301. Interview with Michael Behe

Comment #62213 by Yorker on August 8, 2007 at 7:57 pm

20. Comment #61121 by Dr Benway

"I'm not sure I could think so fast on my feet."

I'm not sure it's quick thinking, just research.

Bear in mind that he drives the show in the direction he wants it to go, the interviewee is at his mercy. Look at the faces of the victims, they're always smiling from the outset, they know what to expect. I'd like to see someone go on with feigned but well acted seriousness, beat Colbert at his own game, now that would be good entertainment!

302. Interview with Michael Behe

Comment #62212 by Yorker on August 8, 2007 at 7:43 pm

23. Comment #61139 by RickM

"Behe is totally ignorant of the fact that Colbert is making a completely fool of him."

Surely he can't be that dumb! He's probably banking on the old showbiz maxim: 'There's no such thing as bad publicity'

303. Interview with Michael Behe

Comment #62211 by Yorker on August 8, 2007 at 7:33 pm

34. Comment #61550 by Tumara Baap

"Behe may have zero credibility amongst posters here but I'm sure he manages to convince many others out there. Frankly, I thought Behe spoke with conviction and confidence."

I think you're right and speaking confidently was the correct thing for him to do, I mean, you couldn't really expect him to be humbled or embarrassed!

304. Interview with Michael Behe

Comment #62210 by Yorker on August 8, 2007 at 7:25 pm

37. Comment #61700 by thirdchimpanzee

"Too bad Colbert didn't pick up on the disclaimer from Lehigh University."

Indeed, his bosses probably would have considered it impolitic, or maybe just a simple case of no cujones!

305. Interview with Michael Behe

Comment #62209 by Yorker on August 8, 2007 at 7:16 pm

Dr. Benway and Tumara Baap

Thanks both for your explanation, but I was already aware of the Colbert deal, I lived in the USA until fairly recently. For me he's one of those people one takes an instant dislike to, I'm sure you know what I mean. But perhaps I'll change; I had the same feeling about Tom Hanks until I saw him in "Cast Away", after that I liked him.

With Colbert, even though it's an act, there's something about him that doesn't sit well with me. I'd need to find out about the real person in order to make a fair judgment, but he's only a TV personality so I won't bother.

306. New age therapies cause 'retreat from reason'

Comment #62205 by Yorker on August 8, 2007 at 6:45 pm

146. Comment #62180 by Veronique

"Having said that, I still expect a resounding Beatles' type reception on my 64th birthday this year. By that, I mean, several bottles of wine. I'll feed myself:-)"

Don't forget the grandchildren on your knee :)

307. Eight-million-year-old bug is alive and growing

Comment #62123 by Yorker on August 8, 2007 at 8:51 am

16. Comment #62104 by scottishgeologist

Great! Thanks for the comprehensive answer, I'll take a look at these links later. I suspected it might be basaltic and that 'whin' would be a lay or 'trade' term, it was a stonemason that I first heard use the word and somehow you don't expect tradesmen to say things like: "Gosh, this carboniferous Dolerite is really hard on one's equipment!" More like, "See this f**kin' whin, ah cannae be da'in wi' it!"

Yes, Europa does look promising. Ever since I was a kid I hoped we'd find out for sure if life existed elsewhere, I still harbour the hope that we still might before I check out, but I have to admit it's not looking likely in my time.

308. Eight-million-year-old bug is alive and growing

Comment #62086 by Yorker on August 8, 2007 at 5:45 am

6. Comment #62031 by scottishgeologist

"(Or is "science rocks" a dumbed down statement anyway? :-))) ...Not if youre a geologist!"

I like it! we need more of it. This site is humouristically challenged!

I have an off-topic question for you that perhaps will be forgiven by others in the interests of science. Here in Fife we apparently have a lot of whinstone, I once had some workmen complain about my old house being built of it because its hardness wreaked havoc on their tools. Is it volcanic (it's dark coloured)? How does it compare with granite say? I may be spelling the name wrongly.

309. Eight-million-year-old bug is alive and growing

Comment #62081 by Yorker on August 8, 2007 at 5:35 am

I wonder if the same thing happens on icy planets elsewhere? Very promising for Universal life it would seem.

I agree with those think we need more science and general interest articles and a bit less religious stuff, the fact we're starting to unite and actually do something is the most important thing.

310. Arrogance, dogma and why science - not faith - is the new enemy of reason

Comment #61975 by Yorker on August 7, 2007 at 5:24 pm

83. Comment #61931 by Lauregon

Of course he does, my quick comment just came out in an appropriate way. At the time I was thinking of Dawkins' reply to an idiot from Liberty Nonaversity who accused Dawkins of insulting him, Dawkins replied: "Why are you upset? "I didn't insult you, I insulted God!"

I used the word "bash" because Phillips did, had she used "insult", I would've also.

Tip: Please don't pick up on the word "Nonaversity", it's not a real word, I just made it up! :)

311. New age therapies cause 'retreat from reason'

Comment #61869 by Yorker on August 7, 2007 at 8:11 am

129. Comment #61741 by dhweaver

"You'll know your colon is healthy if you produce a regular stool, two to three times a day, that's soft but well-formed, two inches in diameter, and eighteen inches long. Does yours measure up? If not, it may be time for action! Fortunately, it's fairly easy to cleanse even the most "clogged" and parasite-infested colon and set yourself on the road to optimal health."

What! Four and a half feet 2 inch dia. would weigh around 16lbs! Were they elephant christians?

312. God in the Military - The Pentagon and its Christian Embassy

Comment #61862 by Yorker on August 7, 2007 at 7:06 am

There is too much to say about this.

Action is needed now.

These dangerous buffoons are turning the American constitution that politicians proudly swear to uphold, into a joke.

313. Arrogance, dogma and why science - not faith - is the new enemy of reason

Comment #61837 by Yorker on August 7, 2007 at 4:55 am

The first sentence told me all I needed to know, further reading not required.

"Our most celebrated atheist, the biologist Professor Richard Dawkins, has briefly turned his attention away from bashing people who believe in God."

Idiot! Dawkins bashes God, not those who believe the tale!

314. New age therapies cause 'retreat from reason'

Comment #61732 by Yorker on August 6, 2007 at 2:41 pm

123. Comment #61729 by Rusty Shackleford

"Because mercury is kinda sorta like lead, kinda."

Actually, it's much more like gold, only 1 electron difference as I recall. That single electron makes gold an inert solid and mercury a toxic liquid.

315. New age therapies cause 'retreat from reason'

Comment #61730 by Yorker on August 6, 2007 at 2:29 pm

120. Comment #61725 by Dr Benway

Yes, I'm British but I only became crazy after living in the USA :)

I didn't realise you were a fan or friend of that genius Sylvia Browne BTW!

316. New age therapies cause 'retreat from reason'

Comment #61722 by Yorker on August 6, 2007 at 1:52 pm

That's what you get for being a charlatan!

317. New age therapies cause 'retreat from reason'

Comment #61721 by Yorker on August 6, 2007 at 1:51 pm

114. Comment #61717 by BicycleRepairMan

"Ok, it might be getting out of hand, I chicken out, its a bit mean"

Spare a thought for her clients, 'er...victims is better!

318. New age therapies cause 'retreat from reason'

Comment #61720 by Yorker on August 6, 2007 at 1:46 pm

Ah, the artwork leaves something to be desired, but it's nice to feel silly and young again!

319. New age therapies cause 'retreat from reason'

Comment #61716 by Yorker on August 6, 2007 at 1:31 pm

I just had another idea...

320. New age therapies cause 'retreat from reason'

Comment #61707 by Yorker on August 6, 2007 at 1:03 pm

103. Comment #61704 by dhweaver

Ok, for Windows and I.E. do this.

Right-click on the image and choose "Save Picture As..." from the pop-up menu. Save it to a folder of your choice and give it a name (I named it Crazy.jpg)

Now login, go to your profile and select "Edit Avatar". Hit the browse button in the window that appears and browse to the folder you saved Crazy.jpg in. Then just double-click the file name and hit "Submit". Logout and click the link that brings you back here and your posts will have the avatar. When I see you have it, I'll stop using it and I suspect others will also, you'll have it all to yourself.

321. The Gullible Age: Review of 'The Enemies of Reason'

Comment #61701 by Yorker on August 6, 2007 at 12:14 pm

73. Comment #61649 by jpmrb

It's not a case of being unaware, more a case of wisdom. BitTorrent has without question been infected by spyware as has every other P2P network I can think of. Most people know that free things are the main breeding ground for malware simply because the catchment is huge, everyone wants something for nothing.

322. The Gullible Age: Review of 'The Enemies of Reason'

Comment #61699 by Yorker on August 6, 2007 at 12:05 pm

45. Comment #61492 by Northern Bright

I hadn't seen before but it's good! A case of, "Our bullshit is the best bullshit"

I wonder how many homeopaths will go for it?

323. New age therapies cause 'retreat from reason'

Comment #61692 by Yorker on August 6, 2007 at 11:15 am

Lot of copying and pasting going on!

dhweaver

You wanted it so why don't you do the same. I like Dr. Benway's idea - let's all do it for a short time - make her famous!

324. New age therapies cause 'retreat from reason'

Comment #61687 by Yorker on August 6, 2007 at 10:57 am

96. Comment #61686 by heathen2

Yes, it's her alright! I only did it because dhweaver asked about how to get it as an avatar, so I made it. (see his posts) If I get a response I'll give it to him and stop using it myself.

325. New age therapies cause 'retreat from reason'

Comment #61685 by Yorker on August 6, 2007 at 10:53 am

89. Comment #61670 by albacore

I used to like Kathy Sykes, and not just for her science! Recently however, she seems to be having some woo-woo leanings -- disappointing.

326. New age therapies cause 'retreat from reason'

Comment #61675 by Yorker on August 6, 2007 at 9:34 am

dhweaver

There you go!

327. New age therapies cause 'retreat from reason'

Comment #61673 by Yorker on August 6, 2007 at 9:29 am

69. Comment #61583 by dhweaver on August 5, 2007 at 9:41 pm

"How can I make that picture my avatar?"

Stand by...

328. Electrons to Enlightenment 4: Debating Darwin

Comment #61553 by Yorker on August 5, 2007 at 5:47 pm

Highly unimpressive. What a sad case that alleged scientist Saturis was, she spends a year away from work rethinking herself and the first thing out of her mouth on return is a load of bollocks, sad, very sad.

329. New age therapies cause 'retreat from reason'

Comment #61521 by Yorker on August 5, 2007 at 2:00 pm

37. Comment #61479 by drive1

"By its very nature, homeopathy and related areas are all capable of being judged using scientific methodology. The approach should be empirical, nothing else."

The very principle behind homeopathy tells us it's nonsense, when we test it empirically, as indeed we must, it fails -- every time.

"I honestly think we're in danger of getting too cocky and losing the passion and humour which we can concentrate on a 'one-issue' campaign."

I think not. How can we be too cocky about evidence? We're right or we're wrong. If the law -- which as you know is evidence-based in any sane society -- found too many people guilty would you say it had become cocky?

Unreason is just that, no matter what it applies to. If evidence proves something is unreasonable that's just a fact, we can't have too many facts. Unreason must be exposed wherever it lurks, certainly there are occasions where it need not be rammed down throats, but there are occasions where it should.

A big problem with New Age crap believers is they think they're allowed an opinion about a fact. They're not, that's a rammer!

330. New age therapies cause 'retreat from reason'

Comment #61518 by Yorker on August 5, 2007 at 1:38 pm

46. Comment #61505 by Dr Benway

Good points there birdman! Ten years ago I called it the New Age of Unreason.

Incidentally, what happened to the samurai?

331. New age therapies cause 'retreat from reason'

Comment #61502 by Yorker on August 5, 2007 at 11:38 am

A health practice run on logical Pythonesque lines (or New Labour policy of the near future).







Receptionist:
"Good morning madam, will it be Rational or Sympathetic Medicine today?"

Patient:
"Well, me back 'urts and now me 'usbands gone I can't get any 'elp, I'll take Sympathetic"

Receptionist:
"Very well, just take a seat, Dr. Bullshot with call you shortly.

Dr. Bullshot (3 hours later):
"Well now Mrs Morbid, how can I help you?"

Patient:
"Well doctor me back's givin' me gyp and it's got a lot worse sittin' 'ere 3 hours!"

Dr. Bullshot:
"Oh I'm sorry, but this kind of medicine does take time you know. Tell you what, just take off your fur coat and I'll give it a little rub eh?"

Patient:
"Will that 'elp me back doctor? Won't rubbin' it wear the fur off? If it does can I get a new one off the National 'ealth?"

Dr. Bullshot: (with strained laughter):
No, no Mrs Morbid, your back, I'm going to rub your back you see!"

Patient:
"Ooh, I don't know about that doctor, wot would my dear 'usband up in 'eaven fink if 'e looked down and saw a strange man rubbin' me?"

Dr. Bullshot:
"Well, he would see I'm only trying to help you Mrs Morbid"

Patient:
"No, the pain's close to my arse, 'e would fink you're tryin' to give me one, can't I just 'ave some of that 'erbal or homopoxic stuff?"

Dr. Bullshot:
"Well yes, but I'll have to charge you for that, the money funds the Rational department you see."

Patient:
"Well OK, but I 'ate 'avin' to pay for them smart-arse, Richard Dorkins-luvin, BBC2-watchin', opera-luvin fans of Plastico Dominky and Lucy Pavarocky Rational bastards; why don't you just poison the fuckin' lot of 'em and get us all back to proper doctorin'!"

Dr. Bullshot (laughing heartily):
"Oh, you are a hoot Mrs Morbid but we can't really do that, where would we get all our tax money from eh? Just take these sucrose pills fifty times a day and if you're not feeling better in a year, come back and see me. The receptionist will take your credit card on the way out but if you can't afford it, I'll sign a little note you can take to your bank and they'll give you a loan. And don't worry, your genome shows you only have another two months but we don't set much store by what the Rationalists say in the Sympathetic department."

Patient:
"Ok doctor I'll give 'em a go."


The Next Patient

Receptionist:
"Good morning sir, will it be Rational or Sympathetic?"

Patient (indignantly):
"What's wrong with you woman? Do I look like one of those homeopathic, herbal tea-drinking, Deepak Chopra-loving, Derek Acora-watching, Big Brother-viewing, Coronation Street-lovers to you?. Give me Rational of course, and look sharp now!"

Receptionist:
"Certainly sir, don't bother taking a seat, Dr. Perfect-Bergson will call you within 10 seconds."

Dr. Perfect-Bergson (100 milliseconds later):
"Well, out with it man, I don't have all day to waste with weak lily-livered malingerers!"

Patient:
"Well doctor, I don't know how to begin, it's a little embarrassing…"

Dr. Perfect-Bergson (interrupting impatiently):
"What's little, your cock? Can't get it up eh? Is that your problem, come on man, be strong; spit it out."

Patient:
"Now look here Dr. Perfect-Bergson or whatever your name is, I didn't come here to watch you spewing technicolour excrement, I have a legitimate health problem that needs attention; can we just restrict the conversation to that?"

Dr. Perfect-Bergson:
"So, you have a problem do you? Where's your individuality man, that's what everyone says! Think about it, do you really have a problem, or is it just that you think you have a problem? There is a difference you know, or are you too stupid to see that?"

Patient:
"This is ridiculous, so far you haven't even asked what's wrong, all you given me is a load of pseudo-philosophical bullshit about strength and individuality, we haven't even touched upon the question of psychiatry's legitimacy or whether the likelihood of God's existence is worthy of debate."

Dr. Perfect-Bergson:
"Oh stop being so sentimental, you sound like a woman! I'm going to recommend some books to you, read them and come back when you have, I'll decide if you're worth wasting any more time on!"

Patient:
"Books! I don't need books, I've probably read many more books than you…"

Dr. Perfect-Bergson (interrupting again):
"Rubbish! I'm very well-read, I'm so well-read that authors contact me before they write books to make sure they don't mention anything I already know about! Clearly, you don't know who I am"

Patient (getting angry):
"I don't give a fuck who you are! I came here to the Rational department expecting a calm, reasoned response followed by accurate diagnosis to my health problem that could swiftly be cured by medication derived through application of the scientific method and produced by people THAT ACTUALLY FUCKING DO SOMETHING!!!! I didn't prepare myself for a load of philosophy that achieves and produces nothing! Now, are we going to discuss my health or not!"

Dr. Perfect-Bergson (with disdain):
"Oh alright you weakling, what's the matter?"

Patient (thinking):
"Ahh shit…I can't remember now, I'll just go to the other department, perhaps a Sympathetic ear will help."

332. New age therapies cause 'retreat from reason'

Comment #61467 by Yorker on August 5, 2007 at 8:52 am

24. Comment #61457 by photopedia

I'm sure what you say is true, but isn't it also true that doctors who line their pockets by knowingly as you say, practicing nonsense, are violating the most valuable part of the doctor/patient relationship, i.e. trust. Why do we allow such doctors to continue practicing?

There's a very good website named "QuackWatch" run by Dr. Stephen Barrett, perhaps all medical students should be required to visit it from time to time.

Here's the link for those who don't know of it, you can spend hours there.

http://www.quackwatch.com/

333. New age therapies cause 'retreat from reason'

Comment #61455 by Yorker on August 5, 2007 at 7:52 am

18. Comment #61445 by photopedia

Last year I challenged a homeopathy-supporting doctor. When I put it to her that if water retained a memory of everything that had been in it and had a health effect because of that, the effect would be death! It would be the most toxic substance in the Universe! She gave me a blank look; it turned out she didn't know that homeopathy depended on such balderdash!

What's going on? Have educational standards slipped this badly? Or is it (as I suspect) that rampant greed is overwhelming everything, including peoples integrity, ethics and self-respect.

334. New age therapies cause 'retreat from reason'

Comment #61448 by Yorker on August 5, 2007 at 7:34 am

"Peter Fisher, the hospital's clinical director and a rheumatologist, tells him: 'I don't claim that it's much more than a hypothesis. What I do say is that I have considerable evidence that homeopathy does work.'"

No you fucking don't!!!

Time and again homeopathy has been proved to show results no better than placebo. Stop wasting my money on this shit!!

This is the second time I've seen MD's talk nonsense like this, what do they teach them in medical school? Is evidence optional?

335. New age therapies cause 'retreat from reason'

Comment #61446 by Yorker on August 5, 2007 at 7:24 am

Did anyone see that program last year about the Glasgow barber who's also a "celebrated" medium?

They asked his son what he thought of his father's abilities, his reply was straight to the point:

"Well, personally 'ah think it's a load ae shite, but maks a loat mair money than cuttin' herr!"

336. New age therapies cause 'retreat from reason'

Comment #61444 by Yorker on August 5, 2007 at 7:15 am

3. Comment #61367 by Veronique

V., check your PM's, your frustration is over, all you need now is patience.

337. The Gullible Age: Review of 'The Enemies of Reason'

Comment #61435 by Yorker on August 5, 2007 at 6:32 am

Most of you will know of the "Carlos" experiment James Randi carried out in Australia so I won't describe it in detail.

What amazed me was that after Randi had explained that it had all been a hoax designed by Carlos and himself, people still sent letters to Carlos saying they still believed in him no matter what Randi said!

I guess if people are determined to be stupid there's not much can be done.

338. The Gullible Age: Review of 'The Enemies of Reason'

Comment #61433 by Yorker on August 5, 2007 at 6:21 am

2. Comment #61362 by Veronique

They're TV programs V, if you're very nice to someone, perhaps a DVD will find it's way to you!

*wink, wink*

339. Public Debate on Complexity and Evolution

Comment #61424 by Yorker on August 5, 2007 at 5:39 am

43. Comment #61351 by PsyPro

Aha, a man with the courage to admit his error. I've said on more than one occasion (naggingly) that RBP (Read Before Post) is the best policy even though it can be a pain. It avoids repetition and prevents one making an arse of one's self.:)

340. Public Debate on Complexity and Evolution

Comment #61422 by Yorker on August 5, 2007 at 5:30 am

46. Comment #61401 by 601

"Left unattended, the garden will quickly maximize energy efficiency, but we can't predict how it will look."

I think we can predict it will look unkempt and ruled by the stongest plants. Actually your words reminded me of what the minister said to a gardener who'd turned an unkempt allotment into a thing of beauty.

"Well my fine fellow", said the minister. "With God's help you've transformed this allotment!"

"God's help my arse!", said the gardener. "You should have seen it when he had it all to himself!"

341. Public Debate on Complexity and Evolution

Comment #61418 by Yorker on August 5, 2007 at 5:12 am

Veronique

If you have a Windows machine, then Windows Media Player will play the MP3 file natively.I uploaded the MP3 because the vast majority use Windows so they'd have no problem. I can't help you with Apple because I don't know it well, I'd have starved to death trying to make a living off writing software for Apple :)

Edit

If you have a problem, send me a PM and I'll explain it to you without boring others here, make sure you tell me about your computer and operating system, i.e. Windows version.

342. Public Debate on Complexity and Evolution

Comment #61279 by Yorker on August 4, 2007 at 12:48 pm

Here's the RapidShare link:

http://rapidshare.com/files/46980629/evodebate.mp3.html

Hope you enjoy it!

343. Public Debate on Complexity and Evolution

Comment #61265 by Yorker on August 4, 2007 at 12:00 pm

I'm uploading to RapidShare right now but it's pretty slow, I'l post the link when I get it.

344. Public Debate on Complexity and Evolution

Comment #61238 by Yorker on August 4, 2007 at 9:59 am

To people with problems.

The site itself is capping download speeds and network traffic is high, you may be also be suffering from timeouts. I got the MP3, it's 48Meg.

Best I can suggest is to try at a less busy time or give the MP3 download another try directly, stop multi-tasking for a while. I just went for a cup of tea.

345. The Out Campaign

Comment #61226 by Yorker on August 4, 2007 at 8:56 am

610. Comment #61222 by BillySands

Well, I woke up this morning with a smile because the image was in mind, turning it into an avatar amused me. H'mm...come to think of it...with a little cropping it could well serve as an atheistic satanic symbol for all true non-believers!

346. Public Debate on Complexity and Evolution

Comment #61209 by Yorker on August 4, 2007 at 7:36 am

18. Comment #61208 by LeeC

I can't make the avatar any larger, it's at the site's maximum size. I'ts Dawko The Dog with David The Flea on his back.

The telescope my son has now cost way more than 2K but luckily I didn't have to buy it for him! :)

Keep in mind the 2K is just the start, how are you going to tell her that it needs a CCD and a computer driven interface on it so your son can use it from the comfort of his room? Best of luck - you're going to need it! :)

347. Public Debate on Complexity and Evolution

Comment #61206 by Yorker on August 4, 2007 at 7:01 am

15. Comment #61202 by LeeC

I think you just have to see what they naturally become interested in and foster it.

My son showed an interest in so many things that it became impossible to keep up with him and very expensive. Telescopes, dinosaur models, music, you name it! Nearly bankrupted me!

My daughter on the other hand showed a great interest in animals, music and art, even at eight years old she would sit with her headphones on and tears running down her face. It amazed me that Beethoven could have that effect at such a young age.

348. The Out Campaign

Comment #61204 by Yorker on August 4, 2007 at 6:42 am

583. Comment #61125 by geckoman

If you read the posts is quite easy to see that many got entangled with Flea discussions, others havered philosophically - nothing at all to do with Dawko-Worship!

349. The Out Campaign

Comment #61104 by Yorker on August 3, 2007 at 3:44 pm

558. Comment #60950 by Philip1978

I'm not well acquainted with Freddie Mercury's story Philip but I wouldn't dream of living such a life. I am wifeless at present but can't imagine having to tell them that I also have sex with men, and I would have to confess it because there's no way I could live such a lie. I've always believed that a long-term sexual partner whether in marriage or not, is someone that should be trusted completely.

350. The Out Campaign

Comment #61101 by Yorker on August 3, 2007 at 3:23 pm

572. Comment #61073 by epeeist

Thanks for the info.

I've always been intrigued by fencing and I enjoyed that fencing movie with F. Murray Abraham and that Roberts guy whose first name escapes me.

What did you think of it?