16bitheretic wrote:The list things are useful, trying to casually browse here to get caught up is impossible.
I find the CFI/FTB/Skepchick to be more of the same old shit witch-hunting. It's practically cliche at this stage.
I'm quite intrigued by American Atheists getting sued by AJ after Silverman actually dared to categorize this very forum as full of KKK-esque people promoting rape and death threats. It's amusing how people that get wrapped up in supporting the worst elements of the professional atheist and skeptic blogging/conference scene get caught in the most embarassing of situations. I love all that outrage attacking AA for their potential treatment of a woman from an ethnic minority possibly being discriminated against, the pitchforks should be up and the torches ready any minut......um, any minute now? Hmmmmm......
Welsome back!
What's happened in the past few months?
As you might guess, much of the same, but there are perhaps a few highlights.
First, Michael Nugent, a previously decent person, unfortunately began to transition into an Adam Lee.
He wrote a blog post listing 50 terrible things the slymepit has done (all unlinked, taken out of context, or even not originally from the slymepit at all!) and demanded Vacula denounce them (I'm beginning to see a pattern to Silveman's move.)
It was pointed out to Nugent that his own Irish Atheist forum had far worse material present (sexist, racist, rape jokes etc) to which Nugent, to his credit, didn't do the baboon move of ignoring. Instead he thanked the person who posted that material on his site - promptly setting off a fit of rage in the baboons.
Nugent tried one more time to shame the slymepit by linking to a crappy photoshop that some troll had posted of Ophelia's head stuck on a naked old womans body (it was quickly deleted here but Nugent (or more likely, one of his FTB allies) managed to capture a link
and post it on his site.
Ophelia was not pleased.
There followed another round of more racist/sexist stuff from the Irish Atheists being posted on Nugent's site. More embarrassed thanking from him, and more rage from Ophelia and chums.
Nugent then decided that playing FTBs battle general wasn't working and decided to play peacemaker.
He set up a 'dialogue' process that eventually consisted of several mostly pitters on one side versus the FTB side - represented by Steph Svan.
It was a painfully drawn-out procedure, never really getting into the real reasons for the conflict, but it is important to note that it was done in a polite and non-aggressive way from the pit side. Svan acted as you might expect.
The biggest result from this process seems to have been that Svan's interactions with the chair of the 'pit' team seems to have convinced her that Skep tickle needed to be dealt with.
The way she was dealt with is through Ophelia Benson doxxing her in the standard Ophelia way - revealing enough of the target's name that her rabid commenters figure out the rest of the details and piece it together on her site.
That move - doxxing a target - prompted PZ to change his rules so that he will now take up a pro doxxing position. Anyone he considers a harrasser is fair game for doxxing (translation: anyone who disagrees with him.)
Svan and Benson also wrote a posts that strongly suggested they feel justified in applying that policy.
And that move prompted many other bloggers to reiterate that doxxing is bad for the safety of commenters and is using an indirect threat of violence to silence the voices of those who may have legitimate criticisms.
OK, have I missed anything?
Oh yes, Vacula.
You've heard the Silverman Brave Hero interview (terrible performance by both participants - Vacula, a word of advice, it's OK to say 'I condemn anyone who issues a rape threat'. Your refusal to do that allowed Silverman the opportunity to rub those accusations in your face and prevented you from having a serious grounding to demand Silverman condemn the crap on Pharyngula)
What you've probably missed was Vacula (and Karla Porter) going to WISC2.
Prior to the conference they were portrayed by the baboons almost like the Manson family and yet they went, behaved themselves, and did a good job of live tweeting the conference proceedings.
All the expected outrage and claims of harrassment were deflected by the arrival of a new shiny target - Ron
Jeremy errr Lindsay.
He gave an opening speech that mentioned that the privilege argument can be used to silence cetain groups from engaging in legitimate debate, prompting claims that since he was saying that as a privileged old white man he should just shut up and listen.
There was a huge FTB/Skepchick/Marcotte attempt at a coup-d'etat - and promises from Marcotte to withdraw from the secular movement if he didn't.
Well, needless to say he didn't resign (and neither did Marcotte follow with her promised withdrawal - fucking tease!)
Vacula is now about to go to the 'Irish Empowering Women Through Secularism' conference, organized by Nugent, with invited empowered women speakers, Ophelia, Watson and errr Peezus?)
Karla won't be there to babysit him so we can expect him to do his usual foot-in-the-mouth procedure to give the baboons some more drama for blog hits.
By the way, the Irish conference is in the Elevatorgate hotel.
Vacula has been ordered to get photos of the 'Elevator of Hell'.
Have I missed anything?