The historic and original "Welcome new posters! Introduce yourselves here!" thread

[Mr. Skinny]

No, it was this one.

:bs:

:p


Well, that one I can see. :D

[wollery]

:wackylaugh:

From a strictly philological point of view, I found the ironic one quite appropriate. Let alone that this board does not have a sarcastic smiley :DThat would be the rolleyes smiley, or my preferred one, the oldroll smiley. :oldroll:

[COLONEL]

Just wanted to say hi to every one and to say I look foward to joining in on the forums and I have a wierd, sick sense of humor at times

[~enigma~]

I guess you can consider this my introduction and my first post :)

[Tanstaafl]

Welcome COLONEL, we'll expect to see you in the humor section.

And hello to ~enigma~, though it's a little hard to get a read on you so far...

[~enigma~]

Welcome COLONEL, we'll expect to see you in the humor section.

And hello to ~enigma~, though it's a little hard to get a read on you so far...

That mystery I'm wrapped in does a good job of hiding me :)

[Kiyu Mayi]

Hello all.

I've been referred here and thought I might as well say hello since the board told me to. And you can never argue with a webpage, as far as I've learnt.

By the looks of it this place is a haven for discussion and not a sanitised nightmare, which is pretty delightful.

[Hutch]

Welcome kiyu mayi (that's a nice sounding name, rolls off the tongue quite welll) and as for the words...

By the looks of it this place is a haven for discussion and not a sanitised nightmare, which is pretty delightful.

I agree (I think). But beware the political threads...

[Porkpie Hat]

Hello all,

I'm a fellow WTC controlled demolition debunker who found your forum by complete accident and just had to stop in and say "thank you" to the many here who have made this site an invaluable resource in debunking the many theories that have popped up since that tradgic day in September of 2001.

My own background is in the fabrication industry and I am currently working as a contract inspector for various engineering and inspection companies overseeing the construction of projects related to the oil and gas sectors. I have a working knowledge of statically and cyclically loaded structures, pressure components and metallurgy and regularly deal with engineers of different disciplines (civil, structural, mechanical, thermal...).

I have yet to meet an engineer who believes any of the crap these woowoo's (now thats funny) spout and will be willing to assist in any way I can show these nutters for what they really are.

Thanks, Porkpie Hat

[Mojo]

Hello Porkpie Hat.

[RikkaP]

Hello!

I stumbled here from the frozen north. I joined up with this lot because I am an info junkie and I have seen references to this site on several of interweb trots. So I thought I would come on by and join the fun.

[RecoveringYuppy]

Hi, I'm a skeptic in Tucson and about to lose my TAM virginity in January. A mathematically inclined computer programmer. Biker, Hiker and theatre volunteer in my spare time.

[Mr. Skinny]

Welcome to the forum Colonel, enigma, Kiyu, Hutch, Porkpie Hat (a little dab'l do ya underneath there, Porkpie) (I'll explain later :)), Mojo, RikkaP, and RecoveringYuppy, and everyone else I've missed.

We're getting new members here so fast, I think we need to appoint an official welcoming committee. Ya know...sorta like Welcome Wagon was back in the 60's...someone to tell you which market had the best prices, and which hairdresser to go to...that sorta crap.

Anyhow, good to see all the new faces!

[wahrheit]

Second that

:jrefwelcome

[IceSage]

Greetings and Salutations!

I go by the internet alias of IceSage. I had never in my whole life heard of James Randi, until I was searching "psychics" on the site, YouTube. What I was looking for, was looking for a "live action" video of someone actually using "psychic" powers. Even though looking at a video wasn't going to amaze me that much or prove to me anything, since such things can obviously be faked in front of a camera, I still wanted to see such a thing before, as I don't get out much to magician shows and I'm certainly not going to pay money to see one either. Instead of getting actual videos of people trying to levitate something with their mind or some bull like that, what I found was clips of James Randi. I'm shocked that I've never heard of him before, although, I'm not that old either, and wasn't around to see media videos of him on news and general TV. I was truly inspired by a guy who FIRMLY believed to doubt ALL that was suggested as supernatural. Not only that, I was rather impressed with that fact of, not only did he not believe in any of it at all, but he KNEW and studied those tricks themselves. Usually, I really back away from people who are "closed" minded, but the way James Randi expresses and explains himself, it turns out to be the exact opposite, he's VERY open minded... All he needs is proof and to see it. I've read posts on the internet saying he's a "jerk" of the sorts, because he won't believe those who, truly believe themselves, that they have these abilities, or know certain things. I'm not quite sure how anyone could say such things, as since all James Randi wants is PROOF. The pattern seems to be that each time James Randi shoots someone down, they immediately say he's a con, and a fraud, simply dismissing everything people show him. This is very unreasonable, as how can someone who just wants actual EVIDENCE of something paranormal, be a "fraud." Naturally, someone like Mr. Randi is going to shoot down something that the "believer believes in" if it's not factually true. Amongst these people, I found an internet post about someone who tried to write Mr. Randi about clarifying the prize money. Apparently Randi and his associate couldn't give a clear, straight answer. Although, in that case, it seemed like the whole thing is a bit harsh... However... If someone does have paranormal powers and is interested in such a prize, they should go for it... Even if they're afraid the prize wont turn out to be real... Why exactly do they have to LOSE? Nothing. Only something to GAIN. If I had such an ability, and could demonstrate it, I don't care if I was being paid in ice cream... I'd just love to show the guy "wrong" and expose paranormal activity to the world... Especially in front of someone as popular and well known as Mr. Randi.

Anyway, I joined these forums, checked out the site, etc... Is because I personally wanted to go on a "hunt" to find proof of such things. Obviously, as a child I would believe in ghosts, and other such things. (And I'm not close minded to the idea that they DON'T exist.) However, one day I realized... "Hey, if ghosts exist... and I'm afraid of 'creepy areas with things that lurk in the shadows' then, why don't I prove to myself that they exist?" Up to this date, when I enter a "creepy area" (Dark basement, "haunted' house, etc) I'm not longer afraid of "what's there" because there ISN'T anything there. If there is, they should confront me! I take a liking to the show on the SCI-FI channel, called "Ghost Hunters." They actually try to expose ghosts... If they exist. Although, them and their friends who investigate on the show, do as well believe themselves that something exists... However, they're on a mission to PROVE it. It's all about the proof. I'm a very open minded person, however, just like Mr. Randi, I would also like to see some proof. People say Mr. Randi doesn't believe in ANYTHING supernatural and think he's close minded. From what I've seen, he's anything BUT close minded. He seems like the most open minded person there is. He gets letter from people saying "I can do _______" all the time, thus, opening his mind to giving some of these people some time to PROVE that they can do it. It's like me saying I'm above the drinking age, and someone saying I'm not. How can anyone believe you if you don't show proof?

Anyway, enough ramblings about my personal views about the fact that Mr. Randi is so awesome. I tend to write large paragraphs when somethings on my mind... And usually the first impressions count the most... or at least, that's what some people say.

I guess I should tell you a bit about me, eh? Well, I'm an artist and an animator of sorts (although, rather poorly.) I enjoy reading & writing stories. I also enjoy some of the other stuff around my age, like video games and electronics. Although, this is a forum filled with a bunch of skeptics, you'd be interested to know that most of my stories, art, and animation, and interests, are all blatantly related to Magic, Fantasy, Sci-fi, Myths and the Supernatural. However... unlike a lot of people, I can distinguish between what's real, and what's not.

Also, I saw a video on Mr. Randi saying, that he couldn't understand people's interest in things that do not exist. To answer that, the fascination of it all is that we're all looking for something more. Either that, or we would like to be entertained in some fashion. And to hope and dream that such things are possible, would be glorious if they actually ARE possible. I indeed would love to be able to move things with my mind, be able to predict the future, etc. However, sadly unlike myself, some people can't DISTINGUISH that it's fantasy! That can't make the judgment that it's fake, because the media and the constant new generations that come after us, are lead to believe that such things exist. Each person who comes from a religious family and practices such religion, turn out to be one of two things. One: They were raised to be like that, thus, they believe in whatever they were told, and in the future, such things don't seem so nonfactual because they believe nonfactual things themselves. Two: People forced into religion the most, become the MOST apparently aware people to the shams that exist.

I for one, am Agnostic/Borderline Atheist. I don't discount religions, nor do I actually believe in any of them either. The one thing I'm sure of is what's around me. I believe SOMETHING created all of... this. Animals, people, nature... Is all too complex and created too "perfectly" to have been random chance. Evolution takes part in it, but the RANDOM CHANCE that eyes exist, for us to see in accordance to light particles, and the fact that we breathe air to keep us... breathing. The need to ingest food to constantly stay alive and nourish our bodies, etc. That personally, to me, is too much for "random chance and evolution." THAT mystery is the only "ghost" that I chase after. But like Mr. Randi and others, I want to be able to face it, to prove it, without my own personal proof that I just explained.

Anyway, this has become well much more than an introductory post, but... I wanted to share some of my views, and compare them to others and the views of Mr. Randi, just to tell you a little bit about myself, and why I was so curious to visit these forums in the first place.

Before I stop typing though, I was wondering if Mr. Randi has made a commentary or article about such recent frauds similar to ones he's talked about in the past, like "John Edwards." People like him sadden me, because they give false hope. The only time I was ever interested in people like John Edwards, or psychics... Is to see if they and prove what they do is real, or just to simply be entertained. Because, that's all that really are, entertainment.

Thanks for reading my horribly long post. O_o
If you have any questions for me, just ask! I'd love to share views and opinions... cause that's what I came here for!

Edit:

P.S. I also wanted to give thanks to "Lisa" for helping me properly register and answering my questions. =D

[SkepticPunk]

Hello World?

[switchtech]

Welcome and Howdy Porkpie!


I have yet to meet an engineer who believes any of the crap these woowoo's (now thats funny) spout and will be willing to assist in any way I can show these nutters for what they really are.


Be prepared for a few of the WTC Conspiracy Theorists (CT) to run around in circles, never recognizing the truth slapping them in the face. Oh well, some you just have to abandon them in place.


And "Howdy Y'all" to all the other recent additions, too. Glad to see so many new folks.
:crowded:

:D

jbs

[Porkpie Hat]

Welcome and Howdy Porkpie!



Be prepared for a few of the WTC Conspiracy Theorists (CT) to run around in circles, never recognizing the truth slapping them in the face. Oh well, some you just have to abandon them in place.


And "Howdy Y'all" to all the other recent additions, too. Glad to see so many new folks.
:crowded:

:D

jbs
Thanks for the welcome and I should say that the main reason I have an interest in 911 is due to a brother-in-law who is a short order cook by day and demolition expert by night.

I personally am skeptical by nature and have had many run ins with CTers so I can understand what you're saying.

BTW, what's the deal Mr.Skinny?

[JonnyFive]

Hello Porkpie, and SkepticPunk.

Hey there IceSage, I like your verbosity.

[Mr. Skinny]

BTW, what's the deal Mr.Skinny?
Sorry for the mystery.

It's just that your user name reminded me of some lyrics from the song "Memphis in the Meantime" by John Hiatt:
I need a little shot of that rhythm baby
Mixed up with these country blues
I wanna trade in these ol country boots
For some fine italian shoes

Forget the mousse and the hairspray sugar
We dont need none of that
Just a little dab'll do ya girl
Underneath a pork pie hat

Until hell freezes over
Maybe you can wait that long
But I dont think Ronnie Milsap's gonna ever
Record this song

[Katana]

Thanks for the welcome and I should say that the main reason I have an interest in 911 is due to a brother-in-law who is a short order cook by day and demolition expert by night.

I personally am skeptical by nature and have had many run ins with CTers so I can understand what you're saying.

BTW, what's the deal Mr.Skinny?

Don't worry about his blather, Porkpie Hat (such a great name). He's harmless in a rather dorky way. :duck:

Hello, everyone!

We have some great names among the lot o' you.

[Porkpie Hat]

Don't worry about his blather, Porkpie Hat (such a great name). He's harmless in a rather dorky way. :duck:

Hello, everyone!

We have some great names among the lot o' you.
No worries. Thought that he might have a funny story about porkpie or something.

Thanks for the complement btw and the moniker is in reference to a tune by Charles Mingus called Goodbye Porkpie Hat.:)

[TheGreatNotchweed]

Hello everyone :)

[Katana]

Another excellent name.

A hearty welcome to TheGreatNotchweed!

[Mojo]

...the moniker is in reference to a tune by Charles Mingus called Goodbye Porkpie Hat.:)Hence my response.

Ah, Lester Young!

[Porkpie Hat]

Hence my response.

Ah, Lester Young!

Your speaking my language friend!

[TheGreatNotchweed]

Another excellent name.

A hearty welcome to TheGreatNotchweed!Thanks! Nice smilies you've got here :spnerd:

[LibraryLady]

I'm embarrassed that I haven't visited this thread in quite a while, but I see some great posts and newbies and welcome you all. I did want to ask ~enigma~ about that riddle, but I'll postpone that until later. ;)

Instead I will ask the standard questions I ask all the new members who post here.

Have you returned your library books?

and

What is your stand on budgies?

[diggergig]

Hullo, have finaly been accepted into the forum after my 24hr wait for the eye in the triangle to beam the thought-scan into my bedroom. As I have never had a bad thought, I got through, and here I am.

Look forward to posting...I also exist on the BP and PSC forums under the same name.

Cheers ears ((thanks, triangle-eye))

~d

[Vrana]

Hello folks,
My name is Richard and I'm a US expat teaching English in the Czech Republic (Vrana is Czech for crow).

These past few years I've been learning about critical thinking and skepticism. When I was younger I succumed to the woo woo of tarot, magic rocks and all that crap. Fortunately I kept questiong and I now live much more securely in relation to the world.

My current goal is to develop awarness and strategies to counter fallicious arguments that are commonplace (family, friends, at the water cooler). So, my questsions will focus on such things; if you've any suggested reading or websites I'll be happy to learn about them.

Glad to be here and I'm very glad for the JREF community. Keep up the good work.

Cheers,
Richard

[Esperdome]

Hullo, have finaly been accepted into the forum after my 24hr wait for the eye in the triangle to beam the thought-scan into my bedroom. As I have never had a bad thought, I got through, and here I am.

Look forward to posting...I also exist on the BP and PSC forums under the same name.

Cheers ears ((thanks, triangle-eye))

~d

Welcome, diggergig. I work for PSC (Philip Services Corp), and had no idea we have a forum. :D

Edited to add: I figured the guys at British Petroleum had a forum.

[Brainiac]

Hello everyone,

I'm glad I found my way to this forum. I've been a fairly active poster on a couple of local forums in the Kansas City area, but I've been looking for a forum with a larger user base and, frankly, more intelligent posters.

This looks like a great forum and I'm looking forward to participating.

[Hutch]

Welcome, vrana. I don't know if we have any current posters (save you) in Czech-land right now, but lots of Europeans.

Keep posting and discussing and you'll probably get recommendations for other sites that are good (not as good as here, of course, but good...) ;) :D

And welcome to you Brainiac (as in the English TV show or the Superman villian?). More intelligent posters...well, if you avoid the Politics section...:eek:

[wahrheit]

How come all the experienced posters are warning the newbies of the politics forum ;) :D



:welcome4

[hcmom]

How come all the experienced posters are warning the newbies of the politics forum ;) :D



:welcome4

So that they'll stick around long enough to become oldbies...

[hadalittlelamb]

Hello everyone,
I have no idea what to say but I must post, post, post!

I do not know what you would call my belief system and there isn't much there but the blinders fell off over 18 yrs ago and I know I'm not xan. I cannot understand how anyone really believes that stuff. I do miss the music, though---ok, I cheat and listen to/sing the music at Xmas :)

I homeschool my 6 year old son. No, we do not have a problem with socialization (there are secular homeschool groups). As a former high school math teacher my experiences as a teacher convinced me there was no other option. We have tons of fun! Yes, we do struggle on one income at times but we make it work.

Well, talk to you all later!

[Yamacraw]

I am not sure of a lot of things. I used to have lots of answers but don't anymore.

For my humble contribution I offer the following conversation starters to engage those who are right into "natural therapies" . I usually ask something like "Did you think something was up when they got you to paint circles on your stomach and bark at the moon? " There is of course the follow up question "When you are barking at the moon do you have to spin clockwise or is any way good enough?"

If I can pose one more cynical comment. I have no real opinion on evolution. But I have been around academics quite a lot. The process of becoming an academic seems to involve a progressive closing of the mind. There is extreme pressure to tow the party line on any particular topic. Money is chanelled through various boards staffed by people who don't really appreciate people who disagree with them. Not surprisingly those after grants or other incentives soon learn to agree with that. Everyone seems to be saying the same thing about a topic which has many permutations and combination of possible explanations. Add the time factor of millions of years and really there should be a lot more debate in this area.

This is certainly the most interesting site I have seen in a long time.

Alan

[Riff Master Mike]

Hey, noob here, first post in fact! I have always been interested in conspiracy theories and I have come across this forum many times while doing my own fact finding. So, I figured I would join and get another perspective. I just made myself a new foil hat and I am looking forward to using it! j/k :)

[Kopji]

hey welcome all!

yup, this is where the famed JREF Ninjas hang out while they are not trotting the troother forums quashing the credulous conveyors of creepy conspiracy.


I am not sure of a lot of things. I used to have lots of answers but don't anymore.

A good attitude for many things, if it is a product of engaging new or uncomfortable ideas, rather than hiding. There is sometimes an expectation to take a stand.


I have no real opinion on evolution. But I have been around academics quite a lot. The process of becoming an academic seems to involve a progressive closing of the mind.

Several professors and various academics here. I have not found them to be close minded. If they have a fault it is in being annoyingly patient and understanding with we mere mortals. Not that I don't like that when it's applied to me, just those other guys...sheesh. :D

The politics forum is not all that bad, two adages go far:
1: 'look before you leap'
2: 'measure twice and cut once'

and most importantly

3: Don't accidentally hit the ESC key while editing.

[Pipirr]

Welcome noobs!
Hadalittlelamb, one of the best parts about christmas for me is singing 'O come, o come emmanuel'. Damn, that song is moving. There's not many of the other xian songs I'd rate too highly though. If I recall correctly, a lot of the great Wesleyian hymns used to be pub songs. They could be reclaimed.

Welcome Yamacraw, RiffMaster Mike and Brainiac, you're not in Kansas anymore...

[Katana]

Several professors and various academics here. I have not found them to be close minded. If they have a fault it is in being annoyingly patient and understanding with we mere mortals. Not that I don't like that when it's applied to me, just those other guys...sheesh. :D
Hey, Kopji. Can you give me a clue as to who they are? I have some ideas based on your description, but I didn't realize that they were professors (if I'm correct in my suspicions). Just a little clue, a crumb, a hint of any sort.

The politics forum is not all that bad, two adages go far:
1: 'look before you leap'
2: 'measure twice and cut once'

and most importantly

3: Don't accidentally hit the ESC key while editing.
What happens if you do? This is a new one to me, but, now that you said this, I'm sure that I'll do it.

The politics sub-forum can be both fun and painful. My advice? Be prepared to support your arguments with evidence, and try to be respectful even when certain individuals may not be of you. You will always come out better off in the end.

My other advice: stay away from the conspiracy theories sub-forum unless you want to be dragged into a morass of insanity never to return (not that I'm biased or anything ;) ).

Having said all of that, welcome, diggergig, Vrana, Brainiac, hadalittlelamb, Yamacraw, Riff Master Mike, and anyone I failed to mention!

[Crazycowbob]

Eeep! How'd I miss this thread?

Well, I've posted a few times already, but it's never too late to introduce one's self is it?

I live in the great state of Texas, my home all my life, and am studying Mechanical Engineering. I had been somewhat skeptical prior to finding Randi's page, though I'll admit I did buy into a few woo ideas.

Fortunately, one day while reading the Dilbert blog, I got linked to Phil Plait's Bad Astronomy (Another very awesome forum BTW!), and from there, discovered Randi's page (So you should all send flowers, or hate mail, to Scott and Phil :D ). After spending several weeks going through all the archived commentaries, I was still hungry for more, so I joined the forum. :D

I am absolutely enthralled with the sciences, primarily Physics, and have a garage full of "junk" to prove it.

As far as religion is concerned, I personally think there is a guiding hand behind the universe. That said, I very much doubt that said deity rains fire down on happless humans, or is frankly all that concerned about one little planet.

Anyway, that's my intro, and I'm sticking to it!
Talk to you all again soon :)

[JimBenArm]

Been lurking around the forums for weeks now. Been an admirer of Mr. Randi for years now, but haven't felt the need to toss my opinion in, since there are so many others better qualified to debunk the nonsense thrown out by the foil-hatters!

[The Atheist]

This is certainly the most interesting site I have seen in a long time.

AlanWell, with a name like that, you must be an excellent bloke. I see your parents even know how to spell the name correctly.

Welcome.

Alan

[inha]

Hi everyone!

I am Sami, from a little town in Finland called Lahti. At the moment I am unemployed so I tend to spend too much time by myself, not always thinking as rationally as i'd hope. In almost every situation, besides keeping my brain switched on, I'm usually trying to create something (usually cartoon-like picture material or antipopular kind of music, also stop motion animations with other guys of one of my bands), even it would only be something verbal no one else is noticing. .

I was only seven or eight years old when I first got into trouble for being a nonbeliever. Would be strange to say I knew I was an atheist back then but since that I have - slowly but surely - became aware of that. I've had many weirdly enjoyable situations with faithful people (whatever the subject, from deities to feng shui to astrology etc..), and eventually have managed to become the humble skeptic "idiot" I am now during the years I've learned to think critically of many other subjects too.

I am neither trying to outsmart anyone nor telling my opinions matter, just wish to meet more people who might even share some of my views. I have quite dark and odd sense of humor, but I certainly wouldn't want to hurt anyone. I hope you will be able to get my point, whatever the subject without concentrating on my possibly bad english.


After these few years I,ve spent quietly in the background..

Pleasant to meet you all seemingly smart thinking people.

-Sami "inha" H.

[wahrheit]

Hi inha, hello to Finland. Another critical thinker from Scandinavia (in a broader sense). Browse the forum and you'll see that you are not alone, there are a lot of people here from northern Europe that won't see much of the sun in the coming 3 month :D

Just kidding. And a big hello to all the others that joined these days, too. :welcome4

[Luke T.]

Hello all, and welcome to the JREF Aeronautical Barnstorming and Handicrafts Exposition Forum thingy.

I post over in the aforementioned seventh circle of politics more than anywhere else on here. Wanna see my scars?

As long as you don't talk about gun control, abortion, the Middle East, Democrats, Republicans, Halliburton, George Bush, Bill Clinton, airplanes, alligators, Australia, Islam, or country western music, you should be all right.

[666]

Hi all. Long-time Commentary reader here but just got round to browsing (and registering for) the Forums.

666 is just an easy-to-remember name, not any indication of belief! And yes, I know that 616 is the new 666 but I'm just an old-fashioned kind of guy. :)

[Luke T.]

I know that 616 is the new 666

I hate it when the phone company does that.

[eryn]

Well, I already sorta of did an introduction spiel over in the conspiracy forum. My bad. ;)

In anycase, this seems to be a fun place and I'm glad I finally decided to join!

-eryn

[JonWhite]

Hi there everyone.

My usual work is in TV Post Production, although I'm also qualified in Hypnotherapy and as an advanced Past Life Regression practitioner (& no, I don't believe for a moment that such experiences are actually genuine past lives!) I'm also a full time atheist & skeptic.

A "Remote Viewer" collegue in a hypnotherapy forum I belong to sadly started posts regarding Uri Gellar's recent nonsense reported on Reuters that Sadam Hussein was discovered not by a massive ground search but rather courtesy of an American Remote Viewer. Obviously this needed challenging, so I came here initially to help research both Gellar and Remote Viewing. There's some great stuff here which helped a lot so I thought I'd sign up for the cause. Unfortunately the collegue turned out to be an unshakeable fundamentalist in all things "psychic", but hopefully he'll at least think twice before posting psychic rubbish in the future!

On a different note I'd like to further learn and gain practise in cold reading techniques. So if anyone is around or knows of anyone in London who could help I'd love to hear from you.

Anyway, it's a pleasure to be here in a rational world,

Jon.

[hcmom]

Hi there everyone.

My usual work is in TV Post Production, although I'm also qualified in Hypnotherapy and as an advanced Past Life Regression practitioner (& no, I don't believe for a moment that such experiences are actually genuine past lives!) I'm also a full time atheist & skeptic.

A "Remote Viewer" collegue in a hypnotherapy forum I belong to sadly started posts regarding Uri Gellar's recent nonsense reported on Reuters that Sadam Hussein was discovered not by a massive ground search but rather courtesy of an American Remote Viewer. Obviously this needed challenging, so I came here initially to help research both Gellar and Remote Viewing. There's some great stuff here which helped a lot so I thought I'd sign up for the cause. Unfortunately the collegue turned out to be an unshakeable fundamentalist in all things "psychic", but hopefully he'll at least think twice before posting psychic rubbish in the future!

On a different note I'd like to further learn and gain practise in cold reading techniques. So if anyone is around or knows of anyone in London who could help I'd love to hear from you.

Anyway, it's a pleasure to be here in a rational world,

Jon.

You....want to learn how to be a woo?...

[Luke T.]

On a different note I'd like to further learn and gain practise in cold reading techniques. So if anyone is around or knows of anyone in London who could help I'd love to hear from you.

Why, yes, there is someone in your neighborhood who can help you. Ian Rowland. I have an autographed copy of his Full Facts of Cold Reading (http://www.ianrowland.com/ItemsToBuy/ColdReading/ColdReadingReviews.html).

http://www.ianrowland.com/Start/Home.html

[Luke T.]

You....want to learn how to be a woo?...

He wants to learn how to be a charlatan. Know thine enemy, and all that.

Too many people think that if they can't explain something, then it must be supernatural. So you need a guy who can reproduce the same effect to show it has an earthly explanation.

[hcmom]

He wants to learn how to be a charlatan. Know thine enemy, and all that.

Too many people think that if they can't explain something, then it must be supernatural. So you need a guy who can reproduce the same effect to show it has an earthly explanation.

I was just kidding.... :halo:

[jcb336]

Hi male 50 something UK resident, atheist, sceptic, verry worried that the internet seems to be becoming a place for the gullible and the naive to be duped by others with different agendas. I don't want to have my own views reinforced, but I do want to see people using the brains they were born with.

[JonWhite]

Thanks for the link Luke.

Yeah, it really is just a matter of trying to show delusional friends that "psychic" stuff has a much more mundane explanation by replicating the same result. I've already had a little debunking fun watch-stopping with just a £10 magic gimmick and aim to progress from there.

And oh yeah, what's a woo?

[Luke T.]

And oh yeah, what's a woo?

Short for woo-woo. A credulous person, particularly in matters of a paranormal nature.

[Luke T.]

Hi male 50 something UK resident, atheist, sceptic, verry worried that the internet seems to be becoming a place for the gullible and the naive to be duped by others with different agendas. I don't want to have my own views reinforced, but I do want to see people using the brains they were born with.

Welcome, jcb!

If someone wrote it down and put it on the internet, it must be true! :D

[Crucifixio]

Hello,

My name's Stavros and I'm psychology student at Brooklyn, New York. I come from the island of Cyprus.

I have been exposed to many different ideas and glad to see someone showing the truth about someones who manipulate desperate consumers. I hope to see you at TAM, I now have to find someone to share expenses and room.

See you soon.

[ConspiRaider]

I'd always watch PBS's Nova program back in the 80s and 90s. No matter what. I've always had a high interest in science and skepticism and - surprise - I even knew that Oswald was the lone killer of JFK.

They'd always tease the Nova program just before rolling it. So one day back in the early 90s I'm watching the teaser to this new episode called Secrets Of The Psychics and getting angrier and angrier. The way the teaser was designed - led one to believe that Nova was going to do a program on the "proven" credibility of psychics! Holy friggin' Toledo! And there was this guy named Randi (whom I'd never heard of) that looked the part, in their fast cutaways, as the promoter of this nonsense.

I shut the TeeVee off and fumed. Couldn't believe it. Nova? Lending credence to charlatans? What was the world coming to? Aaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!

Maybe 6 months later they showed Secrets Of The Psychics again on Nova. Only this time, I was working on the computer or something and was not fully focused on the teaser to the show. I didn't get the chance to shut it off in anger. And then, as the segment started - WOW! There he was. James Randi, doing what he does better than anyone on the planet. Debunking the "secrets" of the psychics! Oh, NOW I get it!

Been a fan ever since. There have never been many heroes - not ever - but I'd count Randi as one of those select few. So, I've got a T-shirt, a coffee mug, several of those flying pig deals and 3 of Randi's books. Oh yeah - and a VCR of Secrets Of The Psychics purchased from PBS years ago.

Therefore it's an honor to be on this here forum of the amazing Randi. Thanks for having me!

[Ignignokt]

Hello I am Gary, I am a disabled Iraq Veteran and I am more interested in politcial debate, but I'll chime in on other subjects that arent over my head. Ocassionaly I will have to harrass those who do not take things seriously in a satirical manner. "Our culture is far more advanced than yours, I don't know if you can understand this or not but there is less gravity on the moon our jumps are beyond measure."

[Mr. Skinny]

Hello,

My name's Stavros and I'm psychology student at Brooklyn, New York. I come from the island of Cyprus.

I have been exposed to many different ideas and glad to see someone showing the truth about someones who manipulate desperate consumers. I hope to see you at TAM, I now have to find someone to share expenses and room.

See you soon.
Welcome, Crucifixio (Stavros). I think forum member El Greco may be the closest to you.

I'd always watch PBS's Nova program back in the 80s and 90s. No matter what. I've always had a high interest in science and skepticism and - surprise - I even knew that Oswald was the lone killer of JFK.

They'd always tease the Nova program just before rolling it. So one day back in the early 90s I'm watching the teaser to this new episode called Secrets Of The Psychics and getting angrier and angrier. The way the teaser was designed - led one to believe that Nova was going to do a program on the "proven" credibility of psychics! Holy friggin' Toledo! And there was this guy named Randi (whom I'd never heard of) that looked the part, in their fast cutaways, as the promoter of this nonsense.

I shut the TeeVee off and fumed. Couldn't believe it. Nova? Lending credence to charlatans? What was the world coming to? Aaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!

Maybe 6 months later they showed Secrets Of The Psychics again on Nova. Only this time, I was working on the computer or something and was not fully focused on the teaser to the show. I didn't get the chance to shut it off in anger. And then, as the segment started - WOW! There he was. James Randi, doing what he does better than anyone on the planet. Debunking the "secrets" of the psychics! Oh, NOW I get it!

Been a fan ever since. There have never been many heroes - not ever - but I'd count Randi as one of those select few. So, I've got a T-shirt, a coffee mug, several of those flying pig deals and 3 of Randi's books. Oh yeah - and a VCR of Secrets Of The Psychics purchased from PBS years ago.

Therefore it's an honor to be on this here forum of the amazing Randi. Thanks for having me!
Welcome, Conspirator. I have an original video tape of that PBS show. The looks on those Russian sisters? faces when Randi gives them no feedback is great! They couldn't pick out Ted Bundy as a bad person IIRC. Good show.

However, Randi is not a hero to me. He's just a very admirable guy that I respect. He has his own faults, but don't we all? Maybe we just have different definitions of "hero" :)

Hello I am Gary, I am a disabled Iraq Veteran and I am more interested in politcial debate, but I'll chime in on other subjects that arent over my head. Ocassionaly I will have to harrass those who do not take things seriously in a satirical manner. "Our culture is far more advanced than yours, I don't know if you can understand this or not but there is less gravity on the moon our jumps are beyond measure."
Welcome, Gary. What is your disability?

Thanks for serving. Right or wrong (in the political sense), I can appreciate the warfighter.

I don't visit the Politics forum here much. I'm an Air Force civilian employee, so I stay away from that stuff mostly. I'm sure you understand.

Just tread lightly in the Politics forum. It's freakin' scary sometimes. :D

[Ignignokt]

Mr Skinney, I caught A richocet in my left Knee. I am sixty percent disabled for V.A. Benifits, and I'm medically retired from the corps. As for as right or wrong. I fought so we could have the right to make that decision for ourselves. Although my service did little to ensure that for those of us in the united states. As for the Iraq's that's something only time will tell.

[HyJinX]

Hello,

My name is Marcus and I just wanted to introduce myself. My main reason for coming here is to witness GRAVY and others dismantle the "members" of the 9/11 troof movement. I've ghosted around for the past few days ... reading, laughing and learning ...and so far this site lives up to its reputation. I feel honored and privileged to be welcome here. I promise to try to keep my wits about me when interacting with troofers...though oftentimes it's nearly impossible. I live and work in Madison, Wisconsin and feel very lucky to be a part of such a dynamic culture of aware citizens. Being a member here is icing on the cake.

Warmest regards,
Marcus

P.S. - So far, watching GRAVY at work has been most inspiring.

[wahrheit]

A big :welcomepirate1: to all the new members!

[Mr. Skinny]

Mr Skinney, I caught A richocet in my left Knee. I am sixty percent disabled for V.A. Benifits, and I'm medically retired from the corps. As for as right or wrong. I fought so we could have the right to make that decision for ourselves. Although my service did little to ensure that for those of us in the united states. As for the Iraq's that's something only time will tell.
Sorry to hear about your knee Ignignokt.

I understand your political view, but I rarely desire political debate, nor am I very good at it.

Good to have you here though.

[Mr. Skinny]

Hello,

My name is Marcus and I just wanted to introduce myself. My main reason for coming here is to witness GRAVY and others dismantle the "members" of the 9/11 troof movement. I've ghosted around for the past few days ... reading, laughing and learning ...and so far this site lives up to its reputation. I feel honored and privileged to be welcome here. I promise to try to keep my wits about me when interacting with troofers...though oftentimes it's nearly impossible. I live and work in Madison, Wisconsin and feel very lucky to be a part of such a dynamic culture of aware citizens. Being a member here is icing on the cake.

Warmest regards,
Marcus

P.S. - So far, watching GRAVY at work has been most inspiring.

First, Welcome, Marcus.

Second, I think you came close to a suspension on your first day over in the Conspiracy Theory forum, but then again, so did a few old-timers there.

I wish people would quit the name calling. I also find it kinda infantile when people constantly make fun of a CT'ers user name. It's just silly, IMHO.

I'd hate to see you start out thinking that that is a good debate tactic.

[Brainiac]

Hello everyone,
I have no idea what to say but I must post, post, post!

I do not know what you would call my belief system and there isn't much there but the blinders fell off over 18 yrs ago and I know I'm not xan. I cannot understand how anyone really believes that stuff. I do miss the music, though---ok, I cheat and listen to/sing the music at Xmas :)

I homeschool my 6 year old son. No, we do not have a problem with socialization (there are secular homeschool groups). As a former high school math teacher my experiences as a teacher convinced me there was no other option. We have tons of fun! Yes, we do struggle on one income at times but we make it work.

Well, talk to you all later!
Welcome to the forum.

[Brainiac]

Well, I already sorta of did an introduction spiel over in the conspiracy forum. My bad. ;)

In anycase, this seems to be a fun place and I'm glad I finally decided to join!

-eryn
Welcome, eryn!

[Brainiac]

Hello everyone,
I have no idea what to say but I must post, post, post!

I do not know what you would call my belief system and there isn't much there but the blinders fell off over 18 yrs ago and I know I'm not xan. I cannot understand how anyone really believes that stuff. I do miss the music, though---ok, I cheat and listen to/sing the music at Xmas :)

I homeschool my 6 year old son. No, we do not have a problem with socialization (there are secular homeschool groups). As a former high school math teacher my experiences as a teacher convinced me there was no other option. We have tons of fun! Yes, we do struggle on one income at times but we make it work.

Well, talk to you all later!
Welcome!

[moonbat]

Hey all,

Software developer from Vancouver, Canada. Not the first time I've visited the site. I may be visiting here more frequently. Mostly for the 9/11 discussions (though I'll read alot more often than I'll post).

I used to be outright dismissive of the LC crowd, but am becoming increasingly distressed at the apparent gains in popularity that the theories have had in the recent past.

Actually, I'm pretty skeptical about most (all?) of the CTs out there, and I'm a religious skeptic as well. I think I may fit in well.

Looking forward to being part of the community. Cheers!

~moonbat

[Eos of the Eons]

Cheers, and welcome moonbat! Got any food?

Nevermind, I'll get more sore tootsies into my kitchen yet :cool:

[SusanB-M1]

Hi male 50 something UK resident, atheist, sceptic, verry worried that the internet seems to be becoming a place for the gullible and the naive to be duped by others with different agendas. I don't want to have my own views reinforced, but I do want to see people using the brains they were born with.

When I tell my computer-lessfriends what excellent discussions there are to be had on message boards, they think I'm talkng about chat rooms and warn me against being conned into meeting them or something!!

[mike stanton]

Hi all
I am a 50 something UK atheist. My main interest is in debunking autism quackery. But I am game for all the bad science and pseudo-science and false logic that is out there.

[laura wilson]

good to see there is some sanity on the planet.

[Mr. Skinny]

Hi all
I am a 50 something UK atheist. My main interest is in debunking autism quackery. But I am game for all the bad science and pseudo-science and false logic that is out there.

Welcome to the forum, Mike.

good to see there is some sanity on the planet.
Welcome to you also, Laura.

[Mrs L]

Here I am, finally, after making my grand coming out of the closet on ACK

I'm 29, mother to the Borgmonkey, and I'm depressed. Chronic PTSD, eating disorders, and various other neurotic impulses... which is why letting me know about this site may /may not have been a good idea. But I promised to behave myself.

[Eos of the Eons]

Here I am, finally, after making my grand coming out of the closet on ACK

I'm 29, mother to the Borgmonkey, and I'm depressed. Chronic PTSD, eating disorders, and various other neurotic impulses... which is why letting me know about this site may /may not have been a good idea. But I promised to behave myself.
If anything, you may gain some tools to get on the road to not being depressed. This site helped me that way. Critical thinking just has good side effects. Then there's also not feeling alone in an insane world anymore.

Welcome!

[Mrs L]

My current doctors all agree that if I hadn't had intensive counseling and psychotherapy for the fifteen years prior to having this child, there's no way in hell I'd a) have a good and healthy relationship/marriage, and b) not have ended up as a lead story on the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock news on all the major networks.

Cause it would have been that messy...

[Eos of the Eons]

Yeah, I also had 3 years of meds, group therapy, a therapist, and psychiatrist guide my way to confidence and being depression free. I find this community helped after all that to keep me from going back into a cycle of self doubt and lonliness too though. I hope you find a sense of community and sanity that helps you stay on a healthy path, know what I mean?

Welcome to an oasis in the midst of a sea of internet nuttiness!

[Roadtoad]

good to see there is some sanity on the planet.

You obviously haven't been to P&CE yet, or the R&P section.

Welcome, anyway. (At least as long as you're not related to Amy Wilson.)

[hcmom]

there's no way in hell I'd a) have a good and healthy relationship/marriage...
hehehe....Of course, we all know whose wife you are, so you'll understand if we're cynical about the "healthy" part of your marriage...hehehe

However, this is probably a good place for you to hang out, since people here really do care!

[cardoso]

Hello folks

Cardoso here. 37, brazilian, long time skeptic, scifi geek, fan of Arthur Clarke, follower of the Church of Dawkins ;) and a thinker. Oh, I love my Darwin Fish pin.

Just discovered this forum, looks like a great place.

[Eos of the Eons]

And we already know Brazilians are really really cool too! Welcome!

[ttias]

Hi, My name is Mattias and I come from Sweden. I'm a big fan of philosophy (the academic version not the new age variety), and the subfield philosophy of science. So I guess it was only a matter of time before I found my way to this sceptic stronghold. (insert happy smiley here, I don't get to post one for another 13 posts, insert sad smiley here)

[wahrheit]

Hi, My name is Mattias and I come from Sweden. I'm a big fan of philosophy (the academic version not the new age variety), and the subfield philosophy of science. So I guess it was only a matter of time before I found my way to this sceptic stronghold. :)
I don't get to post one for another 13 posts :mad:

Here you go, and welcome!

[ttias]

Here you go, and welcome!

Thanks and thanks.

[Faustina]

I'm not really new (joined in 2002!!) I just haven't posted in, well, years!

Nice to see some of the old names still going strong!

[Foolmewunz]

Hi all
I am a 50 something UK atheist. My main interest is in debunking autism quackery. But I am game for all the bad science and pseudo-science and false logic that is out there.

You may want to look up Tobias The Commie.

[wollery]

You may want to look up Tobias The Commie.Eeewwwww!

[COLONEL]

welcome Diggergig

[Pipirr]

Hey Faustina, where you been? Welcome back!

[Farslayer9]

Hello, I am Richard Wolford. I am a 31 year old PhD student, focusing on Organizational Management with a specialization in Information Technology. I hold graduate and undergraduate degrees in computers and computer science. I am a skeptic of course, somewhat agnostic at this point in my life, and always interested in paranormal claims (for entertainment of course). While I do not believe in ghosts and such due to a lack of evidence, I am not opposed to any study which attempts to apply the rigors of science to examine phenomena. After all, science can prove nothing, we can only provide evidence to support our claims and theories.

I am currently working as the Director of Information Technology for a very large organization; I also conduct research into user acceptance of technology and hope to replace the TAM developed by Davis in 1989 as an extension of my dissertation.

Glad to meet everyone, this is a really good website.

Cheer,

Richard

[Hutch]

Welcome, Farslayer9 (and I DO NOT want to know what happened to Farslayer1 to 8 :eek: :covereyes )

Welcome fuastina--but 25 posts in 4 years; the Illuminatti get you or something?

[Puffinmuncher]

Hello everybody

I'm 31, currently live in Edinburgh, originally from Shetland. Good to see some interesting discussions going on here. Found this site as a result of my own general disbelief and incredulity in 911 conspiracies and their perpetrators. Lurked for a while, but have finally got around to registering. Hope I'll be able to contribute to some of these discussions. Incidentally, despite the username, I'd like to categorically state on the record that I've got absolutely nothing against puffins.

Take care

Cheers

[Daynalooney]

Just found this site a little while back. I haven't had a chance to look around much but I hope to and take part in some discussions soon. I am interested in most areas of science and also in education.

[Mr. Skinny]

Hello everybody

I'm 31, currently live in Edinburgh, originally from Shetland. Good to see some interesting discussions going on here. Found this site as a result of my own general disbelief and incredulity in 911 conspiracies and their perpetrators. Lurked for a while, but have finally got around to registering. Hope I'll be able to contribute to some of these discussions. Incidentally, despite the username, I'd like to categorically state on the record that I've got absolutely nothing against puffins.

Take care

Cheers
Welcome, Puffinmuncher.

The Conspiracy Theories forum is very active. Unfortunately, the frustration exhibited by some members here has led to a fair amount of namecalling, mocking of CT'ers user names, and general insults. Try not to get sucked down to that level.

Oh, and there is a member here named Library Lady who is going to despise your user name I think. Folks are always joking with her about eating her budgies. :D

Just found this site a little while back. I haven't had a chance to look around much but I hope to and take part in some discussions soon. I am interested in most areas of science and also in education.
Welcome to you also, Daynalooney.

Jump right in to whatever forum suits ya. If you don't feel like making a substantaive post right away, go the the Community or Humor forums an join in on the non-serious stuff.



Good to have you both here.

[cullennz]

Hi all. I'm 35 from Wellington, NZ. Not particularly intelligent or exciting.

I also have the spelling/grammar skills of an 8 year old, so if there are any grammar/spelling police here as there are in most forums, I apologise now.

[Mr. Skinny]

Hi all. I'm 35 from Wellington, NZ. Not particularly intelligent or exciting.

I also have the spelling/grammar skills of an 8 year old, so if there are any grammar/spelling police here as there are in most forums, I apologise now.
Welcome, cullennz.

We have a few Kiwis here; Gumboot and The Atheist come to mind immediately.

As for grammar and spelling, well, most people here that know they are bad at spelling tend to use a spellchecker before posting. Most folks will try to correct you gently unless you are consistently horrid in every post. The majority aren't cruel about spelling/grammar, but it can get annoying if you are truely bad at it.

[wollery]

....but it can get annoying if you are truely bad at it.That's "truly bad"! :duck:

[hoangmhn]

hello everybody
i'm new member

[cullennz]

Welcome, cullennz.

We have a few Kiwis here; Gumboot and The Atheist come to mind immediately.

As for grammar and spelling, well, most people here that know they are bad at spelling tend to use a spellchecker before posting. Most folks will try to correct you gently unless you are consistently horrid in every post. The majority aren't cruel about spelling/grammar, but it can get annoying if you are truely bad at it.

Ah! I should have known there would be some fellow kiwis here. We do tend to spread ourselves around like a kind of friendly virus!

I was exaggerating about the bad spelling by the way. Just not allowed to use jokey smiley things yet apparently.

[morex]

Hello friends

I am Morex from Mexico City and I am a skeptic living a in a place full of ignorance and people that see virgin Mary on a tortilla chip. I think this might no t be so different from your native places, but to me means a lot.

I will be posting here a lot since I am a huge fan of the podcast and I am really interesting on sharing my personal experiences with magick (yes, like in witchcraft), zodiac, ghosts, extraterretrial life and religion... which takes most of people's minds here.

Anyway, I'll be around.

[Darat]

There doesn't seem to have been a welcome banner for all the recent newcomers so here is one:

:welcome3

[Mr. Skinny]

Ah! I should have known there would be some fellow kiwis here. We do tend to spread ourselves around like a kind of friendly virus!

I was exaggerating about the bad spelling by the way. Just not allowed to use jokey smiley things yet apparently.
Er, you do realize that while answering your post I made a spelling error that was pointed out by another forum member, don't you?

And you were exaggerating?

* looks for the LordHighEmperorSkinnyGod Book of People to Keep an Eye On*

It's really not a good idea to raise the ire of the forum god in one of your first posts, cullennz. ;)

[Mr. Skinny]

Hello friends

I am Morex from Mexico City and I am a skeptic living a in a place full of ignorance and people that see virgin Mary on a tortilla chip. I think this might no t be so different from your native places, but to me means a lot.
(snip)

Welcome, Morex.

The only other Mexican poster I can think of is Chupacabras.

[Fitter]

And puggy (http://forums.randi.org/%5Burl=).

[cullennz]

* looks for the LordHighEmperorSkinnyGod Book of People to Keep an Eye On*

It's really not a good idea to raise the ire of the forum god in one of your first posts, cullennz. ;)

Darn. If only I was a believer in all things paranormal and could make myself invisible at will!

[Mr. Skinny]

Darn. If only I was a believer in all things paranormal and could make myself invisible at will!

*makes note next to cullennz name in Book*

"Remember, he's a Kiwi." :)

[micketymoc]

Greetings! micketymoc here from Manila, the Philippines. We've got more than our fair share of woo-woo around here (no, I don't go to the corner psychic surgeon to be operated on); much like Morex above, I live in a very Catholic country. If he lives in the BS Capital of the World, Manila comes a fairly close second.

I found this thread when I was googling some research for a blog rebuttal of Jaime Licauco's long screed against skepticism and James Randi. (I actually saw Licauco's Randi column on the day it was published - I'm still kicking myself for procrastinating on the reply!)

I'll be hanging around and checking out the action every so often. See ya.

[Halden]

Hello All, I have come to the JREF boards after hearing about Randi from Penn's podcast, Skepticality and Skeptic magazine. I have just recently accepted my Atheism and a rational, Skeptical and naturalistic view of the world. I look forward to some great discussions.

[DavidS]

"Vell, DavidS's just zeez guy, you know?" Mostly a lurker, mostly because I'm lazy (difficult jobs should be assigned to lazy men; we find easier ways). Often enough, though, I have the excuse that somebody else has already hit the point I would have raised. I'll post or reply if I think I've got something to add, but I expect I'll mostly look.

I lurk sites like this because I'm so frequently amazed and amused by the ingeniously bad reasons some people use to believe or disbelieve the things they do. I get a special amusement from assertions founded on ridiculously bad and convoluted reasoning when a much more defensible basis for the same assertion is simple and obvious. I like to see what seems to be going on in other people's heads; almost any well-intentioned discussion is worth thinking about as long as it's not just a p***ing contest among complete morons. The density of the latter here should be somewhat more rarified than the internet average.

Professionally, I'm an engineer, so I can at least get some of people some of the time to think I can be rational. More precisely, they can get me to think they think so, which for my purposes is functionally equivalent. I find the universe to be amusing and amazing enough without having to add the claptrap some folks have to believe... but I gotta admit some of the latter is pretty funny.

[The Atheist]

Hi all. I'm 35 from Wellington, NZ. Not particularly intelligent or exciting.

I also have the spelling/grammar skills of an 8 year old, so if there are any grammar/spelling police here as there are in most forums, I apologise now.Hmm, let me see. You're 35 with the English of an 8 year old. You live in Wellington....

You're an MP!

Welcome, mate. Hope you follow cricket!

Got to ask. Is the Cullen your name, the horse, the rugby player, or none of the above?

[The Atheist]

"Vell, DavidS's just zeez guy, you know?" ...SNIP... I find the universe to be amusing and amazing enough without having to add the claptrap some folks have to believe... but I gotta admit some of the latter is pretty funny.And clearly a man of great taste and distinction - quoting and paraphrasing Douglas Adams in your intro!

[Baron Samedi]

Hi there! I just thought I'd take the time to introduce myself and give a little background. I've been reading this site for a while now. It all started about a year ago when I was blessed with a life-changing event. My mother, who knows my love of science and learning, highly recommended that I watch a little video called "What the Bleep Do We Know?". Since seeing that video, my life has not been the same... mostly along the lines of wondering just how in the world is it that people could take this stuff seriously.

But I digress. So I've been reading Randi's commentaries and the forums for a while, and finally decided to join in. I'm a statistician by trade, freezing my butt off north of the border, and one curious SOB. :)

And so, hi!

[cullennz]

Hmm, let me see. You're 35 with the English of an 8 year old. You live in Wellington....

You're an MP!

Welcome, mate. Hope you follow cricket!

Got to ask. Is the Cullen your name, the horse, the rugby player, or none of the above?

Cheers for the welcome!

Nah. MP's can't use computers properly. They tend to lose their emails, if you know what I mean!

Don't mind cricket (prefer one dayers). But more of a rugby, F1 nut to be honest. I've actually been roped into going to the ashes in Melbourne, so I might need to learn to love it pretty quick.

The rugby player. Long story. Short version. Lived for 10 years in London. Had to come up with a password for a bank (now defunct, so don't bother hacking my fellow skeptics, who happen to be computer wizz's!). Thought to myself. Who would think of an All Black's name with NZ after it?

Kinda stuck.

[The Atheist]

The rugby player. Long story. Short version. Lived for 10 years in London. Had to come up with a password for a bank (now defunct, so don't bother hacking my fellow skeptics, who happen to be computer wizz's!). Thought to myself. Who would think of an All Black's name with NZ after it?

Kinda stuck.The rugby Paekak express. The man with the greatest rise from obscurity to centre-stage and fall back into obscurity. Great shame, he had the goods for a while.

Look forward to seeing you round.

[DavidS]

And clearly a man of great taste and distinction - quoting and paraphrasing Douglas Adams in your intro!

I expected somebody would pick up on the Gag Halfrunt thing, but I must confess that the closing sentence wasn't consciously Adams-inspired. Now that you've pointed it out, though, I feel dumb for missing the opportunity to incorporate another favorite Adams-ism:

...I gotta admit some of the latter is pretty funny, especially some of the bits about frogs.

I think my sense of humor is well developed (SWMBO would say over-developed), but H2G2 is one of the very, very few works of prose that have made me laugh out loud.

[SWMBO: She Who Must Be Obeyed, in case unmarried readers don't grok the acronym]

Holiday vacation approaches. It's too bad circumstances limit my next Beeblebrox impersonation, but I'm gonna try my best to saunter over to the bar and buy most of it.

[SkeptiKilt]

My mother, who knows my love of science and learning, highly recommended that I watch a little video called "What the Bleep Do We Know?". Since seeing that video, my life has not been the same... mostly along the lines of wondering just how in the world is it that people could take this stuff seriously.

Well done, Baron -- you had me going for a minute.

[Baron Samedi]

Well done, Baron -- you had me going for a minute.

Thanks SkeptiKilt. It has changed my life to no end. I used to be somewhat interesting at parties. Can you imagine being at the company Christmas party and bringing up Dawkins new book? Instant conversation killer. :D But yeah, now it's just been work, research, and a whole lot of wanting to throttle people for running a lot of these scams. Or wondering how I can get in on this too. Can you imagive the sales potential for "Placebex -- the Great Homeopathic Remedy for All that Ails You"?

Damn morals.

[progressquest]

Hey, Progress here. I originally came here because of all the CT BS I found online, and this was the best place for coherent arguments against that garbage. I mostly post in the humor section (I find myself funny anyway), but I lurk in the conspiracy section a lot too.

[wahrheit]

Hey, Progress here. I originally came here because of all the CT BS I found online, and this was the best place for coherent arguments against that garbage. I mostly post in the humor section (I find myself funny anyway), but I lurk in the conspiracy section a lot too.

A good sense of humor certainly helps when browsing the conspiracy forum :D

:welcomepirate1:

[Baron Samedi]

Are they still looking for the magic 3" rebar on 4' centers in the CT forum? After 130 pages of that thread, my head exploded.

[Margaret K]

I started my professional life as a high school English and History teacher. These days I run a primary (elementary) school library.
I live in Brisbane, Australia.
I first became acquainted with the Australian skeptics when I lived in Darwin (yes, the city was named for the great man) back in the 1990s.
I had unfortunate experiences with oxymoronic creation scientists back in the 70s when a sympathetic state government paid far too much attention to fundamentalist christian pressure groups, to the extent where 'creation science' was mandated to be taught in high school science classes as an 'alternative' to evolution.
I had a stand up blue (aka argument) with a staff member who got upset with where I was cataloguing this material for the library. (It went, according to the rules that Melville Dewey had set out, at 213 which is the number for creation in the religion division.) I was told to assign it another number in the 570s which is where the life science material goes) and refused. I must admit I was tempted to do as I was asked and assign it another number as I had the perfect one in mind - 001.9, which is the category for spurious information, but I resisted the temptation!
I am a bit of a conference junkie and usually attend the Australian skeptics conferences. The most recent one was held in Melbourne in November and was entitled 'Science, Truth and the Media'. In September I attended the New Zealand skeptics conference in Auckland. I was delighted to discover earlier in the year that the TAM date in January is a bit earlier than usual so I signed up for it too.
I look forward to meeting JFERers there!

[SusanB-M1]

#257 MargaretK

A good friend of mine named Marion, who runs the local 5W group and is a retired Head Teacher, very much involved with Teacher Associations etc lives in Brisbane. Ring a bell by any chance?

[cj.23]

Hi chaps,

joined tonight at the advice of a long term member of another forum, known there as 'Armitage Shanks'. I have a long term interest in the paranormal and especially in academic parapsychology, and have been involved in various ways -- most notoriously in some paranormal television programming.

A theist, (Anglican Christian), with a tendency to believe in psi, and a strong belief that people experience "ghosts" (but no idea what may underlie those experiences, even after almost two decades of reading about and researching them) I hope I am not too out of place here. I do enjoy debate, and on browsing the forum was extremely impressed by the knowledge and standard of discussion I found here.

I actually tend to categorise myself as a sceptic in many ways. I see scepticism as a process, a mode of enquiry, rather than a set of ideological beliefs. I guess that may just be a fancy way of saying I am not an 'a priori' sceptic. My only real contribution to sceptical thought was my M.A. in which I attempted to demonstrate the cultural millieu which led to the discovery of 'ley lines' and similar 'earth mysteries' in the period 1919 to 1939, quite independently across Europe, and to rationally explain belief in these phenomena in that period as a product of social forces. I have also an active academic interest in the history and sociology or religion, and spend a great deal of time debating with my co-religionists.

I have in the past been lucky enough to email and recieve very courteous and kind replies on a few occasions from James Randi, even when on one occasion I was completely mistaken! My love of critical thinking was awakened by reading Martin Gardner's Fads and Fallacies in the Name of Science at a young age. I discovered Prometheus Books some years ago, and have read several volumes as an antidote to the parapsychological journals. I suspect my long term love of the SF writer H.P.Lovecraft, himself in his lifetime a committed rationalist, may also attract me to these forums.

Yet I remain a 'believer' in many ways, and hope my presence here will not be considered inappropriate.

Oh, in real life I write roleplaying game supplements, work in television, and study theology and attempt to keep up with the latest in parapsychology. I'm a 37 year old chap, living in the U.K, if that matters!

I look forward to having my beliefs soundly challenged! :)

cj x

[Mr. Skinny]

cj, you sound like a rather interesting fellow.

I'm sure you'll find all the debate you can handle here.

Good to have you, and Welcome.

Cheers,

Skinny

[cj.23]

I'm sure you'll find all the debate you can handle here.

Good to have you, and Welcome.



Thank you Skinny, if I may. I am delighted to find that already I have managed to get involved in a fun debate, and look forward to many more happy hours posting.

cj x

[Margaret K]

#257 MargaretK

A good friend of mine named Marion, who runs the local 5W group and is a retired Head Teacher, very much involved with Teacher Associations etc lives in Brisbane. Ring a bell by any chance?
Hi Susan
thanks for the welcome.
What is a 5W group?
What sector did your friend work in? Primary, high school, public or private?

[SusanB-M1]

What is a 5W group?
What sector did your friend work in? Primary, high school, public or private?

99% sure it was Primary, public sector in teaching. 5W stands for Women Welcom Women World Wide which is an excellent organisation. I am getting better at links, but googgling it is the best thing. Although I was a teacher too, I met her through 5W.

[switchtech]

Are they still looking for the magic 3" rebar on 4' centers in the CT forum? After 130 pages of that thread, my head exploded.

That thread convinced me not to post to such threads (after having put a half dozen or less posts in it!). But, that doesn't stop me from checking in a reading the last few posts to see if they're still at it!

BTW: Welcome!

jbs

[28th Kingdom]

Hello...my name is 28IQ, NOW...take me to your leader.

[pr0k]

Having just read some of a WTC discussion thread, I find this a most inauspicious place for my first post, right after 28thDumbQuestion.

Anyway, hi everyone. I'm a programmer and a skeptic. I am working on Flim-Flam! right now and enjoying it.

I just discovered your forums because someone over at Something Awful linked to one of the challenge entries. I mostly registered to post because I noticed that one of your users is using an avatar from one of SA's users, since I thought it was a neat coincidence. However, I noticed that I cannot link to outside sites in my first fifteen posts, so you will be kept in suspense for now!

[hcmom]

However, I noticed that I cannot link to outside sites in my first fifteen posts, so you will be kept in suspense for now!

It's been an hour and twenty-eight minutes since then. You've had plenty of time, you just aren't trying...

[Baron Samedi]

Thanks for the welcome, switchtech :)

So I was hoping you all could help out a little. I'd like to ask a question about homeopathy and the math involved, so a lot of stats and chemistry help is needed. Where's the best place to go? General Academics, or General Skepticism? Please forgive the really stupid question

[wahrheit]

If it's about homeopathy and the maths behind it, General Skepticism and The Paranormal ist just fine.

Don't worry, should you really pick the wrong forum a mod will move it. But don't do it ten times in a row or they'll notice :)

[Mr. Skinny]

Thanks for the welcome, switchtech :)

So I was hoping you all could help out a little. I'd like to ask a question about homeopathy and the math involved, so a lot of stats and chemistry help is needed. Where's the best place to go? General Academics, or General Skepticism? Please forgive the really stupid question
I'd recommend you do a search on the user name Rolfe. She is a UK vet who was involved in some very intense homeopathy threads about a year ago.

I also believe user Badly Shaved Monkey was heavily involved in those threads also.

Rolfe hasn't posted in quite some time, but BSM is still around.


Skinny

[wahrheit]

I'd recommend you do a search on the user name Rolfe. She is a UK vet who was involved in some very intense homeopathy threads about a year ago.
Now that you mention Rolfe, I remember her posting a lot in homeopathy threads back when I registered here at the forum, but I haven't seen anything from here lately.

Mojo is another username that comes to my mind regarding homeopathy threads.

[Mr. Skinny]

Now that you mention Rolfe, I remember her posting a lot in homeopathy threads back when I registered here at the forum, but I haven't seen anything from here lately.

Mojo is another username that comes to my mind regarding homeopathy threads.
Mojo didn't spring immediately to mind, but I believe you are right.

I think BSM is also a vet in the UK (if memory serves).

[Baron Samedi]

Awesome! I'll check around for these threads first before posting more - I'd hate to be making points that people have argued again and again and again already. Plus more info for my arguement (outside of here) is helpful. Thanks tons!

[Georgie]

Hi everyone - I found this website by googling on 'Psychic Investigators' to see what others may have had to say about it. I saw the first three shows and emailed the ABC in protest, so it was good to see I'm not alone! My main point to the ABS was that the psychic contributed nothing to finding the murderer (or, in the Welsh case, even the body), but that the program makers insisted they did. That was the main prioblem for me, the lack of a fair-minded stance by the makers.
Cheers
Georgie

[Eos of the Eons]

Welcome!

And yeah, ABC has some nerve putting on a show where the "psychic" clearly only knew the facts after the case was already solved by others, and then giving the "psychic" some kind of credit that others clearly deserve instead. It's a slap in the face to folks who actually helped.

[darnell11]

Hello, everyone. I'm currently attending college, majoring in psychology and minoring in anthropology. I like drawing and reading. I come from a religious family, but somehow I managed to see through most of the rubbish I have been taught all my life simply by thinking, wondering, and questioning the things that never made sense to me. Glad to be amoung people like myself; I don't know very many people who aren't religious. It's funny, even admitting this to you guys makes me feel guilty, I wonder if that's normal.

[Mr. Skinny]

Hello, everyone. I'm currently attending college, majoring in psychology and minoring in anthropology. I like drawing and reading. I come from a religious family, but somehow I managed to see through most of the rubbish I have been taught all my life simply by thinking, wondering, and questioning the things that never made sense to me. Glad to be amoung people like myself; I don't know very many people who aren't religious. It's funny, even admitting this to you guys makes me feel guilty, I wonder if that's normal.
Welcome, darnell11.

I don't think the guilt thing is abnormal, expecially if you were raised Jewish or Catholic. Seems they invented guilt.:)

Anyhow, the majority of folks here seem to be atheist or agnostic (with a few deists thrown in for good measure), so I don't expect anyone here will make you feel guilty in any way - quite the opposite in fact, I hope.

[Katana]

Welcome, darnell11.

I don't think the guilt thing is abnormal, expecially if you were raised Jewish or Catholic. Seems they invented guilt.:)

Anyhow, the majority of folks here seem to be atheist or agnostic (with a few deists thrown in for good measure), so I don't expect anyone here will make you feel guilty in any way - quite the opposite in fact, I hope.

Don't believe him, darnell11. He makes it hell in here for some of us.

Run. Run away while you can.

[Mr. Skinny]

Don't believe him, darnell11. He makes it hell in here for some of us.

Run. Run away while you can.
LOL :)

In competition with the evil Snarlet, I see.

Pay no attention to the woman behind the, er, candy cane sword, darnell.

[Katana]

LOL :)

In competition with the evil Snarlet, I see.

Pay no attention to the woman behind the, er, candy cane sword, darnell.

Oh, I wouldn't advise that.

http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting/thum_98074588612262a21.jpg (http://forums.randi.org/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=3241)

Like my shield?

:D

[Mr. Skinny]

Like my shield?

:D
Suweeeeeeeet!!

[metcro1]

Hey, everybody. I'm new (just signed up in the past few days). Discovered this site while searching for "unbiased" opinions on the LightRelief currently being sold. Have always admired Mr. Randi for his work, so figured I'd check out the site. Discovered many references to "woo," but I have been unable to determine just what that means. Found it also in relation to discussions about "magnet therapy," and boy, do I feel like a fool on this one -- thank heavens haven't put much money ($20.00 +/-) into this one, and won't put ANY into the LightRelief. Anyway, can somebody explain what "woo" means? Thanx for any help.

[hcmom]

Hey, everybody. I'm new (just signed up in the past few days). Discovered this site while searching for "unbiased" opinions on the LightRelief currently being sold. Have always admired Mr. Randi for his work, so figured I'd check out the site. Discovered many references to "woo," but I have been unable to determine just what that means. Found it also in relation to discussions about "magnet therapy," and boy, do I feel like a fool on this one -- thank heavens haven't put much money ($20.00 +/-) into this one, and won't put ANY into the LightRelief. Anyway, can somebody explain what "woo" means? Thanx for any help.

The short answer is, "woo" would be you, before you got here.

I'm sure someone will give you a better explanation also...

[xcoded]

I've been a fan of the Amazing Randy™ for some time now and just recently re-discovered this forum, A little about myself, I'm an Electronics Engineer based in sunny Guadalajara Mexico, I'm an atheist and interested in the exposure of all sorts of flim flams and quackery (which are VERY common here in Mexico) as well as claims of the paranormal.

[The Shadow]

Hello Fellow Skeptics,

I've been a reader of both the Skeptic and the Skeptical Inquirer for several years now, and I've been reading Randi's commentary regularly for several months.

I'm not much of a joiner, but if I belong in any group I think this one is a pretty good fit. Whether someone is a 'believer' or a 'doubter' seems to be one of the fundamental aspects of your personallity, and whatever else I am, I'm firmly in the skeptical/critical thinker camp.

Like many of you, I've had the experience of having someone I know who seems basically reasonable and intelligent twist reality into pretzels, typically to justify their religious beliefs. I find this rather disturbing, even creepy. I find the psychology of belief both facinating and revolting; probably the same kind of thing as people rubbernecking at an accident scene. Frequent doses of rationality and skepticism help maintain my sanity.

I'm also signed up for TAM 5, have my reservations set, etc. and will be seeing some of you there I imagine. First time in Vegas (besides driving through on the freeway once) so if any TAM alumni want to give me suggestions for activities, I'm willin' to listen.

I few more factoids about myself: Male; Web Developer; Enjoy Absurd Humor and Good Satire, Natural History, Trivia, other stuff I don't feel like writing out right now. Not terribly sociable, but do enjoy witty and/or interesting conversations on all sorts of topics and have been known (incredibly) to contribute to the general good humor of gatherings myself.

Politically, I think I would maybe be best described as a Moderate/Conservative/Libertarian...or something like that.

Looking forward to seeing/hearing imminent skeptical persons at TAM, as well as hanging out with my fellow ordinary skeptical peers.

[m.walker]

Hi all. I'm a 19 year old male from Auckland, New Zealand who thirsts for knowledge.

The internet is plagued with misinformation and traps and I'm here to learn some more about critical thinking, analyzing fact from fiction and basically sharing ideas with other people of similar interests.

As a side note I enjoy philosophical discussions, motorcycles, piercings, and almost everything else horrible teenagers enjoy too. :D

See ya 'round.

-MW.

[Angelfood]

Hi

I'm new and have replied to a message telling me I should post in this thread! I don't usually do what people tell me to do... Maybe I'm turning into a sheep, blindly following and trusting people so I don't have to blame myself for when things go wrong! :) Letting them take all my own free will and giving them my life savings.. :)

:blush:

Nah!!!

Don't you just hate welcome threads.. Never know what the h*ll to say. :D

[Katana]

Welcome, xcoded, The Shadow, m.walker, and Angelfood!

Angelfood, as for what to say, you're off to a good start. :D

[DiskoVilante]

Hrm...I've always felt like a stranger walking into a banging party that suddenly stops to stare at me when I enter the room when I introduce myself on forums.

Anyway, I'm DiskoVilante...or Roy. I post on the Skeptic.com, Skepchick, and CFI forums. I guess it was time to join the JREF forums.
I'm an undergrad at UCLA majoring in math, the VP and co-founder of the Bruin Alliance of Skeptics and Secularists (BASS), and a generally nut/crazy person (my own subjective assessment).
So, Hi! everyone.

[Tanstaafl]

Discovered many references to "woo," but I have been unable to determine just what that means.

Woo basically is a slang term for paranormal beliefs, as well as medical claims lacking in evidence.

And Welcome! I think you'll find it both fun and educational.

[Hutch]

I'm also signed up for TAM 5, have my reservations set, etc. and will be seeing some of you there I imagine. First time in Vegas (besides driving through on the freeway once) so if any TAM alumni want to give me suggestions for activities, I'm willin' to listen.

Shadow;

welcome to the Forums and also to TAM5. We have a whole sub-forum with planning and activities by Forumites before, during, and after TAM. Browse around there and get you name posted on a couple of threads and I'll add you to the overall Forum attendees list before we go.

xcoded;

We have a couple of Mexican posters here (look for posts by Puggy), and your insight is welcome, as are you.

m. walker;

We have a number of kiwis about the forum, and some folks your age (not me, I'm ancient). Enjoy.

DiskoVilate;

Interesting name (I seem to remember a boat in a James Bond movie with a similar name...). From your reume, I think you'll fit right in.

[scotts]

Howdy everyone. I figured I should introduce myself if I am trying to find someone to drink with at TAM. I am a 25 year old computer programmer. I also own a very very small independent record label. I also know a lot about beer.

I have been reading Skeptical Inquirer for about 10 years and Randi's site for at least a couple of years. I got to see Randi speak about 3 years ago and then was finally able to make it to my first TAM last year.

[The Shadow]

Shadow;

welcome to the Forums and also to TAM5. We have a whole sub-forum with planning and activities by Forumites before, during, and after TAM. Browse around there and get you name posted on a couple of threads and I'll add you to the overall Forum attendees list before we go.



Thanks. I'll head over to the TAM 5 threads, do a little lurkin' about, and then join in the posting - by TAM I should know the score and have some good ideas what to do with my non-conference time. I want to hit the ground running when I get to Vegas and make the most of the trip.

[Nitor]

Nitor wants to know
But doesn't know what to know
Knows what she doesn't

Hello:

This is my intro post, so a little about me. I was asked to quit asking questions in Sunday school. Spent 3 hours asking questions of some Moonies about their complex cosmology. Enjoyed the discussion and inquiring minds of the Jusuit monks. Wrote a paper about free-will that was one of the greatest research projects ever (for me). Mistakenly thought that the Hare Krishna book was a gift - whoops, my bad. Been cussed out by a fake Catholic priest for not giving him money. Recruited myself into an evangelical buddhist group - left when they started asking for money. Love to play pool loudly and badly.

Namaste
Nitor

[SusanB-M1]

Hey, everybody. I'm new (just signed up in the past few days). Discovered this site while searching for "unbiased" opinions on the LightRelief currently being sold. Have always admired Mr. Randi for his work, so figured I'd check out the site. Discovered many references to "woo," but I have been unable to determine just what that means. Found it also in relation to discussions about "magnet therapy," and boy, do I feel like a fool on this one -- thank heavens haven't put much money ($20.00 +/-) into this one, and won't put ANY into the LightRelief. Anyway, can somebody explain what "woo" means? Thanx for any help.

When I joined in July, I saw this word 'woo' and tried hard to work out what it meant from the context. I more or less succeeded but eventually had to ask! Then I was told about the Urban Dictionary which to an ancient person like myself is quite fascinating! I found this site through a Google search which turned up a page of the most-used MBs.

I do like the way people are welcomed here and may I add my still-rather-junior-member welcome.

[The Atheist]

Hi all. I'm a 19 year old male from Auckland, New Zealand who thirsts for knowledge.

The internet is plagued with misinformation and traps and I'm here to learn some more about critical thinking, analyzing fact from fiction and basically sharing ideas with other people of similar interests.

As a side note I enjoy philosophical discussions, motorcycles, piercings, and almost everything else horrible teenagers enjoy too. :D

See ya 'round.

-MW.Mate!

Fellow Aucklander here, but I have kids about your age!

There are a few Kiwi students in here, they'll find ya!

[Spidey13]

... Mistakenly thought that the Hare Krishna book was a gift - whoops, my bad...

Heh. This happened to me once. Welcome to the forum!

[Dumb All Over]

Hi Nitor!!! It is great to see you finally here. How are you dealing with the snow?

[Moggy C]

Hi guys.

Thanks for letting me join your forum.

I'm a Brit, Much interested in the debunking of 'old wives tales'

I was directed here by a posting on some loony old codger's website.

He was caught out in a lie during WW2 having claimed to have met and helped Douglas Bader at a hotel in Liverpool at a time when W/C Bader was actually in a German POW camp.

The idiot's attacks on your forum were so savage I simply had to visit here.

I'll take some time browsing, but I think this could be somewhere I belong.

Cheers

Moggy

[geowyn]

Hello, I'm Geowyn and I'm from the UK. I have been a fan of James Randi for years but have only just discovered this forum.
I am a non-believer of all paranormal phenomena, but do enjoy reading about said phenomena and other people's opinions.

[hcmom]

Hey, look! Someone else who writes in purple!

[bingefeller]

Hi guys,

I've been lurking around the forums here for quite a while and also regularly read the alt.paranormal Usenet group. I just really come here to learn. I'm skeptical about things, such as religion, the paranormal and sometimes the even the actions of the government.

I'll try to get involved more, but alot of the posters here come across as being far more knowledgeable on things than me. These forums are good in that the majority of topics involve intelligent debate rather than the mindless trolling of various other forums that I've read.

[Dumb All Over]

I'll try to get involved more, but alot of the posters here come across as being far more knowledgeable on things than me.

Welcome bingefeller. Being knowledgeable and thinking critically are two different things. I look forward to your posts.

[elaine]

Welcome Nitor!

[The Atheist]

Hi guys.

Thanks for letting me join your forum.

I'm a Brit, Much interested in the debunking of 'old wives tales'

I was directed here by a posting on some loony old codger's website.

He was caught out in a lie during WW2 having claimed to have met and helped Douglas Bader at a hotel in Liverpool at a time when W/C Bader was actually in a German POW camp.

The idiot's attacks on your forum were so savage I simply had to visit here.

I'll take some time browsing, but I think this could be somewhere I belong.

Cheers

MoggyYou're not the first to find it by that route - the guy deserves a good punch on the nose, sullying the rep of one of the greatest heroes the world ever saw.

As to the old wives' tales, can you just stick to giving us the method of getting rid of old wives, first.

Cheers

[Poppythinks]

newcomer from foggy London wishes everyone
a happy n peaceful holiday

[Spidey13]

Happy holidays to you, too, Poppy! Welcome to the thingy.

[american793]

Dear Board Members: I am glad that I am now a Member of this Forum. If you look up Sam Danner on Google you will see alot about the Pentagon on there concerning Myself. I did not Join this forum for an argument or a Debate. I just want to clear up some things and I want to talk to Honest people. I want to clear up some things with people and tell the truth. I want to meet new Friends and talk about all kinds of subjects. So please ask me questions and I will help in the 9/11 Department.
Samuel David Danner

[Tanstaafl]

american793, boy do we have the sub-forum for you! Though I'm sure you've already been checking it out.

Welcome! I'm sure you'll be an outstanding addition to the forum.

[hcmom]

Is there some way of knowing where american793 has posted so that I can stay away? I have.....uh.....Issues...with people Who use capital letters as Decoration.

[troy in wv]

I'm Troy from West Virginia. I may be a few sandwiches short a picnic. I dunno.

But I am on the right side of the 9/11 issue. I'm glad you guys are here to put those 9/11 deniers in their place. I really can't stand them people. Outside of violent criminals I find these 9/11 deniers to be far and away the biggest bunch of scum in the Country.

[Dumb All Over]

Ooo. Let's put troy in wv and american793 in a room together and see what happens. Welcome troy.

[jens]

I figure that I have been a silent observer for long enough-I have been frequenting this forum for the past year or so, but never joined.
I am Jen, I am from Michigan, I am married to scotts (see post further up the page).

I was introduced to the skeptic way of life several years ago when I saw Randi speak on junk science. I have been an atheist forever, but have not always been able to be open about it as a result of living/working conditions. I had the pleasure of attending TAM last year, and I am so excited to be attending TAM 5 :)

I am an ICU nurse, I enjoy animals (we have 6 pets), and I love to play video games. I have never belonged to any forums before, but I feel like this is a great place to start.

[Mr. Skinny]

Welcome Jen (and scott). The S family is now well represented on this forum.

I think there is a S family genealogy forum. I have some S's in my lineage also. They are from Germany. Always good too meet another S. :D

[mumpsimusless]

Hello. I'm new here. Obviously.

I like the topics around here, but have to admit that it seems easy to get lost. Any tips for a newbie as to how to get around? Or do you have to be online 24/7 else you slide off the slippery slopes of each thread?

[mumpsimusless]

Good grief!

It took me 10 minutes just to find this thread again. I had to click on my profile and follow my only post. I am new to the JREF forums, but I have been in other forums. And I can't access the tutorial/guide because I don't have permission or something of the sort.

Not a very good first impression.

[hcmom]

Good grief!

It took me 10 minutes just to find this thread again. I had to click on my profile and follow my only post. I am new to the JREF forums, but I have been in other forums. And I can't access the tutorial/guide because I don't have permission or something of the sort.

Not a very good first impression.

Don't feel bad...I didn't even know there was a tutorial/guide!

If you click on the "User CP" button at the top-ish of the page, you'll find all kinds of things to mess around with. "Edit Options" will include choosing how you get notified of new posts in threads you've posted in.

[SusanB-M1]

Good grief!

It took me 10 minutes just to find this thread again. I had to click on my profile and follow my only post. I am new to the JREF forums, but I have been in other forums. And I can't access the tutorial/guide because I don't have permission or something of the sort.

Not a very good first impression.

I know exactly how you feel - it took me quite a while just to learn how to get to the various boards, let alone the discussion subjects! And there are still many parts of the site I don't understand. However, it's worth the effort! Since last week my computer is doing that thing where the mouse goes into a sort of spasm and going forwards or backwards takes 10-20 seconds, but I have a computer teacher who comes and sorts things out for me! Also there are so many helpful people here who are computer experts.

[BrianEngler]

Hello all,
I've followed this forum for some time but haven't signed up until recently--or posted until now. I live in Burke, VA, not far from Washington, DC--a place that I consider to be a bastion of credulity and sorely in need of an injection of critical thinking. I'm a long-time subscriber of Skeptic, Skeptical Inquirer, and Free Inquiry, and an admirer of James Randi and all he and others like him stand for. I'd hoped to attend TAM 5, but my work interferes this time. I'll shoot for 2008. In the meantime, I'm somewhat active on the Skepticality Forum, a little less so on other fora such as Skeptic and Skeptic's Guide/Skepchick, and now look forawrd to being more active here. Thanks for the opportunity to introduce myself.

[Darat]

Good grief!

It took me 10 minutes just to find this thread again. I had to click on my profile and follow my only post. I am new to the JREF forums, but I have been in other forums. And I can't access the tutorial/guide because I don't have permission or something of the sort.

Not a very good first impression.

Welcome - if you have any ideas for improving matters please feel free to start a thread in Forum Management (http://forums.randi.org/forumdisplay.php?f=19) or Forum Help (http://forums.randi.org/forumdisplay.php?f=16).

[hcmom]

Yep...Darat loves people who give suggestions...especially at dinner time...

[pod]

I am pod i am 42 and a beliver (well some of us should be) but I am very interested in Derek Acorah, anyone have any comments on his work?

[Roadtoad]

I am pod i am 42 and a beliver (well some of us should be) but I am very interested in Derek Acorah, anyone have any comments on his work?

Sucker.

[mumpsimusless]

I know exactly how you feel - it took me quite a while just to learn how to get to the various boards, let alone the discussion subjects! And there are still many parts of the site I don't understand. However, it's worth the effort! Since last week my computer is doing that thing where the mouse goes into a sort of spasm and going forwards or backwards takes 10-20 seconds, but I have a computer teacher who comes and sorts things out for me! Also there are so many helpful people here who are computer experts.

I would consider myself somewhat of a 'computer expert'. Apparently, my expertise is not forum navigation.

Thanks for the welcomes. I guess I'm a little overwhelmed by the size of this place. I'll keep digging and try to get a feel for things.

P.S. When my mouse gets jumpy, it's just a dirty wheel. Either that, or your using microsoft products ;)

[DivBy0]

Hi everyone,
My name is Mike. I'm from Ottawa, Canada and I'm a skeptic. :)
I found this forum by watching a P&T:BS episode with James Randi on it.
I'm a fan of P&T's BS, Skeptic's Guide, and Randi's work. I'm relatively new to the skeptical movement (2 months maybe) but I find people very welcoming and the conversations are great.

[reasonmusic]

Hi. I am here to find out if Lisa Williams is a fake or not. That is about it.

[Darat]

I am pod i am 42 and a beliver (well some of us should be) but I am very interested in Derek Acorah, anyone have any comments on his work?


Welcome. If you want a discussion about Derek Acorah the best thing to do is to start a thread in the "General Skepticism and The Paranormal (http://forums.randi.org/forumdisplay.php?f=7)" section with exactly what you want to discuss.

[MosheJW]

I'm Moshe, 17 years old from Israel, and I found out about James Randi and this site after joining arguments about Uri Geller (who recently decided to try and make a comeback here in Israel).
I saw a post showing a video with James Randi explaining geller's tricks, one thing led to another and here I am :)
I hope I'll learn new things while I'm here...

[Eos of the Eons]

Welcome! Geller got chased home, but I am sorry to hear he's been just as bothersome there.

It's good to know folks like you are trying to spread reason around, and finding good fodder to do it with. Randi succeeded to some point, but Geller's audacity knows no end.

Again welcome, so good to have you!

[wundergeist]

Happy Saturnalia (or other Winter festival of your preference, say "70%-off Sale Tuesday," for instance), everybody. :duck:

Long time reader, first time poster... nothing interesting to say about me, but I heard good news today: Martin Gardner's Encyclopedia of Impromptu Magic, which has been out of print for a while, will be reprinted soon. (So now you know something about me too: I like science (the Martin Gardner part) and magic, and I doggedly pursue books I want.)

WG

[louie]

Hello, I'm Louie the x minister. After 10 years in darkness I finally saw the light. I have been checking out the many links and messages and will soon be posting my own. I've been a skeptic now for 5 years and enjoying the fresh air of reality. Talk to you soon.

[Canadianadan]

Hi I'm That one guy. You know the one. I'm related to hcmom. I taught her how to animate. she taught me how to live. I'm both skeptical and a believer. Oh. and I type in blue.

[Eos of the Eons]

lol. You guys are cool newbies for xmas eve. Thank you for giving the gift of joining us.

[hcmom]

lol. You guys are cool newbies for xmas eve. Thank you for giving the gift of joining us.
Eos...you won't be feeling that way about ThatOneGuy for long, if he wanders through too often....

[The Atheist]

Hello, I'm Louie the x minister. After 10 years in darkness I finally saw the light. I have been checking out the many links and messages and will soon be posting my own. I've been a skeptic now for 5 years and enjoying the fresh air of reality. Talk to you soon.Mate, you'll find a real home away from home here!

Welcome all you new guys - even the believer one! Beware, a few months around here and you might get tainted...

[Eos of the Eons]

Eos...you won't be feeling that way about ThatOneGuy for long, if he wanders through too often....
Whoa, burrrrnnn :D

You going to put up with that, ThatOneGuy?

[Poppythinks]

the Guardian newspaper London last saturday had the best
front page ever, with the headline 'Religion does more harm than good - poll'.......

[Poppythinks]

reasons to be cheerful....last saturday's Guardian (UK) front page headline 'Religion does more harm than good-poll'........xmas gifts of South Park t-shirt and 'The God
Delusion'.....yipeee, stay cool, big wink and big smile....

[Poppythinks]

ooops....there seem to be two posts that went thru, although the first
was rejected......bit of woooo on the randi site perhaps!!! ghost in the machine????.....could go on forever with this thread, better go and get some help from the Dawkins book quick before I lose it again........

[afinemadness]

My name is Joe. I have spent a great part of my life arguing against conspiracy theories. I realize that some small ones exist but in no way can large ones be kept.

[hcmom]

Whoa, burrrrnnn :D

You going to put up with that, ThatOneGuy?

He'll put up with it, or he'll have me correcting the punctuation and spelling of every post he makes....

[Strife]

Hi, I'm Strife. Female science student, with a past as a new age fan but as I grew up I became the sceptic I am today :)

[MickinEngland]

Hi, Mick here in Plymouth UK, aged 50+, open-minded and interested in all aspects of offbeat paranormal stuff and the nature of "reality" etc..

"Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.'' - Albert Einstein
"Strawberry Fields, nothing is real" (The Beatles)
"We are such stuff that dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep.." (The Tempest)
"You can be in my dream if I can be in your dream" (Bob Dylan)
"What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14)

[Pipirr]

Hi everyone,
My name is Mike. I'm from Ottawa, Canada and I'm a skeptic. :)
I found this forum by watching a P&T:BS episode with James Randi on it.
I'm a fan of P&T's BS, Skeptic's Guide, and Randi's work. I'm relatively new to the skeptical movement (2 months maybe) but I find people very welcoming and the conversations are great.

Hello Mike, welcome to the JREF. This (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=68341)might be something for you...

[Tanstaafl]

He'll put up with it, or he'll have me correcting the punctuation and spelling of every post he makes....

Won't he have that anyway?

I was sooo tempted to throw in an extra apostrophe or two...

[Hutch]

Well, time to bea...I mean, greet the newbies...

welcome Poppythinks. Occasionally the posting bot' is slow and be careful not to click a second time on the submit reply button or you get the dreaded double...

welcome to afinemadness (which is much more distintive than Joe). You probably have already found the Conspriacies sub-forum, but please browse around the rest of the site and enjoy it also.

and welcome strife, whch hopefully you do not have much of in your life, you'll find more than a few women here and rebecca has a Forum dedicated to female skeptics (but she lets the guys visit too...)

OK, back to being a curmudgedon...grumble, grumble, grumble...

[hcmom]

Won't he have that anyway?

I was sooo tempted to throw in an extra apostrophe or two...

Of course. He gets that even without posting here. I notice he hasn't come back though...

Why, hasn't my non-evil twin been doing her job with you lately?

[Nitor]

Heh. This happened to me once. Welcome to the forum!

Why thank ya kindly.

I would trade the book, now that I've read it (years ago) for their cool diorama - what a great conversation piece to have on my coffee table.

Can you imagine - inviting people (dates) over and saying nothing ala the gorilla in the corner. Waiting for them to ask...

My neurosurgeon - hypnotist had a brain in a bubbling case of water in her office - I loved it! To add to her incredible coolness, as if being a neurosurgeon wasn't enough - she was also a Cowboy Goth and amateur archeologist.

I wonder what I'll be when I grow up.

Namaste
Nitor

[Nitor]

Heh. This happened to me once. Welcome to the forum!

Why thank ya kindly.

I would trade the book, now that I've read it (years ago) for their cool diorama - what a great conversation piece to have on my coffee table.

Can you imagine - inviting people (dates) over and saying nothing ala the gorilla in the corner. Waiting for them to ask...

My neurosurgeon - hypnotist had a brain in a bubbling case of water in her office - I loved it! To add to her incredible coolness, as if being a neurosurgeon wasn't enough - she was also a Cowboy Goth and amateur archeologist.

I wonder what I'll be when I grow up?

Namaste
Nitor

[Nitor]

Hi Nitor!!! It is great to see you finally here. How are you dealing with the snow?

Hi Nitor!!! It is great to see you finally here. How are you dealing with the snow?

Thank you!!! I was doing fine until the cookies ran out!

Hey look at what I can do... double posts and generate messages like this:
There seems to have been a problem with the JREF Forum database.
Please try again by clicking the Refresh button in your web browser.
An E-Mail has been dispatched to our Technical Staff, whom you can also contact if the problem persists.
We apologise for any inconvenience.

You are only allowed to post URLs to websites after you have made 15 posts or more.
Note: If you use the built-in "Enhanced Editor" to type your responses and you select a smilie from the smilie list you may find the system will believe you are trying to include an URL in your post. If you experience this problem either use the "Standard Editor" or add smilies by typing the text alternative e.g. :)
We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.


Without even trying. I AM SO SPECIAL.

I hope that you are going to TAM5, cause I think you and Reed will have to combine your kryptonite powers to defeat my sun-given capacity for destruction and mayhem.

I don't want to destroy the world, its just a mood I'm in.

Namaste
Nitor

[elaine]

Yes, as I recall, Hal noticed the correlations between your stays in England and concurrent mayhem. Coincidence?

[Poppythinks]

thanks for the welcome hutch....'time to bea...' the newbies......?
is there some kinda 'initiation' i missed out on??

[articulett]

Hi, I'm Strife. Female science student, with a past as a new age fan but as I grew up I became the sceptic I am today :)

I segued into that direction myself after figuring out that religion made no sense.
ETERNAL damnation or salvation based on a BELIEF??! --If people really believed this why weren't the grown ups doing everything in their power to figure out who the right infallible leader was since there was clearly disagreement. And what sort of all-loving anything makes people with the possibility they could suffer forever. I'm not all-loving, but I wouldn't have a kid if I thought THAT was a possibility.

But still I had been raised with the meme that "faith was good"--and that you could "feel" truth. And "what did it matter what is true or not, if it made you feel good or act good?"

But it did matter to me. I don't want to be fooling myself. And it seems like feeling is a pretty stupid way to know anything since clearly the Heavens Gate people and the Hijackers--and everyone feels like their religion is true--don't they? Doesn't everyone feel that they are the "good guys"--that people who think like they do are the most moral?

I like facts--the truth--the stuff that is true for everybody. It's useful and fascinating. And I never knew science could bring such amazement. What I understand about genetics pales in comparison to any creation story. And I don't think faith is good for much of anything except that it makes you trust people that aren't particularly trustworthy.

I value my skepticism. And I think there are some really great people on this site. Welcome.

[hcmom]

thanks for the welcome hutch....'time to bea...' the newbies......?
is there some kinda 'initiation' i missed out on??

Not yet...

[Strife]

I segued into that direction myself after figuring out that religion made no sense.
ETERNAL damnation or salvation based on a BELIEF??! --If people really believed this why weren't the grown ups doing everything in their power to figure out who the right infallible leader was since there was clearly disagreement. And what sort of all-loving anything makes people with the possibility they could suffer forever. I'm not all-loving, but I wouldn't have a kid if I thought THAT was a possibility.

But still I had been raised with the meme that "faith was good"--and that you could "feel" truth. And "what did it matter what is true or not, if it made you feel good or act good?"

But it did matter to me. I don't want to be fooling myself. And it seems like feeling is a pretty stupid way to know anything since clearly the Heavens Gate people and the Hijackers--and everyone feels like their religion is true--don't they? Doesn't everyone feel that they are the "good guys"--that people who think like they do are the most moral?

I like facts--the truth--the stuff that is true for everybody. It's useful and fascinating. And I never knew science could bring such amazement. What I understand about genetics pales in comparison to any creation story. And I don't think faith is good for much of anything except that it makes you trust people that aren't particularly trustworthy.

I value my skepticism. And I think there are some really great people on this site. Welcome.

Agree on all that and thanks for the welcome :)
I personally never been involved with religious faith though, coming from a family who jokes about burning churches because they are noisy. I did belive in pseduo-science that didn't require any god though, stupid as it was.

[handyguy1]

Hello everyone:
This is a great web site! Good Job.
Such great diversity on any issue on the skeptic side is amazing. The intense passion of each individual, in their own relative reality can certanly be felt by the words they choose to use. Hats off to the moderators!

If permitted I would like to start a thread and pose the question, "Instant overunity, or, time will tell." The specific question being; using a 1.5 volt (AAA) battery as the control power source, a 1.5 volt 25mA lamp is attached directly to the power source. The lamp lights to X intensity. A second lamp is attached in series and attached directly to the power source. The lamps will light to X intensity. Using the same power and lamps, the battery is attached to a motor/generator and illuminates the lamps to a considerablely superior illumination than the battery by its self.

Is this instant overunity or does the device have to run a length of time, surpassing the volts and amps of the battery? Suppose the motor/generator lights three lamps brightly, and the battery will not illuminate the lights at all?

It should be noted that the motor/generator consists of magnets and coils of wire. No transformers, inverters, capacitors or the like are used. Really, theres no need to quote thermodynamics or the like, it's allready well documented.

Sincerly:
Handyguy1@verizon.net

[Nitor]

Yes, as I recall, Hal noticed the correlations between your stays in England and concurrent mayhem. Coincidence?
I THINK NOT!

[Dumb All Over]

I hope that you are going to TAM5, cause I think you and Reed will have to combine your kryptonite powers to defeat my sun-given capacity for destruction and mayhem.

I don't want to destroy the world, its just a mood I'm in.

Namaste
Nitor

You betcha I'm going. This will be my first TAM, too.

Even though I've only met you once, your capacity for destruction and mayhem struck me as a power that couldn't be defeated by a hundred Reeds and Dumb All Overs.

BTW- It seems a bunch of Denver people will be seeing Penn & Teller in LV on Wednesday the 17th. Care to join us?

[Nitor]

Yah but, no but, yah, but no - I really don't know how the $$ is going to work out, so unless I win big at Craps, my entertainment budget might be mighty tight. :cool:

My first smiley!!! I am SOMEBODY!

[Eos of the Eons]

:D

You're funny, welcome!

[Nitor]

:D

You're funny, welcome!

Thanks - if that was meant for me.

I have been known to wave enthusiastically at strangers who were not... really...waving...at... me. (Hmm, now that I think about it, I wonder if that's why my friends have me walking 5 paces to the side)

;) I just love earning privileges- can't wait till I get my 50.

[elaine]

:D

You're funny, welcome!

You have no idea. Nitor is a welcome addition to the already somewhat crazy (I say this with love and admiration) Denver Skeptics. I gotta' tell ya', I see the Denver Skeptics Improve in our future. These people have me in tears, I laugh so hard. Picture it, Nitor, Dumb All Over, Hal, Grayman, and when he stops having a life away from us, TJ. All in one place.

[Tanstaafl]

You have no idea. Nitor is a welcome addition to the already somewhat crazy (I say this with love and admiration) Denver Skeptics. I gotta' tell ya', I see the Denver Skeptics Improve in our future. These people have me in tears, I laugh so hard. Picture it, Nitor, Dumb All Over, Hal, Grayman, and when he stops having a life away from us, TJ. All in one place.

Now you're almost making wish I had a reason to go to Denver!

[hcmom]

I'm considering telling my sister in Colorado Springs that I'm coming to live with her...

[elaine]

Now you're almost making wish I had a reason to go to Denver!


Ummm...I just gave you a reason, Nitor, Grayman, TJ, Dumb All Over, Hal, me :D

[BigChris]

Howdy! Name's Chris, and I'm from Southern CA.

I'm a buddy of Ranson's from another board. He promotes this board often, and after watching those ever-so-entertaining clips from the Tonight Show (hahaha...awesome.), I decided to give this place a whirl.

A topic that I'd really like to further educate myself on is the Origin(s) of Existence. To be more specific, I'd like to explore the Atheist/Agnostic's perspective on the origins of the pre-existent matter/energy/whatever that was necessary to create the appropriate conditions for a Big Bang and/or Crush to occur.

I'm entirely finished trying to wade through the quagmire that is the Creation v Evolution argument as, -IMHO- the argument for/against the existence of a supreme being is infinitely more important for those concerned more with their personal posthumous existence than anything else.

[Raphael]

I'd like to explore the Atheist/Agnostic's perspective on the origins of the pre-existent matter/energy/whatever that was necessary to create the appropriate conditions for a Big Bang and/or Crush to occur.

No problem. :eek:

( welcome BigChris!)

[VilleVicious]

Hi I'm Ville and I come from the great northern wasteland also known as Finnland. I'm currently studying to become a maths and physics teacher.

I sort of drifted here from FSTD.COM and I have been lurking for some time now but today I noticed this text at the top of the forums that said: "Hello VilleVicious, We notice you haven't yet posted on our forums... ", so I felt obliged to make an introductory post.

[afreire70]

Greetings everyone. I'm an IT analyst at a law firm in south Florida (within driving distance of the JREF - yay!)

I have a passion for learning and a particular love for enlightened conversation and discussion.

[Monika]

After reading the SWIFT online newsletter for some time now, I decided that it's now time for me to become a bit more active in this great community of skeptics.
I've been educating the people around me about all sorts of woo woo science and conspiration theories and other "real" *koff* magic, the JREF website provided me with great resources.

I'm an IT-Trainer and Consultant, setting up and planning Microsoft networks, doing security audits etc. You'd be surprised how many IT-people believe in some sort magic, regarding their servers. Nope, they don't wave a dead chicken, but one really told me he'd always wear his special t-shirt when he'd do some tricky things with the system. That same guy would never walk under a ladder, and Friday, 13th... you get the idea. <sigh> I refrained from any sarcastic remarks, that really took some will power! Yes, he was the boss of the small IT-department. Luckily the rest of the people was quite normal, or that consulting job would have ended in a desaster.

Monika <- Germany

[simplysuave]

Hey everyone! I'm Shannon, a skeptical, black girl. I somehow stumbled upon this forum and it seems interesting.

[Dogdoctor]

welcome VilleVicious, afreire70, Monika, Shannon aka simplysuave
:jrefwelcome :welcome2
glad you could join us

[Ducky]

Hey everyone! I'm Shannon, a skeptical, black girl. I somehow stumbled upon this forum and it seems interesting.

Welcome! I am a skeptic also, but I'm not black. I'm "burnt cyana." I used to be "flesh," but Crayola voluntarily changed that color name to "peach" in 1962, and I hate "peach." "Burnt cyana" was chosen as a fun name, but now I am thinking that "atomic tangerine" sounds a lot more fun. Then again, in 1998 Crayola introduced "beaver" and that just gets me excited...






I may be unpopular for this view, but I frustrate at the meaninglessness of race as a category of human identity.

[hcmom]

Actually Fowlsound, it was funny enough I hadn't even realized you were expressing a point of view until you said so.

[Nitor]

Hey everyone! I'm Shannon, a skeptical, black girl. I somehow stumbled upon this forum and it seems interesting.

Yea - for the sistahs! You are not alone.

I, when I remember to, identify myself as 'permanently tanned' - but I like Fowlsound's atomic orange, and think I need to science it up a bit - how about radioactive chocolate?

Namaste

Nitor

[Nitor]

Oh and I meant to add (from my Oxford 10thed) color is not a race - it is the "property possessed by an object of producing different sensations on the eye as a result of the way it reflects or emits light."

So, as for me, I enjoy the producing different senstions on the eye thing. I was very confused when I found out that here in the states (I am a USA'er, but spent some key informative years outside) that black was a race. It might have been considered a race in other countries, but not speaking the language can be an advantage in these things. So, I'm with ya again Fowlsound - especially having found out that my maternal dna = Akan people (west africa), but paternal (on maternal side), dna = Norweign, Spanish, Dutch and Native Amerind. How does one get a race out of that mix???

Namaste

Nitor

[Ducky]

Oh and I meant to add (from my Oxford 10thed) color is not a race - it is the "property possessed by an object of producing different sensations on the eye as a result of the way it reflects or emits light."

So, as for me, I enjoy the producing different senstions on the eye thing. I was very confused when I found out that here in the states (I am a USA'er, but spent some key informative years outside) that black was a race. It might have been considered a race in other countries, but not speaking the language can be an advantage in these things. So, I'm with ya again Fowlsound - especially having found out that my maternal dna = Akan people (west africa), but paternal (on maternal side), dna = Norweign, Spanish, Dutch and Native Amerind. How does one get a race out of that mix???

Namaste

Nitor


I figure that's about as easy to get a race out of as my scottish/german mix.


The SCERMANS! They drink lots of beer and whiskey and eat crap boiled food while wearing skirts that were meticulously crafted along with their cars. Occasionally they pick fights with the rest of the world, only to get drunk, weepy and apologize the next day.

Yeah...well the idea of race is dumb anyway. Genetic diversity of the human race doesn't really (to me) give itself to differences that would be meaningful in any way. But hey, what do I know, I'm not even a science person. I'm a calendar model.

..and by calendar model I mean musician/sound engineer that someone took pity on over at skepchicks.org.

I like this:

Oh and I meant to add (from my Oxford 10thed) color is not a race - it is the "property possessed by an object of producing different sensations on the eye as a result of the way it reflects or emits light."

Welcome. Just for the record, Lisa Simpson is always to be blamed, Elton John totally ripped off REO Speedwagon, CFLarsen will always ask for evidence (just smile and pat him on the head), remember to always include a "Planet X" option in any polls you start (see older polls for examples), you may choose to display your realization that a troll posting nuttery here is not here for discussion by posting either pictures of kittens or recipes (I prefer posting recipies, as I once started a new revolution regarding pictures of puppies that flopped rather quickly. I am still bitter.), and what ever you do, and I mean seriously, never forget that the Titanium Superhero demands there be no false idols before him, and he accepts paypal donations.

;)

[Nitor]

I Love SCERMANS (OMgDF) Oh my god - delusional figment. I really do!

The Scottish invented my favorite food in the whole world, (which I place before french fries - and than means something my friend) - Shortbread! (which I espcially love in cookie form!)

And the Germans (I was very young at the time) in the German village I lived in - in Germany, kept feeding me bowls of sugar (they thought I was too skinny) and butter cake for breakfast, and let me have children's beer (until mom found out - whew, she can talk some german, my friend) and taught me drinking songs. Ach der liber, algusting/Deutchlund, Deutchlund uber alles, and the like (forgive my mispells).

Namaste

Nitor

[Dogdoctor]

Nitor,
What an incredibly interesting person... a radioactive chocolate skepchick who sings German drinking songs and uses a hindu signature.

[Ducky]

Nitor,
What an incredibly interesting person... a radioactive chocolate skepchick who sings German drinking songs and uses a hindu signature.

I am smitten. But don't tell my wife. ;)

[Dogdoctor]

I am smitten. But don't tell my wife. ;)

I won't tell yours if you don't tell my wife.

[Nitor]

Don't worry - I do nothing that wives need know. Some of my best friends are wives. And I answer to a higher authority - My Mother! You have to remember - she took on the Germans, on their turf, in their language.

But I have to admit - I'm lovin the attention. Imagine - being admired for your mind.

Namaste
Nitor