Alas, this is my very last day in Iceland. I’m packing up and cleaning up, and heading off to the airport this afternoon, then flying for 6 hours. I estimate that I’ll get home about 10pm Central time, when I will flop into bed and may not move for a long, long time.
You know what that means: the blog will be neglected even more than it has lately. Behave yourselves! I don’t want to get home to find beer spilled all over the carpet and bras dangling from the ceiling fan. If you’ve left bloody creationist entrails all over the place…well, that’s OK. I’ll clean those up when I get home.
Also when I get home, I’ll be putting up the much-delayed Carnival of Evolution. It’s been delayed because Iceland happened, and I’ve been terribly distracted by marvels of nature. Sadly, my laptop also seems to be dying a death of paroxymal seizures — I’m hoping to be able to diagnose it and fix it when I get home, and barring that, I’ll be able to use one of the other laptops at home, but right now I’m limited to the iPad, which isn’t so great for longer writing projects.
So, epic foreign saga time is almost over, look for Pharyngula to be back to its old self Monday morning.
46 comments
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blindrobin
3 June 2012 at 4:46 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
bon voyage
Ichthyic
3 June 2012 at 4:47 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I’m limited to the iPad, which isn’t so great for longer writing projects.
yup.
that’s why I went with an Asus Transformer.
keyboard docking for the win.
gazda
3 June 2012 at 4:59 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I hope you managed to visit the city of Husavik as well. Their Phallological Museum would sure be a nice addition in the US. Preferrably next to the Creation museum…
Olav
3 June 2012 at 5:21 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I do not have an iPad, so forgive my ignorance: can’t you just plug a keyboard into one? Or perhaps even use a Bluetooth keyboard?
Ichthyic
3 June 2012 at 5:30 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Or perhaps even use a Bluetooth keyboard?
bluetooth works, but it eats the battery.
PZ Myers
3 June 2012 at 5:35 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I didn’t bring my portable keyboard. 2½ weeks of living out of a suitcase demands stringent self-restrictions on what I could carry.
'Tis Himself
3 June 2012 at 6:05 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
As an economist, I feel obligated to give you some advice. If you were prompt with your mortgage or rent payments, you could continue to live at home.
No thanks required, I’m pleased to explain how the economy works to you sciency people.
hyperdeath
3 June 2012 at 6:11 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Creationists aren’t the problem. The problem is that the slimepit has started to metastatise into parts of FTB.
hyperdeath
3 June 2012 at 6:14 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
metastasise, rather.
PZ Myers
3 June 2012 at 6:23 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Not here, though. Those liars will be expunged if they show either of their faces here.
hyperdeath
3 June 2012 at 6:30 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Even here, we’re getting a lot of the “whine, whine, look how moderate and superior I am” types.
pentatomid
3 June 2012 at 7:00 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Yeah, in the current climate, you’re more likely to find heaps of MRA and slimepit denizen entrails than creationist entrails. And it isn’t over yet.
rorschach
3 June 2012 at 7:02 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
hyperdeath,
the environment here is self-correcting, which is why the slimepitters can’t get a foot in. So I wouldn’t worry about them too much. I’m more worried about self-proclaimed allies on FtB who turn out to be censors and liars and hypocrites.
SC (Salty Current), OM
3 June 2012 at 7:16 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Have no fear. I’m sure by now they’re absorbed in reading about William Lane Craig.
hyperdeath
3 June 2012 at 7:45 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Rorschach, I agree that Pharyngula is self correcting, but the same can’t be said for the rest of FTB.
pentatomid
3 June 2012 at 7:59 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I see you’ve been over at Hallquist’s place. That new post of his makes me laugh, cry and vomit all at the same time.
SC (Salty Current), OM
3 June 2012 at 8:20 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
My response was exactly the same. I went with the laughter.
flatlander100
3 June 2012 at 8:42 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
On neglecting Pharyangula: I’m sad to note that on several recent occasions you have allowed life to interfere with blogging. Get a grip, man! Priorties!
julian
3 June 2012 at 9:20 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Speaking of Hallquist, did anyone else notice his weak-wristed defense of Miller and how he ignored every single cruel and entirely off the wall misogynistic thing said about Watson? Is that just the level we’ve gotten to? Where anything and everything is expected to be said of Watson so no one bats an eye lash?
Ogvorbis
3 June 2012 at 9:30 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Using homosexuality as an insult is not appropriate. The English language is rich with possibilities for insults — why use gendered or anit-gay insults when there are good ones out there?
julian
3 June 2012 at 9:33 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Weak-wristed is an anti-gay insult?
Sorry that’s the first I’ve heard of that.
Ogvorbis
3 June 2012 at 9:43 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I may have phrased that poorly. It claims that the person to whom you refer is gay and is using that implication as an insult. ‘Weak-wristed’ is right up there with swinging hips, a lisp, and probably some other stereotypes that have been used for, in some cases, hundreds of years in terms of a main-stream association with male homosexuality. Sorry I was unclear.
SC (Salty Current), OM
3 June 2012 at 9:48 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Well, it pinged my radar, and I found this:
Like “limp-wristed,” should be avoided.
***
What’s most aggravating is Orac‘s ignorantly throwing in there to support the “too much invective from both sides and everyone should tone it down” nonsense and to suggest that there’s “probably” been more aimed at Watson than Grothe. Apparently, I can still be disappointed.
old man jenkins ॐ
3 June 2012 at 10:02 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
lol
I clicked on his post about Judith Jarvis Thomson’s violinist — which he said he was quite proud of! — and wondered why he didn’t just save himself the trouble by linking to old Pharyngula comment threads.
SC (Salty Current), OM
3 June 2012 at 10:04 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
There’s an understatement, Orac.
julian
3 June 2012 at 10:19 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
My mistake. I honestly had no idea it had that connotation.
SC (Salty Current), OM
3 June 2012 at 10:27 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
julian, don’t you know that’s not a reasonable response? Where’s the “I didn’t know so it wasn’t my intent and therefore it can’t be an insult”? Where’s the “How dare you call me a raging homophobe!”? Where’s the “Language police! What are people gonna be banned from saying next?”? Where’s the “We use it down at the pub all the time, and no gay guys seem to mind”? Where’s the “Show me the dictionary entries that say it always has that connotation”?…
:)
Ogvorbis
3 June 2012 at 11:00 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
No problem. I understand. I have lost track of the number of things I have learned (and then forgotten and learned again) hanging around Pharyngula.
By the way, your correct response should have been:
Phhhfftt! :)
objdart
3 June 2012 at 11:30 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Not to derail things too much, but Icthyic, how do you like the asus transform?
thorjonsson
3 June 2012 at 1:33 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
PZ was a great guest, we really showed him a lot in the time he was here and I’m sure a good long sleep is needed. Also being daylight out at midnight didn’t help his sleep schedule.
Rip Steakface
3 June 2012 at 1:47 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Huh, I never knew that “weak-wristed” had an anti-gay connotation either. I know that limp-wristed did, but never equated the two. I will avoid weak-wristed in the future.
Honestly, the first thing that comes to mind for me is a bad percussionist, since wrists and fingers are the things that need to have the strongest muscles if you’re going to be a good percussionist. However, as stated, I’m striking that from my dictionary.
olisoleyjarson
3 June 2012 at 2:40 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
We really enjoyed having you. I think people can look forward to reading that article you read to us last night.
dano
3 June 2012 at 6:12 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I will pray for a safe journey home for you and your friends PZ. Sorry that’s just how I roll. On a side not weak wristed is not a very common phrase in MN (as PZ can attest to) but makes perfect sense when you think of the phrase he is “limp wristed”. I don’t use the latter but have heard it many times before in a bar setting.
Markita Lynda—damn climate change!
3 June 2012 at 6:38 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I equate “weak-wristed” with “I’d as lief thrust with a bent wrist” in fencing. So there ha.
Evader, the parasite-infested branch on the evolutionary tree
3 June 2012 at 7:16 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Hehe @ #11
Don’t worry, I know I’m stupid. That doesn’t mean that I like that, but as they say “Take thy due place”.
Rey Fox
3 June 2012 at 7:35 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Must you be?
Rey Fox
3 June 2012 at 7:38 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Holy crap, my link didn’t work.
Well, here it is, and you’re all expected to click on it and listen to the song because it’s damn good.
tccc
3 June 2012 at 10:28 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
As long as we are talking gendered or orientation based insults, could some please explain to me why ‘douche’ and its variations are not considered gender based?
To me douche and its variations when used as an insult are clearly gender related and are based on the idea that a women’s genitals are dirty and disgusting.
Could someone please explain to me why this word and its kin are given a free pass but other equally gender based insults are not?
Usernames are stupid
3 June 2012 at 10:46 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
A douche can be used to clean any orifice or body part. It is not simply water, but can contain medicine/drugs. Men can use douches as well.
A medicated enema would fall into this category. And we all know how rectums are dirty and disgusting, right?
chigau (違う)
3 June 2012 at 11:55 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
tccc
Vaginal douching is, at best, completely useless; at worst, actively harmful to the women who use it.
Calling someone a douche is calling them useless or actively harmful.
Ichthyic
4 June 2012 at 12:33 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
we do have a very irritating Zombie that needs to be put in the Pen though.
Cipher, OM, MQ
4 June 2012 at 1:16 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
tccc, basically, what chigau said, but here’s a more detailed explanation if you want, courtesy of Caine:
ibbica
4 June 2012 at 5:39 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
[ / lurking ]
@8, 10, 11…
Well, on the one hand, this whole recent kerfuffle has allowed me to whittle down my ‘blogs I should read regularly’ list substantially. I get enough of this sort of crap* in my daily life, I don’t have the energy or patience to fight it online too (but I applaud and thank those who do!). Given the availability of a few spaces where I feel safe and welcome, yeah, I’ll choose those for my free time, tyvm.
Here’s hoping your flight is/was uneventful, PZ! :)
(*apologists, and deniers, and clueless bumbling idiots, and the willfully ignorant, and unchecked trolls. Just so we’re clear.)
[ lurking ]
Nerd of Redhead, Dances OM Trolls
4 June 2012 at 5:46 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Why bother? Your deity doesn’t exist in the first place, prayer doesn’t work in the second, and those words are an insult to atheists in the third. If you meant it to be nice, it failed utterly and totally. What a delusional unthinking loser.
Agent Silversmith, Feathered Patella Association
4 June 2012 at 6:22 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
That’s a tic worth overcoming.
benedic
4 June 2012 at 3:30 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Gazda 3
The Museum which would look well in Washington DC at Husavik, when you studied at it, has moved to, but not yet opened in, Reykjavik