Ironwolf

I was impressed by this nicely-edited promo for contact juggler Matt Hennem.

I think Dawkins did about as well as one could, venturing into Bill O’Reilly’s soundbite-sized, straw man-infested lair.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8etMHn4P6g

Yes, April 20 is National Smoke Marijuana Day.

But I have never used Cannabis, and I don’t intend to start. In fact, my personal recreational drug use has been limited to a beer or two a year, and a recent stint with caffeine-laced energy drinks.
All drugs, whether intended for recreational or medical purposes, carry risks that […]

I have been following Sam Harris’ debate with Andrew Sullivan. Harris just posted his concluding remarks, and I found them so pithy I consider them a “must read.” While the fundamentalists get a lot of the limelight, Sullivan’s attitude is consistent with those of “liberal” believers who make up the vast majority of Americans. Unfortunately, […]

The following video is of the St. Petersburg Declaration from the Secular Islam Summit, read in English by Ibn Warraq.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXGz7QVq4sA

You can also see it read in Arabic, Bengali, and Farsi.
You can find the full text here, but here are the essential points:
We call on the governments of the world to
• reject Sharia law, fatwa courts, clerical […]

Hat tip to Pharyngula.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEcEwPszfrE

The original conversation from Dawkins’ documentary, The Root of All Evil?
The original Monty Python sketch.

Dr. Roy Walford has been a distant hero of mine since I first read his book, The 120 Year Diet quite a few years ago. Walford pioneered research into Caloric Restriction with Optimum Nutrition (CR-ON) as a means of extending the life-span of any species, including humans. A respected researcher, he was also his own […]

Obviously, the Ten Commandments have had an enormous influence on western culture. So I wanted to gather together some of the more thoughtful ideas and commentary I’ve run across.
Of course, the story begins with the Hebrews in bondage to the Egyptians, and their dramatic escape…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1kqqMXWEFs

10 Things I Hate About Commandments
It’s important to realize that there […]

Littlewood’s Law states that people can expect to experience about one “miracle” a month.
I think this video just shot me way over my quota.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7L1cVINGpY

After yesterday’s posting, I wrote to Brian Flemming to call it to his attention and ask for his thoughts. With his permission, here is his reply:
One thing about your approach: It concentrates on the “harsh words” aspect, which is no big deal. And Epstein is trying hard to focus only on that aspect.
I’d rather force […]