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!
You're a meanie, rubbing it in my face. :(
You’re a meanie, rubbing it in my face. :(
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. :)
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. :)
Like, serious miffed? That's a little foolish.
Like, serious miffed? That’s a little foolish.
Pshhh, that's silly. Well, I was planing on buying that too, maybe he won't get too miffed at me.
Pshhh, that’s silly. Well, I was planing on buying that too, maybe he won’t get too miffed at me.
Well you can kind of understand it… It is a book tour for "Greatest Show" not his other books.
Well you can kind of understand it… It is a book tour for “Greatest Show” not his other books.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Congrats
Congrats
I'm stuck at work…so not fair!
Okay, I'll end the whining now…
I’m stuck at work…so not fair!Okay, I’ll end the whining now…
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.
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.
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).
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).
I'm jealous. Enjoy the talk, and congratulations re: GRE scores.
I’m jealous. Enjoy the talk, and congratulations re: GRE scores.
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.
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.
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? ;-)
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? ;-)
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
I just woke up a half hour ago, give me some time, man! Haha
I just woke up a half hour ago, give me some time, man! Haha