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Archive for September, 2006

Sam Harris interviewed on NPR

Friday, September 29th, 2006

Today the NPR program Day to Day interviewed Sam Harris, author of The End of Faith and Letter to a Christian Nation. Hear first-hand why Harris has become America’s most prominent atheist.

Posted in Philosophy | No Comments »

I’m anticipating the delivery of Richard Dawkins‘ new book, The God Delusion. In it and other appearances, Dawkins has recently proposed that indoctrinating children with religious ideas, or calling a child (for example) a “Catholic child” or a “Muslim child” should rightly be seen as a form of child abuse.

Sound a tad overboard?

Watch this…

Posted in Movies, Philosophy | No Comments »

Why Do Atheists Care About Religion?

Tuesday, September 26th, 2006

Atheists are often criticized for criticizing religion. The argument goes like this: “If you don’t believe in God, then why do you spend so much time attacking the idea? For you, the unbeliever, isn’t attacking God like attacking Santa Claus? Why don’t you just go your merry way and leave us believers alone?”

Ah, would that I could with a good conscience. But unfortunately believers don’t often keep their unjustified beliefs to themselves: they base a whole host of actions upon them ranging from spreading ignorance, to social oppression, to political machinations, to outright war. And the more devout the believer, the more virulent their actions.

The five-minute video below only scratches the surface. For a quick read (under 100 pages) that cuts religion to the marrow, I recommend Letter to a Christian Nation, by Sam Harris. If you’re a Christian, I dare you to read it.

Posted in Philosophy | 1 Comment »

White and Nerdy

Wednesday, September 20th, 2006

White and nerdy— that’s me…

White and Nerdy

Weird Al Yankovic
(parody of “Ridin’ Dirty” by Chamillionaire)

They see me mowin’… my front lawn
I know they’re all thinkin’ I’m so white & nerdy
Think I’m just too white & nerdy
Think I’m just too white & nerdy
Can’t ya see I’m white & nerdy?
Look at me, I’m white & nerdy
I wanna roll with… the gangstas
But so far they all think I’m too white and nerdy
Think I’m just too white & nerdy
Think I’m just too white & nerdy
I’m just too white & nerdy
Really, really white & nerdy

First in my class there at MIT
Got skills, I’m a champion at D&D
MC Escher, that’s my favorite MC
Keep your 40, I’ll just have an Earl Grey tea
My rims never spin – to the contrary
You’ll find that they’re quite stationary
All of my action figures are cherry
Stephen Hawking’s in my library
My MySpace page is all totally pimped out
Got people beggin’ for my Top 8 spaces
Yo, I know pi to a thousand places
Ain’t got no grills, but I still wear braces
I order all of my sandwiches with mayonnaise
I’m a whiz at Minesweeper, I could play for days
Once you see my sweet moves, you’re gonna stay amazed
My fingers movin’ so fast, I’ll set the place ablaze
There’s no killer app I haven’t run
At Pascal, well, I’m number one
Do vector calculus just for fun
I ain’t got a gat but I got a soldering gun
“Happy Days” is my favorite theme song
I could sure kick your butt in a game of ping pong
I’ll ace any trivia quiz you bring on
I’m fluent in JavaScript as well as Klingon
Here’s the part I sing on…

They see me roll on… my Segway
I know in my heart they think I’m white & nerdy
Think I’m just too white & nerdy
Think I’m just too white & nerdy
Can’t ya see I’m white & nerdy?
Look at me, I’m white & nerdy
I’d like to roll with… the gangstas
Although it’s apparent I’m too white and nerdy
Think I’m just too white & nerdy
Think I’m just too white & nerdy
I’m just too white & nerdy
How’d I get so white & nerdy?

I’ve been browsin’, inspectin’
X-Men comics, you know I collect ‘em
The pens in my pocket, I must protect ‘em
My ergonomic keyboard never leaves me bored
Shoppin’ online for deals on some writable media
I edit Wikipedia
I memorized “Holy Grail” really well
I can recite it right now and have you ROTFLOL
I got a business doin’ web sites
When my friends need some code, who do they call?
I do HTML for ‘em all
Even made a home page for my dog
Yo, I got myself a fanny pack
They were havin’ a sale down at The Gap
Spend my nights with a roll of bubble wrap
Pop pop, hope no one sees me… gettin’ freaky
I’m nerdy in the extreme and whiter than sour cream
I was in A/V Club and Glee Club and even the chess team
Only question I ever thought was hard
Was, do I like Kirk or do I like Picard?
Spend every weekend at the Renaissance Faire
Got my name on my underwear

They see me strollin’… they laughin’
And rollin’ their eyes ’cause I’m so white & nerdy
Just because I’m white & nerdy
Just because I’m white & nerdy
All because I’m white & nerdy
Holy cow, I’m white & nerdy
I wanna bowl with… the gangstas
But oh well, it’s obvious I’m white and nerdy
Think I’m just too white & nerdy
Think I’m just too white & nerdy
I’m just too white & nerdy
Look at me, I’m white & nerdy

Posted in Humor | 1 Comment »

America is a Christian Nation?

Monday, September 18th, 2006

via God Is For Suckers.

Posted in Humor, Philosophy | No Comments »

Be Ye Ready for Talk Like a Pirate Day?

Sunday, September 17th, 2006

Avast! Remember, mateys, that Talk Like a Pirate Day comes but once a year on September 19th. This year it be on Tuesday. But in case ya’ landlubbers need to brush up on yer piratitude, I be providin’ a few helpful links and videos:

The two official, accept-no-substitutes Talk Like a Pirate Day sites: