Darwin, religion and choice

[matgb]

Today is one of those birthday things. I knew it was coming up, because the BHA invited me to their annual event but a) I'd have had to pay and b) it was in London, so have fun all that do go, I'm sure it'll be good. Fortunately, bagrec reminded me this morning, so I half inched this image from him . Evolution was, I used to think, something that we generally all just accepted, sure, there were a few minority extremists that thought otherwise, but anyone with a decent education, including the entire Catholic Church, just know it to be real, right? Unfortunately the internet reveals this to be untrue, and that someone who is an avowed Creationist has a good chance at the Republican nomination (although no chance at the actual Presidency) is something that really does bother me. Fortunately, there are voices of reason out there, including my better half, and we all know what Theory means, etc, right? Ah well, if you need a bit more explanation, ask a skientist, I recommend Debi the evolutionary morphologist if you don't have another one handy. I'm sure her hangover will allow her to answer questions in her comments ;-)

In other news, Anonymous vs Scientology had a good weekend of protests it seems, deathboy went to the London protest and has a good report, and the Phoenix protest got /.ed. There's a little bit of me that dislikes the thing as a whole bunch of people, including people that have their own personal different brand of sky fairy, are ganging up on the Scientologists—I'm all for mocking all religions, but a dog pile seems a bit off when your allies are also batshit. Then I remember that they're Scientologists and that it's therefore OK anyway, right?

Last up, I've been promising various people for ages a post on markets, economics, and why I like them despite being a lot of a lefty, but while that's still on the planned list with a bunch of other stuff, Tim Harford continues his climb up my "top people" list by writing a post about why markets can at times fail, and how analysis of these "externalities" can help them get back on track and do a lot of good; "Green taxes" and similar are a method of dealing with externalities, and are generally much better than simply banning stuff.

Right, that's it for now, I have a fiancée to go snuggle for a bit before shrublette gets home...

Comments

[thapunkprincess.livejournal.com]

And two minutes after I mentioned your reference to this super-intelligent, argument-winning, sky-fairy-loving cultist, you make ANOTHER one. It's kind of funny you see.

Face it: Jews, Muslims, Christians, Scientologists... if they are supposedly intelligent (by design or evolution) then there's still something 'missing'. Some kind of mental illness at the heart of it, most probably.

[ginasketch.livejournal.com]

It's funny why? I have Jewish, Christin and Muslim friends.

None of them are as ignorant and self righteous as you. Good day.

Quick! If you act now you can get the last word in!

[thapunkprincess.livejournal.com]

Nah, they are far more ignorant. Religious people tend to be incredibly ignorant and I very much doubt your furry multicultural social sphincter is any different.

[thapunkprincess.livejournal.com]

Hehe, with reference to my last post I wuz just thinking what a brilliant t-shirt that would make for your creationist friend.

'Intelligent... by design'.

[harry-t-skull.livejournal.com]

and you being an obnoxious narrow minded, intolerant mare came from nature or nuture?

[matgb]

nature or nuture?

*cough*

If you're going to insult people directly in my comments box, try and get the insults at least spelt correctly?

Also? The GP is very good at asserting an extreme position and playing advocate, makes the discussions more interesting, it's not like you haven't seen it before elsewhere.

[ginasketch.livejournal.com]

I'd say it's possible to play Devil's Advocate without being unnecessarily rude.

[thapunkprincess.livejournal.com]

I'm just a blank slate for you to write on.