Food! Beer! Intelligent Design Bashing!

[rebecca]

That's right kiddos, it's time once again to meet your fellow New England skeptics!

SATURDAY, July 22, 2006 at noon o'clock, Steven Novella, prez of the New Engand Skeptical Society and host of a little show called The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe (http://www.theskepticsguide.org)(there's also a really super smart co-host chick if you're wondering), will be delivering a lecture all about how great intelligent design isn't!

Come to Tommy Doyle's Irish Pub (http://boston.citysearch.com/profile/41860085/cambridge_ma/tommy_doyle_s_irish_pub.html)in Cambridge, Massachusetts to join in the fun . . . FOR FREE!

Act now, and you'll get to meet ME, which is even awesomer than Steve but at least act like you showed up for him.

[SkepticScott]

I'll be there. I'm trying to round up some non-Forum friends to go by tempting them with the thought of meeting the mind behind the Skepchick Calendar.

[CFLarsen]

..."awesomer"?

Valley Girl.

[SkepticScott]

..."awesomer"?Give her a break! You'd write funny too if you were wearing tight goggles. :)

[CFLarsen]

Give her a break! You'd write funny too if you were wearing tight goggles. :)
Depends on where...

[SkepticScott]

You'd write in a high-pitched voice if the goggles were there, but in Rebecca's case they're on her head, squeezing her brain.

[CFLarsen]

You'd write in a high-pitched voice if the goggles were there, but in Rebecca's case they're on her head, squeezing her brain.
Same result.

(scurries away)

[supercorgi]

That's right kiddos, it's time once again to meet your fellow New England skeptics!

SATURDAY, July 22, 2006 at noon o'clock, Steven Novella, prez of the New Engand Skeptical Society and host of a little show called The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe (http://www.theskepticsguide.org)(there's also a really super smart co-host chick if you're wondering), will be delivering a lecture all about how great intelligent design isn't!

Come to Tommy Doyle's Irish Pub (http://boston.citysearch.com/profile/41860085/cambridge_ma/tommy_doyle_s_irish_pub.html)in Cambridge, Massachusetts to join in the fun . . . FOR FREE!

Act now, and you'll get to meet ME, which is even awesomer than Steve but at least act like you showed up for him.

Aww damn! I'm having back surgery on July 12 so I'll be laid up and unable to attend. :(

[SkepticScott]

You couldn't plan an out-of-body experience and at least send your spirit to Cambridge?

I hope your surgery goes well.

[Boo]

Right, sign me up.



Boo

[Wowbagger]

Act now, and you'll get to meet ME, which is even awesomer than Steve but at least act like you showed up for him.

Nah, forget Steven Novella. I mean he's good and all, but... Seeing Rebecca there is all the motivation I need to attend!

Actually, I am unsure if I will realistically be able to attend or not, at the moment. I'll look further into it, and let y'all know soon.

[Hamradioguy]

Rebeccca, food and beer? I'd say these New England meetings are getting beerer and beerer.

[The Central Scrutinizer]

That's right kiddos, it's time once again to meet your fellow New England skeptics!

SATURDAY, July 22, 2006 at noon o'clock, Steven Novella, prez of the New Engand Skeptical Society and host of a little show called The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe (http://www.theskepticsguide.org)(there's also a really super smart co-host chick if you're wondering), will be delivering a lecture all about how great intelligent design isn't!

Come to Tommy Doyle's Irish Pub (http://boston.citysearch.com/profile/41860085/cambridge_ma/tommy_doyle_s_irish_pub.html)in Cambridge, Massachusetts to join in the fun . . . FOR FREE!

Act now, and you'll get to meet ME, which is even awesomer than Steve but at least act like you showed up for him.

According to the website, it starts at 11:30.

I hate you.

[kittynh]

you could meet ME also.

Larry will be there also.

And maybe a MYSTERY GUEST FROM THE FROZEN NORTH!!!!

You never know.

[CFLarsen]

And maybe a MYSTERY GUEST FROM THE FROZEN NORTH!!!!

You never know.

...Santa?

[kittynh]

maybe SHE dated Santa.....

[CFLarsen]

Evidence? ;)

[SkepticScott]

Evidence? ;)Rebecca never got coal in her stocking.

[CFLarsen]

Rebecca never got coal in her stocking.
...if that's what you want to call it...

[kittynh]

no no, while Rebecca probably dated Santa, and the elves....this is a hot skepchick from the cold North!


Rebecca is a hot skepchick from the cold US.

[The Central Scrutinizer]

no no, while Rebecca probably dated Santa, and the elves....this is a hot skepchick from the cold North!


Rebecca is a hot skepchick from the cold US.

Eos?

[skoob]

I'm confused, will there be intelligent bashing of design or ID bashing?

[Boo]

I'm confused, will there be intelligent bashing of design or ID bashing?
That all depends on how much beer is consumed and how late it runs. My money is on both.



Boo

[The Central Scrutinizer]

...this is a hot skepchick from the cold North!


I know something I won't tell!!! :D

[kittynh]

you know they never hold church services in a pub.

Being a skeptic is nice.

[Curnir]

The cold north eh?

[exarch]

I'm already meeting someone from the cold north this weekend.

It's not a skepchick though ...

[SkepticScott]

you know they never hold church services in a pub.

Being a skeptic is nice.Skeptics get all the fun venues! :)

[sphenisc]

you know they never hold church services in a pub.

Being a skeptic is nice.

Yes, they do and yes, it is. :D

http://sojourner.typepad.com/house_church_blog/2004/02/church_in_a_pub.html

[Hindmost]

I wonder if skeptics would attend a church service that serves beer???? Hmmm. Probably not since the wine bar church thing has been done to death and that doesn't seem to work.

glenn:boxedin:

[Wowbagger]

Anyway, I don't drink alcohol, but I can't resist a good skeptical gathering, and it turns out I'm not doing anything else that day.

However, I'm not sure it would be worth the 2+ hour car trip. Any other motivational arguments anyone can come up with? (besides "Argument from Presence of Rebecca". As powerful as that argument may be, it might not be quite enough.)

[kittynh]

I used to be a "tour guide" in Windsor CT. In Colonial times church services lasted ALL DAY (it was really more town meeting and church). However, for 2 hours in the middle of the day there was a break where everyone went across the street to the tavern and had lunch and basically got wasted enough to make it through the afternoon.

I attened this same church, and suggested that we have a beer break for especially long services. Unfortunatly the pub was now the historic society headquarters. Bummer. They also killed a witch, which would also make a nice change of services, but somehow the permits could not be obtained.

[SkepticScott]

Unfortunatly the pub was now the historic society headquarters. Bummer.What's wrong with BYOB?
They also killed a witch, which would also make a nice change of services, but somehow the permits could not be obtained.Red tape finally has a positive feature!

"In order to burn a witch, you must fill out Form WB-1. The Fire Marshal must approve your fire containment plan and he'll have to sign here, here, and here. You must also have a statement notarized by representatives of three major religions stating that the alleged witch is a witch. One of those religion must be non-mainstream, and another Wican. Good luck with the last. After that, you must present your plan to the Board of Selectmen at one of their special, executive meetings -- alternate Tuesdays, in months with names not containing 'y' or 'a', from 3 until 4 p.m. in Room 107. Unless the date of such a Tuesday is a prime number, in which case it's in Room 111. To supplement form WB-1 you must also supply statements from four victims the alleged witch turned into newts, after they got better, of course. These must be on properly filled-out forms IWTIANBIGB-2. Good luck with that, the last person to try is still trying to figure out the instructions. You can read Aramaic when it's written in a Cyrillic font, can't you? I know I can't and I have four PhDs. Where was I... oh yes, and then you must provide a notarized bill of lading from a weigh station certify the alleged witch weighs less than a duck. The duck must also apperar to testify. You must provide the interpretter. And after that is done there's form R'LYEH-infinity..."

[7th sextile]

Anyway, I don't drink alcohol, but I can't resist a good skeptical gathering, and it turns out I'm not doing anything else that day.

However, I'm not sure it would be worth the 2+ hour car trip. Any other motivational arguments anyone can come up with? (besides "Argument from Presence of Rebecca". As powerful as that argument may be, it might not be quite enough.)

You won't be in Purchase?

[Wowbagger]

You won't be in Purchase?
I work in Purchase, NY, but this will be on a Saturday.

[kittynh]

I thought it was a Friday?

Im confused and will probably be at a Boston pub all by myself wondering why the bar tender is asking me for ID. I'll tell him I'm AGAINST ID and get in a big fight when he won't serve me a beer.

Oh, in Windsor they hung they witch. But they did dunk her in the river first! I wanted to recreated the dunking stool for Easter. Kids would enjoy having something to do besides hunting eggs.

[SkepticScott]

I thought it was a Friday?

It's Saturday. Can you still make it? SATURDAY, July 22, 2006 at noon o'clock

Oh, in Windsor they hung they witch. But they did dunk her in the river first! I wanted to recreated the dunking stool for Easter. Kids would enjoy having something to do besides hunting eggs.

Patron:But she's a witch!
Captain Malcolm Reynolds: Yeah, but she's our witch, so cut her the h*ll down.
-- "Firefly" episode "Safe"

[Beady]

Sorry, but the Old Girl and I won't make this one. We've been doing a lot of traveling lately, and now it's time to start resting up for the cruise.

[kittynh]

Beady, OK, but you are charged with taking some cruise photos! So rest up your camera finger!!!

[Hindmost]

Good chance I will make this one.

glenn

[Legalduck]

I think I could make this one. Its the day before my b-day. I get to see Rebecca, get some beer, and tear down ID. Its like an early birthday present with beer and tearing down ID ;)

[SkepticScott]

Bump.

[rebecca]

Bump!

Next Saturday!

[Jeff Wagg]

I'll be there.

[Wowbagger]

Oh heck. I can't resist! Must go! Must attend this event! My body... it's forcing me into the car right now!
Must... tell... body... that... it... is... a week... away...

[SkepticScott]

I'll be there too, but I'll have to leave immediately afterwards and will miss the post-talk talk.

[Hindmost]

Unless an asteroid of serious size hits, we should be there. Looking forward to seeing everyone again. (and drinking beer...and the skeptical thing.)

glenn

[kittynh]

oppsy I'll be skipping unless someone with a limo and large bank account willing to wine and dine me afterwards steps up.

Take notes and photographs everyone!

[The Central Scrutinizer]

oppsy I'll be skipping unless someone with a limo and large bank account willing to wine and dine me afterwards steps up.

Take notes and photographs everyone!

What does the someone with the limo and large bank account get in return? :detongue:

[Wowbagger]

oppsy I'll be skipping unless someone with a limo and large bank account willing to wine and dine me afterwards steps up.

Well, I don't have a limo, and I usually don't brag about how filthy rich I am, but...
Where abouts do you live?

[kittynh]

too far north...sorry!!!

look all I want is photographic evidence. So someone has to remain sober enough for focus a camera.

[Hindmost]

oppsy I'll be skipping unless someone with a limo and large bank account willing to wine and dine me afterwards steps up.

Take notes and photographs everyone!

Gee, they're sending a limo for me. With a stocked bar and a flat screen. (and I don't have near the number of posts you have)

glenn:boxedin:

[SkepticScott]

So someone has to remain sober enough for focus a camera.I guess that would be me. What type of pictures do you want, KittyNH: incriminating, very incriminating, or melt-the-memory-card incriminating? ;)

[kittynh]

oh I'm thinking of a new fundraiser for JREF and the skepchicks.

We wouldn't call it blackmail....I learned that from my cousin Guido.

Go to it Scott!

[SkepticScott]

oh I'm thinking of a new fundraiser for ... the skepchicks.I was planning of taking pictures of skepchicks, not for skepchicks! I'll send them to you anyway, maybe you can make a "special edition" 2007 calendar from them.;)

[Beady]

I was planning of taking pictures of skepchicks, not for skepchicks!

"Skepchicks Go Wild!!!"

Put me down for a copy.

[Wowbagger]

I've seen it. It's rubbish. All they do is take off their glasses.

[exarch]

Patron:But she's a witch!
Captain Malcolm Reynolds: Yeah, but she's our witch, so cut her the h*ll down.
-- "Firefly" episode "Safe"
Are they ever going to make additional seasons of that show? Or has the series been permanently scrapped?

[Curnir]

Are they ever going to make additional seasons of that show? Or has the series been permanently scrapped?

I still hope there will be more. But it¨s not very likely.

The best we can hope for is Serenity 2.

Take my love, take my land
Take me where I cannot stand
I don't care I'm still free, you can't take the sky from me.

Take me out into the black
tell them I ain't coming back
Burn the land and boil the sea
You can't take the sky from me.


Serenity Now!

[SkepticScott]

Have no place I can be
Since I found Serenity
But you can't take the sky from me.

I think Cunir's right, all we can hope for is another movie.

There's a ton of good Firefly stuff at cafepress.com, so at least we can wear our passion.

[Wowbagger]

I hope I am not late for this thing. But, I could be. There seems to be a few things I gotta do in the morning. So, someone leave a chair for me, if I am running late!

[exarch]

I think Cunir's right, all we can hope for is another movie.
I have to admit, I'm not the kind of fan who keeps up with his show on the official website or anything. So someone explain to me why there isn't going to be any more seasons of this show? I'm sure Whedon realizes that just because some dumb Americans don't approve of the show (and it's portrayal and sometimes ridiculing of their beliefs), that there's plenty of other non-US people out in the rest of the world who like the show and want to see more?
I mean, silly junk like "Beverly Hills 90210" or "Baywatch" for example probably wouldn't have made nearly as much money if not for that new fanbase ...

[Curnir]

I have to admit, I'm not the kind of fan who keeps up with his show on the official website or anything. So someone explain to me why there isn't going to be any more seasons of this show? I'm sure Whedon realizes that just because some dumb Americans don't approve of the show (and it's portrayal and sometimes ridiculing of their beliefs), that there's plenty of other non-US people out in the rest of the world who like the show and want to see more?
I mean, silly junk like "Beverly Hills 90210" or "Baywatch" for example probably wouldn't have made nearly as much money if not for that new fanbase ...
Fox.

They didn't understand what they had.

[exarch]

Fox.

They didn't understand what they had.
And no one else is willing to buy the rights from them?
How about a completely new sci-fi show called "Dragonfly"? Same actors, same screenwriters, ...

[Curnir]

And no one else is willing to buy the rights from them?
How about a completely new sci-fi show called "Dragonfly"? Same actors, same screenwriters, ...
From what I gathered they are not too keen on releasing the rights, don't know why.

[The Central Scrutinizer]

I have to admit, I'm not the kind of fan who keeps up with his show on the official website or anything. So someone explain to me why there isn't going to be any more seasons of this show?

Poor ratings.

I'm sure Whedon realizes that just because some dumb Americans don't approve of the show (and it's portrayal and sometimes ridiculing of their beliefs), that there's plenty of other non-US people out in the rest of the world who like the show and want to see more?

Give him the money to make more episodes.

[rebecca]

WHAT THE HELL? Stop dorking up my thread, dammit!

See a bunch of you in an hour or so . . .

[SkepticScott]

WHAT THE HELL? Stop dorking up my thread, dammit!You seem upset, Rebecca. Watch two episodes of "Firefly" and call me in the morning. :)

[kittynh]

Hey I want photos people!!!!


It's raining like anything here and I'm bored.

I'm sure the later the evening the better the photos.

[Wowbagger]

Well, I sure learned a few things, yesterday!

Some of it I posted in my Properties of Science (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=60040) thread.

I also learned that for a day thing, it might not be worth the journey. I enjoyed seeing everyone, and the event itself. I also wish I'd known about the next day's events further in advance: I would have stayed overnight in the area, like Glen or something.

Anyway, I would not mind the drive again, as long as we can establish a "full weekend's" worth of events in advance, and not just a one-day thing. Unless, that one-day thing was a bit closer to my neck of the woods.

But, I'd say I got something out of it: knowledge of ID's misuse of information theory, an audience to talk about my film with, the ability to hand the film treatment directly to Rebecca, the ability to talk to professional scientists about a few things I had questions about, hearing funny stories of travels (I wish I had a funnier story than the one about the SUV I "rented" in Florida, which I decided was not nearly funny enough for that crowd, so I didn't mention it).

Now where are those photos?!

[kittynh]

sounds like a lotta fun.

No photos yet, but it could be worth the wait.

[SkepticScott]

Here you go, KittyNH.

Next you'll be wanting captions. :p

[Wowbagger]

Last night I had a relatively bizarre dream involving that Pocket Ref. book I picked up at that shop we went to, after the lecture.

But first, another real world event that helped inspired it: My parents recently discovered that some moisture got in between the two pieces of glass in one of the double pane windows of their house, causing stains that can not be cleaned. A professional window person will eventually look into the matter, and possibly replace it. But, in the mean time, there is nothing we can do about it.

And thus, in this dream I had, I was looking into my Pocket Ref book, and found a schematic for some crazy device you can build, supply electricity to, and it would magically split the glass sheets in a double-pane window apart for a few minutes, so you can clean them! And, even more bizarre, I found the device already built, in my father’s tool closet, and it seemed to work, too!

Back to reality: Of course, the Pocket Ref book does not really contain anything crazy like that. It is a book of facts, not magic or bunk or anything like that. It was only a stupid dream. But, it actually got me thinking, along two lines:

1. Wouldn’t it be really funny if someone did publish a little book full of useless bits of nonsense, pulled from pseudoscientific, paranormal, and other such occult sources? I suppose we could title such a book “Pocket Fluff”. For most, it would only be good for a couple of laughs, but perhaps some gullible folks will latch onto it, and we can make millions!

2. Alternatively, wouldn’t it be better, or at least really cool, if someone were to compile such a book focusing on science?! It would contain a good portion of what’s already in the Pocket Ref, since a good portion of it is about science. It would also contain a table and summary of logical fallacies, all sorts of physics equations, and maybe even a section devoted to summarizing biology and evolutionary theory. We could call such a book “Pocket Science Ref”, but if Randi gets involved maybe we could then call it “Pocket JREF”!

What do y’all think?!

[YoPopa]

I also wish I'd known about the next day's events further in advance: I would have stayed overnight in the area, like Glen or something.You're not the only one. I was 15 minutes away in Ashby MA on Sunday. :( Would glady have let you stay at our house Wowbagger. You could have helped me mow my lawn.

[exarch]

Here you go, KittyNH.

Next you'll be wanting captions. :p
Could it be that place looks somewhat familiar? Or do all bars in Boston look so similar?

[rebecca]

Could it be that place looks somewhat familiar? Or do all bars in Boston look so similar?

Well, a lot of them do look the same. I didn't take you to Tommy Doyle's -- this is a place in Harvard Square, fairly new but it fits in well. Decent food at good prices, and no charge for holding a little to-do there, so we may be returning in the future.

Good pics, Scott!

[kittynh]

Rebecca lets hold the next one in say Marthas Vineyard. You only have to take the T, then a bus, then a ferryboat, then bike (did I mention you should bring a bike).

Everyone would come!

[SkepticScott]

Thanks, Rebecca. For anyone who wasn't there, those pictures are of the post-talk discussions. I didn't get one of Steve speaking.

[Wowbagger]

You're not the only one. I was 15 minutes away in Ashby MA on Sunday. :( Would glady have let you stay at our house Wowbagger. You could have helped me mow my lawn.
Maybe next time. But, first I have to finish my lawnmowing robot! (And, you have to give me some time to do that. Mindstorms NXT just came out!)

[Hamradioguy]

Rebecca lets hold the next one in say Marthas Vineyard. You only have to take the T, then a bus, then a ferryboat, then bike (did I mention you should bring a bike).

Everyone would come!

Great idea! (I have a place to stay on the Vineyard.) It's a neat place (AFTER the tourest season of course.....)

[kittynh]

Ham we are there man....REALLY!!!!!

Kitten is where the ferry is, and I'm so tempted to see the Vineyard!

This is totally a plan. (when is tourist season over?)

Like you have a place for ALL of us to stay right? (I think I can get free parking for a few nights too....everyone stuff in my car)