201. On Fitna, the Movie

Comment #178819 by DamnDirtyApe on May 12, 2008 at 5:26 am

Yep, free speech even for douchebags - but when the douchebags do speak, lets make sure that some mechanism or group of people is in place so that everyone knows they are douchebags. Holy media, batman!

...Not the best solution, but -a- solution. They certainly did their bit against Expelled:No good reviews abound.

202. On Fitna, the Movie

Comment #178744 by DamnDirtyApe on May 12, 2008 at 1:49 am

I think part of the problem was not that Fitna didn't have a point. I think it was mostly down to the fact it was rather poorly made. The issues could have been addressed more stringently. It was far too emotive, and given the subject, that's all too easy to be. Religion, superstition and fanatism can only be defeated with logic, reason, and a clear head.

203. 'My daughter deserved to die for falling in love'

Comment #178408 by DamnDirtyApe on May 11, 2008 at 11:13 am

This is the monstrosity of man. Everyone must see this.

204. Church of Scotland mediators to quell disputes

Comment #178297 by DamnDirtyApe on May 11, 2008 at 5:42 am

100% agree with the pamphlet plan. I would also suggest dropping this fine example by native Scot Iain M Banks:

http://www.cs.bris.ac.uk/~stefan/culture.html

- don't read my next line if you want to spoil the punchline!




'I know it's all nonsense, but you've got to admit it's impressive nonsense. And like I said at the start, none of it exists anyway, does it?'




If only Jesus said something that. I'd probably be convinced he'd existed with a statement that profound.

205. My Response to Rabbi Shmuley Boteach

Comment #177457 by DamnDirtyApe on May 9, 2008 at 5:58 am

Guys - we've written two whole pages here on a single remark spoken in the heat of passion. It was a little bit iffy, but it was a human thing.

Can we all move on? The weather outside is bloody gorgeous.

206. Churchgoing on its knees as Christianity falls out of favour

Comment #177450 by DamnDirtyApe on May 9, 2008 at 5:47 am

True enough on those figures Barry, but on the census itself clearly a lot of people are putting christian down, perhaps even if they are agnostic.

Maybe you are right, the figure could be a lot higher, but I suspect even with the great efforts of Dawkins et al, the majority of the public have still not been entirely convinced. There are still plenty who are probably unaware. There's unfortunately lots of bestsellers which people have never heard of, and lots of people who just don't read. And then there's the millions who just watch Corrination Street and Eastenders rather than a probing channel 4 documentary.

207. Churchgoing on its knees as Christianity falls out of favour

Comment #177349 by DamnDirtyApe on May 9, 2008 at 1:00 am

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_England_from_the_2001_United_Kingdom_census#Religion

Do not worry.

3% Muslim, 15% NONE.

That's back in 2001. Before 9/11, before Bush's mania really took off, and before this movement. I really believe that 15% figure will skyrocket. I'd hope for something closer to 30%.

208. Trouble ahead for science

Comment #176981 by DamnDirtyApe on May 8, 2008 at 12:24 pm

If America ever loses its Energy for Science, you might as well hand China the world on a plate.

209. Life after Jehovah's Witnesses: website offers help to followers who lose their faith

Comment #176362 by DamnDirtyApe on May 7, 2008 at 7:53 am

Just wondering something...

I recall the universe talk off TED. The guy liked to think of the physics explanation of it as a creation story (in the whole epic billions of years sense).

Is there any chance someone can make a pamphlet of that so when they come knocking on our doors to give us theirs we can give them one of ours?

210. Research Volunteers Needed

Comment #175259 by DamnDirtyApe on May 5, 2008 at 3:27 am

Hopefully some interesting graphs will appear out of this....

211. Evolution's Critics Shift Tactics With Schools

Comment #174959 by DamnDirtyApe on May 4, 2008 at 12:34 am

Science is not a democracy. If anything, via Peer Review its more like martial arts where the experts and masters vet each other accordance to how good they are. Sure people invent their own new styles but these need to be prooven to be effective to be accepted. There's specialisation, a whole range of disciplines, masters dedicated to a particular art who are revered for their knowledge and skill. Of course even they can have their challengers.

The analogy I'm trying to suggest is the creationism-evolution debate is like my eight year old nephew trying to pick a fight with an in-his-prime Bruce Lee.

212. Was the new finger a 'natural' miracle?

Comment #174389 by DamnDirtyApe on May 2, 2008 at 11:13 am

Natural? This sounds like a clinical trial. Its just not been published yet.

213. Bill Good Interviews Richard Dawkins

Comment #173894 by DamnDirtyApe on May 1, 2008 at 10:27 am

I feel it Nephite. My brother's at Utah Uni, I've visited the town. What would otherwise be a pretty liberal studenty city with everything going for it is made slightly creepy by the Disneyland at its center. Salt Lake's probably one of the best places in America, but it's downright weird. Ah well. If a biological scientist can make it there, they can make it anywhere!

Also the mormon office tower looks like a giant wang. It is hilarious.

214. Bill Good Interviews Richard Dawkins

Comment #173625 by DamnDirtyApe on May 1, 2008 at 1:53 am

Quick one line blasters:

Q 'what about hitler and darwinism?'
A 'well, what about the anti-jewish Pogroms that occurred before Charles Darwin was even born?'

Q 'what about Stalin?'
A 'well, what about stalin's cult of personality?'

Q 'the earth is 6000 years old!'
A 'well, what about the speed of light and the number of stars in our massive galaxy?'

Q 'What about the bacteria flagellum?'
A 'Well, what about your appendix?'

We might as well just try and make our arguments more time efficient, because we're going to be answering question like this for a very, very long time.

215. How to reconcile Richard Dawkins?

Comment #172204 by DamnDirtyApe on April 29, 2008 at 10:39 am

Count Count - you should check out Eddie Izzard. His description of Hitler is top, regarding his status as a vegetarian painter.

'I can't get the colours right - ARRRGH I will kill everyone in the world!'

216. Orangutan attempts to hunt fish with spear

Comment #171052 by DamnDirtyApe on April 28, 2008 at 9:19 am

Doctor zeius Doctor zeius
Doctor zeius Doctor zeius
Doctor zeius Doctor zeius -ooh - Doctor zeius

What's wrong with me? I think you're crazy.
Want a second opinion! You're also lazy.

Doctor zeius...

217. Orangutan attempts to hunt fish with spear

Comment #171051 by DamnDirtyApe on April 28, 2008 at 9:17 am

Let's not get carried away folks... This is the daily mail after all, plus that pole is clearly not natural. It must have been trained by a human or is at least immitating one.

Side note: much dumber animals (crows) are excellent tool users, and very good at making and using spears for 'fishing' grubs.

218. Science leads to killing people

Comment #170768 by DamnDirtyApe on April 28, 2008 at 1:36 am

Evil lurks in the streets, but it was never the streets that were evil.

What drives a man like Stein to want to manipulate and decieve ordinary unwise folk in this horrible way? Does he enjoy it? Is he wrapped up some kind of sick fantasy, or is he just a liar?

219. Does science make belief in God obsolete?

Comment #170114 by DamnDirtyApe on April 27, 2008 at 12:01 pm

Think for yourself... Question authority

Throughout human history, as our species has faced the frightening, terrorizing fact that we do not know who we are, or where we are going in this ocean of chaos, it has been the authorities, the political, the religious, the educational authorities who attempted to comfort us by giving us order, rules, regulations, informing, forming in our minds their view of reality. To think for yourself you must question authority and learn how to put yourself in a state of vulnerable, open-mindedness; chaotic, confused, vulnerability to inform yourself.

Think for yourself... Question authority.

220. Soldier Sues Army, Saying His Atheism Led to Threats

Comment #169855 by DamnDirtyApe on April 27, 2008 at 1:39 am

I did hear some things about a crazy subset in the pentagon with a religious mission relating to Israel. From what I heard they actually believe war there would be a sign of the rapture. Anyone know anything?

Isn't it reassuring that such level-headed thinking is driving change in the most unstable part of the world?

Personally, It makes me brick myself.

221. Soldier Sues Army, Saying His Atheism Led to Threats

Comment #169717 by DamnDirtyApe on April 26, 2008 at 4:21 pm

Yes, songmeanings is a bit of a wasted four in the morning discussion site at times - some of the kids who post there are total tools (hee hee), but the band themselves are freaking smart guys and awesome song writers, especially Lateralus with it's fibonacci series timing. Plus A Perfect Circle were damn good as well. And their last album came with an insane stereoscopic viewer.

Mastodon and qotsa are pretty good, but I'm a bit partial to the Mars Volta (especially Frances the Mute) myself. Insane, manic guys. Ooh, I saw Mastodon support tool last year, that ruled

... I really should go to sleep.

222. Soldier Sues Army, Saying His Atheism Led to Threats

Comment #169688 by DamnDirtyApe on April 26, 2008 at 3:00 pm

Maynard James Keenan, lead singer of my favorite band (ever) was a lieutenant in the US Army. He was a forward artillery observer.

This is one of his best:

http://www.songmeanings.net/lyric.php?lid=2502

I think you guys can figure out where he would stand on this issue.

223. Tyrannosaurus rex protein proves dinosaurs evolved into birds

Comment #168425 by DamnDirtyApe on April 25, 2008 at 6:21 am

Now we finally know the important truth - we know what T-Rex tastes like. Fire up the grill!

Seriously though, this sounds epic.







We're going to need a bigger grill.

224. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #168417 by DamnDirtyApe on April 25, 2008 at 6:15 am

A mate of mine does economics. Aside from his passion for golf (urgh, a good walk ruined!) he's a cool guy...

225. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #167652 by DamnDirtyApe on April 24, 2008 at 8:39 am

You're very evasive Remnant. People are repeatedly asking you direct questions which you refuse to answer. That's very rude.

Slippy don't even bother arguing with his mumbo-jumbo. He's picking and choosing which bits in the bible he wants to respond to.

I like to pick and choose bits of knowledge myself, however I tend to pick the ones that EVIDENCE SUPPORTS.

Likewise, please don't go off and drink deadly poison: I know we're trying to proove a point by mentioning that bible quote but we don't actually want you to die.

I'm saying that because I'm convinced you might be stupid enough to give it a try. Well, Either that or you're an evasive hipocrite. I may describe you in nicer terms if you choose to answer Al Rawandi's and the others questions. That would be a smarter start.

226. Yoko Ono, Filmmakers Caught in 'Expelled' Flap

Comment #167400 by DamnDirtyApe on April 24, 2008 at 2:09 am

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7364333.stm

I was hoping she'd turn it round. Same with the Killers too, and hopefully the Harvard folk. The expelled suckers are going to get Royally Owned.

227. Lynchings in Congo as penis theft panic hits capital

Comment #166620 by DamnDirtyApe on April 23, 2008 at 10:46 am

'We saw. What was left was tiny'

What, was there a before and after?

228. Responses to 'Gods and Earthlings' by Richard Dawkins

Comment #165935 by DamnDirtyApe on April 22, 2008 at 3:46 pm

I really just don't think they read it properly.

229. Open Letter to a victim of Ben Stein's lying propaganda

Comment #165724 by DamnDirtyApe on April 22, 2008 at 6:11 am

My final thoughts on this matter relate back to the God Delusion, specifically the chapter relating to addressing Hitler. I always felt that while the general points were addressed, that chapter was relatively weak compared to the rest of the book. Reading the Professor's letter, the argument here is vastly more solid. Great job.

230. If God Is Dead, Who Gets His House?

Comment #165656 by DamnDirtyApe on April 22, 2008 at 1:45 am

How can a word that means the exact opposite of theism be quasi-religious?

I think they're confusing it with Humanism. And Humanism is generally a great thing.

231. Ben Stein Vs. Sputtering Atheists

Comment #165131 by DamnDirtyApe on April 21, 2008 at 5:31 am

I'm atheism friendly!

Ape: Now with logic(tm)!

Washing instructions: Expose to highest levels of scrutiny possible. Do not mix with impossible theoretical clothing as it may result in their disintergration.

232. Ben Stein Vs. Sputtering Atheists

Comment #165106 by DamnDirtyApe on April 21, 2008 at 4:18 am

I think i'm starting to believe something: We can win against these IDiots.

233. Sex for diploma offer caught on tape

Comment #164502 by DamnDirtyApe on April 20, 2008 at 10:41 am

Oh Simpsons, what wisdom you've given us: As long as everyone is videotaping everyone else - Justice will be done!

234. Religious education as a part of literary culture

Comment #162541 by DamnDirtyApe on April 17, 2008 at 3:53 am

NormanDoering raises an excellent point. It is one thing to have enthusiasm and love, but it too can be all consuming and even distructive.

I think i'll put off buying that xbox 360 till -after- I've finished my PhD...

235. Yoko Ono, Filmmakers Caught in 'Expelled' Flap

Comment #162426 by DamnDirtyApe on April 17, 2008 at 12:15 am

As we so fondly say on the interweb - Ownage!

236. For sale: 13-year-old virgin

Comment #160764 by DamnDirtyApe on April 14, 2008 at 11:25 am

That's pretty fucking sick Max...

237. For sale: 13-year-old virgin

Comment #160728 by DamnDirtyApe on April 14, 2008 at 10:23 am

I found myself thinking of Memoirs of a Geisha. Only this is even creepier. And in the present day.

238. Richard Dawkins' secular army must be stopped. God is behind some of our greatest art

Comment #160372 by DamnDirtyApe on April 14, 2008 at 2:12 am

One word reply: Bioshock.

http://www.wikicheats.com/images/thumb/d/d5/Bioshock_no_kings_or_gods.jpg/800px-Bioshock_no_kings_or_gods.jpg

239. Ancient serpent shows its leg

Comment #159617 by DamnDirtyApe on April 12, 2008 at 4:21 pm

The folk who found this are Science heros.

Super Synchrotron force: Assemble!

240. Scientists take drugs to boost brain power: study

Comment #158994 by DamnDirtyApe on April 11, 2008 at 10:01 am

To be completely honest, I've actually never taken drugs in my life (with the exception of alcohol, and I don't get drunk terribly frequently).

Well, the technicality of that depends on your stance on Asthma medication. As I occaisionally need that to live.

241. Scientists take drugs to boost brain power: study

Comment #158978 by DamnDirtyApe on April 11, 2008 at 9:17 am

That, and I suspect Bill Hicks would sleep very, very soundly to such news.

242. Scientists take drugs to boost brain power: study

Comment #158974 by DamnDirtyApe on April 11, 2008 at 9:13 am

Nicotine, valium, vicodin, marijuana, ecstasy and alcohol....

Damn - Science is Rock & Roll!

And let's not forget the inventor of LSD. Who was actually rather fond of his own discovery.

243. The simple falsehood at the heart of Expelled

Comment #158239 by DamnDirtyApe on April 10, 2008 at 8:47 am

This also is relevant to the Catholic church's 'new sins' - particularly the sin of 'genetic manipulation'. They appear to have forgotten that we've selectively bred crops, cattle and dogs since the DAWN OF FREAKING CIVILISATION.

244. German Church admits aiding Nazis

Comment #158082 by DamnDirtyApe on April 10, 2008 at 4:00 am

Is there anyone the church may wronged who they have NOT thrown money at?

Who are they represented by, Michael Jackson's legal team?

245. Expelled producers accused of copyright infringement

Comment #158048 by DamnDirtyApe on April 10, 2008 at 3:01 am

Ah, I knew this movie would strike a chord with the right audience...

246. 'Darwin chip' brings evolution into the classroom

Comment #157597 by DamnDirtyApe on April 9, 2008 at 10:13 am

Ah, this stuff is cool. I work in an Embedded Systems lab doing some image processing stuff. One guy here's working on fault-tolerant computation inspired by RNA messaging.

247. Anti-evolution bill clears another hurdle

Comment #157448 by DamnDirtyApe on April 9, 2008 at 5:37 am

Falc, I know you're not crazy :D But those darn Homeland security guys scare the McJesus out of me.

248. In search of the God particle

Comment #156805 by DamnDirtyApe on April 8, 2008 at 9:23 am

Urgh! Reading those comments for the Times, I haven't been as annoyed with people's ignorance since that program on BBC on sunday morning with the good professor, that horrible woman, and those idiotic debate topics!

249. Get out of here, atheists!

Comment #156405 by DamnDirtyApe on April 7, 2008 at 1:15 pm

Must... Jeffersonise it up... with one of my favourite Jeff quotes:

'The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.'

Good Lincolns too, folks. :D

250. Russell T Davies: Return of the (tea) Time Lord

Comment #156310 by DamnDirtyApe on April 7, 2008 at 9:53 am

Christmas - that special time when we come together to remember he who died, came back to life, and saved us all - The Doctor!