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Comments by dlitt


1. Prayer refusal pupils 'disciplined'

Comment #204871 by dlitt on July 6, 2008 at 2:03 am

They could all wear pirate regalia and worship His Noodlieness.

2. Senate bill allows display of Lord's Prayer, 10 Commandments

Comment #186881 by dlitt on May 31, 2008 at 3:17 pm

Mein Kampf is a historical document, too.

3. Kenya mob reportedly burns 11 'witches'

Comment #183636 by dlitt on May 22, 2008 at 11:56 am

"The villagers are complaining that the (suspected) wizards and witches are making the bright children in the community dumb....
Something has obviously made these 300 vigilantes dumb.

4. Bible Theme Park Faces Opposition in Tennessee

Comment #180751 by dlitt on May 15, 2008 at 5:10 pm

How about bungee jumping while crucified?
Or, prizes for the most faithful self-flagellator?
Might make it worth the ticket.

5. Shaw TV Interview with Richard Dawkins

Comment #176739 by dlitt on May 7, 2008 at 11:27 pm

ASMarques,

The amount of literary effort you put into 'holocaust denial,' in the least, could be described as obsessive. Did someone cut the skin off your willy when you were little? Maybe you need to talk to a professional.

6. An Atheist Goes Undercover to Join the Flock of Mad Pastor John Hagee

Comment #176724 by dlitt on May 7, 2008 at 10:47 pm

"Don't worry, Matthew," he said, resting his hand on my shoulder. "A wonderful woman named Martha is going to take care of you at the ranch. You just tell her what you need when you get there."

Sounds like an introduction at the Mustang Ranch.

7. Losing Our Spines to Save Our Necks

Comment #176720 by dlitt on May 7, 2008 at 10:40 pm

Click the "Buzz up" button at the source page (Huffington Post) and move it to the top of Yahoo's list. Only 118 more votes required.

8. Museums teach society lacking in science literacy

Comment #176155 by dlitt on May 6, 2008 at 5:30 pm

Comment #172723 by rod-the-farmer on April 30, 2008 at 1:58 am

I love the thousand yard model for the solar system. I wish I were a science teacher so I could do this. I think this brings home to kids & adults, the SCALE of it. Now, if there were something similar to display the scale of time since the formation of the earth, and the origin of life, then perhaps the kids and even fundies would start to understand just how much "room" there is/was for evolution to take place. In particular, the Cambrian Explosion now appears as a very extended period of time, not a flash in the pan, so to speak.[edit]

From the perspective of our inquisitive species, the Cambrian Explosion was a hugely vast amount of time, but a flash in the pan when compared to the Universe - or even compared to the preceeding evolution of single-celled organisms.

9. Shaw TV Interview with Richard Dawkins

Comment #175219 by dlitt on May 4, 2008 at 11:37 pm

Comment #175207 by ASMarques on May 4, 2008 at 9:17 pm

****** TO THE ATTENTION OF PROF. DAWKINS ******

[followed by paragraphs of rubbish]


This crackpot takes the cake!

10. Museums teach society lacking in science literacy

Comment #172674 by dlitt on April 29, 2008 at 9:30 pm

The most profoundly enlightening experience of the vastness of space can be demonstrated by the Thousand Yard Model:

http://www.noao.edu/education/peppercorn/pcmain.html

Kids have a lot of fun with it. A superb astronomical demonstration of our relationship with our solar system. My favorite introduction to science for young scientists.

11. How to reconcile Richard Dawkins?

Comment #172653 by dlitt on April 29, 2008 at 8:42 pm

Damn! Richard got within a hundred miles and I didn't know he was coming. So much for paying attention to his itinerary. :-(

12. Cult leader Pyotr Kuznetsov tries suicide after realising he was wrong about doomsday

Comment #154826 by dlitt on April 3, 2008 at 7:10 pm

Pyotr Kuznetsov was in hospital yesterday after he was discovered hitting himself over the head with a log.
Too funny - Is the rest worth reading? Could have been a Monty Python skit.

13. Upside-down church sculpture on hit list

Comment #154821 by dlitt on April 3, 2008 at 7:03 pm

I wonder how many would be offended if it were a Mosque.

14. Expelled from Expelled: PZ story goes global

Comment #150457 by dlitt on March 27, 2008 at 12:20 am

Comment #150453 by Steve Zara on March 26, 2008 at 11:56 pm
[major edit] ...and, unfortunately, the message of this film is very popular.

Very true. Josh's review of the movie - where he repeatedly mentions the audience's positive response to the most ridiculous moments - demonstrates the size of their 'choir.'

15. Police: Girl Dies After Parents Pray for Healing Instead of Seeking Medical Help

Comment #150452 by dlitt on March 26, 2008 at 11:51 pm

The mother believes the girl could still be resurrected, the police chief said.
A taxidermist could perform the 'resurrection.'

16. Expelled from Expelled: PZ story goes global

Comment #150442 by dlitt on March 26, 2008 at 11:29 pm

Certainly the next step in the anthropological evolution of our species will be the dumping of all superstitious nonsense in the dustbin of embarassing credulity.
I'm glad this universe is too large for us to communicate with (possibly) more intelligent life forms. I'd be ashamed to admit I shared my species with credulous twits.

17. Expelled Overview

Comment #150436 by dlitt on March 26, 2008 at 11:03 pm

Comment #149466 by EKinateder on March 25, 2008 at 4:23 pm
If you must see this piece of trash for yourself:


Most theaters in the USA do not check tickets once you've purchased a ticket and entered the main hallway. Purchase a ticket to another movie and attend this one instead.
That would be most fortuitous if the other movie was 'Religulous.' :-)

18. Happy Birthday, Richard Dawkins!

Comment #150396 by dlitt on March 26, 2008 at 8:39 pm

Happy birthday, Richard!

May you live to see laboratory created life and artificially created consciousness.

...And, most importantly, knowledge of the ULTIMATE QUESTION - (Q), whereas Q=42.

19. I suppose it's due ('Expelled' review)

Comment #147996 by dlitt on March 21, 2008 at 6:29 pm

Comment #147987 by Zaphod on March 21, 2008 at 5:57 pm

[edit] Anyone not devoid of the capability to critically think understands it that it did once the see the evidence.
Could you put the commas in their rightful place and/or correct the grammar so I understand the sentence?

20. Sci-fi guru Clarke to have secular funeral

Comment #147790 by dlitt on March 21, 2008 at 8:48 am

What I've read on the subject of body disposal and environmental issues - cremation is bad for greenhouse gas emissions. The best way to dispose of a corpse is to drop it vertically in a hole like a plug.

21. Sci-fi guru Clarke to have secular funeral

Comment #147599 by dlitt on March 21, 2008 at 12:17 am

I want a Roman style 'death mask' cast of my willy first - then nailed on the door of an American Mega-Church.

22. Jesus saves

Comment #147583 by dlitt on March 20, 2008 at 11:36 pm

What a waste of money! We tend to believe what we are told, until we grow up. Some people never grow up.

23. God's cure for gays lost in sin

Comment #147580 by dlitt on March 20, 2008 at 11:22 pm

When I was a kid 'gay' was 'happy.'

I suppose it depends on the context - 'Retard' sounds derogatory, whereas 'retarded' does not.

24. God's cure for gays lost in sin

Comment #147573 by dlitt on March 20, 2008 at 11:00 pm

Comment #147572 by Gordy on March 20, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Bonzai >
[edit]Can I suggest left-handedness as a better analogy? It's relatively infrequent but common enough to be considered normal and it doesn't cause any ill effects...
I had a CVA (stroke) 17 years ago, that affected the coordination of my right arm. Since I was a lefty all my life, it wasn't much of a loss. Since strokes involving the cerebellum tend to affect the right side of the body, then left-handedness is advantageous.

25. God's cure for gays lost in sin

Comment #147568 by dlitt on March 20, 2008 at 10:39 pm

Comment #146590 by Pathfinder on March 19, 2008 at 7:59 am
[edit] ...and you can say what you like about other species exhibiting same-sex sexual proclivities but animals do not have CELESTIAL HELP, or awareness of the divine.
Since we are all animals I can agree with the lack of 'celestial help' statement.

26. God's cure for gays lost in sin

Comment #147566 by dlitt on March 20, 2008 at 10:29 pm

So, I'm to understand that if I told them I was gay, they would force me into a heterosexual relationship. Sounds inviting. :-)

27. Sci-fi guru Clarke to have secular funeral

Comment #147561 by dlitt on March 20, 2008 at 10:20 pm

Drop my cadaver in a 'body farm' where they can study the life cycle of the blowfly maggot.
As long as a funeral parlor doesn't get a plug nickel.

28. EXPELLED!

Comment #147560 by dlitt on March 20, 2008 at 10:09 pm

Dawkins would just have to put a baseball cap on backwards and pull his pants half way down his ass, and he'd fit right in. :-)

29. EXPELLED!

Comment #147540 by dlitt on March 20, 2008 at 9:31 pm

What I would find even funnier is a theist reading PZ's blog, calling the theatre, and the theatre staff intercepting Richard Dawkins on the way out.

30. Religion 'linked to happy life'

Comment #146353 by dlitt on March 19, 2008 at 1:48 am

Comment #146348 by Bonzai on March 19, 2008 at 1:38 am
dlitt,

As far as I am aware no study ever claims cocaine is good for your health, I think either you are missing the point or I am missing yours.
[Edit] Might not be healthy but it sure makes you feel good. There are lots of things that could make you happy, but they might have a negative side effect.

31. Writer Arthur C Clarke dies at 90

Comment #146349 by dlitt on March 19, 2008 at 1:38 am

Comment #146345 by Heretic on March 19, 2008 at 1:27 am
I've never read his stuff.

Am I the only one who seems to remember this guy was a CHILD SEX OFFENDER.

Excuse me if I don't attend the funeral.


Here is the only reference to paedophilia on Wikipedia:

On 26 May 2000 he was made a Knight Bachelor for his Services to Literature at a ceremony in Colombo. The investiture of the award had been delayed, at Clarke's request, since 1998 because of an accusation, by the British tabloid The Sunday Mirror, of paedophilia, was found to be baseless by Sri Lankan police and retracted by the paper soon after.
Looks pretty weak to me.

32. Writer Arthur C Clarke dies at 90

Comment #146344 by dlitt on March 19, 2008 at 1:25 am

Comment #146337 by Steve Zara on March 19, 2008 at 1:14 am

Not when you are 89 and happy with life :(
There is a way we could be immortal ;-)

33. Religion 'linked to happy life'

Comment #146339 by dlitt on March 19, 2008 at 1:16 am

The most euphoric and coherent afternoon I've ever experienced was after a couple of lines of cocaine about 24 years ago. I liked it so much I vowed never to do it again. The addictive properties and physical detriment weren't worth it.
Just as my rational mind isn't worth trading for a God addiction.

34. In Britain, creationist theory is evolving

Comment #145641 by dlitt on March 17, 2008 at 9:01 pm

...cabbie James McLean delivered his verdict on Charles Darwin's theory of evolution.

"Evolution is a lie, and it's being taught in schools as fact, and it's leading our kids in the wrong direction."
Hmm... A cabbie... I'll bet he knows a lot about "the wrong direction."

35. New Atheists Are Not Great

Comment #145639 by dlitt on March 17, 2008 at 8:54 pm

None of the atheistic alternatives has survived because reason just doesn't make a satisfying god.
I particularly liked this sentence.
Forgo reason - remain ignorant - be satisfied with bunk.

36. New Atheists Are Not Great

Comment #145638 by dlitt on March 17, 2008 at 8:48 pm

None contemplates an Almighty who humbly offers the bread and cup of love or gives his children complete freedom to grasp his outstretched hand or slap it away.
Slap it away? Now there's a ticket to Hell.

37. New Atheists Are Not Great

Comment #145634 by dlitt on March 17, 2008 at 8:42 pm

He describes how Christian principles of free choice and human dignity laid the groundwork for democratic political systems built on inalienable human rights. They inspired free markets in economics and intellectual pursuit. Christian theologians fathered modern science.

What a crock! More bullshit from a Christian. Theologians responsible for science? We'd still be under the thumb of the Inquisition if it were not for the enlightened brave.

38. Selling science to the masses

Comment #144491 by dlitt on March 16, 2008 at 8:08 am

Carl Sagan was my hero for communicating science to the masses. I am also interested in anything Neil deGrasse Tyson has to convey.

39. Beauty ad banned after Christian outcry

Comment #143231 by dlitt on March 13, 2008 at 5:24 pm

If I could, I'd run an ad that says:

"If God shines out your ass, defecate."

I'll defend my right to offend.

40. Out of the Blue

Comment #140795 by dlitt on March 8, 2008 at 3:55 pm

A couple of questions to ponder...

If this artificial brain is turned off, will it regain it's previous sense of self, or become a different conscious being altogether when reactivated (rebooted)?

If this thing is limited to electrical switching(binary), how do we simulate the effect of hormones, and proteins on this 'brain's' activity - and are hormones and proteins necessary for consciousness?

41. Richard Dawkins' US Tour begins this week

Comment #138658 by dlitt on March 4, 2008 at 4:57 pm

Comment #138095 by JamesDB on March 3, 2008 at 11:03 pm

Hey how about a trip to Vancouver B.C. Canada.


How about coming to ski at Whistler? :-)

42. Fleabytes

Comment #130039 by dlitt on February 20, 2008 at 12:34 am

Paula,

I think your avatar needs a halo!

43. Fleabytes

Comment #130037 by dlitt on February 20, 2008 at 12:29 am

Wow! It is a book - 68 pages in MS Word.

44. Fleabytes

Comment #130036 by dlitt on February 20, 2008 at 12:20 am

Comment #130022 by 601 on February 19, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Excellent Work.

Write a book, you can reach further into the target audience than most.

I'd say she just did. What a read! Sure glad I have 20 pounds of toner for my printer - I can read it again at work - as a book. :-)

45. State Approves Evolution As 'Scientific Theory'

Comment #130028 by dlitt on February 19, 2008 at 11:48 pm

Or a quote from Mark Twain...

"God created the idiot for practice - then he created the School Board."

46. A match made on RichardDawkins.net?

Comment #128777 by dlitt on February 17, 2008 at 11:21 pm

Darn! Just as I was about to come to Australia and propose to you, Veronique.
Congratulations!
I wondered why your posts petered out.

47. The Search for Truth, God and Braver Scientists in 'Expelled'

Comment #128744 by dlitt on February 17, 2008 at 9:47 pm

Comment #128223 by jbacsa on February 16, 2008 at 3:07 pm
[edit] It also seems to me that a notable exception are a wealthy, privileged minority who have no use for God.
It is unfortunate that the 'privileged minority' can better afford the 'higher education' that gives them a better understanding of science and the requirement of some evidence to support a theory. It isn't about not having a "use for God," it is about a lack of evidence to support a God hypothesis or more bluntly, not having a use for nonsense.

48. Machines 'to match man by 2029'

Comment #128716 by dlitt on February 17, 2008 at 6:34 pm

I guess I wasn't clear. I'm only skeptical of the date (2029). I tend to take a 'wait and see' position. I don't see any limits to technology.

49. Study: Religion colors Americans' views of nanotechnology

Comment #128711 by dlitt on February 17, 2008 at 6:15 pm

Comment #128337 by Diacanu on February 16, 2008 at 6:50 pm
quill-

Nah, I never despair for the US.

We may churn out more crap percentage wise, but our good stuff makes up for in quality what it doesn't in quantity.
I'll agree with this statement - except... just when I get to liking an American made product, you farm it out to cheap labour in South Korea or China and the quality drops considerably.

50. Machines 'to match man by 2029'

Comment #128708 by dlitt on February 17, 2008 at 6:03 pm

When looking at the high frequency of past technological predictions that have not come true, I will remain skeptical of this one.
What I look forward to is artificial consciousness - but I doubt we'll see it any time soon.

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