1. Sean Hannity with Christopher Hitchens

Comment #54809 by ajpb on July 9, 2007 at 3:07 am

Speaking of the National Enquirer...

When on earth is RD's "The Rational Enquirer" series coming to TV. This is getting ridiculous now! I assume someone somewhere has authorised/paid for the production of this series, so where is it? Why is it not being broadcast?

ajpb

2. Richard Dawkins interviews the Bishop of Oxford

Comment #33357 by ajpb on April 20, 2007 at 12:08 am

This is without doubt the best video I have seen on this site yet.

3. Prophets of the new atheism

Comment #30397 by ajpb on April 8, 2007 at 1:57 am

".....is a senior fellow at the Discovery Institute....."

Says it all.

4. Postmodernism Disrobed

Comment #29107 by ajpb on April 1, 2007 at 4:14 pm

May I just make a quick point that has nothing to do with this specific news story.

It is heartening to see that the use of the Internet has flattened the social structure/traditional hierachy to the point where a reader can make a comment or ask a question about an author's work, and then receive a pubically accessible response and/or answer back from that author within an hour.

I of course think we are all immensely privileged that the technology has reached this stage, but, almost more-so that Richard Dawkins is adopting and using it in a way that will benefit everyone. I do not think most authors are as 'on call' to his/her readership!

Congratulations on your recent award. Having read several of your books, I do think it was well deserved. And happy belated birthday!

Alex.

5. Believers are away with the fairies

Comment #27889 by ajpb on March 27, 2007 at 6:15 am

I have just ordered the book mentioned right at the bottom. If I remember I'll post a mini review of it to the forum... This Grayling chap seems to have a very sensible outlook....

6. When the ain'ts go marching in

Comment #25226 by ajpb on March 11, 2007 at 5:34 am

I too have been to a humanist funeral. My grandfather had been an atheist for most of his later adult life, and fortunately before he died had a conversation with my grandmother about it. Although she 'can't believe she won't see him again' (I assume the implication is that she'll see him in heaven) she did think the ceremony was extremely 'fitting' and appropriate. It was what he would have wanted.

The service was unfettered with the usual bullshitty religious trappings. All texts read or speeches made were about his life and his achievements. So in that sense it wasn't "just another cookie-cutter funeral" as chuch ones tend to be. It was much more personal.

Al

7. Ayaan Hirsi Ali on Islam

Comment #22973 by ajpb on February 25, 2007 at 4:48 am

What a genius conversation. Superb. Never forget that Maher is not a saint. He supports PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) - who many consider to be essentially a terrorist organisation, and without doubt are an organisation who exhibit some of the same *types* of dogma and hypocracy that many religions do.

For example, PETA are so extreme in their views that they disagree with animal use in medical science. They have publically stated that they disagree with artificial insulin (which IIRC uses genetically modified pigs, to produce 'human compatible' insulin)...

Now for the hypocracy.

One of PETA's senior staff is diabetic! And, oh wait, she uses pig produced insulin!!! And her defence? It's ok for her to use it because she is fighting for animal rights.

8. Does Richard Dawkins exist?

Comment #21332 by ajpb on February 8, 2007 at 6:35 pm

Seems to me they are getting Richard Dawkins's accent confused with Rowan Williams, Arch Bish of Canterbury...

It's a pity the Real Richard Dawkins couldn't see a little bit of humour in it. I did smile a at several of the parodies. The recombination of just 26 letters for example.

I think the point is that if it is not a light hearted 'fun' parody (and is in fact an attempt at a serious stab at Richard Dawkins's work) then it falls massively on its arse.

I find it funny, precisely because the parodies are so poor in reality, and yet they carry it off with aplomb.

I think we should chuckle quietly to ourselves, say "har har, very clever," in perhaps a very mildly condescending way and move on.. As I say, viewed as a light hearted bit of satire, it IS funny.

9. Randi and 800 Other Amazing Skeptics

Comment #19103 by ajpb on January 25, 2007 at 1:22 am

Everyone sane knows Uri Geller is just a magician don't they? Why bother to try and bring a class action? Not sure I see the value really :-S

10. Discussion of The God Delusion

Comment #18044 by ajpb on January 18, 2007 at 3:55 am

I agree with most of what people have said. Some of the comments I heard were basically drivel. An outstandingly shallow understanding; particularly the girl with the long dark hair, and the softly spoken floppy haired bloke... What utter nonsense they spouted. And yes, I doubt they'd all actually read it fully.

Having said that I would make the point that of all the guests I would say Germaine Greer was closest to the mark with some of her points. Her final point about Dawkins' good humour (Noah's Ark etc) was good.

She did then slightly spoil it by suggesting that Dawkins would disapprove of her 'kind of atheism'; that she would disapprove of God even if it turned out he did exist.....

Finally I suppose I'd say that panel style book review programmes aren't really suited to anything as heavyweight as TGD. The NewsNight Book Club done solo by Paxman was far better.