I'm home!

I left Morris on the 19th of January, and finally, here it is the 8th of February and I finally made it back. Now leave me alone. I get a moment to rest, don't I? That bottle of Irish whiskey I was given in Galway will help.

OK, moment over. Next up: I get to go the the University of Northern Iowa on Wednesday! Don't say it, I know I'm insane. Anyway, it'll be an evo-devo talk in the Maucker Union, Hemisphere Lounge, at 7pm. There won't be much creationist bashing, but I'll probably spend a few minutes bashing Jerry Fodor and Massimo Piattelli-Palmarini and Mary Midgley, because they're morons who are abusing evo-devo in the name of making misguided criticisms of evolution. Everyone expects me to growl and gnash the fangs a bit about something, and I wouldn't want to disappoint.

Then I get to come home again.

Oh, and one last totally random thing in recollection of my wonderful trip to Ireland. Here's me receiving an award from the University College Dublin Secular Humanist Society…from Captain Jack Sparrow. How awesome is that?

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Actually, that's David, but if ever he wants to become a pirate, I'll join his crew.

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People who don't understand modern evolutionary theory shouldn't be writing books criticizing evolutionary theory. That sounds like rather pedestrian and obvious advice, but it's astonishing how often it's ignored — the entire creationist book publishing industry demands a steady supply of…
Oh, no. Jerry Fodor and Massimo Piattelli-Palmarini have written a book and opinion piece in which they try to claim that natural selection is a dying concept, and what do they use to justify that outrageous claim? Evo devo! That's just nuts, and Mary Midgely compounds the crazy with terrible abuse…
So I just put up this lengthy gripe about Fodor and Piattelli-Palmarini, and there were a bunch of other things I wanted to say that I couldn't squeeze in, so here are a few left-over comments. The best take-down so far is Block and Kitcher's review — go read that. Basically, they approach the…
I just finished an afternoon lecture on evo-devo at Queen's University Belfast, which went well, I think. At least I didn't pass out at the lectern. Then I also did an interview with William Crawley that I think is going to be aired on the BBC on Sunday. I managed to remain conscious through all…

You'd make a wonderful Dread Pirate Roberts.

By Sven DiMilo (not verified) on 08 Feb 2010 #permalink

Aaarrrgg me matey. Good to see you home.

By Nerd of Redhead, OM (not verified) on 08 Feb 2010 #permalink

Welcome back! Those pirate boots of David's are to die for.

By aratina cage o… (not verified) on 08 Feb 2010 #permalink

Those are some great boots.

I got to see Massimo Pigliucci destroy a creationist in a debate a few weeks ago. It just makes me want to go out of my way to see a PZ Myers, etc, talk on anything. I enjoy that atmosphere in an auditorium where there are people willing to listen (usually, you can spot the creationists by the angry look on their face).

By idle.pip.veris… (not verified) on 08 Feb 2010 #permalink

I thought you wanted to be Davy Jones.
He and Jack were not the best friends.

By Insightful Ape (not verified) on 08 Feb 2010 #permalink

My goodness, he's comely.

I have to hand it to you, bhoyo: As a blogger, you have an impressively short refractory period.

Ron Sullivan
http://toad.faultline.org

By https://www.go… (not verified) on 08 Feb 2010 #permalink

You'd better hope this snow storm is over. I drove though northern Iowa on the way to Kansas City when there was a snow storm. Never again.

We all hope the storm is over by then. UNI has a full week of events if anyone is planning to make the drive. Check out http://darwinweek.com for all the info.

Come to the east coast next! Specifically Amherst, Massachusetts, and the university therein. (Please!)

By jeffreyhatley (not verified) on 08 Feb 2010 #permalink

Welcome back to the States, and with best wishes for safe travel in the snow-packed lands therein.

Still learning,

Robert

By Desert Son, OM (not verified) on 08 Feb 2010 #permalink

It's probably a good thing we can't see that crocoduck tie up close. I'd hate to look at all the beer and food stains it must have on it by now. And how many of those dark blue shirts do you own???

And you are crazy. Wish I had a tenth your energy. Glad you're back home safe.

By recovering catholic (not verified) on 08 Feb 2010 #permalink

Okay, a fashion tip. Get a longer tie. Or tie it so it reaches your belt. Just saying...

Swoon! If David is single, I'm on the next plane to Dublin.

By HelixHelix (not verified) on 08 Feb 2010 #permalink

Could be worse better. Could be Captain Jack Harkness.

By Squiddhartha (not verified) on 08 Feb 2010 #permalink

He kind of looks like Angeline Jolie with a mo. And I mean that in a good way.

By Bride of Shrek OM (not verified) on 08 Feb 2010 #permalink

** Warning - shameless self-promotion **

I've already indulged in a bit of Fodor bashing, including an appropriate quote from Darwin. Fodor must think that Gould & Lewontin was a firm of architects.

I need to get me an outfit like that. And an eye patch. And an undead parrot...

Anyone know where I can get an undead parrot?

By Quotidian Torture (not verified) on 08 Feb 2010 #permalink

It was great to get to hear your lecture in Galway and have a few minutes chatting. I mentioned what a great time it was on my facebook page and as a result I lost a friend. She just couldn't deal with the fact that I would associate with someone like yourself (not a creationist). I'm thankful to be cult-free now and allowed to think whatever I want and read whatever I want to find out what's really going on in this world. Science is the only way. Thanks again.

By geekymonkey.my… (not verified) on 08 Feb 2010 #permalink

I can confirm that at PZ's final engagement in Belfast, the crocoduck tie was immaculately clean.

[WTF *is* it with Fodor & Midgley and the like - why don't they *get* it?? It's not as if they haven't had people trying to teach them for years]

By Shane McKee (not verified) on 09 Feb 2010 #permalink

Can confirm re Shane's assertion, was in front row in Belfast. PZ, the Belfast PM lecture was excellent and thank you for taking the time on a Friday.

By SelfishGene (not verified) on 09 Feb 2010 #permalink

Hahaha! Yeah I spotted David at Richard Dawkin's book launch last year and immediately thought: Who's got more ravenous fans, Dawkins or Depp? :D

By Gavin Golden (not verified) on 09 Feb 2010 #permalink

Anyone know where I can get an undead parrot?

In runescape of course.

I hope Mr. Endor doesn't mind, but I suddenly feel the need to spend some time in Dublin.

Welcome home, PZ!

How tall is our dignified Mr. Myers?

By mmj_gregory (not verified) on 09 Feb 2010 #permalink

Dr. Myers, may I please remind you that if you join a pirate crew, part of the job description will be "chasing wenches." I think the Trophy Wife might object, and she's probably better with a cutlass than you.

Looking forward to the UNI talk tomorrow. Welcome.

By Cycle Ninja (not verified) on 09 Feb 2010 #permalink

I am not as interested that you are back as I am in tapping that pirate booty.

By dearprudence1168 (not verified) on 09 Feb 2010 #permalink

Poor Trophy Wife.

I'm starting to hope for her that she has a bit on the side.

He sure looks like a "Pirata" from our local biker MC. And I guess we share similar musical taste too :-)

By El Guerrero de… (not verified) on 10 Feb 2010 #permalink

I was going to comment on the awesome boots, but...nevermind. Congratulations!

By https://me.yah… (not verified) on 10 Feb 2010 #permalink