SOP for prophets

I have been informed that I have survived a rather dreadful deadline. How is this for a prediction?

...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 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 turpitude and seeking to overthrow the government... Fortunately for them, by that date, February 9, 2009, the physical destruction of our civilization will have proceeded to such a degree that thinking people will no longer be concerned about intellectual trash like Richard Dawkins and P.Z. Myers.

It's been over a week. No one has yet uncovered the loathsome pit of perversity I keep in the basement, nor has anyone even tried to stop Operation Whirling Squid, which will end with myself sitting in the throne of the World Emperor. I also don't quite detect any panicking mobs fleeing the chaos of a collapsing culture.

I think someone was drinking a little too heavily there.

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No, not drinking. Something like that needs magic mushrooms or bad cacti. Something with some real hallucinogens in them.

By Nerd of Redhead, OM (not verified) on 17 Feb 2009 #permalink

the phrase is making shit up,now whats the biblical punishment for false prophets??

By Ray Mills (not verified) on 17 Feb 2009 #permalink

Fortunately for them, by that date, February 9, 2009, the physical destruction of our civilization will have proceeded to such a degree that thinking people will no longer be concerned about intellectual trash like Richard Dawkins and P.Z. Myers.

The destruction of civilization would be fortunate for you? Hmm ...

Ooh! Ooh! *raises a tentacle* sign me up for Operation Whirling Squid!!

By SquidBrandon (not verified) on 17 Feb 2009 #permalink

Seeking to overthrow the government

???

. . . by that date, February 9, 2009, the physical destruction of our civilization will have proceeded to such a degree that thinking people will no longer be concerned about intellectual trash

Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot?

No kings,

Robert

By Desert Son (not verified) on 17 Feb 2009 #permalink

Isn't John A. Davison, the racist professor of the University of Vermont that PZ destroyed a few weeks ago here?

I sent Professor Davison a copy of the PZ edited e-mail and I got a response.

By NewEnglandBob (not verified) on 17 Feb 2009 #permalink

Tenure revoked because of moral turpitude? These people think that not getting published and not drawing in the funding dollars is irrelevant to tenure decisions, but moral turpitude (who talks like that anymore?) is?

Now then, about overthrowing the government, didn't conservapedia have a wack at that a while ago by using a wink and a nod to suggest that a number of democratic senators be assassinated to help the republicans regain a majority in the senate?

The cheerleaders for the apocalypse must be so disappointed when the world keeps not ending, over and over again down thousands of years.

Operation Whirling Squid, which will end with myself sitting in the throne of the World Emperor

Not if the Left Anarchist Oceanic League and our crack teams of ruthless sperm whales have anything to say about it.

You have an Operation Whirling Squid too? Wierd. I'll have to change the name of my operation for world domination to something more clever...

Oh crap, they missed the Rapture, in lieu of dismissal? And who says religion hasn't got a sense of humor? Why, there is more humor in that body of nonsense than Bloom County and Calvin and Hobbes can muster together. Even Mad Magazine pales before these insane dolts. Facilis, what are you up to now?

PZ Myers continues to rule the blogosphere.

(Don't pay him no never mind PZ. I'll go make up the sniveling sissy a sugar tit.)

Hail to the king!

By Patricia, OM (not verified) on 17 Feb 2009 #permalink

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.

Is one out of five statistically significant?

To be fair, I guess we have to admit that not many "thinking people" would say they are "concerned" by Dawkins and Myers…

About the turpitude thing, is it possible to have a turpitude that isn't moral?

By jennyxyzzy (not verified) on 17 Feb 2009 #permalink

It is sad when someone is so obviously loony tunes.

BTW PZ, why haven't we heard of Operation Whirling Squid before? Don't you trust your ilk?

By John Phillips, FCD (not verified) on 17 Feb 2009 #permalink

Waterloo, of course. Too bad it's all over, and ID rules the present degenerate age.

I guess the real question is, who cares enough about JAD to remember his scattershot "predictions"? Obviously not many did, but I'm surprised that he's at all memorable. That's what he and Dembski, with his own failed predictions, are actually counting on.

Glen D
http://tinyurl.com/6mb592

Awe man, I totally missed Armageddon. That's so not fair! When I missed the last one, I promised myself that I would totally not miss the next one. DAMMIT!

My wife's deathclock death day was today, consider yourself lucky*, I'd say she had way more on the line. Nonetheless, I'm happy both predictions were wrong.

(* Luck is probability taken personally)

By toddahhhh (not verified) on 17 Feb 2009 #permalink

Hang on...Davison is against Uncommon Descent? When did that happen?

PZ's devious voodoo must have staved off that pink slip, oh, and the end of the world (maybe by intergalactic civil war?).

Hang on...Davison is against Uncommon Descent? When did that happen?

short version:

When UD kicked him out for being too crazy and bellicose even for them.

no shit.

...and you REALLY don't wanna hear the long version.

trust me.

btw, for those actually wondering, who haven't read the screed that made JAD infamous, that garnered crank.net's "crankiest" rating...

http://www.crank.net/evolution.html

scroll down to "Evolutionary Manifesto"

I recommend actually NOT reading it. Save your brain cells.

Don't say I didn't fucking warn you!

Sing in dolphin the colors of 50 weight oil in the crankcase of a Harley Davidson shovelhead at 35 degrees by highway 66.

See, we can all play. *snort*

By Patricia, OM (not verified) on 17 Feb 2009 #permalink

By the way, where is Professor John A. Davison? He said in August:

"I can’t imagine a more hideous prospect than a Democratic controlled Congress coupled with an Obama Presidency. If that happens I am moving to Greenland which is, thanks to global warming, finally living up to its name."

So what's the deal with VMartin then, Ichy?

If that happens I am moving to Greenland

?? I thought he said he was moving to Australia if both houses of congress and the white house were controlled by dems?

So what's the deal with VMartin then, Ichy?

after many months of debate over at ATBC, we were evenly split as to whether Vmartin was an alter ego of JAD, or JAD's only accolyte, insane in his own right.

that was a couple of years back, though.

#27

I'll take your word for it, Ichthyic!

#33

Kind of a cross between Gollum and Tyler Durden?

"I thought he said he was moving to Australia if both houses of congress and the white house were controlled by dems?"

And he's a conservative? lol.

Kind of a cross between Gollum and Tyler Durden?

ROFLMAO

yes, that's it exactly.

...come to think of it, the trolling of VMartin was the primary reason I stopped hanging out at ATBC.

Is it dead yet?

have you poked it with a stick?

Contrary to the post title, this isn't standard operating procedure for prophets, is it?

I mean, most prophets make their predictions vague--if not regarding the event they forecast, then at least regarding the time period. Putting a date certain on your prophecy is a sure way to look like a demonstrable idiot.

Sure, several wannabe prophets have done it before, but the somewhat-less-dumb ones don't make this particular mistake.

Ok I'm in east Canada , and there's no sign of end of the world for the moment. We're 12:36 AM on the February 18, 2009 .

"Operation Whirling Squid!" Myers keep your goddam mouth shut; you took an oath!

Is their French blood in your veins?

Is this operation going to conflict with Operation Whistling Squid? Or did I just misread a memo somewhere?

Posted by: John Phillips, FCD | February 17, 2009 11:15 PM

It is sad when someone is so obviously loony tunes.
BTW PZ, why haven't we heard of Operation Whirling Squid before? Don't you trust your ilk?

didn't you get the memo about the secret meeting ??

Atheist Chaplain, damn, missed another one. At this rate I will lose my ilk status. Oh well, good job loony tunes' prophecy was wrong so no foul, this time. Must do better in future.

By John Phillips, FCD (not verified) on 17 Feb 2009 #permalink

You guys are such rubes. You'll buy into anything. How can you not know that Operation Whirling Squid is just a diversion to keep you from paying attention to Operation Mr. Inky?

I think Professor Davidson made a typo with "moral turpitude." It all makes sense if you realize he meant "morel turpentine." That's a toxic and hallucinogenic extract of mushrooms that PZ's been cooking up and concentrating in his foul basement laboratory for several years.

When PZ releases the morel turpentine into the nation's water supply, naturally he'll be fired. And naturally it won't make much difference, as the Psychosis War will then be raging.

That Davidson guy is smarter than he looks.

Jeez, he could've at least set the date as Friday the 13th. More people (in the general public, that is) might have taken notice and believed him in that case.

By «bønez_brigade» (not verified) on 17 Feb 2009 #permalink

Why is it whenever I see the name "Davison" I get hungry for pizza?
I feel sorry for Crazy John sometimes.
Other times, I love it so!

By Sven DiMilo (not verified) on 17 Feb 2009 #permalink

Norman Doering, by your command.

By John Phillips, FCD (not verified) on 17 Feb 2009 #permalink

I, for one, are kind of afraid of the crack teams of left anarchist sperm whales.

By Sven DiMilo (not verified) on 17 Feb 2009 #permalink

I thought we all agreed that Whirling Squid was strictly on the DL. Remember what happened when the Nautilus engine was exposed? Last time we put a mammal in charge, I tell you that much.

By El Zilcho (not verified) on 17 Feb 2009 #permalink

I wish I had artistic talent so I could sketch PZ crowned atop a gilded throne of tentacles, laughing down at our planet in triumph. Somebody get on that!

My condolences, PZ. I'm so sorry the physical destruction of our civilization didn't happen the way you so obviously wanted it to. Better luck next time.

It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine.

By Janine, Ignora… (not verified) on 17 Feb 2009 #permalink

Speaking of Tyler Durden...

The first rule of Operation Whirling Squid is you don't talk about Operation Whirling Squid.

The second rule of Operation Whirling Squid is you don't talk about Operation Whirling Squid.

By cactusren (not verified) on 17 Feb 2009 #permalink

What else is there to be said, but ...

I LOVE IT SO!

operation whirling squid?!

I for one welcome our new aquatic overlords!

I feel bad for him. Apparently he was a rational person at one time - but had some sort of mental break. His Internet rants remind me too much of George Shollenberger.

He's not so far wrong. He predicted you'd try and overthrow the government. He just didn't take into account that you (and the majority of your fellow Americans) might actually succeed!

Clearly Sarah Palin was supposed to usher in the apocalypse.

He quotes someone named Martin: "I’ve also mentioned your page at Pharyngula. The message was there for 20 minutes and doctor Myers deleted it."

So what was that all about? Was that guy just spamming or what?

How odd that the one thing that he is with everybody on (global warming) is the one thing I am still unsure/skeptical of. So he's failed on more counts in my eyes than in yours. :-P

By Pikemann Urge (not verified) on 17 Feb 2009 #permalink

Oh dear this man is a socio-political retard:

"I would announce to the citizens of Iran and Syria that they have one year to set in motion forces to replace the present regimes with nonthreatening ones. Failure to do so will require the same means that brought Imperial Japan to its knees, terminating World War II. Just as millions of lives were saved then..."

How the hell did society get to where it is with morons like this around? Hmm, come to think of it, the only explanation is miracles...

By Pikemann Urge (not verified) on 17 Feb 2009 #permalink

If this John Davidson character really has "lost it", then as caring nontheists we should be offering sympathy to him and those around him. Mocking and maltreating the insane and other outsiders has traditionally been within the provenance of world religions.

And very soon:

"Well, since it is well known atheists have no sense of humor, they've just spilled their nefarious secret plans! Watch the beaches, o true believers, for the godless drugged teams of unspeakable whales of the mysterious organization known as LAOL are coming!"

"Your divine highness, I wonder if this 'LAOL' is connected to that mystic comment 'LOL' that's constantly left at our blogs."

"Silence, acolyte! Was it not already settled that that stands for Lucifer's Offal-Lovers, a well-known atheist organization?"

Pikemann Urge said

How the hell did society get to where it is with morons like this around? Hmm, come to think of it, the only explanation is miracles...

I would LOL if it wasn't so sadly true, either that or an incredible amount of luck. Then again, that much luck pretty much amounts to a miracle, if only by a probabilistic rather than a divine interpretation of the word.

By John Phillips, FCD (not verified) on 17 Feb 2009 #permalink

"Operation Whirling Squid, which will end with myself sitting in the throne of the World Emperor"

Hopeless joke I'm afraid PZ...it's never going to happen.

On the other hand, if it does, please don't forget we've supported you all along..

"I predict!!!"

Someone with time to kill should link this with a photo of The Amazing Criswell.

By Sioux Laris (not verified) on 17 Feb 2009 #permalink

Speaking of prophecy, this guy has been making quite prophecies for this spring for several months at least. He's (or was?) a regular at Ray's Swamp and travels the blogosphere to spread his message. He announced in very precise terms that San Fran will go down in a rain of fire this spring (explicitly not a wildfire but a rain of fire from the sky).
His history from what he's told people is that he had a crisis some years ago, divorce, later met Satan personally (haven't they all?), went to jail and had revelations.

"But the Yellowstone Caldera and the wicked cities of the western US will be the first to go. Many will see it and fear, come to repentance and faith in Messiah Yeshua.

I've been giving warning loud and clear for 3 1/2 long years and have suffered much for it. All glory to the Father and His Holy One!

A sign.
When the first sodomite marriages were being performed in Sodom, I gave warning. They mocked and in defiance, continued in their wicked ways.

I prayed the Father and He sent fire from heaven that kindled nearly 1000 wildfires in California."
Dani' El Ben Freeman, Feb. 12, 2009
http://www.lamblion.us/2009/02/divided-states-of-america.html?showComme…

What makes him unusual is that he has given a specific date somewhere (can't find it right now) with a margin of error of only days. He's doing street preaching and has plausibly been arrested and driven away often (what a surprise). Of course, any prophet worth his salt will only be encouraged by people calling him nuts and 'persecuting' him.

"I am not one of the 2 witnesses, but I am a key player in what is coming soon in Israel.
Sorry to be so mysterious, following orders. ;)

I was called by God on Aug 15, 2005 and my eyes and ears were opened.
Satan attacked immediately and I was arrested only 1 week later.
It seems he didn't want the message to get out.
It was while I was in jail that I beheld the destruction of New Orleans which was retribution for the expulsion of the Jews of Gaza (and my arrest).
God struck the nation with hurricane after hurricane until they finally let me go."

Looking for these statements (he's spread them elsewhere as I mentioned), google led me to this blog . Wow. Isn't it amazing how comfortably the insane have adapted to the interwebz age?

By black wolf (not verified) on 17 Feb 2009 #permalink

One example of the comic goldmine that is JAD.

'Even in Galileo’s day the Catholic Church was the friend of science. Considering his arrogance, Galileo got off lightly.'

Sorry for the long post, it's a bit much. Hope it entertains anyway.
Adding this because I just notice they also have a poll!
"When will the Gog-Magog Battle happen?"

Just a blog poll, but funny.

By black wolf (not verified) on 17 Feb 2009 #permalink

Operation Whirling Squid, which will end with myself sitting in the throne of the World Emperor

In the past couple of years, someone posted a photo of PZ in the cephalopod throne in a secret lair/base somewhere. So far I've been unable to re-find it with the local search feature though.

It's funny that people keep referring to him as "JAD". In RuneScape, a MMORPG I play, one of the most deadly, high-level monsters is called "Jad" for short. Nothing at all like this loser, really, except in his own mind I daresay.

From the Department Scrupulous Fairness Towards Those Who Don't Really Warrant IT: To be a false a prophet you have to claim divine revelation; just making crazy shit up is probably fine.

#31:

So what's the deal with VMartin then, Ichy?

Igor.

The third rule of Operation Whirling Squid is (lightflash) (ink-cloud) (tentacles)

By Stephen Wells (not verified) on 18 Feb 2009 #permalink

Aha - I finally found the thread link to the off-site cephalopod / octopus throne picture.

I feel very guilty. Civilisation has fallen apart around me, and I have apparently been too self absorbed to notice.

I feel bad for him. Apparently he was a rational person at one time - but had some sort of mental break. His Internet rants remind me too much of George Shollenberger.

Whew that's a tough one. Schollenberger's gap between his thoughts and reality seem much larger that JAD to me. JAD just seems like a egomaniacle crank who probably has some mental issues thrown in. Schollenberger seems to have a serious issue with the laws of reality. Senility is probably an issue for both.

Maybe they are pretty much same.

I am a prophet. I get inspiration from de vine (the hops vine*). If it feels like making shit up, it is de vine inspiration. But:

The world will end this year, 2009, on September 9th: 9-9-9 (which is the number of the beast upside down - obvious once you see it, eh?)

*Sorry oenophiles. Wine is just so much spoiled grapes to me. I know, I know. I said I'm sorry.

Operation Whirling Squid, which will end with myself sitting in the throne of the World Emperor.

Quit while you can. Consider the consequences if you succeed: You'd either have to actually run the world or end up the powerless figurehead. Neither of which would be fun. So, for your own good, give it up. Or if you don't, at least consider my grants to the Pharyngulized NIH positively.

Icthy - Come back - We are a V Martin Free Zone!

'Even in Galileo’s day the Catholic Church was the friend of science. Considering his arrogance, Galileo got off lightly.'

Oh, he did. Google Giordano Bruno some time.

According to the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics, we are faced with the possibility that this did happen... somewhere. Or not. Some things are too stupid even for infinite parallel universes.

I don't think PZ specified he'll _be_ the world emperor, just that he'll be sitting on the emperor's throne. I'm assuming there's some kind of eminence gris thing going on here.

By Stephen Wells (not verified) on 18 Feb 2009 #permalink

No one has yet uncovered the loathsome pit of perversity I keep in the basement

I recommend against keeping your perversity in a loathsome pit in the basement. Unless you have a good sump pump, your perversity might get wet and soggy after heavy rains. And everyone knows soggy perversity is useless. Put your perversity in a shoebox on a cool, dry shelf (with some of those little packets of silica gel desicant) and it will last much longer.

I thought Davison said he was through blogging. Does that count as a failed prediction as well?

(And speaking of blasts from the past, Walter ReMine is now pushing his Message Theory on Uncommon Descent. I thought that nonsense was settled in the 90s on t.o.)

Well the Terimators were supposed to come august 27th 1997.. so.. we're lucky for that one too!

By Chad Brown (not verified) on 18 Feb 2009 #permalink

There's always something unintentionally hilarious about people who use the words "moral turpitude".

Keep it up, Zombie-worshippers - we need a good laugh these days.

Has anyone ever heard the word 'turpitude' without 'moral'?

By revjimbob (not verified) on 18 Feb 2009 #permalink

Looks like we have a regular Pat Robertson in the likes of Davison.

By ArchangelChuck (not verified) on 18 Feb 2009 #permalink

Walter ReMine is now pushing his Message Theory on Uncommon Descent.

This should the IDers in a tight box. Do they ban him? That might make sense, but he is the enemy of their enemy. What do you do when the enemy of your enemy is a loon? Maybe it doesn't matter, if you're a loon, too.

By freelunch (not verified) on 18 Feb 2009 #permalink

PZ, give it up. A sure sign that you suck as a super-villain is that you lack a non-laughable nemesis. Even Dr Horrible had Captain Hammer.

The world ended in February 9, 2009, but nobody noticed because we all died instantly, so, life after death is true!! It is a pity the same crap follows us in the afterworld.

He announced in very precise terms that San Fran will go down in a rain of fire this spring (explicitly not a wildfire but a rain of fire from the sky).

Prophecy's fun....

Hey... speaking of... Ooooh... oooooh... I'm getting somethin' right now... Quick! Someone write this down:

It's your Aunt Zoe... or Zelda... or Uncle Zephram... Does the letter 'Z' mean anything to anyone out there? No? How 'bout 'S'? Ah... yes... apparently, I was looking at it from behind... Your Un... Aunt... S... Sarah? Susan? Shelly? Sh... S... (pulls out girl's names book) Saba? Sabrina? Saffron? Saida? Satin? Yes! Aunt... Satin?

Satin, huh?

Hey, I'm getting something involving high heels here... Just going out on a limb, but she was a stripper, right?...

No, ma'am, I'm not amazing or anything, just a humble conduit for the all-knowing voices from beyond... Anyway: your Aunt Satin who sees all from beyond the grave sez the sky will rain fire, the seas will boil, cranks will continue to act as the internet's comic relief, people will make random predictions about the apocalpyse but any stated dates will need frequent editing, and gullible marks will continue to pay far too much attention to vicious little hucksters and undiagnosed delusionals who prey with a sad mix of craven shamelessness and psychotic dissociation upon human credulousness...

Thanks all, and please leave your watches and valuables with the ushers--we're gonna do this whole holy spirit mojo thing over 'em, so's no one steals 'em from ya or nothin'. Trust me--it's a foolproof sca... erm... it's big powerful medicine... Also protects you from cancer. Later all.

I'm confused.

To me, Operation Whirling Squid is when I put some lime-and-chili-marinated calamari on skewers and then spin these over the barbeque. How that would contribute to PZ ascending the throne of World Emperor is beyond me, except if he's gotten hungry on the way and wants to drop by for a bite.

In which case you are more than welcome, your Imperial Highness...

Hmmm, this prediction stuff seems pretty easy, I think I'll have a go.

I predict that mushrooms will descend from the sky in silver, twirling banana carts and establish their dominion over the earth through their eldritch tele-sexual mind rays. Soon after Jimmy Haggard and Jimmy Hagar will reveal that they are really one-and-the-same, the yin and yang of a greater being; the over-human ghost. On 12 May 2010 1842 hours, they will merge together as one atop the ranger's station at Pike's Peak to become a 40-storey-tall Zebulon Pike, made entirely of radiation and sweet-meats. The over-human ghost giant Zebulon Pike will then proceed to Mount McKinley, where he shall perform the Dance of Impractical Integers, boring a hole through reality to the 82 and 1/3rd dimension, where he shall then tame the Dervishing Skunkpent by riding it along the full circuit of Buddha's mantra of effective local governance. This will free the numbers between -1.37 and log e to arrange themselves into the matrix of shadow spoons, granting Giant over-human ghost Zebulon Pike the metaphysical might to project his Ethos upon the Gestalt Universal Dream Concept of our Tele-Sexual Space Mushroom Overlords. This will, of course, lead to Jesus, in the guise of Robocop, rising from the ocean atop a fire-breathing Unicorn made of rubies and revealing to us the obvious; that money is actually a pervasive kind of cosmic brain-flea and, far from being humans, we are actually intelligent rocks deep within the conceptual mantle of the Great Allthing Volcano within the center of the Omni-reality. Which is located in Cleveland. Obviously.

See, the benefit of my prediction is that it has just as much basis in reality as the one which inspired this post, and mine is actually kinda funny.

PZ, do you invite people to your loathsome pit of perversity? For a round of good moral turpitude? I must confess Pit of Perversity is an awesome name for a bar.

I claim "Operation Whirling Squid" as the name of my next band! Thanks PZ it's darn hard to come up with a good moniker these days without being wordy or obscure. Wait, "Wordy and Obscure" could be a folk duo.

Well the Terimators were supposed to come august 27th 1997

We didn't lose the moon in 1999 either.

LMAO! "Operation Whirling Squid"

Has anyone ever heard the word 'turpitude' without 'moral'?

No. Kind of like is the opposite of disgruntled Postman a gruntled postman?

And one's kith don't* exist except grouped with one's kin.

*"doesn't"? Is it a plural or mass noun? There's no way of knowing because it only appears follwed by "and kin".

Now then, about overthrowing the government, didn't conservapedia have a wack at that a while ago by using a wink and a nod to suggest that a number of democratic senators be assassinated to help the republicans regain a majority in the senate?

A Rationalwiki contributor admitted to having written that into Conservapædia because he thought it was funny or something. <headdesk>

When UD kicked him out for being too crazy and bellicose even for them.

no shit.

Well, they say no evolution ever happened, and JAD maintains it did happen, it's just over (and we are the last species big mammal species to ever evolve). He even says God has existed and is now dead, IIRC.

after many months of debate over at ATBC, we were evenly split as to whether Vmartin was an alter ego of JAD, or JAD's only accolyte, insane in his own right.

Incredibly enough, the latter is the case. JAD wouldn't so meticulously and consistently insert Czech- and/or Slovak-derived mistakes into his English, would he?

eminence gris

Éminence grise.

By David Marjanović, OM (not verified) on 18 Feb 2009 #permalink

I must confess Pit of Perversity is an awesome name for a bar.

Totally. And one of its home drink could be called a Moral Turpitude. Something with rum in it.

Moral Turpitudes for everybody !

eminence gris

I like the idea of eminence gris-gris. One hoodoo to rule all the voodoo.

By Janine, Ignora… (not verified) on 18 Feb 2009 #permalink

I'm still waiting for the Eugenics Wars to begin. They were supposed to happen around 1992. And where's Khan and his genetic supermen to rule most of the world?

Revjimbob @ #94

Has anyone ever heard the word 'turpitude' without 'moral'?

There's a name for words that always occur together. "Married words" or some such. For instance, "rakish" always modifies "angle", and always describes a hat (so does "jaunty", now that I think about it).

I suppose one could say that "cdesign" and "proponentists" are married.

Norman@113
I like improv and winging it, so I believe our musics are NOMA.

Well, at least he was right about Uncommon Descent.

By Julie Stahlhut (not verified) on 18 Feb 2009 #permalink

Has anyone ever heard the word 'turpitude' without 'moral'?

'Turpitude' means 'vileness.' I think we should start using 'intellectual turpitude' for garbage like what PZ quoted in his post.

I HAVE TRANSFERRED THE CONTENTS OF THIS BLOG TO A NEW SITE
August 12th, 2008 | by John A Davison |

Since I was uncertain about the future of this blog I have, with the help of an anonymous benefactor, transferred its entire content to a new site -

From the same blog thread:
"I find it fascinating that no one else is willing to make predictions of any sort. What other blog offers such an opportunity? To predict on the basis of present knowledge is the essence of the scientific method. An hypothesis that cannot predict is useless. Am I the only scientist here? Is no one else willing to stake his reputation on his convictions?"

"Not Einstein, not Newton, not any scientist worthy of the name would shrink from making predictions. That is why we know that Darwinians(sic) are not scientists and never will be. What can be predicted about a “random walk” or what can be expected from a man like Stephen Jay Gould who compared evolution to a “drunk reeling back and forth between the gutter and the bar room door” and who described intelligence as an “evolutionary accident?” Or how about “blind watchmakers climbing improbable mountains” ala Richard Dawkins or “random biological ejaculations” by his New World surrogate P.Z. Myers? These people are not scientists. They are congenital ,”born that way” atheists, not only stone deaf to Einstein’s “music of the spheres” but also blind as bats to the real world which surrounds them. They are “sensorily disadvantaged,” “prescribed” losers! And yes -
I love it so!

John A Davison - January 12, 2008

Yet Mr. Davison attempted to cover up his failed predictions by removing them from his site. His reputation now is not only as a fool, but also as a pitiful liar. Particularly in regards to being a "scientist".

You staked. You lost.

And yes -
I love it so!

I tried moral turpitude once and it isn't what it's cracked up to be. Immoral turpitude does it for me. I refuse to accept any other variety.

By the chiggler (not verified) on 18 Feb 2009 #permalink

Ah, John A. Davison. Those were the days of good, clean fun.

Surely, at one point his ego must collapse into a black hole and suck him in?

As Early Cuyler would say "Morel turpentine? Hell yes! Damn you party liquor!" (I don't know if any of you watch "Squidbillies", I think y'all'd get a good laugh out of it).

"Intellectual trash" is an oxymoron, in my mind.

JAD has another follower in Daniel Smith over at AtBC...he referred self-titled himself as an, "opponent of evolution of the John A Davison variety." Rub-a-dub-dub 3 men in a tub.

By Saddlebred (not verified) on 18 Feb 2009 #permalink

I love it so!

By Saddlebred (not verified) on 18 Feb 2009 #permalink

JAD wouldn't so meticulously and consistently insert Czech- and/or Slovak-derived mistakes into his English, would he?

that would be a good question.

If I still cared what JAD would/would not do.

:P

Posted by: Allytude | February 18, 2009 9:44 AM

I must confess Pit of Perversity is an awesome name for a bar.

And right next door, a strip club named "Den of Depravity". :)

I've been there. The lighting was horrible. But the tattooed girls were nice enough.

"Intellectual trash" is an oxymoron, in my mind.
Posted by: Wendy

You obviously haven't read Michel Foucault or Talcott Parsons.

Oh, don't worry. Whirling Squid is safe at Crab Key. We just have to watch out for the rogue British agent with the Golden Eye implant. lol

When BOB (of the church of the subgenius) went to get his prophet license renewed, he got ALL the questions on the test wrong...but God renewed his license anyway, with the comment: "you have the one essential thing a prophet needs to have; a mouth".
Robert Anton Wilson will be missed...

Not if the Left Anarchist Oceanic League and our crack teams of ruthless sperm whales have anything to say sing about it. - SC, OM

Fixed for you!

By Knockgoats (not verified) on 18 Feb 2009 #permalink

Incredibly enough, the latter is the case. JAD wouldn't so meticulously and consistently insert Czech- and/or Slovak-derived mistakes into his English, would he?

vmartin is slovak bacause one of his morphing nicks in the dungeon was 'zakazaneovocie' which is slovak.

The Offended Scientist is clearly pwl again, and he's still unable to tell the difference between a blog and a lecture course. Whiny little child.

By Stephen Wells (not verified) on 18 Feb 2009 #permalink

If you're one of PZ Myers "open season on fresh meat" flunkies don't even bother responding. This message is meant for PZ Myers not you, although you might want to adjust your attitude too for the sake of the rest of us rational critical thinkers who take offense at your childish name calling and stupid games. Thanks.

If this was for PZ Myers only, you should have e-mailed this to PZ. Instead, you posted this on a public forum. You have neither the authority nor the right to tell all of us to shut up. FUCK YOU!

I guess this is an example of a highly specialized concern troll.

By Janine, Ignora… (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

blah
blah
blah
whine
blah
whiny blah

By Sven DiMilo (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

PWL, you are a persistent, but ignorant troll. Now you pay the price for not going away when you had a chance. You see, pwl, sometimes the only way to get peoples attention to get rude with them. You were treated rudely only after you would not go away when politely asked to. But we eventually got your attention, and PZ looked at your behavior and deemed it unworthy of further posts here. Why was that? You kept trying to control the thread. The thread was not about climate, or an open thread, but you were determined to have your little charade played out. You were repeatedly asked to come back when appropriate threads were open. But you failed to do so, because that would mean losing control. So you got banned due to your ego, and nothing else. Deal with it.

By Nerd of Redhead, OM (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

You are like the doctor who takes an oath at a hospital not to kill people yet becomes a mass murderer during his off hours. A behavior that is inconsistent with the oath that you've taken PZ Myers.

analogy, ur doin it rong

pwl, get over yourself and welcome to the Internet.

If you get offended on the Internet, maybe you should stay off it?

Humm?

Please, An Offended Scientist, explain how this blog is held to the same standards as the university PZ works for?

And please explain why you think that you have the right to dictate the terms of how the conversation is conducted here.

It is nice to know that the concern troll is highly concerned.

By Janine, Ignora… (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

PWL, who gave you the keys to the blog? Either you behave by PZ's rules, or you are gone. Period, end of story. You didn't, and you are. Bye, take your concern, along with your ego, elsewhere.

By Nerd of Redhead, OM (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

Who takes so much time to write so many words about how offended he/she is over something he/she has the ability to completely avoid, and then repeats the process over and over and over again?

I resist saying that such a person is mentally ill, out of respect for those who legitimately suffer from mental illness and are trying to lead normal lives despite their disability. But after reading through yet another screed by pwl/Offended Scientist...

...no, must... continue... to... resist...

Seriously, pwl - stop coming to this blog if it riles you up so much. Your obsession is feeding into a very unhealthy feeling of frustration. Let it go, and move on, for your own sake, man.

Looks like someone has a super-sekrit crush on ol' P-Zed.

Does pwl think that we haven't heard this all before?

Does he (she?) think he'll make a difference in how this blog operates or that what he is requesting really makes a difference in how things happen here?

Just because you're butt-hurt pwl, it doesn't translate to any thing of real consequence. Differing honest opinions are one thing, differing idiotic proclamations as facts are another.

To An Offensive ?Scientist?

Your interesting choice of "reeducation" and "attitude adjustment" sounds rather Fascist to me. Straight out of a North Korean prison camp to your mind/fingers.

I would also like to know which "of over ten of" the University Code of Conduct "terms " have been violated. Sounds like your talking out of your ass if you accuse without the slightest detail to your accusations.

That was my nice response to you. Here is my generic response to trolls in song form . . . Sing along if you like:

(To tune of Tiny Bubbles)

Tiny Penis
In The Pants
Tiny Penis
Makes The Trolls Have To Rant
Tiny Penis
Makes "Em Dumb All Over
So They Whiney Whiney Whiney
Whiney Whiney All Day Long

PWL short: WAAAAAAHH, you don't play nice. WAAAAAH, you don't let me control your blog. WAAAAAAAh, I can't find another blog to post on. WAAAAAAAHHHHHHH.

Go away and get some cojones, and then post like a man, not a 2-year old.

By Nerd of Redhead, OM (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

Yet again, I ask, is this blog a university? Is this blog part of a university? And again I ask, by what right do you have to tell us to shut up?

Is this difficult? Or is it easier to whine about "internet thugs"? Such dangerous people with bad words.

By Janine, Ignora… (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

As far as I know, there is nothing in the scientific method which has to do with "attitude." Many successful and respected scientists have been curmudgeons. In some fields of studies, I understand it's virtually a requirement.

An Offended Scientist is giving us a scold about our attitude. Fair enough. There's no crime here against being surly. You can be as surly as you want.

But I've noticed that a lot of Creationists have been adopting an argument which is usually held by New Agers who promote the paranormal: that one can know who is right, by looking to see who is smiling, relaxed, calm, and pleasant. Truth conveys a magical aura of "nice-ness" to those who have it -- a "positive energy" that is, on its own, convincing. Someone insisting that angels descended from a space ship and used magic crystals to built the pyramids is more credible than their critics if, and only if, they're more likable. In their world, House would be a horrible doctor, and never get a diagnosis right.

You know, people can be cranky, and right. If I were you, An Offended Scientist, I wouldn't spend much time arguing against that one. Self-preservation, if nothing else.

Offended Scientist/PWL, what are your credentials? PWL indicated he wasn't a scientist. So who appointed you judge and jury? I want to see a recent signed letter from god giving you that authority, or your apology. Put up or shut up.

By Nerd of Redhead, OM (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

An Offended PWL, is it really so difficult for you to understand that one's comportment on a sometimes cantankerous and fool-laden blog-comment-thread need have no necessary correlation to one's comportment in one's meat-world vocation?
What do you do for a living? Where? And do you spend your time there incessantly whining about unfair treatment?

By Sven DiMilo (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

How many times and ways are you going to arrange words into sentences to say

"You are mean and I don't like it?"

We get your point.

Ah, there we go attempting to stifle free speech when it's of a kind of pointed criticism that you don't like.

Yet another person who doesn't understand what the guarantee of free speech means.

I'm not the first to experience the nasty effect of this policy with it's evil and vile characteristics and I won't be the last person.

You sure have a low standard for what is evil.

I'm simply a vocal person committed to excellence in science education and I'm standing here saying - calmly and as respectfully as one can - that this is a bad policy for a science educator to have for it tarnishes science, science educators, PZ Myers (and Nerd of Redhead) and all those regulars as well.

Your concern is noted. Once again please take note that this is a blog not a class room or a lecture hall. You'll also take note that topics that do not relate to teaching science are discussed here.

I think you need some perspective.

I'll have you know, sirrah, that "Open Season on Fresh Meat" was the official theme of the 2008 University of Minnesota -- Morris' Open House and Career Day.

OS, show us your credentials first. Degrees, field of study, research advisor, number of peer reviewed papers, present postion. Then we can talk. Until then you are a concern troll who will receive the invective they earn, which is a lot.

By Nerd of Redhead, OM (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

Ah! The causes of this little disagreement become clear.

This blog is an extension of Associate Professor PZ Myers activities at the University.

No, it's not.

It makes no sense for him to lose all those professional standards on his blog about science.

"His blog," yes; "his blog about science," no. It's his blog about whatever the hell he wants it to be about, and often it's about science. Other times it's about other stuff, e.g., how best to deal with tiresome whiny-trolls like, well, you.

Glad we got that cleared up.

By Sven DiMilo (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

I have to see any credentials. Spell them out or go away.

By Nerd of Redhead, OM (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

I'm betting OS is an old troll with a new nym but I'm too lazy to search the archive for a suspect. OS has to exaggerate and obsfucate because he has no credentials and dang it, PZ and his ilk are all old meanies!!!

(Nisbet?!! Is that you?)

Our latest concern troll cannot keep his story straight.

I'm not telling you to "shut up" at all. Where have I written that?

If you're one of PZ Myers "open season on fresh meat" flunkies don't even bother responding.

Sounds like a "shut up".

Posted by: Sastra| February 19, 2009

I'll have you know, sirrah, that "Open Season on Fresh Meat" was the official theme of the 2008 University of Minnesota -- Morris' Open House and Career Day.

I have to love it when Sastra gets sarcastic. Nicely done.

Posted by: Sastra| February 19, 2009

But I've noticed that a lot of Creationists have been adopting an argument which is usually held by New Agers who promote the paranormal: that one can know who is right, by looking to see who is smiling, relaxed, calm, and pleasant. Truth conveys a magical aura of "nice-ness" to those who have it -- a "positive energy" that is, on its own, convincing. Someone insisting that angels descended from a space ship and used magic crystals to built the pyramids is more credible than their critics if, and only if, they're more likable. In their world, House would be a horrible doctor, and never get a diagnosis right.

If this is the case, maybe it is time to get a laughing Sanal Edamaruku to represent us.

By Janine, Ignora… (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

I wonder how many students have experienced something akin to "Open Season on Fresh Meat" by the Associate Professor PZ Myers on campus?

And I wonder why whining concern trolls think innuendo is a substitute for having a valid point and facts to substantiate it.

I wonder how many students have experienced something akin to "Open Season on Fresh Meat" by the Associate Professor PZ Myers on campus?

Zero, dumbass.
Blog =/= Job/profession

See?

By Sven DiMilo (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

OS, no creditions, no questions, no answers, just PZ probably deleting all your posts when he finally returns to check for banned people. And you PWL just added to your crimes with morphing (changing your moniker), and more trolling with todays crybaby tantrum. Bye-Bye, it wasn't nice knowing you. Don't come back.

By Nerd of Redhead, OM (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

Regardless of how you want to split hairs, the fact is that the "Open Season on Fresh Meat" policy is diametrically opposed to the high standards of The Code of Conduct that Associate Professor PZ Myers had committed to upholding.

I have heard more than one professor get argumentative and use obscenities while off campus. To think that I could have had them brought up on charges of violating a code of conduct.

By Janine, Ignora… (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

I guess I'm just assuming that An Offended Scientist is 'Professor' John A. Davison, whose prophesy is referred to in PZ's post. I suppose it could be someone else, though. From what I remember this was his general style.

Again, Offended, I don't see what part of the University Code of Conduct is violated by one of its professors rudely denigrating pseudoscientists on his personal blog. It's not the property of the University, after all. On their personal time, professors and teachers can get involved in all sorts of arguments over politics and religion and even sporting events. And there's no Universal Potty-Mouth Prohibition, enforced by university or government. I don't see the problem, as long as PZ isn't calling foul names in the play room with the giant plastic balls at McDonald's. I doubt he has been there in years, anyway. And all that would happen is that some of the moms would glare and shush him, and he'd leave. Not a problem at all, considering those places usually smell bad.

Now if you were one of his students, he would still disagree with you -- and still make the same points he did before -- but probably temper the language, since it's in class. If you think not, then come up with some evidence for that, other than "I wonder how many students have experienced something akin to 'An Open Season on Fresh Meat.'"

Wonder away. But wondering is private activity, and doesn't involve any students, any problems, and any actual complaints.

@Sastra: Offended isn't JAD unless JAD is pwl. I think. And since pwl is already dungeoned, Offended whould be there shortly, with a Morphing tag attached.

Do you remember during Crackergate, there was some idiot who posted about 57 times that PZ was no longer a scientist because the evidence that the cracker had been consecrated wouldn't meet standards for peer review? Similar mental blindness problem there.

This one claimed to be a systems scientist, but we discovered its abilities were limited to claiming that FORTRAN with GOTOs was invariably bad. Things went downhill after that.

yes pwl it's publicly known you were banned for being an ass.

no one is suprised and no one but you cares.

An Offended Scientist continues to blow his tuneless trumpet. Good show.

By Janine, Ignora… (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

An Offended Scientist #177 wrote:

I have asked questions. Relevant questions. I still ask them.

I'm sorry, I didn't notice any questions. I thought you were bringing up charges.

What is your question?

Offensive Shithead, where do you work? I don't give a flying fuck really, but starting now you're no longer allowed to leave your workplace ever again, not even for a second. From this moment on, you're on the clock 24/7 until the end of time. You will never again be permitted to interact with other human beings in any way your boss would not approve of during business hours. Why? Because I say so. And I have every bit as much authority to make such an insane demand as you have to make YOUR insane demands. So until you admit that that authority is "none at all", shut the fuck up and get back to work!

By phantomreader42 (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

And I ask, is a blog a classroom? And I also ask, what gives you the right to dictate who can and cannot respond?

By Janine, Ignora… (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

Oh, maybe it's one of the science-is-a-religion idiots, and they think a university code of conduct is like a monk's vows or something, so he wants to get PZ defrocked. Nobody needs to see THAT again.

Imagine this guy sitting there, diligently saving every single one of his whiny little screeds, hoarding them up for a devastating denouement that will never come. That's tragic, but also funny.

Posted by: SAWells| February 19, 2009

That's tragic, but also funny.

Reminds me of a favorite Mel Brooks quote:

Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you walk into an open sewer and die.

By Janine, Ignora… (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

Is a blog a classroom?

By Janine, Ignora… (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

OS doesn't have a clue about free speech. This is not a public forum. This is PZ's blog. That is a private venue. PZ makes the rules. You either follow those rules or get banned. This is a well recognized legal concept.
Now OS, show us where government, who is the only entity bound by the first amendment, is taking away your ability to get to the internet. That would be a free speech violation. You don't have a right to speak everywhere you want, just in public places. Blogs are considered private sites. You were banned here for bad behavior. You have no recourse.

By Nerd of Redhead, OM (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

An Offended Scientist #184 wrote:

I'm here standing up to the anti-science and anti-science education effects of Associate Professor PZ Myers nasty "Open Season on Fresh Meat" policy with you people seem to feel is fine.

I thought you were here respectfully and civilly asking questions. I'm afraid I still don't know what they are. Do they involve science perhaps?

Is a blog a classroom?

By Janine, Ignora… (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

Nah, it's not JAD. It's pwl.
Paranoid Whining Loser?
Pwned Wanking Lackwit?
uh, wait...I gotta go check to see if calling somebody juvenile names on a blog-comment-thread violates my University's Code of Conduct...

By Sven DiMilo (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

Poor OS (PWL), what a shithead. This blog has nothing to do with PZ's teaching, his work load, or his tenure status. It is something he does on his own time, and the UM university system acknowledges this fact. And has done so publicly. Again, the facts are against your stupid, idiotic, and repetitive accusations. You need to go away, because you haven't shown the recent signed letter from god showing that you make decisions here, not PZ. Until then, your concern is noted and rejected.

By Nerd of Redhead, OM (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

Oh, by the way, you have shown yourself to be a liar and bullshitter extraordinaire, so we will need to verify everything you say. Your word is worth less than dogshit.

By Nerd of Redhead, OM (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

Is a blog a classroom?

By Janine, Ignora… (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

If that is JAD, can I please pass on my apologies for missing the physical destruction of our civilization.

It was like when I was a kid and wanted to stay up for the 2am live telecast of the FA Cup in the 70s. I'd last to the kick off whistle and fall asleep.

Missed out again.

pwl... PZ isn't required by his university or even SEED who pays him to blog to suffer annoying gits on his blog. He has no problems with differences of opinion, and he actually thinks it's a good thing for creationists to come here and get smacked down.

We welcome a good debate... but his tolerance of bible thumpers, trolls and libertarians is quite low. Global warming denialists aren't automatically banned, they have to earn it.

Is a blog a classroom?

By Janine, Ignora… (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

So mock away as you wish

Mock mock mockaway beach
Mock mock mockaway beach
We can hitch a ride
To mockaway beach
Its not hard, not far to reach
We can hitch a ride
To mockaway beach.

bigdumbchimp seems to think an analogy is an actual reference to specific events. He sayz "provide examples" but of course an analogy has no 'examples' but relies on simple fucking common sense to make the principal connection.

Posted by: An Offended Scientist | February 19, 2009 3:13 PM

Ah, stifling free speech. Cool. I've been keeping a saved copy of this and every thread that I post on so deleting my comments won't destroy the record. I new you guys would stoop or threaten to stoop to such low levels of conduct so I've been prudent. Now that you've made the new threat I see that my fears about you are correct and now on the public record.

This problem won't go away by deleting my comments. It will just get bigger by doing that! What you resist persists.

Yeah, like anyone cares about your pseudo-intellectual opinion. You gat a IQ of about 115-120 and it shows. BTW, PZ, if yo scraps dis word, well yo shakin in da boots, word up.

An offended high skool drop out. "an offended scientist", sheesh. Tell ya wot, that very name adveertises your inherent lack of confidence and attemps to use the arguement from authority fallacy.

Start to show some intelligent and unique opinion, some well reasoned debate, or fuck right off you poser. A peon like me is tired of your insipid 'deep thoughts' oh you don't like the audacity of moi deciding what your thoughts are?

I didn't just say "fuck right off" or condone deleting your comments (you wish you were deleted then you would have something to cry about and feel self righteous), I dare you to say something of consequence.
I am a high school drop-out aand I will whip your stupid ass, Mr scientist. What kind of scientist are you, anyways?

Fuck are some so called scientists ever stupid, much like many Ph.Des.

By smartfkngorilla (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

Offensive Shithead, I don't think your boss would be pleased with you for babbling such idiotic nonsense on company time. And you MUST be on company time, both because I say so and because you don't recognize the concept of free time.

And just because I like asking questions that fuckwits flee in abject terror from: Is a blog a classroom?

By phantomreader42 (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

PZ, when comes time to clean house, I think Manacker over on the President speaks good english thread is also PWL.

By Nerd of Redhead, OM (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

"Cool. I've been keeping a saved copy of this and every thread that I post on so deleting my comments won't destroy the record. I new(sic) you guys would stoop or threaten to stoop to such low levels of conduct so I've been prudent. Now that you've made the new threat I see that my fears about you are correct and now on the public record.
This problem won't go away by deleting my comments. It will just get bigger by doing that! What you resist persists."

AH! Now this is making sense. The entire purpose of An Offensive ?Scientist?'s comments here are obvious. He is a specific type of Troll . . . a Delete Me Troll. He is trying to get deleted from this thread while he keeps his "record" of his mistreatment. Proving, I guess, censorship of opposing views presented by a "prudent" "scientist".

Oh, while I'm at it, do YOU have a blog, Offensive Shithead? Tell us where it is, so everyone here can post whatever amuses them! And of course you're never allowed to delete any of it. Jokes at your expense, terabytes of random letters, obvious insanity, endlessly repeated bullshit refuted decades ago, multilingual profanity, entire copyrighted novels, manifestos dictated by the Lizard People in conspiracy with teh Underpants Gnomes, threats of violence, insults and threats to your children, all must be accepted on YOUR blog. Of course, you won't do that, because you're too much of a hypocritical asshole to even consider living by the insane standards you try to set for other people.

By phantomreader42 (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

Posted by: An Offended Scientist | February 19, 2009

Yes, a blog can be an extension of the classroom. Certainly many of the excellent blogs here at science blogs perform a science education function.

Simple question, yes or no. Is a blog a classroom? No equivocating. No it can be an extension.

By Janine, Ignora… (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

OS, are you going to get anything right? A blog isn't a classroom, and you saying so is a barefaced lie. Your problem is you don't get to decide what we discuss. PZ, and if he listens to our requests, the regulars do. Since you are banned, there is no sense for you to keep whining about your ideas, because you have failed to show that you can't present them at other venues. That makes you a liar again. And it just keeps going. Now, you need to go away as you drove your credibility away on your own.

By Nerd of Redhead, OM (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

pwl... we "school" people on science here all the time. heh heh

part of the attraction of the blog for many here is that it does take up the social and political issues, it's not a strict science blog in any science.

PZ didn't check his brain out when he became a professor and become politics and religion neutral.

It's simple, he encourages all the commenters to call bullshit when they see it. And we see mounds of it.

you are standing in your own pile.

Offensive Shithead, you didn't answer the questions:

Is a blog a classroom?
Is a blog a classroom?
Is a blog a classroom?
Is a blog a classroom?
Is a blog a FUCKING classroom?!

Where's YOUR blog, so we can spam it with impunity?
Where's YOUR blog, so we can spam it with impunity?
Where's YOUR blog, so we can spam it with impunity?
Where's YOUR blog, so we can spam it with impunity?

Of course everyone knows you're too stupid and cowardly to answer.

By phantomreader42 (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

Have we ever had a whinier little creep than pwl/An Offended "Scientist" here? I can't think of one. Offended - yes, he's obviously that, but a scientist? Nah - a scientist couldn't possibly have avoided introducing some real content by now.

By Knockgoats (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

Actually the factual record shows that pharyngula was started as a class activity and an extension of the classroom.

And PZ used to run his blog for free. And this blog used to not be a part of ScienceBlogs. So what.

If this blog is an extension of his classroom, are we reader now to become students of UMM. Are we now going to pay tuition? Are we to be tested and graded?

Damn but you are the most fucking obtuse concern troll.

By Janine, Ignora… (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

I don't know...the way pwl just keeps saying the same thing over and over and over is starting to win me over to his or her way of thinking (WoT). Clearly, a policy of Open Season on Fresh Meat (OSoFM) violates the Code of COnduct (CoC) of the University of Minnesota Morris (UMM). A blog can be an extension of a classroom. QED and WTF.

By Sven DiMilo (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

So in fact this blog is an extension of his professional activities

yes, but as mentioned again and again and again:

NOT his professional activities wrt his employment at UMM.

Moreover, attempts to link such, and write to the chancellor of UMM to put pressure on PZ have met with...

the circular file.

why do you suppose that is? Do you think it some sort of "grand conspiracy"?

If the chancellor of UMM finds no cause for concern, why is it that YOU do?

Offensive Shithead, you didn't answer the questions:

Is a blog a classroom?
Is a blog a classroom?
Is a blog a classroom?
Is a blog a classroom?
Is a blog a FUCKING classroom?!

Where's YOUR blog, so we can spam it with impunity?
Where's YOUR blog, so we can spam it with impunity?
Where's YOUR blog, so we can spam it with impunity?
Where's YOUR blog, so we can spam it with impunity?

Of course everyone knows you're too stupid and cowardly to answer.

By phantomreader42 (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

Pwl/Offended is exactly the sort of person who meets a doctor at a party, drops their pants, and demands a prostate exam on the spot. Refusal is a violation of your Hippocratic oath! You'll be struck off!

zombification ensuing...

OSoFM != CoC @ UMM

!111!!

Still none of these are valid reasons to justify an anti-science and anti-science education policy that Associate Professor PZ Myers has freely chosen even though it clearly violates his professional obligations he makes to the University.

Please explain how treating in a rude manner people who insist that their anti-science nonsense be taken seriously is anti-science.

And if this blog is a extension of his classroom, are we to become paying students of UMM?

How come the Chancellor of UMM does not act upon complaints about PZ's blog? There were plenty in the aftermath of Crackergate.

Fucking bloody obtuse concern troll.

By Janine, Ignora… (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

henceforth I suggest we abbreviate:

"but in fact the record shows"

as BIFRS

all in favor?

Ichthyic, I am not a tech geek. What does that mean?

By Janine, Ignora… (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

@ Janine:

see Sven's post at 198.

Oh shut the fuck up. You are an annoying whiney little turd. If you hate it so much here, then go the fuck away.

Go. Now.

Bye.

As the record shows

no, no.

plz do not change expressions midstream. You'll fuck up all our wonderful acronyms and abbreviations.

Mind if I change that to:

"In fact the record shows"

?

that way, when you repeat yourself again, all you have to type is:

IFRS OSoFM != CoC @ UMM

kthnx

Nice low tolerance to differing opinions and valid pointed criticisms of you.

translation:

"Appropriate of you to have such low tolerance for whiny bullshitters"

and I think the appropriate response is:

"Why thanks very much, we do our best."

Clearly WTF is your blind spot (BS) and WoT, Sven DiMilo.

It's not that I think that repetition will have any of you change your mind. I am simply responding to your misunderstandings and highlighting your comments that are anti-science and against the best pursuit of science education.

Change or not, as you wish.

It's not an option for the Associate Professor PZ Myers though, as he must renounce his OSoFM policy as it clearly violates his commitment to the CoC otherwise his crime against his CoC commitment and to science is prolonged.

By An Offended Sc… (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

An Offended Scientist #216 wrote:

I'm sure you think you "school" people in science all the time Steve_C, but in fact the record shows that usually your "open season on fresh meat" bad attitude to science simply has people running away thinking you're jerks rather than educating them in science.

But if people who come in to read Pharyngula "run away thinking we're jerks" because they are put off by the bad attitude, that's not the same thing as suppressing science, or oppressing questions. What the bad attitude amounts to isn't a refusal to answer questions (serious questions usually get many serious responses)-- but using bad language.

You're right: some people are very sensitive, and can't handle profanity or the rough-and-tumble world of debate. This blog is not for them. They can go a lot of other places. But there are a lot of regular readers who come into Phrayngula precisely because it has a "bad attitude" -- a clearheaded commitment to honesty, and a refusal to softpeddle hard truths. This blog is for them.

If people are insulted, they're welcome to insult back in kind. PZ won't kick anyone off for bad language -- or "bad attitude" alone. Not if they have something of substance to say; something to offer other than bad attitude. As does this blog -- which is not an extension of the classroom, but simply a part of the blogosphere.

So I don't think your main point stands.

My questions and comments have generally had to do with science questions and science education questions. Now they are often about how the "pharyngula cult members" deal with "fresh meat" to put it in your terms.

Again, I don't see any questions yet. Are you referring to questions you had a few months ago, perhaps?

As the record shows I did answer the question "is a blog a classroom". See my recent comments in this thread.

Yet somehow, UMM does not seem to agree.

Bloody Stupid Johnson.

Oh, thanks Ichthyic.

By Janine, Ignora… (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

It's not that I think that repetition will have any of you change your mind

BIFRS...

bigdumbchimp seems to think an analogy is an actual reference to specific events. He sayz "provide examples" but of course an analogy has no 'examples' but relies on simple fucking common sense to make the principal connection.

No you dumbass, I was referring to what pwl said about PZ being afraid of questions.

When a science educator fears questions so much that they chase people away that is just like them burning books.

I know full well what an analogy is.

It's not an option for the Associate Professor PZ Myers though, as he must renounce his OSoFM policy as it clearly violates his commitment to the CoC otherwise his crime against his CoC commitment and to science is prolonged.

please, won't you help us to conserve brain cells electrons?

srsly. Use teh establshd abbrvtn:

BIFRS OSoFM != CoC @ UMM

kthnx

So, Offensive Shithead, you've utterly failed to support your idiotic claim that a blog is a classroom. You've utterly failed to support your claims that workplace standards must apply to every second of life, and you've utterly failed to live up to those standards yourself. You've utterly failed to provide the slightest speck of evidence in support of ANY of your idiocy. And you've utterly failed to find the courage to link to your own blog and let everyone show you what it would look like if the idiotic standards you try to force on PZ were enforced on you.

In short, you're an utter failure. That sounds like a better handle for you. Go fuck yourself, Utter Failure. You're tiresome, stupid, cowardly and insane.

By phantomreader42 (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

I was censored once already by the unscrupulous Associate Professor PZ Myers with his OSoFM policy that violates the CoC of UMM. You guys don't like to hear that your pharyngula cult could be anything but good - valuing being "nasty" does you - and others - much harm.

You are deluded. How many times does one have to tell you this blog has exactly zero to do with UMM?

Soon all meaningful internet communications will consist entirely of acronyms.

By Sven DiMilo (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

SDM @ #218:

Soon all meaningful internet communications will consist entirely of acronyms.

SAMICWCEA FTW!

By phantomreader42 (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

don't you mean to say:

AMIC?

(all meaningful internet communications)?

:P

btw, this whiny bastard "Offal-filled Non-scientist" does sound familiar.

anyone care to hazard a guess? I'm pretty sure it's someone who escaped the dungeon.

the syntax looks awfully familiar...

"You are deluded." - Rev. BigDumbChimp. And you deny the facts. Heck you don't even want to hear them. That is the definition of delusion. Might as well have an invisible friend there Rev.

The more you argue for low standards of conduct the more you prove the point.

It's not just me making the point either. I'm simply one who is standing up against your low standards of interaction and pointing them out. I do so without resorting to your low level of drivel.

Enjoy your thuggery pharyngula cult members for it shows your true colors to the world. See ya.

By An Offended Sc… (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

Short OS WAAAAHHHHHH, PZ won't let me have my way. WAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH. I'm a two year throwing a tantrum. WAAAAHHHHHHH. I don't have the cojones to just go away, because I am only two years old emotionally. WAAAAHHHHHHH.

By Nerd of Redhead, OM (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

Well, I gotta go too (IGGT).
Enjoy your thuggery (EYT), everyone!

By Sven DiMilo (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

What does it think it's accomplishing?

And you deny the facts.

BIFRS

Heck you don't even want to hear them. That is the definition of delusion.

funny, I would have guessed denial.

(not that that applies to RBDC either)

Might as well have an invisible friend there Rev.

perhaps you could part with one of yours?

The more you argue for low standards of conduct the more you prove the point.

wait, which point?

this one?

OSoFM != CoC @ UMM

or some other imaginary point of yours?

It's not just me making the point either.

indeed, I'm sure at least one or two of your imaginary friends have repeated it as well?

I do so without resorting to your low level of drivel.

Now THAT'S delusional.

Enjoy your thuggery pharyngula cult members

why, spank you very much!

cheers!

An Offended Scientist #221 wrote:

It's not just me making the point either. I'm simply one who is standing up against your low standards of interaction and pointing them out. I do so without resorting to your low level of drivel.

I notice you also did so without attempting to address any of my posts to you -- all of which were tediously polite, and contained questions.

I am boring. I am the chopped liver of Pharyngula, left neglected on the plate while the tastier morsels get snatched up eagerly. I was not to your taste.

Which is a bit puzzling, when you think about it. I thought you came in looking for courtesy. I am dull indeed.

I am the chopped liver of Pharyngula

*ahem*

IAtCLoP

sounds like a good internet handle to me.

:)

But Sastra, I was applauding your use of sarcasm. Does not that count?

By Janine, Ignora… (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

PZ,

Please tell me you didn't grant Offensive Scientist his wish & delete his comments.

Ban the fool, but leave his rants.

If nothing else it makes those of us who replied to his Trollery look a little silly.

This thread just became a very surreal read.
OK, now IRGG. EYT!

By Sven DiMilo (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

Offended Scientist, address your concerns to PZ privately, or (if you really think he's violated his terms of employment) to the University of Minnesota, Morris and Seed Magazine. (Where they will join the screeds of hundreds, if not thousands, of other offended crybabies offering indignant howls of protest over PZ being allowed to exercise his right to free speech on his personal blog and in his free time.)

Otherwise, you're just whining and trying to get attention because you have a personal dislike of PZ, or because you got canned for not following the rules. In which case you've broken the rules again and should expect another trip to the dungeon.

Oh, and you do realize that it's possible to schedule blog posts, right? You write up a few things ahead of time, and they'll be posted when you designate, even if you're sleeping, traveling, or working. Amazing, isn't it?

There's no reason for PZ to delete Offended Scientist's posts. That's what he does when trolls are interrupting an ongoing discussion on a topic that has nothing to do with their issue.

But this thread was pretty much dead when he came in -- so OS wasn't interrupting -- and the topic of the post concerned a pompous eccentric -- so OS wasn't off-topic.

Bet ya a nickel we'll find "The Banning Of An Offended Scientist" on a christian anti-evolution web site within a couple of hours.

I'll give Offensive one thing though. He sure knows how to cut & paste. My guess is that Offensive is actually a christian college group project. Wow, I wonder if they are getting college credit for this?

Janine #230:

Oh, sure. You count. But OS didn't notice me.

*sniff* That was just so unexpected.

There's no reason for PZ to delete Offended Scientist's posts. That's what he does when trolls are interrupting an ongoing discussion on a topic that has nothing to do with their issue.

Not so. "OS" had been banned (yesterday, I think) under his/her original nym, pwl, and for good reason (check the dungeon for the specific violation of the blog's CoC). Deleting the posts of the banned when spotted is PZ's SOP.

By Sven DiMilo (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

-giggle-

By Janine, Ignora… (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

But Sven, I want my chanted question "Is a blog a classroom?" to have some context.

By Janine, Ignora… (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

It's funny to read the thread with his crap deleted... we kinda look like lunatics. teehee.

we kinda look like lunatics.

speak for yourself.

I definitely *AM* a lunatic.

:P

Oh for fucks sake. Infamy? NO ONE CARES!

book burning?

write a book with at least one page that isn't just filled with the same phrase over and over...

and I'll burn it for ya.

See in the wider forum where the comments shall live forever in infamy of PZ Myers as a scientific censor who can't handle criticism!

yup, OS set up us the bomb alrighty.

trust us, OS, we get signal.

It's funny. With the continued blathering about internet thuggery and book burning, An Offended Scientist is reminding me of William Wallace.

By Janine, Ignora… (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

William Wallace

maybe.

I was thinking more along the lines of PlanetKiller.

some research is in order.

An Offended Scientist # #242 wrote:

What could be more anti-science and anti-science education than a science professor deleting comments that he and his cult members don't like? Wow!

First off, none of your comments had anything to say about science. They pretty much kept to a single complaint, repeated: you don't like PZ Myer's attitude and tone. I don't see how you can connect that to anti-science. That complaint isn't a hypothesis or empirical claim. It's an expression of taste.

Second, I see by Sven's post at #237 that the reason you were banned is that you were banned before, for "insipidity." Not sure what that means, but you were evading bans when you came back -- breaking rules. Since you think that it's very important to not break any rules, it hardly supports that point to break them yourself.

All blogs will delete comments from time to time, and ban participants (at least, all I know of.) PZ's does it less than most. You know, I mentioned above that I was completely ignored the whole time you were here. That's fine, but I was also polite. If you had really come in wanting discussion or debate or dialogue you would have been practical enough to look around to see who was calmer and more temperate, and confined remarks to them. The fact that you didn't tends to confirm my guess that you didn't come in for anything like discussion: you wanted to pick a fight.

It is never hard to pick a fight, and get one. What makes little sense is then complaining about persecution.

Censorship on a private blog. Boy, what a total imbecile. PZ does not have to allow freedom and speech, and he doesn't. He makes no bones about it either. If he doesn't, he can't control the blog. He knows that, we know that, Seed knows that, UMM knows that, but it appears PWL doesn't. Or he has an agenda. Gee whiz guess which one we are picking. He's just a member of the tin-foil hat brigade. Same song, slightly different key

By Nerd of Redhead, OM (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

It is never hard to pick a fight, and get one. What makes little sense is then complaining about persecution.

"...come see the violence inherent in the system! Help! Help! I'm bein' repressed!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o76WQzVJ434

You know, I mentioned above that I was completely ignored the whole time you were here. That's fine, but I was also polite. If you had really come in wanting discussion or debate or dialogue you would have been practical enough to look around to see who was calmer and more temperate, and confined remarks to them. The fact that you didn't tends to confirm my guess that you didn't come in for anything like discussion: you wanted to pick a fight.

An Offended Scientist, what makes this really funny and damning is that Sastra is intelligent and patient enough to deal with some of the most ridiculous trolls who wonder by. And her writing style is so very lucid. (Yes, I am jealous of her.) Yet you could not bother to answer her. Sastra is the one person here who would have spoken with you without calling you names.

You had your chance but you decided that whining was more productive. But be of good cheer, you gave most of us an afternoon full of big laughs.

By Janine, Ignora… (not verified) on 19 Feb 2009 #permalink

"Offended Scientist" has posted here under other names ("pwl", among others), and was banned. He is now morphing madly to avoid my filters; he is also obsessing over his offended sense of dignity, and is even more repetitive and boring than ever. His comments will be deleted whenever I find them. He is the very definition of a troll and a kook.