If thou gazest long into the Pit, the Pit will also gaze into thee

Mykeru wrote:

Gumby wrote:

welch wrote:

justinvacula wrote:Many have asked whether I would be attending TAM and have also encouraged me to attend TAM.

I've evaluated my options and explored what the costs would be if I were to start a low-estimate fundraiser which would assist in my attendance. I'd be interested -- once again -- in seeking interviews, live-tweeting, and providing some of the first liveradio reporting via Brave Hero Radio. I also would provide various additional perks to donors. The fundraiser goal would be the same as the goal I had set for #WIScfi.

Here are the results:

Estimated costs:
Registration - $375
Hotel - $360
Flight - $511
Food and misc. expenses - $150
Fundraising cut of 4 to 8%

Total: $1500

Thoughts?

Send someone else. Like Mykeru!

No shit.

Justin is getting addicted to the teat, and his using a completely vague assertion like "many people told me they want me to go to TAM" as an excuse for him to stick his hand out yet again and expect others to fill it up with cash is galling and repugnant to me. What exactly is to be gained by sending a charity case like Justin to con after con? All it does is let Justin pad his atheoskeptic CV on other peoples' dime. Fuck that.

Now Mykeru going, on the other hand, is a great idea. Any dolt can live tweet from a con. Mykeru would actually do something useful and entertaining.

I would need a couple grand extra to buy a really good HD flash memory camera.

Hey this is fun!

Garlic wrote:

Mykeru wrote:

Gumby wrote:

welch wrote:

justinvacula wrote:Many have asked whether I would be attending TAM and have also encouraged me to attend TAM.

I've evaluated my options and explored what the costs would be if I were to start a low-estimate fundraiser which would assist in my attendance. I'd be interested -- once again -- in seeking interviews, live-tweeting, and providing some of the first liveradio reporting via Brave Hero Radio. I also would provide various additional perks to donors. The fundraiser goal would be the same as the goal I had set for #WIScfi.

Here are the results:

Estimated costs:
Registration - $375
Hotel - $360
Flight - $511
Food and misc. expenses - $150
Fundraising cut of 4 to 8%

Total: $1500

Thoughts?

Send someone else. Like Mykeru!

No shit.

Justin is getting addicted to the teat, and his using a completely vague assertion like "many people told me they want me to go to TAM" as an excuse for him to stick his hand out yet again and expect others to fill it up with cash is galling and repugnant to me. What exactly is to be gained by sending a charity case like Justin to con after con? All it does is let Justin pad his atheoskeptic CV on other peoples' dime. Fuck that.

Now Mykeru going, on the other hand, is a great idea. Any dolt can live tweet from a con. Mykeru would actually do something useful and entertaining.

I would need a couple grand extra to buy a really good HD flash memory camera.

Hey this is fun!

So... #Vaculamustrenounce going to Dublin?

Gefan wrote:

sacha wrote:speaking of being a bit overweight, and I realise I have a dreadful double standard between men and women, Hitch (most certainly) and Gandolfini were quite sexy. I haven't a problem with their extra weight, it does not faze me.

Everyone's entitled to their choice of what they find attractive. I'm even fine with you acting on it as long as everyone's a consenting adult.
The double standard seems to kick in around the demands of the McEwans of the world that we all pretend we find them alluring. Fat guys don't do that. They own their bulk and don't seem to give a shit what the rest of us think about it.
I don't have an interest in anyone's weight unless, maybe, they sit next to me on a plane. I used to think fatties were a drain on the healthcare system but someone here pointed out they tend to die early and actually cost the system less. I looked into that claim and found the evidence to be persuasive.
As an aside, my ex-wife was into Gandolfini too. Maybe that's what doomed the marriage - I wasn't a fat Guido.

On reflection, that was probably a long way down the list of causes.

Tribble wrote: And what's this about? Is there an actual warrant? Or is it a threat that one will be filed if Myers shows up?

Garlic wrote:

Mykeru wrote:

Gumby wrote:

welch wrote:

justinvacula wrote:Many have asked whether I would be attending TAM and have also encouraged me to attend TAM.

I've evaluated my options and explored what the costs would be if I were to start a low-estimate fundraiser which would assist in my attendance. I'd be interested -- once again -- in seeking interviews, live-tweeting, and providing some of the first liveradio reporting via Brave Hero Radio. I also would provide various additional perks to donors. The fundraiser goal would be the same as the goal I had set for #WIScfi.

Here are the results:

Estimated costs:
Registration - $375
Hotel - $360
Flight - $511
Food and misc. expenses - $150
Fundraising cut of 4 to 8%

Total: $1500

Thoughts?

Send someone else. Like Mykeru!

No shit.

Justin is getting addicted to the teat, and his using a completely vague assertion like "many people told me they want me to go to TAM" as an excuse for him to stick his hand out yet again and expect others to fill it up with cash is galling and repugnant to me. What exactly is to be gained by sending a charity case like Justin to con after con? All it does is let Justin pad his atheoskeptic CV on other peoples' dime. Fuck that.

Now Mykeru going, on the other hand, is a great idea. Any dolt can live tweet from a con. Mykeru would actually do something useful and entertaining.

I would need a couple grand extra to buy a really good HD flash memory camera.

Hey this is fun!

So... #Vaculamustrenounce going to Dublin?

Tony Parsehole wrote:If I was a troll like Pogsurf I'd send dodgy letters out to all the usual suspects with somebody elses name, phone number and address attached, preferably somebody who I know would react with an equal amount of venom and spite or somebody who you just don't generally want to mess with, and watch the baboons get mired in a two-way shit-storm all the while cackling manically at my master skills of manipulation and deceit.

Did not one person over there think that's what Pogsurf might actually be doing?

Gumby wrote: Justin is getting addicted to the teat, and his using a completely vague assertion like "many people told me they want me to go to TAM" as an excuse for him to stick his hand out yet again and expect others to fill it up with cash is galling and repugnant to me. What exactly is to be gained by sending a charity case like Justin to con after con? All it does is let Justin pad his atheoskeptic CV on other peoples' dime. Fuck that.

Now Mykeru going, on the other hand, is a great idea. Any dolt can live tweet from a con. Mykeru would actually do something useful and entertaining.

justinvacula wrote:Many have asked whether I would be attending TAM and have also encouraged me to attend TAM.

I've evaluated my options and explored what the costs would be if I were to start a low-estimate fundraiser which would assist in my attendance. I'd be interested -- once again -- in seeking interviews, live-tweeting, and providing some of the first liveradio reporting via Brave Hero Radio. I also would provide various additional perks to donors. The fundraiser goal would be the same as the goal I had set for #WIScfi.

Here are the results:

Estimated costs:
Registration - $375
Hotel - $360
Flight - $511
Food and misc. expenses - $150
Fundraising cut of 4 to 8%

Total: $1500

Thoughts?

Ah, who am I kidding. They are all fawning over their little in-group alpha male. If he dropped out of their equation, I suspect the radicalization of FtB would quickly disentagrate, and all that would realistically be left would be Rebecca Watson & her skepchick fans.

Tony Parsehole wrote:If I was a troll like Pogsurf I'd send dodgy letters out to all the usual suspects with somebody elses name, phone number and address attached, preferably somebody who I know would react with an equal amount of venom and spite or somebody who you just don't generally want to mess with, and watch the baboons get mired in a two-way shit-storm all the while cackling manically at my master skills of manipulation and deceit.

Did not one person over there think that's what Pogsurf might actually be doing?

Dick Strawkins wrote:

Hunt wrote:

Steersman wrote: Now, of course, I could be off base somewhat on the interpretation of the sense of humour that is applicable there. But it seems unless you can demonstrate or provide some justification why something similar to that is not possible, I kind of think you have conclude that his comment wasn’t any kind of an insult, and that the charge of hypocrisy has to be dismissed.

What diminishes the charge of hypocrisy more than anything in the joke per se is passage of time. It's hard to level a charge of hypocrisy when the act and the charge are separated by a number of years and the person's philosophy might have changed. So I have to generally disagree with the conversation, the object here isn't to point out hypocrisy, it's to embarrass. It's a tit for tat thing, since it's just the type of thing that Myers would do to someone else.

That it would constitute hypocrisy if uttered by him today I think is self evident. It has nothing to do with its joking nature and everything to do with how Myers himself would interpret a similar thing, spoken by someone else. He would condemn it as misogynistic. Is there really any doubt about that?

I don't think that that is steersman's argument.
I think he is simply suggesting that we should interpret Myers words in the most charitable light we can.

As for the question of the passage of time argument, that only applies if we are talking about a situation where someone has claimed they have a new way of thinking. Does that really apply here?

As far as I can see Myers doesn't claim to be a new convert to feminism. He's not (publicly claiming to be) like the artist of sinfest who seems to have changed to a sex negative radfem outlook almost overnight. He claims to be a long time feminist, and his rules about splash damage are there to point out timeless 'facts' about the potential damage of gendered and ableist insults.
Has he ever once admitted that he frequently used misogynistic language in the past and has now changed the way he talks?

As for the 'charitable light' question we face the dilemma that Myers has no choice but to interpret his opponents in the worst possible light (for example calling Ed Clint a rapist on skepchick) and likewise freaking our when the same standard is applied to him or his allies. Any right of him being seen in a positive light disappeared when he started comparing us to Marc Lepine and Stormfront.

Gumby wrote:
No, but he needs to grow up and realize that he needs to start paying his own way, like the adults do.

Continually expecting others to fund your jetting to cons all over the map, for accomplishing nothing in return, is what useless parasites like PZ, Greta, Rebecca and Ophelia do.

Percentage wrote:

Ah, who am I kidding. They are all fawning over their little in-group alpha male. If he dropped out of their equation, I suspect the radicalization of FtB would quickly disentagrate, and all that would realistically be left would be Rebecca Watson & her skepchick fans.

I'm not sure I totally agree with this, but it is interesting to contemplate what would happen if Myers dropped out of the community for whatever reason. He is definitely their lynchpin to a dangerous extent- that is, he singlehandedly gives them a much louder voice than they would otherwise have.

The number two is obviously Watson, and she definitely has her own cadre of sycophants, but she just doesn't have the legitimacy that Myers does. Watson's weakness is that this SJW crap is really her only claim to fame; fairly or not, a lot of people sort of perceive her as a one-trick pony. PZ is a credentialed scientist, he's known for his intelligent and informative posts on biology, he's been a major contributor to anti-creationist efforts; bascially, he was a big name before Elevatorgate. Watson is notable mostly by chance and the fact that Myers supports her.

Although at the same time, the SJW train has left the station at this point. People are into the idea, and they would rally even without their Maximum Leader. So I think that if Myers dropped out, it would be roughly akin to cutting the head off of something that could grow it back.

Lsuoma wrote:

Tribble wrote:

BarnOwl wrote:

katamari Damassi wrote:Really, really bored with this hammering with a screwdriver discussion.
New topic! What do people think about the American Medical Association declaring obesity to be a disease?
McEwan at Shakesville declares it "eliminationist', so are we going to see US government fat camps? On the plus side, think of all the soap and lampshades they could make.

WTF is eliminationism? Does it involve laxatives?

One of the minor consequences of increasing obesity in the US is that there are fewer cadavers available for medical education and research. Can't use bodies that won't fit in the tanks. Some are already so heavy that it's difficult to push down the levers to raise the platform they're on within the tank.

My oldest daughter is in her MS for Occupational Therapy and just finished up gross anatomy this spring semester. She had a really fat male cadaver as one of the cadavers she had to dissect.

She said it was incredibly difficult to work with it was so heavy and there were no men on her team so moving the cadaver around on the table was difficult due to the weight. Plus the fat was constantly in the way and they had to scoop it out of the body cavity to get to the organs they looking for. And during all this the tissue disposal bucket would fill up quickly and they'd have to empty it instead of dissecting...

She wasn't very happy about it.

Fat old white dudes oppress women even when they're dead! Misogyny!!!

ReneeHendricks wrote:Anyone read Crommunist's bit on "Witch of the Week/Witch Hunts" (post is called Abused meme roundup: “Witch Hunts”)?

Freezepage: http://www.freezepage.com/1371739236DJIYUVFNTT

It's a very, very long bit of 'splaining. Whatever would we do without people like Crommunist informing us of the true meaning of "witch hunt"?

So when you want to use the “witch hunt” example to describe a thing you object to, you should be able to demonstrate two things: that the subject of the censure is, in fact, being treated like a ‘witch’, and is being threatened with ‘fire’. In the absence of either of those elements, your accusation is specious.

Lsuoma wrote:
http://www.panoramio.com/photo_explorer ... er=1677938

Voryn wrote:http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wwjtd/2013 ... supported/

JT has a very long post up about the CFI Kerfluffle. I'm not done reading it yet, but I've learned that Vacula is our cruel-hearted chieftain. JT has spent a good amount of the post covering his ass by saying how evil we all are. What I find really interesting is that JT and Justin are actually a lot more alike than they realize, but on different sides of the spectrum, and that includes the fact that Vacula is far less hardcore/angry. Anyway, it's a bit amusing how much he has to say he hates us, we'll see if that works in his favor..

Hail Chieftain Vacula!!(?)

Voryn wrote:http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wwjtd/2013 ... supported/

JT has a very long post up about the CFI Kerfluffle. I'm not done reading it yet, but I've learned that Vacula is our cruel-hearted chieftain. JT has spent a good amount of the post covering his ass by saying how evil we all are. What I find really interesting is that JT and Justin are actually a lot more alike than they realize, but on different sides of the spectrum, and that includes the fact that Vacula is far less hardcore/angry. Anyway, it's a bit amusing how much he has to say he hates us, we'll see if that works in his favor..

Hail Chieftain Vacula!!(?)

I also think that most of the people who inhabit the slymepit are, well, slime. I read some of their comments upon my engagement and it was elementary school rage at a social enemy’s happiness all over again. I have no love for that group. Chief among them is Justin Vacula who I consider to be one of the most childish, obtuse, and despicable atheists on the planet. He’s a cruel person and I don’t like him. I’m not here to defend Justin Vacula or his ilk.

ReneeHendricks wrote:Anyone read Crommunist's bit on "Witch of the Week/Witch Hunts" (post is called Abused meme roundup: “Witch Hunts”)?

Freezepage: http://www.freezepage.com/1371739236DJIYUVFNTT

It's a very, very long bit of 'splaining. Whatever would we do without people like Crommunist informing us of the true meaning of "witch hunt"?

Gefan wrote:

Zenspace wrote:
Not boring at all to me, but I think I may have just heard Steersman's head hitting his desk. :lol:

The good news - I'm actually familiar with about 90% of what you provided above, so we are on pretty solid ground between us. I've seen first hand the effects here in the US of oil prices and your figures are spot on. Once the local price at the pump hits $4 a gallon the economy cycles downward again, so yes - we have already hit the upper limit of the oil/economy relationship. Right now we are locally at $3.75 per gallon and are kind of in the top functional slot of economic cruise control. Global competition for the limited resource is in a fixed feedback loop now and will only get worse, so this window is certainly not an open ended condition.

How about this: lets side-step the boring numbers part as it appears we may not need to drag everyone else down with that part. Instead, lets go right into short-term speculation and maybe others can join in. With that in mind:

Given the geographical location of the primary fossil fuel assets outside of the territories of the greatest consumers (primarily USofA and China - both of whose economies are irretrievably intermingled and cannot function without said fuels), how do you see the global scenario playing out in the near future, say the next decade or two?

The global is system is far too complex for speculation on an overall outcome to be meaningful. If I could do that kind of thing I'd have shorted the right stocks and be on my own private island by now. I actually saw the housing crash coming in the US but didn't have the capital (or the balls) to cash in (for an excellent read on those who did see Michael Lewis' "The Big Short").
There are a few things that seem fairly easily predictable, however.

1. Globalization is fucked. It's dependent on low transportation costs. I was involved for the last six years in setting up and managing a production operation in Vietnam (and am still stuck consulting for it part-time). The effect of oil prices on our cost-structure is significant and I have a reasonably good idea of the number where the whole operation goes tits up.

2.Some people say great, it brings the jobs back home.
2(a). These people are idiots.

3.The big oil producers are in great shape. They're going to be awash in cash and they'll run out last. A country's oil exports drop much faster than its production. The influx of cash drives domestic growth that drives domestic consumption (Russia's about to become the biggest car buyer in Europe).
3(a). The new divide in the world will be between oil importers and oil exporters.

4. Russia's in good shape. It probably does fairly well out of climate change and no-one can fuck with it militarily (this makes a certain segment of the US political elite apoplectically angry which, in turn, tends to make the Russians amused).

Dick Strawkins wrote:

Voryn wrote:http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wwjtd/2013 ... supported/

JT has a very long post up about the CFI Kerfluffle. I'm not done reading it yet, but I've learned that Vacula is our cruel-hearted chieftain. JT has spent a good amount of the post covering his ass by saying how evil we all are. What I find really interesting is that JT and Justin are actually a lot more alike than they realize, but on different sides of the spectrum, and that includes the fact that Vacula is far less hardcore/angry. Anyway, it's a bit amusing how much he has to say he hates us, we'll see if that works in his favor..

Hail Chieftain Vacula!!(?)

:lol:

I also think that most of the people who inhabit the slymepit are, well, slime. I read some of their comments upon my engagement and it was elementary school rage at a social enemy’s happiness all over again. I have no love for that group. Chief among them is Justin Vacula who I consider to be one of the most childish, obtuse, and despicable atheists on the planet. He’s a cruel person and I don’t like him. I’m not here to defend Justin Vacula or his ilk.

I'm no ilk of Vacula! :hand:

That whole post was hilarious.
Justin Vacula is the most despicable person in all of atheism?
Stalin and Pol Pot anyone?

What a maroon! :D

ReneeHendricks wrote:Continuing with picture of steep hills, here's my contribution. E. Roy Street in Seattle, WA. From 25th to 26th street, it is suppose to have a 21% slope:

eroystseattle.JPG

Gumby wrote:

ReneeHendricks wrote:Anyone read Crommunist's bit on "Witch of the Week/Witch Hunts" (post is called Abused meme roundup: “Witch Hunts”)?

Freezepage: http://www.freezepage.com/1371739236DJIYUVFNTT

It's a very, very long bit of 'splaining. Whatever would we do without people like Crommunist informing us of the true meaning of "witch hunt"?

Well, you know how it is. Anything that casts the baboons in an unfavorable light must be redefined so they are no longer cast in that unfavorable light.

You'd think a bunch of proud liberals would be a little more aware of Orwell's lessons, but nooooo...

Dick Strawkins wrote: I don't think so.
Without PZ Myers pushing things this whole mess would never have begun.
If he disappeared now who is left?

Marcotte? She's always been on the periphery.
Svan? She is no leader and thinks she's far smarter than reality suggests.
Ophelia? She will slink off back to those she's stabbed in the back, hoping they've forgotten her treachery.
Greta Christina - back to porn (shudder :| )
Rebecca Watson? Sink without trace. There is nothing behind the mask.

PZ is key to everything that has happened in the past two years.

So when you want to use the “witch hunt” example to describe a thing you object to, you should be able to demonstrate two things: that the subject of the censure is, in fact, being treated like a ‘witch’, and is being threatened with ‘fire’. In the absence of either of those elements, your accusation is specious.

Dick Strawkins wrote: :lol:

I also think that most of the people who inhabit the slymepit are, well, slime. I read some of their comments upon my engagement and it was elementary school rage at a social enemy’s happiness all over again. I have no love for that group. Chief among them is Justin Vacula who I consider to be one of the most childish, obtuse, and despicable atheists on the planet. He’s a cruel person and I don’t like him. I’m not here to defend Justin Vacula or his ilk.

I'm no ilk of Vacula! :hand:

Kareem wrote:

Tony Parsehole wrote:If I was a troll like Pogsurf I'd send dodgy letters out to all the usual suspects with somebody elses name, phone number and address attached, preferably somebody who I know would react with an equal amount of venom and spite or somebody who you just don't generally want to mess with, and watch the baboons get mired in a two-way shit-storm all the while cackling manically at my master skills of manipulation and deceit.

Did not one person over there think that's what Pogsurf might actually be doing?

Which is the danger with Doxxing. This should have been made clear when Spike Lee tried to Dox George Zimmerman or when Laden tried to Dox Mykeru. No matter what you think of the person, you're potentially opening up someone to harassment, someone who may not even know you.

Gefan wrote:

Gumby wrote:
No, but he needs to grow up and realize that he needs to start paying his own way, like the adults do.

Continually expecting others to fund your jetting to cons all over the map, for accomplishing nothing in return, is what useless parasites like PZ, Greta, Rebecca and Ophelia do.

I guess it doesn't bother me because the I find the allure of a long-ish commercial flight to attend a weekend of baboon shit-flinging to be decidedly elusive.
If someone offered to send me I'd wonder what I'd done to make them that pissed off.

Dick Strawkins wrote:

ReneeHendricks wrote:Anyone read Crommunist's bit on "Witch of the Week/Witch Hunts" (post is called Abused meme roundup: “Witch Hunts”)?

Freezepage: http://www.freezepage.com/1371739236DJIYUVFNTT

It's a very, very long bit of 'splaining. Whatever would we do without people like Crommunist informing us of the true meaning of "witch hunt"?

It's also quite, quite stupid.

So when you want to use the “witch hunt” example to describe a thing you object to, you should be able to demonstrate two things: that the subject of the censure is, in fact, being treated like a ‘witch’, and is being threatened with ‘fire’. In the absence of either of those elements, your accusation is specious.

Voryn wrote:http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wwjtd/2013 ... supported/

JT has a very long post up about the CFI Kerfluffle. I'm not done reading it yet, but I've learned that Vacula is our cruel-hearted chieftain. JT has spent a good amount of the post covering his ass by saying how evil we all are. What I find really interesting is that JT and Justin are actually a lot more alike than they realize, but on different sides of the spectrum, and that includes the fact that Vacula is far less hardcore/angry. Anyway, it's a bit amusing how much he has to say he hates us, we'll see if that works in his favor..

Hail Chieftain Vacula!!(?)

Dick Strawkins wrote:

Voryn wrote:http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wwjtd/2013 ... supported/

JT has a very long post up about the CFI Kerfluffle. I'm not done reading it yet, but I've learned that Vacula is our cruel-hearted chieftain. JT has spent a good amount of the post covering his ass by saying how evil we all are. What I find really interesting is that JT and Justin are actually a lot more alike than they realize, but on different sides of the spectrum, and that includes the fact that Vacula is far less hardcore/angry. Anyway, it's a bit amusing how much he has to say he hates us, we'll see if that works in his favor..

Hail Chieftain Vacula!!(?)

:lol:

I also think that most of the people who inhabit the slymepit are, well, slime. I read some of their comments upon my engagement and it was elementary school rage at a social enemy’s happiness all over again. I have no love for that group. Chief among them is Justin Vacula who I consider to be one of the most childish, obtuse, and despicable atheists on the planet. He’s a cruel person and I don’t like him. I’m not here to defend Justin Vacula or his ilk.

I'm no ilk of Vacula! :hand:

That whole post was hilarious.
Justin Vacula is the most despicable person in all of atheism?
Stalin and Pol Pot anyone?

What a maroon! :D

welch wrote:

Voryn wrote:http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wwjtd/2013 ... supported/

JT has a very long post up about the CFI Kerfluffle. I'm not done reading it yet, but I've learned that Vacula is our cruel-hearted chieftain. JT has spent a good amount of the post covering his ass by saying how evil we all are. What I find really interesting is that JT and Justin are actually a lot more alike than they realize, but on different sides of the spectrum, and that includes the fact that Vacula is far less hardcore/angry. Anyway, it's a bit amusing how much he has to say he hates us, we'll see if that works in his favor..

Hail Chieftain Vacula!!(?)

Blah, blah, blah, I write like oolon only worse, blah, blah, blah.

Can any of those fucksticks other than Myers get to the point in under a chapter? Hell, even Steersman isn't that longwinded. That may be why Myers is their leader, he's the only one who can make a point before people start stabbing themselves to make it end.

Remick wrote:

Dick Strawkins wrote:

Voryn wrote:http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wwjtd/2013 ... supported/

JT has a very long post up about the CFI Kerfluffle. I'm not done reading it yet, but I've learned that Vacula is our cruel-hearted chieftain. JT has spent a good amount of the post covering his ass by saying how evil we all are. What I find really interesting is that JT and Justin are actually a lot more alike than they realize, but on different sides of the spectrum, and that includes the fact that Vacula is far less hardcore/angry. Anyway, it's a bit amusing how much he has to say he hates us, we'll see if that works in his favor..

Hail Chieftain Vacula!!(?)

:lol:

I also think that most of the people who inhabit the slymepit are, well, slime. I read some of their comments upon my engagement and it was elementary school rage at a social enemy’s happiness all over again. I have no love for that group. Chief among them is Justin Vacula who I consider to be one of the most childish, obtuse, and despicable atheists on the planet. He’s a cruel person and I don’t like him. I’m not here to defend Justin Vacula or his ilk.

I'm no ilk of Vacula! :hand:

That whole post was hilarious.
Justin Vacula is the most despicable person in all of atheism?
Stalin and Pol Pot anyone?

What a maroon! :D

I don't agree with all of it, but Justin is certainly Childish and obtuse.

Mykeru wrote:

Gumby wrote:

Mykeru wrote:

welch wrote:

justinvacula wrote:Many have asked whether I would be attending TAM and have also encouraged me to attend TAM.

I've evaluated my options and explored what the costs would be if I were to start a low-estimate fundraiser which would assist in my attendance. I'd be interested -- once again -- in seeking interviews, live-tweeting, and providing some of the first liveradio reporting via Brave Hero Radio. I also would provide various additional perks to donors. The fundraiser goal would be the same as the goal I had set for #WIScfi.

Here are the results:

Estimated costs:
Registration - $375
Hotel - $360
Flight - $511
Food and misc. expenses - $150
Fundraising cut of 4 to 8%

Total: $1500

Thoughts?

Send someone else. Like Mykeru!

Thoughts? This is why you don't feed strays. I'm just waiting for someone to claim the best way to annoy Cancun is to send The Stache there.

Ding ding ding!

Also, I will need a small powerful laptop to edit and upload on the fly.

And, I might add, hookers don't pay for themselves.

Remick wrote:I don't think Justin is a bad guy, I just figured he wouldn't keep making the same stupid mistakes by now. Since he hasn't seemed to figure it out really, I would prefer he shut the fuck up publicly, maybe take a fucking debate class, SOMETHING to learn how to not fall for so many obvious traps before he continues to keep such a public profile.

Mykeru wrote:

Kareem wrote:

Tony Parsehole wrote:If I was a troll like Pogsurf I'd send dodgy letters out to all the usual suspects with somebody elses name, phone number and address attached, preferably somebody who I know would react with an equal amount of venom and spite or somebody who you just don't generally want to mess with, and watch the baboons get mired in a two-way shit-storm all the while cackling manically at my master skills of manipulation and deceit.

Did not one person over there think that's what Pogsurf might actually be doing?

Which is the danger with Doxxing. This should have been made clear when Spike Lee tried to Dox George Zimmerman or when Laden tried to Dox Mykeru. No matter what you think of the person, you're potentially opening up someone to harassment, someone who may not even know you.

I have guns. I got me a Mossberg. I got me an M1 carbine. I got me a Springfield Armory 1911A1 Mil Spec .45 ACP. I instruct fat preppers in long knife and tomahawk because I read a book once. and if I run out of bullets in my bug out bag I got me a (modern) Damascus steel sword. I am a muscular guy and I kick ass generally.

Honestly if I couldn't get the right wingers to make good on their threats, what good are threats from Greg Laden?

People totally over play the idea of doxing as a threat. Mostly the purpose is to be annoying.

And to disappoint me

Remick wrote:I don't think Justin is a bad guy, I just figured he wouldn't keep making the same stupid mistakes by now. Since he hasn't seemed to figure it out really, I would prefer he shut the fuck up publicly, maybe take a fucking debate class, SOMETHING to learn how to not fall for so many obvious traps before he continues to keep such a public profile.

It is a simple problem really. Most people know fuck all of about skepchic, they just know Rebecca Watson, Most people don't know fuck all about FTB, but they might have some awareness of PZ myers. Most people don't know fuck all about the slymepit, but the baboons will be quick to point out something stupid Justin did or said and have it represent all of us. It sucks, and we can restate "no one represents the pit" but that doesn't make it true. We don't always get to decide that shit.

Whig wrote:

Mykeru wrote:

Gumby wrote:

Mykeru wrote:

welch wrote:

justinvacula wrote:Many have asked whether I would be attending TAM and have also encouraged me to attend TAM.

I've evaluated my options and explored what the costs would be if I were to start a low-estimate fundraiser which would assist in my attendance. I'd be interested -- once again -- in seeking interviews, live-tweeting, and providing some of the first liveradio reporting via Brave Hero Radio. I also would provide various additional perks to donors. The fundraiser goal would be the same as the goal I had set for #WIScfi.

Here are the results:

Estimated costs:
Registration - $375
Hotel - $360
Flight - $511
Food and misc. expenses - $150
Fundraising cut of 4 to 8%

Total: $1500

Thoughts?

Send someone else. Like Mykeru!

Thoughts? This is why you don't feed strays. I'm just waiting for someone to claim the best way to annoy Cancun is to send The Stache there.

Ding ding ding!

Also, I will need a small powerful laptop to edit and upload on the fly.

And, I might add, hookers don't pay for themselves.

It's Vegas so if you're asking for more than three grand for hookers you're just trying to take us for a ride.

Ericb wrote:PZ's book is supposed to be published in August. I don't know how Amazon moderates its review board but I doubt PZ will have any control over the page. The commentary there could prove to be interesting.

Mykeru wrote:

Gumby wrote:

Mykeru wrote:

welch wrote:

justinvacula wrote:Many have asked whether I would be attending TAM and have also encouraged me to attend TAM.

I've evaluated my options and explored what the costs would be if I were to start a low-estimate fundraiser which would assist in my attendance. I'd be interested -- once again -- in seeking interviews, live-tweeting, and providing some of the first liveradio reporting via Brave Hero Radio. I also would provide various additional perks to donors. The fundraiser goal would be the same as the goal I had set for #WIScfi.

Here are the results:

Estimated costs:
Registration - $375
Hotel - $360
Flight - $511
Food and misc. expenses - $150
Fundraising cut of 4 to 8%

Total: $1500

Thoughts?

Send someone else. Like Mykeru!

Thoughts? This is why you don't feed strays. I'm just waiting for someone to claim the best way to annoy Cancun is to send The Stache there.

Ding ding ding!

Also, I will need a small powerful laptop to edit and upload on the fly.

And, I might add, hookers don't pay for themselves.

Whig wrote:

Mykeru wrote:

Kareem wrote:

Tony Parsehole wrote:If I was a troll like Pogsurf I'd send dodgy letters out to all the usual suspects with somebody elses name, phone number and address attached, preferably somebody who I know would react with an equal amount of venom and spite or somebody who you just don't generally want to mess with, and watch the baboons get mired in a two-way shit-storm all the while cackling manically at my master skills of manipulation and deceit.

Did not one person over there think that's what Pogsurf might actually be doing?

Which is the danger with Doxxing. This should have been made clear when Spike Lee tried to Dox George Zimmerman or when Laden tried to Dox Mykeru. No matter what you think of the person, you're potentially opening up someone to harassment, someone who may not even know you.

I have guns. I got me a Mossberg. I got me an M1 carbine. I got me a Springfield Armory 1911A1 Mil Spec .45 ACP. I instruct fat preppers in long knife and tomahawk because I read a book once. and if I run out of bullets in my bug out bag I got me a (modern) Damascus steel sword. I am a muscular guy and I kick ass generally.

Honestly if I couldn't get the right wingers to make good on their threats, what good are threats from Greg Laden?

People totally over play the idea of doxing as a threat. Mostly the purpose is to be annoying.

And to disappoint me

How is the M1 carbine? It's been on my wishlist for years. I've only got a Mauser K98 at the moment and it kicks like the dickens.

Kareem wrote:

bhoytony wrote:

Scented Nectar wrote: Walking always brings the worry of leaks, especially when one of those mini-floods happen mid-step. Ugh.

Bullshit. As you've probably noticed I'm a bit of an expert on your "moon time" and ladies problems in general. I've seen all those adverts on the telly, so I know for a fact that when you've got the painters in the first thing you do is run out and start skateboarding/skydiving/bungee jumping.
If there's anything you need to know on the subject, just ask.

Where does a woman's blue liquid come from?
And why do they like yogurt so much?

Dave wrote:

Gumby wrote: Justin is getting addicted to the teat, and his using a completely vague assertion like "many people told me they want me to go to TAM" as an excuse for him to stick his hand out yet again and expect others to fill it up with cash is galling and repugnant to me. What exactly is to be gained by sending a charity case like Justin to con after con? All it does is let Justin pad his atheoskeptic CV on other peoples' dime. Fuck that.

Now Mykeru going, on the other hand, is a great idea. Any dolt can live tweet from a con. Mykeru would actually do something useful and entertaining.

Im not sure he would do anything useful, but it would certainly be entertaining.

Jonathan wrote:

Parody Accountant wrote:

Skep tickle wrote:

AndrewV69 wrote:Oh nearly forgot.

It took me 2 minutes to confirm that phone number for Pogsurf. He has not made much effort to hide his identity I have to say. Much less than our boy Anthony K apparently.

So, I doubt our boy Pogsurf is going to be too intimidated by being doxxed. ...

Follow up from Pogsurf, from his blog. Dude is playing hardball.

Reminder that he had mailed a letter to some or possibly all of the speakers for the upcoming Dublin conference, asking in quiz form which conference speaker made rape threats, apparently signing Pog's real name and giving his real phone number, as well as emailing PZ, who posted part of Pog's phone number & PZ's commentariat filled in missing details about how to find the rest of the phone # & other info).

Besides the 2 posts linked below, he's also got a couple of posts up "Cataloguing threats", seems to have concluded that PZ Myers is The One who has allowed threats to be published (though his research may still be proceeding)

June 18 post: http://pogsurf.blogspot.com/2013/06/cat ... rwork.html

He [Pogsurf] will mostly be sorting out his paperwork, so if you'd like to phone him at home, or on his mobile, during daylight hours, please feel free to do so.

PZ Myers is far to chicken to call himself, which is why he is trying to motivate his horde to harass Pogsurf.

An Garda Síochána* have already advised that should PZ attend Dublin 2013 he will be arrested under a EU-wide arrest warrant for 'inciting or coercing others to commit a felony'. Enjoy you conference from behind bars, PZ!

*Ireland's National Police Service

June 20 post: http://pogsurf.blogspot.com/2013/06/abusive-calls.html
Pogsurf claims he received 727 harassing phone calls on June 18th, and that:

All calls are now being auto-diverted to Scotland Yard's Anti-Harassment Unit, logged and monitored. Suspects are being interview by local police forces where appropriate.

:shock: :shock:

:popcorn:

I can't take his funny charts seriously, and I'm only familiar with US laws. How legit is this? Is he just having fun, or are the authorities literally planning to nab PZ?

Definitely a poe in my opinion. He's taking the piss.

Trophy wrote:

Remick wrote:I don't think Justin is a bad guy, I just figured he wouldn't keep making the same stupid mistakes by now. Since he hasn't seemed to figure it out really, I would prefer he shut the fuck up publicly, maybe take a fucking debate class, SOMETHING to learn how to not fall for so many obvious traps before he continues to keep such a public profile.

I used to criticize Justin harshly but after I heard his talk with David Silverman I changed my mind. Justin's best quality IMO is that he can keep cool even when attacked repeatedly. That's a really really important and valuable skill to have. The summary is that if the undecided listen to that interview, they will consider Justin the reasonable and the Silverman the clown/loudmouth.

I doubt many in the pit could do that. People said Mykeru should go to TAM but I doubt Mykeru can restrain himself that much.

ERV wrote:
Its exponentially bullshittier when a A†heist, who cares oh-so-more about homosexuals than EVERYONE ELSE (derp) does it.

Dick Strawkins wrote:

Remick wrote:I don't think Justin is a bad guy, I just figured he wouldn't keep making the same stupid mistakes by now. Since he hasn't seemed to figure it out really, I would prefer he shut the fuck up publicly, maybe take a fucking debate class, SOMETHING to learn how to not fall for so many obvious traps before he continues to keep such a public profile.

It is a simple problem really. Most people know fuck all of about skepchic, they just know Rebecca Watson, Most people don't know fuck all about FTB, but they might have some awareness of PZ myers. Most people don't know fuck all about the slymepit, but the baboons will be quick to point out something stupid Justin did or said and have it represent all of us. It sucks, and we can restate "no one represents the pit" but that doesn't make it true. We don't always get to decide that shit.

The worst true accusations about the slymepit are all associated with things that Vacula has himself done - doxxing Surly Amy, along with a photo of her apartment, writing an article for AVFM and speaking with them while failing to confront them over the really shitty things they do (i.e. their hit list), the constant pestering of Ophelia Benson by tweeting @her.
I agree than none of these things are particularly bad themselves but they only serve to give ammunition to his detractors.

Dick Strawkins wrote:

Remick wrote:I don't think Justin is a bad guy, I just figured he wouldn't keep making the same stupid mistakes by now. Since he hasn't seemed to figure it out really, I would prefer he shut the fuck up publicly, maybe take a fucking debate class, SOMETHING to learn how to not fall for so many obvious traps before he continues to keep such a public profile.

It is a simple problem really. Most people know fuck all of about skepchic, they just know Rebecca Watson, Most people don't know fuck all about FTB, but they might have some awareness of PZ myers. Most people don't know fuck all about the slymepit, but the baboons will be quick to point out something stupid Justin did or said and have it represent all of us. It sucks, and we can restate "no one represents the pit" but that doesn't make it true. We don't always get to decide that shit.

The worst true accusations about the slymepit are all associated with things that Vacula has himself done - doxxing Surly Amy, along with a photo of her apartment, writing an article for AVFM and speaking with them while failing to confront them over the really shitty things they do (i.e. their hit list), the constant pestering of Ophelia Benson by tweeting @her.
I agree than none of these things are particularly bad themselves but they only serve to give ammunition to his detractors.

ERV wrote:

Dick Strawkins wrote: :lol:

I also think that most of the people who inhabit the slymepit are, well, slime. I read some of their comments upon my engagement and it was elementary school rage at a social enemy’s happiness all over again. I have no love for that group. Chief among them is Justin Vacula who I consider to be one of the most childish, obtuse, and despicable atheists on the planet. He’s a cruel person and I don’t like him. I’m not here to defend Justin Vacula or his ilk.

I'm no ilk of Vacula! :hand:

First of all, TEY AHHH MAH ILK!

Secondly, I will be *happy* to bring up JTs 'engagement' again!

He is a nauseating attention whore who used a position of authority (his speaking platform) to make sure each and every non-heterosexual in the audience knew he was better than them. "LOOK AT ME! LOOK AT ME! LOOK AT ME GETTING MARRIED! LOL U CANT GET MARRIED, HOMOS! LOL REMEMBER THAT TIME I FUCKED A MARRIED WOMAN! SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE LOL U CANT GET MARRIED! LOL LOOK AT MEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! LOL IM DOING THIS IN MISSOURI, A STATE WHERE THEY HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AGAINST HOMO MARRIAGE! AND I CALL MYSELF AN 'ALLY" LOL! MEEEEEEEEEE! MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"

Ive said this for decades-- Its abominable that any heterosexual would get married (ie add value) to an institution that is not open to everyone. It is not an instance where exercising the unfair right helps those who dont have it (eg using my ability to vote to get others the right to vote). Its bullshit. And, marriage is a religious institution anyway. Why the fuck are atheists getting married, if not for the financial and legal benefits the contract provides, by the state (which homosexuals cannot have in many states in the US).

I think its bullshit when anyone does it.

Its exponentially bullshittier when a A†heist, who cares oh-so-more about homosexuals than EVERYONE ELSE (derp) does it.

cunt wrote:

Dick Strawkins wrote:

Remick wrote:I don't think Justin is a bad guy, I just figured he wouldn't keep making the same stupid mistakes by now. Since he hasn't seemed to figure it out really, I would prefer he shut the fuck up publicly, maybe take a fucking debate class, SOMETHING to learn how to not fall for so many obvious traps before he continues to keep such a public profile.

It is a simple problem really. Most people know fuck all of about skepchic, they just know Rebecca Watson, Most people don't know fuck all about FTB, but they might have some awareness of PZ myers. Most people don't know fuck all about the slymepit, but the baboons will be quick to point out something stupid Justin did or said and have it represent all of us. It sucks, and we can restate "no one represents the pit" but that doesn't make it true. We don't always get to decide that shit.

The worst true accusations about the slymepit are all associated with things that Vacula has himself done - doxxing Surly Amy, along with a photo of her apartment, writing an article for AVFM and speaking with them while failing to confront them over the really shitty things they do (i.e. their hit list), the constant pestering of Ophelia Benson by tweeting @her.
I agree than none of these things are particularly bad themselves but they only serve to give ammunition to his detractors.

Agreed and the most annoying thing about all that is that Justin, for the longest time, essentially just used the slymepit as a dumping ground for links about Justin.

I'll give him this though. Asking for $1500 for another conference just over 2 weeks after he got $3500 for Dublin proves without a doubt that he's sitting on balls the size of space-hoppers.