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

[zenotter]

Call me Wolli for short if you like.
I'm surprised you don't pronounce it Throat Warbler Mangrove! :)

[gdtbiker]

Since I've uncloaked once or twice, just popping in to say hello. I doubt I'll be posting much (though I've enjoyed reading the verbal smackdown I've seen being put to Kleinman :D) because I...

1) have none of the knowledge or aptitude required to participate on the weightier forums
2) am way too lazy to spend time cultivating either of the above, and
3) merely have to wait for a few minutes/days, and I see all my opinions stated in far more eloquent terms than I would have used anyway.

Cheers.Aww, go ahead, uncloak and at least practice your typing skills. I once suffered from #1 and noted that #3 was true for me too. But the more I lurked, the more #2 just seemed to cease being an issue - I got interested and then got hooked. I do have to admit though, that #3 does sometimes require one to practice one's quickdraw. :D Even so, shooting straight often counts for more than shooting fast. But even if you can't shoot so straight, ya gotta practice sometime dontcha?

Welcome! Welcome!

[JEROME DA GNOME]

merely have to wait for a few minutes/days, and I see all my opinions stated in far more eloquent terms than I would have used anyway.


You seem to be waiting for confirmation bias.

Do not fall into the trap of accepting others thoughts as your own.

[Prometheus]

Hi Everyone,

My browser/firewall combination is making visual mincemeat of this site, so I apologize if I can't figure out how to post correctly.

I've been lurking around the forums here for about a month.

I'm American, but I've spent more than a quarter of my life living in Asia and the Middle East. I was once a student of Dan Dennett, but I wasn't much of a critical thinker at the time, and I don't think he liked me very much.

An otherwise astute friend of mine has characterized me politically as a "tax-and-spend Libertarian". By principle I'm independent, but I tend to vote Democrat in the belief that Republicans are usually right, but when they're wrong, they're catastrophically so, while Democrats are usually wrong, but when they're right they're vitally so.

My biggest pet peeve is people who believe there's such a flavor as "French Vanilla".

I've often wished that so-called "intelligent life" resembled its definition a little more closely.

I suppose I'm more a dog person than a cat person. Dog definitely tastes better. I've eaten both (bosintang, or dog soup, in Korea, and lion tenderloin from Savenor's in Boston).

My hero is Richard Feynman.

[RobRoy]

Hi everyone. I've been a member of other forums, mostly recreational discussions on movies, books, etc. Recently, I've become interested in some alt-history and when searching for critical thinking forums, came across this site. I'm hopeful that the many brilliant minds here will be able to assist me in delving and discussing some of the topics I've been considering recently.

My biggest pet peeve is clutter

I've often wished for a more tolerant society.

I'm definately a dog-owner, but a cat-person: I prefer love and affection on my terms, but otherwise want to be left alone and chase after bright-shiny objects.

My heros vary depending on my current interests.

[Spidey13]

Welcome, RobRoy.
Welcome to the machine.

[Spidey13]

Welcome also to Prometheus!
May your time here be plentiful, educational, and at times a bit naughty!

[arthwollipot]

My biggest pet peeve is people who believe there's such a flavor as "French Vanilla".Yeah, everyone knows it's now called "freedom vanilla"...

[Derek]

Hi everyone,
My interests are the religions of the Renaissance, with a special interest in the history of calendars and hermetic beliefs.
Many ancient religions used electional astrology which was waiting for planetary alignments to co-incide with their actions, while investigating our history i have found numerous occasions when electional astrology could have taken place in line with secret beliefs.

I see that we can add attachments, so i can show star positions, so much of my research i intend to set before you for debate, it should be interesting!
A great deal of ancient Egyptian beliefs seemingly are still followed even today, i do have contact with the Warburg Institute, and recently gave a research paper to them to study.

To study astrology and archaeoastronomy doesnt mean that i have beliefs in this area, i tend to have trouble getting my research noticed as religion can be a minefield, and even here on this forum i intend to be careful, and not voice opinions, and stick to the facts as much as possible, although some theory has to be voiced.

I will start in the next few days with a thread on the ancient Egyptian, Julian and Gregorian Calendars, and look forward to debate with members.

[Foolmewunz]

I am a photographic artist and hope:) folks here will check out my web-forum
<timespacecontinuum.com > when it gets going next year.

Welcome Bedford.

We, here, are a warp or blister in the space-time continuum so I checked your website out already last year. I hope you improve the scrolling speed.

And don't trust that guy handing out cookies! We're not even sure how he got in here.

[Foolmewunz]

Hi everyone,

I'm 24 years old and from Bonn, Germany. I've been a 9/11-denier for a little while until I stumbled over Mark Iradian's "Screw Loose Change - Not Freakin' Again edition" one year ago. I began to check out more and more debunking-websites and came to the conclusion that 9/11 conspiracy theories are nothing more than bullcrap.

I registered to the JREF Forum, although my English is terrible, because it seems to be a place where I can find some like-minded people.

Hmmm? This, as I recall, is how Oliver started. You don't want to tell us how to run our elections, sewer systems, border crossings, national health, or foreign policies, do you? (Just kidding Weltregierung, but working for the last 3 decades for German and Swiss-German companies, I loosely translate your screen name as "world-government"..... Anyhow, search for posts by Oliver, and you'll get the essence of my weak joke in the opening sentences.)

[XenaWarriorPrincess]

I recognize several of you from other forums and I am very excited to get to know you here.

The name I normally use (my own) was taken, so you can all call me Xena... I wish I could make that crazy noise she did back in the day...

[Foolmewunz]

I recognize several of you from other forums and I am very excited to get to know you here.

The name I normally use (my own) was taken, so you can all call me Xena... I wish I could make that crazy noise she did back in the day...

Welcome, XenaWarriorPrincess! (Now who could resist saying that? This is not a phrase I would have imagined a legitimate use for, ever! Well, outside of RPGs or the occasional evening when my girlfriend and I get tired of playing "The Preacher and the Dance Hall Gal", but that's probably best left for another thread. Someone has to think of the children!)

Where do you know "us" from, and that wasn't me, anyway! I was playing cards that night and I have witnesses who are willing to testify to that.

[Prometheus]

Yeah, everyone knows it's now called "freedom vanilla"...
Nice Jab!

Just to be clear, though, I'm not a jingoistic Francophobe. I was refering to the fact that the phrase "French vanilla" got into wide vernacular use through an excusable (I'm an English teacher) grammatical misunderstanding. The origin is with "French vanilla ice cream" which DOES exist (I hope!); the adjective "French" refers to "ice cream" and does not modify "vanilla". French ice cream is any flavor of ice cream that is made with at least 2% egg yolks added to the recipe. Most of Ben & Jerry's original recipes qualify as French ice cream.

[Foolmewunz]

Nice Jab!

Just to be clear, though, I'm not a jingoistic Francophobe. I was refering to the fact that the phrase "French vanilla" got into wide vernacular use through an excusable (I'm an English teacher) grammatical misunderstanding. The origin is with "French vanilla ice cream" which DOES exist (I hope!); the adjective "French" refers to "ice cream" and does not modify "vanilla". French ice cream is any flavor of ice cream that is made with at least 2% egg yolks added to the recipe. Most of Ben & Jerry's original recipes qualify as French ice cream.

Ditto your header (the "good one", not the "nice jab").....

I love it when I learn something totally useless. Four years from now this will be in a pub quiz, and this might be the winning point that evening. If so, I'll give you half the swag we win that night!

Welcome... I see you're already settling in in the posting area, so... well.... Carry on, then!

[Prometheus]

Ditto your header (the "good one", not the "nice jab").....

I love it when I learn something totally useless. Four years from now this will be in a pub quiz, and this might be the winning point that evening. If so, I'll give you half the swag we win that night!

Welcome... I see you're already settling in in the posting area, so... well.... Carry on, then!

Glad to be of service!

I'm often accused of being a well-spring of useless information.

I haven't taken part in a decent pub quiz since I left Dubai.
:(

[XenaWarriorPrincess]

Welcome, XenaWarriorPrincess! (Now who could resist saying that? This is not a phrase I would have imagined a legitimate use for, ever! Well, outside of RPGs or the occasional evening when my girlfriend and I get tired of playing "The Preacher and the Dance Hall Gal", but that's probably best left for another thread. Someone has to think of the children!)

Where do you know "us" from, and that wasn't me, anyway! I was playing cards that night and I have witnesses who are willing to testify to that.
Hmmm, I certainly don't know all of you... however, there are a few familiar "faces" around here.

I will admit it... I am one of those "kooky conspiracy nuts." I believe whole heartedly that 9/11 was perpetrated by factions within our government. However, I am completely disillusioned with the "truth" movement and do not believe or support the organized efforts of those who only desire to exploit the victims and their families for financial gain.

So here I am... not quite sure why yet.

[grayman]

Nice Jab!

Just to be clear, though, I'm not a jingoistic Francophobe. I was refering to the fact that the phrase "French vanilla" got into wide vernacular use through an excusable (I'm an English teacher) grammatical misunderstanding. The origin is with "French vanilla ice cream" which DOES exist (I hope!); the adjective "French" refers to "ice cream" and does not modify "vanilla". French ice cream is any flavor of ice cream that is made with at least 2% egg yolks added to the recipe. Most of Ben & Jerry's original recipes qualify as French ice cream.

Why do you hate America?

Just kidding, welcome to the forum. But as an English teacher could you answer a question: isn't the word spelled "referring"?

[badnewsBH]

You seem to be waiting for confirmation bias.

Do not fall into the trap of accepting others thoughts as your own.


I suppose I should clarify, though this will get a bit off-topic.

Each time I've decided not to post, I've already formulated my own opinion. I've noticed that, if I wait for a few days, that opinion is shared by another poster, who has contributed it to the thread in a very nice fashion. Since I already had that opinion, I wouldn't call this situation "accepting others' thoughts as my own".

Anyway, thanks for the advice. :)

[Foolmewunz]

I suppose I should clarify, though this will get a bit off-topic.

Each time I've decided not to post, I've already formulated my own opinion. I've noticed that, if I wait for a few days, that opinion is shared by another poster, who has contributed it to the thread in a very nice fashion. Since I already had that opinion, I wouldn't call this situation "accepting others' thoughts as my own".

Anyway, thanks for the advice. :)

T'ain't at all off-topic. You were addressed - you can respond. We play like that 'round here. And this is the Welcome thread, where you're supposed to check about stuff like this.

As to your m.o. - that's cool! Some of us (notably your critic and the undersigned) just wade right in and don't care if someone else has said it, 'cuz we're so damned clever that we're sure we've got that particular nugget of wisdom that will make all the posters in the thread smack themselves in the collective forehead and go, "Golly, why couldn't I have seen it that way and expressed it so brilliantly!"

A nifty trick for this symptom: Answer early on in a thread. Then anyone who has your opinion or ideas and expresses them in a later post is merely a poseur, 'cuz you got there first! Unless, of course, your passion is Politics. In those threads you just make a single statement and repeat it in a hundred different ways. You're not going to sway anyone and no one's going to sway you, but you can always pick on the political belief you don't like and no one can prove you wrong 'cuz the entire sub-forum is just one personal opinion piled atop another.

Ciao,
FMW

[Robert Christ]

Hi My name is Robert. I have come here because am just interested in honing my skeptic abilities and sometimes posting on CFS which I suffer and think has gotten a bad rap from science.

[this charming man]

Hi My name is Robert. I have come here because am just interested in honing my skeptic abilities and sometimes posting on CFS which I suffer and think has gotten a bad rap from science.

Welcome, you have come to a good place.

Is it "row-bear" or "raw-bert"?

[JMarshall]

Welcome, you have come to a good place.

Is it "row-bear" or "raw-bert"?

You know I never thought proper pronunciation was that important, until of course I started learning Korean, but then again I only really learned how to swear and insult, so...

Welcome Robert Christ, badnewsBH, XenaWarriorPrincess, Prometheus, and anyone else I missed!

[this charming man]

You know I never thought proper pronunciation was that important, until of course I started learning Korean, but then again I only really learned how to swear and insult, so...

Welcome Robert Christ, badnewsBH, XenaWarriorPrincess, Prometheus, and anyone else I missed!

proper pronunciation can be the difference between life and death

[Simone]

I'm sort of new, haven't been here since April. Winter is coming, more time to sit and do mindless things at the computer. So here I am once again.

Crawling out of the corner, stretching my back like a cat who has been napping for a very long time.

[Robert Christ]

Is it "row-bear" or "raw-bert"?

Hi, it's raw-bert, but on some occasions people have said row-bear, is this a different version of the same name, like the spanish go by roberto?

[Robert Christ]

Thanks JMarshall, by the way how do I set up an avitar? I have been to the control panel but this option didn't seem to be availible there.

[Olowkow]

Pretty new here and I'm fooling around trying to set up the picture (avatar) and little saying under my posts...plum eludes me how to do this. I think I got the picture, but I can't seem to figure out the rest. Any instruction page on this stuff? Also, multiple quoting in a post seems to be a trick I need to learn. Thanks.

P.S. Well, I guess I didn't get the picture in either! Help!

[hcmom]

Robert and Olowkow, I'm not sure how many posts you need for a sig line, but you gotta stick around for 50 before you get to pick a cute picture of your own to represent you.

[COLONEL]

Why do you hate America?

Just kidding, welcome to the forum. But as an English teacher could you answer a question: isn't the word spelled "referring"? First welcome to all the new bloods stick around and have a muffin or see Gayman for a cookie . Gray man are you sure on that spelling I always spelled it refuring . I'm hooked on phonics .

[wahrheit]

First welcome to all the new bloods stick around and have a muffin or see Gayman for a cookie . Gray man are you sure on that spelling I always spelled it refuring . I'm hooked on phonics .

Speaking of speeling, are you sure it's spelled "Gayman"?

[grayman]

[singing mode] I feel pretty...oh so pretty...[singing mode off]

[JMarshall]

[singing mode] I feel pretty...oh so pretty...[singing mode off]

[singing mode]I just met a girl named Maria...[/singing mode] Well, thank you very much and I had hoped I had forgotten completely about "West Side Story"!

[T.A.M.]

Welcome to all the Probies/Newbies etc...since I last welcomed.

Foolmewunz, we rarely see you over at CT Subforums anymore.

TAM:)

[Leicontis]

Figured there was no more appropriate place for my first post...

Just followed a friend here from the Darwin Awards forum - I'll probably mostly just lurk for a while, till I get a feel for things.

As an introduction, I'm a graduate student in metallurgy living in the Boston area. Can't think of any other relevant info, so I guess that's it...

[Foolmewunz]

Figured there was no more appropriate place for my first post...

Just followed a friend here from the Darwin Awards forum - I'll probably mostly just lurk for a while, till I get a feel for things.

As an introduction, I'm a graduate student in metallurgy living in the Boston area. Can't think of any other relevant info, so I guess that's it...

Welcome Leicontis... another one making us question how to pronounce the screen name? (Lay-con-tis? Lee? Lie?) Any significance? I've never heard the name before now.

So, being into metallurgy, you might want to pop in on some of the threads at the CT forum. About once a week, some conspiradroid brings up the "molten steel at ground zero" meme. (Oh, and beware of a certain Crazy Chainsaw - he's one of us and both parts of the name are true. If he asks you to hold something while he goes to get his acytelene torch,... run like hell!)
Actually, no less an authority than Frank Greening once commented that he loved Crazy's "think outside the box" science. (Of course, Greening has recently been seen running naked along Scarborough Bluffs alternately baying at the moon, and asking passersby "What's the frequency, Herbert?", but that's probably something for the humor threads.....)

[GeraldRFord]

Ey, I'm Bill.

I learned a bit about James Randi from watching Penn&Teller, and I found the forums by reading the Screw Loose Change forums.

Just a bit about myself. I am a Christian, but I'm really truly not a fundamentalist or anything. In fact, finding out that I'm Christian shocks a lot of people. I generally figure politically that if I figure God doesn't want me to do something, I won't. If other people do, and that's really going to send them to hell, then I don't care. I also think everything is about a thousand times funnier if Jesus is involved.

I am anti-war, pro-blowing up Iraq, anti-abortion, pro-killing babies. You might find some of my views a little warped, but I like the research on skepticism that seems to go on here, and there are a lot of issues that I'd like to learn more about. Particularly psychics and conspiracy nuts.

[Foolmewunz]

Ey, I'm Bill.

I learned a bit about James Randi from watching Penn&Teller, and I found the forums by reading the Screw Loose Change forums.

Just a bit about myself. I am a Christian, but I'm really truly not a fundamentalist or anything. In fact, finding out that I'm Christian shocks a lot of people. I generally figure politically that if I figure God doesn't want me to do something, I won't. If other people do, and that's really going to send them to hell, then I don't care. I also think everything is about a thousand times funnier if Jesus is involved.

I am anti-war, pro-blowing up Iraq, anti-abortion, pro-killing babies. You might find some of my views a little warped, but I like the research on skepticism that seems to go on here, and there are a lot of issues that I'd like to learn more about. Particularly psychics and conspiracy nuts.

Welcome Bill/GeraldR....

Christians are okay, herabouts - well to many of us. As we've said quite a few times, this isn't an atheist forum, just populated by a lot of us. But there are a number of people here I truly respect who are deists of one sort or another. (In fact, I'm not sure of some posters/members - I don't really care unless we're in a discussion on religion.)

Warped sense of humor? Hockey fan?

For the Million: I predict a certain "Marquis" in your near future....

Have fun - I see you're settling into the sports forums. That's a good start. The posters in there are generally rabid lunatics in other forums, but we have some of the best exchanges in Sports and Business for some reason. (I'm in and out of some of the sports stuff, but a regular in the Rugby and Cricket threads just to show how contrary an American I can be.)

[DocTwisted]

Hello.

I found this place after searching for "Null Physics" online due to an advertisement in my Popular Science magazine. I had seen Randi in Penn & Teller's Balderdash!, and loved the interview he gave in season one's DVD extras.

I've never taken a science class beyond basic Chem 1A, but my interest in Science Fiction has caused me to pick up and read through both of Brian Greene's books on string theory, plus Time: A Traveller's Guide, a regular subscription to Popular Science, and every so often I pick up a copy of Scientific American (when one of the cover stories catches my attention).

I was raised Presbyterian, but don't really belong to a denomination any longer. My work schedule (currently working in a hardware store full time) has made it impossible for me to attend church services in a number of years.

Oh, I'm not an "actual" Doctor, an job I used to have I got nicknamed "Doc" because of how expansive they thought my knowledge was.

[KateHL]

Hello, forum. I'm Kate, a 27-year-old from Mississippi. I've lurked here for some time, but, being the fairly slow-to-warm introvert I am, haven't felt compelled to join until recently.

It isn't easy being an atheist in the American South. Some examples: 1) My Anatomy and Physiology professor also happened to be a Pentecostal minister. He spent most of our class time expounding the evils of stem cell research, evolution theory and suchlike. This was a bit distressing to me as I was taking the course prior to entering nursing school and, unless I'm very much mistaken, one kinda sorta needs to be well-educated in A&P before being allowed to stick needles and tubes into living things. When I brought up this conundrum to another teacher I was told to 'let it go because that's just the way he is.' 2) After 'coming out' about my atheism to my nursing class one of my classmates informed my best friend of 10 years that 'Kate is nice and all but I just can't be her friend because of her chosen lifestyle.' So that's nice. My favorite story is this, though. 3) I have PTSD and at one point entered a treatment center to learn how to cope so I might function better. One of my post-trauma symptoms is sleep paralysis (usually involving nightmares). Instead of informing me that these horrible occurrences had a legitimate cause, my licensed psychiatrist told me I was 'psychic' and 'receiving messages from the beyond.' I'm pretty sure telling an emotionally troubled patient she's seeing ghosts (scary, evil ones at that) is the opposite of help.

The point of all this is to say I'm done with it. I'm an atheist and I'm proud. My hobbies include, but are not limited to, watching documentaries about hauntings and feeling sorry for the children who don't receive the psychological help they need (because their parents are sure their child is possessed by a demon and not mentally ill) and habitually declining my mother's invitations to attend church. Also I have a picture I took in a Vicksburg graveyard that appears to have the grim reaper in it (though it's really just industrial-sized garbage bags on the back of a golf cart) and I would like to submit it to spooky sites to see how many people think it's Death himself. Also I may be a bad person. :)

And, finally, I like ponies. Please buy me one.

[grayman]

Also I may be a bad person. :)

And this is bad because...?


And, finally, I like ponies. Please buy me one.

Here ya go: :h1:


Welcome to the forum, enjoy your stay.

Would you like a cookie? They're oatmeal. :stone028:

[KateHL]

And this is bad because...?Oh, it isn't, really. It's just one of those things I say that don't really mean anything, much like 'sure, I can keep a secret' or 'I love you.'


Here ya go: :h1: I put it in my pocket and it chipped my hipbone with its tiny flailing pony hooves. I hope you have a good attorney.


Welcome to the forum, enjoy your stay.

Would you like a cookie? They're oatmeal. :stone028:Thank you, and no. What could be better than a cookie? Not being diabetic, that's what. :)

[ruckenheim]

Hey ruckenheim and welcome! I was a Penn Radio fan as well... work in IT too. Man I miss that show.

Then check this out: http://www.pennfans.net/files/audio/pennradio.xml - all the episodes with descriptions too! :D

[wahrheit]

ruckenheim, what does that tongue-twister forum nick mean or where does it come from?

[Robert Christ]

Robert and Olowkow, I'm not sure how many posts you need for a sig line, but you gotta stick around for 50 before you get to pick a cute picture of your own to represent you.

Thanks Hcmom, no wonder I couldn't figure it out. What about when others reply to my post's will my email notify me?
Robert

[wahrheit]

What about when others reply to my post's will my email notify me?
Robert

Click User CP -> Edit Options. Scroll down a bit, there's an option to turn this feature on and off under "Default Thread Subscription Mode".

[JusCogens]

Greetings fellow chordates!

I'm a 22-year-old skeptic-in-training, and the JREF forum seems to be the ultimate training grounds for those so inclined!

As somebody who had long had his doubts about religion, I arrived at this skeptic thing by a bit of a crooked path. First came "The God Delusion" which finally tipped me towards atheism and with Dawkins came, not surprisingly, a deep interest in evolution (I recommend "The Ancestor's Tale"). Devouring arguments against creationism then led me to PZ Myers and finally to this forum and full blown skepticism.

Well, the conversion may have been a little longer in the making but Dawkins and Randi were certainly the final straw!

Plus, practicing my debating skills can't hurt my future law career either :degrin:

Páll (that's Paul to the unlucky few of you who aren't Icelandic)

[Unbudgeable Atheist]

Hello Fellow Skeptics,

I arrived here because I want to belong. Many of the reasonable people I've met have been skeptics not exclusively but having dealt with 9/11 conspiracists, invited by 'the secret' cult members, deluding myself of woo-woo, conversing with moon-landing hoax believers, and recently learning about Christine Maggiore's disturbing story of AIDS denialism going amok with her 3 year old daughter dying I've realized that the world is pretty damn terrible and lacks critical thinking abilities therefore I think this place is best place to make friends with likeminded people.

I live in Sacramento so if there are other Sacramento Skeptics please do come out..:) Currently, I'm studying at Sacramento State I'm aiming towards Evol. Biol and Neurobio, and I love science, sushi, music, Fidelio, treb_head, wolverine, and other Paltalk skeptics too and I <3 James Randi ... :)

[grayman]

Welcome to the Forum UA :stone028:

[ruckenheim]

ruckenheim, what does that tongue-twister forum nick mean or where does it come from?

A few years back we were a few friends starting a design company and while brainstorming for a name, we came up with a good solution that would

a) be impossible to spell over the phone
b) take the piss on the oh so pretentious advertising people and
c) make us laugh on a daily basis

So we came up with Ruckenheim, Baldini & Partners (anno 1796)

As evertything is story-telling these days, we conjured the following story to go with the name. I admit some historical facts have been disputed over the years. It involves a lot of things ranging from the Orient Express over UFO abductions to the invention of the hoover:

http://ruckenheim.com/his2.html

http://ruckenheim.com/images/logo.png

[wahrheit]

Ah, cool. I thought Ruckenheim was the village where Frau Blucher was born. *horse whinnies*

[ruckenheim]

Ah, cool. I thought Ruckenheim was the village where Frau Blucher was born. *horse whinnies*


HAHAHAHA! FRAU BLÜCHER!!! *horse whinnies*

That's classic! If any of you haven't seen Young Frankenstein, it comes highly recommended from here :D

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072431/

[Simone]

One of my favorite movies from wayyyyyyyy back indeed!
Bravo!

[COLONEL]

Welcome ua

[Mister Agenda]

I THINK I followed a link from IIDB here a few weeks ago and decided to register. I'd heard of Randi and his work, but wasn't aware of this board.

I have a BA in Psychology, work as a manager in a big corporation, and also post as Mister Agenda in IIDB and FrostCloud.

[JEROME DA GNOME]

I THINK I followed a link from IIDB here a few weeks ago and decided to register. I'd heard of Randi and his work, but wasn't aware of this board.

I have a BA in Psychology, work as a manager in a big corporation, and also post as Mister Agenda in IIDB and FrostCloud.

Ohh, good. You have given me a resource to find quotes that I can take out of context and apply disingenuously to a disagreement we may have.

;)

[Tyler]

Hello!
I've been a lurker for some time, and originally learned of the JREF and the forum from Phil Plait's blog.
I'm rather new to skepticism, in fact it's only been in the last two or three years that I abandoned certain ways of life and thinking that were detrimental to my health and happiness, so bear with me, as I'm still learning.
:blush:

[Keryst]

Hi all,

I'm a long time lurker, and like most decided I'd have to show myself sooner or later. I'm a computer scientist (software engineer? either way, there isn't much real science or engineering going on) in Pittsburgh, PA. I work for an engineering simulation company, writing meshing software, and I'm working on a masters through UIUC's online program. Also got my first kid coming up this week (if the doctors are to be believed). Nice to be here, and I'll see you around.

[wahrheit]

Welcome Tyler and Keryst!
:welcome4

And all the best with the baby, Keryst.

[Keryst]

Many thanks, wahrheit!

[Trakgalvis]

Hi! I am a mathematician, lockpicker, and hopefully much more ..., but firmly rooted in the physical world. I have followed Randi's work for many years, and thought it would be nice to join this forum.

[SusanB-M1]

Hi! I am a mathematician, lockpicker, and hopefully much more ..., but firmly rooted in the physical world. I have followed Randi's work for many years, and thought it would be nice to join this forum.

Welcome. Quick, quick, rush over to the Forum Community and read about the UK get-together this coming Saturday!
Susan

[Darth Rotor]

Ey, I'm Bill.

I learned a bit about James Randi from watching Penn&Teller, and I found the forums by reading the Screw Loose Change forums.

Just a bit about myself. I am a Christian, but I'm really truly not a fundamentalist or anything. In fact, finding out that I'm Christian shocks a lot of people. I generally figure politically that if I figure God doesn't want me to do something, I won't. If other people do, and that's really going to send them to hell, then I don't care. I also think everything is about a thousand times funnier if Jesus is involved.

I am anti-war, pro-blowing up Iraq, anti-abortion, pro-killing babies. You might find some of my views a little warped, but I like the research on skepticism that seems to go on here, and there are a lot of issues that I'd like to learn more about. Particularly psychics and conspiracy nuts.

Welcome. The few Christians who hang around here have either a sense of humor, a thick skin, or both.

Looking forward to your addition to the fun and games here.

Yes, dressing in leather is mandatory, didn't you get the memo? :eek:

DR

[hcmom]

Also got my first kid coming up this week (if the doctors are to be believed).

If you choose not to believe the doctors, what's your theory about what it is your spawn will be?

[Foolmewunz]

Well, didn't he/she say "kid"? Shemp's booking the flights, now!

[Keryst]

If you choose not to believe the doctors, what's your theory about what it is your spawn will be?

Hehe, quite right. Human, I'd wager, but one can never be too sure.

[Trakgalvis]

Welcome. Quick, quick, rush over to the Forum Community and read about the UK get-together this coming Saturday!
Susan

Sadly, I am ill in bed.

[dglas]

Welcome aboard, Unbudgeable Atheist, or whatever it is you are calling yourself today... ;)

I notice I didn't make the love list. I am wounded... ;)

Have fun.

[UnrepentantSinner]

Ah, cool. I thought Ruckenheim was the village where Frau Blucher was born. *horse whinnies*

Am I off base in translating that as sack home, or home of the sack, which I'd think meant codpiece? (My German is a bit rusty).

...Fidelio, treb_head, wolverine, and other Paltalk skeptics too and I <3 James Randi ... :)

Note to self, stop by PalTalk and room raid with UA sometimes. :)

[wahrheit]

Am I off base in translating that as sack home, or home of the sack, which I'd think meant codpiece? (My German is a bit rusty).

Ruckenheim looks and sounds German but it isn't a word or has any meaning. It would work well in Charles Chaplin's Great Dictator speech. If anything, it could be the name of a city because of the -heim (home) as you already wrote.

[UnrepentantSinner]

Ruckenheim looks and sounds German but it isn't a word or has any meaning. It would work well in Charles Chaplin's Great Dictator speech. If anything, it could be the name of a city because of the -heim (home) as you already wrote.

I would have included a smilie but I was hoping a native speaker would let me know if "Rucken" had an actual meaning (I was making a play on "ruck sack"). Danke schoen. :)

[wahrheit]

I would have included a smilie but I was hoping a native speaker would let me know if "Rucken" had an actual meaning (I was making a play on "ruck sack"). Danke schoen. :)

"rucken" (small r) can be used as a verb, but it is very rare, it means "to jerk". If an English speaker would use the word "Rucken" I would assume he means "Rücken" (back), which is where your ruck sack comes from.

[ColumbusRyan]

Hi,
I am new to the forums, having been checking out the site for a couple of months. I always thought that the scammers like Sylvia Browne and the other not so famous "psychics" weren't really harming anyone until I started to pay a bit more attention (I never bought into that stuff myself). Also, a good friend of mine spent about $1,000 calling a "psychic hotline" because he felt he needed guidance in his life. Now, I feel I need to be involved in some way to make sure that no one else wastes their money on such sillyness.

There just seems to be way too much nutbarism going around these days. I saw on CNN how that kid who refused a blood transfusion because of his religious beliefs died today. It ticks me off that some parents could teach their children that some God will punish them if they take advantage of medical science or have impure thoughts or eat meat on Friday.

Anyways, I am thrilled to be a member here and I look forward to fascinating and fun discussions.

[Homemade psycho]

I am anti-war, pro-blowing up Iraq, anti-abortion, pro-killing babies.

Bolding mine

You vote regressive don't you? Maddox will be proud.:D

Yes, I realize most people here have no clue what I am talking about...

[Ezekiel Crowe]

Hi. My name is Ezekiel, and I'm a skeptic.

[Insert gentle sympathies here.]

[Paulhoff]

We are skeptic of that.

Paul

:) :) :)

[ralu]

Helo! My name is Luka and I am student of electronics from Slovenia. Should I said that I am sceptic?

[h.g.Whiz]

hello,
Im a bricklayer by day so i dont have a chance to talk about science, and when i attempt to discuss how i think masonry will evolve. i feel like im talking to a (you guessed it!) a brick wall i watched a program on UWTV about how the CCC is trying to extend computer technology in to uncharted terrirtory. this is my attempt close the gap between construction and today & tomorrows technology.kinda like a Man, Moment, and
Machine episode on the History Channel

[tishayton]

Hallo
I am in the UK and I am still sceptical about whether or not I am a skeptic. I thought I would join this form and learn more about skepticsm. So far I love the humour in these posts! I am a writer, researching the fetal origins of various psychological traits, and that has put me in touch with several people who claim to be "sceptical" about the validity of pre- and perinatal psychology, but I am not sure if that means they "practice critical thinking" as advocated here. They are just dismiss the whole idea, are not interested in learning more, and make me feel like a brainless fool for even thinking of this research as valid. Thats not a true skeptic, surely? Looking forward to some interesting discussions.

I did a search, but I don't seem to have found a thread about prenatal psychology: is there one? I would like to follow it if there is. Help appreciated.
Tish

[UnrepentantSinner]

hello,
Im a bricklayer by day so i dont have a chance to talk about science, and when i attempt to discuss how i think masonry will evolve. i feel like im talking to a (you guessed it!) a brick wall i watched a program on UWTV about how the CCC is trying to extend computer technology in to uncharted terrirtory. this is my attempt close the gap between construction and today & tomorrows technology.kinda like a Man, Moment, and
Machine episode on the History Channel

Welcome to the forum h.g.Whiz. Good to have a fellow Dallasite here and always refreshing to have tradesmen, stay at home moms and security guards here discussing science and technology (as well as skepticism).

[leonAzul]

Hi all,

A long time fan of Randi, since I first caught his act on a TV show called "Wonderama," I stumbled across this site through a google search, wondering what he had been up to lately. As I see, it's all good.

Looking forward to having some fun while I improve my critical thinking skills.

Peace,

paul

[JEROME DA GNOME]

Hi all,

A long time fan of Randi, since I first caught his act on a TV show called "Wonderama," I stumbled across this site through a google search, wondering what he had been up to lately. As I see, it's all good.

Looking forward to having some fun while I improve my critical thinking skills.

Peace,

paul

Welcome!!!

Hold your ideas until they are proven incorrect!

[leonAzul]

Welcome!!!

Hold your ideas until they are proven incorrect!

Sounds like a plan :)

[ruckenheim]

That's really interesting. I was somewhat sure Ruckenheim would be the haagen dasz of design studios. Thanks for the insight.

[epeos76]

Hello,

The story is an all too familiar one. For a long time, I've thought of myself as merely a casual lurker. I came to this forum more or less by accident. At first, I just dropped by from time to time to check out the newest applicants for the MDC. Then I started checking in on weekends, browsing threads "just to see". Then after work. Then more than once a day. Little by little I was drawn in by wit, wordplay, and new ideas. Before long I was following particularly contentious threads post-by-post, rooting for the best points and occasionally muttering imprecations loudly enough to draw questions from my gentle, extremely tolerant partner. By the time I realized the extent of my addiction, it was too late. I'd become a forum junkie.

I'm looking forward to throwing in my two cents in the future. I'm still some sort of theist, and maybe attempting to explain that nebuous state would make a good first thread.

[COLONEL]

Welcome to the forum come on in and stand next to the fire .You must be cold with all that snow coming down .

[letsthink]

I am a 50 something who is not much of a lurker. I found this site yesterday and signed up. :) I come from a background that understands the scientific method and long have been on a tear about sloppy science.

My particular interest is transcendental meditation, which entices members to join by selling its "scientific" basis.

[JEROME DA GNOME]

I am a 50 something who is not much of a lurker. I found this site yesterday and signed up. :) I come from a background that understands the scientific method and long have been on a tear about sloppy science.

My particular interest is transcendental meditation, which entices members to join by selling its "scientific" basis.

You might like this thread: Thunderbolts of the Gods (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=99727)

BTW: Welcome!:)

[eromitlab]

Hello there. Signed up here a couple of weeks ago after seeing references to it in the comments (of which I've made a few) at the Screw Loose Change blog, which I found through Mikey Metz's Confessions of an ex-truther blog, which I found through reddit, where I occasionally do battle with the 9/11 tr00th brigade.

[Spung]

Hi there. Started poking around after seeing references on the Straight Dope boards, and looks like my kind of people here. IRL I'm at the bottom of the academic totem pole in the hard humanities, but with interests all over the map. This place looks interesting as, although they're very much a nice web home, even the Straight Dope boards are often a bit accepting/ defensive of some woo topics, so it's nice to know there's a more thoroughly discriminating place on the web for when I just want to smack some sense into our species.

[Mr. Skinny]

Hello there. Signed up here a couple of weeks ago after seeing references to it in the comments (of which I've made a few) at the Screw Loose Change blog, which I found through Mikey Metz's Confessions of an ex-truther blog, which I found through reddit, where I occasionally do battle with the 9/11 tr00th brigade.
Always room for another skeptic (or debunker, if you will).

Welcome.

Hi there. Started poking around after seeing references on the Straight Dope boards, and looks like my kind of people here. IRL I'm at the bottom of the academic totem pole in the hard humanities, but with interests all over the map. This place looks interesting as, although they're very much a nice web home, even the Straight Dope boards are often a bit accepting/ defensive of some woo topics, so it's nice to know there's a more thoroughly discriminating place on the web for when I just want to smack some sense into our species.
Hi, Sprung. Welcome to the JREF forum.

I've lurked at the SDMB for about 3 years. I registered over there, but don't recall if I ever posted. Then it became subscription, and since by that time I was already pretty used to this place, I never paid the fee.

We've had a few SDMB folks post over here. Glee posted over here for a while, challenging people to chess games (and cheating at a few with Renata). He hasn't posted here in a while though.

Do you use the same screen name over at SDMB?

[Spung]

Nah, over there I'm Capybara, but someone by that name seems to already be over here, so this is my Kingdom of Loathing name, hah.
Nice digs ya'll got here.

[Camwe_R.]

Hello,


New here.

I am 53, a Black atheist, who loves to listen to christian radio. Native New Yorker currently banished to Virginia, with no hope of parole.

I would also like to thank the great Randi for being such a light and pissing off the right people (I also listen to to Art Bell and his munchkins).

C.

[The Hungry Atheist]

'Morning, all! Long-time fan, first-time poster.

In the spirit of pretending anyone's really interested: I was brought up very liberally Christian, stuck with it pretty much by default until around University, when I started to swing way over to the skeptical side of the spectrum. I briefly ran my own website (as the eponymous Hungry Atheist) and wrote a few rambling articles about on various aspects of religiosity, but although it was fun and useful in clarifying some of my own ideas, I was pretty half-assed about it and just let it lapse after a while. I've been thinking of rejuvenating it lately, though, so if I can get any more than 50% of my ass in gear on these boards, maybe I'll try getting back on the wagon.

Anyway, hi. How y'all doin'?

[UnrepentantSinner]

I am 53, a Black atheist, who loves to listen to christian radio. Native New Yorker currently banished to Virginia, with no hope of parole.

I would also like to thank the great Randi for being such a light and pissing off the right people (I also listen to to Art Bell and his munchkins).

There are a number of us who listen to Coast to Coast even though it makes steam come out of our ears.

The Hungry Atheist, there's a blog function for you to practice your rants before committing to a thread.

Glad to have you both with us.

[Retto_Pyrrah]

Hi! I'm Sara, life-long doubter, long-time Randi admirer. (I still have the spoon he bent in my own hands during a demonstration on that long-ago day in Amherst *sigh*).

I hope I am clever enough to be a real part of your community. I'm a bit nervous about not having anything to contribute that hasn't been said a million times before, but, I do look good in a tri-corner hat. So, I have that going for me.

I am silly and a geek if there ever was one.

I am looking forward to conversing with people who use you're and not your when they mean you are.

[wahrheit]

Hi! I'm Sara, life-long doubter, long-time Randi admirer. (I still have the spoon he bent in my own hands during a demonstration on that long-ago day in Amherst *sigh*).

I hope I am clever enough to be a real part of your community. I'm a bit nervous about not having anything to comtribute that hasn't been said a million times before, but, I do look good in a tri-corner hat. So, I have that going for me.

I am silly and a geek if there ever was one.

I am looking forward to conversing with people who use you're and not your when they mean you are.

Hi Sara! You say that

- you are silly
- you are a geek
- you like Randi and skepticism

I say you are a perfect fit for this forum. :D

Welcome.

[grayman]

Hi! I'm Sara, life-long doubter, long-time Randi admirer. (I still have the spoon he bent in my own hands during a demonstration on that long-ago day in Amherst *sigh*)...

Tell me, do you pronounce it AMerst or amHerst"?

[brainlesssteel]

Hi everyone! I've just become a member of the JREF, but I've been meaning to do so for a while now. Procrastination is one of many things I do well. I've been interested in science and skepticism for several years but it has only been recently that I've begun joining groups and (hopefully) making an active contribution to the skeptical community. I'm an active listener to such quality podcasts as the Skeptic's Guide to the Universe, Skepticality, Skeptoid and others. I like to keep up with the current goings on in skepticism as much as I can.

Anyway, that's all silliness. I'm certain you're all wondering who the heck I am. My name is Adam, I live in Muncie, Indiana and I'm 24 years old. I've worked as a Baker for the last four years, but I'm currently in college studying Computer Information Technology. Outside of skepticism and science my interests include Linux, open source software, punk and metal music, godless liberalism, and drinking a variety of high quality beers.

I hope you're all as excited to have me as I am to be here :P

[Mr. Skinny]

Hi everyone! I've just become a member of the JREF, but I've been meaning to do so for a while now. Procrastination is one of many things I do well. I've been interested in science and skepticism for several years but it has only been recently that I've begun joining groups and (hopefully) making an active contribution to the skeptical community. I'm an active listener to such quality podcasts as the Skeptic's Guide to the Universe, Skepticality, Skeptoid and others. I like to keep up with the current goings on in skepticism as much as I can.

Anyway, that's all silliness. I'm certain you're all wondering who the heck I am. My name is Adam, I live in Muncie, Indiana and I'm 24 years old. I've worked as a Baker for the last four years, but I'm currently in college studying Computer Information Technology. Outside of skepticism and science my interests include Linux, open source software, punk and metal music, godless liberalism, and drinking a variety of high quality beers.

I hope you're all as excited to have me as I am to be here :P
Welcome, Adam.

I've been to Richmond, Indianapolis, and Columbus, Indiana, but never got to Muncie. I think some of my cousins that live around Fort Recovery, OH and Wapok, used to listen to Muncie AM radio stations years ago (WOWO?), but that the extent of my knowledge about Muncie (that and the Ball State-Letterman connection).

Hope you enjoy your stay here.

[Kestrel]

Greetings.

Been browsing this forum for a week or two, and using the 9/11 debunking references for even longer. Finally decided that it was time to jump in, join the fun and try to contribute.

I live in the Denver area and do software for a living. My hobbies are mostly geeky stuff like ham radio and astronomy, but I also love hiking in the wilderness and exploring new places.

[Retto_Pyrrah]

i Sara! You say that

- you are silly
- you are a geek
- you like Randi and skepticism

I say you are a perfect fit for this forum.

Welcome.
Thanks! Can't wait to dive in.

Tell me, do you pronounce it AMerst or amHerst"?
Well, AMherst, but since I'm not a native and have only been to the place that one time, I'm not sure how much that counts for.

drinking a variety of high quality beers.
I love beer. What are your favorites?

[UnrepentantSinner]

Hi! I'm Sara.. {snip nothing but goodness}

Oh yeah, you'll fit right in here.

I live in Muncie, Indiana and I'm 24 years old. I've worked as a Baker for the last four years..

Cookies, cakes, pies and bread or something more sophisticated? CS/IT is a dime a dozen around here, but being an expert on foodstuffs will endear you immediately.

I live in the Denver area...

You're on at 9am (MST, I'm CST) on a Saturday. Are you an extreme night owl, an early riser or do you have an infant in the house?

[Olowkow]

Thanks for all the earlier welcomes. Sorry, I've been getting some experience posting and haven't checked this thread for quite a while.

Glad you found the "(pienc) olowkow" interesting. I had a cat we called "woof", because she barked! When my Polish buddy told me about [o-woof-koof] (olowkow), I was intrigued. The derivation of this word, believe it or not, is from Latin "plombium", for lead.

My background was linguistics, and now electronics for the last 30 years. If anyone thinks "linguistics" might be a worthwhile thread, I will volunteer.

[geometrist]

Hi, My name is Alex. I am a Painter and lecturer in New York City, (where else?). I have been having an argument with a friend about the whole 9/11 conspiracy theory(s). Persuading a committed pod person is a near impossible task. But I persist. I know of Mr. Randi from much of his other debunking work..so when I happened upon this blog, I thought how interesting it would be, both in content, and by way of learning how to interact this way. Being as I am quite long in the tooth to be a beginner, I am not sure if I have even done this intro in the correct box. But, I will soon see.

[Kestrel]

You're on at 9am (MST, I'm CST) on a Saturday. Are you an extreme night owl, an early riser or do you have an infant in the house?

Today I was an early riser. But I have seen the dawn many a time by staying up all night.

[arthwollipot]

I've always maintained that very early in the morning is a great time to be up, but it's a completely awful time to get up.

[Elmer]

Hi, Elmer here. I like reading fiction and non-fiction, listening to talk radio around the dial and recumbent bikes - the kind for the road/bike paths.

[Silentknight]

Hi. Long time skeptic, first time poster. My name is Silentknight, but I usually go by Kyle... No wait--nevermind. :p

I'm a former Lutheran turned agnostic/deist after becoming disillusioned with religion. I later decided that atheist was the closest match to my current views, which also include interests in Christianity, Buddhism, and Shamanism. My political views tend to fall between liberal and libertarian, although I'm a critical thinker first, with everything else being secondary to that, as I can't stand extremists of any ideology. I'm a huge fan of South Park and Penn & Teller's show (whose title gets censored on here it seems) and I have a lot of appreciation for what people like James Randi do.

I got my start on a now defunct site called christianburner.com, which was quite fun and actually fairly tolerant of the few Christian members we had. I briefly visited Evil Bible but left due to the somewhat oppressive atmosphere. I was at Ethical Atheist for the better part of a year, during which I checked out Raving Atheist for just a couple of months, however I left EA when the admin stopped caring and the boards got overrun by militant atheists and conspiracy theorists. Since then I've been hanging out at DoubtingStephen's board "Ain't No God" which is a small, friendly community, albeit nowhere near as active as JREF.

I've recently felt like rejoining the debate, with one exception. I have learned throughout the course of all the religious / philosophical debates that I've been in that rational argument tends to only work with people who are already inclined to think logically. Otherwise you can literally waste hours on end talking to a brick wall, squandering a great deal of patience and polite discourse on people who would never show you the same in return. Thusly I'm with Pat Condell on this - sometimes ridicule, mockery, and scathing satire are more appropriate than formal debate, and it isn't to say that you can't still make your relevant points. :D

My focus tends to be on conspiracy theorist nutjobs, psychic charlatans, religious fanatics, cdesign proponentsists, and anyone who prioritizes absolute certainty over rational thought. As it is though, this is probably the largest forum I've ever joined, so I just hope I can find my way around.

[arthwollipot]

As a not-so-silent knight (http://www.aaf.org.au/gallery/kit/andrew/firstcrusade), I bid you welcome!

[booneyTune]

Hello JREFers!

My name is Ryan. I'm long time skeptic/cynic, part time NWO resistance fighter, Poli Sci major, and JREF lurker. I registered about a week ago and look foward to finally contributing to the forum.

[666]

Welcome bT/Ryan. Sounds like you'll fit in here just fine. A bit of lurking is always worthwhile before diving in. :Banane30:

[billnreno]

Hello Members
My Name is Bill Mayfield, This is my first time at using 'Forums', so be understanding...Thanks

[this charming man]

Agent 32, Please send NWO Kitty over to booneyTune's residence for reprogramming ASAP.


Hello billnreno, I understand this is your first time at using 'Forums'; I welcome you.

[Snoggums]

Hello, I'm new here, just popped in to say hello. :)

[Darat]

And here's to hoping you'll pop in a lot more now you've joined.

[amb]

Hi everyone. After browsing this thread for a while, I decided to join. I have allways been a fan of Mr Randi, having read a lot of his books. In fact I would say he has been a light in the darkness for me over many years. I never stop quoting the million dollar challenge to fundies and other delusional people. I am a skeptic with a capital S. An atheist from a very young age. Am now approaching my 6th decade. I hail from Perth W.Australia, and am unfortunatley married. If I ever go a bit over the top in my posts, it's because I see red if someone claims fairy tales and pseudoscience as fact. Regards to all members. Angelo.

[Zarathustra]

Greetings and Salutations to all!
I look forward to discussing many topics of science and logic with all of you, in this, the last bastion of civilized discussion!
:)

[JEROME DA GNOME]

Greetings and Salutations to all!
I look forward to discussing many topics of science and logic with all of you, in this, the last bastion of civilized discussion!
:)

Little do you know.:rolleyes:

[Foolmewunz]

Hi everyone. After browsing this thread for a while, I decided to join. I have allways been a fan of Mr Randi, having read a lot of his books. In fact I would say he has been a light in the darkness for me over many years. I never stop quoting the million dollar challenge to fundies and other delusional people. I am a skeptic with a capital S. An atheist from a very young age. Am now approaching my 6th decade. I hail from Perth W.Australia, and am unfortunatley married. If I ever go a bit over the top in my posts, it's because I see red if someone claims fairy tales and pseudoscience as fact. Regards to all members. Angelo.

Here's your first nitpick post.....

Would that be approaching 50? That's the end of your fith decade and thus the beginning of the 6th. (By that count, I'm approaching my 7th - Egad, that's a frightening way to look at things, isn't it?)

Welcome,! We have a large contingent of Aussies here, good skeptics(sceptics) and cynics, all! Drop into sports - sorry, no threads on Aussie rules, but a goodly amount of Aussie and Kiwi participation in both the Rugby and Cricket "semi-permanent" threads.

[Prometheus]

Here's your first nitpick post.....

Would that be approaching 50? That's the end of your fith decade and thus the beginning of the 6th. (By that count, I'm approaching my 7th - Egad, that's a frightening way to look at things, isn't it?)


As long as we're nitpicking, he didn't actually say how closely he was approaching his 6th decade. I'm also approching my 7th -- just 20 years to go. Also, you spelled "fifth" incorrectly. :D

[amb]

Here's your first nitpick post.....

Would that be approaching 50? That's the end of your fith decade and thus the beginning of the 6th. (By that count, I'm approaching my 7th - Egad, that's a frightening way to look at things, isn't it?)

Welcome,! We have a large contingent of Aussies here, good skeptics(sceptics) and cynics, all! Drop into sports - sorry, no threads on Aussie rules, but a goodly amount of Aussie and Kiwi participation in both the Rugby and Cricket "semi-permanent" threads.
I'm also on the Dawkins forum, which operates a little differently. As do IIDB, forum. These forums notify when a response is made to a post. I'm sure this one does as well. My question. How do I set to recieve notifications? :blush:

[Darat]

I'm also on the Dawkins forum, which operates a little differently. As do IIDB, forum. These forums notify when a response is made to a post. I'm sure this one does as well. My question. How do I set to recieve notifications? :blush:

USERCP>Edit Options (http://forums.randi.org/profile.php?do=editoptions)>Default Thread Subscription Mode

[LibraryLady]

As long as we're nitpicking, he didn't actually say how closely he was approaching his 6th decade. I'm also approching my 7th -- just 20 years to go. Also, you spelled "fifth" incorrectly. :D

Pro--you've learned the lingo.

[jessy1239]

Hello!

My name is Jessica and this is my first time joining a forum of any kind :shy:
I actually came across it when looking up info on the mind-body problem for a class I'm taking. Once I saw all the posts...i was like "wow" this place is really awesome, I learned more from reading a couple pages of this forum than I have from any classroom...
Im obsessed with anything that has to do with astronomy lol and I'm a huge skeptic when it comes to pretty much everything
most of my free time is spent watching the science channel...I'm kind of a "closet Geek" ...it's really cool to be able to discuss topics of this nature with so many different people with so many different views and ideologies...Im really excited about becoming a member...I'm actually really shy so I probabaly won't be doing too much posting right away :o but I am excited to read all the threads...

[Mr. Skinny]

Hello!

My name is Jessica and this is my first time joining a forum of any kind :shy:
Hi, Jessica. This is the first forum I joined too. That was six years ago.

I actually came across it when looking up info on the mind-body problem for a class I'm taking. Once I saw all the posts...i was like "wow" this place is really awesome, I learned more from reading a couple pages of this forum than I have from any classroom...
That's great, Jessica, but I'm chuckling because the part I bolded above sounds just like one of those "testimonials" you see in adverts/web sites for snake oil. :D

Im obsessed with anything that has to do with astronomy lol and I'm a huge skeptic when it comes to pretty much everything
most of my free time is spent watching the science channel...I'm kind of a "closet Geek" ...it's really cool to be able to discuss topics of this nature with so many different people with so many different views and ideologies...Im really excited about becoming a member...I'm actually really shy so I probabaly won't be doing too much posting right away :o but I am excited to read all the threads...
If you are an astronomy buff, you should visit the Bad Astronomy web site run by a JREF forum member, Phil Plait. http://www.badastronomy.com/

[Foolmewunz]

Welcome, Jessy.

Ditto what Mr. Skinny said. I'd been reading SWIFT for a long time (it comes out right at lunchtime here on Fridays), and hadn't even clicked on the forum until Randi made reference to it in a long ago edition. I read the forums for quite a while (upwards of a year) before joining up and posting, and even that was just because some Conspiracy loon really made me angry/offended.

I haven't left since that day. I've dabbled on a couple of other forums, but I've made this one home. Jump into a thread if you feel like it, but it's not a requisite... lurk and read if that's your thing. Whichever you choose - Welcome Aboard.

[amb]

Pro--you've learned the lingo.Alright, alright! I just hate to remind myself that I'm 59 and will be 60 in six months. Using decades sounds a little more subtle.
:D

[amb]

Hello!

My name is Jessica and this is my first time joining a forum of any kind :shy:
I actually came across it when looking up info on the mind-body problem for a class I'm taking. Once I saw all the posts...i was like "wow" this place is really awesome, I learned more from reading a couple pages of this forum than I have from any classroom...
Im obsessed with anything that has to do with astronomy lol and I'm a huge skeptic when it comes to pretty much everything
most of my free time is spent watching the science channel...I'm kind of a "closet Geek" ...it's really cool to be able to discuss topics of this nature with so many different people with so many different views and ideologies...Im really excited about becoming a member...I'm actually really shy so I probabaly won't be doing too much posting right away :o but I am excited to read all the threads...Welcome Jessica. I'm also new to this forum. You sound very young, but with a great rational mind. I also started questioning blind faith at a very young age, and was a fully fledged agnostic by the time I was about 14. And a fully hard nosed atheist by the time I reached 20. All I ever read are astronomy, science, and anything non-fiction. James Randi's books hold pride of place in my heart. As do Richard Dawkins, Carl Sagan, and many many others. Cheers, Angelo. :)

[COLONEL]

Welcome Jessica enjoy you time here you are among friends don't for get to get your welcome cookie from the Grayman .Or if you prefer I have Bluberry muffins .

[mgilII]

Hi everyone:

Im Marco and Im from Puerto Rico,my first language is Spanish and I will try my best writing my posts in English, any error you find or suggestion please PM me or post it, its going to be a new challenge to explain theories or opinions in English, knowing that only a single word can change the whole thing. I noticed that all my life I looked for the truth in everything concord a logical and a scientific reason. This past month I've been trying to improve my skeptic reasoning by studying some of the most popular lowbrow theories and watching James Randi interviews, Penn and Teller and some George Carlin lol, its been a long journey since the only scientist and skeptic I know is my father. I hope to learn a lot from you on this forum.
thank you

[this charming man]

Great to see you mgilII; Welcome!

[JEROME DA GNOME]

Hi everyone:

Im Marco and Im from Puerto Rico,my first language is Spanish and I will try my best writing my posts in English, any error you find or suggestion please PM me or post it, its going to be a new challenge to explain theories or opinions in English, knowing that only a single word can change the whole thing.

Welcome!

Excellent choice in this forum for learning to excel in your English writing abilities. Few errors will go unchecked in a disagreement. ;)

[arthwollipot]

Hi everyone:

Im Marco and Im from Puerto Rico,my first language is Spanish and I will try my best writing my posts in English, any error you find or suggestion please PM me or post it, its going to be a new challenge to explain theories or opinions in English, knowing that only a single word can change the whole thing.Let me just say that as a non-native English speaker, you have done extremely well with this post.

[JMBadger]

Hello all. My name is Michael (the M in my username). I never use Joseph as it would add to the confusion with my Father and my son.

I'm recently 43 and this is my first forum. I've been a fan of professional magic since I was a child, ever since my Dad pulled a quarter from my ear. I do the same sort of stuff for my son, but when he says it is magic, I ask him what makes more sense—that it is real magic, or that it is a sneaky trick. He's figured out that that even the cleverest trick is still just a trick. Pretty good for an 8-year-old. Hopefully he'll grow up with a healthy sense of skepticism.

Since I don't know what sort of info complete strangers want to know about me (aside from my credit card #, PIN, SSN, etc.) I'll stop here.

[arthwollipot]

Hey there JMBadger. I'm fascinated with magic too - perhaps because I have absolutely no natural ability with it. My repertoire consists of exactly two card tricks - only one of which actually requires a minor misdirection, and I can't even convincingly vanish a coin. I therefore have a lot of admiration and respect for those who can.

[jessy1239]

Mr. Skinny,

Thanks so much for the link to the Bad Astronomy site! I've already meddled my way around haha
I really like the way Phil Plait explains everything in a funny, understandable way...very cool guy and very cool site (everyone should go visit it!)
The top 10 pictures of 2007 is awesome, especially the Mars photo, it looks exactly like something here on Earth!

[jessy1239]

Welcome, Jessy.

Ditto what Mr. Skinny said. I'd been reading SWIFT for a long time (it comes out right at lunchtime here on Fridays), and hadn't even clicked on the forum until Randi made reference to it in a long ago edition. I read the forums for quite a while (upwards of a year) before joining up and posting, and even that was just because some Conspiracy loon really made me angry/offended.

I haven't left since that day. I've dabbled on a couple of other forums, but I've made this one home. Jump into a thread if you feel like it, but it's not a requisite... lurk and read if that's your thing. Whichever you choose - Welcome Aboard.

I know! I was reading some posts from 2004 about a certain topic and some of the responses made me so angry that I wanted to refute them right then and there...
but it was from 2004 and I wasn't a member lol
but thats another reason I wanted to join...

[UnrepentantSinner]

Welcome new folks. Glad to have you join the Forum.

[mgilII]

Thanks a lot for your great welcome and hope to see you around :shy::p

[zas]

Hello, everybody!

I actually joined this forum a couple years back because I wanted to search the topics- I've popped in now and again since then, but this is my first time actually posting. :)

Anyway, I live in Utah, USA. I was raised in Provo as a Mormon, but in my teenage years I realized things didn't quite match up in that belief system. As a result I left that religion and learned a valuable lesson about how little feelings have to do with truth, heh. ;)

I'm about to start my final semester as a University Art major, emphasis painting and drawing . . . I'm looking forward to trying to become more involved with the discussion here instead of just lurking from time to time. :)

[Nogbad]

Hello folks I stumbled across this forum when reading up on a bit local hokery pokery and thought it looked an interesting place to throw the odd comment or two in.

I grew up in a non-religious household with my father a nominal Church of Scotland member and a mother who might be best described as sceptical (door to door hawkers of religion tended to get short shrift from her and I recall a persistent couple of Jevohah's Witnesses being chased with a bucket of water (she believed in tough love :D ) I myself am of a sceptical bent although I have no strong antipathy to religion per se - just the mad things people say and do in support of religious causes.

Studied Economic History at Edinburgh University and sadly ended up in Accountancy - I console myself with the thought that in every other parallel world I did something more interesting.

How does one install an avatar here? The picture in user photo was the one I wanted to use but it doesn't seem to give me an option of installing an avatar.

[UnrepentantSinner]

How does one install an avatar here? The picture in user photo was the one I wanted to use but it doesn't seem to give me an option of installing an avatar.

http://forums.randi.org/faq.php?faq=new_faq_item#faq_signature_and_avatar
Once you get to 50 posts the option will appear on your User CP (drop down menu at the top of the page).

If you don't mind a high fluff to substance ratio in your posts, hit some of the threads in Community and Humor and you'll have 50 in no time.

[Nogbad]

http://forums.randi.org/faq.php?faq=new_faq_item#faq_signature_and_avatar
Once you get to 50 posts the option will appear on your User CP (drop down menu at the top of the page).

If you don't mind a high fluff to substance ratio in your posts, hit some of the threads in Community and Humor and you'll have 50 in no time.

I can do fluff :)

[Corpse Cruncher]

I can do fluff :) If you can fluff you are welcome there in the humorites section. And we might forgive you for being one of them... accountants. *shudder*

Interesting name too, please do explain.:D

Welcome *munch* i'm the offical forum eater:D



To all other new persons. Welcome munchies :D

[Francesca R]

i'm the offical forum eater:DQuick! Log out! Someone's eating the forum!

ETA: (Welcome all)

[Nogbad]

Thanks for the welcome

http://www.nogginthenog.co.uk/

Nogbad is the naughty one and as such is rarely picked as a sign in name. I get so bored with the "that name is taken" thing :D

I used to go for Biggles but that rarely is available anymore.

[MusicMan]

I just typed up a big post about myself, then I lost it. :mad:

Here we go again:

My name is Bill. I've been a member here for quite a while, but this is my first post. I'm not new to message boards, though; I'm a member of several. I'm 32, have been married for 7 & a half years, and have 2 daughters (ages 3 & almost 1 year). I'm a graphic designer by profession, but my real passion is playing music. I've been a musician for 23 years. My first instrument was fiddle (violin), and although I still play it, my concentration is now on bass guitar. I play bass in a rock/variety band, and I'm having the time of my life! :Banane08:

I'm also an amateur astronomer, although I don't have a whole lot of time to actually stargaze at this point in my life. I have an 80mm apochromatic refractor and an 8" reflector for those nights when I can get out under the stars.

Other things I enjoy are spending time with the family, NASCAR racing, listening to music (all-time favorite band: Led Zeppelin!), reading, wasting time on the Internet, watching horror movies, watching "Everybody Loves Raymond," and who knows what else.

I was raised Catholic, but now I consider myself an agnostic atheist. I first started questioning the whole idea of God & religion when I was taking astronomy classes in college. I began to realize how insignificant we really are in the grand scheme of things. I also became a skeptic around this time. I've read several books about skepticism, and I'm a big fan of Carl Sagan. As I got older, I've gotten more comfortable with my atheism. Now I'm quite content with it & feel like I could never go back to theism, especially something like Catholicism. I occasionally attend a Catholic wedding (what kind of a friend would I be if I didn't? :) ), and it really reinforces to me how absurd it all is.

My wife is also an atheist, so we have no conflicts about God! :D

That's pretty much my life in a nutshell. I've enjoyed lurking around here, but I figured now's the time to start posting a bit. I'm looking forward to it!

[this charming man]

Welcome MusicMan. It's always good to have another bass playing ex-catholic in the ranks.

[Paulhoff]

I just typed up a big post about myself, then I lost it. :mad:
One of the reasons that I use Word and then copy and paste. Welcome.

Paul

:) :) :)

[Jensen]

I'm new here and from Denmark, but I don't know Claus Larsen personally, so please don't yell at me.

[arthwollipot]

If you don't mind a high fluff to substance ratio in your posts, hit some of the threads in Community and Humor and you'll have 50 in no time.I recommend any of the threads which have more than 10,000 posts.

[JEROME DA GNOME]

One of the reasons that I use Word and then copy and paste. Welcome.

Paul

:) :) :)

Word has smilies?

[Corpse Cruncher]

I'm new here and from Denmark, but I don't know Claus Larsen personally, so please don't yell at me.
Why not! Denmark is that big is it. If I am expected to know the Queen then you should also know Claus Larsen.

Second thoughts you live in the same country as him. You have my sympathies and welcome Jensen. I shall reserve not munching on you at this time. I've just consumed breakfast.:D

Welcome Bill, musicman, fiddlesticks as well :D No doubt the forum musicans, not me, will be eyeing you up your talents. Me, I will just eye you up as moving snack.;)

[MusicMan]

Glad to see some other musicians here! :cool:

[this charming man]

I'm new here and from Denmark, but I don't know Claus Larsen personally, so please don't yell at me.


Evidence?

[Paulhoff]

Word has smilies?
Yes, not a happy person are you.

Paul

:) :) :)

[Darkhole]

Hi all, this is realy a great forum.
I am 67 and after a live long hard labour I learn there is more then that. My nick (had to be Blackhole) expresses my hunger voor knowledge. I suck it up .:jaw-dropp :D
My english is minimal (learned english reading forums with the help of a great program , Babylon ), so most of the time I will be here in silence reading.

[Prometheus]

Hi all, this is realy a great forum.
I am 67 and after a live long hard labour I learn there is more then that. My nick (had to be Blackhole) expresses my hunger voor knowledge. I suck it up .:jaw-dropp :D
My english is minimal (learned english reading forums with the help of a great program , Babylon ), so most of the time I will be here in silence reading.

Welcome. Don't put worry about your English, thus far it seems a lot better than many of the people who post here!

[arthwollipot]

Many of the native English speakers, no less.

[JEROME DA GNOME]

Many of the native English speakers, no less.

Blarney!!!



ETA: Wait, that might be Irish?

[arthwollipot]

Blarney!!!



ETA: Wait, that might be Irish?It's certainly not any English I've encountered. But then again, I'm not English.

[JEROME DA GNOME]

It's certainly not any English I've encountered. But then again, I'm not English.

What is you native tongue?

[arthwollipot]

What is you native tongue?English, of course.

[JEROME DA GNOME]

English, of course.

Ahh, then blarney is Irish. I live on the East coast of the US and there are many Irish, if fact I married one.:)

[Corpse Cruncher]

It's certainly not any English I've encountered. But then again, I'm not English.
It's Irish, no English person would use that expression. It would more likely I say do you mind, Crikey, Oi and a lot more other colourful expressions. :D

[ScroogeANDMarley]

Hi. Long-time lurker here. Finally joined because I wanted to respond to a post that I can no longer find, lol. Ex-pat American living in NZ. Remember all those celebrities that said they would move out of the US if GWB became prez? Yeah, well, some of us non-celebrities actually did.

[Esperdome]

Welcome, MusicMan. Always like to see another NASCAR fan around.

Welcome, Jensen. I think part of this board's charm for me is the large number of danish posters here. I'm USA, half danish, five gens removed.

Zas, if that's you in your avatar it confirms my bias opinion that Morman chicks that leave the faith are total hotties. Welcome, regardless.

And welcome to all the other new people.

[Celyn]

Hello, I'm new and I'm Celyn from Glasgow in Scotland. I'm likely to read more than post, but this is a fine excuse both to say "hello" and to check that I *can* post without messing things up.

I've wandered around here before, but this time I had the bright idea of joining. A bit slow? Yes. :D

Wishing a seasonal "Bah Humbug" to all. :)

:)

[skepticalbeliever]

Hey I’m from New York. My name describes how I feel about politics. I’m a Catholic. I don’t have a problem with evolution but am skeptical about people like Sylvia Brown and John Edward, but I think James Van Praagh is the real deal. JKLOL, I think JVP is a fake also.

So I look forward to chatting with you guys.

[Hokulele]

Welcome Celyn from Glasgow! You apparently *can* post without messing anything up. Keep up the good work. ;)

Welcome skepticalbeliever! There are quite a number of people who are more than skeptical about Sylvia Browne, and many of them can be found in the General Skepticism sub-forum. Dive right in!

[UnrepentantSinner]

<---- fights urge encourage the acceptance of a lei from the grass kilt wearing, sushi offering member.

[XBoxWarrior]

HI.......post 6!

[hcmom]

HI.......post 6!

Well, gee... you've been quite busy since then, you're up to 9 posts!!

I haven't done the Welcome Wagon thing lately, so hello to all the new victims playthings members!

[SusanB-M1]

Hi all, this is realy a great forum.
I am 67 and after a live long hard labour I learn there is more then that. My nick (had to be Blackhole) expresses my hunger voor knowledge. I suck it up .:jaw-dropp :D
My english is minimal (learned english reading forums with the help of a great program , Babylon ), so most of the time I will be here in silence reading.

Welcome from another slightly older senior citizen member!

[amb]

Ahh, then blarney is Irish. I live on the East coast of the US and there are many Irish, if fact I married one.:)I allways wanted to marrie an Irish woman. Are they as fiery as they say? My first ever girlfriend was Irish. 40years later I still often remember her. Her dad was a dictator and used to give me the third degree every time I turned up the door. I think he didn't trust Italians. ;)

[amb]

Welcome from another slightly older senior citizen member!So I'm a youngster at 59?
A great holiday break to one and all.
Regards Angelo.

[amb]

Hey I’m from New York. My name describes how I feel about politics. I’m a Catholic. I don’t have a problem with evolution but am skeptical about people like Sylvia Brown and John Edward, but I think James Van Praagh is the real deal. JKLOL, I think JVP is a fake also.

So I look forward to chatting with you guys.Wellcome to this forum.
I feel I have to put you on the straight and narrow. Do you actually believe James Van Praagh could claim the million dollar prize from the Randi Foundation? If not he like all his con men and women friends should be treated for what they are. Frauds. ;)

[Darkhole]

Welcome from another slightly older senior citizen member!

Thank you Susan, ehhh, I don't dare.....;)

[jaywhat]

blarney means flattery or cajoling talk (according to Chambers Dictionary).
It is English with a strong Irish flavour.

[Roadtoad]

Welcome, Darkhole. For some reason, I've a strong appreciation for your background.

[JEROME DA GNOME]

I allways wanted to marrie an Irish woman. Are they as fiery as they say? My first ever girlfriend was Irish. 40years later I still often remember her. Her dad was a dictator and used to give me the third degree every time I turned up the door. I think he didn't trust Italians. ;)

Red hot.

[Roadtoad]

If you want a hot woman, forget her birthday, your anniversary, dinner out...

[Eos of the Eons]

... forget her birthday, your anniversary, dinner out...
Huh? Why? :confused:

[grayman]

If you want a hot woman, forget her birthday, your anniversary, dinner out...

"If you want to be happy for the rest of your life life..."

Qh9ZZgDqzAg

[Mr. Skinny]

"If you want to be happy for the rest of your life life..."

Qh9ZZgDqzAg
Can't watch the video, but I'm guessing it's expressing the opinion that from their personal point of view, one should get an unattractive woman as ones marriage partner.

[UnrepentantSinner]

Wellcome to this forum.
I feel I have to put you on the straight and narrow. Do you actually believe James Van Praagh could claim the million dollar prize from the Randi Foundation? If not he like all his con men and women friends should be treated for what they are. Frauds. ;)

I think you missed this part here:
"JKLOL, I think JVP is a fake also."

Translation - Just Kiddding. Laughing Out Loud, I think James van Praagh is a fake also. :)

[amb]

"If you want to be happy for the rest of your life life..."

Qh9ZZgDqzAgGreat song. But if your going to be miserable for the rest of your life, at least if she's a stunner it makes things just a little easier to live with. And that theory of a placid ugly woman holds no water. I have seen such women make life a living hell for the unfortunate guy. :D

[ZERO#2]

Hi.

I come from a land down under and UK Skeptics forum.

The dichotomy is tearing me apart.

[amb]

Hi.

I come from a land down under and UK Skeptics forum.

The dichotomy is tearing me apart.
Welcome, as most members here would say. Why are you divided into two groups of thought? Or parts. Are you a sceptic or not? Or are sceptical on only some subjects and a true believer on the rest.? There is a sceptics site here in Australia as well.

[Dogmeat]

Hey everyone, actually this is my second post but meh. I'm some guy from Brisbane who's sick of all the pseudoscience and quackery getting forced down society's throat these days and after lurking here for quite a while I decided to start posting! Yay me!

[amb]

Hey everyone, actually this is my second post but meh. I'm some guy from Brisbane who's sick of all the pseudoscience and quackery getting forced down society's throat these days and after lurking here for quite a while I decided to start posting! Yay me!It's an Australian invasion. Must be the new Goverment we just elected. Guess what, the new PM is a church going christian as well. Oh well, long as he doesn't make policy according to his religious beliefs, and seperates the two, we should be OK.
Regards, Angelo.

[ImproperUsername]

Greetings. New member here. I joined because of my interest in the 'Animal Communicator' fad. As a horseman, I've seen lots of posts elsewhere by horse owners who have engaged the services of Animal Communicators. I make myself disliked and unpopular by carrying a torch for Truth. What is WRONG with me? ;)

[hcmom]

What is WRONG with me? ;)

Well, for one thing you don't seem to know how to pick an appropriate user name... :halo:

[amb]

Greetings. New member here. I joined because of my interest in the 'Animal Communicator' fad. As a horseman, I've seen lots of posts elsewhere by horse owners who have engaged the services of Animal Communicators. I make myself disliked and unpopular by carrying a torch for Truth. What is WRONG with me? ;)Welcome.
I think you have been watching to many episodes of the horse whisperer.

Animal communication is an every day occurance. But I draw the line at actually having a conversation with a horse or whatever.
Would be great to talk to a racing horse though, to get some tips. :)

[Dogmeat]

It's an Australian invasion. Must be the new Goverment we just elected. Guess what, the new PM is a church going christian as well. Oh well, long as he doesn't make policy according to his religious beliefs, and seperates the two, we should be OK.
Regards, Angelo.

I'm kind of ambivalent about that too. I'm willing to give the guy a chance though, his personal beliefs are no concern of mine so long as he doesn't influence the government with them.

[Highland_Life]

Hello everyone :D wading my way through the forum now - there's a lot of reading :boggled::hypnotize

[DrBaltar]

Hello all. I have posted on this forum, but I'm still a newbie, so I thought I'd say hello here. I have been a fan of The Amazing Randi for several years, and have seen him speak in person, but I have just recently found this forum. I have been on a few other forums and this is by far the best one I've seen yet. It is so refreshing to be among generally more intelligent people and not having to argue basic things with others who see absolutely no value in science or skepticism, so we can get on with the more interesting subject matter.

[amb]

Hello everyone :D wading my way through the forum now - there's a lot of reading :boggled::hypnotizeA very warm welcome from another newbie.:) You could spend the rest of your life reading the posts here :jaw-dropp The time I have spent here have been enjoyable, with some great memberships and I almost worship James Randi.

Regards~Angelo.

[Kmee]

Finally the time has come to make my first post. Hello to you all! This is my first forum, and therefore, first post ever. It all started after a friend gave me the Zeitgeist movie, and told me to "Spread the truth". Out of that aggressive waste of time, I found this wonderful place. Great to know something like this exists, and I can be a part of it.

[Ladyhawk]

Hi, everyone! This is my first post in a LONG time. I'm a former JREF member and I haven't visited the forum in a couple of years. I'm doing a "fly by" to see all the new changes I've heard about at the forum. Looks like there are lots of new members and I'm looking forward to some healthy debates and lively exchanges in the near future. Hope everyone had a nice holiday and here's wishing everyone a Happy 2008!

[ZERO#2]

Welcome, as most members here would say. Why are you divided into two groups of thought? Or parts. Are you a sceptic or not? Or are sceptical on only some subjects and a true believer on the rest.? There is a sceptics site here in Australia as well.

I am a firm skeptic, 100% athiest and will change my mind on anything if you can provide good evidence.

The split is living in Oz and being a member of UKSkeptics.

What is the Aussie site?

[wyndl]

... just a guy in LA that does his best to wield critical thinking in order to wade through the jungle of BS that seems to surround our ever day life. Stumbled upon the forums here while researching 'Zeitgeist, The movie', and glad that I did.

I consider myself one of the lucky few that was indoctrinated into catholicism (was even an altar boy) since before I can remember, and yet still was able to realize that I don't need any incentive to be a decent person (that is, i was able to put away my blind faith in favor of logical thought and reasoning).

that said, i might be silly at times, and my vocabulary has shrunk considerably since most all of the words I use these days include "grep, cat, strace, df, ls, cd, ps" ... etc (that is, i am a UNIX systems admin/programmer).

I love to learn, seek the truth of things, and am glad to be here.

-wyndl

[Maldoror mit Malodor]

At the behest of the computer screen, I am going to introduce myself here: Hello!

[Sophie Walker]

I want to say hello, but not to sure about how much to say about myself.

I'm an ex social worker, who lost faith in the profession I was working in.
I'm Married with two children and currently living in an old RV whilst travelling around delivering training for people working with children.

I am skeptical about a lot of things but also peculiarly fascinated by them this includes psychology, psychodynamics, religion, and unfortunately Christianity, in particular the early history of christian teaching.

I suppose it's easiest to say I would love to believe but don't for a multitude of reasons.

I encountered this site whilst searching for a 'chapter and verse' for a particular quote from John's Gospel which I didn't want to search through in it's entirety. I was interested mostly because I remember Randi's debunking of various charletons and thought that his name would attract some critical thought. The threads I read confirmed this and I thought why not join, so I did. Although the 'e'mail call backs were a little lengthier than I was expecting.

Anyway thats probably enough for a 'hello'

[Fiona]

I feel a bit churlish because I have not posted here, and I have posted elsewhere. What can I say? Introductions make me feel a bit silly. But well....hello ;)

[amb]

I am a firm skeptic, 100% athiest and will change my mind on anything if you can provide good evidence.

The split is living in Oz and being a member of UKSkeptics.

What is the Aussie site?
www.australiansceptics.com.au

[UnrepentantSinner]

Welcome MmM, Sophie and glad to see you finally introduce yourself Fiona.

[cynicalnomad]

Finally a place for conversation and the exchange of ideas. Living in the bible belt it's hard to find someplace where you can talk about important skeptical issues. I'm new to message boards in general so please be patient with my occasional faux pas. So thanks :):)

[Soapy Sam]

Funny how the mind works.
I'm sat here, thinking "Sophie Walker"? Where have I seen that name, recently?

It was at the dentist's last week. There was a sports magazine on the table in front of me, with the name on the cover. I think she's a golfer.

Now I had forgotten all about that, until now. Or I thought I had. Well, I didn't think about it at all in fact, because, clearly, if I had thought about it I would have known I hadn't forgotten about ...is that the time? I'll get my coat.

Oh- and welcome aboard!

[amb]

Funny how the mind works.
I'm sat here, thinking "Sophie Walker"? Where have I seen that name, recently?

It was at the dentist's last week. There was a sports magazine on the table in front of me, with the name on the cover. I think she's a golfer.

Now I had forgotten all about that, until now. Or I thought I had. Well, I didn't think about it at all in fact, because, clearly, if I had thought about it I would have known I hadn't forgotten about ...is that the time? I'll get my coat.

Oh- and welcome aboard!A golfer? I thought she was a Penthouse centerfold! Jokes aside. A warm welcome Sophie. :)

[itzybitzy]

Hi, Guys,
This forum site captured my attention while I was on my endless search for interesting gifs and jpgs.
A forum for skeptics? :jaw-dropp
How cool is that!:D
I like to explore ideas, but don't worry, I am not into flaming or other rude behaviour. :catfight:none of that for me.

[hcmom]

Hi, Guys,
This forum site captured my attention while I was on my endless search for interesting gifs and jpgs.
A forum for skeptics? :jaw-dropp
How cool is that!:D
I like to explore ideas, but don't worry, I am not into flaming or other rude behaviour. :catfight:none of that for me.

So you're only here for our cool smilies? :halo:

[SteyrAUG]

New Goober checking in.

[itzybitzy]

So you're only here for our cool smilies? :halo:
Nah, I'm also here to wail on dumb things like Scientology, Homeopathics, and the like. Not fond of organized religion, either, but will try to be respectful of other's half-baked notions of "reality".:D

Also, welcome, SteyrAUG! I just got here myself and already am having a great time!:yahoo

[Prometheus]

Welcome! And Happy New Year!

:talk008: :talk008: :talk008: :talk008:

[orphia nay]

New Goober checking in.

Greetings, Happy New Year, and Happy Birthday! :)

[SteyrAUG]

So let me get the first new guy stupid question out of the way.

How do you do avatars and such?

[orphia nay]

So let me get the first new guy stupid question out of the way.

How do you do avatars and such?

You will be able to upload an avatar (using your User CP (Control Panel) after you reach 50 posts.

Keep asking questions, one at a time, and you'll soon get there.
:)

[amb]

Nah, I'm also here to wail on dumb things like Scientology, Homeopathics, and the like. Not fond of organized religion, either, but will try to be respectful of other's half-baked notions of "reality".:D

Also, welcome, SteyrAUG! I just got here myself and already am having a great time!:yahoo
Don't give a sucker an even chance. Anyone who believes the mumbo-jumbo of the supernatural deserves everything they get. And there not half baked. They are fully baked. a very warm welcome. Regards and a very happy new year~Angelo.

[Sir Real]

New join here. I've been browsing the forums for a few months now and decided to register. This site is the favorite amongst my favorites. Have a great new year all. See you in the forums.

[deep thoughts]

Hi, everybody. I've been lurking for a few months and decided to register. Happy New Year, everyone!

[amb]

deep thoughts, what took you so long? Welcome.

[c76info]

Hello, I'm new. I got to this website by searching on Google for "conspiracy theories", as I have a conspiracy theory website and wanted to join some others. The $1,000,000 challenge got my attention. I read up about that -- then decided to join the forums, even though it wasn't really what I was looking for.

Once I saw Randi's photo, I recalled seeing him on TV -- some documentary. I can't remember what the documentary was about, but I do remember that he is a skeptic -- and that I didn't really agree with him.

I am a "believer", and in my mind: Jesus is Lord! I have reasons for believing in God, but unfortunately God's works can't be measured with rulers or calculators -- and the brilliance of God defies logic. Therefore, I can't see a conversation of the existence of God getting anywhere on a forum like this.

Right now I am just introducing myself, and then I'm going to go float around the board to see how logical all this logic is, or whether the tools of a skeptic (which are confounding and limiting, imho) actually serve anyone or do any good when utilized without salt or pepper.

[verisimilidude]

Howdy, folks!

Just thought I'd join with the hope of expanding my knowledge and sharpening my critical thinking skills.

I implore you all to be kind!

[arthwollipot]

Hey there c76info. There are a number of Aussies hanging out in the "Australians Only No Foreigners" thread in Forum Community. Come join us and get your post count up so you can get an avatar.

And verisimilidude - cool name!

[verisimilidude]

Thanks! I'd say your name is both cool and unique!

[arthwollipot]

Thanks! I'd say your name is both cool and unique!That's why I picked it. If you do a Google search for "arthwollipot", every hit you'll get will be me in one way or another.

[amb]

Hello, I'm new. I got to this website by searching on Google for "conspiracy theories", as I have a conspiracy theory website and wanted to join some others. The $1,000,000 challenge got my attention. I read up about that -- then decided to join the forums, even though it wasn't really what I was looking for.

Once I saw Randi's photo, I recalled seeing him on TV -- some documentary. I can't remember what the documentary was about, but I do remember that he is a skeptic -- and that I didn't really agree with him.

I am a "believer", and in my mind: Jesus is Lord! I have reasons for believing in God, but unfortunately God's works can't be measured with rulers or calculators -- and the brilliance of God defies logic. Therefore, I can't see a conversation of the existence of God getting anywhere on a forum like this.

Right now I am just introducing myself, and then I'm going to go float around the board to see how logical all this logic is, or whether the tools of a skeptic (which are confounding and limiting, imho) actually serve anyone or do any good when utilized without salt or pepper.Apart from Randi's million dollar challenge, I have also put up my house, and all other assets to anyone who can scientifically prove a case for anything supernatural. I am as good as my word. You prove your god exists [ scientifically] I will pay up. So put your faith where your mouth is. :D

[Deneb]

I joined way back in 2004 and made a single post, but I forgot about this forum as my father got in a pretty big motorcycle accident. I just remembered I had a membership when I got the email about the new forum rules.

I'm trying to post more, but I often prefer listening to conversations than participating in them.

I'm of the opinion that knowledge enhances the experience of life, so I live to learn/figure out as much as I can.

[LA woman]

Ah, the introduction thread.

The details of my life are quite inconsequential... very well, where do I begin? My father was a relentlessly self-improving boulangerie owner from Belgium with low grade narcolepsy and a penchant for buggery. My mother was a fifteen year old French prostitute named Chloe with webbed feet. My father would womanize, he would drink. He would make outrageous claims like he invented the question mark. Sometimes he would accuse chestnuts of being lazy. The sort of general malaise that only the genius possess and the insane lament. My childhood was typical. Summers in Rangoon, luge lessons. In the spring we'd make meat helmets. When I was insolent I was placed in a burlap bag and beaten with reeds - pretty standard really. At the age of twelve I received my first scribe. At the age of fourteen a Zoroastrian named Vilma ritualistically shaved my testicles. There really is nothing like a shorn scrotum... it's breathtaking- I highly suggest you try it.

Other than that, I've been a fan of Undesired Walrus for 2 1/2 years, after he spammed me with hundreds of nude pics of himself. I've been stalking him ever since. Currently I'm posting from the hedges in his front yard.

I enjoy all kinds of poetry and literature, deep conversations about philosophy, long walks on the beach, bible study, and whoring.

Looking forward to getting to know all of you better. And by getting to know you better I mean stalking you from your hedges.

:)

[Undesired Walrus]

Ah, the introduction thread.

The details of my life are quite inconsequential... very well, where do I begin? My father was a relentlessly self-improving boulangerie owner from Belgium with low grade narcolepsy and a penchant for buggery. My mother was a fifteen year old French prostitute named Chloe with webbed feet. My father would womanize, he would drink. He would make outrageous claims like he invented the question mark. Sometimes he would accuse chestnuts of being lazy. The sort of general malaise that only the genius possess and the insane lament. My childhood was typical. Summers in Rangoon, luge lessons. In the spring we'd make meat helmets. When I was insolent I was placed in a burlap bag and beaten with reeds - pretty standard really. At the age of twelve I received my first scribe. At the age of fourteen a Zoroastrian named Vilma ritualistically shaved my testicles. There really is nothing like a shorn scrotum... it's breathtaking- I highly suggest you try it.

Other than that, I've been a fan of Undesired Walrus for 2 1/2 years, after he spammed me with hundreds of nude pics of himself. I've been stalking him ever since. Currently I'm posting from the hedges in his front yard.

I enjoy all kinds of poetry and literature, deep conversations about philosophy, long walks on the beach, bible study, and whoring.

Looking forward to getting to know all of you better. And by getting to know you better I mean stalking you from your hedges.

:)

Please stick around my love. Join us in the conspiracy forum, it's a riot (And maybe ask a certain Welsh person to join us there, and a certain female Welsh person can join us in evolution...)!

Everyone, please give LA your undivided welcome. For no other reason than she's quite a hottie!

[Atomised]

Hello everyone. :)

I'm an 18 year old math student from Croatia, but I'm pretty eclectic. Oh, I love skepticism :D but have to admit that some things (like some conspiracy theories) scare me (or used to scare me), and that's another reason why I joined this forum... That's pretty much it, for now. :cool:

[TheRock]

Hello folks! :)

I came upon this forum after searching for "debunking zeitgeist the movie." I clicked on that movie in Google video (being the most watched video recently) and watched the first part about religion. Something didn't seem right hence my search for critiques of the movie. Anyway, the other night I read through the zeitgeist thread here and then the tax evasion thread --- interesting stuff! Many of you helped clarify stuff for me. Thanks!

A little bit about myself: I was a subscriber to Skeptical Inquirer for several years during graduate school, but had to drop it after starting a family (needed to save on $). I am an amateur magician, so I know about James Randi---didn't know this forum existed though!

Well, looking forward to participating in some interesting discussion!

Cheers! :D

[HawaiiBigSis]

(like some conspiracy theories) scare me (or used to scare me)
Conspiracy theories confuse me. I wander in there, read for a minute or two, and can't even hold out for the inevitable saner voices. I just marvel at how disconnected some people seem from any reality I've ever experienced.

Welcome Atomised and everybody else; there's something for everybody in here: poke around, find whatever there is to amuse you.

[amb]

Hello everyone. :)

I'm an 18 year old math student from Croatia, but I'm pretty eclectic. Oh, I love skepticism :D but have to admit that some things (like some conspiracy theories) scare me (or used to scare me), and that's another reason why I joined this forum... That's pretty much it, for now. :cool:
Welcome; We would not be human if some of us didn't believe in conspiracy theories. It's what makes life so interesting and amusing to hear how there are still people out there that don't believe Amstrong walked on the moon. :rolleyes:

[Atomised]

Thank you for your welcomes. :)

Yeah, the things (both of) you said are true, but it's amusing how many people believe in these conspiracy theories...

Oh, another reason why I joined... Or why I became a skeptic in the first place: A friend of mine had been normal until she started doing reiki... Then she started exploring conspiracy theories... Anyway, in the end, she was diagnosed with schizophrenia... She started feeling "energies" and stuff and one day she started thinking her parents are aliens in conspiracy, things like that... She threw herself under a train. :(

(Sorry for going off topic.)

[Roadtoad]

Hello, I'm new. I got to this website by searching on Google for "conspiracy theories", as I have a conspiracy theory website and wanted to join some others. The $1,000,000 challenge got my attention. I read up about that -- then decided to join the forums, even though it wasn't really what I was looking for.

Once I saw Randi's photo, I recalled seeing him on TV -- some documentary. I can't remember what the documentary was about, but I do remember that he is a skeptic -- and that I didn't really agree with him.

I am a "believer", and in my mind: Jesus is Lord! I have reasons for believing in God, but unfortunately God's works can't be measured with rulers or calculators -- and the brilliance of God defies logic. Therefore, I can't see a conversation of the existence of God getting anywhere on a forum like this.

Right now I am just introducing myself, and then I'm going to go float around the board to see how logical all this logic is, or whether the tools of a skeptic (which are confounding and limiting, imho) actually serve anyone or do any good when utilized without salt or pepper.

I'd say welcome, amigo. The only thing I would advise you of is this: Get your facts straight, and don't take too much too seriously.

[Prometheus]

Thank you for your welcomes. :)

Yeah, the things (both of) you said are true, but it's amusing how many people believe in these conspiracy theories...

Oh, another reason why I joined... Or why I became a skeptic in the first place: A friend of mine had been normal until she started doing reiki... Then she started exploring conspiracy theories... Anyway, in the end, she was diagnosed with schizophrenia... She started feeling "energies" and stuff and one day she started thinking her parents are aliens in conspiracy, things like that... She threw herself under a train. :(

(Sorry for going off topic.)

Welcome. I don't think your reasons for joining are off-topic at all when introducing yourself, so no need to apologize.

I'm sorry to hear about your friend. I had a friend with schizophrenia commit suicide when I was in college, also. I doubt your friend's involvement with Reiki and CT had any causative or exacerbating effect on her illness though. More likely her change in behaviour was an early symptom of the disease.

[amb]

Thank you for your welcomes. :)

Yeah, the things (both of) you said are true, but it's amusing how many people believe in these conspiracy theories...

Oh, another reason why I joined... Or why I became a skeptic in the first place: A friend of mine had been normal until she started doing reiki... Then she started exploring conspiracy theories... Anyway, in the end, she was diagnosed with schizophrenia... She started feeling "energies" and stuff and one day she started thinking her parents are aliens in conspiracy, things like that... She threw herself under a train. :(

(Sorry for going off topic.)
This is also off topic.
But I feel for your friend as I have a schizophrenic daughter, and can imagine your friend's delusions. My daughter claimed just the other day, how as she was showering, Jesus smacked her on the bum. Nothing I or anybody else can say will change her mind that to her it was real.
Your friend may have explored something like reiki because of her condition.

[Mog]

Hiya, my name's Sam, but you can all call me Mog!

I'm 18, and live in Northampton

and, urrrm... Hi :D

[ZamuBa]

Hi,

My name is Bruce. But you can call me whatever my tag says. I'm from Canada. (and why does the word 'tag' have a little mouse-over definition?)

I'm here to learn new things.

[grayman]

Hiya, my name's Sam, but you can all call me Mog!

I'm 18, and live in Northampton

and, urrrm... Hi :D

Which Northampton? England or Massachusetts?

[hcmom]

Hi,
(and why does the word 'tag' have a little mouse-over definition?)

I'm here to learn new things.

Starting with why the word "tag" has a little mouse-over definition? :halo:

[Married2aWooster]

Hello,

I spent a good part of today reading through threads here, and was very entertained. I very much love my wife, and we have a great relationship. I never rub her face in the fallacies I see in her wooish beliefs, but sometimes I really need an outlet/sanity check. I think I'm home. :D

[geni-inoz]

Hello chatters.

I'm from down under, South Australia to be exact. I found this place while surfing around looking for information on Franks Box, after reading a magazine article on it..... curiosity got the better of me.... and it lead me to here.

I have my own set of beliefs, sprinkled with a healthy amount of skepticism. I believe in some spiritual matters but am not a believer of man made religions or anything that is controlled by mass hype, or group adulation. I believe in some alternative medicines and some scientific based medicines. I believe not everything can be proved, somethings are meant to remain a mystery.

Like everyone I am suspicious of governments, large corporate dealings and many of the 'professional" physics etc..... I don't believe that money should be made from this kind of thing.

When looking at anything science should be the first tool used to rule out the explainable and logical, after that....... well who knows.... I guess none of us really will until we are gone. I have had varying inexperiences with things that have made me have to question what I believed to be true. Not all my beliefs are set in concrete due to this, because there are still some very unanswered questions..... and it keeps me looking and questioning.

I am not a person who screams their own ideas, questions or beliefs at others.... though I will look at your view with an open and honest mind, as I would hope others will do with mine. Debate is healthy, as long as it is done with respect.

Thats about it for now..... take care....... geni-inoz

[arthwollipot]

Hey there geni-inoz, and welcome. Head on over to the Australians Only (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=101318) thread and hang out with a few of us fellow Aussies. Maybe even get your post count high enough to qualify for an avatar!

And don't miss out on the Three Word Story (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=37822) either!

[Hokulele]

Welcome Maried2aWooster. Would that be a Bertie Wooster, or a different branch of the family? ;)

[Married2aWooster]

Welcome Maried2aWooster. Would that be a Bertie Wooster, or a different branch of the family? ;)

Different branch....:D

[UnrepentantSinner]

Hi,

My name is Bruce. But you can call me whatever my tag says. I'm from Canada. (and why does the word 'tag' have a little mouse-over definition?)

I'm here to learn new things.

It has an automatic definiton tag (http://forums.randi.org/misc.php?do=bbcode#define). I think you can shut them off in your User CP/Options.

edit - here it is. User CP, edit options, glossary click "no" and update.
http://forums.randi.org/profile.php?do=editoptions

Hello,

I spent a good part of today reading through threads here, and was very entertained. I very much love my wife, and we have a great relationship. I never rub her face in the fallacies I see in her wooish beliefs, but sometimes I really need an outlet/sanity check. I think I'm home. :D

I got a chuckle out of your ID. :D