Thursday, April 21, 2011
Evolution Wins!
We have it, people! Final, concrete proof that Evolution is in fact an observable law! For so long, the Creationists have been asking for seemingly nonsensical "transitional" fossils~ but little did they know, some aren't fossils, but live creatures! I proudly present to you the Croco-duck! Final refutation of Creationist demands against Evolution!
Friday, April 15, 2011
Another Battle..
It's back, predictably, the conflict between science and religion! James Hannam has a new article on Patheos about the bruhaha rising from Martin Rees receiving the Templeton Foundation's annual award. Atheist scientist, religious foundation, its not hard to see where the conflict comes in, right?
Maybe.
Hannam seems to think all the fuss is posturing over nothing, because in his words (and I'm paraphrasing here) "Religion has never impeded science." While that is patently false, its interesting that his examples are all from antiquity, and he seems to disregard the fact that religious beliefs are impeding science NOW and are in conflict with rationality NOW, fuck the past! You have large portions of the population who blatantly disregard scientific findings on Global climate change (because God said the earth is for us/ Because God promised he won't flood the world again!) you have people who are trying to shut down one of the most pioneering branches of medical biology [stem cell research] because of passages NOT in the bible; and of course, people who discriminate against and deny rights to a large minority population in the US because of two or three lines of their "holy book" that say being gay isn't "ok." This is absolutely wrong, all of it, but the real point of Dawkins, Coyne and Meyers is that hypocrisy is never easy to swallow~ Science is completely pragmatic (or at least, by definition, it should be) and having beliefs is NOT. Religion and Science will ALWAYS be in conflict (at least traditional religion) because one is based on reason, evidence, testability, and repeatability, while the other is based on FAITH. Thats it, faith. That is what is at the core of religion, because there is no unrefuted/un-debunked evidence to support it. Seriously, that's it. The fundamental opposition of the two is staggering, and I don't care how nice they [the religious] are about it, the two should and are mutually exclusive in that respect. Just as the study of Unicorns is not comparable to the study of Cephalopods.
Ugh, sorry to cut it short, I'll write more on this later.
Dillinger
Maybe.
Hannam seems to think all the fuss is posturing over nothing, because in his words (and I'm paraphrasing here) "Religion has never impeded science." While that is patently false, its interesting that his examples are all from antiquity, and he seems to disregard the fact that religious beliefs are impeding science NOW and are in conflict with rationality NOW, fuck the past! You have large portions of the population who blatantly disregard scientific findings on Global climate change (because God said the earth is for us/ Because God promised he won't flood the world again!) you have people who are trying to shut down one of the most pioneering branches of medical biology [stem cell research] because of passages NOT in the bible; and of course, people who discriminate against and deny rights to a large minority population in the US because of two or three lines of their "holy book" that say being gay isn't "ok." This is absolutely wrong, all of it, but the real point of Dawkins, Coyne and Meyers is that hypocrisy is never easy to swallow~ Science is completely pragmatic (or at least, by definition, it should be) and having beliefs is NOT. Religion and Science will ALWAYS be in conflict (at least traditional religion) because one is based on reason, evidence, testability, and repeatability, while the other is based on FAITH. Thats it, faith. That is what is at the core of religion, because there is no unrefuted/un-debunked evidence to support it. Seriously, that's it. The fundamental opposition of the two is staggering, and I don't care how nice they [the religious] are about it, the two should and are mutually exclusive in that respect. Just as the study of Unicorns is not comparable to the study of Cephalopods.
Ugh, sorry to cut it short, I'll write more on this later.
Dillinger
Go Towards the Light!
Just walking about the internet as I normally do, and I happened to stumble upon this fine gentleman doing voice impressions~ I think he's quite good, but don't take it from me, check out his videos.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Unseasonal, but Relevant
I happened across this picture today, and while the Big Guy is hibernating (or whatever he does in the off season) right now, it struck me as oddly relevant to my day to day discourse.
Why is it that some fairy tales disappear with age~ I don't know anyone over 12 who believes in Santa Claus~ any yet others, although equally ridiculous, continue on for life? Typically children think their way out of the Santa Claus myth, and as they learn to reason (even though the image is perpetuated annually across the nation) they eventually realize that it was all just a game and fanciful tale. Why is religion any different? Are the claims of a god on earth, miracle birth, and resurrection from the dead really more believable than going to every house on earth in one night, carrying with him billions of presents, fitting down a chimney, or any of those other aspects of our "christmas favorite?"
Why is it that some fairy tales disappear with age~ I don't know anyone over 12 who believes in Santa Claus~ any yet others, although equally ridiculous, continue on for life? Typically children think their way out of the Santa Claus myth, and as they learn to reason (even though the image is perpetuated annually across the nation) they eventually realize that it was all just a game and fanciful tale. Why is religion any different? Are the claims of a god on earth, miracle birth, and resurrection from the dead really more believable than going to every house on earth in one night, carrying with him billions of presents, fitting down a chimney, or any of those other aspects of our "christmas favorite?"
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Holy Irony, Batman!
So this may not be news to you if you follow Pharyngula, but its a delicious feast of irony with a side of, yep, more irony. Its a blog that follows the development of Mr. Cronon, a professor who apparently had the gall to mention how the Republican party in Wisconsin is working against its history [combating the progressive laws their party helped pass] and, in the ultimate irony, following the lead of a Governor whose leadership style closely resembles another famed Wisconsinite, Joe Mcarthy. If you have the time, read it all and follow the links. If you don't, well who the fuck do you think you are? This is HISTORY here! After the publication of Cronon's OpEd article in the NYTIMES, now the Republicans in the Wisconsin legislature are using laws they apparently disagree with on principle [using request of information legislation to grab Cronon's emails from his university account, while passing a bill in conflict to the Open-Meeting laws in Wisconsin] to dig for dirt on him.
Another interesting revelation of Cronon's research is that he reveals a major interest in this legislation, a group called ALEC, who has been drafting "hypothetical" legislation for conservatives. This bill is apparently part of this groups activities, as was the controversial "anti-immigration" legislation in Arizona. The best part is, the groups website is now down! Now we really can't see what these people are up to; not that we could before, you either have to be a Republican Legislator [and get vetted before being allowed into the cool kids club] or be a wealthy private contributer, which one would assume also comes with a vetting.
All in all, non of this surprises me. The "radicalism" [and I hate to use that word that has gotten around more than Sarah Palin gaff videos on YouTube] that has been growing since the early nineties is to be expected. It's a logical, animalistic response to a group or idea (somewhat like a church) that has been in power realizing they are on the way out. Either give up and die (which is never an option), comprimise your "ideals" (a less likely option) or solidify your ingroup by creating an extreme atmosphere that will expell those who do not tout your ideas specifically. Get rid of those who water down the "purity" of your message, then invigorate your remaining base, get militant, and keep control by force.
Its weird, I feel like I've seen this somewhere in the recent past... Oh, wait, it was in Egypt and now in Libya. Weird how that stuff can be found even in the "most free" of countries.
Oh yeah, that was sarcasm.
Another interesting revelation of Cronon's research is that he reveals a major interest in this legislation, a group called ALEC, who has been drafting "hypothetical" legislation for conservatives. This bill is apparently part of this groups activities, as was the controversial "anti-immigration" legislation in Arizona. The best part is, the groups website is now down! Now we really can't see what these people are up to; not that we could before, you either have to be a Republican Legislator [and get vetted before being allowed into the cool kids club] or be a wealthy private contributer, which one would assume also comes with a vetting.
All in all, non of this surprises me. The "radicalism" [and I hate to use that word that has gotten around more than Sarah Palin gaff videos on YouTube] that has been growing since the early nineties is to be expected. It's a logical, animalistic response to a group or idea (somewhat like a church) that has been in power realizing they are on the way out. Either give up and die (which is never an option), comprimise your "ideals" (a less likely option) or solidify your ingroup by creating an extreme atmosphere that will expell those who do not tout your ideas specifically. Get rid of those who water down the "purity" of your message, then invigorate your remaining base, get militant, and keep control by force.
Its weird, I feel like I've seen this somewhere in the recent past... Oh, wait, it was in Egypt and now in Libya. Weird how that stuff can be found even in the "most free" of countries.
Oh yeah, that was sarcasm.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Michele Bachman Attacks Your Constitution
If you really want to test your constitution, try watching Rep Michele Bachman on Meet the Press~ I defy any rational human being to watch this video and not throw up. Its farcical that so many people supposedly identify with this woman~ even on simple questions, she can't diverge from this two note thought process on healthcare and "Obama is evil" to actually explain her position. This serves as confirmation of the inanity of her movement, the lack of insight these people have, and the shallowness of their political ideology. She can't answer simple questions?! Give me a break.
The simple fact that people somehow voted this shill for ignorance into a public office is enough to make a person sick (even as dog catcher,) let alone the fact that she has the ability to effect peoples lives across the nation. Watch this video (if you can) and realize how little she knows, and how Americans failed themselves by voting someone into office based on rhetoric instead of substance. Shame on you, minnesota, just shame...
The simple fact that people somehow voted this shill for ignorance into a public office is enough to make a person sick (even as dog catcher,) let alone the fact that she has the ability to effect peoples lives across the nation. Watch this video (if you can) and realize how little she knows, and how Americans failed themselves by voting someone into office based on rhetoric instead of substance. Shame on you, minnesota, just shame...
Friday, March 4, 2011
Free Troy Davis
So I haven't been here for a while, apparently I don't have the discipline that a blogger is supposed to have~ So I guess I should redouble my efforts???
Anyways, I was surfing the internet looking for a cause (like liberals do, amiright?) and stumbled upon the Troy Davis case~ man on death row (thats the first problem here) who is running out appeals. The real problem here is he was convicted with NO Dna, NO murder weapon, 7 of the 9 witnesses against him recanted their testimonies (citing police coercion), there was NO physical evidence linking him to the murder, and some evidence for the case was never heard by a jury. If that interests you, look it up, learn about it, don't just take my word~ but this legal system is in need of SERIOUS reform. I'll post more later.
Anyways, I was surfing the internet looking for a cause (like liberals do, amiright?) and stumbled upon the Troy Davis case~ man on death row (thats the first problem here) who is running out appeals. The real problem here is he was convicted with NO Dna, NO murder weapon, 7 of the 9 witnesses against him recanted their testimonies (citing police coercion), there was NO physical evidence linking him to the murder, and some evidence for the case was never heard by a jury. If that interests you, look it up, learn about it, don't just take my word~ but this legal system is in need of SERIOUS reform. I'll post more later.
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