Comments on: +10 saving throw of skepticism! http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/ I am an astronomer, writer, and skeptic. I likes reality the way it is, and I aims to keep it that way. My real name is Phil Plait, and I run the Bad Astronomy blog. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:36:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Another Eric http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/comment-page-1/#comment-208807 Another Eric Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:37:10 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/#comment-208807 Hang on to that Rebecca Watson card - her stats are going to increase exponentially with time!!! Hang on to that Rebecca Watson card – her stats are going to increase exponentially with time!!!

]]> By: Scottynuke http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/comment-page-1/#comment-208786 Scottynuke Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:12:24 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/#comment-208786 They seem to have forgotten Phil's +5 Vorpal Occam's Razor... Epic win, indeed! :-) They seem to have forgotten Phil’s +5 Vorpal Occam’s Razor…

Epic win, indeed!

:-)

]]> By: Naked Bunny with a Whip http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/comment-page-1/#comment-208778 Naked Bunny with a Whip Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:24:09 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/#comment-208778 It's okay, Phil. You'll always be my Zoidberg. It’s okay, Phil. You’ll always be my Zoidberg.

]]> By: Jack of Kent http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/comment-page-1/#comment-208759 Jack of Kent Wed, 26 Aug 2009 07:09:37 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/#comment-208759 I really apologise in advance if anyone is just left with my card. I fully appeciate the "Oh dear, I only have the Jack of Kent card, and so I have lost" moment which will come to you all. On the other hand, it is kinda pleasing that my card will be regularly set against some of the greatest skeptics in the world, even though I will crash-and-burn every time :-) At least the idea was mine (and so thereby are all the royalties), even if Crispian did not do a bad job in the execution ;-) I really apologise in advance if anyone is just left with my card.

I fully appeciate the “Oh dear, I only have the Jack of Kent card, and so I have lost” moment which will come to you all.

On the other hand, it is kinda pleasing that my card will be regularly set against some of the greatest skeptics in the world, even though I will crash-and-burn every time :-)

At least the idea was mine (and so thereby are all the royalties), even if Crispian did not do a bad job in the execution ;-)

]]> By: KC http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/comment-page-1/#comment-208750 KC Wed, 26 Aug 2009 02:39:39 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/#comment-208750 Zoinks! Go Velma! Woo! Zoinks! Go Velma! Woo!

]]> By: JediBear http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/comment-page-1/#comment-208746 JediBear Wed, 26 Aug 2009 01:51:06 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/#comment-208746 The position that censoring words because they are obscene is silly is itself silly since the only reason people use the words in that context is because they're obscene. Obscenity is silly. So is agreement in number. English is goofy. Deal with it. The position that censoring words because they are obscene is silly is itself silly since the only reason people use the words in that context is because they’re obscene.

Obscenity is silly. So is agreement in number. English is goofy. Deal with it.

]]> By: Rogue Medic http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/comment-page-1/#comment-208742 Rogue Medic Wed, 26 Aug 2009 01:10:13 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/#comment-208742 Love the cards. I am similarly puritanical in my use of words. I want parents to feel comfortable having children read my blog. I am not one to use Carlin's 7 words, other than in telling a joke, or quoting someone. Not because I am a prude. Far from it. I think that the language is rich enough that I can make my point with the rest of the words available. What is obscene is in the eye of the beholder. I'm pretty sure that Creationists would be much more happy with us using all of the words that ordinarily cause them discomfort, as long as we do not utter that most evil of words - <b>Evolution</b>. It would be nice to have cards that we could give to little kids to encourage an appreciation of what skeptics do, without the amusing comments that might discourage parents from sharing these with kids. Our concerns about censorship should be focused on the ideas contained in the message. Love the cards.

I am similarly puritanical in my use of words. I want parents to feel comfortable having children read my blog. I am not one to use Carlin’s 7 words, other than in telling a joke, or quoting someone. Not because I am a prude. Far from it. I think that the language is rich enough that I can make my point with the rest of the words available.

What is obscene is in the eye of the beholder. I’m pretty sure that Creationists would be much more happy with us using all of the words that ordinarily cause them discomfort, as long as we do not utter that most evil of words – Evolution.

It would be nice to have cards that we could give to little kids to encourage an appreciation of what skeptics do, without the amusing comments that might discourage parents from sharing these with kids.

Our concerns about censorship should be focused on the ideas contained in the message.

]]> By: Romeo Vitelli http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/comment-page-1/#comment-208741 Romeo Vitelli Wed, 26 Aug 2009 01:10:09 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/#comment-208741 Does it mean something that Velma Dinkley is included in the cards? If one skeptic is fictional, maybe some of the others are too. I've always suspected that either Phil or Richard Wiseman doesn't really exist and we're just dealing with a case of multiple personality disorder. Does it mean something that Velma Dinkley is included in the cards? If one skeptic is fictional, maybe some of the others are too. I’ve always suspected that either Phil or Richard Wiseman doesn’t really exist and we’re just dealing with a case of multiple personality disorder.

]]> By: chief http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/comment-page-1/#comment-208735 chief Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:33:43 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/#comment-208735 re Crispian Jago Carefull there. don't want to have it said that they are not working with a full deck. I like the art. But phil your hat isn't normally blank is it. surely you have a JREF logo on it. re Crispian Jago

Carefull there. don’t want to have it said that they are not working with a full deck.

I like the art. But phil your hat isn’t normally blank is it. surely you have a JREF logo on it.

]]> By: Kimpatsu http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/comment-page-1/#comment-208734 Kimpatsu Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:31:14 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/#comment-208734 PZ has one of these cards too. So, which of you wins a game of Top Trumps? PZ has one of these cards too. So, which of you wins a game of Top Trumps?

]]> By: Chip http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/comment-page-1/#comment-208730 Chip Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:06:59 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/#comment-208730 Phil wrote: "But it does really look like me. Though I figured I’d look more like Philip J. Fry. Oh well." Yeah, when I think about it despite everything that's happened to him, Fry is kind of a lucky guy. I mean just look at his gal-pal, Turanga Leela. I got used to her big cute eye right away. ;) Phil wrote: “But it does really look like me. Though I figured I’d look more like Philip J. Fry. Oh well.”

Yeah, when I think about it despite everything that’s happened to him, Fry is kind of a lucky guy. I mean just look at his gal-pal, Turanga Leela. I got used to her big cute eye right away. ;)

]]> By: Ed T http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/comment-page-1/#comment-208728 Ed T Tue, 25 Aug 2009 23:41:28 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/#comment-208728 James Randi's b***h? Harsh! James Randi’s b***h? Harsh!

]]> By: gopher65 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/comment-page-1/#comment-208722 gopher65 Tue, 25 Aug 2009 23:07:56 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/#comment-208722 They're both the left twin. It doesn't happen often, but sometimes both twins are evil. They’re both the left twin. It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes both twins are evil.

]]> By: Jeremy Henderson http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/comment-page-1/#comment-208720 Jeremy Henderson Tue, 25 Aug 2009 22:26:51 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/#comment-208720 These remind me quite a bit of New Humanist's God Trumps. http://newhumanist.org.uk/1915 These remind me quite a bit of New Humanist’s God Trumps.
http://newhumanist.org.uk/1915

]]> By: MadScientist http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/comment-page-1/#comment-208714 MadScientist Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:58:58 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/#comment-208714 Which card wins out - Phil Plait or PZ Myers? Which card wins out – Phil Plait or PZ Myers?

]]> By: hale_bopp http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/comment-page-1/#comment-208712 hale_bopp Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:46:29 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/#comment-208712 Guess they couldn't even afford to put the NASA meatball on your cap! Guess they couldn’t even afford to put the NASA meatball on your cap!

]]> By: Crispian Jago http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/comment-page-1/#comment-208701 Crispian Jago Tue, 25 Aug 2009 20:44:35 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/#comment-208701 BTW I'll stop traffic begging, anyway I got 4 times more hits from an Adam Savage retweet than this blog. I'll go pester Adam now instead :-) BTW I’ll stop traffic begging, anyway I got 4 times more hits from an Adam Savage retweet than this blog. I’ll go pester Adam now instead :-)

]]> By: Mark Hansen http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/comment-page-1/#comment-208699 Mark Hansen Tue, 25 Aug 2009 20:38:27 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/#comment-208699 @Romeo, There is a link on the page to his Tarot deck for skeptics. Warning: Some card language NSFW. @Romeo,
There is a link on the page to his Tarot deck for skeptics. Warning: Some card language NSFW.

]]> By: Crispian Jago http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/comment-page-1/#comment-208697 Crispian Jago Tue, 25 Aug 2009 20:34:05 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/#comment-208697 Hush my potty mouth. There will be another 26 cards soon to make up a full deck of 52. Hush my potty mouth.

There will be another 26 cards soon to make up a full deck of 52.

]]> By: Mike Wagner http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/comment-page-1/#comment-208696 Mike Wagner Tue, 25 Aug 2009 20:26:36 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/#comment-208696 Pointless censorship of words is just as dumb as astrology. As George Carlin was fond of pointing out, there are no "bad" words. There is only bad context. Un-blur that card, and set the truth free! Or stagnate in puritanism. Whatever :) Pointless censorship of words is just as dumb as astrology.
As George Carlin was fond of pointing out, there are no “bad” words. There is only bad context.
Un-blur that card, and set the truth free!

Or stagnate in puritanism. Whatever :)

]]> By: Lurker #753 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/comment-page-1/#comment-208686 Lurker #753 Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:31:38 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/#comment-208686 @Torjörn Larsson, #3: You're only allowed use words from the Eldritch List, so that's "Death From The <i>Deep</i>". @Torjörn Larsson, #3:
You’re only allowed use words from the Eldritch List, so that’s “Death From The Deep“.

]]> By: IBY http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/comment-page-1/#comment-208685 IBY Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:17:31 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/#comment-208685 Yay, collectibles! Which one do any of you suppose are worth the most? ^_^ Yay, collectibles! Which one do any of you suppose are worth the most? ^_^

]]> By: Tim G http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/comment-page-1/#comment-208684 Tim G Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:16:11 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/#comment-208684 Overall, it looks like the best stats are given to Penn & Teller, Adam Savage, and Phil Plait while the worst stats are given to Neil Denny, Jack of Kent and Chris French. Overall, it looks like the best stats are given to Penn & Teller, Adam Savage, and Phil Plait while the worst stats are given to Neil Denny, Jack of Kent and Chris French.

]]> By: Tofur http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/comment-page-1/#comment-208682 Tofur Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:53:44 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/#comment-208682 Oh oh oh...I want a card! Oh oh oh…I want a card!

]]> By: Torbjörn Larsson, OM http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/comment-page-1/#comment-208679 Torbjörn Larsson, OM Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:41:12 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/08/25/10-saving-throw-of-skepticism/#comment-208679 So, it's official that the PP vs PZ fight is over? Hmm. That must mean that PZ's book is going to be titled "Death From The Waters!" [Me, I'm just glad that there's room for Life From The Earth in between those two egos ... , um, men.] So, it’s official that the PP vs PZ fight is over?

Hmm. That must mean that PZ’s book is going to be titled “Death From The Waters!”

[Me, I'm just glad that there's room for Life From The Earth in between those two egos ... , um, men.]

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