Perfect Fool
Because none of us is perfict!
Perfect Fool
Sailing the Seven C's
Via The Friendly Atheist:
August Berkshire is the president of the Minnesota Atheists. He wrote a brilliant little piece on the characteristics of atheism. You can link to the full text below, but my favorite bit is this:
August Berkshire is the president of the Minnesota Atheists. He wrote a brilliant little piece on the characteristics of atheism. You can link to the full text below, but my favorite bit is this:
"One of the arguments of Pascal’s Wager is that a person loses nothing by believing in a god. This is not true. Accepting Pascal’s Wager means saying that we are willing to abandon reason and evidence as our guides to living, and instead make a leap of ...<< MORE >>
"The Church That Is Run Like a PAC"
The title of this post is a pull quote from the trailer below.The Movie is "8: The Mormon Proposition."
Another pithy gem is the observation that California is the first state to amend its constitution to take away people's rights. Go see this movie if you can. ... << MORE >>
Another pithy gem is the observation that California is the first state to amend its constitution to take away people's rights. Go see this movie if you can. ... << MORE >>
Sam Harris: "There is No God (And You Know It)"
This Sam Harris Article appears in todays online HuffPo . It's a reprint of a piece Harris wrote in
2005. I have no idea why HuffPo decided to re-run it. but the fact that they did just proves the the truth of the adage that even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while. It just took
this particular squirrel five years to locate this nut. But I don't care. It's such an eloquent statement of the facts it deserves to be repeated as much as possible. ...
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...Or Like He's Reading Headlines
Today's Pearls Before Swine reminds me of the ongoing Israeli/Palestinian fiasco, with the Zebra in the role
of Israel, the Crocodiles as the Palestinians, and the Elephant playing the part of the UN and world opinion. Israel is far from blameless in this whole mess, but they are still the only nation
that still has to justify its very existence more than 60 years after its creation.
... << MORE >>
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The One True Religion
Using the same basis as all the other One True Religions out there, we find this:
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Prescott AZ, Land of Tolerance
In case you missed it, the tone of the title above is dripping with irony. Because what are they tolerating, exactly? Blatant racism, that's what.
And using tax dollars and public property to do it.
See the story here
Check out the artwork on a public school in Prescott that has generated this controversy:
See what's so offensive? No? Let me spell it out for you: the non-white child so ... << MORE >>
And using tax dollars and public property to do it.
See the story here
Check out the artwork on a public school in Prescott that has generated this controversy:
See what's so offensive? No? Let me spell it out for you: the non-white child so ... << MORE >>
Poem: Sharia Law
My favorite part of this poem is the refrain about "the moderates." Where the hell are they? WHO the hell are they? They need to speak up! ...<< MORE >>
Norman Borlaug, 1914-2009
I just learned that Norman Borlaug, scientist and Nobel Peace Prize recipient died this past Sunday. He was a giant who single-handedly saved the lives of a billion people. The New York Times said,
Borlaug... develop[ed] genetically unique strains of "semidwarf" wheat, and later rice, that raised food yields as much as sixfold. The result was that a country like India was able to feed its own people as its population grew from 500 million in the mid-1960s, when Borlaug's "Green Revolution" began to take effect, to the current 1.16 billion. Today, famines—whether in Zimbabwe, Darfur or North Korea—are politically induced events, not true natural disasters. (Emphasis added.)<< MORE >>
Sinead's Hand
This is brilliant! Glad to see signs of real civilization emerging after that whole stupid blasphemy law business. I can only hope it catches on. Pass this around to every sympathetic pair of eyeballs you know. (Single eyeballs welcome too!)
...<< MORE >>
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What Were They Trying to Do, Again?
It probably hasn't occurred to the people who were so upset about President Obama's attempt to "indoctrinate" school children, but they drew far more attention to the speech than it deserved or would have received if they had simply kept their mouths shut about it. The Fool is no fan of Obama, but honestly, what's the big deal here?
Link to LA Times Story
...<< MORE >>
Link to LA Times Story
...<< MORE >>
Winner of Contest #3: Name That Logical Fallacy
Harder Than I Thought
I didn't anticipate the level of response I got from this contest. I also was very impressed with the detailed answers I received from some contestants. (I was less than impressed with what I will call the "minimalist" entries, such as the anonymous reader who replied, "The argument is a fallacy because the guy is a dumbass.")
A word of explanation: informal logic is not an exact science. There can be overlap in the categories, and some fallacies are actually just subspecies of others. The winner was chosen based on not only the number of fallacies ...<< MORE >>
I didn't anticipate the level of response I got from this contest. I also was very impressed with the detailed answers I received from some contestants. (I was less than impressed with what I will call the "minimalist" entries, such as the anonymous reader who replied, "The argument is a fallacy because the guy is a dumbass.")
A word of explanation: informal logic is not an exact science. There can be overlap in the categories, and some fallacies are actually just subspecies of others. The winner was chosen based on not only the number of fallacies ...<< MORE >>
New Contest: Name That Logical Fallacy
Here's an email that was originally sent to the forum, Why Won't God Heal Amputees? It is a thoughtful response to the infamous "10 Questions" video.
A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed.
As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation.
They talked about so many ...<< MORE >>
Contest Winner: Best Bible Verse
Announcing the Winner of Contest #2
I guess the smaller number of entrys may be attributed to the fact that evil characters are always more interesting than the good ones. We had just four contestants. The positive side of this is that the Fool can respond to each entry individually, so you can see why I chose the winner I did.
Pastafarian chose:
Whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them.
Matthew 7.12
A nice choice, and while it gets points for universality, it loses them for being way too familiar ...<< MORE >>
I guess the smaller number of entrys may be attributed to the fact that evil characters are always more interesting than the good ones. We had just four contestants. The positive side of this is that the Fool can respond to each entry individually, so you can see why I chose the winner I did.
Pastafarian chose:
Whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them.
Matthew 7.12
A nice choice, and while it gets points for universality, it loses them for being way too familiar ...<< MORE >>
Contest #2: The Best Bible Verse
OK, our first contest was a big success, ITFO ("in The Fool's opinion"). Now it's time for a little balance.
The Fool is not one of those people who thinks the entire Bible should be chucked. There's some real poetry in between all those begats and smites and fire baptisms. So that's what we want to see this time: What is the best, most beautiful verse of the Bible?
Now, there are some obvious choices. People love the 23rd Psalm, or I Corinthians 13, and those are fine. But for the purpose of judging this contest, consideration will be given to ...<< MORE >>
The Fool is not one of those people who thinks the entire Bible should be chucked. There's some real poetry in between all those begats and smites and fire baptisms. So that's what we want to see this time: What is the best, most beautiful verse of the Bible?
Now, there are some obvious choices. People love the 23rd Psalm, or I Corinthians 13, and those are fine. But for the purpose of judging this contest, consideration will be given to ...<< MORE >>
Heinous Bible Verses: We Have a Winner!
And we have a winner!
Actually, we have two: The two-way tie is between Airyaman and Kevin Ratzlaff.
Airyaman's entry was Deuteronomy 28:63 "And as the LORD took delight in doing you good and multiplying you, so the LORD will take delight in bringing ruin upon you and destroying you. And you shall be plucked off the ...<< MORE >>
CONTEST: Pick Your Favorite Heinous Bible Verse
Win A Prize! Tell us what you think is the most heinous verse in the Bible!
heinous |ˈhānəs|
adjective
(of a person or wrongful act, esp. a crime) utterly odious or wicked : a battery of heinous crimes.
You know there are some real corkers in there between Genesis and Revelation. Lately I've been enjoying (and quoting) Malachi 2:3—"Behold, I will corrupt your seed and spread dung upon your faces." I just love that one.
What about you? Do you have a favorite "bad" Bible verse? A verse so disgusting, evil or ironic that you want to share it with the world? Here's your ...<< MORE >>
heinous |ˈhānəs|
adjective
(of a person or wrongful act, esp. a crime) utterly odious or wicked : a battery of heinous crimes.
You know there are some real corkers in there between Genesis and Revelation. Lately I've been enjoying (and quoting) Malachi 2:3—"Behold, I will corrupt your seed and spread dung upon your faces." I just love that one.
What about you? Do you have a favorite "bad" Bible verse? A verse so disgusting, evil or ironic that you want to share it with the world? Here's your ...<< MORE >>
Edward Current: What if God Disappeared?
Store Your Soul
...<< MORE >>
Michael Savage = Rockstar?
First a bit of background: My new favorite web comic is a single-panel called "Far Left Side." You can see it here. Subscribe to it in your news reader. It's hilarious.
The comic is also a blog. The entry below is dated June 15, 2009. (Sorry, I'm a little late to the party.) It concerns two of the most unnecessary things in modern pop culture: energy drinks and Michael Savage. I didn't know anything about the connection before reading this, though I was already aware that both the drink and the man share ...<< MORE >> ACLU and Pizza
It kills me that the ACLU is our best alternative to this. It is funny though. In a George Orwell kind of way.
...<< MORE >> Better than YHVH!
I call your attention to the blog, "Questioning God," where blogger Will Friday has posted his new list of 10 Commandments that put ol' Jehovah in the shade! Too lazy to follow the link? Here's Will's list for the betterment of the world. (Beats hell out of "thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's ass"—I mean, have you seen my neighbor? Yeesh!)<< MORE >>
Couldn't Say It Any Better
I cannot improve on what this writer says regarding the latest dribbling inanity from the Catholic Church regarding the child sex-and-other-abuse scandal in Ireland. Read it and remember...especially if you're ever tempted to think well of this pathetic institution again.
http://www.butterfliesandwheels.com/notesarchive.php?id=2763 ...<< MORE >> Pet Peeves
Dear Readers: The Nostradamus thing has pretty much run its course. For lo these many months (OK, five months)I have kept careful watch on the intertubes for all things Nostradamus and 2012, and I am staggered at the lack of imagination among these people. There is simply nothing new under the Mayan sun. The trouble with woo is the trouble with evil: its banality.
So I have decided, albeit reluctantly, to abandon the quest for expertise in the coming non-events of the year 2012 and return to blogging about whatever is chapping my ass in the here and now. ...<< MORE >> Attention YouTube: Are You People Insane?YouTube Have Lost Their Minds! To complain to youtube follow this link; http://www.google.com/support/youtube... Scroll to the very bottom and click on "new issue" Select "suspended account" from the options and express your opinion. The mediafire link is; http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=4d... Thank you ...<< MORE >> How To Be Taken Seriously As A Prophet
The best thing a prophet can do in order to get people to listen to predictions of doom and gloom is to make some back-dated prognostications. It's pretty obvious, but a lot of Nostradamus wanna-bees miss this valuable method, preferring instead to rely on the less reliable guess-and-see method.
Here's a fine example of someone who took advantage of this reliable technique. Endoftheworldpredictions.com is a web site that sells books (what a surprise!). Actually, they sell ebooks (so much easier than convincing a real publisher to believe in your particular brand of snake oil, or self-publishing, which ...<< MORE >> Random Sampling: What Passes For Truth
From a blog called 2012 AD and Beyond, signed by someone named Kevin Baum, but posted by one "Shelly Starzz":
Facts: the Mayan long count calendar does end on the winter solstice on December 21, 2012, and it does coincide with a rare alignment of our rising sun positioned in the center of the Milky Way galaxy (from an earthly perspective), and both occur in the time of the Precessional transfer from the age of Pisces to the age of Aquarius, an event that only happens every 26000 years. (This 'alignment' is particularly interesting when you consider that the center of the Milky Way galaxy, frequently referred to as the 'great rift' is framed by four prominent stars that form an upside down cross; so, on the winter solstice 2012 the 'sun' will be 'hung' on a 'cross' as it aligns with the center of the galaxy, each rising and setting together. Now there is some symbolism to keep you awake at night.)
[Italics added]<< MORE >>
Fruits & Nuts: Vincent Bridges--High and Weird To anyone contemplating a foray into the unbridled strangeness that is the subject of this blog for the foreseeable future, I warn you—you are venturing into some very murky waters. But few are so murky or so incomprehensible as the fetid swamp that surrounds Vincent Bridges. I find it difficult to imagine that Bridges actually believes the things he says. I suspect he may simply be selling books. In any case, he's no scholar, and his expertise certainly does not merit serious attention. Once again, shame on the History Channel. (If Philo T. Farnsworth ever suspected the uses to which his invention would one day be put, he would have smashed the thing and started selling insurance.) << MORE >> CNN Takes the High Road on 2012
In December, CNN cut its science reporting staff. Did you notice? I bet not. This kind of thing has been going on all over the place, but hardly anyone has made a peep about it.
Although they've winnowed scientific literacy out of the professional ranks at CNN, occasionally some sense comes through anyway. Like this nice little piece by one A. Pawlowski. My favorite bit is this:
Nostra-Dumbasses© Exposed, or Exactly Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?
Recently, I started wondering exactly who are these Nostra-Dumbasses©, the people who have convinced themselves that these are the end times (again), and the old French Fraud predicted the whole thing. Since my usual intelligence-gathering methods have not availed on this occasion, I decided to do a quick manual search.
What I came up with is not so much an interesting treatment of Nostradamus as a concise and clear picture of the character of the true believer. In the linked article (from April 2008—hey, I'm looking for character types, not current news), we have first of all the ...<< MORE >> Steven Novella on Prophecy
As I said recently on the SGU - prophesy is easy. It is easy to
make stuff up. Typically, stuff made up as prophesy is poetic and vague in form. The advantage of this is twofold - it sounds more profound, and it places the burden on the receiver of the prophesy to do all the hard work. The one receiving the prophesy has to scour world events to find a fit for one possible interpretation of the poetic vagaries. Nostradamus, of course, perfected this style. His quatrains are The Nutter Position: A Brief Statement
In casting about (read "Googling") for a concise and coherent (loosely speaking) statement of what exactly the 2012 crowd believe, I came upon the surprisingly well-written words of one Dennis Whitney...
 .<< MORE >>
Bad Astronomer on 2012 Sunspots
The Fool's favorite astronomer, Phil Plait, has weighed in on one interesting bit of the 2012 nonsense: sunspots.
...<< MORE >> Fruits & Nuts: First Fruits
All right, I knew I was heading into murky waters when I decided to study up on the whole Nostradamus 2012 thing. But I honestly had no idea how easy it would be to pick out the whack-a-loons. Some of them are probably visible from space. At this point, I am even more disappointed in the History Channel than I had been. A few minutes' Google-searching would have shown the powers that be over there that the main proponents of the 2012 silliness are all—ALL—either frauds or delusional beyond redemption. If HC execs had done their homework, they might ...<< MORE >>
Prophecy Keepers: Prophecy Potpourri
Continuing our roundup of end-of-the-world prophecies, here's a web site you should be aware of: it's called "Prophecy Keepers." An odd name, right? I mean, I get the "prophecy" part, but the "keepers" business is problematic. It suggests that someone is trying to make sure a particular prophecy actually happens.
Anyway... The stated mission of PK is a Native-American-flavored world peace message, with lots of dire woo-woo warnings from all over the world mixed in. The peace part is laudable, naturally. Who is opposed to world peace, after all? But PK is long on "woo" and short ...<< MORE >> Follow-Up: Nostradamus 1 and 1
OK, I'll give the French Fraud a lucky guess. But then, his record is no better than mine, and I have zero psychic powers. All I have to say now is...
Go Steelers! (Suck it, Rooney!) ...<< MORE >> Live Blog: Nostradamus 0 for 1
I'm not much for live blogging, but David Johnson/Nostradamus didn't do so well in the NFC championship. It's going to be a lousy Super Bowl now that the undeserving 9-7 Cardinals are in it. Most likely, the AFC will dominate. Ho-hum.
...<< MORE >> French Seer Picks US Football WinnersDavid Johnson of the Florida Times-Union is a pretty funny guy. In this online article, he runs this week's football picks through the Nostradamus machine to predict the 2009 NFL conference champions, and thereby, the teams going to the Super Bowl. The relevant passage says: 75th quatrain and tilt it just a little bit to the right, you can clearly see the prophet foretold the rise of Reality TV.So, here are the French prophet’s lost quatrains on the 2009 NFL playoffs that you just won’t find anywhere else:Eagles (11-6-1) at Cardinals (11-7)We should have seen this ...<< MORE >> Hilarity from the Heartland
A wonderfully snarky and funny take on 2012 from the normally staid e-pages of the Business Record of Des Moines, Iowa. ...<< MORE >>
Letters, I get letters...
As a kid, I loved the 70's TV series, "The Waltons." I was thinking of that show recently—specifically one episode where John-Boy was umpiring a pickup baseball game, and the grandmother (played by the late Ellen Corby) for some reason took an enthusiastic and vocal interest in the game. At one crucial moment of the game, Grandma was explaining the finer points of the game to her equally clueless friends: "And when John-Boy goes like this," she said, making the "safe" signal, "that means something."
Yes, Grandma, it does. Just not anything you understand. And with ...<< MORE >> Picayune and proud!
Here's a nice little roundup of 2012 whack-a-loonery from the Picayune Item, of Picayune, Mississippi. The author, Tracy Williams, surprises us with her jaundiced view of the end-of-the-world silliness (although I'm a little concerned that she soft-pedals the Christian variety of kookery, but never mind). One simply does not expect sensible talk on exchatology from this part of the country.
In any case, Ms. Williams provides us with a quick and dirty look at the state of affairs vis a vis the current Nostradamus/2012 business. Enjoy! ...<< MORE >> How Does the Mayan Calendar Actually Work?
Here's a British documentary clip I found that explains a bit about how the Mayan calendar actually works. (The calendar part is pretty much done by 5:20, but it's still interesting.)
Unfortunately, most of what you'll see on YouTube regarding 2012 is more like this:
I'll keep looking.<< MORE >>
...And another thing...
And as Phil Plait has said, if the ancient Mayans were so good at predictions, why couldn't they foreseen the demise of their own culture?
...<< MORE >> Nostradamus: 2012, or "Why Does Baloney Avoid the Grinder?"
I DVR'ed the new History Channel "fraudumentary" (thanks to Ricky Mooston for teaching me that word) "Nostradamus: 2012" this weekend and watched the whole thing last night. Here are a few thoughts. They're rather fragmentary, and it will tak eme a while to develope any one of them into a full entry. But I wanted to give people a sense of my reaction:
First, where do I go to get my two wasted hours back? _____________________________________ The premise of this travesty of a documentary is that a supposed "lost book of Nostradamus" contains a series ...<< MORE >> New Year, New Focus
I have been casting about for a new focus for this blog in 2009. See, it has occurred to me (all right—people have been beating me over the head with it) that in order to be widely read (and thereby fulfill its purpose), a blog needs a niche. A blog about general skepticism simply won't generate sufficient readership to be noticed. So I started looking at skeptical topics in an attempt to find mine—my niche, my area to shine.
I think I've found it. ...<< MORE >> Ebert on Stein--Finally!
Roger Ebert is seldom wrong. I have always liked his work. I have said many times that his reviews are pretty reliable predictors of how I will feel about a film. More often than not, if he likes it, so will I; if not, ditto.
So now I feel vindicated, at long last. Roger has reviewed the sham documentary Expelled, starring the world's smartest idiot, Ben Stein. And he panned it. And then some. (Brief Digression: For more examples of just how wrong Stein can be, see this video. in which he pooh-poohs Peter Schiff's amazing market ...<< MORE >> Monument
The Pilgrim Monument in Provincetown, Massachusetts, as seen from the dunes near sunset. November 2008.
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Well Worth It: The Silence of Dan Rooney
The deafening silence from Pittsburgh continues. I wish I knew what to do. Last night I watched the Steelers demolish the Patriots in a cold New England rain, and all I could think was, "I can't enjoy this because of Dan Rooney."
My original post on this travesty is here. The first follow-up is here. "Mr. Rooney’s comments indicate a poor understanding of the justifications for violence of any type, let alone violence against women. Apparently, Mr. Rooney is under the impression that Jesus would understand an NFL linebacker striking a woman if his purpose was ...<< MORE >> Book Meme
Here's a little bit of weirdness for your Thanksgiving weekend. Everybody with a blog, please do this:
Sean the Blogonaut posted an open-invitation book meme:
Jesus & Mo: Always Great!
One of my favorite strips. Today's entry is especially good. Do you subscribe via RSS? You should. Here's the link.
...<< MORE >> Stop Motion Silliness: The Big Race
Stop-Motion Silliness
This is just the sort of thing The Fool gets up to when you leave him alone with electronic equipment. I hope to try my hand at more stop motion animation soon. This is just a first attempt.
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Partially Clips: Major in Magic!
One of a small number of strips to which I subscribe. You should do the same. Click here for the site.
...<< MORE >> Stop Sylvia Brown 2.0!
UPDATE!
The Old Fraud is on the ropes again! The webmaster from whatstheharm.com (gotta give them a link!) sent in the following: Good news on this front. The original site is back up at the domain STOPSYLVIA.COM. We need as many skeptics as we can to start linking to that address, and edit any links they have to the old site. Exact details on what you should do for maximum effect are here: http://skeptools.wordpress.com/2008/11/01/skeptics-load-your-google-bombs/ I thank you, and Susan & Robert Lancaster thank you. Check out that link, boys and ...<< MORE >> Failure to Stop Sylvia
Sylvia Brown Has not Been Stopped
In fact, some idiot is helping her. Apparently, the owner of the URL stopsylviabrown-dot-com—I should say former owner—neglected to maintain his registration. Now the domain is owned by some credulous git who has posted a semi-literate pro-psychic web site. How sad. Keep your domain registrations up to date, boys and girls. Stupidity is a force of nature. For this reason, it no longer appears in the Fool's sidebar list, "Foolish Occupations: Links I Like." If you are someoen you know has a site that links there, be sure to remove that link in order to ...<< MORE >> Call Me a Fool, But...
File this in the "Politics" category, one of the least-used categories on this blog. And with good reason: I hate politics. It was not always so. I used to relish it. I read every political mag (left and right) that came my way and I made sure lots of them did. But life has a way of grinding you down. I got completely exhausted by the whole subject. I have never held or heard a political opinion that did anybody any good. I have refrained from any political commentary for a very long time, but with the election just days away, I feel I must make at least a gesture in that direction. It is, I am sorry to say, an obscene gesture, albeit a non-partisan one. This is without a doubt the worst pair of candidates I have ever seen in fifty years.<< MORE >>
Quabbin Reservoir--Light and ShadowLight and ShadowSorry for the trite and vaguely artsy title. At the southern tip of the rez is a tower on a high hill. You go up in it and look around at the flooded valleys, It's actually quite impressive. On the way down, I noticed the sun streaming through the window onto the masonry. ...<< MORE >> Quabbin Reservoir--Wooly CaterpillarWooly CaterpillarThere may be millions of these in the Massachusetts woods, but I had never seen one until the day I went to the rez. The tough part is getting them to smile. ...<< MORE >> Quabbin Reservoir--RootsRootsDetail of a cluster of roots from some hardwood tree, washed up on the shore of the reservoir. ...<< MORE >> Quabbin Reservoir--JalopyJalopyThe town of Dana, Massachusetts was officially disbanded in 1937. Whole cemeteries were disinterred, houses dismantled, and everybody moved away. A few odds and ends remain, and you can still find them if you know where to look.. This is what's left of an old automobile. The location looks like it might have been the cellar of a barn. The car appears to have been stripped (there is no motor, wheels or glass) and left to rust on the spot. A few more years and it will have crumbled to scale. ...<< MORE >> Quabbin Reservoir--Road to Dana
In the 1930's, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts took four entire towns (Dana, Enfield, Greenwich and Prescott) by eminent domain and leveled them to make way for the Quabbin Reservoir, which today supplies drinking water to Boston and many surrounding communities in the eastern part of the state. Although it has been seventy years since people lived here, remnants of the old towns can still be seen.
Below is the road to Dana, Massachusetts. ...<< MORE >> Recommended Reading: Godriddance.com
From Godriddance.com, here's an article debunking some of the major pro-Jesus arguments in current circulation. Definitely worth reading. Please comment.
http://www.godriddance.com/Jesus.php ...<< MORE >> Surface Texture
I haven't been keeping up with my photo posts. Here's one I took yesterday while scraping and sanding my garage.
...<< MORE >> Review: Trick or Treatment
Disclaimer: I have not read this book yet. But the subject is so important I thought I would point people to it as soon as possible. This book is in my queue, and I intend to devour it in short order. The review included here is by Dr. Harriet Hall MD, well-known physician and writer on skeptical topics, especially medical quackery. She writes regularly for Skeptic magazine.
The review was originally published on Quackwatch.com, a site I use and support. I hope everyone reading this does so as well.
Trick or Treatment:
The Undeniable Facts about Alternative Medicine<< MORE >>
Nails
From the site of my new house, currently under construction.
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Pre-View: Why I Became an Atheist
Why I Became an Atheist: A Former Preacher Rejects Christianity by John W. Loftus I intend to review this book fully after I have had some time with it. Let me just say a few words now to give you a taste. First of all, this guy is smart. He is no anti-intellectual. He has read extensively and thought deeply on the subjects he treats. Some readers may disagree with his conclusions, but his scholarship seems very good. Second, he is ...<< MORE >>
Logical Fallacy #8: Appeal to Common PracticeAppeal to Common Practice: "All the kids are doing it!"In this fallacy, "common practice" (the fact that large numbers of people think or act a certain way) is taken as evidence that the practice is justified or reasonable or morally correct. It sneaks into people's world view in some insidious ways.Have you ever thought, said, or heard someone else say, "Most of the world believes in some kind of a god, so God must exist." The problem with this kind of reasoning is that it performs ...<< MORE >>
Wax Your Baby! (Remember when that would have been said about a car?)
The last days of Pompeii were like this. Read this piece of idiocy from the New York Post. If there were a god, he would be taking note of this kind of thing leading up to the destruction of the West. ...<< MORE >>
Old SoldierFrom the 2008 Fourth of July Parade in Orleans, Massachusetts. No comment necessary << MORE >>
 UPDATE: Marriage Protection Amendment
Also known as the "Defense of Hypocrisy Act!" According to this story on PageOneQ, Senators Larry Craig (R-ID) and David Vitter (R-LA) have so compartmentalized their own tiny brains that they are unable to see that their latest legislative venture is an exercise in cognitive dissonance.<< MORE >>
10 COMMANDMENTS OF RATIONALITY, (ONE THROUGH FIVE) Note: I'm publishing this on a Sunday for a reason: Everyone KNOWS the Lord's Day is Saturday, so it would be blasphemous to publish it then. In your face, Biblical Literalist Christians! (There, now do you see how annoying an arbitrary and unsubstantiated declaration can be?) OK children, everybody take off your shoes from off your feet and get your asses up here onto my holy mountain. I'm going to give you number one through five of my Ten Commandments of Rationality. Chisels ready? OK, here goes:<< MORE >>
Oh, Really?
Opponents of same-sex marriage criticize the idea for somehow changing what marriage really is. Oh, really?  If that is so, then the "traditional" definition of marriage need not include a loving relationship in any sense, since opposite-sex couples are still considered married no matter how loveless—or even abusive—their relationship may be. << MORE >>
Laugh Out Loud!Although the Discovery Channel occasionally disappoints me, this is pretty great. Thanks to PZ for
putting this out. Go viral, baby!
...
AńĈƎ耨Ŀ.cd<< MORE >>
A little Friday PareidoliaYou science-y types may think this is just a color composite of galaxy M81, with the inset showing the x-rays
coming from some of the massive black holes to be found there. But you'd be wrong!
...<< MORE >>
Chapter Next in the Lanski Affair: Andrew Schlafly Gets Pwned! This is Andrew Schlafly. See if you can figure out what's wrong with him by examining the picture.<< MORE >>
Language Peeves #1
I'm reading a cranky little book called Literally the Best Language Book Ever, by a self-appointed language cop named Paul Yeager.* I wish I could say I am enjoying it, but while I agree with many of Yeager's assertions (and find myself continually guilty of transgressions both public and private), I nonetheless regard him as just too much of a prescriptivist for my tastes. He is also flat-out wrong about some of his language peeves. Yeager is no Safire.<< MORE >>
Huh? This recent Pew poll has come up with a statistic that I can only call—odd. Apparently, four in five atheists disbelieve in God. The linked article does not explain in exactly what sense the fifth person could be considered "atheist." << MORE >>
My eyes! my eyes!
I haven't had much time for bloggin' lately, but I had to pass this on with
thanks to LOLGod by way of the Friendly Atheist:
...<< MORE >> Friday the 13th: Holiday for Dumbasses
Happy Dumbass Day! [Note: The following inflammatory commentary is written by a new author here at the Perfect Fool. Introducing the newest incendiary addition to the skeptical blogosphere—Phlogiston!] Ways to celebrate Dumbass Day:
XKCD: One of my favorite comicsIn my never-ending quest to bring you cool stuff you haven't seen yet, allow me to point you
towards "xkcd," a very cool web comic. It really needs no further introduction, but here is one of my favorites from the series. I dare you not to read every
single one. (Come to think of it, if you can resist reading them, you're not the sort of person I'd like to know.)
...<< MORE >>
Things I learned En Route to Looking Other Things Up
First some real news: National Geographic published evidence of the oldest live birth (complete with umbilical cord) by a vertebrate—and it's a fish! This little mama is about 380 million years old. Real science rocks! ...<< MORE >>
Skeptoid: Here Be Dragons If you've never heard of Brian Dunning or the Skeptoid podcast, now's the time! Skeptoid bills itself this way:"Skeptoid is a weekly podcast dedicated to furthering knowledge by blasting away the widespread pseudosciences that infect popular culture. "Each weekly episode focuses on a single phenomenon — paranormal, spiritual, alternative, or just plain stupid — that you've heard of, and that you probably believe in. Skeptoid attempts to expose the folly of belief in such phenomena, and more importantly, explains the factual scientific reality. ReligulousNot normally a Bill Maher fan (I don't dislike him—I just never much cared about him), I nonetheless eagerly await the release of this film. How much will you
bet it exponentially outperforms Ben Stein's piece of crap?
...<< MORE >>
Henry Rollins on I.D.I'm not what you would normally call a Henry Rollins fan, but this is clip (via Way of the Woo, highly recommended) is pretty damn good. (Note to Henry's producer: tie Henry's hands down, or teach him
some new emphatic gestures.)
...<< MORE >>
The Fool Hates Dunkin DonutsOK, I admit it—I was never a big fan of Dunkies to begin with. I think Rachel Ray is annoying and insincere, and a terrible "chef" to boot. But this whole Michelle Malkin thing is just too much. For those of you who have been living under a rock for the last three weeks or so, here's the original, idiotic story. If you'd rather not interrupt your enjoyment of the Fool's pithy ...<< MORE >>
Just watch it!Tomorrow (Memorial Day 2008) is the day we should see the first images from Mars via the
Phoenix lander. Will you be watching?
...<< MORE >>
Check out this artist!
I've never blogged about music before, but today's the day that changes. If you saw the video of the house demolition from last week, you may have noticed a guy in a gray sweatshirt flitting across the
screen a couple of times. That's Trevor. He's our contractor. Cool guy.
Among his other talents, Trevor plays guitar. I haven't heard him play yet, but I bet he's pretty good. At least he has good taste. He had me check out Antoine
Dufour on YouTube. This guy is impressive! As Trevor said, " << MORE >>
ANSWERS IN INTELLIGENCEYou may be familiar with an appalling little web site called "Answers in Genesis." Founded by minister and professional meathead Ken Ham, AiG is the online tool of the Creation Museum. (The Rev. Mr. Ham is a tool as well.) It is windy, smug and anti-intellectual. (So is Mr. Ham.) In other words, it is for born-again Christians. (continues below photo of platypus) ...<< MORE >>
I Love Mr. Deity! (that doesn't make me religious, does it?)Here's a recent episode of Mr. Deity that made me laugh out loud.
media01.crackle.com/1/o/sg/gtopb_itv.mp4
WHAT IS A SKEPTIC?
The following editorial is from Skeptic magazine, vol. 13, no 4, 2008, Copyright © 1992–2008 Skeptic and its contributors. According to their web site, www.skeptic.com , “permission is granted to print, distribute, and post with proper citation and acknowledgment.”
I consider this brief editorial the best, most complete yet succinct statement of skepticism I have yet read. I wish I could write this clearly. Everyone reading this should go to the site right now and subscribe to the magazine<< MORE >>
WatchesThe last shot from the jewelry store. I'll keep playing with the Lensbaby 3G though. Stay tuned.  << MORE >>
Is That a First Name, or a Last Name?
A 57-year-old nitwit in Zion, Illinois has petitioned
the court to allow him to legally change his name to "In God We Trust."
Steven Kreuscher is a school bus driver and amateur artist. According to an article in the Associated
Press, the town of Zion IL was originally founded as a theocracy by a sect that believed the world was flat. That sect,
founded by a colorful kook named John Alexander Dowie, was known as the "Christian Catholic Church in Zion." Trouble ... << MORE >>
NecktiesNeckties at my wife's store. (They sell a few other things besides jewelry, including small items of Asian furniture and these cool ties.) Another Lensbaby shot.  << MORE >>
Quick Picks
Not content with the irrationality that goes along with Bible-based religion, the United Methodist Church has applied its critical faculties and
expertise to—medicine! Blogger PalMD of the Denialism Blog gives them a good whack with the Stupid Stick.
Crackpot and banana expert Ray Comfort as apparently been smoking the skins of that fruit for which he has such an appreciation. How else to
explainthis entry in his unintentionally humorously titled blog, "Comfort Food?"
Ever consider "naming a star after someone?" You've heard the ads, I'm sure. I always had doubts ... << MORE >>
BraceletsAnother shot with the new Lensbaby 3G. These are bracelets in my wife's jewelry store. (If you like them, you can email me and I'll tell you where to get them. I have no stake in any sale and would decline it if offered.)  << MORE >>
Bernie, Bernie, Bernie! There is none so blind...
My friend Bernie is still trying to save Ben Stein and "Expelled" from the Holocaust. Here's his latest: Dear PF, I disagree that they “used the Holocaust in order to tarnish those who promote the theory of evolution”. See the movie. I doubt whether they saw the movie also. But if they did, ADL was merely being politically correct or simply wrong in their interpretation. The scientific community brutalizes those who would discuss (or permit discussion of) the concept of intelligent design. See the movie. Bernie
<< MORE >>
Show Some Balls: "Decorating Your Car"
I used to think the stupidest vehicle "accessory" available were those stickers of a "Calvin"-ripoff cartoon character peeing on...well, on whatever. I've seen them peeing on everything from Yankee logos to Iranian flags. It is the gift to buy for the overgrown child who has everything.
Until the invention of TruckNutz. Have you seen this infantile little item? Here's an example: ...<< MORE >>
Cheaper Than Neo-Natal Care
Happy NDR 2008, Everybody!
Happy National Day of Reason! ...<< MORE >>
ROTFLMFAO!Every once in a while, something you see online makes you laugh out loud. Thanks to an odd little site called Eclectech!
...<< MORE >>
More Correspondence From Bernie
My pal Bernie has written to me again. It's nice to be retired, but living in Florida ought to mean you spend more time outdoors in the sunshine, instead of in the sickly glow of your computer screen, or going to matinee shows of religious propaganda pieces. Anyway, here's Bernie's latest: Dear PF, Now that Pesach is officially over, I can answer your thoughtful email. First of all, I have an advantage over you because I saw the movie and you didn’t. The statements ...<< MORE >>
Can you relate?I love Wiley's strips. Please check them out!
...<< MORE >>
An Old Friend Gets Scammed
I have a friend, an older Jewish guy whom I have known for many years. Bernie is now retired and living in Florida (I think there's a law in the Torah requiring it). Now, I like old Jewish guys and hope to be one myself someday. However I hope to be a little less credulous than my pal Bernie. Bernie is one of those people who "discovered" the internet when he retired and is now a target for all the foolishness that floats around out there. Frequently, he goes around with the internet equivalent of a "kick me" sign ...<< MORE >>
Day of Reason: 5 Days to Go!My original plan to blog once item per day as a countdown to the Day of Reason (May 1) has failed. Still I soldier on! Here's a wonderful article I came across thanks to AIGBusted, another blog I enjoy. The article is from New Scientist magazine, and is entitled "Evolution: 24 Myths and Misconceptions. " One important feature of the piece is that it includes the misconceptions of those who consider evolution fact, not just those who do not. Very valuable reading for the rational public. ...<< MORE >> JREF YouTube Page Continues to Grow
The JREF is making its entire video library available to the YouTube community. That's a hell of a lot of video, and it's a great resource for skeptics. It's also extremely entertaining.
<< MORE >>
Day of Reason: 13 Days to Go!
Idea number one for how to observe the National Day of Reason on May 1: Get yourself a cool t-shirt. (And wear it.)
Here's one: Petites Sottises: Stupid Little Things
Brigitte Bardot has been convicted by a French court (for the fourth time, it turns out) of inciting anti-muslim hatred. Apparently, the 73-year-old actress's words did more to damage the image of Islam in France than all the muslim hooligans who ever attacked French Jewsor rioted because they consider the French government a "foreign power."<< MORE >>
National Day of Reason
It's just 14 days until the National Day of Reason, conveniently planned to coincide with the National Day of Prayer. According to the NDR web site, endorsements for the project have come in from 48 states and the District of Columbia. (Who are the holdouts?) |
...<< MORE >>
Green Eggs and Ham
Some of the readers of this blog surf over from one of my favorite web forums, "Why Won't God Heal
Amputees." If you've never been there, you gotta check it out! The debate can get pretty heated at times, but other times we can get rather silly. Here is a fun thing I participated in
recently. ...<< MORE >>
Garden Chair
Wednesday, March 5, 2008, I went with my wife & son to see the Boston Celtics beat up on the Detroit Pistons. I took all the obligatory action shots, but then I wanted something a
little more mundane, a little "found art."
Found it ... << MORE >>
Book Review: Infidel
Ayaan Hirsi Ali Free Press, 2007 “My central, motivating concern is that women in Islam are oppressed. That oppression of women causes Muslim women and Muslim men, too, to lag behind the west. It creates a culture that generates more backwardness with every generation. It would be better for everyone—for Muslims above all—if this situation could change.” Since it’s publication, Infidel has always been presented to me as a “women’s book.” ...<< MORE >> What Is A Skeptic? (a reposting from Skeptic Magazine)WHAT IS A SKEPTIC? What does it mean to be a skeptic? Some people believe that skepticism is rejection of new ideas, or worse, they confuse “skeptic” with“cynic” and think that skeptics are a bunch of grumpy curmudgeons unwilling to accept any claim that challenges the status quo. This is wrong. Skepticism is a provisional approach to claims. It is the application of reason to any and all ideas—no sacred cows allowed. In other words, skepticism is a method, not a position. Ideally, skeptics do not go into an investigation closed to the ...<< MORE >> Photo Blog: Cloud Gate
The "Cloud Gate" sculpture in Millennium Park, Chicago. Taken about 9 PM, February 20, 2008. It was so cold and windy that there were hardly any people in the normally popular
park. ...<< MORE >>
Photo Blog: Gehry Design
Pritzker Pavilion
Architect Frank Gehry designed this building, which reminds me (for reasons of function) of the Hatch Memorial Shell in Boston. But the Hatch never looks as cool as this. I'd love to come back
when there's a concert playing. ... << MORE >>
Photo Blog: Chica!Chica!The marquee of the Chicago Theater. Or rather, part of it. ...<< MORE >>
Logical Fallacies: Ockham's RazorLogical Fallacies: Ockham's Razor “Do not multiply entities unnecessarily.” Ockham's Razor is not a fallacy. Rather, it is a means of avoiding some of the foolishness that besets critical thinkers. Though not an infallible guide, it is (to borrow a phrase from Sagan) "the means, in both science and religion, by which deep thoughts can be winnowed from deep nonsense.” The 14th century divine, William of Ockham(usually spelled “Occam," but I prefer what I consider the older and more authentic spelling) was the originator of this ...<< MORE >> Photo Blog: HomelessHomelessNear the Picasso sculpture in Daley Plaza in the Chicago Loop, there is an eternal flame that was installed as a memorial to those who lost their lives in the US armed forces. On this particular
cold night, the pigeons actually huddled around the flame for warmth. (I had visions of one of them getting barbecued!) I just though these guys looked interesting—kind of like homeless birds.
...<< MORE >>
Photo Blog: Travel DelayTravel Delay
A scene repeated all over the country this past week as a snowstorm slammed the northeast. This shot was taken at O'Hare, but it could be any airport anywhere.
...<< MORE >>
Photo Blog: TracksThe beach in East Dennis, Massachusetts, February 16, 2008. These tracks were made by some heavy equipment being used to move rocks. The rocks are riprap, which is the nautical term for
rock structures that prevent erosion. I had to climb up on some riprap to take this photo.
...<< MORE >>
Photo Blog: Got Your Number!Channel Marker, Sesuit Harbor, East Dennis, Massachusetts, 2/16/08
...<< MORE >>
Photo Blog: Reserved ParkingSesuit Harbor, East Dennis, Massachusetts, 2/16/08
...<< MORE >>
Photo Blog: Bolt Out of the Blue
Detail from a boat rudder, Sesuit Harbor, East Dennis, Massachusetts, 2/16/08 ...<< MORE >>
Photo Blog: Rusty Ring
Closeup of a mooring ring on top of a buoy. Near the hatbormaster's shack, Sesuit Harbor, East Dennis, Massachusetts. 2/16/08 ...<< MORE >>
Smug Idiot of the Year Award: FinalistThe gentleman below is Mr. Dallas Ellis. He is smug and arrogant. He is also a walking, talking example of what a lack of scientific education can do to a person. Mr. Ellis is making a statement before the Florida state Board of Education during hearings regarding proposed changes to the state science curriculum. The Board will vote of the matter this Tuesday, February 19, 2008. Let's all tune in on Tuesday to see whether Florida is going to become another Texas. Be sure to drink your orange juice! ...<< MORE >>
Photo Blog: Anchor, Chain, and Ice Bubble
Sesuit Harbor in East Dennis, Massachusetts. February 16, 2008. I found all kinds of cool junk to photograph at the harbor. The light was pretty harsh (I didn't even get there until nearly 11:00 in the morning), so I decided to go small, looking for close-up detains and unusual views of common items. A mushroom anchor is used as a permanent mooring connection for boats in places where the bottom is sandy or silt-covered. Such anchors come in all sizes from little ones that will hold your rowboat in place to truck-sized ones meant to moor a small cruiser. ...<< MORE >>
Photo Blog: Biking to the BeachBehind the harbormaster's shack at Sesuit Harbor in Dennis MA on Cape Cod, I found these two kids bikes. They appear to have spent a good deal of time in the water before someone dragged them out. They are crusted with barnacles and rust. One of the best examples of "found art" I have ever seen. Trash is beautiful! ...<< MORE >>
New Feature: PhotoBlog!
The Fool subscribes to several photo blogs which are produced by some very talented people. These folks publish lots of their high-quality photos: nature shots, urbanscapes (is that a word?), kid shots—and I love them all. They are the first thing I look at when I fire up the old newsreader every day. It is with great humility—I might even say trepidation—that I offer my own humble shots. Here's the deal with these guys: They are mine, which is to say I own the copyright on them. But you may use them if you like. Just be sure (a) ...<< MORE >>
Scientific Method: Falsification
Frequently, I find myself in debates with believers of various stripes. Now, I don't automatically dislike believers. In fact, I have kind of a soft spot for some of them, having been one myself for many years. And I don't mean that in a patronizing or condescending way. I really enjoy a good exchange of ideas with people whose view of the world is very differently from mine. However... A question I like to ask is, "What evidence could someone show you that would tend to negate your belief in X?" And when I ask ...<< MORE >>
Logical Fallacy #5: Begging the QuestionSome readers of this blog will be familiar with a forumcalled Why Won't God Heal Amputees. It's an in-your-face title, to besure, but it does attract a lively and intelligent bunch of people on both sides of thetheism debate. At times, people do in fact debate the question ofwhether God actually heals people's illnesses. It leads to interesting debates, butseldom do debaters acknowledge the question behind the question, namely, isthere a God who intervenes in human affairs? Recently, one poster asked whether people who disbelievein miraculous healing << MORE >> Irreligion: A Mathematician Explains Why the Arguments for God Just Don't Add Up
I actually picked this book up when it first came out (right before Christmas—oh tidings of comfort and joy!). It is small, but I wouldn't call it a quick read.
I first came across John Allen Paulos several years ago, when someone gave me a copy of Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences. After
you read Irreligion, I recommend you start on that one. Brilliant.
Formal logic is, after all, a branch of mathematics, so it is no surprise that a mathematician should write such a devastatingly well-reasoned book on the subject of ... << MORE >>
Funny Church SignPretty hilarious! I'd like to see some more examples of unintentional humor in this vein. Please only send pictures of real church signs, not those church sign generator things. Logical Fallacy #4: The Excluded MiddleFallacy of the Excluded Middle ...<< MORE >>Logical Fallacy 3: The Straw ManStraw Man, or "If I Only Had A Brain" The Straw Man logical fallacy involves a deliberate mischaracterization of the opponent's position, with the specific purpose of making the mischaracterized position easier to argue against. In the following example, A is a non-theist, and B is a believer: A: I do not believe in God for the simple reason that I have never seen any evidence for his existence. B: Well, you have never seen the wind either. Do you also disbelieve in that? ...<< MORE >>Anniversary
Just a short note to point out that today is the anniversary of the death of Galileo Galilei in 1642. Skeptics everywhere should celebrate the life of this brilliant scientist who did so much to advance the cause of science in the face of overwhelming irrational opposition. ...<< MORE >>
Not Elvis!
According to Gerald Weissmann, the world is round, humans evolved from an extinct species, and Elvis is dead! Judging from my email, that last one is going to shock some
people.
But who the heck is Gerald Weissmann, and why should we care what he says? Weissmann is the editor of the Journal of the Federation of
American Societies for Experimental Biology. Although this catchy little number is not about to compete for space with People
Magazine at your local CVS, the editorial in the January 2008 issue should be required reading for skeptics, ... << MORE >>
Logical Fallacy #2: Post Hoc Ergo Propter HocPost-Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc I prayed that God would heal Grandma's cancer, and shegot better. Therefore:
Post hoc, ergo propter hoc is Latin for "after this,therefore because of this." This is also known as "correlation equalscausation." One event precedes another, therefore the first event causedthe second event. It's like the old joke: Q: Why do you wear that funny hat? A: Because it repels lions and tigers. Q: But there are no lions or ...<< MORE >> Logical Fallacy #1: The Ad Hominem Argument
Argumentum ad hominem-Argument Against the Person Probably one of the most the most common logical errorsin casual conversation, the ad hominem argument is one of the ...<< MORE >> Who Is This Fool?A Monument to a Mis-spent Life... You might say I have a wide circle of interests. Just to give you an idea, I wrote down a random selection from my iPod—I set the thing to shuffle and this is what came up first: << MORE >> Logical analysis of the Christian God
The following is part of a much longer forum entry at whywontgodhealamputees.com, a very cool web site
I have begun reading. The entry (reproduced in italics below) is by a member who uses the screen name "Omen." When I read it, I laughed so hard that the blood of christian children I was
drinking sprayed right out of my nose. (Eeeww. Sorry.) ...<< MORE >>
10 Commandments V. the 1st AmendmentThe 10 Commandments are unconstitutional! All right, not all ten. Only four of them. Or three, depending on where you go to church or synagogue. But when federal judges want to install the commandments in courtrooms, one has to wonder, are they unfamiliar with the contents of their Bibles, or is it the Constitution they have neglected to read? I'm no legal scholar, but even I can see the contradictions. The version of the Commandments quoted here is from the Book of Deuteronomy: The 1st Commandment: "I am the Lord your God, ... << MORE >>Physician, Heal Thyself
The pope needs a new advisor in a hurry, someone who will tell him when he's being a damn jackass. In his first Christmas address since becoming pope, Pope Benedict XVI said (I'm
quoting from the Breitbart.com article by Nicole Winfield) "he was turning his thoughts this Christmas to victims
of...injustices, citing women, children and the elderly, as well as refugees and victims of environmental disasters and religious and ethnic tensions.
Injustices to women and children? We don't dare to hope this could be a reference to the injustices ... Is This Our Future?
Recently I watched a documentary about the terra cotta army from the necropolis of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi (259-210 B.C.E). You’ve probably seen these guys in National Geographic.
We’ve known about this artistic and cultural wonder for over thirty years, so I don’t feel the need to pontificate about that. Instead, I want folks to consider that when we look at the terra cotta
army, we might be looking at our own future. ...<< MORE >>
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