Comments by Quetzalcoatl

251. Letter from Sir Richard Roberts asking Reiss to step down

Comment #248585 by Quetzalcoatl on September 16, 2008 at 1:47 pm

David A Robertson-

This is a VERY bad day for the cause of science and for those who want to resist fundamentalism. The intolerance, historical (and hysterical) ignorance of RD, Lord Roberts etc have given the game hook, line and sinker to the makers of Expelled. Those who want empirical evidence that if you dare to question the dogmas of the current scientific establishment you will be expelled, now have all the evidence they need. How sad that such intolerant fundamentalism, which results in a noted biologist who believes in evolution being 'expelled' from the Royal Society, is seen by 'the faithful' as being part of the Enlightenment! Newton would be turning in his grave.

Yes, things could have been handled better. But your overdramatic proclamations don't really help.

While it's true that Reiss' words were misconstrued, the reason for that is that he put his opinions across poorly, so that it appeared he was saying something that he was not. This is evidenced by his later attempts to clarify.

That wouldn't matter so much if he was Average Joe Public, but he said these things as director of education from the Royal Society (not a Fellow, incidentally), and by doing so brought embarrassment upon the RS. That, ultimately, is why he is stepping down.

252. Letter from Sir Richard Roberts asking Reiss to step down

Comment #248561 by Quetzalcoatl on September 16, 2008 at 12:58 pm

I do think it's a bit of a shame that things have gone this far. If Reiss had judged his remarks a little better, this might have been avoided. But everything snowballed to the point where you could see this coming.

253. Discussion between Richard Dawkins and Clive James

Comment #248556 by Quetzalcoatl on September 16, 2008 at 12:52 pm

thewhitepearl-

That would be an entirely reasonable assumption.

How are you feeling this evening?

254. Discussion between Richard Dawkins and Clive James

Comment #248550 by Quetzalcoatl on September 16, 2008 at 12:41 pm

Paula-

I know. My point (badly expressed) was that that definition is not how the word creationism is generally used these days. I should quit quibbling over semantics.

255. Discussion between Richard Dawkins and Clive James

Comment #248525 by Quetzalcoatl on September 16, 2008 at 11:37 am

The majority of creationists in Britain (that is, those who believe that God created)

Typical disingenuousness. Let's all redefine words to suit our purpose.

256. Letter from Sir Richard Roberts asking Reiss to step down

Comment #248432 by Quetzalcoatl on September 16, 2008 at 8:12 am

thewhitepearl-

Don't overburden the fellow. We're still waiting for him to tell us what the "creeds and tenets" of atheism are.

257. Pope condemns 'pagan' love of money, power

Comment #248427 by Quetzalcoatl on September 16, 2008 at 8:04 am

alexmzk-

The pope could have done a fiery speech about how all non-Catholics will be burned forever in the fiery pits of Hell while rabid dogs feast upon their entrails and the crowds would still have gone away saying how great he was.

258. Letter from Sir Richard Roberts asking Reiss to step down

Comment #248411 by Quetzalcoatl on September 16, 2008 at 7:12 am

Scottishgeologist-

By closing that board you guys have just blown an opportunity to properly engage in the debate of the Age. And it could be claimed that you look like you are running scared of getting "pwned"

An impression only enhanced by the fact that the forum wasn't archived- everything appears to have simply been erased. The irony is rich indeed. Still, I'm sure some enterprising soul will have kept hard-copy of a lot of it.

Epeeist-

Indeed.

259. Letter from Sir Richard Roberts asking Reiss to step down

Comment #248397 by Quetzalcoatl on September 16, 2008 at 6:50 am

Contrast:

Perhaps Sir Richard Roberts and the other members of the Atheist Inquisition should now apologise - as should Styrer, Mordacious etc. It is breathtaking that your intolerance and dogma are so extreme that you want this man thrown out of the Royal Society. And you wonder why we call you fundamentalists?!

With:

Clear thinking oasis? You must be joking. This is the Godhatesfags website of the atheist movement. Pathetic.

Pot, kettle?

260. Robert Winston criticises dangerous 'science delusion'

Comment #248338 by Quetzalcoatl on September 16, 2008 at 4:39 am

Billy-

Have you noticed that our friend from the north stopped by earlier today?

261. YouTube Removes Viral Video on Palin's Churches For Inappropriate Content

Comment #248314 by Quetzalcoatl on September 16, 2008 at 3:53 am

Tyler-

This struck me as well.

They believe Jesus is coming back in their lifetime. Then they die. Their kids carry on, believing that Jesus will definitely come back in their lifetime. Then they die. And so on.

The guy's supposed to have been coming back for two thousand years. It's bloody ridiculous.

262. Letter from Sir Richard Roberts asking Reiss to step down

Comment #248253 by Quetzalcoatl on September 16, 2008 at 1:36 am

8teist, you bully! Leave Verylee alone.

263. Letter from Sir Richard Roberts asking Reiss to step down

Comment #248247 by Quetzalcoatl on September 16, 2008 at 1:11 am

Epeeist-

You know what they say about familiarity.

264. Letter from Sir Richard Roberts asking Reiss to step down

Comment #248239 by Quetzalcoatl on September 16, 2008 at 12:50 am

David A Robertson-

Clear thinking oasis? You must be joking. This is the Godhatesfags website of the atheist movement. Pathetic.

Whereas your forum is a haven of enlightenment. Well it would be. If it hadn't been shut down.

And all posts ever made on it erased permanently, without even being archived.

Do you think that is a reasonable way to treat the hard work of so many people? By literally wiping their efforts from the Internet?

265. Sharia courts operating in Britain

Comment #248105 by Quetzalcoatl on September 15, 2008 at 3:16 pm

Fanusi-

Ditto on the tiredness, I'm only trying to clarify things with Nairb for my own satisfaction before I skedaddle.

266. Sharia courts operating in Britain

Comment #248102 by Quetzalcoatl on September 15, 2008 at 3:14 pm

Nairb-

Just to clear this up before I disappear- doesn't the 0.68% also refer simply to the population increase and not the replacement of population that dies- wouldn't that have to be taken into account as well before trying to work out what proportion of children would be Muslim?

267. Sharia courts operating in Britain

Comment #248100 by Quetzalcoatl on September 15, 2008 at 3:04 pm

Nairb-

Oof. Even I can see the problems with the conclusions drawn!

268. Sharia courts operating in Britain

Comment #248089 by Quetzalcoatl on September 15, 2008 at 2:45 pm

Fanusi-

Quetz that would be true if there was a sharp disparity in terms of infant mortality, immigration or emigration - or, to be more accurate, a sharp disparity that reduces the number of muslims. Is there?

Not that I'm aware of. Don't mind me, I'm bleary-eyed from a long day at the moment, I was just thinking out loud. If there were significant Muslim immigration in the interim then surely that would skew the one-in-three ratio somewhat?

269. Sharia courts operating in Britain

Comment #248081 by Quetzalcoatl on September 15, 2008 at 2:25 pm

Fanusi-

Only if no children die, emigrate or immigrate into France in the 20 year period, surely?

270. Sharia courts operating in Britain

Comment #248069 by Quetzalcoatl on September 15, 2008 at 1:48 pm

twp-

Excellent point.

Mavirk-

Try clicking on the Forum tab. The people who regularly post there are much gentler than on the main site.

271. Pope condemns 'pagan' love of money, power

Comment #248066 by Quetzalcoatl on September 15, 2008 at 1:46 pm

Beanson-

Quit giving the Pope such a hard time. Do you know how much it costs to constantly have to relocate ~~paedophiles~~ priests that do not get on with their congregations?

272. Sharia courts operating in Britain

Comment #248063 by Quetzalcoatl on September 15, 2008 at 1:42 pm

Mavirk-

The issue is Millitant Islam as it exits today is mainly a product of the USA.

Er, what???

A forum is a reflection of its participants. I have only found prejudice and bigotry here.

No, you've found people here who are not afraid to point out that you're wrong. Tough, isn't it?

273. The rise of Miliband brings at last the prospect of an atheist prime minister

Comment #247875 by Quetzalcoatl on September 15, 2008 at 8:21 am

Yes, darn you Philip. May your next cup of tea taste like coffee.

274. Pope condemns 'pagan' love of money, power

Comment #247870 by Quetzalcoatl on September 15, 2008 at 8:17 am

Vaal-

Not to mention the obvious Egyptian influences- aptly illustrated by the obelisks in the Vatican.

275. The rise of Miliband brings at last the prospect of an atheist prime minister

Comment #247867 by Quetzalcoatl on September 15, 2008 at 8:13 am

It's all Philip's fault.

276. Charles Darwin to receive apology from the Church of England for rejecting evolution

Comment #247835 by Quetzalcoatl on September 15, 2008 at 7:08 am

LeeLeeOne-

< i > < / i> < / i>

But without the spaces.

277. Charles Darwin to receive apology from the Church of England for rejecting evolution

Comment #247829 by Quetzalcoatl on September 15, 2008 at 6:54 am

Like this.

278. The rise of Miliband brings at last the prospect of an atheist prime minister

Comment #247814 by Quetzalcoatl on September 15, 2008 at 6:17 am

Philip-

You scared me for a moment there: I thought he had left a recent comment.

279. Dark matter 'bridge to nowhere' found in cosmic void

Comment #247753 by Quetzalcoatl on September 15, 2008 at 2:39 am

Lucas-

This might be useful:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_matter

280. Dark matter 'bridge to nowhere' found in cosmic void

Comment #247747 by Quetzalcoatl on September 15, 2008 at 2:11 am

Lucas-

Doubtful. Dark matter interacts weakly with baryonic matter, except through gravity. But I think there would have to be very large concentrations for any appreciable effect, if any at all. There are far easier ways to get around.

281. Pope condemns 'pagan' love of money, power

Comment #247743 by Quetzalcoatl on September 15, 2008 at 1:58 am

Tyler-

Didn't you know? Remaining ignorant and shackled to the Catholic Church is mankind's true destiny. How foolish are those who have cast off the chains of righteousness.

282. Sharia courts operating in Britain

Comment #247737 by Quetzalcoatl on September 15, 2008 at 1:42 am

Philip1978-

Hear, hear.

283. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #247731 by Quetzalcoatl on September 15, 2008 at 1:31 am

Steve Zara-

Look ... she can't sing that well, and she can't act much either, but she is Kylie, and that is enough for me.

I really don't understand why Kylie is apparently so great. She isn't.

284. Sharia courts operating in Britain

Comment #247726 by Quetzalcoatl on September 15, 2008 at 1:15 am

Philip1978-

I want Muslims to live happily in the world just as much as I would have people of all faiths having the time of their lives

All together now!

I'd like to teach the world to sing, in perfect harmony.....

:-)

285. Dark matter 'bridge to nowhere' found in cosmic void

Comment #247717 by Quetzalcoatl on September 15, 2008 at 12:57 am

If the bridge is 1.5 million light-years long, imagine how big the troll that lives underneath it is.

Seriously though- very interesting.

286. Robert Winston criticises dangerous 'science delusion'

Comment #247521 by Quetzalcoatl on September 14, 2008 at 2:11 pm

Shane McKee-

I can't find anything on Homo Erectus specifically, but here's a review of a book on how sexual choice shaped the evolution of human nature:

http://www.cogsci.ecs.soton.ac.uk/cgi/psyc/newpsy?12.008

EDIT-

Found an essay now:

http://www.antiquityofman.com/handaxes.html

287. Robert Winston criticises dangerous 'science delusion'

Comment #247508 by Quetzalcoatl on September 14, 2008 at 1:56 pm

Shane McKee-

I'll see what I can dig up.

288. Pope condemns 'pagan' love of money, power

Comment #247506 by Quetzalcoatl on September 14, 2008 at 1:55 pm

somersetsimon-

Damn ungrateful victims. They should just be satisfied with knowing that God loves them, and try and put that whole nasty sexual abuse business behind them.

289. Robert Winston criticises dangerous 'science delusion'

Comment #247500 by Quetzalcoatl on September 14, 2008 at 1:45 pm

Shane McKee-

It sounds frivolous, but I wonder how much of our own evolutionary history has been shaped by someone hitting on a bright idea, and the ones best able to follow it impressed the opposite sex so much that it left an imprint on the subsequent gene pool?

It's not frivolous at all. There is evidence that Homo Erectus, for instance, used the creation of stone axe blades to impress the opposite sex. Axe blades have been found so small and delicately carved that they could have been of no possible practical use- in essence they were being made to say to the women: "look at me, I'm so strong and healthy I can sit around all day making axe blades". Reminiscent of the peacock's tail, I think.

If ideas formed sexual selection pressure for Erectus, it's likely that the same applied for Sapiens. Erectus, though, got stuck on the axe, and for a million years practically nothing new was done. We just kept getting smarter.

290. Robert Winston criticises dangerous 'science delusion'

Comment #247493 by Quetzalcoatl on September 14, 2008 at 1:37 pm

Dhamma-

I think there are always some on the fence who fall the wrong way. He will undoubtedly have put some people off, but they would probably have been put off by anyone who has said the things he has, simply because someone had said them. I think the good he has done vastly outweighs any peripheral negative effects.

291. Charles Darwin to receive apology from the Church of England for rejecting evolution

Comment #247418 by Quetzalcoatl on September 14, 2008 at 12:02 pm

Oh wait, here we go. From the article linked to by Corylus:

But the struggle for your reputation is not over yet, and the problem is not just your religious opponents but those who falsely claim you in support of their own interests

And there's the subtext behind their apology.

292. Charles Darwin to receive apology from the Church of England for rejecting evolution

Comment #247414 by Quetzalcoatl on September 14, 2008 at 11:57 am

What's the point?

293. Sharia courts operating in Britain

Comment #247407 by Quetzalcoatl on September 14, 2008 at 11:42 am

Mr Siddiqi said that in the domestic violence cases, the advantage was that marriages were saved and couples given a second chance.

No. Comment.

294. Pope condemns 'pagan' love of money, power

Comment #247404 by Quetzalcoatl on September 14, 2008 at 11:40 am

thewhitepearl-

Oh, didn't you know, the Catholic Church doesn't have much cash lying around. They said so. Neglected to mention how much the property they hold is worth, of course- wonder why.

295. Pope condemns 'pagan' love of money, power

Comment #247399 by Quetzalcoatl on September 14, 2008 at 11:32 am

Also tremendously ironic is the fact that the Pope made this speech against the evil of money at a site where for decades credulous believers have been fleeced of their money by unscrupulous churches and traders. Double-standard, much?

296. Pope condemns 'pagan' love of money, power

Comment #247385 by Quetzalcoatl on September 14, 2008 at 11:18 am

Benedict has continued with a campaign started by his predecessor, John Paul II, who worried that the affluent West was turning consumerism into a kind of religion and ignoring its Christian roots of spiritual values.

Here the Popes are harking back to the golden days of centuries past, where glittering cathedrals rose proudly above the slum-villages of the destitute peoples who gave everything they had to construct them for nothing in return. Good times.

297. Robert Winston criticises dangerous 'science delusion'

Comment #247379 by Quetzalcoatl on September 14, 2008 at 11:11 am

"I would argue that the 'God Delusion' approach is actually very divisive because it is the one way surely of not winning over opposing views … Religious people can say, 'look these guys just don't understand us'."

I think Robert Winston is right here. It's clear that Dawkins has scored a major own goal by raising the profiles of atheism and science in the way that he has done, recklessly bringing it to the forefront of the public consciousness.

What he should have done was stay silent, adopt the softly-softly approach and try not to say anything that could possibly upset anyone. That would surely have accomplished far more than the childishly straightforward and honest approach he has instead adopted.

(I'm being sarcastic, by the way- if it wasn't blindingly obvious)

298. Q&A with Richard Dawkins after lecture at UC Berkeley

Comment #247199 by Quetzalcoatl on September 14, 2008 at 5:22 am

Vaal-

You're on the right track, but you've got the wrong Aztec God.

- Points at himself, waits expectantly -

299. Our scientists must nail the creationists

Comment #247197 by Quetzalcoatl on September 14, 2008 at 5:16 am

Decius-

Or we'll just stone you for being a harbinger of bearded gloom.

300. Our scientists must nail the creationists

Comment #247177 by Quetzalcoatl on September 14, 2008 at 4:46 am

Decius-

You do realise that if he turns up now, you'll be blamed?