Texas has Texas-sized problems: creationist politicians come to mind, and it’s not hard to think of many more (search this blog for the word "Texas" to keep yourself amused). What’s a skeptic to do?
If you are the aptly-named Geek Goddess, you start up a Houston area skeptics society! GG, as those of us in the know call her, is a force of nature (it’s rumored she can melt 4 inch rebar with a single glance), and I’m not surprised she would take the initiative to do this. With her behind it, I think this could really take off. You can read more about her efforts on the JREF bulletin board.
So if you live in the greater Houston area and fret over the way things are going in your state, then drop GG a note at the above link and join her cause. We need lots more local critical thinking groups in this country, and if Texas wants to live up to its rep it better get a whole passel more.
Tip o’ the ten gallon hat to the handsome and funny and drawly Sam Ogden over at Skepchick, who may not be able to melt rebar, but can still split a plate of nachos with me anytime.
August 20th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Interesting news! I’m from Houston, I’ll probably check this out.
August 20th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
hey phil, hows New Mexico when it comes to creationists in govt. i am about to move out there to be a wind turbine tech like this weekend (big move) i come from indiana and i dont want to move from one creationists state to another
August 20th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
I don’t know about creationism specifically, Blu, but there’s lots and LOTS of woo. Check out Roswell if you get a chance. The UFO Museum and Research Center (heehee) is free admission, or at least was a few years ago. One of the tour guides was born in the Pleiades. Yup…
August 20th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Way to go Houston! We need a skeptevangelist to lead the cause for reality here in Portland, OR. Although YEC is not a wildely held belief in these parts, we have burgeoning new-age medical quackery literally spreading like weeds here.
August 20th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
I will see if I can make it… I would really like to. (Live in Richmond, TX)
August 21st, 2008 at 1:11 am
There is a good Austin show called The Atheist Experience, which they promote skepticism a lot and even talk about TAM.
August 21st, 2008 at 6:43 am
I wish I could, but sadly I am in the closet. My parents are crazy Catholics, and since I still live with them while I attend college, I have no other choice. I must say, though, it’s nice to know I’m not alone down here in Texas.
August 21st, 2008 at 7:19 am
This is GREAT news. Finally, the 4th largest city in the U.S. gets a skeptics society. I will definitely be there and I will bring my skeptical sidekick
August 21st, 2008 at 9:20 am
Is rebar even made in 4-inch diameter? Maybe the GG can melt a 4-inch length of more standard size rebar, like 1/2-inch.
Best of luck to the Houston Skeptics! I wish there had been such a group around lo these many years ago when I spent a hideous teenage year there.
August 21st, 2008 at 10:45 am
Trying to make it out. It’s a good cause and good people will be there… possibly even the Rystefn if the stars are on your side.
August 21st, 2008 at 1:38 pm
The largest rebar size (using the old ASTM inch-pound system) is a #18 (#57 in metric). It has a cross sectional area of 4″; with a diameter of 2.257″. So I guess you could say there is such a thing as a 4″ rebar, but in the construction industry rebar is generally not referred to by area. What Phil should’ve said is, “…can melt a #18 rebar…”
August 21st, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Phil, you nut! Thanks so much! I didn’t know you had posted this until I started getting people showing up on the meetup.com site (search Houston and skeptic, you’ll find us) claiming you had sent them!
We’re having a social on Wednesday, August 27, at the Ragin’ Cajun restaurant. So Brandon, just tell your parents you are meeting for crawfish and beer, cause it’s true!
Um…”hot enough to melt 4-inch rebar” is a joke from JREF, something to do with claims made by the 9-11 conspiracy nuts, the moniker being thrust upon me by a couple of big ol’ sweeties over there.
Y’all come!
August 21st, 2008 at 9:53 pm
I can’t even spell my own name.
August 22nd, 2008 at 8:40 am
yeeehaw! Lemme tell you there are no better skeptics than the ones from TEXAS! And Ms.Geek is Texas through and through!
I hope to come to a meeting one day if Yankees are allowed!
August 22nd, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Yankees are more than welcome. We even buy them their first beer. All you have to do is place your left hand on a copy of James Michner’s “Texas”, raise your right hand, and take the oath to convert to Texanism.
But you have to purchase your own cowboy hat.
Actually, Neil deGrasse Tyson is speaking at University of Houston on the future of space exploration. You should come on down for that! SHAME ON YOU, PHIL for not blogging about this yet!!
http://www.houstonpbs.org/site/PageServer?pagename=evt_Elevate
David O. Little
-=The DoLittle 8-)=-
August 25th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Brandon, the skeptic society isn’t an atheist org, even though there is a huge overlap. Come anyway.
I have included the link to Dr. Tyson’s meeting on the meetup site – and I got my ticket! He will be there on September 10