 9:46 am

1) A moment of silence isn't inherently a religious thing.

13. THE FOUR HORSEMEN - Available Now on DVD!

Comment #102000 by obscured by clouds on December 21, 2007 at 11:17 am

What is/are the axiom(s) that science is built upon?

What makes you choose those axioms?

Are you serious? We choose the axioms of science because they have been researched, tested, corrected, peer reviewed, and when applied to the world they WORK! Why would someone choose to believe in the nonsensical and unprovable?

14. Creation college seeks state's OK to train teachers

Comment #99193 by obscured by clouds on December 15, 2007 at 9:16 pm

Posted from http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2007/12/are_we_tired_of_texas_inanity.php

Are we tired of Texas inanity yet?

Many people have been sending me this story about Texas considering accrediting the Institute of Creation Research for training teachers, and I've just been reluctant to mention it because poor Texas has been getting walloped over creationism lately, and I was feeling a terrible sympathy for the place. It's as if the whole state has fallen into a pit of suck.

The ICR wants to offer Masters degrees in science education, of all things; they claim they'd be offering instruction in evolution alongside their science curriculum, but we know that is a lie, since the people at ICR aren't competent to offer kindergarten level courses in pretty, pretty baby animals, let alone real biology. A state advisory board, in a fit of ignorance and insanity, has approved this plan, but it next has to go before the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for final approval.

I hope Texas scientists can slap that Board into wakeful reality before that meeting, because if this goes through, the trust I can give Texas-trained teachers is getting flushed right down the sewer. And if Texans can't fix this, the rest of the country has to step up and deny certification to anyone trained in Texas — their diplomas and degrees will be worth about as much as Monopoly money.

Sorry, Texas. It's just getting to be a bit much.

15. THE FOUR HORSEMEN - Available Now on DVD!

Comment #99107 by obscured by clouds on December 15, 2007 at 3:07 pm

Just adding to the chorus of gratitude to Josh (and obscured-by-clouds?) for making this happen.

16. THE FOUR HORSEMEN - Available Now on DVD!

Comment #99035 by obscured by clouds on December 15, 2007 at 9:51 am

Is anyone networking with psychologists and other therapists to collect data on people coming to therapists for help letting family and friends know their atheist? One ought to able to collect useful data without compromising confidentiality—data like age, sex, level of education, etc. If anyone is collecting this information, where is it? And is anybody keeping data on attrition rates of church membership? Who gathers this information, and how do they gather it? What was the attrition rate before the Four Horsemen were published? Are the Horsemen keeping their own databases on newly out atheists who've contacted them? Do any of them plan to share their information soon?

17. THE FOUR HORSEMEN - Available Now on DVD!

Comment #99027 by obscured by clouds on December 15, 2007 at 9:08 am

It was at Hitchens residence, during the AAI conference.

18. THE FOUR HORSEMEN - Available Now on DVD!

Comment #99019 by obscured by clouds on December 15, 2007 at 8:40 am

We are requesting for Volunteers to transcribe this (and others videos) into different languages (English first), then Volunteers (with the right software) to put subtitles in.

Once we have that we will make it available on the web, and in future production runs of the DVD's.

volunteers@richarddawkins.net

19. Why Science Will Triumph Only When Theory Becomes Law

Comment #98822 by obscured by clouds on December 14, 2007 at 1:47 pm

A response to my post would have been appreciated, but all things considered, especially the highly offensive nature of recent posts, I can't complain.

20. Why Science Will Triumph Only When Theory Becomes Law

Comment #98816 by obscured by clouds on December 14, 2007 at 1:30 pm

Upon further review, Ruht will be banned for blatantly trolling and future comments will be removed from the articles.

21. Jumbo shrimp, creationist astronomy

Comment #98512 by obscured by clouds on December 13, 2007 at 8:13 pm

What's wrong with QT? We welcome feedback, let us know.

22. Jumbo shrimp, creationist astronomy

Comment #98506 by obscured by clouds on December 13, 2007 at 8:07 pm

We download the videos on our media server, youtube vids can get taken down, now we have a copy.

23. An Open Letter to Richard Dawkins

Comment #96596 by obscured by clouds on December 10, 2007 at 6:33 pm

I wonder if he is writing a book...thinking

24. Daniel Dennett Debates Dinesh D'Souza

Comment #92742 by obscured by clouds on December 1, 2007 at 11:34 am

Well it's clear that D'Souza does not know the first thing about how to debate. Rather he launches into a sermon. I feel sorry for Dennett, though he is a good guy for putting up with that intellectually challenged nonsense.

I guess D'Souza book is not selling and needs all the help he can get to peddle his wretched diatribe. Maybe he should stick with coloring books.

25. Frequently Asked Questions about the Ayaan Hirsi Ali Security Trust

Comment #89813 by obscured by clouds on November 21, 2007 at 7:28 pm

I have canceled my Netflix subscription this is much more important. I have extra cash that I just throwaway, so it might as well go to something honorable, like this.

26. AAI 07

Comment #82767 by obscured by clouds on October 27, 2007 at 1:52 pm

Bonzai,

I was not aware of that please give me the link. I do not read every single post. All I am saying to you and everyone, lets keep it civilized. If he did that does not give you the right.

27. AAI 07

Comment #82750 by obscured by clouds on October 27, 2007 at 1:13 pm

Bonzai,

If you continue with personal attacks on members, you privileges will be suspended or revoked.

28. AAI 07

Comment #82587 by obscured by clouds on October 26, 2007 at 8:23 pm

The mic situation did not involve RDF, if it had been that would have never happened. Just saying ;)~

Chapman is an alright guy, hey he's a Pink Floyd fan so he is OK in my book!

29. AAI 07 DVDs by RDFRS are Now Available!

Comment #82150 by obscured by clouds on October 25, 2007 at 6:38 pm

Not yet but I would imagine it will be soon.

30. AAI 07 DVDs by RDFRS are Now Available!

Comment #81583 by obscured by clouds on October 24, 2007 at 11:35 pm

I'll take a box of these! ;)

31. Dan Dennett award and speech at AAI 07

Comment #78992 by obscured by clouds on October 15, 2007 at 6:11 pm

Good job editing Josh! The guy who kicked my tripod was barely noticeable, Thank Goodness!!

32. Ayaan Hirsi Ali at AAI 07

Comment #78540 by obscured by clouds on October 13, 2007 at 2:18 pm

It looks good, great job!

33. Sam Harris seems like a nice fellow, but very confused

Comment #77235 by obscured by clouds on October 8, 2007 at 8:12 pm

Wow something that I disagree with PZ Myers on. I was afraid of becoming a head bober. I have to agree with Sam Harris on this issue, if for no other reasons then my personal experience. For 32 years I nearly never used the word Atheist, I was of course. Though in the last few years I have often used it. I never liked that word, leaves a bad taste. Not for any deep held philosophical reason but more of semantics of language.

It's how you get there, not where you are, that is important. Why are you an Atheist should be the question? Though the only requirement is that you do not hold a belief in god. Our current use and the definition of Atheist only reflects that you do not believe in god. It makes no attempt to clarify the positions.

But there are many things that I do not believe in. Should I introduce myself with a long list of "disbelief's". Why just Atheist, why not the fact that I do not believe in Leprechauns is just a valid, or that I do not believe in Aliens.

Which misses the point I think. For labels I like and use the word Skeptical.

I would love to see a debate between Myers & Harris....!

34. In honour of Dan Dennett

Comment #76794 by obscured by clouds on October 7, 2007 at 9:34 am

We did video it. I do not know when it will be available.

35. In honour of Dan Dennett

Comment #76791 by obscured by clouds on October 7, 2007 at 9:29 am

That was one of the best introductions that I have ever heard. I'm glad I was able to see it first hand.

36. We Few, We Happy Few, We Band of Brothers

Comment #76117 by obscured by clouds on October 4, 2007 at 6:55 pm

Great job! It looks good, can't wait till I see it on the DVD.

37. AAI 2007 Photos

Comment #76058 by obscured by clouds on October 4, 2007 at 2:41 pm

This flicker thing is a great idea! Cheers!

38. Debate between Richard Dawkins and John Lennox

Comment #76037 by obscured by clouds on October 4, 2007 at 1:13 pm

That was a joke! I'm impressed how Richard Dawkins handled that train wreak of a "debate", which it was not. It was a debater against a preacher, who had nothing to say except for spewing his sermon.

I am not even going to try to dissect what was wrong with Lennox. There were to many logical fallacies to keep track of.

39. Hirsi Ali Returns to the Netherlands after Losing Body Guards

Comment #75755 by obscured by clouds on October 3, 2007 at 2:53 pm

She just read, it seemed, directly from her book. Harris and Dennett had by far more interesting, intellectually stimulating presentations.

40. Hirsi Ali Returns to the Netherlands after Losing Body Guards

Comment #75715 by obscured by clouds on October 3, 2007 at 12:48 pm

That sucks but I understand why. She was by far the most impressive speaker at AAI. I can't wait till the video gets done for all to see.

41. A New Debate

Comment #75510 by obscured by clouds on October 2, 2007 at 10:17 pm

It was great to hear your speech Thursday night. And a Pink Floyd fan, you are alright in my book!

I'm all up for such a debate, though I do not have the vision that it will ever happen. That being said I think this is a good idea and I would fully support it. It sounds like the start of a good movement.

This could be in the spirit of the Out Campaign. You have a mission statement now organize the movement. Then let the community run with it.

Even if it fails utterly, it would bring attention to the important issues. Just to watch them squirm a little on this subject would be worth it at the least. If this, which I think it could, gets enough attention they would at some point be confronted with the idea. What they say would just be more fodder.

42. Griffin's 'offensive' Emmy speech to be censored

Comment #69807 by obscured by clouds on September 12, 2007 at 10:07 pm

xabstract,


You rock!

43. Don't eat at the Outback Steakhouse on Route 3...

Comment #59847 by obscured by clouds on July 30, 2007 at 8:57 pm

We were successful and had that vid taken down, since it infringed on our copyrights. They showed our website in there vid. We did not give them permission to use our work.

Cheers!

44. Don't eat at the Outback Steakhouse on Route 3...

Comment #59007 by obscured by clouds on July 26, 2007 at 11:38 pm

I noticed that he removed the options to respond. Good move on his part, saved himself from further embarrassment.

45. Don't eat at the Outback Steakhouse on Route 3...

Comment #58991 by obscured by clouds on July 26, 2007 at 9:42 pm

Demystifying christians

So here is yet another attempt, and once you hear the facts their twist straitens out. The thread in question is here;
http://www.richarddawkins.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=183496#p183496

I went through this thread all 86 post in 5 pages. I counted up the responses. Here is a break down;

There were 8 in favor.

45 post strongly against such an idea.

About 33 OT comments or the OP posting trying in vain to support his views.

Even the OP eventually started to recant his position once it was apparent that there was no support for his stupid idea.

Once again our community has spoken with a clear voice on this subject. Great job!

So why did they ignore ALL of that and quote mined, cheery picked the parts that they wanted. They dismissed ALL of the other post that contradicted their view. Why do facts scare them so, they lie to themselves and to us.

Yet another christian myth demystified.

46. Menlo Park, CA Event

Comment #3571 by Obscured by Clouds on October 30, 2006 at 9:41 am

Yeah it was a good time. Though too many people and not enough room and it was not long enough.

But all in all it was informative!

I got a few extra books, for Christmas presents...heheh :)~