Ed Brayton is a freelance writer and speaker. He is the co-founder and president of 
DaveScot says John Davison is a nut and says Dembski thinks so too. Those of us who've dealt with him over the years certainly agree. And if you want proof, look at this comment that someone linked to in the comments on another post. I'll break it down one claim at a time:
I predict that within one year of this date, Pharyngula, Panda's Thumb, EvC, RichardDawkins.net and Uncommon Descent will all have so completely degenerated as to become nothing but embarrassing footnotes in the history of internet communication.
A pointless prediction. Davison no doubt think they're already all of those things, so he will merely declare them to be so no matter what is actually going on a year from now.
I also predict that P.Z. Myers and Richard Dawkins will have so embarrassed their home institutions that overt attempts will have been initiated to have their tenures revoked on the grounds of moral terpitude and seeking to overthrow the government.
LMAO. Seeking to overthrow the government? Okay Davison, step away from the crackpipe. Just put it down and walk away.
Public institutions like the University of Minnesota and Oxford cannot continue much longer to tolerate representatives so lacking in moral and ethical fiber as these two pathetic products of a "prescribed" and now terminated organic evolution. They make Ward Churchill look like Shirley Temple. Unlike Churchill who was never a threat to anyone, these two actively seek to destroy Western Civilization.
Exactly what universe does Davison inhabit? It clearly isn't this one.
Comments
Not knowing much about science, DaveScot was suckered into promoting JAD on Uncommon Descent for many moons before figuring out that the guy was a nut. Kind of like how he got suckered on the Marines Praying email hoax, or how Dembski got suckered on The Bible Code, William Brookfield, etc...
Posted by: steve s | February 16, 2008 9:38 AM
Since Richard Dawkins has announced his retirement from the the Charles Simonyi Professorship in the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford, Davison will, no doubt, claim he is at least half right (to match his claim of having wit).
Posted by: John Pieret | February 16, 2008 10:02 AM
This guy doesn't spend much time on University campuses does he? However those who lack moral and ethical fiber are typically in the administration not the teaching or research staffs.
Posted by: yoshi | February 16, 2008 11:37 AM
In many ways, Dave Scot is almost as deluded as Davison. He recently claimed that he hit a "glass ceiling" at Dell because he didn't have an MBA otherwise he would have been a senior VP of that company by now.
Quite apart from the idiocy of comparing his "plight" with the millions of women and African Americans who have legitimately been discriminated against in their jobs over the years, it doesn't actually take that long to get an MBA--two or three years part-time. And a company like Dell, especially back in the roaring nineties, would have been quite happy to let a "star engineer" (a legend in his own lunchtime) do a part-time MBA.
But what else would you expect from a man who claims to be an expert in science because he's read every copy of Scientific American over the past twenty years?
Posted by: tacitus | February 16, 2008 12:23 PM
Sal Cordova loves him though, at least at the moment. I posted just once about how I suspected that "Young Cosmos" might be a clever hoax on Sal because it endorsed Davison... and now I'm graced with attention-seeking "I love it so!"s every few days or so.
Posted by: Bad | February 16, 2008 12:28 PM
The thing I liked when I first read this e-mail was that Myers and Dawkins were the only two scientists (and U-Minn and Oxford were the only two universities) that would cause the downfall of Western Civilization. What about all the rest of us? Don't we get some props? And if it only takes two professors, each at a different university (and with no evidence of direct collaboration) to bring about the downfall of Western Civilization, then maybe there's something wrong with Western Civilization... (Ooh, may I now a seditionist, too?)
Posted by: Umlud | February 16, 2008 2:07 PM
I predict that within one year of this date, Pharyngula, Panda's Thumb, EvC, RichardDawkins.net and Uncommon Descent will all have so completely degenerated as to become nothing but embarrassing footnotes in the history of internet communication.
I, um... I agree with part of that statement already...
Posted by: Coin | February 16, 2008 4:10 PM
I think we're coming to the conclusion that Davison's situation is more sad than funny.
Posted by: Physicalist | February 16, 2008 5:51 PM
Yeah, but the part that's right has been known for years, so it can hardly be called a "prediction."
Posted by: John Pieret | February 16, 2008 5:52 PM
That's Incredible!
Posted by: Allison Schnoode | February 16, 2008 7:09 PM
STOP PRESS
DingoJack goes into mystic trance and intones:
"I predict that tomorrow some other YAC/ID/FE clown will write or say something completely risable."
You wait I will be correct. Spooky isn't it? - DJ
Posted by: DingoJack | February 17, 2008 12:50 AM
". . . terpitude"? Is that the stuff most of us buy to thin paint and that Davison apparently drinks?
Posted by: JakeR | February 17, 2008 3:32 PM
"...on the grounds of moral terpitude and seeking to overthrow the government."
Obviously, the University of Maryland is in on the conspiracy.
Posted by: J-Dog | February 18, 2008 9:57 AM
God bless you all for the free publicity.
If you aren't afraid to expose yourself by registration, visit my blog and participate. You can be certain that whatever you say there will remain whether you manage to remain civil or not which is the only requirement. I even tolerate a certain amount of abuse if it helps characterise those who must use those tactics, tactics you like to use here.
As I used to say -
SOCKITTOME
I love it so!
I predict none of you will show. Scientists predict you know.
"A past evolution is undeniable, a present evolution undemonstrable."
Posted by: John A. Davison | February 28, 2008 2:03 PM
Wow, this Davison guy tries to attack the more ridiculous straw men of the atheist movement, such as Dawkins and PZ Myers, and all he does is make them look sensible. No wonder the other creos are running away from him -- he's worse than useless on their side! Once you get your ass kicked by your own strawman, no one has any more use for you.
And, like other cdesign proponentsists before him, once he's lost an argument, he pretends it's all just "street theater."
I predict none of you will show. Scientists predict you know.
He can also safely predict that I won't get into any arguments with the next homeless drunk I see on the street. Is that stuningly prescient or what?
Posted by: Raging Bee | February 28, 2008 2:18 PM
Raging Bee whoever that is, aparently just one more cowardly, unfulfilled, anonymous blowhard.
I have no more truck with the Darwimps than I have with the Fundies. I thought everybody knew that by now. That is the way I want it and the way it was "prescribed" to be. DaveScot/David Springer is a congenital bully and Bill (Bible Code) Dembski is a damn fool to associate with him.
Got that? Write that down.
Thanks to all for the free publicity. Now get back to your "groupthinktank" There is safety in numbers don't you know!
I love it so!
"A past evolution is undeniable, a present evolution undemonstrable."
Posted by: John A. Davison | February 28, 2008 7:21 PM
What happened to this thread. Did you pull it Ed? I can't seem to find it in the Archives. That sounds like something P.Z. Myers might do and has done!
Posted by: John A. Davison | February 28, 2008 7:41 PM
You're posting, in the thread. How could he have "pulled it" if you can still post in it?
Just save it to your bookmarks if you want to find it again that badly.
Posted by: Leni | February 28, 2008 7:50 PM
Is the IDC crowd in a competition to see who can be stupidest fucker of them all? They just keep going lower and lower.
Posted by: Tyler DiPietro | February 28, 2008 8:50 PM
The ever brilliant Davison wondering what happened to a thread he's posting in. I love it so.
Posted by: Ed Brayton | February 28, 2008 9:50 PM
Where is the wit and wisdom thread Ed? What did you do with it? Don't you think you should put it back?
I love it so!
Posted by: John A. Davison | February 29, 2008 7:09 AM
Heeeeeeeeeeers John, "emeritus professor" Davison...brilliantly asking where the very thread was he was commenting in...twice!
Insanity, I love it so!
Why do you need advertisement John? You have yet another blog set up with one or two posts and you as virtually the only commenter to your own posts? I heard about that through PZ Myers...now there's a biologist that has good posts and lots of readers.
Posted by: Dave S. | February 29, 2008 7:42 AM
Wow, Davison comes to this thread to ask where this thread is and why Ed won't "put it back." Twice.
Stay tuned for scenes from our next episode, where our brave emeritus professor goes to the top of the Eiffel Tower, looks far and wide in all directions, and then complains when he can't see the Eiffel Tower, and demands that those terrorist-loving surrender-monkeys put it back (and start speaking English already).
Posted by: Raging Bee | February 29, 2008 9:00 AM
Raging Bee, an anonymous, cowardly, unfulfilled, blowhard I see.
Anonymity is the biggest obstacle to internet dialogue. It was an error to ever have allowed it in the first place.
I can only report on what happens when I look for this thread when I start with this weblog's home page. Perhaps someone should tell me where this thread originated from.
Thanks, well named Ragimg Bee, for exposing your congenital nastiness for all to see.
"Birds of a feather gather together."
Cervantes
"There are more horses asses than horses."
anonymous
"Darwinian mysticism is a pleiotropic expression of the same genes that produce congenital atheism and ultra-liberal political permissiveness."
John A. Davison
KMA and GFY
I love it so!
Posted by: John A. Davison | February 29, 2008 10:45 AM
The same thing happens to it as happens to every other thread. Do want Ed to put a sticky onto it so it stays as first thread? *L*
I love it so!
Posted by: Dave S. | February 29, 2008 10:53 AM
Anonymity is the biggest obstacle to internet dialogue.
Really? It hasn't stopped you from responding here. Nor has your lack of anonymity made your behavior any more honorable, nor stopped you from posting such babyish hateful nonsense as "KMA and GFY."
I noice you creationists tend to complain about anonymity AFTER you've lost your arguments and been made to look like a fool. If you're really interested in advancing your point in an adult debate, then anonymity shouldn't be any obstacle at all: just stick to the subject, and your arguments will stand, or fall, regardless of the names the participants use.
(That is, after all, how Jesus himself handled debate: there's nothing in the Bible that says Jesus tried to verify a questioner's identity before answering the question.)
Posted by: Raging Bee | February 29, 2008 10:57 AM
Raging Bee
Don't lump me with the the Fundies by calling me a creationist you pathetic little creep. My brand of creationism is identical with that of Albert Einstein.
"Stifle yourself dingbat."
Archie Bunker.
It doesn't get any better than this.
I lovc it so!
Jesus had a Messiah complex and so do you.
"A past evolution is undeniable, a present evolution undemonstrable."
Posted by: John A. Davison | February 29, 2008 11:50 AM
John: I labelled you a creationist because you sound like one: who else but a creationist would spout such nonsense-phrases as "Darwinian mysticism," "congenital atheism," and "ultra-liberal political permissiveness?" (And no, you're not like Einstein at all.) I'd cite the "duck test" here, but that would be an insult to ducks.
You're complainng about "anonymity," but I can't help noticing that the guy who gives his full name is the one spouting grade-school-level insults in lieu of a coherent argument on any subject. In fact, you have yet to rise to the level of debate I saw among my friends in grade-school (all of whom would be ashamed to be seen acting like you), let alone above it.
Posted by: Raging Bee | February 29, 2008 12:00 PM
Ed
From where did you dredge up this flotsam and jestsam of intellectual trash. It looks lke the same garbage that infests Pharyngula and After the Bar Closes. What a bunch of homozygous losers. Congratulations on running just one more flame pit. And put this thread in your Archives and leave it there. I'll be looking for it and if it isn't there I will inform the whole world about it.
Have a nice cozy "groupthinktank."
It is hard to believe isn't it?
I love it so!
Posted by: John A. Davison | February 29, 2008 2:18 PM
What a sad conflicted soul you are: caling us "intellectual trash" while unable to offer anything but babyish name-calling; then giving us a goodbye-insult while promising not to ever really leave us. Looks like a classic case of someone helplessly fascinated by what he claims to hate, powerless before the people he claims to have defeated.
Your mindset would make a really good plot for a really bad BD$M p0rn movie.
Posted by: Raging Bee | February 29, 2008 2:30 PM
Ok, I can't stand this any more. What the hell is the deal with the "I love it so" at the end of every post?
It gives each of his posts a creepy Laugh In like feel that's kinda freaking me out. When I read it, it's in Tiny Tim's voice and seems like it should be followed by one of those high-pitched, twittering, drag queen/mommy dearest laughs. It's a truly bewildering and frightening combination.
Creationist meets a Joan Crawford drag queen meets Tiny Tim. This is just not a beast I feel emotionally equipped to deal with. I think I need 3 hits of acid and one of those little "Magic Merlin" pocket kaleidoscopes. And quite possibly some sort of defensive stick for poking at it if it comes too close.
Posted by: Leni | February 29, 2008 8:47 PM
Leni - I agree I had the same sort of reaction. I doubt that even acid would help, it might just emphasize his creepiness and that would be a bad trip to take.
Posted by: JoH | February 29, 2008 9:29 PM
All mighty Raging one... thanks for the laugh!
It's just too easy to make fun of this buffoon. Here's the ultimate in JAD spoofs:
http://decorabilia.blogspot.com/2005/12/john-davison-orders-pizza.html
Enjoy!
Posted by: doctorgoo | February 29, 2008 10:24 PM
John A Davison wrote:
This thread is in the same place it has always been and will always be, you fucking idiot. But feel free to "inform the whole world about" just how fucking stupid you are.
Posted by: Ed Brayton | February 29, 2008 11:07 PM
That's already been taken care of Ed. *L*
Davison has all the nutiness of Larry without the breadth of sheer inanity.
Posted by: Dave S. | March 1, 2008 8:06 AM
Regarding "I love it so", here's a comment Davison left at Decorabilia:
Even creepier, now that it's explained.
Posted by: Jeff Hebert | March 1, 2008 8:19 AM
I believe I have figured out what the mental midget is babbling about. Each page only displays 16 posts, in reverse chronological order (ie, most recent at top). The structure of the Archive pages follows /[year]/[month]/index.php?page=[#] after the first page of each monthly archive. My guess is that when he first found it, the Archive page it was on was 3 (based on the timing). He then bookmarked that url, not understanding that new posts would be added to the monthly archive and thereby shift the post to a different Archive page. This is all automatic - Ed doesn't have to do anything but write new posts to make it happen.
The good news for our demented dimwit is that, since February is now over, the post will evermore remain at the top of page 5 of the February 2008 Archive.
Of course, I could be wrong, and the nattering nabob simply doesn't understand the concept of "Previous" links and thinks all 139 posts in February should show up on the first page of the Archive. But I'd rather give him the benefit of some amount of intelligence.
Posted by: W. Kevin Vicklund | March 1, 2008 10:40 AM
Oh my. That is possibly the most disturbing thing you could have thrown into the mix. Wow.
And Kevin, that sounds so utterly plausible. See John, that's what rational explanations look like. They can't hurt you.
Posted by: Leni | March 1, 2008 12:18 PM
Thanks for deleting my last response. I stand by my comment.
John A. Davison
Posted by: John A. Davison | March 1, 2008 8:51 PM
Ed
I am soon going to amass many of the insults that I have received and list them with the sources on my "WHY BANISHMENT" thread on my weblog. If you and your cronies would like to add some more, feel free to do it right here. Better yet, regester on my weblog and do it there. I have yet to delete a single comment and I solemnly promise I will not in future. Surely you folks can't pass up an opportunity like that can you? I'll leave a light on for you.
SOCKITTOME.
I bet nobody shows. Cowardly blowhards are like that.
I love it so!
"A past evolution is undeniable, a present evolution undemonstrable."
John A. Davison
Posted by: John A. Davison | March 1, 2008 9:12 PM
So let me get it straight... JAD is trolling blogs, practically begging people to go over to his blog and start paying attention to him... am I close?
Posted by: doctorgoo | March 1, 2008 10:32 PM
John A Davison wrote:
No one has deleted any of your responses, you moron. They're in the same place they always were, just like the entire thread you keep claiming isn't there.
Posted by: Ed Brayton | March 1, 2008 10:45 PM
http://john.a.davison.free.fr/?p=18#comment-357
Enjoy, especially # 71
Posted by: John A. Davison | March 2, 2008 5:22 PM
Ed, you'll be happy to know Kim has promised that once I retire from teaching, if I even begin to approach the pathetic level Davison has, she's taking the computer away and will just sit me on the couch, put in a Sesame Street DVD, and feed me strained carrots.
Posted by: Dan | March 2, 2008 6:26 PM
I book marked nothing. I looked for this thread in the Archives. It was not there but is now. P.Z. Myers has pulled the same stunt and probably for the same reasons.
I love it so!
"A past evolution is undeniable, a present evolution undemonstrable."
John A. Davison
Posted by: John A. Davison | March 4, 2008 3:42 PM
Christ, you are stupid. This thread has never moved anywhere. It's not even possible to move a thread without changing the date on it, and you'll notice that the date has never changed on this post. Your utter cluelessness is not my fault.
Posted by: Ed Brayton | March 4, 2008 3:59 PM
If you folks insist on continuing to insult me, I will continue to add your insults to the ones I already have on #71 of my WHY BANISHMENT? thread. One of my purposes in having a weblog is to expose the kind of gutter language which has come to typify weblog commentary. I won't tolerate those that use those tactics on my blog, but I am delighted to expose those cesspools like Pharyngula and After The Bar Closes that do. If you want that kind of company, you have every right. The choice is yours. I give my users one opportunity to apologize and, if they don't, I remove them from the user list but leave their words as testimony to their character.
I tell you what I will do for you Ed. You register on my blog, offer an apology for your words, and I will erase you from my list. That seems fair enough don't you think? That goes for P.Z. Myers or anyone else who cannot behave in s civil fashion on or off Professor John A. Davison's Weblog.
The degeneration that has come to typify internet communication has gone on far too long. This is my attempt to correct it. The choice is yours as it is for anyone else who has made #71 on my WHY BANISHMENT? thread.
"A past evolution is undeniable. a present evolution undemonstrable."
Posted by: John A. Davison | March 5, 2008 1:51 AM
Well, I guess that shut up the clientele at Ed Brayton's atheist flame pit. Here is some more wit and wisdom for the "groupthinktank" that inhabits this intellectual landfill.
"How sweet it is.....Ooooh that's good booze."
Jackie Gleason
"A past evolution is undeniable, a present evolution undemonstrable.....Mankind fiddled while earth burned....Atheist Darwinian mysticism sucks with a vacuum exceeding one atmosphere which is theoretically impossible."
John A. Davison
I love it so!
john.a.davison.free.fr/
Posted by: John A.Davison | March 17, 2008 3:34 PM
I hate to break this to you John, but nobody cares about your list or your blog.
Buh Bye
I love it so!
Posted by: Dave S. | March 17, 2008 3:38 PM