Medieval mind meets modern science » « Vote for this guy

It’s so…sniny…

So I’m at this humanist conference in Oslo, and I’m having a good time at the delicious dinner with musical accompaniment at the Oslo Opera House, when they start giving out awards to all these fabulously accomplished people who have don so much to advance the cause, when they name me. It was a complete surprise and for a moment I was sure this was a joke, but there it is, it’s even got my name etched on it.

I’m the International Humanist of 2011.

How unexpected!

Now if only I were somewhat less discombobulated right now…the several glasses of wine at dinner didn’t help, either.

Medieval mind meets modern science » « Vote for this guy

Comments

  7. Matt Penfold says

    Not only do you deserve it PZ, just think at all the people this will piss off.

    I think I can already hear the sound of exploding heads.

  9. strange gods before me says

    This puts you in very distinguished company (besides us, I mean).

    http://www.iheu.org/iheu-awards

    International Humanist Award

    1970: Barry Commoner (USA), environmentalist professor, for his activities in the field of preservation of the world environment. Commoner played a major role in achieving worldwide commitment to the cause of ecology.

    1974: Harold Blackham (UK), who played a key role in founding IHEU, for his long-standing involvement with ethical Humanism in Britain and his achievements in the field of moral education.

    1978: V M Tarkunde (India), a former judge of the Bombay court, who had shown great courage during the state of emergency in his country. He defended the values of democracy and dealt with many cases that were related to the repressive measures of the Indian government in that period.

    1982: Kurt Partzsch (Germany), a former Minister for Social Affairs of Lower Saxony, for his contributions to the cause of human well-being and for his initiatives in social work in particular.

    1986: Arnold Clausse (Belgium). A professor emeritus of education, who as president of the Ligue Internationale de l’Enseignement had promoted a public educational system based on the principles of equal chances for all, free inquiry and high quality.

    1986: The Atheist Centre (India), for their efforts to being Humanism in practice, by means of education, social work and their fight tagainst superstition and religious intolerance.

    1988: Andrei Sakharov (USSR), atom scientist and winner of the Nobel Prize for Peace, for his indefatigable struggle for the cause of human rights in his country, and for his Humanist ideals. The award was presented in absentia, as at that time the Soviet authorities refused to give him permission to leave the country.

    1990: Alexander Dubcek (Czechoslovakia), in recognition of his attempts in the 1960s to give communism in his country a more human face. Dubcek, who after 1968 had to pay a heavy toll for his dedication to his ideals of democracy and humanity, stressed in his speech that it is morality and humanity that give meaning to life.

    1992: Pieter Admiraal (Netherlands), a Dutch anaesthetist, for advocating the right of self-determination in the field of voluntary euthanasia.

    1996: Nettie Klein (Netherlands) for services to IHEU as volunteer secretary general, 1982-1996.

    1999: Professor Paul Kurtz (USA), in recognition of the immensely important role he has played for both the American and the international Humanist movements.

    2002: Amartya Sen (India), Master of Trinity College, Cambridge, and winner of the 1998 Nobel Prize for Economics, for contribution to the recognition of the purpose of development as the enhancement of individual freedom: to increase the choices available to ordinary people.

    2005: Jean-Claude Pecker (France), a distinguished scientist, a member of the French Legion of Honour, a former President of the International Astronomical Union, and a stalwart Rationalist and Humanist.

    2008: Philip Pullman (United Kingdom), author of the His Dark Materials trilogy, a triumphant work of freethought.

  12. David Utidjian says

    w00tiful!

    Congratulations!

    And yes, this will piss off a lot of people. But they were already pissed off… it will just stoke their pissed offedness even more.

  14. opposablethumbs, que le pouce enragé mette les pouces says

    Nice one! Hmm, I think this calls for cheering to the echo ECO :-)

  16. maureen.brian says

    Well done, PZ. You deserve it.

    We hope there is a video and that you’ll let us see it, slightly tiddly or not.

  21. Janice in Toronto says

    OHH! Gigundous congratulations!

    Here the thing, YOU DESERVE IT!

    So there.

    Janice in Toronto, a loyal pharyngulite.

  25. Tethys-zombi feministe calmar-garou says

    Congratulations! I agree that it is well earned, and look forward to the head esplodes that will be occurring.

    Oooh, she
    blow’d up good din’t she Big Jim McBob?

  26. Steve LaBonne says

    Congratulations! And I will join the chorus saying that it’s well-earned indeed.

  28. SallyStrange, Spawn of Cthulhu says

    Well! That must be a very pleasant and unusual sensation indeed. A rare moment: enjoy the fuck out of it, PZ.

    Congratulations!

  30. David Marjanović, OM says

    Not only do you deserve it PZ, just think at all the people this will piss off.

    I think I can already hear the sound of exploding heads.

    Ooh! Please let me help! The photo of the trophy made me think…

    <sing>
    He’s got the whole world
    in his hands, he’s got the whole world
    in his hands, he’s got the whole world
    in his hands, he’s got the whole world in his hands!!!
    </sing>

  33. Randomfactor says

    Y’know where this would look nice? On the back cover blurb of a…book or something.

  35. JohnnieCanuck says

    I don’t know, Glen. I took one look at the tentacles in the picture and thought of cephalopods.

    I am glad to see the recognition of PZ’s contributions to Humanism. I hope it also means increased exposure of the public to his way of thinking.

    Congratulations, PZ.

  41. says

    David:

    He’s got the whole world
    in his hands, he’s got the whole world
    in his hands, he’s got the whole world
    in his hands, he’s got the whole world in his hands!!!

    Auugh! I will find a way to make you pay for this, David.

  46. TV200 says

    Congratulations. But the voting was done by internet poll. So, naturally, it was rigged in your favor.
    (Yes, I am kidding)

  48. says

    If Sarah Palin can do it, PZ Myers can go one better.

    SNINY!

    I like it.

    Also likely to spur lots of Firefly/PZ Myers youtube mashups!

    Win-win!

  49. Martin Burn says

    $set lurk/mode/state=off

    Wonderful! Truly well deserved. And it wouldn’t surprise me in the least were more to follow.

    $set lurk/mode/state=on

  51. says

    But – but – but – just imagine all those prestgious awards you’d be showered with if you weren’t so… confrontational. And rude. You know, a bit more accommodating.

    [/bullshit]

    Congratulations, and SO deserved. Your reply letter to that little girl alone was Major Award-worthy. (I’d look it up and link to it…’cept I’ve had a few glasses of wine myself, and my iPhone-fu ain’t all that good even when I’m stone cold sober.)

  55. Josh, Official SpokesGay says

    Congratulations PZ. I hope you’re relishing the irritation this will cause the accommos as much as we are (I’m almost aroused by it).

  56. fcaccin says

    is this the Norwegian Wife Trophy I keep hearing about?

    No. It is the world in the force-field cage in PZ’s hand.
    I, for one, congratulate the overlord.

  57. Algernon says

    Yaaaaaaaaaayyyyyy!

    I’d dance a dance of joy, but at the moment I can’t walk so I’ll just wave my cane in your honor!

  59. It'spiningforthefyords says

    おめでとう！

    Congratulations as well!

    (BTW – What’s “sniny” from? Or is it a cute-ism?)

  60. Matt Penfold says

    Congratulations PZ. I hope you’re relishing the irritation this will cause the accommos as much as we are (I’m almost aroused by it).

    I am not I would say aroused, but I am rather relishing the mental image I have of Rosenau, Mooney, Kirshenbaum et al reading of this award.

  62. Matt Penfold says

    BTW – What’s “sniny” from? Or is it a cute-ism?

    A while ago PZ won another award, and posted saying it was sniny, mistyping shiny.

    The mistyping stuck as a meme, to the extent when PZ fixed the typo he was forced to change it back by popular demand.

    The original post is here.

  63. Algernon says

    Aww heck I’ll even take a moment to say that I really wholeheartedly think you deserve that award in every way. I love what you have done and worked towards for people. It’s a hard line to walk but you do so well and honestly… it’s inspiring and I’m glad you get some formal token of appreciation from people for it.

  65. Audley Z. Darkheart OM, purveyor of candy and lies says

    *confetti!*

    That is so fucking awesome, PZ! Major congrats!

  72. Carlie says

    Congratulations! Now you need to be sure to have a mantel in your living room to start the collection. :)

  73. DLC says

    It’s a nice award and I’m glad you received it.
    It’ll look sniny when you run for President.
    Err um… Department Chair?

  75. ManOutOfTime says

    Also, you won the GOP Iowa Straw Poll. Now we just have to find a way to Phayngulate the Templeton Prize …

  76. PoxyHowzes says

    Sniny indeed!

    Well Deserved, especially since PZ seems to be just the 6001st in a series of Humanists of the year.

    Poxy

  77. says

    Iris:

    Congratulations, and SO deserved. Your reply letter to that little girl alone was Major Award-worthy. (I’d look it up and link to it…’cept I’ve had a few glasses of wine myself, and my iPhone-fu ain’t all that good even when I’m stone cold sober.)

    Dear Emma B

  78. Nerd of Redhead says

    Dang PZ, that is one sniny piece of hardware. Pharyngula Labs can do a holographic copy, so the copy can safely be displayed in the Pharyngula Saloon and Spanking Parlor.

  80. Ragutis says

    That’ll look great on your mantle, as you caress it with your tentacles and clean it with jets of water from your siphon.

    Congrats, PZ!

  81. Patricia, OM says

    Woo-Hoo! Congratulations PZ, well deserved award. We got’s some serious bragging rights now. Woo+!

  87. RFW says

    Congratulations, P-zed.

    How does it feel to be making the world a better place for babies to grow up in?

  95. Geoff says

    Congrats PZ! So well deserved to both a decent and intelligent guy. I love what Matt Penfold said about it pissing off the right people too.

  96. says

    Congratulations, PZ!

    DLC, don’t wish such a terrible fate on him. Department chair, or fed to sharks? Hard call. PZ needs to write books in his copious free time, not shuffle tonnes of paperwork.

  99. julian says

    Congrats.

    It’s kinda nice seeing someone who’s so open about his atheism being recognized as a humanist.

  101. says

    So that’s the popcorn-popping noise I was hearing! Heads exploding down south of the border! (And, I think, a few up here, too.)

    Congratulations, PZ!

  109. Lord Shplanington, Not A Frenchman says

    So that means that PZ has one this, and the Humanist of the Year Award, right?

    So that means he just needs a Richard Dawkins award and a Nobel Prize to open the path to the Pope’s Evil Castle and save Princess Zelda, right?

  112. Mattir-ritated says

    PZ, that is just fantastic! The entire Mattir family salutes your ability to get under the skin of annoying accommodationists and your amazing gift for creating community through your writing. (Yes, I was mean enough to make them stop watching Dr. Strangelove so as to announce your win.) And what distinguished company you’ve joined…

  113. says

    I thought I heard a funny sound this morning, must’ve been this award cranking the Overton window a little further in the right direction. Much deserved, congratulations PZ!

  115. says

    PZ, you da Humanist and then some!

    This calls for not one, not two, but three lines of conga rats in tutus and sequins.

    And the award looks heavy enough to serve as a weapon as well. Always nice to mix the practical with the sniny.

  117. Classical Cipher says

    Very sniny, cap’n. Congratulations! So proud of our lil… fully-grown tentacled overlord… *wipes tear*

  120. F says

    It is teh Sniny, isn’t it?

    You are a damned fine humanist, PZ. And I’m glad there is an IHEU to recognize outstanding humanists and promote humanism and create a network for humanist organizations. So, while you (and others) may have gotten teh sniny award, we all win. Yay!

  127. Left Handed Atheist says

    Congrats, that is awesome! I will also drink a glass of wine (or two) in celebration.

  129. cybercmdr says

    Definitely well deserved. You are a world class educator, and have successfully irritated many of society’s self righteous mighty. Lesson learned from Socrates, who did much the same. Don’t drink any hemlock if they offer it….

  130. Quodlibet says

    Wait a minute… He’s getting an award as a– a– a humanist? But he’s an atheist! Atheists don’t care about other people! They’re all– all– oh what’s that word…NIHILISTS! Yeah! They don’t care about ANYTHING except themselves, let alone the rest of the human race! They can’t do good– they haven’t any moral authority to know right from wrong! They’re all selfish and debauched and– and– and what did that nice Barbara lady from Glen Beck’s gang say…? Oh yeah, they’re all “wallowing in their own misery!” Yeah!

    /snark

    —–

    Hope you’re relishing this affirmation of your work, PZ. We appreciate your hosting of the rational community at Pharyngula. It has made a big difference in the lives of many people who come here to explore, to learn, to become free, to be themselves.

    Huzzah! Well-deserved!

  131. Marie the Bookwyrm says

    I know I’m late to this, but:
    BRAVO!
    HIP, HIP, HOORAY!
    And CONGRATULATIONS, PZ!

  132. Otrame says

    Wppt!!!!!!!*

    Hurray for our tentacled overlord and his sniny prize.

    *another typo-turned-word (at least in my family)

  134. Francisco Bacopa says

    I can imagine your surprise, but you really do deserve it. And your getting it does fit in with the trend that the award has been going in.

    A sad day for D3nnIs M/\rkuZe.

  136. Andromeda says

    Woah look at the way it snines in the light. Congrats! And I thoroughly enjoy reading Pharyngula daily.

  137. says

    Congratulations Mr. Myers. I salute and admire your ability to calmly listen to absolute nonsense and then shred it, the same way a cook filets and portions salmon; quickly, efficiently and with elan. If your award equated your value to the secular community it would be solid gold. As it is, it’s a great looking award. Thanks for all you do for rational thought. We’re all cheering in the states for you.
    stephen

  145. Samantha Vimes says

    Congratulations! And thank you for all the work you do to communicate ideas, change minds, build community, etc.

  148. Bookworm says

    Congratulations! It’s also nice to know that there will be many fundies sitting in the darkness, gnashing their teeth, wondering why, instead of that long-prayed for smiting of PZ, he ends up with a major award. Karma trumps the divine.

  150. Paul Durrant says

    Congratulations! A honour indeed.

    I’ve updated the appropriate wikipedia pages.

  158. Sili says

    How can this be? M**ney keeps telling us that ur doin’ it rong. I’m sure he’ll send a polite, but stern letter to the Norwegians to rectify this mistake, and make them make you turn over the award to him, who obviously is so much more deserving and effective.

    –o–

    Seriously: Congrats!

  160. says

    How did they make sure you would go all the way to Norway without telling you why it was so important you attend??

    I’m easy. Ask me to visit some beautiful place on the planet, send me a ticket, and I say “YES!”

  161. Birger Johansson says

    HMM…. It cetainly looks like ordinary glass. I assume it only reveals its true nature when exposed to the one with the right DNA signature. Another Fortress Of Solitude? Or is it a lump of nanotech designed to dissolve into the bloodstream of the Right One, conferring super powers?

    It has to be something sinister, this is a HUMANIST award, for chrissake!

  163. Alison S says

    Whoopee! Well done! Your contribution to the spread of atheism and humanism deserves to be recognized.

  167. opposablethumbs, que le pouce enragé mette les pouces says

    @ Surgoshan # 169, this was a typo-once-upon-a-time-but-then-became-a-meme; around these here parts things get sniny and have done for some considerable time now (especially the glossy coats of the regulars, who also have sharp fangs. I’m sure you will have seen them gleaming in the light blazing from the award … :-D)

  168. Quodlibet says

    Birger Johansson:

    HMM…. It cetainly looks like ordinary glass. I assume it only reveals its true nature when exposed to the one with the right DNA signature. Another Fortress Of Solitude? Or is it a lump of nanotech designed to dissolve into the bloodstream of the Right One, conferring super powers?

    It has to be something sinister, this is a HUMANIST award, for chrissake!

    You need a GRAVITYMAGNET.

  174. clamboy says

    This is buried, buried, buried, but I thought you should know, you Professor Myers you, that when one “clicks” on the “link” from sciblogs to here, one is pushed to an old article, the “I really should hijack the Beck polls more often” (or something like that) entry. Maybe this is something on my end, but I don’t think so. Just something I noticed.

  182. DanishDynamite says

    Congrats. Well deserved.

    As the International Humanist of 2011, what’s your take on the current situation in Libya? 5 months ago it was all over the news as yet another step in the Arab Spring. Since then we’ve rarely heard a thing about it.

  183. Dave, the Kwisatz Haderach says

    I think this deserves an epic slow clap. But I’m also of the opinion that there are never enough slow claps, and I encourage them in all situations.

    Regardless, much congratulations PZ, keep up the stellar work.

  184. DanishDynamite says

    Congrats! You deserve it!

    As the International Humanist of 2011 I wonder what your view is on the situation in Libya. Some 5-6 months ago it was all the rage in the media as the next stepping stone in the Arab Spring. For months now we never hear about it. Any thoughts?

  185. DanishDynamite says

    Sorry for my almost double post. It seemed like the first post hadn’t gotten through.