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

[SnuggleSmacks]

Hello all noobs.

ErkDemon: are you here to teach, learn, or market your book?

lauras: you'll find lots of interesting things about the paranormal here...:D

[JumpinVal]

Welcome, JumpinVal, AndreasTh, lauras and newalder. I am always glad to see people joining this forum to explore the thinking of others. Be prepared though, even though this is a skeptic’s forum not all skeptics hold the same point of view and not everyone on this forum is a skeptic, so debates are often heated. I look forward to both joining you and opposing you in your assertions (sometimes I tend to do both at the same time). So again, welcome and be prepared for anything when exposing yourself to the thinking of others

Thanks for the warm welcome! :)

[Skeptosaurus Rex]

I realized I was a skeptic after stumbling across a few of the skeptical/science podcasts. It was like a weight lifted from my shoulders. Since then my perspective on....well....everything has changed and It allowed me to shed the remaining "guilt" I had associated with my inability to have faith (raised Catholic). I have never been a believer in other supernatural or paranormal entities or abilities. But now I have developed some of the skills to question things (with an open mind of course) and recognize the logical fallacies that foster irrationality.

I joined the forums to converse with like-minded people and participate in what I know will be many engaging discussions.

Also, looking for interest in the formation of a Southern Skeptical Society. There are quite a few of us in SE-La. and SW-Ms. trying to drum up interest by word of mouth. If anyone is in this area and interested, feel free to email me. skeptykl@gmail.com


Since I can't append a signature until I reach my quota, I will share one of my favorites....

Skepticism is the agent of reason against organized irrationalism - and is therefore one of the keys to human social and civic decency.
- Michael Shermer, Why People Believe Wierd Things

[arthwollipot]

Hi new people. Head on over to the Community and Humour subforums. There you'll find plenty of threads which exist for no reason other than to increase your post count so that you can get cool sigs and avatars!

[HghrSymmetry]

Welcome folks.

[HghrSymmetry]

Hello!
UK-based and into relativity theory, but not the usual textbook implementations ... rather, a single-stage design on the curved-spacetime paradigm being applied “all the way down” to the range of fundamental particles.

Conventional relativity theory involves making some idealisations to obtain “special relativity” as a simplified model of flat-spacetime physics, and then applying further layers of theory to try to put back the missing curvature effects (general relativity) and particulate effects (quantum mechanics) that SR doesn't "do".
I'd rather assume that curvature is a fundamental property in physics, assign all massed particles a curvature “footprint”, and try to rederive a GR-like theory from scratch, based on curvature concepts, without using the “flat spacetime” arguments.

My feeling is that special relativity, though internally consistent, may technically be be a "null" theory, and that "the physics of flat spacetime" may not be an meaningful concept. Creating a “new” single-stage general theory means knocking out GR's flat-spacetime foundations based on special relativity and replacing them with something more like an acoustic metric (rather than the usual Minkowski metric).

I think that this makes me a hardcore relativist.
However, mainstream researchers (for whom the idea of "physics without SR" seems to be the last taboo) tend to regard me initially as an “anti-relativity” crackpot, and then when they find out more, and realise that I'm arguably more of a relativist than they are, they just tend to treat me with deep suspicion. :)

Which is understandable, considering that I'm effectively suggesting that their house ought to be knocked down, redesigned and rebuilt.

Oh, and I've got a book out (“Relativity in Curved Spacetime”).

Anyway, hello.

Welcome ED. Interesting ideas. Keep us posted on your research.

-H"still waiting for the Higgs to show up at LHC" S.

[hcmom]

Hi new people. Head on over to the Community and Humour subforums. There you'll find plenty of threads which exist for no reason other than to increase your post count so that you can get cool sigs and avatars!

Are you besmirching the integrity of The last person to post in this thread wins? (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?p=3416956#post3416956)

Or perhaps speak only in questions (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?p=3417062#post3417062)?

Certainly you don't feel that way about the SWOYMRN (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?p=3416836#post3416836) thread... :halo:

[Blackadder]

Hi

I found this site last night after watching Uri 'performing' on Dutch Television. The show is a new low in broadcasting, combining charlatans with idols. So I spend some time on their forums explain every trick to the many people posting there. I was concerned about the number of children who often posted with name , age and email adres, claiming that they believe in it. In my quest to educate them I naturally came to the JREF (never knew about it before, but google does a good job for you.)

I fell in love with this community, spend hours reading all kinds of threads.

I am a 32 year old male from the Netherlands. I have liked reading about science since a little boy, and also loved reading about the mysterious world out there. Arthur C Clark's books and films and stuff like that. As an adult I forgot about it, but here I find it all again. :)

People like David Copperfield also intrigue me, because I often had trouble finding out how they do it.

I was raised Christian, but have a hard time believing it. yet I have had some religious experiences I can't explain at all. so I am not sure about what side I am on in this. Also when a stranger tells you she saw a miracle with her own eyes it is easy to discard it, but if you own loving mother says it? Most of my family believe , and they all have Master of science degrees. I never understand how they combine the two. Maybe that is where I fail (I didn't finish my university education)

Ok, enough about for now. dinner's ready.

[HghrSymmetry]

Hi

Most of my family believe , and they all have Master of science degrees. I never understand how they combine the two. Maybe that is where I fail (I didn't finish my university education)



Welcome Black. I actually just wrote about that yesterday.
Please see entry #1180
http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?p=3418752#post3418752

Also, you may want to review the work of David Sloan Wilson and E.O Wilson.

Humans may have some predispositions to specific areas of irrationality, yes even among learned scientists.
This may have been selected for to increase genetic fitness.

[Chimera0906]

Hi all,
I'm a former graduate student in Biochemistry and Biophysics. I had to discontinue my studies due to disability. I crave intellectual discussion as now that I am out of the academic and scientific community I am realizing how many idiots exist in this world...(academia has them too.) I like what I've read so far. I'm an atheist, but I say "Thank the Lord for critical thinkers!" Cheers to all!

[arthwollipot]

Are you besmirching the integrity of The last person to post in this thread wins? (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?p=3416956#post3416956)

Or perhaps speak only in questions (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?p=3417062#post3417062)?

Certainly you don't feel that way about the SWOYMRN (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?p=3416836#post3416836) thread... :halo:
Those and more! Any post with more than 10,000 replies falls into this category. I love them!

And to the newbies, no, you don't have to read them all before posting.

[idoubtit]

Hi everyone. I'm a 37 year old, married, mother of two, full-time geologist for the state of PA. Whew. I heard there's a party going on round here. I'm still debating about going to TAM. Convince me that I should. I've been to one other skeptical conference (not a TAM) and had a great time. Met great folks.

In my spare time, I read stuff on atheism, natural history, anomalous natural phenomena, other paranormal stuff, evolution, critical thinking, etc. I am the webmaster for PA Nonbelievers. I also love to garden and play with my dog. All this in between writing to my congresspersons, cleaning house, reading stuff off the net, playing on the Wii, trading CDs, and watching Mythbusters.

Hope to have fun here too. I'd love to meet the folks around central PA.
Sharon

[arthwollipot]

I would so go to TAM if I could afford it. But I can't. If you have the opportunity to go, and don't, then I may just have to kill you.

Only joking. Go to TAM if you can. Seriously.

[tishayton]

Your first sentence looked very promising. Then you went and spoiled it by stating you are a theist. Welcome, people here like nothing better than an intelligent discussion on your beliefs. For example, what proofs are you going to present to us for your beliefs?

Is there any proof that scepticism is a more useful route to the truth than other sources of knowledge? BTW: what ARE the proofs of scepticism as a belief system?

I know there are entire treatises on the subject , but a simple summary here :hb: would be appreciated. Thanks.

[arthwollipot]

What "other sources of knowledge" would you suggest?

[amb]

Your first sentence looked very promising. Then you went and spoiled it by stating you are a theist. Welcome, people here like nothing better than an intelligent discussion on your beliefs. For example, what proofs are you going to present to us for your beliefs?

Is there any proof that scepticism is a more useful route to the truth than other sources of knowledge? BTW: what ARE the proofs of scepticism as a belief system?

I know there are entire treatises on the subject , but a simple summary here :hb: would be appreciated. Thanks.
If there are two possible explanations for a finding and one requires fewer assumptions than the other, the former is more likely to be correct. Occam's Razor shaves away the improbable, until your left with the probable. For example, you see in the night sky unidentified lights. You don't automatically assume it's a UFO. It could more than probable be an aircraft watched under unusual circumstances. Always be skeptical about unlikely events until you have seen the evidence to show otherwise. ;)

[idoubtit]

I would so go to TAM if I could afford it. But I can't. If you have the opportunity to go, and don't, then I may just have to kill you.

Only joking. Go to TAM if you can. Seriously.
I've been viewing LOLcats too much, I can't read "seriously" unless it is spelled 'srsly'.

I won't admit how much time I spent trying to get an avatar up before I realized newbies apparently can't do it. And, the board rejected my first post because it had a link in it. It delayed my first intro post by a day. Oh well. I hope this board isn't blocked at work like most things are. (SurfControl)

[Tybstar]

Introducing myself briefly: I live in Raleigh, NC USA with my wife and dog, and we're going to TAM6! This will be our first TAM. No, we're not bringing the dog. I work as a field sales engineer for a startup company called rPath, Inc, and when I'm not in Raleigh, I spend a lot of time in Texas and the rest of my central US sales region. When I'm not doing that, I'm probably working on a house project or playing a video game once in a while.

I'm an avid listener of the Skeptic's Guide to the Universe and whatever other skeptical podcasts my wife finds. Looking forward to a great TAM!

-Tim

[Prometheus]

Introducing myself briefly: I live in Raleigh, NC USA with my wife and dog, and we're going to TAM6! This will be our first TAM. No, we're not bringing the dog. I work as a field sales engineer for a startup company called rPath, Inc, and when I'm not in Raleigh, I spend a lot of time in Texas and the rest of my central US sales region. When I'm not doing that, I'm probably working on a house project or playing a video game once in a while.

I'm an avid listener of the Skeptic's Guide to the Universe and whatever other skeptical podcasts my wife finds. Looking forward to a great TAM!

-Tim

:welcome4

Welcome Tybstar! I have cousins near Raleigh who are always trying to convince me to move my family down there, so perhaps we'll be neighbors someday. Have fun in the forums, and especially at TAM (wish I could go!).

Hey, while you're here, why not ingratiate yourself with, well, me, and vote for me in the Pith poll (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=105350) before the deadline tomorrow? I'll bring you cookies (just please don't feed the goats!) :)

[EdSG]

Hello everybody,

I was introduced to skepticism only last year, before I thought they were a bunch of deniers :rolleyes: , but after getting more information I now know I've been a skeptic for a while :D (specifically of religion, finding myself an atheist for a little more than a year)

I just joined to get more information on how to fight back the woo-woo that's been infecting our society, thanks all for helping with that :)

[Lady Lee]

Hello, this is my first post but I've been lurking for a while. I don't have a super-duper science background or anything but I've always been a very sceptical person - a very bad thing if you ask some people. I work at a no-brainer job for a multinational company, with limited responsibility, but it's something I can forget about when I leave the building. I like to challenge my co-workers and their assumptions, although it's sometimes a losing battle, particularly when they think the sun shines out of Derek Acorah's butt. :jaw-dropp

I don't go to meetings or anything of that sort, but I like to discuss what I see and hear with my family (four daughters)

Anyway, I look forward to posting and reading more about interesting subjects.

[Foolmewunz]

Yes, they are an excellent portable garbage disposal unit. :)

Well, yeah... you could use 'em for that, too, I guess.

[articulett]

Hello, this is my first post but I've been lurking for a while. I don't have a super-duper science background or anything but I've always been a very sceptical person - a very bad thing if you ask some people. I work at a no-brainer job for a multinational company, with limited responsibility, but it's something I can forget about when I leave the building. I like to challenge my co-workers and their assumptions, although it's sometimes a losing battle, particularly when they think the sun shines out of Derek Acorah's butt. :jaw-dropp

I don't go to meetings or anything of that sort, but I like to discuss what I see and hear with my family (four daughters)

Anyway, I look forward to posting and reading more about interesting subjects.

I have it on very good authority that the sun shines, not out of Derek Acorah's butt, but from space. You see, our sun is but one of a trillion stars. I am sure that what emanates from Derek Acorah's butt is of similar composition to that which he spews orally and in writing, but in no way is it similar to the sun except for the hot air.

:)

Welcome.

[arthwollipot]

I've been viewing LOLcats too much, I can't read "seriously" unless it is spelled 'srsly'.

I won't admit how much time I spent trying to get an avatar up before I realized newbies apparently can't do it. And, the board rejected my first post because it had a link in it. It delayed my first intro post by a day. Oh well. I hope this board isn't blocked at work like most things are. (SurfControl)Head over to the Community and Humor subforums - there are a number of threads there that exist for the sole purpose of increasing your post count. Look for anything with more than 10,000 replies. No, you don't have to read them all in order to post.

Don't accept cookies from Grayman, return your library books, and stay away from the goat.

[articulett]

Grayman offers much finer desserts than cookies at TAM...

[Xapno Mapcase]

Greetings. I've been lurking here for several months, and decided to join up. I don't know if I'll have anything relevant to say or not, but I might stick in my two cents worth every now and then. I found this forum through ApolloHoax.net. I hadn't realized just how pernicious the various conspiracy theories had become, but it's good to see a skeptic's forum where sane people can help explain away the nonsense.

[articulett]

Greetings. I've been lurking here for several months, and decided to join up. I don't know if I'll have anything relevant to say or not, but I might stick in my two cents worth every now and then. I found this forum through ApolloHoax.net. I hadn't realized just how pernicious the various conspiracy theories had become, but it's good to see a skeptic's forum where sane people can help explain away the nonsense.

Phil Plait, the famous (infamous?) Bad Astronomer of Internet blog fame posts here. He is fabulous at debunking the moon hoax and a great source of skeptical information.

[ran]

Hello.

I've been reading Randi's commentarys for years now and only recently realized there was a forum on the site as well. (which I'm a little embarrassed to admit now after realizing the extent of the skeptic community that posts here. :blush:)

I actually ran across Gravy's website when I started doing some research after talking to some people about 911 who would I suppose qualify as "troofers."

Needless to say, the lack of critical thinking in their arguments was disturbing, and Gravy's site among others who post here helped me immensely in my debates with these people.

When I came across the link to the JREF forums on his site, I spent hours lurking, reading through as many threads as I could. I have to say this is an amazing resource for promoting critical thinking on many topics, as well as a great source of humor at times.

I especially got a kick out of the "Finding the Truth by Refusing to Act" thread, which is, I suppose, what led me to post this.

Anyway, I'm not sure how much I will be posting as I find whenever I'm motivated to contribute to a thread, I find there are at least several erudite people who have said what I would have said only better, but I did want to take this opportunity to introduce myself and thank all the people who post here in the pursuit of critical thinking. You certainly have been an inspiration to me.

So yeah, hi :D

[amb]

Greetings. I've been lurking here for several months, and decided to join up. I don't know if I'll have anything relevant to say or not, but I might stick in my two cents worth every now and then. I found this forum through ApolloHoax.net. I hadn't realized just how pernicious the various conspiracy theories had become, but it's good to see a skeptic's forum where sane people can help explain away the nonsense.
There seems to be an awful lot of lurkers around here. Show how much guts you have, and Begin to post. Ideas are always welcome, no matter how absurd they may be. Welcome to all newcomers. :D

[amb]

Phil Plait, the famous (infamous?) Bad Astronomer of Internet blog fame posts here. He is fabulous at debunking the moon hoax and a great source of skeptical information.
He does? How does that man possibly find the time to post his own blog which must take up at least half a day, and find the time to post here as well.
I recieve his blogs every day. He is fabulous at more than debunking.

[cresur]

Now that I've got your attention with such an original title, I'll proceed to dazzle you with my academic qualifications.

Well, I have none. Ever since I was a child I was passionate about everything artistic, and that's the path I chose to pursue in my adult life. I don't have a scientific mind but I find science, logic, reason and the natural world just as beautiful and fascinating -- often even more so -- as the most heartwarming of artistic works.

I'm here to try and get a grasp on the amusing things I don't understand, and maybe witness some rational thinking firsthand. Hopefully I won't embarrass myself much.

Cheers.

[amb]

Now that I've got your attention with such an original title, I'll proceed to dazzle you with my academic qualifications.

Well, I have none. Ever since I was a child I was passionate about everything artistic, and that's the path I chose to pursue in my adult life. I don't have a scientific mind but I find science, logic, reason and the natural world just as beautiful and fascinating -- often even more so -- as the most heartwarming of artistic works.

I'm here to try and get a grasp on the amusing things I don't understand, and maybe witness some rational thinking firsthand. Hopefully I won't embarrass myself much.

Cheers.How right you are. If you leave the city behind and head to a dark place well away from the glare of the city lights, and fail to be awestruck by the beauty of the milky way galaxy as you look into the cosmos,
then you lack emotion. My hair stands on end at the sheer beauty of it all.
Welcome to this forum. Cheers Angelo.

[cresur]

If you leave the city behind and head to a dark place well away from the glare of the city lights, and fail to be awestruck by the beauty of the milky way galaxy as you look into the cosmos, then you lack emotion. My hair stands on end at the sheer beauty of it all.

You just described one of my most favorite things. However, to me, the night sky isn't always enough. Look up a few images of the milky way. I much prefer when it's grounded by the surface of the Earth. It's only then I can truly feel the sheer magnitude of the universe. When I have something so close and familiar to compare.

[newolder]

Welcome, JumpinVal, AndreasTh, lauras and newalder. I am always glad to see people joining this forum to explore the thinking of others. Be prepared though, even though this is a skeptic’s forum not all skeptics hold the same point of view and not everyone on this forum is a skeptic, so debates are often heated. I look forward to both joining you and opposing you in your assertions (sometimes I tend to do both at the same time). So again, welcome and be prepared for anything when exposing yourself to the thinking of others

Hi The Man,

Happy to be here. :emoticon:

I doubt that i'll be making any 'assertions' but if i do, i'd be delighted to have them debated heatedly. :solved2 ed.

[HghrSymmetry]

Be prepared though, even though this is a skeptic’s forum not all skeptics hold the same point of view and not everyone on this forum is a skeptic, so debates are often heated.


Emphasis mine.

Nominated for the understatement of the month.

Well done.

[Nursefoxfire]

Hi all,

I'm a non-believer from way back, married to a man whom I thought was just as skeptical as I am. Recently we were discussing ghosts and he said he'd actually seen one when he was a young child. :eek:

I thought he was joking so I called him a crackpot, then it turned into all sorts of messiness and hurt feelings.

SIGH!

Anyway, I've been reading your forum for a little while with interest and decided I should probably introduce myself.

Incidentally, is there a proper term for: starting out by not believing anything that hasn't been proved scientifically? The word skeptic kind of covers it but seems more open-minded, almost.

[articulett]

Emphasis mine.

Nominated for the understatement of the month.

Well done.

But I do find it rather fun and liberating at times to share my opinion of "non skeptics" who preach here once they feel compelled to inflict their opinion on me. I heartily recommend it. Invigorating. And, as a side effect, you can be nicer to the well meaning woo in your regular life who didn't amble on over to a skeptics forum intent on telling skeptics how much more open-minded they (the true believer) are for believing in (insert woo that they are convinced is true).

[Prometheus]

Hi all,

I'm a non-believer from way back, married to a man whom I thought was just as skeptical as I am. Recently we were discussing ghosts and he said he'd actually seen one when he was a young child. :eek:

I thought he was joking so I called him a crackpot, then it turned into all sorts of messiness and hurt feelings.

SIGH!

Anyway, I've been reading your forum for a little while with interest and decided I should probably introduce myself.

Incidentally, is there a proper term for: starting out by not believing anything that hasn't been proved scientifically? The word skeptic kind of covers it but seems more open-minded, almost.

The term "positivist" refers to someone who thinks that only statements which can be proven have any meaning. Is that close to what you're looking for?

And welcome to the forums!

[articulett]

Now that I've got your attention with such an original title, I'll proceed to dazzle you with my academic qualifications.

Well, I have none. Ever since I was a child I was passionate about everything artistic, and that's the path I chose to pursue in my adult life. I don't have a scientific mind but I find science, logic, reason and the natural world just as beautiful and fascinating -- often even more so -- as the most heartwarming of artistic works.

I'm here to try and get a grasp on the amusing things I don't understand, and maybe witness some rational thinking firsthand. Hopefully I won't embarrass myself much.

Cheers.
The ones that embarrass themselves are the ones who don't realize they are embarrassing themselves. You'll be fine. A lot of people here are passionate about their assorted interests and eager to share with someone else eager to learn. And if someone is rubbing you the wrong way... just put them on ignore. Chances are they do the same thing to a lot of people, but the older members have learned whom to ignore.

[HghrSymmetry]

But I do find it rather fun and liberating at times to share my opinion of "non skeptics" who preach here once they feel compelled to inflict their opinion on me. I heartily recommend it. Invigorating. And, as a side effect, you can be nicer to the well meaning woo in your regular life who didn't amble on over to a skeptics forum intent on telling skeptics how much more open-minded they (the true believer) are for believing in (insert woo that they are convinced is true).

Agreed. A certain percentage is actually entertaining for amusement and exercise. However, some almost seem pathological. Those are a bit more unsettling.

I've been told that I'm too Shermeresc when dealing with woo.
Perhaps, but a fair percentage of my energy goes to vicious, brutal, stuck wolverine level physical training. It tends to moderate the assertiveness.

So I would hope my fans don't get the wrong impression when they note my gentle and cuddly approach.

[PB&J]

Hello everyone!

I've been a "lurker" for a few months now pouring over different topics. I'm very impressed with the overall structure and intelligence level of the majority of the members here! I look forward to discussions with all of you on a variety of topics.

A little background:
I'm a Systems Administrator at a large university in central Arkansas. I've lived in central Arkansas my whole life, but even in major cities in the south the "Redneck" factor is still way too high for my taste. Communities like these with critical thinkers of similar mind are a real haven for me when the surrounding populace grinds my nerves a bit much ;)

I first heard of the JREF on Penn&Teller's show on Showtime, and became a fan instantly.

Kudos to James Randi for this wonderful place, and kudos to all of you for some really good literature :)

[arthwollipot]

He does? How does that man possibly find the time to post his own blog which must take up at least half a day, and find the time to post here as well.
I recieve his blogs every day. He is fabulous at more than debunking.He only posts occasionally, because as you have observed he doesn't have a lot of time. But you'll see him from time to time. He posts as (of course) BadAstronomer.

[Woo]

Hello all! My name is :woo and I am a newb.:D

I used to belong to a forum full of "intelligent and articulate people" (to paraphrase another poster), until it folded (nothing to do with me, honest!)

My journey here was via Robert Lancaster's "StopSylviaBrowne" and "StopKaz" pages and, from what I've seen so far, I think I'm going to enjoy hanging with you guys.

Ps. I will endeavour not abuse the smilie function.

[amb]

You just described one of my most favorite things. However, to me, the night sky isn't always enough. Look up a few images of the milky way. I much prefer when it's grounded by the surface of the Earth. It's only then I can truly feel the sheer magnitude of the universe. When I have something so close and familiar to compare.
Makes you feel humble doesn't it? Our Earth is but a speck of dust in the scheme of things. That people on this insignificant speck of dust think they are of such importance astounds me. That there may be a billion earth like planets in our galaxy alone, does not faze these people in the least. Carl Sagan's book '' Pale Blue Dot'' should be required reading to our young people.

[SusanB-M1]

Hello all! My name is :woo and I am a newb.:D

I used to belong to a forum full of "intelligent and articulate people" (to paraphrase another poster), until it folded (nothing to do with me, honest!)

My journey here was via Robert Lancaster's "StopSylviaBrowne" and "StopKaz" pages and, from what I've seen so far, I think I'm going to enjoy hanging with you guys.

Ps. I will endeavour not abuse the smilie function.
Welcome.
I think your choice of user name is very clever! And I didn't know there was an emoticon for Woo, but it's lovely learning something new every day. There's a poster on the BBC message boards whose user name is Humanist. Now I just wish I'd thought of that first.

[hcmom]

Hello all! My name is :woo and I am a newb.:D

I used to belong to a forum full of "intelligent and articulate people" (to paraphrase another poster), until it folded (nothing to do with me, honest!)

My journey here was via Robert Lancaster's "StopSylviaBrowne" and "StopKaz" pages and, from what I've seen so far, I think I'm going to enjoy hanging with you guys.

Ps. I will endeavour not abuse the smilie function.

The smilies here are the best!! :ladybug:

[Bill Hall]

Hello to all! I've enjoyed getting my Friday fix of SWIFT for a few years now. Although I've had a forum account for almost two years, my first post was not until today (and thus this intro).

I've never been much of a joiner or a big "believer" in things. I suspect that some of my core beliefs are:

- There's gotta be a better way than this (applies to most everything). I guess that makes me an optimist.
- Never deal with the public unless you welcome abuse.
- Never be in charge. Things are bad enough as they are and why be blamed for it?
- Never volunteer. No good deed goes unpunished.
- Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
- Things can't be so bad that they can't be made worse.
- If you are willing to laugh at yourself it will give you something in common with others.

I'm fascinated about learning new things, especially about myself (but that's rare and often disappointing).

Politically I've been a life-long libertarian, but I've never been able to bring myself to vote for one. Too much ideology, not enough practicality. My political and economic biases have been reinforced by Milton Friedman.

Regarding religion, I'm philosophically an agnostic with atheistic tendencies, but this is only a recent conversion. I tried to be a Christian in my youth primarily because of my cultural surroundings and it sounded like it had some nice aspects to it. However, there were too many questions and not enough satisfactory answers and a "leap of faith" was asking too much. My break from religion took a detour when I promised to raise my kids Catholic as a prerequisite to getting married. After the kids made it to their mid-teens and beyond, I couldn't take my hypocrisy anymore and stopped going to church and finally deconverted. I didn't advertise it within the family to prevent discord. The only thing I miss is the singing and the occasional thought-provoking homily.

My hobbies are quilting, recreational programming, and Celtic Knots. The ideas that are intriguing me the most these days are the Singularity and methods for influencing beliefs.

[jordanrosen]

hi everyone. how is it going this evening?

[hcmom]

Hello, jordanrosen, nice to meet you!

[HghrSymmetry]

And if the statement under the title is correct,... good bye.

[bluecollarscientist]

Greetings, everyone!

I was at TAM 5.5, and just about everyone told me I should sign up for the forums. I always do what I'm told, so here I am!

ObBio: I've been writing automation software for astronomers for a while, but in recent years I've done a lot of science EPO, both direct public speaking, and as a small-time science journalist (principally at Sky & Telescope and Astronomy magazines, and a couple local papers), and as a local media consultant.

[hcmom]

Hello, jordanrosen, nice to meet you!

And if the statement under the title is correct,... good bye.

I should start a protest thread, since nothing in his one post was ban-able, I wouldn't think... :halo:

(so help me, if anyone takes my statement seriously, I will invent the thing I want to throw things at people through the internet.)

(I am sorta wondering though, since there isn't a notice about it, but I guess, being who I am, I'll figure the admins knew what they were doing)

[HghrSymmetry]

Hey hc, do what you feel you have to do.

We can't decide for you, but we can support your decision.

[Hokulele]

I should start a protest thread, since nothing in his one post was ban-able, I wouldn't think... :halo:

(so help me, if anyone takes my statement seriously, I will invent the thing I want to throw things at people through the internet.)

(I am sorta wondering though, since there isn't a notice about it, but I guess, being who I am, I'll figure the admins knew what they were doing)



I would assume this has something to do with it (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?postid=3431067#post3431067).

And welcome to PB&J and Bill Hall. More Sys Admins and quilters are always welcome. :)

[amb]

There must be hundreds of lurkers out there. Don't be afraid, join up, if I can, then anybody can. Your opinions are welcome. Regards. Angelo. [ambnp]

[Foolmewunz]

I would assume this has something to do with it (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?postid=3431067#post3431067).

And welcome to PB&J and Bill Hall. More Sys Admins and quilters are always welcome. :)

Well, Sys Admins, sure. But quilters? They're such a rowdy lot, generally.



Welcome, all. And Bill, do keep the quilting bits out of the rec room. The goats will just eat through your whole collection.

And to all, please remember the basic rules:
Return all library books on time.
Do not mention goats or nuns, or HeWhoMustNotBeNamed (actually it's "they") will show up, for certain.
Do not accept cookies from Grayman.
Spelling and grammar don't count. Your posts will be graded on a curve and there will be no math.
Skepchicks are cool,
Bring Pie every time you log on. (Particularly peach.)
Boston Creme Pie is not a pie, even if you're from Boston.
Cookies and juice are served in Forum Community every day after naptime.

And I'm in charge of the pirate spiders. Don't listen to what that Marquis guy says.:spjimlad::spjimlad::spjimlad:

[Bill Hall]

Well, Sys Admins, sure. But quilters? They're such a rowdy lot, generally.



Welcome, all. And Bill, do keep the quilting bits out of the rec room. The goats will just eat through your whole collection.



Worry not. I've been tamed. No goats that I know of (but I'll have to look into that). Nevertheless, I keep the quilting bits behind closed doors because of the cats.

And thanks for the greeting!

[ThomDG]

Hello My name is Thom and I am The Skeptaholic. I have been a skeptic for almost a year now and went to TAM 5.5 this January. I am currently in a Gap Year between High School and College. I am beginning a blog and/ or a podcast at the website Skeptaholic.org and .com. I don't have the website up and running yet but I hope to have it up and running in a few months hopefully before I go to Europe in May. If anybody has any suggestions i'd be glad to hear them.

[TeslaPRG]

Hi there!

My name is paul. I am a music educator in a charter school in Colorado. I own a landscaping and public artworks company. I enjoy outdoor sports such as fishing, hiking and snowshoeing. I have been an atheist, skeptic and freethinker for my entire life. I am joining these forums as I have been directed here repeatedly by the Skepticality podcast which I have listened to from episode #1!

I am looking forward to communicating with like minded individuals about topics that seem to be treated very credulously here in Colorado.

Thank you all for your contributions and years of dedication to the cause.

paul

[Mr. Skinny]

And to all, please remember the basic rules:
Return all library books on time.
Do not mention goats or nuns, or HeWhoMustNotBeNamed (actually it's "they") will show up, for certain.
Do not accept cookies from Grayman.
Spelling and grammar don't count. Your posts will be graded on a curve and there will be no math.
Skepchicks are cool,
Bring Pie every time you log on. (Particularly peach.)
Boston Creme Pie is not a pie, even if you're from Boston.
Cookies and juice are served in Forum Community every day after naptime.

And I'm in charge of the pirate spiders. Don't listen to what that Marquis guy says.:spjimlad::spjimlad::spjimlad:
*cough*

[hcmom]

I would assume this has something to do with it (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?postid=3431067#post3431067).


I kinda thought it might, and I've certainly been thoroughly scolded about it by Darat, :halo: , but I thought it more fun to complain now and research later than to actually do the smart thing...

[Foolmewunz]

*cough*

OH!NOES!!!911!!

I forgot the prime directive:

And we all bow down to the only true forum deity - Mr. Skinny.

(anxiously runs to bedroom to pretend he's asleep so the wrath of Ed doesn't strike him with a bad case of acne at the age of 59)

[amb]

Mr skinny is a deity?
Your majesty, I had no idea. Please forgive me.

[Hokulele]

Welcome Thom and Paul!

Don't worry about all of the blathering between the old fogies here, they seem to think that the purpose of this thread is to argue about obscure forum trivia, rather than to welcome the new posters.

[Mr. Skinny]

Welcome, Paul and Thom.

I apologize for clearing my throat earlier. Some people seem to think it's rude.

[de Selby]

Hello all,

I've been a regular reader of SWIFT and the site for a year or so now, and after lurking for so long decided to go ahead and register. I don't have anything earth-shattering to say, particularly, but the conversations here seem fascinating and I thought it would be nice to have the option to join in. Just to give you the vitals:

I'm a fierce atheist.

I distrust reflexively though not cold-heartedly.

I'm reputed to be intelligent, although it hasn't helped much.

I'm soft on (by which I mean affectionate toward): cryptozoologists, conspiracy theorists, UFO people, ghost hunters. Oh, I know, but they're fun.

I'm mean and nasty on: faith healers, alternative medicine practitioners, religious zealots, wanton appealers to patriotism, and all these persons' various enablers.

Politics: left-wing with gentle touches of anarchism.

I enjoy: art, good books, music, puzzles, cinema, astronomy, pessimism, arguing, swearing, writing, and taking the Bible literally (that is to say, holding it to its word).

I do not enjoy: sports (baseball excepted), optimism, business, people who pride themselves on having no sense of aesthetics, covert or overt fascism, science fiction, comic books (more specifically, comic-book mentality), willful ignorance, and anyone who uses the word "cynical" when they actually mean "realistic."

Oh, and someone please stop Sylvia Browne.

Anyway, that's roughly me.... hi!

[moebob]

Hi,my name is Monica.My nickname is Moe.I collect spongbobs,long story, some other time,hence the screenname, Moebob.I'm a cook/manager for an elementary school. I'm new to using the computer,so you probably won't see many posts from me, until I get more comfortable with the machine. It's like teaching an old dog new tricks! I love just reading everyones interaction.Alot is really intelligent banter, and some is just plain funny! I look forward to seeing more. I learn something from everything I read.

Moebob

Always learning

[Foolmewunz]

Well, lest Hokulele bash me about the head and shoulders with a cholesterol-riddled sausage, I'll get back to Welcome Wagon duties.

Welcome, de Selby. We have a lot in common when it comes to the woo we will tolerate and the woo we snarl and hiss at. I won't even read the Religion threads, here. Fundies make me crazy. Deists not so much so, as long as they aren't proselytizing. But I, too, think that Bigfooters, CryptoZs, and Ufolologists are just plain entertaining. I remember reading Chariots of the Gods as a youte, knowing all along that it was hokum, but enjoying it, nevertheless.

Welcome MoeBob, too! Don't worry about not being comfortable with a keyboard and making messages fancy. We've got a veteran poster (search for Pillory) who has made a career out of being language-challenged. Check out Forum Community or Humor. There are a lot of thread you can play around in to get comfortable with the forum and the mechanics.

I'm a cook/manager for an elementary school.

We've got a score to settle! It's about that Tuesday Mongolian Chef's Surprise mock tuna casserole. (Actually, if you were to head over to Forum Community and start a thread confessing to being a school cook, you could probably start a lot of fun.)

[moebob]

Foolmewunz, Thank-you, for your welcome. You're probably right about that new thread! I'll have to keep that in mind.By the way is that mongolian chef's surprise mock tuna casserole cost effective?
Ha,Ha!
Moebob

[moebob]

I just realized after posting I don't have to put my name on there. Live and learn. I will get better.

[Foolmewunz]

I just realized after posting I don't have to put my name on there. Live and learn. I will get better.


Naah, some posters sign their actual name, some sign their screen name, some don't sign. The legendary Myriad has signed every post (but one - which was intentional) for years with,

"Respectfully,
Myriad"


And HCMOM who failed Interior Design: Color Coodination 101, signs in various shades of purple, lavender, eggplant, etc....

[Hokulele]

Welcome de Selby and moebob!

Good Foolmewunz. Good Mr. Skinny.

*Pats the boys on the head*

[amb]

Welcome, Paul and Thom.

I apologize for clearing my throat earlier. Some people seem to think it's rude.

But if your a deity, no one will complain, I'm sure.
After all Deities have to clear their throats as well, don't they? :)

Welcome to all newcomers. Just ignore my rantings. :p

[UnrepentantSinner]

Howdy de Selby!

My name is paul. I am a music educator in a charter school in Colorado.

We have a good and active Colorado contingent here, mostly from Denver and Colo. Spr. (believe it or not). If you check the The Amazing Meeting etc. subforum, you can find threads about Skepticamp which is held there. Oh and howdy!

I just realized after posting I don't have to put my name on there. Live and learn. I will get better.

Welcome Moebob (some of us old-timers use Moe exclusively in reference to MoeFaux, another old timer who doesn't post here any more). Once you get enough posts for a sig line you can add your name if you wish. If you have any questions about navagating the forum or how to do certain things fell free to PM me (click on my name, and pick "PM" from the drop down menu) and ask. Reading the FAQ is also very helpful for getting a feel for forum functions.

[hcmom]

Naah, some posters sign their actual name, some sign their screen name, some don't sign. The legendary Myriad has signed every post (but one - which was intentional) for years with,

"Respectfully,
Myriad"


And HCMOM who failed Interior Design: Color Coodination 101, signs in various shades of purple, lavender, eggplant, etc....

Purple mostly, with highlights in pink. It's not my fault everyone else doesn't see fit to use all the pretty colors.

[Esperdome]

I like the purple, after all it has some advantages. For instance, if Hawk one ever turned up missing, and the ransom note was in purple, we would know where to look for him.

[Zorak Zoran]

Hi all,

Despite my general dislike of internet forums, I've decided to actually register for this one.

I don't get to update (read (-all-?) posts) as often as many may, so I'm constantly 'behind in the flow of the arguement.'

My background is :- psychology research/mental health practice

Outlook :- sceptical of (as far as i'm aware) extraordinary claims.

Hopes for joining this forum :- Bugger'd if I know - some sort of expansion of knowledge?

Hope you all are well, ZZ

[hcmom]

I like the purple, after all it has some advantages. For instance, if Hawk one ever turned up missing, and the ransom note was in purple, we would know where to look for him.

Two points....

1.) If Hawk ever turned up missing, would anyone bother to look for him?

2.) If Hawk was missing and the ransom note was in purple, do you really think he'd want anyone finding him?

[arthwollipot]

(Actually, if you were to head over to Forum Community and start a thread confessing to being a school cook, you could probably start a lot of fun.)That would be a good way of increasing your post count so that you qualify for a cool avatar and sig!

I'm soft on (by which I mean affectionate toward): cryptozoologists, conspiracy theorists, UFO people, ghost hunters. Oh, I know, but they're fun.See if you can find the "invisible bigfoot" thread! It's about the funniest thing crypto-related I've seen in a long time.

[waltdakind]

hi all... just met a bunch of you in real life following rebecca watson of skepchick's talk in NYC. as I mentioned to some of you waltdakind = walter of NJ, who you met today. That was a load of fun... hope to do it again...

[amb]

Hi all,

Despite my general dislike of internet forums, I've decided to actually register for this one.

I don't get to update (read (-all-?) posts) as often as many may, so I'm constantly 'behind in the flow of the arguement.'

My background is :- psychology research/mental health practice

Outlook :- sceptical of (as far as i'm aware) extraordinary claims.

Hopes for joining this forum :- Bugger'd if I know - some sort of expansion of knowledge?

Hope you all are well, ZZWelcome. I have an adult daughter with schizophrenia. In fact she's in hospital right now. Any advice?
Regards; Angelo. [ambnp]

[Zorak Zoran]

Sorry to hear that Angelo.

I can offer only the most general advice - help her to stick with the medication if it seems to be working, ensure regular and frequent systematic reviews of efficacy and side-effects. Hopefully she's getting some sort of talking therapy, CBT perhaps?

It is very important that you help her stay active, many of the atypical antipsychotics are associated with weight-gain, which will reduce self-esteem and lead to other health complications.

I'm sure you're aware of all this already, sorry i can't really be of any more help.

My best wishes to your daughter, hope things improve.

[amb]

Thanks. Again a warm welcome.

[iamivy]

I am Ivy

[SusanB-M1]

Purple mostly, with highlights in pink. It's not my fault everyone else doesn't see fit to use all the pretty colors.

It never occurred to me to try them. As far as I can see from the quoted post just above this, I am putting the brackets in properly.

Could someone please let me know if the colours show, because Supernova changes all text to black! Thanks.

May I also add my welcome to the new posters.

[Mojo]

It never occurred to me to try them. As far as I can see from the quoted post just above this, I am putting the brackets in properly.

Could someone please let me know if the colours show, because Supernova changes all text to black! Thanks.


Yup, those are working. Now all you need is an adequate supply of purple background and some randomly different font sizes and you should be able to start a lucrative career designing woo websites. ;)

Oh, and welcome to all new posters!

[nettiemoore]

Hello. I'm sure I had an account here before, years ago, but ... apparently not. Anyhow. I'm in Sydney, do lots of skeptical stuff here with the local crew.

[666]

I'm sure I had an account here before, years ago, but ... apparently not.
Welcome and congratulations. Your previous account experienced an alien abduction and you are in line for the $1M prize. :yikes:

[amb]

Welcome and congratulations. Your previous account experienced an alien abduction and you are in line for the $1M prize. :yikes:
Abduction by more powerful beings than ourselves is no laughing matter.
I was abducted on the weekend by ''she who must be obeyed'' and made to mow the lawn if I knew what's good for me. :D :eek:

[de Selby]

Hello all! Pleased that other newcomers have already arrived after me as well. Where I grew up the skeptical community was not exactly in the majority. (My hometown had the largest number of churches per capita of any in the eastern states -- we were about an hour away from stately Falwell manor.)

Welcome, de Selby. We have a lot in common when it comes to the woo we will tolerate and the woo we snarl and hiss at. I won't even read the Religion threads, here. Fundies make me crazy. Deists not so much so, as long as they aren't proselytizing. But I, too, think that Bigfooters, CryptoZs, and Ufolologists are just plain entertaining. I remember reading Chariots of the Gods as a youte, knowing all along that it was hokum, but enjoying it, nevertheless.

Something about watching cryptozoology/ghost/yoofoe footage gives me a curious and unwholesome thrill, I have to admit -- I was a big fan of "Kolchak: the Night Stalker" as a kid and that monster fixation has never quite worn off. Religion gives me the genuine bad-type willies, but I do enjoy arguing those points, so I will always tune into those... The "psychics" I genuinely have trouble watching -- Browne in particular but all of them in various degrees -- there's something genuinely repulsive to me about that crowd and about the plight of the worshippers they draw. Anyway, gladtameetcha!

[waltdakind]

Hi all-
On Saturday, I went to a NYC Skeptics event. Definitely a good time was had by all. I sort of forgot everyone's JREF names but did manage to remember real peoples' names.
If you met a Walter in NYC this past Saturday and you are a skeptic please say hello. (You can say hi even if you didn't meet me at this event, but I am especially interested in continuing some of my conversations from Saturday)

Hope to hear from you!


Walter

[waltdakind]

Oh and apparently, I had such a good time that I forgot I posted a drunk hello on this thread already.

[amb]

At last another drunk on this forum. I'm sort of getting sick of been the only one.
A big welcome Walter.

[Drewbot]

TWA Flight 800,
are there any threads on this?

I try searching and nothing comes up.
'Little Help please.

[Mr. Skinny]

TWA Flight 800,
are there any threads on this?

I try searching and nothing comes up.
'Little Help please.
Welcome, Drewbot.

Here's a thread from the other week that talks about TWA800 http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=105148.

It's fallen to page 3 in the CT subforum now, but still fairly recent.

[AliasN]

Hello. I'm from Toronto, and I'm new to this forum.

I have been generally skeptical my whole life, but in the last few years it has become much more of a concern and a real interest to me. I thought it might be good to start hanging around people who are perhaps more knowledgable than me about it to see what I can learn.

The biggest problem I can see about posting here, though, is the inability to swear. Man, I love to curse. Still, restrictions like that can lead to creativity, so it's all good, right?

[arthwollipot]

AliasN, welcome to the forums. The restrictions on profanity exist because this is a public forum, and some readers may be more sensitive about bad language than you or I. It also rarely contributes anything substantial to the discussion.

It's really not all that hard to write without swearing, although if you get yourself involved in some of the arguments that go on around here you will find your resolve tested! :D

A couple of other rules... actually more like guidelines:
1. Return your library books.
2. Don't feed the goat.
3. Don't accept cookies from Greyman.
4. Head over to the Community and Humour forums to increase your post count so that you can get a cool avatar.

[JEROME DA GNOME]

4. Head over to the Community and Humour forums to increase your post count so that you can get a cool avatar.

When are you going to get a cool avatar? ;)

[arthwollipot]

When are you going to get a cool avatar? ;)You think I should change back to this one?
http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting/43324781a82ec5552.gif (http://forums.randi.org/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=10143)

[amb]

You think I should change back to this one?
http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting/43324781a82ec5552.gif (http://forums.randi.org/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=10143)
I bet you always liked to play with swords, even as a kid right?
King Arthur and all that.
I chose my avatar because I'm an animal lover, and that baby seal is as cute as cute can be. It saddens me immense that these beautiful creatures are hunted and slaughtered for their fur.

[nixonsupreme]

hello there :)
long time lurker and just signed myself up!

[gudbuytjane]

Hello Skeptics! I am in my late 30's, female, gay (not that it really matters, but I am trying to be visible as a lesbian and a skeptic, merely because there don't seem to be many, and there often feels like a tacit acceptance of woo in my community). I have long held skeptical views on a lot of topics, and I've been an atheist since my early teens at the latest (yet another ex-Catholic!), but it's only been in the last few years that I have begun to engage my skepticism in a more active way and feel it was an essential part of my character. It was also in the last few years that I began to give up some silly things I'd kept around mostly out of habit (mostly astrology - although in my defense it's a pretty alluring belief set that tells the world you are great in bed because you were born in November :)).

I've been to a couple of Drinking Skeptically events around town and I really like hanging out with other skeptics (I know some of them post here. HI GUYS!!!). There's such a sense of relief knowing that no one has to bite their tongue if someone says something foolish. The experience makes me think going to TAM would probably be a lot of fun (sadly 6 doesn't fit my schedule or finances. Maybe 7!).

Over the last year I've found myself drawn to learning about science in a way that I never really got from school (science was taught SO poorly when I was growing up, by disinterested gym teachers who had to have another teachable). I'm really enjoying it, and people like Carl Sagan let me now look up at the night sky and finally have some context. The assault on science and reason we've seen over the last decade or so makes it feel a duty to not be lazy and accept scientific illiteracy.

It's in my experience to want to be active about things, so I'm very interested in the idea of skeptical activism. To this end I've been spending time talking with skeptics in person and online, educating myself about the things I think are misunderstood by many people (vaccines, for example), and trying to be vocal when I can. Mostly I'm listening and reading, and taking inspiration from those who've been doing this for a long time.

So, yeah, hello! :)

[echobucket]

Hello all, I've only recently decided to adopt the label "skeptic" to describe the way I look at the world. I've always been a fan of Randi, though. I live in the deep south and as such I encounter lots of things that I need to be skeptical about. Why just the other day I was in a local small town restaurant and picked up an advertisement for Znii juice, one of those "cure all" juices that is full of magical "anti-oxidants" to combat the "free radicals" in me. Heh.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to reading and posting on the board. My wife and I REALLY want to go to TAM6 this year, but are unsure at the moment if we can come up with the funds. I hope we do get to go, this year sounds excellent.

I also am an atheist and run a blog at reasonableatheist.blogspot.com

[tolebelle]

I happened onto your site while hunting Dr Frank's to reorder.
My Rotti Shepard Kirby was diagnosed with Arthritis in her left hind leg. I was worried about her right hip going because she wouldn't walk on the left leg. Before finishing the first bottle of Dr Frank's spray, she is walking on the left leg again.
I just wanted to let your skeptical members know that this product has worked for Kirby and perhaps they should be more open minded.
Sincerely,
tolebelle

[Oldhand]

This is just a brief post to introduce myself.

Um, that's it, folks. :D

[Redisca]

Hi, everybody, I'm new here. Lawyer, early 30's, impatient with conspiracy theories, generally sceptical.

[Foolmewunz]

Hi, everybody, I'm new here. Lawyer, early 30's, impatient with conspiracy theories, generally sceptical.

Hey, Joisy City! I lived in the Heights from '99 to '02 (between stays in Taiwan and Hong Kong).

Welcome, Redisca. If you've come to watch the final few twitches of the corpse of the Truth Movement, head over to Conspiracy Theories. We don't ban people for opinions here, so there's a fairly vocal and active Troofer segment still here, regardless that the mainstream of the JREF are pretty much against the ridiculous conjecture that they've come up with.

And welcome all....

Echobucket, must be interesting to be an atheist in skeptic Arkansas. Kinda goes against the grain of most of our preconceived notions of that state.


Oldhand, welcome on board! Check out the shuffledboard tournament on the Lido Deck every afternoon at 3:00, but watch out for the Mango Margaritas, they've got quite a kick.

Gudbuytjane... interesting opening post. Continue. You'll find an interesting assortment of new friends here, I'm sure. Skepchicks are a valued commodity in these here parts.

Tolebelle... was that an introductory post or an advert? Suggest you go to Science/Medicine or over to General Skepticism and the Paranormal and start a thread. I'm sure your claims will be heartily examined if not completely welcomed.

Nixonsupreme... uh, interesting name - I'd be curious to hear if it has any significance. (I keep seeing Tricky Dicky in a chiffon gown with two black girls singing "Baby Love".....)


And on behalf of Library Lady,.... Have you returned your library books?

[Paulhoff]

Hi, everybody, I'm new here. Lawyer, early 30's, impatient with conspiracy theories, generally sceptical.
OH NO A LAWYER, I just know you're mad that you can't get money on 911.

Paul

:) :) :)

[DcTurner]

Hey Howdy Hey,

I thought that spending time on these forums would be more productive than arguing with creationists / truthers on youtube.

I'm also heading over to the States in June to look for a new job, (and for a solid 6 months of boozing). This means that I'll be at Tam 6; hoping to meet a bunch of kewl new people.

See y'all around
:D

[wafonso]

Well, time to introduce myself... male, 36 years old, Brazilian by birth but living in Melbourne, Australia and working in IT. I'm a less-than-regular participant at the Skepticality forums, and will attend TAM for the first time this year. So, I thought this was a good opportunity to join this forum and get to know the people who hang around here (and, hopefully, people I'll be meeting in LV in June!).

With luck, I may even have time to participate more actively here that at the other forum...

Cheers!

[amb]

Well, time to introduce myself... male, 36 years old, Brazilian by birth but living in Melbourne, Australia and working in IT. I'm a less-than-regular participant at the Skepticality forums, and will attend TAM for the first time this year. So, I thought this was a good opportunity to join this forum and get to know the people who hang around here (and, hopefully, people I'll be meeting in LV in June!).

With luck, I may even have time to participate more actively here that at the other forum...

Cheers! Welcome to the forum. Don't accept cookies from anyone, and watch arthwollipot, he has a menacing looking sword in his hand. Otherwise you should be O.k. :D

[sleepy_lioness]

Hello - another Scorpio lesbian skeptic here, so very glad to see I'm not the only one registering this week :D

I'm a long-time lurker, enjoy reading all the posts from people much more knowledgeable than I am and love the madness of some of the woo.

I'm a Civil Servant, been an atheist since I was 16. Was brought up by strict Baptists, was a fundie Christian til one morning I woke up and decided I didn't believe it.

Was moved to actually post because a friend of mine, who I care about, seems to be getting sucked in to some psychic woo and I wanted some advice. Maybe I'll start a thread about it.

[Discordia]

Hiya! my name is Debbie and here because I want to hone my critical thinking skills:) I used to be a big beleiver in the paranormal, now I am not so sure and want to have intelligent dialouge I guess....

[Discordia]

Hiya! my name is Debbie and here because I want to hone my critical thinking skills:) I used to be a big beleiver in the paranormal, now I am not so sure and want to have intelligent conversation about beleifs and philosphy:)
dude I am horrible at writing intros

[Soapy Sam]

Fear not. Our dedicated team of sceptical intro writers will solve your intro writing problems for only $750.00
Send all your money to me and I'll take care of it.

[Soapy Sam]

;)

[cohen avshalom]

wellcome all i did been hear for while.

cohen avshalom charly
israel/haifa

[Discordia]

Fear not. Our dedicated team of sceptical intro writers will solve your intro writing problems for only $750.00
Send all your money to me and I'll take care of it.

LOL sure absolutely! I'll pay ya with my Arabian express card!:) Just sent me your info and I'll errr wire it too ya! I promise!

[Mr. Skinny]

LOL sure absolutely! I'll pay ya with my Arabian express card!:) Just sent me your info and I'll errr wire it too ya! I promise!
Welcome, Discordia.

Just so you know, Soapy Sam works on oil rigs. He just might have an Arabian express card account. Ya never know. :)

Welcome to all the other noobs as well.

[Gord_in_Toronto]

Hello. I'm from Toronto, and I'm new to this forum.

I have been generally skeptical my whole life, but in the last few years it has become much more of a concern and a real interest to me. I thought it might be good to start hanging around people who are perhaps more knowledgable than me about it to see what I can learn.

The biggest problem I can see about posting here, though, is the inability to swear. Man, I love to curse. Still, restrictions like that can lead to creativity, so it's all good, right?

Welcome AliasN. I too live in the GTA (did you guess that already?).

Check out http://www.skeptics.ca/

Toronto Skeptics has a regular monthy dinner meeting. The details are on the above site.

Check out the local Centre for Inquiry Chapter at: http://www.centerforinquiry.net/ontario and sign up for their newsletter on local skeptical type activities.

As for the cursing -- just invent your own stuff. :D

[arthwollipot]

Welcome to the forum. Don't accept cookies from anyone, and watch arthwollipot, he has a menacing looking sword in his hand. Otherwise you should be O.k. :DHey! My sword is used for peaceful purposes only!

After all, why do you think I have an axe?

[amb]

Hiya! my name is Debbie and here because I want to hone my critical thinking skills:) I used to be a big beleiver in the paranormal, now I am not so sure and want to have intelligent dialouge I guess....
You learned the hard way, hey? Welcome, and to the Lebanese lady as well, a warm welcome. :p

[Edwin1988]

I thought this could be a good forum to discuss things that are pretty much speculative and theoretical....things that put most of my "in person" friends to sleep in 30 seconds or less. I enjoy taking thought excursions outside the box. It is obvious that the things we already know and can be proven (boring) do not make up the whole of the universe. For instance....the technology and science that we take for granted would be the equivalent of magic to people just a few centuries ago. Assume that we learn very soon how to avoid the destruction of the human race by asteroid strike, WMDs, gamma ray bursts, the loss of the earth's magnetic field, etc. Then extrapolate this relationship into the future several thousand years and imagine what aspects of space, time, matter, and energy we will have learned to control that would seem equivalent to magic now.
-Ed
P.S. I think we will eventually control virtually everything.

[Esperdome]

P.S. I think we will eventually control virtually everything.

Unless we create something that eventually controls us. :rolleyes: (I haven't run across a mad scientist smilie yet)

And welcome to the forum Edwin1988 and all the other new posters.

[gudbuytjane]

sleepy lioness - Hello - another Scorpio lesbian skeptic here, so very glad to see I'm not the only one registering this week.

Haha, we're a growing demographic! It's like Lesbian Chic 2.0 - Skeptilesbians! I joke about astrology, but seriously, I can't count the number of times I've met someone and thought "hmmn, she seems interesting" only to then be drilled about what my sign was. Ohwell, I guess I'll just have to rely on empirical evidence from now on to explain why I'm good in bed... haha

Foolmewunz - Thank you for the welcome! I am looking forward to making new friends here. The other skeptics I've met so far have for the most part been really cool, and a great deal of fun... :)

Hi/Welcome/Thanks to everyone else!

[Dave31]

Hey kids,

What it be?

Dave

[rickps]

Hello everyone. I'm a long time lurker on this forum -- time to "unlurk" I think.

[Prometheus]

Unless we create something that eventually controls us. :rolleyes: (I haven't run across a mad scientist smilie yet)

And welcome to the forum Edwin1988 and all the other new posters.


.......Welcome Newbies! Step into my la-BOR-atory for some free cookies! MuWaHaHaHaaaaa...
http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting/2129747bfd1efd74a8.gif

[zeusbheld]

hello all. zeus b held is *not* my real name. in general i don't post much about my real life in 'net fora unless it's relevant to the thread i'm posting in, but i'm a New Yorker currently living in Bangkok, Thailand. i like it here but hope to escape back to NYC when my projects here are finished.

i was attracted to this forum by the subject matter, as i have a long-standing habit of winding up creationists and conspiracy theorists (especially 9-11 "truthers") on the internet. i find this forum makes for a good read, but i don't know how often i'll end up posting as there are too many people in here i agree with and they tend to have a) already said what i want to say by the time i get around to posting and b) say it better or more clearly than i would have anyway.

sooner or later the rarity of capital letters in my posts will likely provoke some disapproval. to any potential naysayers i offer this: *my* shift keys will last longer than yours. a *lot* longer.

also, i tend to be somewhat ... wordy. you probably noticed already, if you've bothered to read this far. i am a firm believer in something Michel Gondry said: "quality is subjective but quantity is eternal."

[SezMe]

hello all. zeus b held is *not* my real name.
Sheesh, I cannot tell you how disappointed I am that "zeus b held" is not your real name. Reminds me of a guy in my area who legally changed his name to "Trout Fishing in America". Really.

Welcome.

[Simplegreentinhouse]

Do I just introduce myself here?

I am simplegreentinhouse, obviously. I get that name from looking around my room. I had a bottle of 'Simple' moisturiser on the table, I don't quite know where green came from, it was just a random colour that popped into my head, tin came from the first element I looked at on the periodic table on my wall and house from the white house on a five cents coin stuck on my periodic table. Currently getting hight on tangerines. That segment was a little bitter. I am FEMALE!!! Not male, female. I am a student. I study Physics. It is ace. I think that's enough.

[Simplegreentinhouse]

SEZME, I like your mobius strip avatar.

[dbalsdon]

Hi Debbie, Rick and Zues. Welcome to the forum.

Debbie. i used to believe in paranormal stuff aswell. Mainly ghosts, though this forum has helped set me straight.

[SezMe]

SEZME, I like your mobius strip avatar.
Thanks. Me too. Now I should figure out how to animate it with varying colors. Hmmmm, now where did I put my ToDo list?

ETA: Welcome. Hopefully that periodic table will help you when responding to nutter physical and chemical issues that arise here.

[Simplegreentinhouse]

Thanks. Me too. Now I should figure out how to animate it with varying colors. Hmmmm, now where did I put my ToDo list?

ETA: Welcome. Hopefully that periodic table will help you when responding to nutter physical and chemical issues that arise here.

What does ETA mean?

I only like your mobius strip because I love the concept behind it and I like to use it to prove my dimensions arugument. My critisier does'nt fall for it easily. Even when I ask Proffessors and they say in front of the nugget that I am right, he still disagrees and says he has to research. He isn't going to get far with an attititude like that, he will be spending his whole life double checking simple things instead of looking for new things. Oops, sorry for the tangent. I do that a lot. Maybe you could make the colours rotate around it so it looks like the strip is moving (like it were a tape cassette strip), or even get little ants to walk around it like the famous mobius strip screensaver.;)

[SezMe]

What does ETA mean?
Edited To Add. Used to denote when a poster has an absolutely brilliant thought after submitting a post within the allowed editing period (2 hours, I think). Alternatively, used to try to recover after posting an absolutely stupid remark. Same period, but more embarrassement.

[Simplegreentinhouse]

LOL. Why be imbarrased about anything? I never get imbarrased and I am the one that jumps around and is very loud yet comes out with clever stuff every now and then. Or am I rare?? Hmmm.... Oh well. LOL. I do get imbarrased, usually when I come down from my high and am cringing, so I try not to think about it. YAY!.

I'm trying it out:

ETA: Why don't you just write why you eddited in the "reason for editing" box?

[dbalsdon]

ETA: Why don't you just write why you eddited in the "reason for editing" box?
Using ETA is easier to spot. I don't think too many people look at "Last edited by..." part often. Though, maybe thats just me.

[Simplegreentinhouse]

It's cool. I usually just notice something is not as it were before when I am scrolling to the newest post. Then I see why it doesn't look right.

[sleepy_lioness]

Haha, we're a growing demographic! It's like Lesbian Chic 2.0 - Skeptilesbians! I joke about astrology, but seriously, I can't count the number of times I've met someone and thought "hmmn, she seems interesting" only to then be drilled about what my sign was. Ohwell, I guess I'll just have to rely on empirical evidence from now on to explain why I'm good in bed... haha


I think some randomised double-blind controlled trials are called for ... :eye-poppi

[zeusbheld]

Sheesh, I cannot tell you how disappointed I am that "zeus b held" is not your real name.

i myself was crushed when i found out.

Reminds me of a guy in my area who legally changed his name to "Trout Fishing in America". Really.

wow. at least he picked a good book to name himself after. :eek:

Welcome.

thanks!

[Prometheus]

I think some randomised double-blind controlled trials are called for ... :eye-poppi

You will definitely fit right in, here! :cool:

[struggles]

Hello-- I just registered for TAM6 and decided to register on the forums. I was surprised to discover that I was already a member, but with zero posts.

Anyway, I recently moved to Lynchburg, VA (yes that Lynchburg) and needless to say, I can't wait for June.

[bindeweede]

Hello to all. I have been a member of the UK Skeptics' Forum for about a year, and find it fascinating. I have noticed that quite a lot of members there are members here, and frequently refer to posts here, so thought I'd join.

Looks like I have plenty of reading to do.

BW

[SezMe]

Looks like I have plenty of reading to do.
Yeah, I don't want to see any more posts from you until you read every single post in the bigfoot threads....


















....not. :cool:

Welcome.

[dbalsdon]

Welcome struggles and bindeweede. :)

[Miss_Kitt]

Hello the forum! I'm Kitt, I'm new, and I'm already enjoying the site. Sadly, my lower back is spasming today, so I'm probably not going to be in this chair more than about 10 minutes...but I'll check in later tonight (PST).

This is one of about 8 places on the Web where saying, "I attended Harvey Mudd" is likely to mean something to people. I did not graduate--went into the Real World instead. I am very interested in the general world of skepticism as it applies to Woo phenom and also junk science.

So a warm greeting to all of you, and be nice!

Thanks, Kitto

[Foolmewunz]

Using ETA is easier to spot. I don't think too many people look at "Last edited by..." part often. Though, maybe thats just me.

I use the "reason for editing" field constantly... some of my better throw-away one-liners are hiding down there. (Usually relevant to what I did in the editing, but sometimes not.) As the Grammar Resistance Leader, this is my duty, after all.

Welcome, all and sundry. I've been up in Taiwan for a few days so have not been dusting off the welcome mat, and there are too many of you to address each one, individually, so I'm going with the generic/vanilla all-purpose welcome.

WELCOME ! ! !

:spjimlad::spjimlad::spjimlad:

[amb]

A very warm welcome to Miss kit. A word of warning. There are a few leeches on this forum who will offer you all sorts of gifts. Just keep your mind open. But not too open that your brains fall out. Just jesting. Welcome.

[AliasN]

Thanks arthwollipot, I will try to keep those rules in mind!

Thanks to Gord as well. I will look into those links. It's refreshing to see that there are lots of critical thinkers round and about. It gives one courage and hope. Sometimes it feels a little lonely being the only one that says "Wait... what?!" when someone makes an outrageous claim at a party or at work.

I'd like to think it's because people are afraid of being rude rather than because they're taking nonsense at face value, but the older I get, the more I'm finding out that a lot of people I know (and respect) just don't seem to care about if something is true or not, as long as it sounds vaguely plausible and entertaining.

This is sometimes quite depressing to me, but since I've still got lots of my own fallacious beliefs still hanging around (I'm sure), I try to be understanding. But it helps to know that there are other people out there who find it important to question things, too, and that I'm not just some weird Buzz Killington out to wreck everyone's good time for the heck of it.

[rolledrick]

Hi, my name is Tom G. I've spent a lot of time trolling Alex Jones fan boys and other tin foil hat wearers. I'm glad I found a board with people who don't live in a Ron Paul fantasy land. Reading through some of the posts here I feel I'm going to find some really interesting info.

[dbalsdon]

Hi rolledrick. Your head must be quite sore after spending time reading stuff by them. Unlike those sites, you actually get to see both 'sides' over here, as people aren't banned for having different opinions from everyone else.

[carolenextdoor]

Hello, I'm new to this forum.

My name is Carole, and 'Carolenextdoor' is how a member of the JREF describes me when introcuctions are required. I live near the New Forest (in England), and am highly skeptical of tales of nocturnal supernatural manifestations among the oak trees.

Find reading through the various threads here stimulating, though guess I'm just an evolutionary lurcker trying to be a born again :blush:poster.

[666]

Welcome carolenextdoor. I just noticed that the poster before you (dbalsdon) and the poster after you (me) are both from Devon. Spooky, eh?
:welcome2

[zeusbheld]

i find this forum makes for a good read, but i don't know how often i'll end up posting as there are too many people in here i agree with and they tend to have a) already said what i want to say by the time i get around to posting and b) say it better or more clearly than i would have anyway.

well after a few days i've noticed that while attracting some thoroughly informed posters, this forum also attracts some complete loons. there are some assertions being made that are so loony even *i* can feel qualified to comment on them! yay! not bored at all.

[hcmom]

Hello the forum! I'm Kitt, I'm new, and I'm already enjoying the site. Sadly, my lower back is spasming today, so I'm probably not going to be in this chair more than about 10 minutes...but I'll check in later tonight (PST).

This is one of about 8 places on the Web where saying, "I attended Harvey Mudd" is likely to mean something to people. I did not graduate--went into the Real World instead. I am very interested in the general world of skepticism as it applies to Woo phenom and also junk science.

So a warm greeting to all of you, and be nice!

Thanks, Kitto


Yay, someone else willing to utilize the colored fonts!! It's a bit of an annoyance that it's the same color as HBS uses, but I'll adjust. :halo:

(It's even a bit amusing, since HBS and I grew up near Harvey Mudd.)

[HghrSymmetry]

well after a few days i've noticed that while attracting some thoroughly informed posters, this forum also attracts some complete loons. there are some assertions being made that are so loony even *i* can feel qualified to comment on them! yay! not bored at all.

New understatement of the month.

Use caution zeus. Some actually seem reasonable, but upon the first few exchanges, it becomes painfully obvious that they are not.

Continue for entertainment purposes, just don't expect to get through to them.

[arthwollipot]

Yes, I think zeusbheld is going to do all right here. Have you returned your library books? Keep away from the goat.

[Jolta]

After reading some threads, this seems like a potentially awesome forum, so I decided to join. So, hello to everyone...I'm about as new as one can get. Anyone have any tips as to how I might be able to fit in a bit better?

[JEROME DA GNOME]

After reading some threads, this seems like a potentially awesome forum, so I decided to join. So, hello to everyone...I'm about as new as one can get. Anyone have any tips as to how I might be able to fit in a bit better?

Speak your mind! :cool:


:jrefwelcome

[Prometheus]

After reading some threads, this seems like a potentially awesome forum, so I decided to join. So, hello to everyone...I'm about as new as one can get. Anyone have any tips as to how I might be able to fit in a bit better?

:welcome3

Check out any of the threads in Community and Humor forums that have large numbers of posts in them. These will give you a good sense of some the "in" lingo and recent history, plus they're a good place to post while lurking in some of the more intellectually daunting forums.

ETA: Also, most definitely spend time in the Language Awards thread. (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=76070) There you'll get a constantly updated sampling of the absolute best of all the rest!

[Jolta]

Jerome: Sounds painfully straightforward. I'll do my best :D

Prometheus: Thanks, I'll be sure to check those out. Like right now probably.

[articulett]

I'd kinda like to know how people found out about this forum... what brought them here...
etc.

[Jolta]

I'd kinda like to know how people found out about this forum... what brought them here...
etc.

I actually was reading a magazine when I came across a strange ad by a man claiming to have invented "Null Physics" (his proposed Unified Theory, if you know anything about that sort of stuff) and so I googled it to see if he had any credibility. Turns out there's a massive thread on just that subject lurking around this forum somewhere, so I read it for a while and that's what got me to decide to join.

The guy's a woo.

[HghrSymmetry]

Welcome J. Stick to the science forums for that subject. I made the mistake of posting in the philosophy section because the thread was dealing with that subject.

Turns out it was just a bunch of bull guano by a woo/troll poster. I'm still learning which posters to include on my "list." Sometimes it's obvious, but in other instances the targets are more subtle.

[BenHad]

I actually was reading a magazine when I came across a strange ad by a man claiming to have invented "Null Physics" (his proposed Unified Theory, if you know anything about that sort of stuff) and so I googled it to see if he had any credibility. Turns out there's a massive thread on just that subject lurking around this forum somewhere, so I read it for a while and that's what got me to decide to join.

The guy's a woo.

I also arrived via checking on "Null Physics". I suspect a bunch of us newbies came this route. :cool:

[hcmom]

After reading some threads, this seems like a potentially awesome forum, so I decided to join. So, hello to everyone...I'm about as new as one can get. Anyone have any tips as to how I might be able to fit in a bit better?

Return your library books, put apostrophes only where they belong, run from anyone with a goat, and don't take cookies from strangers.

[Jolta]

I also arrived via checking on "Null Physics". I suspect a bunch of us newbies came this route. :cool:

I don't doubt it. Seems like the only place other than his ads to learn anything about it...

[arthwollipot]

Return your library books, put apostrophes only where they belong, run from anyone with a goat, and don't take cookies from strangers.Oh, and merkins can be rented from Orphia Nay.

[HghrSymmetry]

And don't ask arth any citizens band lingo questions. Dude never even watched Smokey and the Bandit.

[zeusbheld]

New understatement of the month.

Use caution zeus. Some actually seem reasonable, but upon the first few exchanges, it becomes painfully obvious that they are not.

Continue for entertainment purposes, just don't expect to get through to them.

the shocking thing isn't those who are so deeply entrenched in their position on controversial topics that they are beyond reason. that's human nature. i don't expect to get through to them or even goad them into stringing together a reasonable argument, although in some cases i'm cautiously hopeful.

what shocks me though is that people come to this site and go out of their way to post stuff like this (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=106630) on this site. how can they not realize it isn't going to go well? oh sure, you can say 'troll' but i think... belief is a dangerous thing.

a forum is its members, thanks all for a great site. it manages to be highly informative, and highly entertaining... and sometimes even both at once.

ps i apologize for the trolls i've fed and the ones i will feed in the future.

[arthwollipot]

And don't ask arth any citizens band lingo questions. Dude never even watched Smokey and the Bandit.Perhaps, but I can tell you almost anything you want to know about the Vikings. That probably has as much relevance to you as Smokey and the Bandit has to me.

[HghrSymmetry]

Don't be so sure.

-H "is Nidhogg gnawing on my leg again?" S.

[Foolmewunz]

Zeus....

Where ya living in Bangkok and what took you there? (I used to always guess, "English Teaching, naturally", but a lot of the expats over here are not taking that route (although I qualified for TESOL, I never needed to use it as my current company created quite an interesting position for me).

My girlfriend's currently in Thailand (she's Thai) finishing off her certifications in massage and massage therapies.

(p.s. I'm a New Yorker currently living in Hong Kong. Manhattanite for a total of about 20 years)

(son of p.s. - click on the poster's name and then click on "find all posts by..." and you can shortcut yourself to the threads they've been in and even if it's difficult to figure them out, you can usually tell by the responses if they've achieved trolldom)

[SusanB-M1]

Hello, I'm new to this forum.

My name is Carole, and 'Carolenextdoor' is how a member of the JREF describes me when introcuctions are required. I live near the New Forest (in England), and am highly skeptical of tales of nocturnal supernatural manifestations among the oak trees.

Find reading through the various threads here stimulating, though guess I'm just an evolutionary lurcker trying to be a born again :blush:poster.

Welcome, welcome, welcome!!! Nice to see your first post here.

[zeusbheld]

Zeus....

Where ya living in Bangkok and what took you there? (I used to always guess, "English Teaching, naturally", but a lot of the expats over here are not taking that route (although I qualified for TESOL, I never needed to use it as my current company created quite an interesting position for me).
i actually got hired to write a book. no publisher as yet, no advance, so pay is very low. could have stayed in new york, but it's cheaper to live here.

[shameless self-promotion]i'm a filmmaker by training though. graduated film school a couple of years ago. came here to write a book but staying on a bit longer to work on a screenplay that will star the leader of a popular Thai hip-hop act for the director of their music videos. (and a couple of shorts, one of which will be shot soon.) [/shameless self-promotion]


My girlfriend's currently in Thailand (she's Thai) finishing off her certifications in massage and massage therapies.

this may (not) shock you, but my GF's Thai also.

(p.s. I'm a New Yorker currently living in Hong Kong. Manhattanite for a total of about 20 years)
i liked HK the few times i've been there. bad luck last time though. lost my passport in Macao... on chinese new year. had to get into HK without a passport in order to get a new one. that was an adventure.

New Yorker for 13 years, 11 of 'em in manhattan (2 in Williamsburg).

how're you liking HK?

(son of p.s. - click on the poster's name and then click on "find all posts by..." and you can shortcut yourself to the threads they've been in and even if it's difficult to figure them out, you can usually tell by the responses if they've achieved trolldom)

if i achieve trolldom do i get a prize? (or, to borrow a line from Andy Kauffman: "but .. i answered all the questions right. don't i win??")

[arthwollipot]

if i achieve trolldom do i get a prize?Yes, but it's not something that you'd actually want.

[laarree]

Hi all, this is my first post. I'm also a New Yorker, living in exotic Brooklyn, specifically Williamsburg, for the last 25 years or so. I was turned on to JREF and this forum thru the recently-birthed New York City Skeptics group -- some people I met there had gone to TAMs and are forum participants. I'm a long-time avid reader of skeptical magazines and books, have considered myself a skeptic and atheist for well over a decade, but before that had gotten lost in New Age and personal growth activities to the point of alienation and disgust. I know woo from the inside, having eaten it, spoken it, experienced it and spend money on it for far too long with little to show for it.

[Coveredinbeeees]

Hullo All,

I've been lurking on these forums for a fair while now. It seems only fair that I finally start to post. I have particularly enjoyed reading through the challenge applications thread. I am fascinated by the capacity we have for self delusion and the rationalisation of absurd beliefs.

I am impressed by the number of people who believe in the paranormal and yet are willing to state their beliefs in a sceptical forum. The discussions the emerge from such statements make for entertaining reading.

As for me, I have spent a fair while in the tertiary education system studying engineering as well as physics and astronomy. I'm just about ready to enter the real world which I'll hopefully be doing when I have completed a teaching qualification. I see critical thinking as a skill which should be taught in schools and I hope that I will be able to do just that in my future career.

I feel that any opinion or belief worth having should be tested occasionally. I enjoy hearing beliefs and opinions which conflict with my own stated calmly and eloquently. Eloquence, to me, suggests intelligence and forethought. There is nothing better than hearing an intelligent person speak about a subject they have given thought to when their conclusions differ from my own. Those are the occasions where I can find out if my reasoning is as solid as I think and, if not, I will be able to adjust my thinking and come away the better for it.

Anyway, I've rambled on enough.

Thanks for reading.

[Prometheus]

:welcome2:

Well said, Coveredinbeeees, you should fit in well here!

[amb]

I'd kinda like to know how people found out about this forum... what brought them here...
etc. In my case it was a post on the Richard Dawkins forum.
But I new of this site long before I joined. I have always been a keen follower of the great man [JR] I often listened to his pod casts, and have read some of his books. I once offered all my assets to a fundamentalist if he could prove his beliefs to me in a scientific way. Needless to say I'm still in my house. :) Just as Randi still has his million dollars. :cool:

[dbalsdon]

Hi laarree ad coveredinbees. Welcome.

[zeusbheld]

I'd kinda like to know how people found out about this forum... what brought them here...
etc.

i've been on a particular general forum for a while, and there was a thread about astrology. i have never, ever believed in astrology, but as a stunt i tried to take a position somewhat like Feyerabend's in support of it (one of the many problems with that is that i don't agree with or fully understand his position). why would i do such a horrible thing? because a lot of typically jump on creationism and conspiracy theories and say "that's bollocks" but can't offer up much as to why. i was hoping to trap these lazy people, but instead i got a well-deserved slapping around from a rational, informed person (who i knew would find the thread eventually, but i had hoped wouldn't log in for a couple of days so i could have my windup! that didn't work out :P)

he and i talked a little via PM about my nefarious windup, and he suggested a) bad astronomy site for a solid debunking of astrology, and b) this site for my own pleasure.

[HghrSymmetry]

ps i apologize for the trolls i've fed and the ones i will feed in the future.


No worries.
Many are quite easy to spot, especially when their very first response to your comment/query is laced with sarcasm or other attack attempts. On days that I have more energy, I'll occasionally bite for entertainment. Other days, I'll just abort, because all efforts will simply be akin to pissing against a hurricane.

It's the pseudo scientific trolls that are more subtle and can snare a rational into discourse (sometimes).

[tom1701]

Hello all,

I just want to say that I hope that I am welcome here. Not like on other sites - (ahem - "above top secret") where if you don't agree with everything and everyone on the site - you get banned.

I hope that is not the case here.

[Prometheus]

Hello all,

I just want to say that I hope that I am welcome here. Not like on other sites - (ahem - "above top secret") where if you don't agree with everything and everyone on the site - you get banned.

I hope that is not the case here.

Welcome! I think you will find precious little agreement between members here--especially if you hang out in the politics forum.

[elaine]

Welcome! I think you will find precious little agreement between members here--especially if you hang out in the politics forum.

I respectfully disagree, Prometheus :p

[zeusbheld]

Hello all,

I just want to say that I hope that I am welcome here. Not like on other sites - (ahem - "above top secret") where if you don't agree with everything and everyone on the site - you get banned.

I hope that is not the case here.

i disagree with just about everyone on just about everything and i've lasted just about a week already while just about attracting only minor moderator attention, so even if you're just about as obnoxious as me...

i like your chances.

[arthwollipot]

i disagree with just about everyone on just about everything and i've lasted just about a week already while just about attracting only minor moderator attention, so even if you're just about as obnoxious as me...

i like your chances.I've been here for over two years, and had my first moderation earlier this week (for an oversight in the use of a particular word). It's usually easy to avoid moderation - you just have to follow the forum rules and the rules of common courtesy and politeness.

[Prometheus]

I respectfully disagree, Prometheus :p

I disagree that it was respectful of you to include a :p in your disagreement with me. :D

[klk]

Hello!

I'm pretty new to the forum, been working up the nerve to post anything... I've recently had the experience of working with a person who, with a few staff, was learning to communicate using "Facilitated Communication" :( Quite an experience!
Does anyone know if there's a thread in the forum that covers this topic?

[arthwollipot]

:) Plenty. Check the General Skepticism and Paranormal subforum - it crops up there from time to time. Or start a thread of your own!

Welcome to the forum. Don't eat the cookies.

[klk]

Thanks, arthwollipot!

[articulett]

I like our new members... I think there are some great screen names. I confess that I like being a little barbed with trolls... I've developed a thick skin here. My reasoning goes like this:

This is a skeptics forum. There are tons of great funny interesting people here who are willing to teach and share what they know. And then there are woos who think they have something to teach and nothing to learn. And they willingly come to the skeptics lair to preach. I think it helps them prop up their belief when they feel they are "withstanding" skeptical scrutiny. The "self appointed" experts who sound all pseudo-sciencey without really saying anything are my favorite targets.

Like Laarree, I too partook in woo in my younger years... before I stumbled across an article on James Randi and it dawned on me you could test this stuff. And I'm very grateful to have found this community. I never was good at "faith" and "believing" anyhow... When "creative visualization" type stuff didn't work, I blamed myself--until I got a clue. So I, too, recognize woo from the inside. I deliberately decided that I'd rather not know something than to believe something that wasn't true.

Here are some hints for ferreting out undercover woo. Often, they only participate on one subject--many times with threads they start themselves. They will ask weird loaded questions they don't really want answers to... because they already have the answer they want and they want you to see their answer as THE answer. They seem amazingly incurious on a topic they are pretending to be interested in--avoiding all links and up to date info. on the topic. (e.g. creationists are never up on the latest developments in genomics and are never excited about new discoveries). A lot of times they won't say what they believe... they will just pick apart the skeptic viewpoint while offering nothing for the alternative. Many times they judge skeptics as a group (usually in a backhanded way) -- which is an odd thing to do on a forum for skeptics. They seldom admit error, apologize, or complement another poster--their favorite poster appears to be themselves. Posters you like seem to have them on ignore or get drawn into the same conversational miasmas that you find yourself in with them. At first, you will wonder if the problem is you... but it will never occur to the woo that the communication problem is coming from them. They seem to have a much higher opinion of themselves than is warranted.

When you stumble across them, you can enjoy goading them, put them on ignore, and/or warn other new members. We have a few long-time members that fit this category... they imagine that their seniority equal "superiority". Use them to develop thicker skin and don't let them chase you away. I sometimes look at it as an opportunity to say what I'm afraid to say to the blowhards who exist in my actual reality (--the ones thatcan throw things at me.) I like the shield of cyberspace. I think the moderators are pretty good at letting people know when they've crossed the line. And if someone says something that really bothers you, you should let them (the mods) know.

Remember, mentally ill people and children can post here. If someone is rubbing you the wrong way, chances are they are having that effect on others too. So toughen your skin or use the ignore button-- many brilliant wonderful people post here too (including that "bad astronomer" mentioned earlier.) Overall, I think it's a fantastic and fascinating group of people.

Welcome!

[arthwollipot]

Word.

[laarree]

Like Laarree, I too partook in woo in my younger years... When "creative visualization" type stuff didn't work, I blamed myself--until I got a clue.

Boy, I know that "blame yourself" stuff very well. I got a clue when I reached the point when I started entertaining the possibility that the reason the stuff I was involved with wasn't working was that that it didn't work period, not that I was "too attached" or "not letting go" or "was holding onto my case" or "too damaged" or "too much in my head" or "unwilling to surrender", etc.-- I had doubts because what I was dabbling in was dubious at best. My dormant BS detector instincts were coming alive and helped me peel away from the world of woo.

[amb]

i disagree with just about everyone on just about everything and i've lasted just about a week already while just about attracting only minor moderator attention, so even if you're just about as obnoxious as me...

i like your chances.

122 posts in a week? Don't you have a job of some kind to keep you busy?
Or is this your full time occupation? Surely, you must agree with some of the posters here, it can't be all negative.:eye-poppi

[HghrSymmetry]

The "self appointed" experts who sound all pseudo-sciencey without really saying anything are my favorite targets.
---
Here are some hints for ferreting out undercover woo. Often, they only participate on one subject--many times with threads they start themselves. A lot of times they won't say what they believe... they will just pick apart the skeptic viewpoint while offering nothing for the alternative.
----
When you stumble across them, you can enjoy goading them, put them on ignore, and/or warn other new members. We have a few long-time members that fit this category... they imagine that their seniority equal "superiority".


`Bout busted my kidneys. :)

Welcome, and take heed laarr, those are some helpful pointers.

And if you're just not in the mood to battle woos some days, just sick Art on 'em!

[zeusbheld]

122 posts in a week? Don't you have a job of some kind to keep you busy? Or is this your full time occupation?

of course i do! how do you think i avoid it? (also i type about 80 wpm, and rarely feel the need to encumber myself by thinking before i type.)

Surely, you must agree with some of the posters here, it can't be all negative.:eye-poppi

first encounter with hyperbole, huh? ;)

[zeusbheld]

one question, that may have already been addressed here or elsewhere, but i'm probably just not clever and/or ambitious enough to find it:

it's obvious what it means from context, but what's the etymology of "woo"?

[ronananderson]

Hi peeps, how you all doing, im new to this here forum and a budding skeptic since i read Derren Browns 'tricks of the mind'.For 24 years i had been an uber-credophile, a belief backed up by experience of phenomena which i could not explain at that time such as ouiji boards, sleep paralysis,and moments of synchronicity etc. I really immersed myself in this crap for a long time,but now thanks to Derren Brown and Richard Dawkins, im beginning to see the light, God bless them both lol.I have 1 subject left to inquire into, that of dream premonitions.the Aberfan mining disaster for instance is said to have been foreseen by hundreds ( which could be selective memory ) but i also heard of a book written 2 yrs b4 the sinking of the titanic , exactly predicting its fate, but the ship was called 'the titan'- any thoughts?

[HghrSymmetry]

one question, that may have already been addressed here or elsewhere, but i'm probably just not clever and/or ambitious enough to find it:

it's obvious what it means from context, but what's the etymology of "woo"?

As for its etymology, I'm not sure of its origin.

I've heard it described as sticking ones fingers in ones ears and repeating "woo" "woo" as a way to avoid reality.

[Prometheus]

one question, that may have already been addressed here or elsewhere, but i'm probably just not clever and/or ambitious enough to find it:

it's obvious what it means from context, but what's the etymology of "woo"?

Randi described the etymology in a recent SWIFT, but I can't find it at the moment.

[rjh01]

Dear ronananderson
Do you have any evidence for what you are saying in this post http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?p=3480759#post3480759? Others will give you the third degree on such beliefs as what you have expressed there. Remember some people here know more about the subject than you, no matter what the subject. For example have a read of this thread http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=107161. That is how we treat people who know nothing about a subject they want us to believe in.

Planet X option is the option you vote for if you do not like the other options. It is present in most polls here.

You are not sending a SMS so please spell out all words.

Suggest you read a few threads before posting. Start with How to behave in an internet forum (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=107401).

And welcome to the forum.

[UWOSimone]

Hello everybody, my name is Simone, as you can deduce from my nickname...
Being a sympathizer of CICAP, I eventually docked at this forum, sure to find interesting people and topics...
In brief, as main activities I study informatics and dancing, and I also like the area of paranormal, which offers me both the fascination of mystery and of the scientific investigation..

[arthwollipot]

one question, that may have already been addressed here or elsewhere, but i'm probably just not clever and/or ambitious enough to find it:

it's obvious what it means from context, but what's the etymology of "woo"?

As for its etymology, I'm not sure of its origin.

I've heard it described as sticking ones fingers in ones ears and repeating "woo" "woo" as a way to avoid reality.More like the noise one makes when imitating a ghost. Don't forget to waggle your fingers in the air when you do it.

[amb]

one question, that may have already been addressed here or elsewhere, but i'm probably just not clever and/or ambitious enough to find it:

it's obvious what it means from context, but what's the etymology of "woo"?Living in fairy land, gnomes living at the bottom of your garden.
Pseudo-science.
The land of woo is a shortened explanation. ;)

[zeusbheld]

Living in fairy land, gnomes living at the bottom of your garden.
Pseudo-science.
The land of woo is a shortened explanation. ;)

that's the definition, not where it comes from. as i said, i think it's readily apparent what it means in context, but where it comes from.... isn't.

i like arthwollipot's explanation. reading Randi, and the way he uses it, it appears he coined it himself. however, i haven't found the SWIFT yet that has "the origin of woo-woo."

[rjh01]

Try reading this. It is the only place I found that answered your question
http://skepticwiki.org/index.php/Woo-woo

The origin of the term is unclear.

One theory is that it comes from the "woo-ooo" sound made by a Theramin, the electronic instrument often used in old horror films to emphasize that something strange or mysterious was happening (such as the appearance of a ghost or alien). Another theory is that the term woo-woo comes from the theme song of Rod Serlings's The Twilight Zone. Yet another theory is that "woo woo" was early 20th century slang for insanity.

[amb]

Try reading this. It is the only place I found that answered your question
http://skepticwiki.org/index.php/Woo-wooIt's a bit like the origins of religion. Many theories. But one origin cannot be nailed down.
Sounds great but doesn't it?

[Round Robin]

Hi,

I'm Round Robin, but you can call me "Don". I'm an electrical engineer with Ericsson in Pittsburgh. I have been developing an interest in skepticism since I first heard Skepticality a few years ago... then I found Point of Inquiry and The Skeptics Guide to the Universe.

My story is pretty common, it seems: I didn't know there were others who felt the way I did until introduced to this community. I've been lurking for a while, so I thought I'd finally drop in for a formal "hello".

See you out there...
-R^2

[Mr. Skinny]

Try reading this. It is the only place I found that answered your question
http://skepticwiki.org/index.php/Woo-woo
When I think of a Theramin, I most often think of the song Good Vibrations by the Beach Boys woo..eeee...oooooo

[Mr. Skinny]

Oh, forgot my manners.

Welcome, Round Robin and all the other noobs.

[zeusbheld]

When I think of a Theramin, I most often think of the song Good Vibrations by the Beach Boys woo..eeee...oooooo

i think of the soundtrack to Forbidden Planet. appropriate, considering some of the dialogue in that movie: "we are all part monsters in the unconscious"....

welcome new people.

[amb]

When I think of a Theramin, I most often think of the song Good Vibrations by the Beach Boys woo..eeee...oooooo
I once heard that live at a concert by the Beach Bums. No matter that I spent so much money on the tickets, I though it was an insult to my intelligence. They sounded, and later learned they were drunk and on drugs.
So I and my partner walked out, along with a few others who felt the same.
I tried but failed to get my money back.

[Limbo]

Hello all. I guess I must be a glutton for punishment. Why else would an 'official woo' be here, at a stronghold of skepticism?

So a little about myself. I'm sort of a rogue mystic. The aspect of Divinity I have chosen to draw closer to is The Sacred Feminine. The Great Goddess of Many Names.

I've been under a "UFO", I've partied with a "poltergeist". I've had a couple of dozen or so instances of anomalous non-local awareness over the years. Flashes of telepathy, precognition, synchronisities, shamanic dreams, ephipanies. That kind of thing. It seems to run in my family.

So...perhaps from a skeptics point of view, I'm too far gone to "convert". That's not why I'm here, so don't bother with all that. I'm here because it seems to me that skepticism is going to undergo some changes over the next few years, and I want to try to help people roll with the changes if I can.

[zeusbheld]

I'm here because it seems to me that skepticism is going to undergo some changes over the next few years, and I want to try to help people roll with the changes if I can.

hello, and welcome. what are these changes of which you speak?

[Limbo]

Hard to say. Somehow, the kind of organized skepticism which I feel Randi and others represent will be forced to take a long and difficult look at itself.

[articulett]

Do you consider the possibility that you may have to take a long look at what exactly you believe and why?

Why do you think your version of "woo" should be taken more seriously than we should take Tom Cruise's recent videos. Why should we presume you are more "in the know" on "divine truths" than he is?

[Limbo]

Do you consider the possibility that you may have to take a long look at what exactly you believe and why?

Sure I do.

Why do you think your version of "woo" should be taken more seriously than we should take Tom Cruise's recent videos. Why should we presume you are more "in the know" on "divine truths" than he is?

I'm not asking anyone to presume anything. I'm just introducing myself.

[zeusbheld]

Hard to say. Somehow, the kind of organized skepticism which I feel Randi and others represent will be forced to take a long and difficult look at itself.

well, thing is, the whole point of what Randi''s saying (not to put words in his mouth but i will anyway) is that we're perfectly willing to believe ANYTHING... when evidence is sufficient.

if evidence is insufficient, the WE DO NOT KNOW.

if evidence shows nothing's happening, no difference, then NOTHING HAPPENED.

evidence, the share-able kind, is measurable.

it won't help for deciding whether one short story is better than another, or one painting vs. another.

but for some kinds of claims, such as: "marmoset farts cure cancer"---either they do, or they don't. it's points on the scoreboard. if you got enough evidence, i'll believe it. pretty much no matter what it is. but it had better be tight.

speaking for myself if i pick at your claims it ain't coz i've made my mind up. it's coz i'm willing to entertain whatever idea you have on the table... *if* you can deliver the goods. and by goods, i mean evidence, rigorously obtained.

end rant <<lightning strikes, evil laugh>> ....

for now.

[Limbo]

well, thing is, the whole point of what Randi''s saying (not to put words in his mouth but i will anyway) is that we're perfectly willing to believe ANYTHING... when evidence is sufficient.

if evidence is insufficient, the WE DO NOT KNOW.

"There are some people that if they don't know, you can't tell 'em."- Louis Armstrong

it won't help for deciding whether one short story is better than another, or one painting vs. another.

"Genius in truth means little more than the faculty of perceiving in an
unhabitual way" - William James, 1896

There is going to come a time when some people will have no choice but to evaluate how they perceive the "evidence", such as it is, and they will realize that organized skepticism and the media has held them back a bit. They will realize the evidence was sufficient all along.

Sort of like how it can be tricky at first to perceive the hidden image in those 3-d pictures.

[Mr. Skinny]

I once heard that live at a concert by the Beach Bums. No matter that I spent so much money on the tickets, I though it was an insult to my intelligence. They sounded, and later learned they were drunk and on drugs.
So I and my partner walked out, along with a few others who felt the same.
I tried but failed to get my money back.
I saw the Beach Boys back in 1964 or thereabouts. I don't think they had even written Good Vibrations yet. They sounded OK (given the limits of technology back then).

The Lovin' Spoonfull were their opening act. They were pretty good as well. First time I'd seen an autoharp used for rock 'n roll.

[zeusbheld]

There is going to come a time when some people will have no choice but to evaluate how they perceive the "evidence", such as it is, and they will realize that organized skepticism and the media has held them back a bit. They will realize the evidence was sufficient all along.

is a specific event going to bring about this intellectual apocalypse, or is it death by a thousand cuts?

[Limbo]

is a specific event going to bring about this intellectual apocalypse, or is it death by a thousand cuts?

I think it will be a specific event. Obviously I don't agree that it will be an intellectual apocalypse. I think it will be the birth of a golden age.

[zeusbheld]

I think it will be a specific event. Obviously I don't agree that it will be an intellectual apocalypse. I think it will be the birth of a golden age.

is that not what's supposed to happen after the apocalypse? the birth of a golden age? (personally i'm not sure, i read the bible once but i wasn't raised Christian).

anyway. time frame on that?

[Limbo]

anyway. time frame on that?

Sometime within the next few years, I would say.

[zeusbheld]

Sometime within the next few years, I would say.

might be worth starting your re-education program by starting a thread in the forum.

[Limbo]

All in due time.

[captain koolaid]

check.

[Prometheus]

:welcome3:

[arthwollipot]

I'm looking forward to Limbo's posts in the General Skepticism and Paranormal subforum.

[articulett]

When the moon is in the seventh house...
And Jupiter aligns with Mars...

(from the Age of Aquarius--Hair the Musical)

[JEROME DA GNOME]

Remember, mentally ill people and children can post here.

This statement explains a great deal.

:alien011:

[Prometheus]

"There are some people that if they don't know, you can't tell 'em."- Louis Armstrong

"Leave it all behind ya! (http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/1996-02-29/news/leave-it-all-behind-ya/full)" -- Louis Armstrong in an advertisement for his favorite laxative, Swiss Kriss.


"Genius in truth means little more than the faculty of perceiving in an
unhabitual way" - William James, 1896

You might enjoy some of BDZ's threads (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=106107).


Sort of like how it can be tricky at first to perceive the hidden image in those 3-d pictures.

Squinting cross-eyed until I hallucinate is my favorite way of searching for truth too!

But Welcome!

[amb]

I think it will be a specific event. Obviously I don't agree that it will be an intellectual apocalypse. I think it will be the birth of a golden age.
People have been waiting for approx. 10.000 years for this great revelation.
There was an imposter appox. 2000 years ago who also promised a golden age. [ or so they say]
I wait with bated breath. :rolleyes:

[jaywhat]

He was either an imposter or he did not exist. I prefer the latter because the imposter bit makes him sound too damned intelligent.
Good luck in Western Australia, I live in West Yorkshire (UK) but I have relatives of various shapes and sizes in Perth, Bridgetown and Manjimup. I love that name - where else could you get a name like Manjimup except in Oz?

[Limbo]

Squinting cross-eyed until I hallucinate is my favorite way of searching for truth too!


lol

But Welcome!


Thanks!

[Limbo]

I'm looking forward to Limbo's posts in the General Skepticism and Paranormal subforum.


Glad to hear that. Hope I don't disappoint.

Could be a while before I start making threads. I need to look over old threads first.

[Limbo]

People have been waiting for approx. 10.000 years for this great revelation.
There was an imposter appox. 2000 years ago who also promised a golden age. [ or so they say]
I wait with bated breath. :rolleyes:


Do you think I'm referring to the Biblical apocalypse? If you do think so, why on earth would you think that?

[SusanB-M1]

"There are some people that if they don't know, you can't tell 'em."- Louis Armstrong
---
There is going to come a time when some people will have no choice but to evaluate how they perceive the "evidence", such as it is, and they will realize that organized skepticism and the media has held them back a bit. They will realize the evidence was sufficient all along.
Throughout at least 2000 years of history, and certainly in my - long - lifetime, during which I have learnt about all kinds of woo, people have been saying this sort of thing, but it hasn't happened; and I have no doubt that you will have come to the same conclusion by the time your life comes to its end!

And welcome, of course!

[Limbo]

Throughout at least 2000 years of history, and certainly in my - long - lifetime, during which I have learnt about all kinds of woo, people have been saying this sort of thing, but it hasn't happened; and I have no doubt that you will have come to the same conclusion by the time your life comes to its end!


Zeusbheld introduced the word "apocalypse" in post #511, and now everyone seems to think I'm talking about "this sort of [apocalyptic] thing, but it hasn't happened"...

He put that word (apocalypse) in my mouth...and now it's evidently coloring the impressions people like yourself are receiving...I wonder if that "sort of thing" is going to happen a lot in my time here at JREF.

I wonder...is what Zeusbheld did called "poisoning the well"? Maybe I need to brush-up on logical fallacies before I start making threads. Something tells me I'm going to run into many of them.

And welcome, of course!


Thanks!

[Mr X]

Testing... Testing... Testing

Hello everyone...

[Limbo]

Hello Mr X

[Mr X]

and hello to you Limbo.

Whats the weather like there?

[Limbo]

We have a saying in Limbo...if you don't like the weather here then just wait a second and it will change.

[Mr X]

They dont bother with sayings here.... they just move to Spain.

[zeusbheld]

Zeusbheld introduced the word "apocalypse" in post #511, and now everyone seems to think I'm talking about "this sort of [apocalyptic] thing, but it hasn't happened"...

my bad, i go for the colorful. i live by the hollywood axiom of "can we punch it up some"?

He put that word (apocalypse) in my mouth...and now it's evidently coloring the impressions people like yourself are receiving...I wonder if that "sort of thing" is going to happen a lot in my time here at JREF.

i suspect what you said was enough to give an impression without my help.

I wonder...is what Zeusbheld did called "poisoning the well"?

i'm sure that this particular well was full of fresh, pure spring water, waiting to form a saturated solution with the ideas you're bringing to it. sorry for peeing in it, my bad.

Maybe I need to brush-up on logical fallacies before I start making threads. Something tells me I'm going to run into many of them.

logical fallacies are a good place to start, as you'll see a lot of them.

Thanks!

with pleasure! enjoy.

[zeusbheld]

where's "here", Mr. X., if you don't mind me asking?

[articulett]

i'm sure that this particular well was full of fresh, pure spring water, waiting to form a saturated solution with the ideas you're bringing to it. sorry for peeing in it, my bad.


Not to worry. Even our most delicious spring water is filled with life forms peeing and fornicating and excreting and dying... evolution has worked out the kinks in the system over the eons. I'm sure your micturation will do no harm.