…and this is a 
To the clever dicks who think they are annoying me
Category: Kooks • Weirdness
Posted on: August 19, 2008 5:37 PM, by PZ Myers
One of the chores I got done this afternoon, after a much needed nap, was to go through the mail that accumulated during our long absence. Part of that job is sorting out the pile of magazines that I did not subscribe to, but that some people out there think they can sign me up for and annoy me — but which, since I did not authorize any payment, and which are usually sent to me under some sloppy permutation of my name, I simply never pay for, and eventually the publisher gets tired of sending me without recompense and the subscription fades away.
It's a weird mix: lots of conservative political rags which get tossed into the recycling bin with barely a glance, and the rest is a mishmash of odd stuff that the sender seems to think says something about me. Out magazine I sort of understand — they want to imply that I'm gay, which they think I'd take as an insult because they do — but the yummy cover photo of Neil Patrick Harris and the nice interview inside just made me think there would be some perks to being gay. American Rider, though, is a strange choice. Am I supposed to be a leather-wearing Harley rider, too? It's a very Tom of Finland combination, but sorry, ultimately uninteresting to me. Body+Soul is a better choice for something that would irritate, but it's so dang silly that I can only laugh.
So I hate to say it since I am getting a giggle out of these random piles of glossy paper in my mailbox, but could you please stop wasting your time? The only people being hurt by this action are the mail carriers who have enough of a burden to haul every day, and possibly the publishers who might lose a little money on the printing (but might gain a little more ad revenue from the temporary addition to their subscriber rolls).
And planet Earth. Think of the Earth, man.
Comments
Posted by: MAJeff, OM | August 19, 2008 6:03 PM
but the yummy cover photo of Neil Patrick Harris and the nice interview inside just made me think there would be some perks to being gay.
It was quite yummy. Too bad none of us everyday gays have a shot at him. He'd make an awesome sugar daddy.
Posted by: Colin J | August 19, 2008 6:04 PM
The last thing on most of these peoples' minds is our planet. They have their visions set on the after party.
Posted by: Shh | August 19, 2008 6:05 PM
You mean nobody has found a tentacle porn magazine to sign you up for?
Posted by: MAJeff, OM | August 19, 2008 6:05 PM
Hold it. Hetero biology profs know Tom of Finland? Image shattered.
Posted by: Reginald Selkirk | August 19, 2008 6:06 PM
You could make money by offering carbon sequestration. It's the latest green thing. All you'd have to do is collect money from people on the promise that you will dig a hole and bury this load of trash.
Posted by: Owlmirror | August 19, 2008 6:06 PM
Sure, right.... We believe you.
I bet you only read Playcephalopod for the articles, too.
Posted by: chuck | August 19, 2008 6:07 PM
Maybe if pz also stopped being such a dick, he wouldn't get pestered by others.
Posted by: Glen Davidson | August 19, 2008 6:08 PM
But if there is no God.......oh, uh, never mind, how old is that refrain?
And anyhow, what about all the wasted electrons (and energy) supporting delusional fantasies. If you're going to support free speech on the web, you're just asking for worn out electrons.
So you know...., oh, well, the point is not to make any point, just to wear everything down through repetition. Did I do all right on that score?
Glen D
http://tinyurl.com/2kxyc7
Posted by: Bayesian Bouffant, FCD | August 19, 2008 6:09 PM
A couple years ago, someone sent him a DVD of The Calamari Wrestler.Posted by: Nibien | August 19, 2008 6:10 PM
"Maybe if pz also stopped being such a dick, he wouldn't get pestered by others."
It's true, damn that man for going around harassing random people by posting on a personal blog! Has he no shame! I can't even sleep in peace anymore because of his harassment!
I'll pray for him. I'll pray hard.
Posted by: Brownian, OM | August 19, 2008 6:11 PM
Yeah, fuckers. I know you douchebags don't give a shit about the planet since you're all expecting to ride your camels through that needle eye into cloudy tedium for all eternity, but some of us don't roll like that, and we hope our kids might enjoy a whiff of oxygenated atmosphere before being buried in a deluge of consumerist ejaculate.
Posted by: Brownian, OM | August 19, 2008 6:15 PM
Ah, theist reasoning at its finest: "But, but...he started it!" Whiny, ethically vacant little twats.
One day a religious leader is going to show up, claim to be god, and say something to the effect of "turn the other cheek if you wanna get to heaven" and you dipshits'll all be sorry.
Posted by: Brownian, OM | August 19, 2008 6:19 PM
And in case it isn't apparent to your little peabrain, I'm referring to you chuck, you dumbfuck.
Posted by: chuck | August 19, 2008 6:20 PM
"Ah, theist reasoning at its finest: "But, but...he started it!" Whiny, ethically vacant little twats."
Ah, atheistic assumption building at its finest...
"One day a religious leader is going to show up, claim to be god, and say something to the effect of "turn the other cheek if you wanna get to heaven" and you dipshits'll all be sorry."
Stupid ^
Posted by: Calladus | August 19, 2008 6:22 PM
Couldn't you just forward all of the subscriptions to care of Bill Donohue?
Or does he already subscribe?
Posted by: Iron | August 19, 2008 6:23 PM
Please don't feed the trolls.
Posted by: Nathan | August 19, 2008 6:27 PM
I have been reading this blog for a while, although not that long and I would be interested in what magazines you do read PZ.
Posted by: VWXYNot? | August 19, 2008 6:27 PM
Oh, so you do have a recycling bin?!
Jolly good. Carry on.
Posted by: chuck | August 19, 2008 6:28 PM
"And in case it isn't apparent to your little peabrain, I'm referring to you chuck, you dumbfuck."
Yeaahhhh, it's not like you quoted me or anything. Please stop crying now. Thanks.
Posted by: PZ Myers | August 19, 2008 6:30 PM
Chuck: you think like the people who send me these things in your assumption that I'm being "pestered". I'm not. I'm being amused, but really don't think it's worth your effort or the cost to others of sending this stuff. So please stop. Your plan has failed miserably.
Posted by: Johnny | August 19, 2008 6:31 PM
Wow, this is a really good idea.
I don't like Rush Limbaugh. I think I'll send him a subscription to Details. That'll really show him.
Posted by: Rayven Alandria | August 19, 2008 6:36 PM
Maybe they think you're a gay biker dude. *shrug* It's funny that they think you'd be ashamed of being a gay biker dude, but whatevah.
It would be funny as all get-out if one of the scuzballs tried to frame you with kiddie porn and they ended up going to jail because it was traced back to them. Now, that would be epic lulz.
Posted by: PZ Myers | August 19, 2008 6:37 PM
Ah, as for the good magazines: I subscribe to Natural History personally. Otherwise, I take advantage of the institutional subscriptions to Nature, Science, Bioessays, Developmental Biology, Development, PNAS, Developmental Dynamics, Developmental Genetics, Genes and Development, and Mechanisms of Development pretty regularly. I prefer getting the issues electronically, since I really don't read all of each issue, just the subset of articles that strike my fancy.
I don't subscribe to much in the way of print magazines, which makes these weird attempts at harassment by magazine easy to sort out and handle appropriately.
Posted by: Barklikeadog | August 19, 2008 6:42 PM
Chuck, did you know that at your name is a synonym for dick? Or is it prick? Or just the discarded foreskin?
No one gives a fuck what your opinion is so go play with yourself, and remember jebus is watching you beat off.
Posted by: Jim Anderson | August 19, 2008 6:43 PM
Not even a subtle plug for Seed?
Posted by: Ragutis | August 19, 2008 6:44 PM
YES! Finally the weapon we've been looking for to destroy the Neo-Cons and bring down the Religious Right...
SPAM!
We can turn their tools against them! How nefarious and cunning, if I do say so myself. The dawn of The Glorious United Workers' Socialist States of the American Republic is just a few spoofed magazine subscriptions away! Why didn't we think of this earlier? To action, Comrades!
Posted by: Alex | August 19, 2008 6:45 PM
Jebus watches when we do that? What a weirdo.
Posted by: chuck | August 19, 2008 6:46 PM
PZ snorts:
"I'm being amused, but really don't think it's worth your effort or the cost to others of sending this stuff. So please stop. Your plan has failed miserably."
1. I haven't sent you anything, but congrats on the groundless assumption.
2. You're a dick, so that must mean I have a "plan" that's "failed miserably". (wtf?) Nice logic there.
Dick.
Posted by: Andrés Diplotti | August 19, 2008 6:48 PM
So, Chuck is saying at #14 that it would be a stupid thing that a religious leader claimed to be god and urge his followers to turn the other cheek? Who is being a dick towards Christians here? ;)
Posted by: Alex | August 19, 2008 6:49 PM
Jane.
Posted by: PZ Myers | August 19, 2008 6:49 PM
Oh, right! Seed! Yeah, I just forgot that one because I take it for granted, and I get it for free.
Oh, and people...judging by the ineffectiveness of the right's attempt to crush me with stupid spam, I don't think your counter-campaign will have any effect, except to bring a fake tear to the eye of Iron Eyes Cody.
Posted by: CortxVortx | August 19, 2008 6:49 PM
Re: #12
The purported words of Jesus never stopped Christians from being chucks.
Posted by: SC | August 19, 2008 6:50 PM
chuck - another of the recent trolls too stupid to have mastered HTML tags or too lazy to use them.
They don't make 'em like they used to...
Posted by: Ragutis | August 19, 2008 6:51 PM
Thank you for your beautiful example of proper blogosphere behavior, Chuck. I'll be sure to model my internet persona after you.
You stupid fuck.
(How was that?)
Posted by: PZ Myers | August 19, 2008 6:51 PM
Learn to read, Chuck! The reason the plan fails is the false assumption that I'm being pestered, which you share with whoever is sending me this stuff. Think!
Posted by: El Herring | August 19, 2008 6:53 PM
I must be a weirdo because I don't read magazines, newspapers, or any printed material that I don't intend to keep (i.e. books are fine.) I get my news from TV and the net, and it seems to do for me. I haven't bought a newspaper for ... well, ever, except for ones with important world-shaking news stories which I keep, such as 9/11, Berlin Wall, Chernobyl (going back...), Challenger, Live Aid, Lennon, etc. Old important newspapers can become valuable, but everyday stuff - no way. It seems such a waste to me buying all that paper for one day then chucking it in the trash.
Posted by: syntyche | August 19, 2008 6:53 PM
Reading comprehension much, Chuck?
Posted by: Mrs Tilton | August 19, 2008 6:54 PM
MAJeff @4,
Hetero biology profs know Tom of Finland?
Homonormativist, please. You'd be surprised how many of us heteros know about Tom. He might not be my cup of tea in the pr0n department, but he sure as hell was a gifted draughtsman. Why, even my own children... erm, well, no actually, SFAIK they haven't met Tom's work yet; and better, perhaps, if they didn't in the very near future.
But they probably will some day. And when they do, they'll probably say either "kewl!" or else "hmm, that Tom sure as hell was a gifted draughtsman". I think I'll be OK with either option.
Posted by: Alex | August 19, 2008 6:55 PM
"Think!"
PZ, really? Seems to me that you already know that's a tall order.
Posted by: MAJeff, OM | August 19, 2008 6:58 PM
Homonormativist, please.
Them's fightin' words! Time to plan a queer leather orgy!
Posted by: syntyche | August 19, 2008 7:01 PM
That's right up there with "Drama Llama" in the list of my favorite linguistic additions of the month. Thanks.
Posted by: Qwerty | August 19, 2008 7:05 PM
I was shocked a few years ago when I was in one of the major book retail chains to see a compilation of Tom of Finland's work in the glbt section. It was only in the porn shops when I was younger.
Mrs. Tilton, you'd better watch your children if they get near the glbt section!
One of my favorites of his story-line drawings was the nude beach that had a guard who made sure you were NUDE!
Posted by: MAJeff, OM | August 19, 2008 7:06 PM
That's right up there with "Drama Llama" in the list of my favorite linguistic additions of the month.
Unfortunately, it's not Mrs. Tilton's original. Lisa Duggan (I believe) coined it in the 1990s, referring to assimilationist gay folks who sort of align themselves with (or at least don't challenge) heteronormative values, structures, etc. Basically the opposite of queer.
Posted by: Mrs Tilton | August 19, 2008 7:07 PM
MAJeff @40,
Time to plan a queer leather orgy!
Suddenly my mind floods with that scene from Dodgeball where Vince Vaughan says "you must be 'Daddy'"...
OK, you win.
Posted by: Longtime Lurker | August 19, 2008 7:08 PM
Re:
He'd make an awesome sugar daddy.
He's not that old, wouldn't it be "sugar brother" or "sugar nephew"?
Hetero biology profs know Tom of Finland?
Most of us heteros know of him from Malcolm McLaren's iconic "cowboys" T-shirt, popularized by the Sex Pistols.
I'd post a link, but I don't want to give any "Think of the children!" types any ammunition against our beloved PZ.
Did any other immature type get a kick out of "PNAS" magazine? No wonder teh fundies r getting it rong about biology professors.
Posted by: Chedstone | August 19, 2008 7:09 PM
ha Tom of Finland. You...you....
You know us gays to well.
Posted by: Rob Jones | August 19, 2008 7:10 PM
The title alone made me laugh out loud.
Posted by: chuck | August 19, 2008 7:13 PM
In drops PZ again, pretending that he hasn't been read properly in order to backpedal out of his illogical assumptions:
"Learn to read, Chuck! The reason the plan fails is the false assumption that I'm being pestered, which you share with whoever is sending me this stuff."
Learn to stop backpedaling, PZ. You readers aren't that gullible (I hope).
"You think like the people who send me these things in your assumption that I'm being "pestered". I'm not. I'm being amused, but really don't think it's worth your effort or the cost to others of sending this stuff. So please stop. Your plan has failed miserably."
You made a stupid assumption. Deal with it. I doubt the mail you get manages to do more than amuse you. The point is: if you weren't such a fanatical dick, they wouldn't pester you (or attempt to pester you) in the first place. Think!
Posted by: Longtime Lurker | August 19, 2008 7:14 PM
Sorry about posting again so soon, but "chuck", are you really Mr. Kroll, Stupidest Man in the History of Teh Tubes?
If so, I don't think I am feeling sorry about your wife anymore. If not, I don't think I am feeling sorry about that other guy's wife anymore. Either way, I will now refrain from giving you any more tasty, tasty troll chow.
Posted by: Mrs Tilton | August 19, 2008 7:18 PM
Qwerty @42,
you'd better watch your children if they get near the glbt section!
But why? I mean, I wouldn't want them perusing Tom of F. till they're bit older, for the same reason I wouldn't want them reading Tom's straight counterparts just yet. But as far as glbt subjects in general: possibly one of my kids is gay, and if so, he or she might find something on those shelves that they'll find helpful, growing up in a still all too homophobic world. Statistically, it's likelier that none of them is gay. And in that case, maybe exposure to glbt lit will help them understand that being gay is "non-normal" only in a statistical sense.
MAJeff @43,
Lisa Duggan (I believe) coined it in the 1990s
Wow. I honestly had not known that. Indeed, I don't know who Lisa Duggan is. But that just makes it all the cooler, because obviously I am channeling her.
Posted by: Calladus | August 19, 2008 7:19 PM
Chuck is boring. Killfiled.
Posted by: Zeno | August 19, 2008 7:19 PM
Excuse me for being so indelicate as to mention this, but the Harold & Kumar movies demonstrate that Neil Patrick Harris is uncommonly good at portraying a pussy-crazed straight guy. Harris also does this as a regular on the sitcom How I Met Your Mother. He is, of course, a professional actor, but Harris is nevertheless proof that gay people could be lurking unsuspected while mingling with the straight population of America. There could be one standing right next to you right now! Eek!
(That'll shrink the testicles of the putzes who put PZ on the mailing list for Out magazine.)
Vote No on 8 in California
Posted by: Gingerbaker | August 19, 2008 7:20 PM
PZ said:
"I subscribe to Natural History personally. Otherwise, I take advantage of the institutional subscriptions to Nature, Science, Bioessays, Developmental Biology, Development, PNAS, Developmental Dynamics, Developmental Genetics, Genes and Development, and Mechanisms of Development pretty regularly. "
Hmmm... no Scientific American on that list.
I guess you are not interested in keeping your finger on the pulse of any new published data on whale evolution. ;D ;D
Posted by: Alex | August 19, 2008 7:21 PM
Wow. I mean, just, wow.
Posted by: syntyche | August 19, 2008 7:24 PM
I think while Chuck may understand the actual words, that strange way they're all strung together confuses him a little bit.
It's OK. He'll think through it and eventually get it. Just give him some time.
Here's a hint. The word "your" can be used to designate groups as well as individuals. Now run along and think about it for a bit.
Posted by: MAJeff, OM | August 19, 2008 7:26 PM
Wow. I honestly had not known that. Indeed, I don't know who Lisa Duggan is. But that just makes it all the cooler, because obviously I am channeling her.
Lisa Duggan rocks my world. She's a historian; one of the historians whose amicus brief was instrumental in the SCOTUS decision in Lawrence v. Texas (along with George Chauncey, Jonathan Ned Katz, and others). I'd suggest her books Sex Wars (with Nan Hunter-a law professor) and Twilight of Equality.
Posted by: chuck | August 19, 2008 7:26 PM
To the guy who keeps assuming I'm religious:
I'm not. For future reference, it doesn't follow from
(1) Somebody disagrees with PZ
that
(2) They must be a theist/religious.
PZ, you really should encourage your readers to keep the elementary logical errors to a minimum. It'd be much more convenient for angry agnostics like me to wade through the comments here. Just a thought.
Posted by: Calladus | August 19, 2008 7:26 PM
Wait.. Dr. Horrible is gay?
Posted by: BMurray | August 19, 2008 7:27 PM
So that's what they meant when they said they were coming to your home to beat you up -- it was a euphemism for "send you magazines". You should post your phone number -- I bet they send you pizza.
Posted by: MAJeff, OM | August 19, 2008 7:28 PM
OK, i have ask...is anyone else having an issue where capitalize letters are not showing up?
Posted by: Alex | August 19, 2008 7:28 PM
Komprehenshun, ur duing it rong.
Posted by: Will K. | August 19, 2008 7:28 PM
A couple years ago, someone sent him a DVD of The Calamari Wrestler.
Hey, I've seen that one! Squilla Boxer was a nice suprise.
Posted by: Alex | August 19, 2008 7:30 PM
TESTING TESTING 123
Posted by: Alex | August 19, 2008 7:32 PM
Ego, 2 big 4 ur brane.
Posted by: MAJeff, OM | August 19, 2008 7:32 PM
Wait.. Dr. Horrible is gay?
very. Some of us would actually like to see him in a gay romantic comedy. That was actually a point of conversation when PZ posted about Dr. Horrible, but a lot of folks were like "Who'd want to see something like that?!"
Posted by: chuck | August 19, 2008 7:34 PM
"Here's a hint. The word "your" can be used to designate groups as well as individuals. Now run along and think about it for a bit."
Interpreted that way too, it is assumed that I am in a "group" with religious nuts who obsessively spam PZ. Why? Um. Well, ahem...because I called PZ a bad name. See how irrational you're being?
Posted by: Alex | August 19, 2008 7:38 PM
bzzzzzzt. Try again.
Posted by: Qwerty | August 19, 2008 7:38 PM
Mrs. T. - About your children, I was just kidding. When I grew up, there were no glbt sections in libraries or book stores. It might have made it easier for me. In actuality, "dirty" bookstores were the only place you might see a nonjudgemental view of queer life in the '60s. (Ooops, I am dating myself. It's like my favorite line from the musical Chicago, "I'm older than I ever intended to be.")
PZ, don't trash those glbt magazines, give them to UMMorris's libarary until you don't get them anymore. There may be a stray gay or two at the school.
Posted by: Calladus | August 19, 2008 7:39 PM
I'll bet PZ keeps the subscription to Mollusxxx Magazine.
Posted by: Alex | August 19, 2008 7:42 PM
"I'll bet PZ keeps the subscription to Mollusxxx Magazine."
No way. Magazine porn is so 1990's. Everyone knows that the Internet is for porn.
(Don't worry, it's safe....mostly)
Posted by: Robert Madewell | August 19, 2008 7:44 PM
PZ, I'm with you on the Body+Soul. That would irritate me to no end. That Kenneth Copeland magazine would irritate me as well.
Posted by: Qwerty | August 19, 2008 7:49 PM
Chuck # 66: You are full of yourself. So, why don't you pat yourself on the back and move along.
Posted by: S.Scott | August 19, 2008 7:51 PM
Someone signed me up for a subscription to "Rosie" once.
What's THAT supposed to mean?
Stacy
Posted by: anyvainlegend | August 19, 2008 7:53 PM
Ultimately, someone like chuck is only looking to draw PZ and his readers into a match of words... 'you said', 'but i didn't say'... 'he said/she said'... thinking that if they win that little 'victory' in his own mind it successfully discredits everything else. Nope, doesn't work that way.
People like Myers really just get under his skin! He just cannot tolerate what PZ stands for, one little bit. "Fanatic"? For keeping a personal blog? Puhleeeeze. If people want to read it and comment on it, what's the harm?
Shoo fly!! *bzzzz*
Posted by: Nobody | August 19, 2008 7:55 PM
Ah, yes. Planet earth. that same one you just added to the despoiling of by flying from Minnesota to Miami to Guayaquil/Quito to the Galapagos? And back? Know how big a "carbon footprint" THAT sort of shit makes?
Preachy damned hypocrite.
Posted by: Mrs Tilton | August 19, 2008 7:55 PM
MAJeff @56,
thanks. I'll check that out; Nan Hunter actually does ring a bell.
I should also mention that Randy Barnett, a rather different law prof (and one whom I find politically far less sympathetic), also deserves props for his amicus brief in Lawrence. He's a principled libertarian, which of course means that his principles are insane. But he does at least regard them as, well, principles, and acts accordingly. If nothing else he is consistent; compared to "libertarians" like Glenn Reynolds he comes off rather well.
Lawrence is a gem, isn't it. If my kids ever ask me why I so admire the US constitution and the tradition of jurisprudence it has engendered, despite the many horrible things America has done and the many horrible decisions rendered under American constitutional jurisprudence (not least the atrocious Bowers decision that Lawrence consigned to the dungheap), I will tell them: because under that constitution and that jurisprudential system, decisions like Lawrence are possible.
Posted by: LanceR | August 19, 2008 7:57 PM
Chuckles? Is that you? What happened to the Trollympics? You drop out? Did it get too hard for you? You were doing so well, too!
I see your debate tactics haven't changed any, you miserable vomitus mass.
Posted by: Spook | August 19, 2008 7:59 PM
Chuck;
Given the number of religious folk who come by here spewing inanity all over the place, it isn't such an unreasonable conclusion to jump to -- given the inane bullshit you've been spewing.
Bye!
*plonk*
Posted by: Calladus | August 19, 2008 7:59 PM
Ah, "The Internet is for Porn" by Avenue Q!
MAJeff, I missed the thread on Neil Patrick Harris. Honestly, I had no clue that he was gay. I remember him from his Doogie days, and from "How I met your Mother" and he had always come across as straight to me. But that was his plan. Good actor.
Posted by: MAJeff, OM | August 19, 2008 8:00 PM
Lawrence is a gem, isn't it.
I'm not ashamed to admit that I wept like a baby reading it the day it was released. It probably could have been stronger in some regards (just like Goodridge here in MA--the CA in re Marriage cases was MUCH stronger) but Bowers was so awful. For the first time, I felt like a full American citizen.
Posted by: bgbaysjr | August 19, 2008 8:03 PM
Zeno @ 52 and Calladus @ 58:
This reminds me of something I read (in Out, maybe) back when Sir Nigel Hawthorne came out. The interviewer commented that he was so impressed that, as a gay man, Sir Nigel was so convincing in portraying George's love for the Queen. Hawthorne noted that love is love, and wondered why the interviewer was not equally impressed with his ability to portray a mentally ill 18th Century monarch...
(It has been a long time, but that is how I remember it...)
Posted by: MarcusA | August 19, 2008 8:03 PM
They're just sending PZ a list of magazines they wish they could subscribe to.
And Chuck, is it too much to ask that public discourse not be turned into pointless magazine attacks on people's homes? Why do conservative Christian wankers turn into such childish pranksters when their arguments fail them. All that's happened is that their delicate sensibilities have been tested by a provocative college professor. Some people pay good money for that privilege.
And religious people never resort to pestering? [The entire world]
Posted by: Keith B | August 19, 2008 8:05 PM
Chuck, either way, you're still being unnecessarily annoying. PZ's whole point in this post is: don't waste paper and time sending him magazines. It accomplishes nothing and is terribly wasteful. If you're not one of the ones sending him the magazines, then he isn't really addressing you, now is he? You came off sounding like a possible suspect early on, but you've since denied that you're one of the culprits. That has probably been duly noted now. Great? Great. Move on.
Posted by: Patricia | August 19, 2008 8:05 PM
Oh joy! Someone used the word 'indelicate'.
Now if someone were to use the word 'buzzcocks' in a manner that would help me understand just what the heck one is - my day would be perfect.
Posted by: druidbros | August 19, 2008 8:08 PM
"it is assumed that I am in a "group" with religious nuts who obsessively spam PZ. Why?"....
Ummmm...because you do? Spam PZ I mean.
Posted by: Mrs Tilton | August 19, 2008 8:09 PM
Qwerty @68,
goodness, it seems as though you are even older than I am, and I am feckin ancient. Seriously: I hate to think what it must have been like growing up gay back then, fair play to you for making it through.
Actually, I hope that one day soon there will be no more glbt sections in book shops, but for a very different reason. When it comes to categorising books, I think "books about gay people" is not nearly as good a category as "books about human people". Roll on the day.
Posted by: USAtheist | August 19, 2008 8:13 PM
Chuck said: "See how irrational you're being?"
Hey, starting a fight seems pretty irrational too, especially if you're not associated with the people whom PZ was referring to in his post. Why you do you even care, Mr. irrational?
Posted by: Danio | August 19, 2008 8:15 PM
Allow me:
"Chuck's girlfriend bought a buzzcock from Castle and promptly lost all interest in him"
Posted by: Natasha Yar-Routh | August 19, 2008 8:16 PM
Chuck,
Way back in your firs comment you made the unsupported assertion that PZ is a dick. Care to back that up with some data or is that just your personal belief?
I've alsways loved Tom of Finland's work. Such yummy macho men.
Now for some real controversy, Neal Patrick Harris is one of my least favorite actors. I have yet to liek anything he's done.
Check, Why so serious?
Let's put a smile on that face!
Posted by: Patricia | August 19, 2008 8:19 PM
Gad, now I feel ancient too. Mother Earth Magazine and Organic Gardening grace my mailbox. Organic Gardening has gone all 'dumb it down' suddenly, so this will be my last year. The quarterly Oak Leaves raises the fundy mail carriers eyebrows. Poor baby.
Posted by: Mrs Tilton | August 19, 2008 8:19 PM
Patricia @84,
knowing what "buzzcocks" means is much less important than knowing that it never takes the definite article. As for what it means, listening to Singles Going Steady will tell you all you need to know.
(Seriously: the name is a mashup of some 1970s Mancunian slang terms. Wikipedia has the skinny.)
(Even more seriously: when I said you should listen to Singles Going Steady I wasn't joking.)
Posted by: PA | August 19, 2008 8:27 PM
@7
There is, of course, a grain of truth in Chuck's comment: PZ's actions caused (or played a causal role in their so doing) certain people to sign him up for said magazine subscriptions. Where he wrong, however, is in his suggestion that PZ'z actions had the property of dickishness. To be a dick is to do something you know will piss someone off for the sole purpose of pissing them off. PZ has, of course, said and done things which knew would piss off lots of people. But that was hardly his central reason for doing them. Chuck on the other hand ...
Posted by: thickslab | August 19, 2008 8:29 PM
PZ: Please consider donating the magazines (or some of them, at least) to literacy programs and libraries. They can be put to good use!
Posted by: Patricia | August 19, 2008 8:31 PM
What?!
Those naughty Brits have a game show about - naughty toys!
Oh for crying out loud.
Patricia, you ignorant slut.
headdesk
Posted by: Hairhead | August 19, 2008 8:31 PM
Having heard of "Tom of Finland" from an article in Playboy, I went to my local gay bookstore (I'm in Vancouver, B.C.) and perused his stuff. I noticed a couple of things. 1) He is a fine artist of great technical ability. 2)All of his gay guys (and the occasional girl -- yes, he did put in some het sex) are demonstrably *happy*, if not outright *jolly*. Which I consider a fine thing, compared to the unhappy way gays have been represented for so long.
Oh, and chuck. What is a fanatic? Someone who posts continually on someone else's personal blog without ever making an actual substative point? Make a point, Chuck. Show us yer brain, yer *sexy* *sexy* brain (oops, I'm channeling Tom of F . . .)
Posted by: JoJo | August 19, 2008 8:31 PM
There's a few print magazines that I get. The Economist as a general news magazine, Naval Institute Proceedings keeps me informed as to what's going on in the Navy, Model Railroader covers one of my hobbies and Astronomy covers another.
Po