Let it be the start of an avalanche


The Texas Freethought Convention last month was a hoot, but the 2012 Global Atheist Convention in Melbourne in April promises to be even bigger and more fierce. The Australians are warming up already — they’ve broadcast a story on the Texas event, playing up our opposition to the follies of faith in a state led by that foolish goon, Rick Perry. I’m in it briefly (Hi, Mom!), but the bulk of the footage is dedicated to Christopher Hitchens, and rightly so.

If you don’t think that you can make it to Australia in April, though, shoot for the Reason Rally in Washington DC in March. This is our time, rise up and stand!

Comments

  1. StevoR says

    From the dateline transcript :

    MYERS: Why don’t I believe in God, because there is absolutely no evidence for Him – the religions that endorse Him are ridiculous.

    Er .. You gave “him” capitals there did you PZ? ;-)

    Good show and program generally mind you.

  2. StevoR says

    Not that it really matters. I mean you can capitalise “Him” if you want to, PZ, it doesn’t bother me either way. Just doesn’t quite seem your style is all. [Shrugs.]

  3. Alex, Tyrant of Skepsis says

    People who capitalize god are a minor nuisance. It’s the capitalizing on god that worries me.

  4. StevoR says

    Fair enough thanks PZ. I was sorta teasing a bit there – figure the dateline staffers probably did that but did wonder & thought I’d mention it.

  5. StevoR says

    @5. Ing: Od Wet Rust :

    You capitalize Him when you’re talking about Powerpuff Girls

    Or do you mean Her? Plural her? Are “Powderpuff Girls” cross-dressers? (Honestly, never heard of Them, I think.)

  6. Aliasalpha says

    “If you don’t think that you can make it to Australia in April, though, shoot for the Reason Rally in Washington DC in March.”

    Heh I can’t afford to go to the one in melbourne and thats only 5 hours drive away

  7. john says

    PZ, you have got to be part of the 1%. At least when it comes to your contribution to green house gases. You have an enormous footprint with the tens of thousands of miles you rack up each year flying to useless conventions. When will you say enough is enough?

  8. dr. phoo says

    I capitalize “God” for the same reason that I capitalize “Santa Claus”, “Ganesh”, and “Tooth Fairy”.

  9. TV200 says

    No Australia, but DC definitely. Just followed the link, and they were asking for volunteers, I’ll see if I get picked. Since I have to be in DC every day anyway, I might as well see if I can do something to help.

  10. Matt Penfold says

    I capitalize “God” for the same reason that I capitalize “Santa Claus”, “Ganesh”, and “Tooth Fairy”.

    Really ? How odd.

  11. Ing says

    PZ, you have got to be part of the 1%. At least when it comes to your contribution to green house gases. You have an enormous footprint with the tens of thousands of miles you rack up each year flying to useless conventions. When will you say enough is enough?

    FFS really?

  12. MadScientist says

    Just don’t fly QANTAS – the silly goon running it might ground the fleet on a whim again.

  13. Wayne Robinson says

    PZ,

    How about pushing your publisher to have a few advance copies of your book available in Melbourne next year? Actually, you might need a lot of copies.

    I’m looking forward to Melbourne. I’ve got my gold pass, I’ve got the hotel reservation booked, I’ve even got the airfare paid for (and the website wouldn’t allow me to complete the booking until I paid the ‘carbon offset’ charge, so I don’t think I’m causing any environmental damage, or at least, not much). The flight to Melbourne is leaving so late in the morning, I think that I will be able to actually use public transport to the airport instead of driving as I usually do.

  14. Wowbagger, Madman of Insleyfarne says

    I’ve got my ticket for the convention and the Saturday dinner; haven’t sorted my accomodation or flights yet.

  15. john says

    Ing:

    I have asked about PZ’s greenhouse gas policy a few times and never get a response. Shouldn’t he have a policy of buying carbon offsets when he travels? I think we deserve to know how many miles he flies and if he is paying to mitigate his impact.

  16. Ray, rude-ass yankee says

    Cool!, I live only 5 or so hours away and could probably crash at my brothers place not far from DC. I just have to get the time off from work at the post office (if I still have a job come March). It would be great to hear Dawkins and PZ speak and actually meet some of the folks whose comments I read all the time. I hope a large contingent of the horde can make it!

    Color me a Happy Monkey!

  17. dartigen says

    I’m looking forward to Melbourne, if I can get the tickets…but I keep seeing on Google that they’ve sold out :(

  18. annayeung says

    @ dartigen
    the 2012 Global Atheist Convention in Melbourne has NOT sold out yet, I think you must be seeing pages from the 2010 convention, which did sell out. But get your tickets soon!

  19. Marella says

    I’m already in Melbourne, and I’ve already bought my gold pass, woohoo!! Can’t wait.

  20. StevoR says

    @8. Ing: Od Wet Rust : 1st November 2011 at 2:02 pm

    @StevoR – HIM

    Oh HIM! Okay thanks. That’s a new one for me. Cheers.

  21. Ing says

    I think we deserve to know how many miles he flies and if he is paying to mitigate his impact.

    You deserve nothing