…and this is a 
What didn't happen in Springfield
Category: Personal
Posted on: October 12, 2008 2:04 PM, by PZ Myers
I did not get shot at during my presentation. I was not heckled to the point of tears. Richard Carrier's talk did not bore me. Despite Springfield being the world capitol of the Assemblies of God Pentecostal church, Sarah Palin did not attend…but it is not the case that the event was poorly attended. I did not fall off the stage, nor were there any technical problems with the video equipment. There were no Catholic picketers. Jesus did not manifest in a chariot of fire to smite the two godless speakers. The audience at our talk did not shy away from asking difficult questions of Carrier and myself. The beer that evening wasn't bad. While I did briefly disparage the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, no one threatened my livelihood or waved a sword at my neck. I was not neglected or mistreated. I did not eat all the chocolate-covered communion wafers I was given…yet. I did not miss a pleasant evening at the Springfield Brewing company.
I do not understand why anyone would think I am a pirate.
Ben was concerned that I would write horrible things about Springfield and MSU, so I had to cruelly let him know I would not write a post that said anything positive at all about my visit.
I do not think I would turn down an invitation to return.
You probably didn't know that Richard Carrier is not a ninja.
Comments
Posted by: Mark | October 12, 2008 2:11 PM
The geek of a chemistry professor sitting across from you truly enjoyed finally meeting, and talking, with you.
Maybe next time I'll accept JT's invitation to get up on that stage and join you and Carrier in a godless presentation.
Maybe, but it's even more fun sitting back and enjoying some enlightening talks, and some lively questions.
Take care PZ, and thanks again for coming down.
Posted by: TSC | October 12, 2008 2:18 PM
Abandoning Tarvuism again for this pirate garb.
Posted by: Owlimirror | October 12, 2008 2:22 PM
All that negativity! It must be because you think God does not exist. You need to be more positive, and think that God does not not exist, or even not not not not exist.
I think I have a pamphlet or two around here for the Church of the Positive and Non-Negative Thinking....
Posted by: Larry Boy | October 12, 2008 2:27 PM
Why not just say that god is positively non-existent? Isn't that positive enough?
Posted by: Dust | October 12, 2008 2:27 PM
OK PZ, your not a pirate, but according to your tee shirt you are an A's fan!
Cool!
Posted by: Owlmirror | October 12, 2008 2:31 PM
There's a team called the Atheists?
Posted by: PZ Myers | October 12, 2008 2:32 PM
You need to read the shirt a little more closely.
Posted by: Raffi Shahinian | October 12, 2008 2:36 PM
Speaking of Palin, I've just posted a never-before-seen Sarah Palin baby video, for anyone who might be interested. It's quite telling.
Grace and Peace,
Raffi
Posted by: Sven DiMilo | October 12, 2008 2:37 PM
Good thing there weren't any Philadelphia Flyers fans there. Even the awesome power of a 6-year-old human shield wearing a li'l Flyers jersey cannot protect against their boo-age. (Hey, how come that kid's not in school?)Posted by: firemancarl | October 12, 2008 2:44 PM
PZ, I look forward to your visit to the Orlando area, if it's still on for December. Have you narrowed down the dates yet?
Posted by: PZ Myers | October 12, 2008 2:45 PM
Another thing that didn't happen: the Kansas trolls said they were going to show up, but there was no sign of them. Either they chickened out completely, or they came and cowered, afraid to speak up. I was so disappointed. Not.
Posted by: firemancarl | October 12, 2008 2:47 PM
PZ, I look forward to your visit to the Orlando area, if it's still on for December. Have you narrowed down the dates yet?
Posted by: PZ Myers | October 12, 2008 2:47 PM
Yes. I'll be at UCF and Rollins on 5-6 December.
Posted by: farren | October 12, 2008 2:58 PM
Did you see the Simpsons while there?
Posted by: Bob Vogel | October 12, 2008 3:04 PM
All I want to know is why isn't there any snow in those photos looking outside? Its October. Everyone should be getting snow now like Anchorage.
Posted by: gsenski | October 12, 2008 3:06 PM
I did not realize how much fun Developmental Biology was until I started lurking on this blog. Paris Hilton doesn't know what she's missing.
Posted by: I am so wise | October 12, 2008 3:32 PM
Just a rant about ageism, but had PZ been a 20th something rather than a beloved professor of evolutionary history(1), would you all be so positive? I mean, if I post drinking pictures on myspace page, I'll have trouble finding employment.
(1) I am familar with the postmodern critique that holds history is not a science. No need to repeat that.
Posted by: Jadehawk | October 12, 2008 3:33 PM
bob, if it makes you feel better, it snowed here yesterday.
Posted by: Robert Madewell | October 12, 2008 3:36 PM
PZ, I had a great time. I didn't get to join y'uns at the resturaunt. I had an appointment that evening. My wife was with me. She's a christian and she was a bit offended when you said "Religion is Riddiculous" and she got up and waited for me in the car. However, as always, we agree to disagree and you didn't cause any marital problems at all. I did disagree on one point. I do not believe that anyone should purposely try to offend anyone else. Of course there are some Xians out there that are offended by my very admission that I'm an atheist. I can't help that. But, I do not think it's nice to tell them that they are stupid. Many christians are very intelligent. They just have irrational beliefs. My intention is to criticize the beliefs themselves not the believer.
Posted by: Jadehawk | October 12, 2008 3:39 PM
#17, unless there's a picture of PZ passed out in his own puke that I didn't notice, this is hardly a picture of debauchery up there. it's a beer. A BEER.
If you're having problems finding a job because of one beer, you should move somewhere less uptight about alcohol :-/
Posted by: QrazyQat | October 12, 2008 3:42 PM
Springfield is a little big-boxy, but okay. It's also the hometown of both Kathleen Turner and Brad Pitt, so you'd have to cut it some slack in any event.
Posted by: Will | October 12, 2008 3:46 PM
@17
Trouble finding employment? How so? Drinking is perfectly legal ... and socially acceptable.
Posted by: Sili | October 12, 2008 4:03 PM
Those are some pretty shibby hats!
I don't know what you're holding in the last picture, but it looks like you're pensively smoking a pipe.
To which I can only say:
STOP LOOKING LIKE MY FATHER!!!!!
Posted by: Sven DiMilo | October 12, 2008 4:21 PM
I suspect that the misnomered "I am so wise" thinks (s)he has done something very clever there in #17, redefining evolutionary biology as a subdiscipline of "history" and then slyly pointing out that history is not "science."
Nope. Not clever. Ignorant. As always.
Posted by: Dan McPeek | October 12, 2008 4:43 PM
In the sentence.....from asking difficult questions of Carrier and myself, the use of "myself" is incorrect. The correct pronoun should be "me." Myself is a reflective and should not be used in place of me.
Posted by: gyokusai | October 12, 2008 5:01 PM
Dang--where do you get those fake Oakland A' t-shirts?!? They're totally cool! I want one!!
^_^J.
Posted by: Josh Charles | October 12, 2008 5:18 PM
I drove three hours in each direction, showed up late, and had to leave early, but it was completely worth it to see both you and Carrier!
As it turns out, I didn't *have* to leave early, but I didn't find that out until I had completed the three hour drive back home, so I'm kicking myself about missing the events of that night...
Posted by: Rey Fox | October 12, 2008 5:19 PM
Yeah yeah, where where? Want.
Posted by: scooter | October 12, 2008 5:20 PM
Raffi Shahinian
Speaking of Palin, I've just posted a never-before-seen Sarah Palin baby video
I had to call in the kids to watch that, it's hysyterical. I have a feeling that kid sees a lot of televangelists on TV.
Those Xians may be inadvertently raising the next George Carlin, ya know.
Posted by: Carlie | October 12, 2008 5:38 PM
Dang, that baby video scares the shit out of me. With that kind of encouragement, that kid is going to become exactly that boy in Jesus Camp.
Posted by: Sven DiMilo | October 12, 2008 5:43 PM
I think it's more likely that the kid sees a lot of evangelists in person, in church. That, or old films of Mussolini.Posted by: James | October 12, 2008 5:44 PM
Hey PZ. I really enjoyed the talk. Thanks for coming over to Springfield!
Posted by: Karley | October 12, 2008 5:54 PM
It was a blast to listen to you guys. Thanks to you both for coming down! It was totally worth showing up ridiculously early to get a front row seat.
Posted by: melior | October 12, 2008 6:03 PM
My first thought too! Now that's a team I can cheer for.
Posted by: miui | October 12, 2008 6:21 PM
Was the talk recorded? I would love to listen to both PZ and R.C.
Posted by: gyokusai | October 12, 2008 7:26 PM
Yeah but we should also rehearse some serious booing, just in case, you know! Hehe ...
^_^J.
Posted by: Kel | October 12, 2008 7:43 PM
Well aren't you the clever one? You give an asinine justification to yhour statement on science, run away from the conversation when your asinine remark was dismantled and destroyed, then repeat it in another thread. Quite the lame poster...Posted by: Quiet_Desperation | October 12, 2008 8:32 PM
Eh, I feel the whole spaghetti monster thing has outlived its useful memespan.
Posted by: Karey | October 12, 2008 9:07 PM
PZ got his shirt from the dreaded communist bookstore in LA. The group offered him one of 2 possible shirts to take home and he got greedy and took them both.
Posted by: Dust | October 12, 2008 9:53 PM
OK, I see the shirt now. Would love one for my brother, he's a life long Oakland A's fan and a total atheist to boot.
:)
Posted by: Graculus | October 12, 2008 10:12 PM
I post drinking pictures on myspace page, I'll have trouble finding employment.
In Canada that IS a job requirement. No one trusts a teetotaler... for good reason.
Posted by: I am so wise | October 12, 2008 10:14 PM
"something very clever there in #17, redefining evolutionary biology as a subdiscipline of "history" and then slyly pointing out that history is not "science.""
You're way over thinking it man. Think it through, why would I slam history like that? I praise it on my blog, defecet spend to learn more about, and our ignorance of it. History is the shiz diggity.
"Well aren't you the clever one?"
So you say.
"You give an asinine justification to yhour statement on science, run away from the conversation when your asinine remark was dismantled and destroyed, then repeat it in another thread. Quite the lame poster...""
Nobody responded back to my last post, I figured we were done. Also one can troll and engage in serious discourse at the same time.
Also, if you going to parrot postmodernist attacks on history not being a science, you can at least stop parroting Dawkins' views on postmodernism. As for history as science go read Comte, Marx, or Ranke's writings on the matter.
You know what? Just for that, I am going to donate money to Catholic Church.
Posted by: Kel | October 12, 2008 10:21 PM
Victory!Posted by: Sui Generis | October 12, 2008 10:24 PM
#17:
Wow. I'm putting together a mental image of you from all your posts and it's pretty sad. A beer? I just bet you're a hoot at art museums stammering and blushing at all the nekkid pichers.
Posted by: Bacopa | October 13, 2008 12:51 AM
Thanks for supporting the pirate side. Ninja people are getting uppity. Pirates would win. They have ships, cannons, and guns, and draw on a wider range of fighting styles. Ninjas live in the cultural vacuum of post-Tokugawa Japan and while they are very effective there, they are much less flesible than pirates.
Posted by: Ben | October 13, 2008 1:00 AM
PZ,
Those pirate pics are priceless. Thanks for posting my McFast & McFurious video and for putting up with us! It was a pleasure.
Ben
Posted by: Floyd Zamarripa | October 13, 2008 2:34 AM
Thanks for speaking! I drove from St Louis to hear you and it was well worth it. Visit our state anytime.
(I'll send photos of PZ Meowers asap)
Posted by: Rey Fox | October 13, 2008 4:47 AM
"PZ got his shirt from the dreaded communist bookstore in LA. The group offered him one of 2 possible shirts to take home and he got greedy and took them both."
Poop, I don't think I'll be in LA any time soon (there's a chance, cross your fingers). Are they available online anywhere? And am I right to assume that the shirt says "Atheist" (in the singular)?
Posted by: Pikemann Urge | October 13, 2008 4:55 AM
Robert (#19), I kind of am with you more or less. But if someone gets offended easily, it's their problem. Do they not have the character to give as good as they get? Surely they do?
Anyway, religion and other funny business isn't really the problem... it's the attachment to it which is the real worry. People need to be disturbed - it's the only way they'll wake up. How to do it? Hopefully with substance.
Posted by: gyokusai | October 13, 2008 5:09 AM
What was the other one, then? (Though this story sounds a tad apocryphal me thinks ... :-))
^_^J.
Posted by: Lycosid | October 13, 2008 5:37 AM
May you never taste the sweet double-bock of the beer volcano. May you never witness the quality testing at the stripper factory. May FSM smite you with the uncooked noodle of shame for your blasphemy.
Thanks for doing what you do.
Posted by: Sauceress | October 13, 2008 6:03 AM
PZ, it looks like you have redeemed yourself to first class seats right by the strippers and finest beer volcanos.
JT, Mark and Co. once again show what a credit they are to the Noodly One and His Pirates of Pastafaria.
RAmen
For any of you unfamiliar with the dedication of this crew, here's just one example still fresh in my memory...
http://www.venganza.org/2007/12/16/xmas-discrimination-at-msu/
So how's xmas shaping up at MSU this year guys? Any plans?
Posted by: Sauceress | October 13, 2008 6:13 AM
#38 Quiet_Desperation
Noooooo...! In fact, His Noodly Word is going from strength to strength.
A proud day for Pastafarians
http://www.venganza.org/2008/09/26/a-proud-day/
Posted by: Moggie | October 13, 2008 6:41 AM
#38:
Hebbo!
Posted by: Emmet Caulfield | October 13, 2008 6:49 AM
I've been saying exactly the same thing about Christianity for the last 15 years.
Posted by: firemancarl | October 13, 2008 7:06 AM
Sweet! I know some others that want to see you as well.
Posted by: JStein | October 13, 2008 10:14 AM
PZ, where did you get that A's t-shirt that says Atheist on it?
As an Oakland native, I've decided I need one.
Posted by: gyokusai | October 13, 2008 11:58 AM
Welcome to the club!
^_^J.
Posted by: Rob the Lurker FCD BMWCCA | October 13, 2008 12:47 PM
PZ, did Mayor Quimbey give you the key to the city?
Posted by: The Nerd | October 13, 2008 1:40 PM
Holy crackers, Ben, you're a double-feature on Pharyngula! Lucky.
Posted by: Ryan Walker | October 13, 2008 3:12 PM
Thanks for coming, PZ. Your speech was fantastic, and I wouldn't have missed it for the world!
Posted by: cicely | October 13, 2008 3:52 PM
It was a terrific program; I just wish I hadn't had to leave part-way through the Q & A. If only I could have moved the hour early I was there, to the end!
I was very (but pleasantly) surprised not to see any religious protesters, but I guess they were all distracted by the foolball game.
Posted by: Stewart | October 13, 2008 3:55 PM
"Another thing that didn't happen: the Kansas trolls said they were going to show up, but there was no sign of them. Either they chickened out completely, or they came and cowered, afraid to speak up."
Welcome to the life of a Missouri Tigers fan.
Posted by: Jess | October 13, 2008 6:20 PM
Hey, I went to college in Springfield, MO at Drury Univ. And I'm pretty sure I've sat at that very same table in the Brew Co. I'm glad your trip, PZ, wasn't terrible because that place is as scary as it gets for atheists and skeptics of the christian religion. I will NEVER live there again. Though you would probably like Drury Univ. if you ever have to go back there; it's an oasis for free thinkers among the ridiculousness that is Springfield.
Posted by: Jess | October 13, 2008 6:46 PM
Hey, I went to college in Springfield, MO at Drury Univ. And I'm pretty sure I've sat at that very same table in the Brew Co. I'm glad your trip, PZ, wasn't terrible because that place is as scary as it gets for atheists and skeptics of the christian religion. I will NEVER live there again. Though you would probably like Drury Univ. if you ever have to go back there; it's an oasis for free thinkers among the ridiculousness that is Springfield.
Posted by: gyokusai | October 14, 2008 8:44 PM
That's all very well and absolutely fascinating. But what about that frackin' t-shirt?!
;-)
^_^J.