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

[Dr Adequate]

Originally posted by moonbeam
:confused: Stutter...stammer...well...I'm not quite sure what you mean by this statement. Who is "he" and who is "him"? "He" and "him" would be your boyfriend.

My point (such as it was) is that if the nicest thing your boyfriend has done for you lately is suggest that you hang out with weirdos like us, maybe you should kick him to the kerb. He introduced you to the JREF forums? Only time will tell if this was really a sweet thing to do.

He should have given you flowers. You can't go wrong with flowers. Unless the woman in question has a near-fatal auto-immune response to pollen. WELL HOW WAS I TO KNOW?

[Chaos]

Er... just don´t mind Dr Adequate, moonbeam. He´s always like that when he´s skipped his medication. :)

Welcome to the forum.

[moonbeam]

Chaos, Thank you for the welcome and for the insight (hee hee)

Dr A. My boyfriend really is a romantic at heart. Why just the other day he left me a copy of Flim Flam!!! I went weak in the knees...swooooon......

[tim]

Welcome Moongirl!
I think your boyfriend has shown a great deal of common sense! Flim Flam is great - hope you enjoy it!
Fengirl, I'm just down the road from you - Biggleswade in Bedfordshire. Welcome to the forum! We may forgive you for wanting to be a lawyer - depends on your behavour.......:p ;)
I won't mention your relationship with dogs, I'm too much of a gentleman.
(And I've got a couple of pooches as well.......)

[Dr Adequate]

Originally posted by Chaos
Er... just don´t mind Dr Adequate, moonbeam. He´s always like that when he´s skipped his medication. :) It just doesn't taste right any more.

I suspect that THEY are putting something in it.

That would explain the hallucinations and the voices, but not the alien visitations.

[Fengirl]

Thanks for the welcome, Tim. I used to shop at Biggleswade Sainsbury's when I lived near there!

Relationships with dogs can be very rewarding. I find they will do almost anything I want, for a tin of Chum and a quick belly rub. Sadly, this strategy has been less successful with my husband.
I have no idea why.

[Dr Adequate]

(1) Slightly lower down.
(2) Less tinned dogfood.

Actually point (2) is optional.

[Hauteden]

I just wanted to say 'Hi' to the forum, though I am not new here I don't post much. But I am looking to change all that, it is my intention to become a bit more active.

To that end, a bit about me:
AS/400 Systems Analyst for a large multi-platform company.
Interests are Photography, Brewing Beer and rootbeer, PC gaming (SWG), and cooking.
Looking to become a gradeschool (primary) teacher within the next year.

I guess that is good for now. I would like to say that I do plan on getting to TAM4, and I am stoked about it. I have never been to Vegas and what better time to go.

Anyway that is all,

Hauteden

[Mr. Skinny]

Hi Hauteden......again.

I remember your name for some reason, but seeing that you only have 16 posts, and registered in 2002, I'm assuming that most of your previous posts were lost in the great purge of a couple years ago.

Anyhow, welcome back.

[Hauteden]

Originally posted by Mr. Skinny
Hi Hauteden......again.

I remember your name for some reason, but seeing that you only have 16 posts, and registered in 2002, I'm assuming that most of your previous posts were lost in the great purge of a couple years ago.

Anyhow, welcome back.

Some were lost in the purge, but I think I may have had no more then 70.

I forgot to add, I found my way here through BA.com. There was a cross-over topic on JFK. Ever since then I have been reading this site.

Hauteden

[Mr. Skinny]

Originally posted by Hauteden
Some were lost in the purge, but I think I may have had no more then 70.

I forgot to add, I found my way here through BA.com. There was a cross-over topic on JFK. Ever since then I have been reading this site.

Hauteden
Aha! I may remember you from the BABB as well. I signed up there a while ago, but have only lurked, so I have a zero post count there I think.

[Hauteden]

Originally posted by Mr. Skinny
Aha! I may remember you from the BABB as well. I signed up there a while ago, but have only lurked, so I have a zero post count there I think.

That very well could be. It has been a while for me posting there. I was really into astronomy then, surfing sites nightly for the best telescope purchase. Hopefully, I will regain that hobby again soon.

Hauteden

[Shrinker]

Hi everyone, another new member here...

I used to be into all of that UFO stuff, reading Timothy Good books and whatnot. Randi used to piss me off with his smugness and pedantry and I would never have dreamed of buying one of his dreary tomes. But as UFO books became more desperate and insane I started turning off. Finally, the worryingly-named Kal K Korff tipped me over the edge with a great book about Roswell that answered all the nagging questions the UFO authors always seemed to avoid. (Like why did the Roswell UFO look so much like a balloon?)

Eventually I found myself here (from numberwatch.co.uk I think). I read a few commentaries and got hooked on all the amazing revalations. (This doesn't work, that doesn't work etc...).

I've been lurking in the forums for about a year now. They're incedibly addictive. Who would have thought debates between the frighteningly intelligent and the frighteningly stupid could last so long?

Not sure I'll have much new to contribute... we'll see...

[Chaos]

Originally posted by Shrinker
*snip*
Who would have thought debates between the frighteningly intelligent and the frighteningly stupid could last so long?
*snip*

That´s probably because we´re curious to see which caliber of argument can penetrate what armor strength of ignorance. :)

[jjramsey]

I've already posted on various threads but I've never made a proper introduction, so here goes.

For now at least, I am a Christian who has come to borderline on being a closet atheist. Whether I will be a Christian in ten years, or even one, I don't know. Due to some interesting and odd academic choices, I ended up getting two B.A. degrees, one in general studies from a Christian college* (Bible interpretation, a little psychology, some philosophy, some communication, some history) and the other in Mechanical Engineering from a secular university. Right now, I'm avoiding working by being a graduate student in Mechanical Engineering. :D

I have become familiar with both Internet skeptics and apologists. I have read a couple books by Michael Shermer, a little bit of A Marginal Jew by John P. Meier, the first four books by N. T. Wright in his Christian Origins and the Question of God series, Robin Lane Fox's Unauthorized Version: Truth and Fiction in the Bible, The Formation of the Resurrection Narratives by Reginald H. Fuller, about half of John Dominic Crossan's Birth of Christianity, and Gerd Lüdemann's The Resurrection of Christ: A Historical Inquiry. This stuff covers both the apologetic and the skeptical.

That should give you a hint of what I'm like, both good and bad.

* The degree is officially in "Christian leadership," but that is basically Christianese for not having a specific major.

[Diamond]

Originally posted by jjramsey
I've already posted on various threads but I've never made a proper introduction, so here goes.

For now at least, I am a Christian who has come to borderline on being a closet atheist.

Quite a few of us used to be fundamentalist Christians, but are now not. And not Christian at all.

I was but now I'm an agnostic and a rationalist.

I know your dilemma: the heart still clings but the head is in revolt. Reality keeps knocking down the ever weaker excuses. You keep reading books to banish the doubt but end up disagreeing with the stupid argumentation and broken logic. You sometimes wonder if you're going mad. You daren't tell your Christian friends of your real doubts in case you upset them.

It's a fundamental right of personal freedom - you've got to arrive at a place you want to be. Nobody can take that away from you - whether you want to be a believer or not.

I wrote this before and I still like it. This is my view of reality:

I like reality. It doesn't hover over you constantly waiting to condemn you for doing something that breaks some idiotic rule or worse, thinking something that breaks some idiotic rule. It doesn't require 24x7x365 attention. It doesn't need regular reinforcement through group therapy (I believe that once per week is the usual requirement). It doesn't force you to read, memorize, internalize the same trashy, offensive and meaningless literature over and over again looking for some deep meaning where none exists. It never asks for donations. It doesn't force you to like people on the basis of a shared delusion or delusions. It tells it to you straight, and never gives anything less than an honest and clear vision of exactly where you are and what you are.

Those who think they are happy when they shut out reality for fantasy have only my deepest sympathy. I was never a happy fundy. There were too many walls I was desperate to kick down in order to find reality. Some people like living in a box, others pretend to like it.

It's a scary thing to breathe free air, live a life which has no purpose other than what I choose to impart to it, and to die without any comforting notions of an afterlife. But its unquestionably real and I prefer it to any fantasy.

Welcome to the JREF - but be prepared to be challenged!

[jjramsey]

Originally posted by Diamond
Quite a few of us used to be fundamentalist Christians, but are now not. And not Christian at all.


Well, I've never been a fundamentalist Christian, so that makes issues a bit trickier. The churches I've gone to have been conservative in their theology, but closer in mindset to Billy Graham than Jerry Falwell. Back when I lived in California, the pastor preached against a ballot proposition to "defend marriage" from gays. Even where I am now, the church has a few people here and there who listen only to *gasp* NPR. My own parents might half-jokingly be called the resident heretics there, and the members of the church nonetheless actually like them.

Originally posted by Diamond
I know your dilemma: the heart still clings but the head is in revolt. Reality keeps knocking down the ever weaker excuses. You keep reading books to banish the doubt but end up disagreeing with the stupid argumentation and broken logic.


Would that it were that simple! I would have left the fold a long time ago, or never bothered to enter it. There is plenty of "stupid argumentation and broken logic" on both sides. On the one hand, apologists will say things like "If Jesus was still in his tomb, they could have wheeled out the body" (which wouldn't work if the apostles started preaching after the body had decomposed), or "If the Gospels said things contrary to fact, hostile eyewitnesses would have objected" (which depends on whether the hostile eyewitnesses were privy to potential false claims, whether their objections would be heeded, and whether they would survive to this day). On the other hand, you have so-called skeptics who say things like any naturalistic explanation for belief in the resurrection, no matter how ad hoc, is more probable than a dead man rising, which is not truly skepticism but dogmatic atheism, and you have skeptics making all kinds of specious comparisons between paganism and Christianity that are just as much woo-woo as the stuff Randi debunks on a regular basis. Once you clear out the clutter, what you find is that there are no smoking gun arguments that make atheism the clear winner. There are some subtler leads that may clinch it for atheism, but working through them is slow-going, and perhaps worth threads of their own in time.

[Diamond]

jj:

I was never a convert to atheism. Atheism is simply a lack of belief in god or gods. As such it is a philosophical position, not a political one.

I attended plenty of "conservative" churches as well. I was never convinced by an atheist argument, instead I came to my own conclusions about what is, and is not, real. In the end, it's the only choice we really have (no pun intended). I did become convinced that science, and not religion, was a better bet in describing reality, but that's my own personal choice. There are no certainties about this choice.

I am happier now than when I was a Christian. It's a relief to not have to keep reinforcing that which is not real. There are things that I do miss about churchgoing (like the social aspect, non-theists tend to be ruggedly individualistic) but as I grew older, I found that friends I knew before are still friends, and those who cannot cope with thinking and feel threatened, have fallen away.

It would be a gross lie to say that atheists, agnostics, non-theists do not have to live with paradoxes and unanswered questions about the meaning of life, but I do have the liberty of fair consideration of all of them. Nor do I hate theists or despise their belief system - I simply do not subscribe to those beliefs.

[jjramsey]

Originally posted by Diamond
I was never a convert to atheism. . . . As such it is a philosophical position, not a political one.


I am well aware that atheism isn't a political position. I just mentioned the politics of the churches to which I went because that is a good rough estimate of just how conservative the churches are. While it is certainly possible to have a left-leaning fundamentalist church, it generally doesn't happen--not in the U.S., anyway.

[infinite*jest]

OK, long-time lurker, first-time poster here. Let me get a few basic introductory details out of the way first:


Male, mid-40s, married, with 7-year-old daughter
20-year civil servant, happily on the downhill slide toward retirement
Lifelong resident of a big hot state that is unfortunately claimed as "home state" by the biggest jackass ever to be elected President
Politically left-leaning, proud to be one of those environmentalist wackos Rush likes to warn you about
Atheist & skeptic, totally lacking the patience or desire to get into debates with believers/fantatics/nutballs. Folks, believe what you want. If it brings you comfort, then good for you. But I absolutely refuse to waste another second of the time I have left on this earth hearing about it.


I've really enjoyed what I've read so far on this site. I'll admit it, I find it a bit intimidating posting in a forum where it appears the average poster exceeds me in both IQ and education level. But you seem like a tolerant group, so I'm going to take a chance. Please be gentle.

Diamond: I have to tell you, I love this quote of yours:

It's a scary thing to breathe free air, live a life which has no purpose other than what I choose to impart to it, and to die without any comforting notions of an afterlife. But its unquestionably real and I prefer it to any fantasy.

I actually use it (with slight modifications) as my tag line on a different message board. I hope you take that as a compliment and not as an improper misappropriation.

[Marquis de Carabas]

Originally posted by infinite*jest
Lifelong resident of a big hot state that is unfortunately claimed as "home state" by the biggest jackass ever to be elected President
Remember, that "claimed as" bit is the important part--the fugger's really from Connecticut. I feel it my duty as a Texan to point that out as often as possible. No real Texan would have traded Sosa to Chicago.

Yeah, anyway. Welcome to the Fora. :D

[ObscureReferenceMan]

Hello! I was going to tell about myself, but hit the "New Topic" button instead of "Reply". So, check out my introduction in this thread http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=59639

[espritch]

Welcome, infinite*jest. As you can probably see by my sig line, you are not the only one around here who's not too fond of the current occupant of the Oval Office. Glad to hear the Texas liberal hasn't been hunted to extinction after all. :)

[infinite*jest]

Originally posted by espritch
Welcome, infinite*jest. As you can probably see by my sig line, you are not the only one around here who's not too fond of the current occupant of the Oval Office. Glad to hear the Texas liberal hasn't been hunted to extinction after all. :)

Thanks! Fortunately I live in Travis County, a liberal oasis in a huge Red wasteland.

No real Texan would have traded Sosa to Chicago

Well, at least he's consistent. His management and decision-making skills are just as finely-tuned today as when he ran the Rangers.

[Bluecaster]

Hello.

I've decided to introduce myself. I've been lurking on and off here for some years now, but never felt I had anything to contribute.

For all intents and purposes my name is Max. I've been back living in Glasgow, Scotland for a few years now. I'm divorced, I have no children, I'm almost forty years old - yet I'm only slightly shabby... :)

I've always enjoyed reading this forum - I can't begin to explain how much I've learned from the many wonderful discussions I've read here. My formal education ended when I was 16 years old, but I've always been interested in learning as much as possible about almost everything in life. Asking questions is good!

I look forward to (hopefully) contributing in some way to the JREF Forum.


Max.

[Mr. Skinny]

Welcome, Max.

Hey, you did contribute something. We now know where you live, and how old you are. Now you can just build on that!

Glad to have you at the JREF. There's a thread called Phil's Pub that seems to be a pretty popular place to get to know folks.

[Bluecaster]

Mr. Skinny, thank you for the welcome.

I'm sure I'll make a visit to Phil's pub! :)

[treble_head]

Originally posted by Mr. Skinny
Welcome, Max.

Hey, you did contribute something. We now know where you live, and how old you are. Now you can just build on that!


Yeah, we know where you live, buddy, so just watch it... j/k

welcome to the forums

[Bluecaster]

Originally posted by treble_head
Yeah, we know where you live, buddy, so just watch it... j/k

welcome to the forums

Thanks for the welcome treble_head - and since you know where I live, I'll make sure to check the bushes outside my window... ;)

[wastepanel]

Hello all. I've been lurking for about a week now, and finally got clearance to post to the forums here. I found this sight after watch the Prophet's group and coming up with ways he could have faked it not involving balloons. It was fun, and thought I'd throw my hand into some of the forums here to see if I could add anything to a conversation.

[Anti_Hypeman]

Yo

[Roadtoad]

Originally posted by Anti_Hypeman
Yo

Wow, a first post that lives up to the poster's name.

Welcome.

[The Kilted Yaksman]

Originally posted by espritch
Welcome, infinite*jest. As you can probably see by my sig line, you are not the only one around here who's not too fond of the current occupant of the Oval Office. Glad to hear the Texas liberal hasn't been hunted to extinction after all. :)
There are still a few of us left here. We gotta keep our heads down though.

[tim]

I hate to let my imagination run riot with your name, Kilted Yaksman........
Welcome!
:D :D :D

[No_Know]

What brought me to here was the Challenge. There seemed to be mention of comming to the forums first before responding to the Challenge.

I put my hand~ near the pain and the pain might be not worse...arthritis, asthma, sinus infection, headache, migraine, back-pain (disc out of sorts or muscular), tension..,it seemd to help things be-less-tense and seems to possiblly have effects on the afore mentioned.

I would like to isolate the degrees and varieties of pain I might help be-less-there. But not everyone wants to talk~ with you if you ask to make their pain less there...it can be awkward. Oh well. Perhaps for a good bit of money (originally a million then ten million or so from Sima Nan...) if this is close enough to what they want to disprove--show as not real/valid.

While I do prefer to not touch, It was not studied from the line of HT or TT. I would not speak for those. And if you call it qi/qigong~ Whatever whatever. I call it Hands-Over and prefer tell me where the pain is and what type (if you can). Then, does it feel worse? That way I think I am not leading the person to a favourable response. But if it does hurt worse I should perhaps adjust what I'm doing or get told in what way it hurts worse.

I also like to be made aware if the pain~moves. I might ask to the size and depth and shape of the pain, to be more aware of how it's proceding or the such.

It usually is more noticable the more pain one has~.

With permission I get to try Hands-Over with us not in the same room. Not sure how far, if limited. So far supposedly several hundred miles is best range (more than 200 but not sure much beyond that).

It's more at relief than cure or heal. And duration would be undetermined.

The JREF didn't want theories or speculation. If they can get me people with definite back pain that is near enough constant that it would not be a fluke that happened at the same time as the challenge and was not on medication long enough that the medication could not be a factor of kicking -in or lingering effects, to discredit any apparant success. That might work.

Whoever wants to try me at a distance if you are not in town, let see what doesn't happen.~

Otherwise hearing about scams is great to be aware things of which to be cautious. I hope that this was good enough as an introduction sort of thing. Be well.

[Marquis de Carabas]

Originally posted by No_Know
What brought me to here was the Challenge. There seemed to be mention of comming to the forums first before responding to the Challenge.

I put my hand~ near the pain and the pain might be not worse...arthritis, asthma, sinus infection, headache, migraine, back-pain (disc out of sorts or muscular), tension..,it seemd to help things be-less-tense and seems to possiblly have effects on the afore mentioned.

I would like to isolate the degrees and varieties of pain I might help be-less-there. But not everyone wants to talk~ with you if you ask to make their pain less there...it can be awkward. Oh well. Perhaps for a good bit of money (originally a million then ten million or so from Sima Nan...) if this is close enough to what they want to disprove--show as not real/valid.

While I do prefer to not touch, It was not studied from the line of HT or TT. I would not speak for those. And if you call it qi/qigong~ Whatever whatever. I call it Hands-Over and prefer tell me where the pain is and what type (if you can). Then, does it feel worse? That way I think I am not leading the person to a favourable response. But if it does hurt worse I should perhaps adjust what I'm doing or get told in what way it hurts worse.

I also like to be made aware if the pain~moves. I might ask to the size and depth and shape of the pain, to be more aware of how it's proceding or the such.

It usually is more noticable the more pain one has~.

With permission I get to try Hands-Over with us not in the same room. Not sure how far, if limited. So far supposedly several hundred miles is best range (more than 200 but not sure much beyond that).

It's more at relief than cure or heal. And duration would be undetermined.

The JREF didn't want theories or speculation. If they can get me people with definite back pain that is near enough constant that it would not be a fluke that happened at the same time as the challenge and was not on medication long enough that the medication could not be a factor of kicking -in or lingering effects, to discredit any apparant success. That might work.

Whoever wants to try me at a distance if you are not in town, let see what doesn't happen.~

Otherwise hearing about scams is great to be aware things of which to be cautious. I hope that this was good enough as an introduction sort of thing. Be well.
I have a headache. The pain is right behind my eyes; possibly it's just my ocular nerves protesting the reading of gibberish.

ETA: Oh yeah, and welcome and stuff. :D

[No_Know]

I might presume your headache comment was a reference to my introduction post.

Thank you none-the-less (for the effort~).

Also, there was a thread about self-defense. I might be able to post to this type of thread. Self-defense type concepts have been interesting to me.

What parts of what you've read were you considering gibberish, if you would. Besides estimated time of arrival, I might not understand ETA:, at the moment.

Posts about trials/tests relevant to healing back pain would interest me.

[tim]

Hi No_Know and welcome to the forum.
As you will be aware we are a skeptical group and our attitude tends to be, "that's interesting - and your proof is......?"
You should apply to take the challenge to prove your claims.
Good Luck - it sounds intersting, so - prove it!

[ajkalan]

Hello everyone. I'm not planning on posting very often, but I thought I'd introduce myself anyway. I've been lurking these forums for a while now - one year, two years? - and I think I have a pretty firm handle on what these boards are like. I've been amused by the Kumars and the MAS lads, and I've learned more about science here than anywhere else.

Anyway, I'm a 19-year-old college student from Michigan. My major is music, but I haven't found out what I want my minor to be; so far I've narrowed it down to, "not mathematics." I'm a basketball fan (who hates Robert Horry! Aagh!) though I dislike sports in general. Both of my parents were atheists; thus, so am I.

I generally try to be skeptical, but I've found that I often believe what people tell me without thinking about it critically. (That doesn't mean I fall for obvious claptrap like chi and homeopathy; I mean statements like, "If you cut open that mole on your arm, it could turn into cancer," which could have some scientific basis but don't.)

Three more facts about me: I love collecting books, photography is a hobby of mine, and I tend to overuse parenthetical statements when I write (not so much in this case...well, maybe now I have).

-Alan

[espritch]

I generally try to be skeptical, but I've found that I often believe what people tell me without thinking about it critically.

Most people do. Critical thinking and skepticism are skills. And like most skills they are improved with pratice. You came to the right place if you are looking to improve your critical thinking.

Welcome.

[L7Cz]

Originally posted by No_Know
Besides estimated time of arrival, I might not understand ETA:, at the moment.If you look for the small italicized "Last edited by..." line near the bottom of the post, that usually means any "ETA" above it means "edited to add."

Welcome to the forum, but keep in mind that any claim (whether healing, the hearafter, or hair color) will be met with requests (some polite, many not so) for evidence. If you have a claim, and you want to see if is is testable, many here will be happy to suggest double-blinded tests (neither the tester nor the person being tested knows what category the individual subject fits into) to verify that you have a talent. For example, your "less-pain" hypothesis can be tested by asking a group of people with various pains to sit in chairs on the far side of a curtain, where you cannot see them. You silently do whatever it takes to apply your "healing" to them, in order, and they tell someone else after you leave whether their pain lessened. Once you start having 4 out of 5 declare their pain was lessened, then you can move on to something more sophisticated. The universe works in many wondrously but totally unconnected ways, and a correlation between X and Y happening doesn't necessarily mean X caused Y.

[Rasmus]

Hi there,

I have been reading the board for a while now, quite regularly for maybe as much as two weeks now. I think you are all crazy and that I'll fit right in with most of you.

Not quite 30 yet (and only a little time left to gain a good understanding of Einstein's work if this was to remain unchanged) guy from Germany that cannot remember why he first came here.

I do know why I stayed though: Discussions here are dominated by the most rationale people I've heard in a while. (Sometimes it makes it annoying, because at least some of your positions that I dislike are still well argued and when i am just about to make up my mind on whom I should really dislike they go and be all rational about changing their minds. Duh! But I guess the anchovi-part of this particular thread will be very useful in that aspect.)

What else?

I just love the threads in "puzzles" playing with words, I am just not witty enough to really contribute there much. (also, if it's not obvious already, my spelling sucks and the only thing worse than my spelling might be my typing skills.)

With that I shall start posting to the discussions here, but might have to practice some restraint for a while (else the nice friendly men will come and do it for me ....)

Rasmus.

[Mr. Skinny]

Welcome to the forum, Rasmus.

Things aren't always so rational over in the Politics sub-forum, but otherwise I'd agree with you. After all, the idea here is to think critically.

We are human, however.

Good to have you aboard.

[tim]

Originally posted by Mr. Skinny

We are human, however.

Speak for yourself, Skinny!

Welcome Rasmus! :D

[No_Know]

L7Cz

Your example seemed helpful to my awareness. Also the pointing-out-of ETA. And the notice that not all might be civil in their skepticism.~

Yes, a presumption or interpretation might be incorrect. With that, caution in claiming should occure. Thank you.

[Chaos]

Originally posted by Rasmus
*snip*
Not quite 30 yet (and only a little time left to gain a good understanding of Einstein's work if this was to remain unchanged) guy from Germany that cannot remember why he first came here.
*snip*

Where in Germany? (I´m near Frankfurt)

[Rasmus]

Originally posted by Chaos
Where in Germany? (I´m near Frankfurt)

Close enough to Hamburg that I could reasonably drop the "near".

[Chaos]

Originally posted by Rasmus
Close enough to Hamburg that I could reasonably drop the "near".

As long as you´re not far enough from it to count as a Bavarian, I think we can disregard such details... :)

[Rasmus]

Originally posted by Chaos
As long as you´re not far enough from it to count as a Bavarian, I think we can disregard such details... :)

Even by local standards I am still considered German. Just. :D

[pmycrackin]

Hi there All,

Ive been reading this website for five years now - ever since I moved to South Florida :) Extremely addictive! (Of course it has got me into quite a few arguments from time to time!) - Anyway I'm glad to be here hopefully participate in the forums.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a163/dghfdh546546/419.gif
Glad to be peering in!

[treble_head]

Originally posted by pmycrackin
Hi there All,

Ive been reading this website for five years now - ever since I moved to South Florida :) Extremely addictive! (Of course it has got me into quite a few arguments from time to time!) - Anyway I'm glad to be here hopefully participate in the forums.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a163/dghfdh546546/419.gif
Glad to be peering in!


hola pm! glad to have you on the boards. Now all you have to do is vote for me for the July Language Award, and you can be my new best friend. ;) I keed. but check out the language awards anyway, some interesting reads. Hope to see you around.

[Moon-Spinner]

Hey there everybody,

I've been reading the forum for years, and only signed on back in January. I've been a life-long skeptic (When I was 5 years old and first heard of Jesus, I rolled my eyes and said "sure, right"). As a teenager, I use to believe in some psychic abilities (after all, it was a widely accepted reality in the 70s), but I soon grew doubtful of the claims, and pretty much purged myself in 1982 with the first James Randi lecture I attended. The last time a saw a James Randi lecture was in the late 80s.

I'm a computer IT person at a University by day, and an audio engineer on the side. I've had the pleasure of working with Carl Sagan personally - as a media specialist (hey, I got to hide microphone cables under his sacred turtle-neck!).

I have found a number of posters here that I often agree with greatly (I won't mention names). There's a lot of cleverness here, and a lot of intelligence, and I'm proud to finally be a part of this community.

[tim]

Welcome, Moon-Spinner!
Your last paragraph -
"I have found a number of posters here that I often agree with greatly (I won't mention names). There's a lot of cleverness here, and a lot of intelligence, and I'm proud to finally be a part of this community."
infers there are some people you don't agree with. Do you want to name names?
:D :D :D
(only kidding - best not, perhaps!)
Welcome!

[Lynn]

Hi there!
I've been reading posts from this forum over the shoulder of a certain wombat for some time now. At last he has allowed me to join in!! With him editing of course!
Now something about me. I work in a hospital as a care assistant on the delivery suite, I'm not a midwife but I do have a part in bringing babies into the world. I love it, and have helped both my daughters go through the process. Wonderful.
I have a dog called Pandora who some of you will already have heard of from tim, and a little terrier, Pip, they play well together but Pip is the boss.
I'm a bit nervous about joining this forum so be gentle with me, please.
:eek:

[Mr. Skinny]

Welcome, Lynn.

I sorta feel like I already know ya, since whatshisname talks about you often.

I'm sure people will treat you well, if for no other reason than you are married to a moderator. ;)

[Lynn]

Originally posted by Mr. Skinny
Welcome, Lynn.

I sorta feel like I already know ya, since whatshisname talks about you often.

I'm sure people will treat you well, if for no other reason than you are married to a moderator. ;)

NO special treatment please! Don't get any at home so won't expect it from you. :p ;)

[Roadtoad]

Originally posted by Lynn
NO special treatment please! Don't get any at home so won't expect it from you. :p ;)

What? No special treatment?

That's it. Break out the razors, folks. We got us a WOMBAT to shave!

[Lynn]

Originally posted by Roadtoad
What? No special treatment?

That's it. Break out the razors, folks. We got us a WOMBAT to shave!

Ooh can I watch this time? Or shall we wax him? I know how to get hold of HOT wax and plenty of it.:a2:

[tim]

Originally posted by Lynn
Ooh can I watch this time? Or shall we wax him? I know how to get hold of HOT wax and plenty of it.:a2:

You swine, RT! I might have known you'd take her side, her being a truck driver's daughter!
And as for you, minx, I'll give you hot bloody wax!
When I think of all I've done for her........ sob.

[Chaos]

Originally posted by Lynn
*snip*
I'm a bit nervous about joining this forum so be gentle with me, please.
:eek:

With a wary wombat standing nearby and making a grim face, of course we will be gentle - very gentle. We couldn´t be more gentle if our lives depended on it - which, I guess, they do. ;) After all, "Hell hath no fury as a wombat shaved..." :D

[Mojo]

Originally posted by Lynn
Hi there!
I've been reading posts from this forum over the shoulder of a certain wombat for some time now. At last he has allowed me to join in!! With him editing of course! I hope the MAS Collective don't hear about this. We'd never hear the end of it...

[Kiless]

Originally posted by Lynn
Hi there!

Hello!!! :D I was one of the many skepchicks who had the joy of meeting Tim at the last TAM - and saw him get his fur removed (I think we were gentle... although the pic here seems to imply otherwise...) - lovely to see you at long last! :)

[Trixie]

Hi, guys! I just got my confirmation that I'm a board member. I'm sure glad to be here! Right now I have the task of reading up on all the info available. Thanx for all the interesting posts! ;O)
--Trixie

[tim]

Originally posted by Trixie
Hi, guys! I just got my confirmation that I'm a board member. I'm sure glad to be here! Right now I have the task of reading up on all the info available. Thanx for all the interesting posts! ;O)
--Trixie

Hi Trixie! Welcome to JREF. This is a great place to be, not just for the science but for thre fun as well! Enjoy!
:D :D :D

[Lynn]

Originally posted by Trixie
Hi, guys! I just got my confirmation that I'm a board member. I'm sure glad to be here! Right now I have the task of reading up on all the info available. Thanx for all the interesting posts! ;O)
--Trixie

Hi Trixie, I'm new too. Hope you enjoy it as much as I am Welcome
Lynn :)

[Antiquehunter]

My name is Oke, and I'm living and working in Kabul Afghanistan, helping their nascent government to set up a tax administration.

When I'm NOT in Kabul being a taxman, I can usually be found in Vancouver, BC Canada.

I am an avid collector/buyer/seller of art & antiques, particularly fond of estate jewellery / antique watches, art deco, art nouveau and arts & crafts periods - especially art pottery and glass.

I'm also a poker nut, and am a budding wine snob (still learning)...

I've been a fan of Randi's for a long time, and am a devoted reader of Skeptical literature. I consider myself to be an athiest. Decided to join the forums as I have some spare time in the evenings here in Kabul...

That's about it for now - will meet all of you on the boards!

-Oke
<No witty signature>

[tim]

Welcome, Antiquehunter!
Kabul, eh? The first person we've had posting from there, I think. Although someone will probably correct me on that. :p ;)
I hope the forum will help you while away those long evenings......

[Czarzy]

Hello, All:

The people in this forum are luscious!

Conclusion made because of: reading many previous posts.

I value science greatly, due to both its elegance (major reason) and to its resultant ability to be able to influence the physical world for our comfort, so I take science and both all those who contribute to it and those who support it very seriously; love creativity and playfulness, too.

The posters here seem both to be logical in their thinking and fun. Hope that posts I make here will be, too (at least one or the other) and that I will be inspired from other members' posts to think in new ways about topics, rather than just my own previous pathways.

Regards,

Czarzy

[Lynn]

Originally posted by tim
I'm trying to fight mine off Luke - any suggestions?:D
you could leave me in Rio with Luciana, Iwouldn't ever bother you again!
YES folks the wombat is taking me to Brazil!:fg:

[Luciana]

What?? TIM is married??? Geez, I could have sworn he was single! I don't think he ever mentioned a wife!!!


:D

Lynn, tim talks about you every other message, basically. :D So it's really like we know you already. :)

My favorite picture of TAM is wombat-related, btw (http://www.boomspeed.com/lnery/tim_me_small.jpg)!

Welcome, Lynn!!!

[Unalienable]

Greetings Skeptics, Woo-woos, and everybody in-between.

I am "Unalienable", thus named because of my strong belief in the importance of individual liberty.

I am an expert chess player, an amateur magician, and a professional computer programmer.

I learned about James Randi as a kid. One day in the mid 1980's, when Crop Circles first hit the presses, I remember calling James at his home one night to have a chat with him. I was amazed at how accessible and friendly he was.

I am very skeptical of paranormal claims of the type that JREF regularly receives in its applications. Homeopathy is bunk. Dowsing doesn't work. Not one person on earth has "ESP."

And yet, I believe in God, or at the very least you might call me a Deist. I believe in an intelligent Creator because this, to me, is the model which comes into the least contradiction with the observable universe.

I think that about covers it! See you around.

[rharbers]

Originally posted by Unalienable
Greetings Skeptics, Woo-woos, and everybody in-between.

I am "Unalienable", thus named because of my strong belief in the importance of individual liberty.

I am an expert chess player, an amateur magician, and a professional computer programmer.

I learned about James Randi as a kid. One day in the mid 1980's, when Crop Circles first hit the presses, I remember calling James at his home one night to have a chat with him. I was amazed at how accessible and friendly he was.

I am very skeptical of paranormal claims of the type that JREF regularly receives in its applications. Homeopathy is bunk. Dowsing doesn't work. Not one person on earth has "ESP."

And yet, I believe in God, or at the very least you might call me a Deist. I believe in an intelligent Creator because this, to me, is the model which comes into the least contradiction with the observable universe.

I think that about covers it! See you around.

Shouldn't your name be "Inalienable"?

[Unalienable]

Originally posted by rharbers
Shouldn't your name be "Inalienable"?
No, because I chose to spell it correctly, like it was spelled in the Declaration of Independence. Thanks for asking!

[rharbers]

Originally posted by Unalienable
No, because I chose to spell it correctly, like it was spelled in the Declaration of Independence. Thanks for asking!

I've been saying it wrong for 40 years!

[Dogdoctor]

Hello everyone, I found this site because I read Flim Flam and was looking for skeptical sites. I enjoy reading Randi's commentary and never thought about the discussion groups till he had the hematological fakery article. I then thought there must be a place to go and talk about his commentary so I came and looked around and sure enough there was. So here I am. A little about me is that I am a long time skeptic, I was born with a skeptical mind, however I am now a much better skeptic than I ever was and still not so focused as many here. I am a veterinarian and amateur malacologist, amateur web page builder and amateur philosopher and play Ultima Online (an online game), surf and grow vegetables in my spare time. Oh yeah and James Randi is my hero.:)

[tim]

Originally posted by Dogdoctor
Hello everyone, I found this site because I read Flim Flam and was looking for skeptical sites. I enjoy reading Randi's commentary and never thought about the discussion groups till he had the hematological fakery article. I then thought there must be a place to go and talk about his commentary so I came and looked around and sure enough there was. So here I am. A little about me is that I am a long time skeptic, I was born with a skeptical mind, however I am now a much better skeptic than I ever was and still not so focused as many here. I am a veterinarian and amateur malacologist, amateur web page builder and amateur philosopher and play Ultima Online (an online game), surf and grow vegetables in my spare time. Oh yeah and James Randi is my hero.:)

Welcome Dogdoctor!
We do have at least one other veterinarian here, so you aren't alone.
You know, you might have done better to wait before you told us your profession - there are quite a number of animal lovers on the forum (mostly them ornery cats, dognammit!) but some of us are priviledged to share our homes with canines. You may well end up the forum vet (free advice, of course!).
KittyNH has a new puppy, Rebecca has two new (cough) cats, and Zep has a thing about axolotls. How are you on bee care? Joshua Korosi is an apiarist. (Sorry, Joshua, but the truth will out!).
Welcome Dogdoctor, have a good time!

[Dogdoctor]

I don't mind giving free advice or my opinion about things related to animals even cats ;) I don't know much about bees. I am also happy to give my opinion if I have one about other subjects such as malacology, web page building or really just about anything I have spent time thinking about. I have a busy life though and I am not sure how much of it I will spend here.

[boeingJr]

...if you look, I'll pop my head out from behind the curtain and say hello.

I've been reading the column for perhaps a couple of years, and lurking in the forums for a while, and just maybe I'll like posting here as well?

A little more about me: I guess I started out as an angry agnostic once, and gradually turned into an angry skeptic and then angry atheist. Reading this site seems to make me less angry though, since I learn ways of putting my thoughts into words :c) Thanks to all those who contribute to that!

Anyway, although I read some of the other groups, I'll probably send most of my postings to entertainment section, trying to be a smart ass. Can't see much interest in my professional field around here :c)

[tim]

Welcome to the forum, boeingJr!
Being angry doesn't help much really, although when you see the crap that's out there it's sometimes a) understandable, and b) difficult to control.
Enjoy yourself here!

[Roadtoad]

Welcome, BoeingJr. I can see you've met our famed combat wombat, Tim.

I'd tell you more about the wombat shaving, but that's generally reserved for TAM attendees. Thankfully, amphibians like myself are immune to such activities, and should I ever attend, I will likely remain fuzzy.

Besides, Peggy, my bride of 20 years, likes my 'stache.

[boeingJr]

thank you tim, roadtoad

yeah, I've seen rumours of a shaving of wombats. in the aftermath, did the shaving alter any wombat behavioural patterns? did the hairs ever grow back? if not, what is the shaving technique? or is that information also reserved for the "Terribly Annoying 'Mericans" attendees? ;c)

[tim]

Originally posted by Roadtoad
Welcome, BoeingJr. I can see you've met our famed combat wombat, Tim.

I'd tell you more about the wombat shaving, but that's generally reserved for TAM attendees. Thankfully, amphibians like myself are immune to such activities, and should I ever attend, I will likely remain fuzzy.

Besides, Peggy, my bride of 20 years, likes my 'stache.

Don't you bloody start again, RT!
It's taken me 8 months to grow that moustache back again!
Don't take any notice of Roadtoad, folks - after the accident he became, well, odd. Demented even. Still, what do you expect from....amphibians! :eek:

[The Sopwith Turtle]

Delurking to say hi...I've been reading this for a few months now - I found the site from over at IIDB. I don't intend to post much, mainly because I'm a little out of my depth here, but anyway, I thought I'd make at least one post.

I'm a college student, born and bred in India, and studying physics in the US.

[Roadtoad]

Originally posted by tim
Don't you bloody start again, RT!
It's taken me 8 months to grow that moustache back again!
Don't take any notice of Roadtoad, folks - after the accident he became, well, odd. Demented even. Still, what do you expect from....amphibians! :eek:

I'm getting this from a WOMBAT!?!

EIGHT MONTHS!?! Sheesh, the last time I had to grow mine back, it took two weeks. Even wound up making it a Fu Manchu.

Of course, Peggy made me shave it off. :(

[tim]

Originally posted by theturtlemoves
Delurking to say hi...I've been reading this for a few months now - I found the site from over at IIDB. I don't intend to post much, mainly because I'm a little out of my depth here, but anyway, I thought I'd make at least one post.

I'm a college student, born and bred in India, and studying physics in the US.

Welcome, theturtlemoves!
Would it be OK if we just called you "turtle", or "TTM"? It's quicker to type. :D
Who says you're out of your depth? We don't bite. Well, not much.
Have you been reading Terry Pratchett?

Oh, and please excuse the angry toad. He gets that way sometimes. He's a trucker, you know...........:p ;)

[The Sopwith Turtle]

Turtle is fine, that's what I've taken to calling myself anyway. And, yes, I read Pratchet all the time.

[tim]

Originally posted by theturtlemoves
Turtle is fine, that's what I've taken to calling myself anyway. And, yes, I read Pratchet all the time.

There you go - you have a post count of 2 already! :D :D :D
You'll find a lot of Pratchett fans here, btw.

[wunky]

A friend has been on here for a while and it piqued my interest. Just joined today. It was suggested that I post here. A lot of interesting threads. I am hoping to be able to contribute in some way, hopefully meaningfully.
Cheers

[treble_head]

Originally posted by wunky
A I am hoping to be able to contribute in some way, hopefully meaningfully.
Cheers

Don't worry about that, mate. I haven't posted anything meaningful in my entire time here. :D

[Roadtoad]

Originally posted by wunky
A friend has been on here for a while and it piqued my interest. Just joined today. It was suggested that I post here. A lot of interesting threads. I am hoping to be able to contribute in some way, hopefully meaningfully.
Cheers

Just watch out for rabid, freshly shaven wombats... :D :D :D

[tim]

Originally posted by Roadtoad
Just watch out for rabid, freshly shaven wombats... :D :D :D

Watch it, road kill! The day I listen to a squashed amphibian is the day I listen to John Edward!
Wait! I think someone's trying to contact me! Does the colour green mean anything? How about red? Something flat?.........
:p ;)
Welcome, wunky!

[Dingo]

Arf!

arf arf ruff arf arf ruff? arf, ruff rrrrrrr, arf ruff arf!

:D

rrrrrrr, arf ruff yip yip arf roof?

http://skeptech.net/emotipad/cache/StepInShit.gif

[Kiless]

Originally posted by Dingo
rrrrrrr, arf ruff yip yip arf roof?



Kitty, you better make sure you bring your lead and choke chain to the forum.... :)

[tim]

Originally posted by Dingo
Arf!

arf arf ruff arf arf ruff? arf, ruff rrrrrrr, arf ruff arf!

:D

rrrrrrr, arf ruff yip yip arf roof?

http://skeptech.net/emotipad/cache/StepInShit.gif

Hi Dingo, welcome to the forum!
Pandora and Pip translated your post and have asked me to say they entirely agree. Also, that grrr woof bark bark whine yap, yip yip roof snarl.

[David Carroll]

Apparently the gods or random forces of the universe or whatever have decided that my life didn't suck enough and killed my pc. But I vow to return. Someday. Sigh.

[espritch]

Arf!

arf arf ruff arf arf ruff? arf, ruff rrrrrrr, arf ruff arf!


Arf! Woof woof! Arf arf arf, woof!

[Roadtoad]

Originally posted by espritch
Arf! Woof woof! Arf arf arf, woof!

Ribbit. Ribbit, ribbit, ribbit.

[Piscivore]

Originally posted by Roadtoad
Ribbit. Ribbit, ribbit, ribbit.

Don't you mean "Ribbit. Ribbit, ribbit, *splorch*"?

:p

[chipmunk stew]

Originally posted by Roadtoad
Ribbit. Ribbit, ribbit, ribbit. Erm, hmmm.
"Me, I want a hula hoop" :xcheesy

[Piscivore]

Nope.

You "skitter chitter *BANG* EEEeeeee... *skin**chop*chop* bubblebubblebubble...

[Skeptrix]

I'm not really new, but I wanted to test my new signature. Sorry! I haven't been here in a long time. I'm planning to put up announcements when my group, CNY Skeptics, starts meeting again. We took off a couple months this summer. After three years as the president, I handed over the reins to another member. I'm looking forward to seeing what he does with the group.

I was hoping the group would be so grateful for everything I did for three years that they would pay for me to go to TAM 3? 4? whatever the heck it is now. Doesn't look like it's going to happen! They like me. Just not that much. :D

[tim]

Originally posted by Skeptrix
I'm not really new, but I wanted to test my new signature. Sorry! I haven't been here in a long time. I'm planning to put up announcements when my group, CNY Skeptics, starts meeting again. We took off a couple months this summer. After three years as the president, I handed over the reins to another member. I'm looking forward to seeing what he does with the group.

I was hoping the group would be so grateful for everything I did for three years that they would pay for me to go to TAM 3? 4? whatever the heck it is now. Doesn't look like it's going to happen! They like me. Just not that much. :D

Welcome back, Skeptrix!
It's TAM4 next January, in Las Vegas again. It's not that costly, really - I came to TAM3, all the way from the UK, but there were folk there from Australia, Japan, Chile and Brazil. The States and Canada were well represented of course, as were many countries in Europe. Go on - be a devil! Go to TAM - you will never regret it, I promise..........

[Skeptrix]

Originally posted by tim
Welcome back, Skeptrix!
It's TAM4 next January, in Las Vegas again. It's not that costly, really - I came to TAM3, all the way from the UK, but there were folk there from Australia, Japan, Chile and Brazil. The States and Canada were well represented of course, as were many countries in Europe. Go on - be a devil! Go to TAM - you will never regret it, I promise..........
Thanks, Tim. I was at TAM1 and really enjoyed it. I got to meet a lot of the forum regulars. It was very easy for me in Florida because I go there every year to visit family. Las Vegas makes it harder. I may go another time, but I won't be able to make it to TAM4. I think some other people from my group are planning on going.

[Fraser]

Just wanted to say hello.

I'm from the UK, on the English/Welsh border near Chester. I'm a professional photographer, which is a late career change as I worked in marketing for a lot of years before.

My wife of 25 years, who died several years ago, was a believer in most things, bless her. She was a tough business woman and would never be fooled by anyone over money or business dealings but she did have a bit of a blind spot when it came to the "alternative". This included magnetic therapy, reflexology, ghosts (she claimed to have seen at least three in our last house, I never saw anything though), astology and fortune telling by gypsies. We had a gypsie lady call at our house once and I was about to turn her away when my wife invited her in and had her fortune told.

For me, looking back now, I suppose it was mainly harmless but it's very interesting that she was someone who seemed very down to earth and was extremely practical about finances, business etc and who thought I was often too soft in negotiating with clients. But, show her a magnetic bracelet...............

Anyway, I love these forums and hopefully will be able to add something from time to time.

[tim]

A very warm welcome Fraser, from another Englishman on the forum! Actually you will find quite a lot of us here - the voice of common sense (mostly) amongst all those Americans ...... :p ;)
I don't know about gypsy fortune telling, but I do know about gypsy curses - I've been cursed (and officially mind you!) on many occasions. So far I have failed to die as predicted, but I have this horrible feeling that one day they might be right..............
Welcome, enjoy yourself!

[Georgieboy]

Hello everyone! just saying hi and introducing myself, im from México, im almost 30 years old, i studied psychology but what i really do for a living (if you can call it that way :P ) is writing short stories, scripts and i have a rock band called Anhedonia (doom/prog metal). My mind is fixed on making some movies, written and maybe later directed by me and get away with my girlfriend from this country, maybe spain, maybe canada, we dont know (sorry no patriot here) and just keep writing and making movies if possible, and music of course, as jethro tull´s song says "im too old to rock and roll but im too young to die".

I was a big psychoanalisis defender until i started reading and doing some critical thinking after high school, getting deeper into reading logic, ethics, foucault, wittgenstein, popper, ricoeur, derrida a lot of structuralism and epistemology, linguistics. I love to have big, healthy and free discussion with people who are interested in the same things as i do: Sweeping the BS away!!!!, and if you learn something in the process , it couldnt be much better.

Well, you will see me around a lot i guess, i´ve been reading some posts these last days and i found the level of discussion very nice, friendly and interesting, so well, my english is good but not super good so i hope i can state some ideas clearly in future posts.

cya! :D

[Ducky]

Originally posted by Georgieboy
Hello everyone! just saying hi and introducing myself, im from México, im almost 30 years old, i studied psychology but what i really do for a living (if you can call it that way :P ) is writing short stories, scripts and i have a rock band called Anhedonia (doom/prog metal). My mind is fixed on making some movies, written and maybe later directed by me and get away with my girlfriend from this country, maybe spain, maybe canada, we dont know (sorry no patriot here) and just keep writing and making movies if possible, and music of course, as jethro tull´s song says "im too old to rock and roll but im too young to die".

I was a big psychoanalisis defender until i started reading and doing some critical thinking after high school, getting deeper into reading logic, ethics, foucault, wittgenstein, popper, ricoeur, derrida a lot of structuralism and epistemology, linguistics. I love to have big, healthy and free discussion with people who are interested in the same things as i do: Sweeping the BS away!!!!, and if you learn something in the process , it couldnt be much better.

Well, you will see me around a lot i guess, i´ve been reading some posts these last days and i found the level of discussion very nice, friendly and interesting, so well, my english is good but not super good so i hope i can state some ideas clearly in future posts.

cya! :D


Welcome fellow musician!

I look forward to more posts from you.

[goatfin]

Hello everybody. I've been lurking here for what seems like half a decade and I figured it was about time I got involved in some of these discussions.

Of course I pick the day the forum is about to go down for half a week, but my timing has never been my strong suit.

A little bit about me-

I'm married, 31 years old, have 3 kids, aged 11yr, 7yr, and 9 mos.

I live in rural Platte County, Missouri.

I make a living from farming, but I don't know the first thing about it. I lease the land to somebody who does.

I'd consider myself an atheist although I know there's no way to prove there isn't a god. It just seems like he isn't necessary. I'm thinking about joining the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, though.

I'm passionate about flying and co-own a small airport with my sister called Noah's Ark. I didn't name it that, it belonged to my grandfather who happened to be named Noah.

Politically I'd probably be closest to a Libertarian, but nowhere as rabid as Shanek, although I do find I agree with a lot of what he has to say. Plus, I really like Linus. :)

I think George Bush is an idiot, but I think the same about 99% of all politicians. I haven't really liked any of them since Teddy Roosevelt, and I like him mostly for his Rough Riders. I like politicians that can kick a little butt.

Well, that's about all I can think to say now, so I hope to get involved in some good debates when the forum comes back online.

See ya later.

[Santa666]

pardon the interruption, this is just a test post.

[Darat]

pardon the interruption, this is just a test post.


And let me compliment you on your test.

[Chaos]

And let me compliment you on your test.

I have to second that. The test is a shining example of... uh... testiness. It admirably showcases the very inquisitiveness and curiousity that skeptics should always employ. I am, to make a long story short, in awe.

[roo]

Hi I'm roo and I'm delighted to find this smilie :kangaroo: :D

I've only just registered and, having read some of the serious threads, was feeling rather intimidated. I'f I don't do this now I don't know when I will pluck up the courage!

I'm from the UK and live in a university city, though I'm no academic. I am a sceptic, ooops sorry, skeptic. *note to self remember US spelling* I suspect this comes from my favourite words being why? and how?:D

I post on several UK forums relating to matters "paranormal" and I am actively involved with admin on a couple of others.

Please be gentle with me! ;) :run:

[Anon1]

You know I have never introduced myself on here

Anyway I am Jon Donnis, owner of the famous "BadPsychics and Beyond" Website

[Babe from Missouri]

If I say "thank you" will I be welcomed? Do I get welcomed simply by virtue of posting here? Do I have to smile pretty? :D Applaud established board members? :clap: Prove myself worthy of welcome? :rolleyes:

-babe

[Chaos]

If I say "thank you" will I be welcomed? Do I get welcomed simply by virtue of posting here? Do I have to smile pretty? :D Applaud established board members? :clap: Prove myself worthy of welcome? :rolleyes:

-babe




Nothing that difficult. Simply PM me a generous amount of cash, and you´re welcome.:cool:

[roo]

Nothing that difficult. Simply PM me a generous amount of cash, and you´re welcome.:cool:


How much is a generous amount of cash? :wink:

[Chaos]

How much is a generous amount of cash? :wink:

As much as you can spare. The more, the merrier... :D

[Smike]

Nothing that difficult. Simply PM me a generous amount of cash, and you´re welcome.:cool:

Don't listen to him!

Send me only a moderate amount of cash, and you'll be welcome.

And, for this week only, there's the opportunity to win £5000 CASH or a brand new mini cooper! A prize is won every 10 minutes*

So send that money!


*"A" prize, "a" prize. Not this prize, or even this competition, but still a prize.

[Euromutt]

Hello, everyone. I'm new here, so I thought I'd do the polite thing and introduce myself. I'm a 34 year-old Dutchman, married to an American and currently living in the US. At present, I'm a full-time college student, at long last completing my higher education. In my spare time, I work as a tour guide at a sanctuary for captive wolves.

I'm a life-long atheist, but I didn't get into "active skepticism" (so to speak) until my brother-in-law turned me on to Penn & Teller: BS! and I saw the interview with Randi in the extras on the first season boxed set. I've been reading the weekly commentaries ever since, and pick up a copy of the Skeptic or Skeptical Inquirer when I remember, and can find one. It's been quite an eye-opener to discover how much utter rot has been peddled to me over the years, much of which I didn't necessarily believe, but never questioned either, mostly due to lack of evidence to the contrary available to me (I love the internet).

Anyhow, there was another discussion forum which used to take up much of my time, but I've gone off the place recently, so I thought I'd join up here.

[Roadtoad]

Welcome, Euromutt.

Recommend you avoid Wombat contact. Particularly after the shaving. :D :duck:

[Starthinker]

So, I'm Starthinker and I've joined another forum. I've always been the voice of reason to those around me so I should be right at home here, although it looks like somebody always is posting what I'm thinking so I may end up not posting much.

I found this forum through the CSICOP site where I drop in to read the articles every month or so. I've been studying the paranormal off and on for years and years not to prove it exists but because I always wanted to pull off a great hoax. Not to make money, but just to show people how easy it is and to show them that they are stupid thus inflating my own ego and sense of self-worth. I also like to joke around alot, if you didn't catch that in the previous sentence.

I've studied everything and anything related to dreaming, NOT interpreting but the mechanics behind it. I have several theories I'd like to check out but as all my degrees are in network engineering and advertising (a youthful indiscretion) I can't get anyone to listen. Someday...

I've also been a photographer for as long as I can remember and I know a newbie can't post links but if you visit starthinker.com you'll see a bunch of my stuff. Also there is a link there called Randy's Paranormal Page that I've set aside to debunk some myths and, of course, I started with orbs. A poster at cryptozoology.com (funny, he just got suspended here the first day I joined, they keep banning him there but he keeps making new names and coming back) kept saying bigfoot turns into orbs and that a book called "How to Photograph the Paranormal" proves it so I created the page to debunk the book, which, by the way, never mentions bigfoot. I've since been making a page showing the fallacies of bigfoot sightings, ufo sightings, and some ghost related stuff and hope to get more of it up soon. I welcome any and all ideas for this page and (gasp) any corrections.

I've tried unsuccessfully to start a cult, purely to make money, but I couldn't get anyone to join. So much for an advertising degree. Anyway, my cult believes that Earth is a very mundane place. There are no ghosts, monsters, aliens, telekinesis, mind-reading, and other things paranormal. There are also no cults that can bring you to enlightenment except mine. I actually took the part on how to join from my website, but if you want to join just let me know. Joining requires that you visit the pyramids, the plains of Nazca, Stonehenge, and about 15 other mystical sites so that your energy is equivialent to mine then you need to send in your $500.00 joining fee and tithe 90%, since your other 10% is already being sent to Jesus.

Well, that's me in a nutshell. I'm like Randi (except I spell my name Randy) in that if you make a claim, prove it to me and I'll make you famous. I don't have a million dollars but I'll help you fill out the application. Even just demonstrate it to me, and me only, and I'll announce to the world that what your claim is possible and leave your name out of it if you wish so that I'm the only one getting ridiculed. I'd like to see something paranormal turn out to be true, just once, but I just don't think it will ever happen. I'm not trying to prove anyone wrong, like I said in my first paragraph, I'm just trying to be a voice of reason.

Oh, and I also found the worlds rarest snail!

[Roadtoad]

Welcome, Starthinker. Did you know wombats eat snails?

[Dr Adequate]

Welcome to the forums, Starthinker!I've since been making a page showing the fallacies of bigfoot sightings, ufo sightings, and some ghost related stuff and hope to get more of it up soon. I welcome any and all ideas for this page and (gasp) any corrections. Have you seen the JREFWiki (http://www.jrefwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page)? It's a communal effort to debunk, well, everything. Why not join your efforts to ours for a brighter, more skeptical tomorrow!

Contributors get all the kudos they can eat.Oh, and I also found the worlds rarest snail! I've got to admit, I'm jealous.

:snail: :snail: :snail: :snail: :snail: :snail: :snail: :snail:

[ysabella]

Hello, everyone. I'm an American, married to a Dutchman (hint: look slightly upthread). Also we are expecting a wee skepticlet around end of March/April 1st, 2006.

I grew up in Silicon Valley and have spent my adult life in greater Seattle, except for three years in western Europe (where I met the aforementioned Dutchman). I work in telecom software and have a lot of hobbies and things. It is through watching Penn & Teller: BS! that I realized I was a skeptic and should seek out other skeptics.

[m0nngis]

I'm not exactly new here, but I've been lurking mostly. People around here seem to think alot like me, and are able to express themselves much better, so I don't post that often. :)

Anyways, "Hello!"

I'm male. 23 years old. From Norway. I like sour cream and this smiley: :mdance:

[Corpse Cruncher]

vBulletin MessageYou are only allowed to post URLs to other sites after you have made 15 posts or more.


ARGHHH

[Corpse Cruncher]

I cannot say hi for this message popping up and I have not used any Urls when I lost my entire posted messge to it.

Where is my Hello post and where are the rest of my posts gone?

[m0nngis]

ARGHHHHere, look at these monkeys, they'll cheer you up!

:mdance: :monkeyr:

[AGENT-ADAIR]

I suppose i should have intro'd myself here......my bad.

I'll start over.

Im 19 years old, blonde hair, and I describe myself as sensual.

[Amapola]

Hello.......

I live on a farm high in the mountains of northern New Mexico, where I raise hay and livestock. I am a jeweler and horsehair braider, and as a braider I tie the knots that are the basis of a branch of mathematics called Knot Theory. (I don't know a thing about Knot Theory, I just know how to tie the knots! :) ) My father was a scientist and raised me to think for myself. He once gave me a copy of Skeptic magazine which interested me greatly, and now I subscribe to Skeptical Enquirer. It's very nice indeed to read all the interesting topics on this forum, I have learned quite a lot and hope to learn much more! I'm glad I found this forum.

[Kopji]

Welcome all!
Ooooh a horse people! Alright!

[Corpse Cruncher]

M0nngis, lovely I will have them roasted, slowly, over an open-fire.

Why oh why do I get the annoucement saying about URLS when I haven't added any.

[Beleth]

I live on a farm high in the mountains of northern New Mexico, where I raise hay and livestock. I am a jeweler and horsehair braider
That is extremely cool. Cool not only because it sounds like you are doing exactly what you want to be doing (I don't know many jewelers who hate their work), but also that we don't see many people with that kind of background around here. Don't let that scare you, though; we welcome all kinds!

You don't mind if we pronounce it "horseHAAR", do you?

[blakehaydn]

Hi,

I'm Blake Haydn from the UTP, I look forward to discussing issues amongst other critical thinkers.

[[wrm77]]

Hello,

I've been lurking in here for quite some time and thought this may be an appropriate time to introduce myself. I'm "[wrm77]" (If that gets too hard to pronounce then just call me, "[%wrm0@!]"). I reside in Toronto, Canada. I'm a married male (sorry ladies) and enjoying the 28th year of my life.

Although it took me a couple of years of serious thinking, I'm now a skeptic, atheist and have a new passion for the sciences. My new found critical thinking skills can be attributed quite a bit to Randi and this website. I'm not sure why I've waited so long to introduce myself but I know I'm going to be quite active on the board from now on.

I'll try to jump right into the conversation so that you can get to know a little more about me and my opinions on the various subjects.

Cheers

[Darat]

Welcome [wrm77] - you've picked a good time to de-lurk the rabid wombat is on holiday.

[Darat]

Hi,

I'm Blake Haydn from the UTP, I look forward to discussing issues amongst other critical thinkers.
Sorry missed your post and a welcome to you. Please watch out for the monkeys.

[Amapola]

That is extremely cool. Cool not only because it sounds like you are doing exactly what you want to be doing (I don't know many jewelers who hate their work), but also that we don't see many people with that kind of background around here. Don't let that scare you, though; we welcome all kinds!

You don't mind if we pronounce it "horseHAAR", do you?

Thanks, Beleth! Yeah, I guess I am doing exactly what I want. Sometimes it helps to be pig-headed.

I'm not scared yet (:eek: ) but it is apparent most here have a better education than I do....... as my vet told me though, that shouldn't stop a person from using their brain. :D And no matter what you do for a living, it is a good thing to ask questions, to stop and think!

And if you want to pronounce horsehair like that, you go right ahead! Hey, how many people can say they even know a horsehair braider?? :D

[Pastor Bentonit]

Pastor Bentonit (Jonas, perhaps more correctly), 39 yo molecular biologist/microbiologist with an interest in science and pseudoscience, as well as grade Z monster flicks, cheap guitars and tube amplifiers, literature, comics, art, computer games etc etc. I also cook a pretty decent Thai chicken. I´ve been reading randi.org for a couple years on-off, always to my amusement. I´m also a member of a Swedish skeptics´ society (Föreningen för Vetenskap och Folkbildning - Society for Science and Public education). I live in the 3rd largest city of Sweden, where the weather is currently very nice for mid-autumn, so I´ll be off for a stroll now. Great to be here!

[Darat]

Pastor Bentonit (Jonas, perhaps more correctly), 39 yo molecular biologist/microbiologist with an interest in science and pseudoscience, as well as grade Z monster flicks, cheap guitars and tube amplifiers, literature, comics, art, computer games etc etc. I also cook a pretty decent Thai chicken. I´ve been reading randi.org for a couple years on-off, always to my amusement. I´m also a member of a Swedish skeptics´ society (Föreningen för Vetenskap och Folkbildning - Society for Science and Public education). I live in the 3rd largest city of Sweden, where the weather is currently very nice for mid-autumn, so I´ll be off for a stroll now. Great to be here!

Nice avatar - good to see none of the normal antagonism between our Swedish and Danish members...

[Pastor Bentonit]

Nice avatar - good to see none of the normal antagonism between our Swedish and Danish members...
Well, I´m currently working in Denmark (we can commute by train as there is a bridge between Malmö and Copenhagen). I also learn Danish which is cool, if a bit tongue-wrenching. :D

On another note, I can´t see my signature. What´s happened?

[Darat]

You also shouldn't have an avatar! Under 50 posts and you don't get a signature or an avatar (don't worry we'll not take it away from you). After 50 posts you get promoted to a full registered member and get about 150 PMs, avatars profile pictures, signatures and so on.

[Pastor Bentonit]

You also shouldn't have an avatar! Under 50 posts and you don't get a signature or an avatar (don't worry we'll not take it away from you). After 50 posts you get promoted to a full registered member and get about 150 PMs, avatars profile pictures, signatures and so on.
OK, I wasn´t aware :o A freak glitch in your system? Anyway, I´ll make it to 50 posts shortly. :D

Cheers,

/The Rev.

[yanit]

Hello all!

I was made aware of this community by my boyfriend, who has spent a lot of time reading and posting here since he discovered it a few months ago. I lurked for a while, but am now following the Dover trial with much interest. You see, I am originally from the Philippines, where the disastrous results of church-state merging are horrifically clear. In my late teens I decided I was agnostic and stopped going to church -- in a Catholic country, this is a HUGE thing and it caused weekly fights with my mother.

Today I am an atheist. I now live in Hong Kong, where it is much easier to be secular. Sometimes I still get asked what church I go to, and when I reply that I don't, I get a curious look and invariably: "...but aren't Filipinos Catholic?" Grrrrrr. Tight smile, followed by, "Not this one." No, not after what religion has done to my country, and what it is doing to the world.

Anyway, I'm probably not going to be one of those prolific posters. I am not in possession of a scientifically-inclined mind (hated maths and chemistry in school), but do consider myself a critical thinker and a natural skeptic.

As a teen, I read Asimov's non-fiction essays and imagined him as a father to me. Later I discovered Sagan, who renewed my hope in the human race. I cried when they each died. I would like to believe Dawkins now bears the torch they carried, but much as I admire him and enjoy his writing, the man needs to work on his PR if we are to win anyone over to our side. I mean, I agree with what he's saying, but I'm one of the already-converted!

That's it I guess ...

Hey, I said I probably wouldn't be prolific ... didn't say anything about being long-winded though!

[Chaos]

Welcome, yanit.

Will you tell us which poster is your boyfriend - or do you prefer the rumor machine to start guessing? :words:

[burrahobbit]

Hi all

I am Shiva a Chemical Engineer based in India. Came here via Skeptical Inquirer

Have been a Hindu atheist (as opposed toall you christian atheists!) since late childhood and try to be a sceptic. I do have a good knowledge of Christianity thanks to a catholic schooling. Fond of books (Dorothy Sayers, Wodehouse,Asterix) and History (WWII sp) and Science.

I am fairly busy professionally so will probably post on Sundays only

[Chaos]

Hi all

I am Shiva a Chemical Engineer based in India. Came here via Skeptical Inquirer

Have been a Hindu atheist (as opposed toall you christian atheists!) since late childhood and try to be a sceptic. I do have a good knowledge of Christianity thanks to a catholic schooling. Fond of books (Dorothy Sayers, Wodehouse,Asterix) and History (WWII sp) and Science.

I am fairly busy professionally so will probably post on Sundays only

Welcome.

There is a thread about the new Asterix in the History&Literature forum right now. I´d recommend that you don´t buy the new comic, but I´m probably not able to keep you from doing it anyway... ;)

Hey, technically we are all Hindu atheists, since we don´t follow Hindu religion... :boggled:

[MRWiffen]

Hello,

I've been lurking for a while now and felt I should join the discussion. I'm the IT coordinator for a small pharmaceutical testing company and I have my bachelor's degree in geochemistry. I do get to play around in the lab from time to time. I live and work in Toronto, Ontario.

[burrahobbit]

Thanks Chaos. I stopped buying Asterix when Goscinny died. I confine myself to rereading the old ones (and prowling around looking for english versions of other Goscinny books)

[GzuzKryzt]

Hi freaks and freaquettes.

Just discovered this thread, have already posted a little here and there. I really enjoy this forum, it developes into my most accessed site - right behind septuplefisting.cum - because I get to laugh while learning and to learn while laughing.

I reside in Germany's oldest city, translate for a living (well, only while employed), therefore currently repair bicycles for €20 a week (not a typo) and still try to improve my skills in hitting round metals and plastic-covered woodshells with sticks.

Living with a cat and enjoying cooking, I adore the many threads that turn over into the aforementioned categories.

This forum represents the only forum I deem worthy posting in. While that honours the JREF, its staff, the mods and members, this forum also has to suffer through my quirks, flaws and flavours of the minute/day/week/month/eon. Still, I hope to bring enough to the table not to bore exceedingly. Remember, I might make use of my ability to learn.

Thanks for your continued interest. :)

[Chaos]

Germany´s oldest city, huh? Which one is that?

[Mery Kitsune]

Hey, all... I'm actually a new old person, I just can't remember my stuff... I was Kitsune. Since then I've taken a huge interest in Egypt (Ignoring Budge) and wanting to hone more of my skeptical powers.... MUAHAHAHAHA! *ahem!*

[emperorchaos]

I've been lurking for about a week. I was actually going to post a week ago but I was soon to find out that I was waiting approval for my posting capabilities to commence.

I'll give it a start.

My name is Jason and I have thrice dropped-out of college. I should note that there is a difference between dropping out and flunking out, and that I did the former...three times. I blame it on the fact I've never known what I wanted to do with my life. It wasn't until the past year and a half I realized my love for science and critical thinking. A year and a half ago I took an astronomy course and absolutely loved it. And despite always having been a proponent of evolution it wasn't until I took an anthropology class that I began to learn more about it (such things as the earliest beginnings of life, to the rise of reptiles, and dominance of mammals.)

Since I realized I liked science so much, I began reading astronomy and anthropology stuffs with a voracious appetite. About four months ago, I saw my first Penn & Teller episode (no need to say the name! =P) whereupon I was introduced to James Randi. Nevertheless, I never thought to get active or really cared so much as when I discovered that my local IMAX theatre wasn't showing "Volcanos of the Deep Sea" because it alledgely supports the theory of evolution. I haven't seen it myself so I don't know what it says exactly; I only know that it talks about the "black smoker" hydrothermal vents and the life found there. This encouraged me to get active.

Unfortunately, I am a 23 year-old nobody who still lives with his parents at present. I recently got into an argument with a guy who contends that I sponge knowledge and regurgitate it and thus am not intelligent. Without delving into the whole bit, let's say that I may have lost a few friends (or, as in the past, I might be forgiven; but like I said, not going into it unless in another thread in which I ask the opinions of others). I do tend to ramble and so let me digress. I am not known well enough nor do I have any college degree that I could use to convince people to listen to me. I am an aspiring writer and hope that one day I'll have enough fame or fan-base with which to start my own not-for-profit science advancement organization. Until them I am content with gathering knowledge for the sake of learning and I find nothing wrong with that.

This is quite a long introduction but I do have a habit of being long-winded. If I am to become a regular poster, I'm sure you'll notice that. Perhaps I'll manage to limit myself to some degree.

Hi all


Hello yourself and I'd like to welcome you as well. "A burrahobbit? What's a burrahobbit got to do with my pocket anyway?" Sorry, I had to!

[GzuzKryzt]

Germany´s oldest city, huh? Which one is that?

Augusta Treverorum. :)

[Chaos]

Augusta Treverorum. :)

Trier, right?

Or was it Augsburg? In any case, Augsburg was Augusta something.

Damn, my Latin has become rusty.

[GzuzKryzt]

Trier, right?

Or was it Augsburg? In any case, Augsburg was Augusta something.

Damn, my Latin has become rusty.

Well, you still did pretty good. Kudos. (Augsburg goes down as "Augusta Vindelicum".)

How do you define "The Heart of Old Europe" my good Sir? La France? Merry Ol' England? And, does your avatar stem from a "Magic" card deck?

[Chaos]

Well, you still did pretty good. Kudos. (Augsburg goes down as "Augusta Vindelicum".)

How do you define "The Heart of Old Europe" my good Sir? La France? Merry Ol' England? And, does your avatar stem from a "Magic" card deck?

Thanks.

The Heart of Old Europe... that´s a sleepy little town to the southeast of Frankfurt, Germany.

My avatar stems from a guy on another, now discontinued, message board long ago...

[logical muse]

Hey Everyone

Welcome to all the other new members. I made my first post a couple of days ago after lurking for a few weeks.

Not much to say about myself. I'm a little concerned about what I consider to be my 'clarity'. Things seem so straightforward to me. Things like, there's no such thing as the paranormal. There's no afterlife. Critical thinking works. We should have confidence in our ability to think.

I tend to 'know' things, rather than 'believe' them. I overuse single 'quotes'.

I start sentences with 'I'.

The more I discover about humans, the more I realise that any similarities between myself and them are purely superficial. Most of the ones I know accept as common knowledge that we're all psychic to a degree, evolution is 'just a theory', science doesn't know everything so why should we believe it, and they believe my scepticism arises from my star sign, Taurus.

Am I really part of the same species as these humans? I wonder sometimes...

Seriously, I have found that my views, and my forthrightness about them, alienate me from people who have never encountered a critical thinker before. You'd be surprised, or perhaps you wouldn't, at how few of us there are, and how many of them.

[Roadtoad]

Welcome, LM.

Just watch out for the Wombat, and you'll fit right in.

[logical muse]

Welcome, LM.

Just watch out for the Wombat, and you'll fit right in.
Thanks! The Wombat? I didn't mention it before, but I'm from Australia. We're used to wombats. :)

[Roadtoad]

Thanks! The Wombat? I didn't mention it before, but I'm from Australia. We're used to wombats. :)

This one's been shaved. (Not to mention, my wife is rather fond of him for some odd reason.)

[logical muse]

This one's been shaved. (Not to mention, my wife is rather fond of him for some odd reason.)

Umm, that's a little more information than I was prepared for.

[AnotherSillyAlias]

Just noticed this thread, guess I should have put my first post in here. The old eyes, (and brain), aren't what they used to be.

Well, I'm here because it looks like a fun place where there is intelligent conversation and weird stuff from strange people all mixed in together. What more could you want?

I guess it remains to be seen in which category I belong!

In case you were wondering I'm from Australia, (and also quite used to Wombats), and very much in the Randi camp as far as requiring evidence for strange claims.

In the unlikely event you need to know more, feel free to ask.

[logical muse]

In case you were wondering I'm from Australia

Which state/territory?

[AnotherSillyAlias]

Which state/territory?


A small rural village in the southern tablelands of NSW. Sheep country. (and yes, I've heard all the jokes!)

I share this rustic paradise with a wife, cat, galah, two dogs and six horses.

[logical muse]

A small rural village in the southern tablelands of NSW. Sheep country. (and yes, I've heard all the jokes!)

I share this rustic paradise with a wife, cat, galah, two dogs and six horses.

Sounds lovely. You must get a lot of crop circles. :D

[clarjen]

Hi!
In case it wasn't obvious by the screen names, I am Clarsct's wife. After months of haranguing I am finally on the forum. It is nice to meet you all. I don't know if I'll be posting much but I will read and stuff.

Clarjen

[PatKelley]

Hello. Pat Kelley, amateur scientist and skeptic.
Started with a neighbor's mother who insisted an "In Search Of" book on her coffeetable about flying saucers was absolute truth, and it's only been worse from there. I'll confess to an early interest in the paranormal, mostly because I was interested in anything that sounded interesting; however science ended up being much more interesting, not to mention reading about Harry Houdini and watching Mr. Randi's appearances on the Tonight Show.

I'm a programmer/artist/amateur scientist.

[pillory]

my new name is klonkku

[AnnonUSA]

Hello All,

Newbie here. Been a science and technology buff for most of my life. Never really understood or truly believed the Christian religion I was born into, as I got older I learned and fully understand why.

Growing up I was an avid reader of Science fiction, so I think some part of me wanted to believe the UFO stories and crap that were always around.

I find myself being more logical as I grow older, and logic as far as I can tell, breeds skepticism.

Lately I find myself more easily annoyed by those who blindly follow a faith. I grow weary of the headlines of Death and terrorism caused by the illogical and ignorant attitudes of those who choose not to be informed.

I can go on but, for now I won't. Just wanted to introduce myself.

[AnotherSillyAlias]

Sounds lovely. You must get a lot of crop circles. :D

Yes, I believe they are made by the black helicopters that hover over my house when I'm asleep. If it's not them it must be the people watching me through telescopes.

[Chaos]

Yes, I believe they are made by the black helicopters that hover over my house when I'm asleep. If it's not them it must be the people watching me through telescopes.

All right... tell me, how did you notice me? :blush:

[AnotherSillyAlias]

All right... tell me, how did you notice me? :blush:

You need to get non reflective lenses on your scopes.

I thought that, being in league with the grey aliens, you would know that sort of stuff.

[Chaos]

You need to get non reflective lenses on your scopes.

I thought that, being in league with the grey aliens, you would know that sort of stuff.

Hush! You´re not supposed to say that in public. :eek:

[Kiless]

Hi!
In case it wasn't obvious by the screen names, I am Clarsct's wife. After months of haranguing I am finally on the forum. It is nice to meet you all. I don't know if I'll be posting much but I will read and stuff.

:D G'day!

And hello to all of the newbies! :)

[Zep]

...but I will read and stuff.Hi! Umm, stuff what? With what? And isn't that difficult while you are reading? :eek:

[joesson]

Hello all. I came here because this forum looks to have some intelligence. That and I got tired of chatrooms:slp:

I'm in my thirties, live somewhere in the midwest, work as a cook; love science, good food, beer, AC/DC, The Simpsons, my wife (not necessarily in that order):p , and good debate on almost anything.

Thanks for the welcome, I hope to have some fun here.

Until next time...



:beerflag:

[AnotherSillyAlias]

Hello all. I came here because this forum looks to have some intelligence.


:beerflag:

Could you point out exactly where you found that?


;)


Welcome to the forum. You will meet some "interesting" people here. My favourite is kilik.

[Chaos]

Could you point out exactly where you found that?


;)


Welcome to the forum. You will meet some "interesting" people here. My favourite is kilik.

If you mean "interesting" in an "extremely grisly intellectual train wreck" kind of way, then, yes, kilik is a prime example.

[Dr Adequate]

Could you point out exactly where you found that?Hi.

[clarjen]

Hi! Umm, stuff what? With what? And isn't that difficult while you are reading? :eek:

No actually, I was stuffing wedding thank you note envelopes while reading your post. Perhaps you need to learn to multi - task.

I never thought I could be so shy on a web site. Reminds me of college, when I barely talked for a year.

[avhienda]

Thought I might should at least say hi here.

A lot of you know what prompted me to joined the forum, and if you don't you're not acquainted with my fiance, fowlsound. He's a pushy bastard. Count yourself lucky. :wink:

(just kidding, hon)

I don't know how much time I'll have to be posting and rooting around on here, but I'll try my best. I do enjoy a good debate. Problem is, I also can't make myself sit and just wander through something. I usually have about 20 things that I should be doing. Combine that with a healthy dose of guilt from my Catholic upbringing and you get a crazy woman who will randomly let fly some wit, disappear for a while and then come back to wow you again later.

Seriously, though folks, I think this is the start of a beautiful relationship.

[Ducky]

Thought I might should at least say hi here.

A lot of you know what prompted me to joined the forum, and if you don't you're not acquainted with my fiance, fowlsound. He's a pushy bastard. Count yourself lucky. :wink:

(just kidding, hon)




No you weren't. And you're right, I can be ;)

We shall discuss this tomrrow night over dinner...:mad:


Welcome to the forum. :) I don't believe anyone has had such a setup before joining without being a challenge applicant.

Oh wait, there was a challenge application sent to Kramer regarding your...er....gifts.

(The KRAMER correspondance... (http://www.skepchick.mu.nu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=106&sid=8b5d9b297863cc797ed753053d9496ce))

[avhienda]

No you weren't. And you're right, I can be ;)

We shall discuss this tomrrow night over dinner...:mad:


Welcome to the forum. :) I don't believe anyone has had such a setup before joining without being a challenge applicant.

Oh wait, there was a challenge application sent to Kramer regarding your...er....gifts.



Nice. Way to bring that up, Mr. Chivalry. ;)

[Ducky]

Nice. Way to bring that up, Mr. Chivalry. ;)


Oh sorry, let me place this jacket over the puddle you're about to walk on.

Then I'll post on the net about your boobs. Better?

;)

[Metullus]

Oh sorry, let me place this jacket over the puddle you're about to walk on.

Then I'll post on the net about your boobs. Better?

;)
Boobs? We're waiting with bated breath.

[Ducky]

Boobs? We're waiting with bated breath.

click on the link above ;)

[avhienda]

click on the link above ;)


You will pay.

[Metullus]

You will pay.
He's a guy. Guys always pay. One way or another.

I'll help with the boob screening if that would move the test along.

[maruli]

I am new so here comes my introduction. I enjoy reading forums, it tells so much about people.
But this forum is special, because here I am spared the desesparation of being annoyed by people asking me for my sign, praising homeopathy and quackeries, and pitying me for not believing in god.
I like forums, because sometimes I come across interesting things of which I would never have thought of even looking for them.

I am German, which explains my sometimes defective English. For the person, who hates Germans: I feel with you, ever since at school age I got aware of what the generation of my parents and teachers has done, I have been looking at every person in that age group as somebody with probably blood at their hands whom I would never really trust. Today, being German means a passport and a first language, which happens to make it easier to survive in Germany than anywhere else.

I am an atheist ever since I was 17 and learning statistics and methods of science at university made me aware that nothing except skepticism makes any sense in trying to understand the world.

One of my interests is psychobiology and the evolution of behaviour and how much or little people are robots of their instincts and how much this has to do with people being rational and also being non-conformists.
I have started a little msn-group on this subject:
groups.msn.com/NONCONFORMISTSANDFREETHINKERSHAVEN, but unfortunately it has become a sort of blog of my thoughts. So if anybody is interested, you are welcome to have a look and maybe contribute something.

[Chaos]

Herzlich Willkommen, Maruli!

You´re by far not the only German here. And you´ll find that those of us who have come here before have introduced our foreign friends to the idea that there are some Germans who are not Nazis. ;)

As for your language, I can only pass on some advice that I received when I first came here: if someone criticizes your English, ask them how good their German is. That usually shuts them up.

By the way, where in Germany are you from?

[maruli]

I am living in Mönchengladbach, which is about half way between Köln/Cologne and the dutch border, or seen from a wider angle, between the Loreley and Amsterdam.
I cannot judge, how many and what kind of mistakes I am making in English, else I would not make them. So far it has happened a few times that from written text I was mistaken for an American expat in Germany. But I prefer to have my mistakes attributed to being a foreigner instead of being taken for someone to dumb for correct grammar and spelling in the native language.

:)

[Katachresis]

I am living in Mönchengladbach, which is about half way between Köln/Cologne and the dutch border, or seen from a wider angle, between the Loreley and Amsterdam.
I cannot judge, how many and what kind of mistakes I am making in English, else I would not make them. So far it has happened a few times that from written text I was mistaken for an American expat in Germany. But I prefer to have my mistakes attributed to being a foreigner instead of being taken for someone to dumb for correct grammar and spelling in the native language.

:)

maruli, you should never worry about spelling errors. English is my first language, and I make mistakes all the time. I'm only half sure I spelled "language" correctly. ;)

[maruli]

I try to avoid biased interpretation of mistakes. When someone, who is considered as stupid, makes a mistakes, this mistake is interpreted as another indication reinforcing the already existing reputation of stupidity. But when a person, who is considered smart, makes a mistake, it is overlooked as a trifle as to err is human.
The dummy does not even know how to spell, the smart person has just made a typo.
So I avoid appearing a dummy.

[Katachresis]

I find it is mostly context that is important, rather than spelling. If a person puts forth an idea or concept that makes sense, then spelling is not too relevant. If someone writes something that makes little sense AND mis-spells words, that is when I tend to ignore them.

[maruli]

Spelling was just an example. In personal contact, there are so many non-verbal clues that are missing in a purely written form of interaction. Therefore, when I see someone writing bad German, I like to know why.

Anyhow, I was explaining my sometimes faulty English to avoid giving a wrong impression and I hope that I have made my point.

[Katachresis]

You did.

Have you used the "Search" feature to read stuff on PSYCHOBIOLOGY?
It's at the top of the page between New Posts and Quick Links. It brought back 4 pages for me that may or may not interest you. It might be the best way to find stuff you are interested in, although I find that just drifting from one place to another works just as well well.

[maruli]

Yes, I know the search function. Actually I enjoy reading through old threads on lots of subjects. Psychobiology is not what specially brought me to this forum.

I have started writing a post with some thoughts and questions crossing my mind when reading mr. Randi's commentaries. I did not want to annoy someone so busy as he is with my questions. This forum is more appropriate.

[Roadtoad]

It's rather interesting to read where you're from, Maruli. At one point, I was supposed to move from Wuerzburg to Moenchengladbach to help open up a new American Forces Network affiliate in your town. Of course, that was while there was still a Cold War going on, and we were expected to remain in Europe forever...

Welcome, Dude.

[disfunkster]

New user here, been lurking for a couple weeks and rather enjoying the conversations and debates here, and I already know who kilik is :-)

Look forward to meeting and talking with more of you.

[Hutch]

:D Well, I've been almost everywhere in the Forum in my two years here, but never was an Official greeter.

Until Now. ;)

Welcome to the Forum disfunkster. Good conversations can be found in Community. Good debates in Religion and Paranormal. Knock-down drag-out brawls are mostly confined to Politics.

Have fun!

[disfunkster]

:D Well, I've been almost everywhere in the Forum in my two years here, but never was an Official greeter.

Until Now. ;)

Welcome to the Forum disfunkster. Good conversations can be found in Community. Good debates in Religion and Paranormal. Knock-down drag-out brawls are mostly confined to Politics.

Have fun!


Thanks a lot for the greeting! Already having a great time, just check my posts. After less then 24 hours as a member, I was told that if I had the desire to kill someone, then the cells in my body would "learn" how to kill, resulting in the chance I could develop cancer. I mean, wow, that's just great! :-)

Between bigfoot, medicine so diluted that one could not tell it apart from water, and emotions causing cancer, there seems to be a lot of room for some friendly debate here <lol>.

Thanks again for the welcome.

[AnotherSillyAlias]

Thanks a lot for the greeting! Already having a great time, just check my posts. After less then 24 hours as a member, I was told that if I had the desire to kill someone, then the cells in my body would "learn" how to kill, resulting in the chance I could develop cancer. I mean, wow, that's just great! :-)

Between bigfoot, medicine so diluted that one could not tell it apart from water, and emotions causing cancer, there seems to be a lot of room for some friendly debate here <lol>.

Thanks again for the welcome.

Don't forget the aliens and the Atlanteans. :)

[Hutch]

Don't forget the aliens and the Atlanteans. :)

And the 10,500BC Pyramids...:eye-poppi

I noted, disfunkster, that you said:

there seems to be a lot of room for some friendly debate here.

If you would like a really friendly debate, here's how to have one:

1. Go to the Politics Section.
2. Post something nasty about either Israel or the Palestinians (It matters little which, just as long as there's a little acid to it)
3. I promise you will have a nice friendly debate (just like the North and South did at Gettyburg in 1863, that is!!)

:D :D

[EatatJoes]

Hello. I just want to see how everything looks and then I'll write something very clever.

[EatatJoes]

Hey, where's my pic?

[Katachresis]

Hi EatatJoes.

By pic are you looking to get an avatar? Like my Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon album cover?

[EatatJoes]

Well, I'm 5'1 and I like long walks on the beach and men that don't smell.

Seriously though, I love this website. I learn something new everytime I check it out.

[EatatJoes]

Oh, yes, an "avatar".

[Katachresis]

have one in mind?

[EatatJoes]

Yes and I thought that I had it in my profile. I don't know why it isn't showing up.

[Katachresis]

if it's a .jpg on your computer, I can tell how to display it. It has to be prett small, though.

[EatatJoes]

I don't believe it's a jpg, I think it's a bitmap thing, if there's a difference. My computer illiteracy is showing :o

[Katachresis]

goto "quicklinks" at the top of the page, upper right side
drag that down to Edit Avatar
choose Browse, and find the pic on your computer you want.
Gotta go.... I'll help later if you need it. See ya, ...and welcome.

I look forward to your choice.

[EatatJoes]

OK, I think I got it.

[Katachresis]

Alas you have!. Now let's see. Pink, Blue and Black.

[Roadtoad]

It may not be a wombat, but welcome, anyway, EatatJoes.

[Katachresis]

Toad! a pleasure as always. Things looking up?

[EatatJoes]

Thank you for the wonderful welcome. What can I say? I like purple and other variations of blue and red combinations. I was reading the "Did Jesus exist?" forum, very interesting.

[Katachresis]

Well EatatJoes, again welcome. If you ever need help, don't hesitate to ask me. This site has thousand of threads, some good, some boring. Everyones course is different, and I look forward to your future posts. I found that for me I replied to other people posts for a while, then decided to start my own threads to explain myself. Anyway, Welcome, and have fun, but also try to find answers to questions that you might have. This forum is quite diverse in opinion and style. You are welcome as a new point of view. Do not be intimidated by some that will deride what you write. There will always be somone to defend you, if not me, then somone else.

Again, have fun, and tell us what that avatar is, so I can sleep tonite.

[EatatJoes]

Oh, it's just something I whiped up on windows paint. It's suppose to be an abstract of somebody falling out of one space and falling into another. He has a sly smile on his face, but, alas, you can't see it.

[Complexity]

Hey - noobie here. I've been lurking for about half a year. I first heard about this site from the Penn and Teller forum. I'm tired of jumping up and down and yelling at my monitor to no effect when I read utter silliness or something wonderful. Had to register and begin joining in.

I'm a 49-year-old, gay, male, sceptical, libertarian, evolution-embracing, atheistic, and literate scientist. I live in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, USA, one of the suburbs of Minneapolis. I get paid to be a Rule Systems Architect at an insurance company, but my real (unpaid) job is developing algorithms for hard problems.

I've got a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Northwestern (1990), taught computer science in college eight years, and have been developing software in some capacity for the past ten years. I've had a complex yet interesting relationship with a guy for about eight years. I've got a cat, two cockatiels, a canary, and many finches. Getting a kitten soon.

I love to read, listen to Baroque and Classical music, blues, and some jazz, read science, math, history (especially ancient Greek), sci-fi and some fantasy, work on my research, try to write, watch movies, play with pets, and talk to friends.

I picked my name because most of my work involves the study of complexity and attempts to determine precisely how complex some major problems really are. Some people (but not enough) are complex in less formal and more interesting ways.

By the way, the problems that I'm working on are in graph theory (Graph Isomorphism, Maximal Cliques, k-Clique Exists, Subgraph Ismorphism), as well as the factorization of natural numbers into their prime factors. I implement my algorithms in C++. Hope to have some announceable results soon.

I wish people wouldn't take pride in their ignorance. We should strive to shed our superstitions, not embrace them. Why settle for the tedius made-up "supernatural realms" when nature, the only reality, is endlessly enthralling.

Glad to be alive. Enjoying myself when so many others wish I wouldn't keeps me getting up in the morning.

[Darat]

....I'm a 49-year-old, gay, male, sceptical, libertarian, evolution-embracing, atheistic, and literate scientist....

Not another one - it would be nice to have some variety here!

Only joking - welcome to the forum.

[Roadtoad]

Welcome, Complexity.

Straight male jazz/Enya freak trucker. Hope we can meet soon.

[Proveit]

Hi,

Just joined. Huge Randi fan. I’ve been reading the “Weekly Commentary” for years. Thought I was Jewish until someone asked me to compare my lifestyle to that of an atheist.
Thought I was a Libertarian until I read. “Critiques Of Libertarianism” by Mike Huben. (As a new member, I am not permitted to post the link)

I am fascinated by the concept of mind control. E.g. Terrorist leaders can convince educated individuals to willfully blow themselves up along with innocent people, and I can’t get 2 friends to help me move.

I look forward to the education and entertainment as well as making a contribution to this forum.

Proveit
"Chance favors the prepared mind"
Louis Pasteur

[KnotKnitWit]

Hi. I've been reading the site for quite a while and just recently joined the forum. I'm an atheist-raised-religionist raisin and I thought I knew rational skepticism until I found you people. I've discovered that being able to cogently state how and why something is irrational is incredibly important and I've already read enough to know that just reading your words will keep my brain lubricated. I'm learning a lot and I expect that I'll learn a whole lot more.

Thanks.

(edit) Oops...'raisin'='wrinkled on the outside, smooth and sweet on the inside'.

[Katachresis]

Hi KnotKnitWit,

Yeah, there are some incredibly smart and articulate people on this forum. I'm not one of them, but I know it when I see it. If you stay a while, you'll probably find some favorite posters, as I have, and favorite threads. It's easy to subscribe to those threads, so you can watch an actual discussion as time moves on.

Welcome aboard.

[AnotherSillyAlias]

Hi KnotKnitWit,

Yeah, there are some incredibly smart and articulate people on this forum. I'm not one of them, but I know it when I see it. If you stay a while, you'll probably find some favorite posters, as I have, and favorite threads. It's easy to subscribe to those threads, so you can watch an actual discussion as time moves on.

Welcome aboard.

The really great thing about this place is you can get just as much fun from reading the smart articulate ones as you can from reading the real loons. :)

[logical muse]

I wish people wouldn't take pride in their ignorance.
I agree wholeheartedly. So many people boast about how bad they are at maths, like it's something to be proud of.

[logical muse]

Oh, and welcome, Complexity.

[logical muse]

And welcome to KnotKnitWit and ProveIt also, hope you enjoy yourselves.

[KnotKnitWit]

Hi KnotKnitWit,
Yeah, there are some incredibly smart and articulate people on this forum. I'm not one of them, but I know it when I see it. If you stay a while, you'll probably find some favorite posters, as I have, and favorite threads. It's easy to subscribe to those threads, so you can watch an actual discussion as time moves on.

Welcome aboard.

Thanks for the welcome. I think this will be an enjoyable place to visit.

[Soapy Sam]

We're all gonna burn in Heck!
Meanwhile, let the band play on...

[Twilek]

K, I’ve been lurking for a few months, posted maybe a dozen times, and thought it was time to check out and check into the community.

I found Randi’s site through the skepdic.com. I just bought “How we Know What Isn’t So”. I found myself in the Skepdic by surfing through site after site trying to find reassurances for a relative of mine. She started hearing voices right after the Columbia crash when the people on the ISS began ‘talking’ to her, and insists that we’re all being experimented on by the government through satellites, experiments taking place on the the ISS and, of course, Chemtrails….except only certain sensitive and “gifted” people as herself are smart enough to see it. It's a hard thing to deal with.

Anyway, besides that…I realized there were many illogical beliefs I myself held and have since soul-searched and, I must say, somewhat painfully given up. Thanks to skeptic sites such as this one, I no longer believe in miracles or an afterlife, angels or demons, bigfoot or aliens, the Lochness Monster or Noah’s Ark, ESP or psychics (not that I ever did in certainty, I just had a “who knows” attitude).

I am a Jewish convert. I was never and still am not a Bible-thumping moralist or “spiritual” believer, so I don’t think my choice in religion really conflicts much with my new-found skepticism. I fell in love with the religion for its teachings about man’s obligations to his fellow man, not for it’s faith in god, if there is one – that’s one I continue to have no certainty on either way. But I do believe people understand that we are important to one another and we continue to learn and grow and figure out how to best respect one another in a sea of constant change.

I’m an American living legally in Canada. My best subjects in school were science and social studies. I tend to be a moderate conservative politically and am a registered independent. I am disgusted with the lack of context in the major media and read anywhere and everywhere I can in order to form my opinions about the world. My motto is pretty much: With rights come obligations, and you are the architect of your destiny.

And I think that’s enough blather for now. More than enough…lol!

[Roadtoad]

I'm not so sure about that, Twilek. If anything, that sounds like nothing more than a good start.

Anyway, welcome.

[Darat]

Lots of new people! Hello new people - hope you have fun.

[Ducky]

Hi KnotKnitWit,

Yeah, there are some incredibly smart and articulate people on this forum. I'm not one of them, but I know it when I see it. If you stay a while, you'll probably find some favorite posters, as I have, and favorite threads. It's easy to subscribe to those threads, so you can watch an actual discussion as time moves on.

Welcome aboard.



KnowKnitWit,

Ketyk is by no means referring to me.

Just a caveat for you.

Oh and don't read anything posted by Iamme. Your head will explode. Seriously.

[Roadtoad]

You're head will not explode, Fowl.

The aliens told me so.

[Ducky]

You're head will not explode, Fowl.

The aliens told me so.


Did they tell you where I left my f***ing car keys?

[Roadtoad]

On the dresser. Next to your lamp.

(Or maybe that's Iamme's car keys.)

[espritch]

Complexity:
I've got a cat, two cockatiels, a canary, and many finches. Getting a kitten soon.


Let's see. A house full of birds. Add one cat. Nope. Don't see any trouble there. :D

Proviet:
I am fascinated by the concept of mind control. E.g. Terrorist leaders can convince educated individuals to willfully blow themselves up along with innocent people, and I can’t get 2 friends to help me move.

So, do you want to learn about mind control so you can stop terrorists, or so you can convince your friends to help you move? Have you tried beer?

KnotNitWit:
I've discovered that being able to cogently state how and why something is irrational is incredibly important and I've already read enough to know that just reading your words will keep my brain lubricated.

Being able to state why something is irrational is a good thing. Unfortunately, being able to convince the person holding the irrational view that it is irrational is dang near impossible. But that shouldn't stop you from trying.

Twilek:
I fell in love with the religion for its teachings about man’s obligations to his fellow man, not for it’s faith in god, if there is one – that’s one I continue to have no certainty on either way.

Sounds to me like you're a humanist. Humanism is basically the belief that man has an obligation to his fellow man because he is his fellow man, not because any God demanded it. I consider myself a humanist as well.

Welcome one and all.

[maruli]

a little question: is there a forum rule against posting something that I have already posted elsewhere?
Years ago, I have started a msn group (url: homepage in my profile) for some exchange with likeminded people. There is just inactivity, and it has become a blog instead. I would like to copy some of my thoughts to repost them here.

[Darat]

No rule about posting such stuff (as long as you aren't flooding the forum with stuff).

[ManLondon]

Guys!

Big hello of everyone!

This is my first post to the forum. So thought make it introductory as well.

I am a British Indian IT Analyst working in London.

I am certainly a mix of believer and skeptic. Would like to think that I am logical.

Later....

[Katachresis]

Hello ManLondon,

Welcome.

I hope you enjoy your time in this forum.

[ManLondon]

Hello ManLondon,

Welcome.

I hope you enjoy your time in this forum.

Thanks Ketyk, very kind of you.

[Roadtoad]

Guys!

Big hello of everyone!

This is my first post to the forum. So thought make it introductory as well.

I am a British Indian IT Analyst working in London.

I am certainly a mix of believer and skeptic. Would like to think that I am logical.

Later....

Dude, you live in London.

You're already illogical.

You should move to New Bedfordshire.

[ManLondon]

Dude, you live in London.

You're already illogical.

You should move to New Bedfordshire.

Why is that, mate? Whats so special about Bedfordshire?

[Ducky]

Why is that, mate? Whats so special about Bedfordshire?


I don't know about Bedforshire, but for the love of pete don't move to Newcastle. That footy team is pants.



(PS welcome!)

[Roadtoad]

Why is that, mate? Whats so special about Bedfordshire?

That's WOMBAT territory!