…and this is a 
It was a long day and a late evening yesterday at Primer Coloquio Mexicano de Ateísmo, and today I plan on doing some sightseeing in Mexico City. I also met a lot of Mexican atheists and skeptics and scientists yesterday, and some of them have blogs and podcasts…so here, Spanish speakers, is a list of excellent sites you ought to add to your regular reading list:
Pócimas, cocciones y brebajes. Una bitácora electrónica que pretende ser filtro de amor a la ciencia, y un bálsamo contra sus enemigos.
La Ciencia por Gusto. Versión ampliada de la columna semanal divulgación científica de Martíln Bonfil Olivera, de la Dirección General de Divulgación de la Ciencia, de la UNAM, que aparece los miércoles en el periódico mexicano Milenio Diario.
Masa Crítica. El podcast Ateo.
Un Papá Escéptico. La Ciencia Salva!
Espeja Escéptic. Simplemente, Observando al Mundo.
I've also learned that the convention was held near a public square where the Inquisition used to burn heretics. Isn't it sweet to consider that every one of the people above would have been dragged out, tied to a stake, and set on fire once upon a time? There is progress!
Education
Comments
Posted by: Chris Ho-Stuart
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November 14, 2010 8:31 AM
Isn't it sweet to consider that every one of the people above would have been dragged out, tied to a stake, and set on fire once upon a time?
Aw... One again, PZ, you show that beneath that rough exterior you are really a big softy at heart, in search of the sweet and adorable in all things. :-)
I'm loving this series of publicity posts for all the atheist groups out there, BTW. Thanks!
Posted by: Balstrome
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November 14, 2010 8:32 AM
Watching those medieval type movies, you know, Joan of Arc, etc. I usually wonder how I would answer the charges if I was on trial. Given what I know of reality today, and of course, if I was allowed to have my say, without been shut up. Could I talk my way out of the charges and even make a few converts as well.
My reasoning is that the folks general from those times where fairly simple thinking, and as such should be able to tie up with a good dose of gnu atheist logic and reason.
Maybe start out with a Epicurus and amputee double punch, followed up with historical similarities of the Jesus story. Clincher, what would be a good final demolisher point ?
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Posted by: R. Schauer
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November 14, 2010 8:35 AM
What? Nothing about saloons or the beer in Mexico? -sigh-
Posted by: yclipse
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November 14, 2010 8:38 AM
I never knew that the Inquisition had taken hold in Mexico. There is a Wikipedia article, "Mexican Inquisition", which describes it.
Posted by: Caine, ghetto féministe
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November 14, 2010 8:47 AM
Wow. That would have set my brain on fire, so to speak. That is sweet, still, we have such a long way to go.
Posted by: Walton, Marquis of Carabas
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November 14, 2010 9:00 AM
On Broad Street in Oxford, near where I live, there is a plaque commemorating the place where Archbishop Cranmer was burned at the stake during the reign of Mary I - not for atheism, or anything remotely close to it, but simply for being the wrong sort of Xtian and believing that the Bible should be read in English rather than Latin.
Human history is depressing sometimes. And, for all that's profoundly wrong and fucked-up about our society, we're pretty lucky to live in a time and place where we can be open atheists without fear of being murdered for it.
Posted by: maddogdelta
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November 14, 2010 9:05 AM
I teach at a high school where the population is approximately 80% Latin American immigrant. (Almost all of which are Mexican)
The best day I had was when I asked the class what would happen if someone shot a projectile horizontally off a cliff, and at the same time dropped something. The question was, which bullet hits the ground first?
after discussions, I polled the class and got the opinions of the class. Then I told them my answer, and indicated that we would move on.
They wouldn't have it. They wanted me to show them.
Those kids are great!
Posted by: Andyo
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November 14, 2010 9:11 AM
That's pretty much why most countries speak Spanish in Latin America. It wasn't really the "Mexican" inquisition, it was the Spanish Inquisition laying waste throughout the "new" continent. It's also why pretty much all of Latin America is catholic.
So, it worked, yay!
Posted by: Merle54
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November 14, 2010 9:29 AM
This is slightly off topic, but only slightly. Our son, who is currently a zoology major at UNH,started taking Spanish in high school since he felt that this would increase his job seeking potential in bio research some day.
Trying to find him Spanish language science-related titles as supplemental reading materials proved amazingly difficult.
The two biggest book dealer in our area, Barnes & Noble and Borders do keep relatively sizable shelves of Spanish language titles, but the selections were entirely focused on religious, New Age, romance and popular fiction. No popular science titles.
We wound up having to buy all his supplemental reading materials on the web, or by stumbling across useful titles by happenstance. The Boston Aquarium, for instance, stocked some Spanish editions of the great Dorling-Kindersley Eyewitness books, which we snapped up.
I realize that the brick-and-mortar book stores are under a great deal of pressure from online businesses like Amazon, but I thought the selection of Spanish language literature they tended to offer was stunted, and in some ways really insulting.
Posted by: BEG
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November 14, 2010 9:45 AM
#4: Two words: Spanish conquistadores.
Posted by: Grumpy1942
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November 14, 2010 10:08 AM
One of Joan's most important supporters was Giles de Rais. After Joan's death he went totally bonkers in a really big way and became one of history's most horrendous sex murderers.
Because his crimes involved alchemy and magic, he and two others were tried for heresy and blasphemy. All three were condemned to be burned alive at the stake. He was allowed to speak before his execution, and his plea for mercy gained him the advantage of being strangled before the fire was lit. The other two were burned alive.
I'd link to the Wiki article, but the probability of failure is to high for me to make the effort. Just google "Giles de Rais" and go to the first listed hit.
Posted by: papaesceptico.com
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November 14, 2010 11:52 AM
it was a real pleasure to watch PZ giving his speech! I really enjoy it! Thanks a lot PZ... but you forgot to mention that in front of the Hotel where you where staying, there is a beautiful building, its really nice, big, and fucking full of SCIENTOLOGIST!!! yes we have those assholes in Mexico, and they are big!
Thanks a lot, hope you enjoy Mexico!
Un Papa Esceptico, (skeptic dad)
Posted by: elnauhual
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November 14, 2010 11:58 AM
Well PZ.. near where you are, in the old "palacio de mineria" there is a charming exibition.
“Instrumentos de Tortura y Pena Capital”
(Do I need to translate?)
If you get bored, you can do a quick view..
http://www.mx-df.net/2009/09/torturas-medievales-en-el-d-f/
Have Fun!
Posted by: PZ Myers
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November 14, 2010 12:58 PM
Yeah, we just walked by it -- the line was huge. It was much more popular than the Mass at the National Cathedral.
Posted by: Jeanette
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November 14, 2010 7:35 PM
Wait, you mean I get to practice Spanish and actively indulge in skepticism at the same time?? This is awesome, thanks for the links PZ! :D I'm so jealous you got to go to that, by the way.
Posted by: https://www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawlr2wBZb6zfc14SGyS6HIn1kYxpZOtpz80
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November 14, 2010 8:45 PM
I was in there, i have to say it was an honor to meet you PZ. I hope yo can join us on next year
Posted by: selimibn
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November 14, 2010 10:20 PM
#9: There is a big collection of spanish popular science books, mostly written by mexican researchers, called "La Ciencia Para Todos", with over two hundred titles. It might be interesting to you.
Posted by: bcoppola
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November 15, 2010 7:02 AM
When I see "Masa Critical" I wonder if Mexican atheists, at least, aren't doing some punning. "Masa" of course is also the maize dough from which tortillas, tamales, etc. are made.
Trivia: Here in the US, "Critical Mass" is a loose, decentralized, somewhat "militant" bicycling advocacy movement.
Posted by: Jeffrey A. Myers
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November 15, 2010 1:40 PM
I am always reminded that we have progressed. The fact that we AREN'T burned at the stake (at least here) is proof that humans can learn.
Posted by: Felix
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November 15, 2010 2:08 PM
Catholic response:
oh, the Inquisition again, that tired old canard. Did you know that the Inquisition made a few bad decisions, but that they never killed anyone? All the people who were executed were sentenced by worldly authority. Yeah, the people doing the sentencing were Catholic, but they were not commanded to do so (prove it!), so the Church is not responsible for that at all.
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Posted by: juan.hinojos
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November 15, 2010 3:38 PM
Thanks for this!