In an hour I’ll be leaving for Indiana University to see Richard Dawkins speak, woo! It’s a two and a half hour drive but totally worth it. About 50 members of the Society of Non-Theists are going, so we should have a decent sized group invading IU. I’m still a little miffed that our rival got to host him and we didn’t, but oh well. I’m bringing my copy of the God Delusion for him to sign, then going to a big pub gathering of atheists afterward. Should be fun!
Yeah, I really don’t have that much to say about it – just wanted to rub it in. Neener neener. Will post photos/review tomorrow morning.
Oh, and if anyone is wondering about the GRE, I did fine. Owned the math and did average on the verbal – I guess I’m your stereotypical scientist. The verbal is effectively a vocab test, where if you don’t know whatever obscure horrible word you’re given, you’re just screwed. Lovely. The hardest part of the whole exam was hand writing the paragraph in cursive about how you won’t cheat. Seriously, I haven’t used cursive since 5th grade – it looked like a 10 year old had written my statement!
36 comments
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Veritas
October 12, 2009 at 10:57 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
You're a meanie, rubbing it in my face. :(
Veritas
October 12, 2009 at 5:57 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
You’re a meanie, rubbing it in my face. :(
Jaki
October 12, 2009 at 11:00 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Just to let you know… When he was at Portland State Saturday night, he got a little miffed if people wanted him to sign any of his books other than "Greatest Show on Earth". Believe me, I brought Selfish Gene. You can buy his latest book there and get that signed though. :)
Jaki
October 12, 2009 at 6:00 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Just to let you know… When he was at Portland State Saturday night, he got a little miffed if people wanted him to sign any of his books other than “Greatest Show on Earth”. Believe me, I brought Selfish Gene. You can buy his latest book there and get that signed though. :)
Veritas
October 12, 2009 at 11:01 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Like, serious miffed? That's a little foolish.
Veritas
October 12, 2009 at 6:01 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Like, serious miffed? That’s a little foolish.
Jen
October 12, 2009 at 11:01 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Pshhh, that's silly. Well, I was planing on buying that too, maybe he won't get too miffed at me.
Jen
October 12, 2009 at 6:01 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Pshhh, that’s silly. Well, I was planing on buying that too, maybe he won’t get too miffed at me.
Jaki
October 12, 2009 at 11:13 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Well you can kind of understand it… It is a book tour for "Greatest Show" not his other books.
Jaki
October 12, 2009 at 6:13 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Well you can kind of understand it… It is a book tour for “Greatest Show” not his other books.
Veritas
October 12, 2009 at 11:16 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Actually, no. I can't understand it. If people are fans, you should treat them nicely. It's one thing to joke about it, but applying pressure to buy a new product like that is being a dick.
Veritas
October 12, 2009 at 6:16 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Actually, no. I can’t understand it. If people are fans, you should treat them nicely. It’s one thing to joke about it, but applying pressure to buy a new product like that is being a dick.
BeamStalk
October 12, 2009 at 11:23 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Have fun, I missed him at OU back in February. I was in Norman but the gf's kid wasn't up for sitting through a line to get in and a talk. I really hope I get a chance to see him again.
BeamStalk
October 12, 2009 at 6:23 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Have fun, I missed him at OU back in February. I was in Norman but the gf’s kid wasn’t up for sitting through a line to get in and a talk. I really hope I get a chance to see him again.
firetalon2
October 12, 2009 at 12:13 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Congrats
firetalon2
October 12, 2009 at 7:13 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Congrats
Stephan
October 12, 2009 at 12:56 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I'm stuck at work…so not fair!
Okay, I'll end the whining now…
Stephan
October 12, 2009 at 7:56 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I’m stuck at work…so not fair!Okay, I’ll end the whining now…
Arctic Ape
October 12, 2009 at 1:08 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
A few years ago prof. Dawkins had a guest lecture at my university in Helsinki, Finland. There were at least 1000 people present and cameras flashing. I can't even imagine what his touring is like nowadays. His accent is very pleasant, though, and I learned about some really weird African mud flies, so I suppose he earns his fame:)
Seriously speaking, I have high respect for Dawkins as a popular science writer. His old books (in Finnish translation) were some my greatest teenage reading experiences.
Arctic Ape
October 12, 2009 at 8:08 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
A few years ago prof. Dawkins had a guest lecture at my university in Helsinki, Finland. There were at least 1000 people present and cameras flashing. I can’t even imagine what his touring is like nowadays. His accent is very pleasant, though, and I learned about some really weird African mud flies, so I suppose he earns his fame:)Seriously speaking, I have high respect for Dawkins as a popular science writer. His old books (in Finnish translation) were some my greatest teenage reading experiences.
Sili
October 12, 2009 at 1:39 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Tell him to get a haircut.
Yay! on the exam. Congrats.
Some day I should upload a sample of my handwriting somewhere. It's worse than my GP's (i.e. I can read his).
Sili
October 12, 2009 at 8:39 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Tell him to get a haircut.Yay! on the exam. Congrats.Some day I should upload a sample of my handwriting somewhere. It’s worse than my GP’s (i.e. I can read his).
mcbender
October 12, 2009 at 2:59 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I'm jealous. Enjoy the talk, and congratulations re: GRE scores.
mcbender
October 12, 2009 at 9:59 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I’m jealous. Enjoy the talk, and congratulations re: GRE scores.
Anonymous
October 12, 2009 at 6:09 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
There was a smaller, earlier reading held in Portland before the PSU lecture. This was in conjunction with the Wordstock book festival, and the ticket price included an autographed copy of "Greatest Show on Earth".
Dawkins did get a little ruffled that many of the questions were focused on his other books, but he patiently and graciously answered.
Yeah, his hair was a little scraggly, he needs a better stylist.
Anonymous
October 13, 2009 at 1:09 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
There was a smaller, earlier reading held in Portland before the PSU lecture. This was in conjunction with the Wordstock book festival, and the ticket price included an autographed copy of “Greatest Show on Earth”.Dawkins did get a little ruffled that many of the questions were focused on his other books, but he patiently and graciously answered. Yeah, his hair was a little scraggly, he needs a better stylist.
Anonymous
October 12, 2009 at 10:04 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Since my signature is just my name written in cursive script, I have no problems with the characters in my name. But on the rare occasions that I have to write something else in cursive, I usually have to stop and think about how to form the characters that are not part of my name (such as most of the upper case letters).
I don't remember having to write a paragraph promising not to cheat. Perhaps I took the GRE back when cheating was still allowed? ;-)
Anonymous
October 13, 2009 at 5:04 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Since my signature is just my name written in cursive script, I have no problems with the characters in my name. But on the rare occasions that I have to write something else in cursive, I usually have to stop and think about how to form the characters that are not part of my name (such as most of the upper case letters).I don’t remember having to write a paragraph promising not to cheat. Perhaps I took the GRE back when cheating was still allowed? ;-)
JD
October 13, 2009 at 12:30 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
So jealous of you! I tried to see him last year in Austin but I was too late and the deal was at capacity (over 1500 seats!) – I guess that is a good thing.
JD
October 13, 2009 at 7:30 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
So jealous of you! I tried to see him last year in Austin but I was too late and the deal was at capacity (over 1500 seats!) – I guess that is a good thing.
Daniel Sprockett
October 13, 2009 at 6:55 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
In its forward he actually talks about people continue to have him sign the Selfish Gene instead of what ever other book he promotes over the years. Believe me, you are not the first person to have him sign the God Delusion on this tour.
Its kind of obnoxious though that hes so famous for TGD, that he is promoting a book on evolution but everyone wants to talk about atheism. I'm sure you saw him in O'Reilly. I don't think they mentioned the evidence for evolution once in the whole interview!
Dan!
October 13, 2009 at 1:55 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
In its forward he actually talks about people continue to have him sign the Selfish Gene instead of what ever other book he promotes over the years. Believe me, you are not the first person to have him sign the God Delusion on this tour. Its kind of obnoxious though that hes so famous for TGD, that he is promoting a book on evolution but everyone wants to talk about atheism. I’m sure you saw him in O’Reilly. I don’t think they mentioned the evidence for evolution once in the whole interview!
bcoppola
October 13, 2009 at 9:37 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
You said "Will post photos/review tomorrow morning."
Well…we're WAITING…!
Though if you're groggy from the beer volcano and baby barbecue, we understand.
bcoppola
October 13, 2009 at 4:37 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
You said “Will post photos/review tomorrow morning.”Well…we’re WAITING…!Though if you’re groggy from the beer volcano and baby barbecue, we understand.
Jen
October 13, 2009 at 9:38 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I just woke up a half hour ago, give me some time, man! Haha
Jen
October 13, 2009 at 4:38 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I just woke up a half hour ago, give me some time, man! Haha