Since I just made a defense of humanism, I should be upfront about my stake, since I did get recognized a few weeks ago by the International Humanist and Ethical Union. And as long as I’m mentioning my own award, I should also name all the other people who were also commended by the IHEU.
The Nordic Rainbow Humanists award was given to George Thindwa, who has been fighting for LGBT rights in Malawi against unbelievable bigotry and hatred.
There were several 2011 IHEU awards.
The Distinguished Service award was given to:
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VB Rawat, who has been a leader in India fighting for social justice, working to bring aid to the poor and those afflicted by catastrophe, and who has been opposing the caste system.
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Narendra Nayak, a tireless promoter of skepticism and science in India, who has worked to expose psychics and magic workers.
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David Pollock has been an active secularist and editor of the New Humanist magazine, and has been a leader in the British Humanist Association in working for humanist social policies.
The International Humanist award was given to:
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Sophie in’t Veld is the vice-chair of the European Parliament Committee on Civil Liberties, who has been a great supporter of women’s and LGBT rights.
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PZ Myers, some guy with a blog.
One of these things is not like the others…
Myers is the only biologist.
Nayak is a biochemist. Close enough, right?
Oh good. You’re off the hook, PZ.
I’ve got it now. Sophie in’t Veld is the only woman.
Pz is a celebrity, and that equals influence in America…
Is it that Sophie in’t Veld isn’t from a former part of the British Empire?
Btw, what did you get the award for (primarily)? Was it for the blog, fighting creationism, or another reason (like a vast Cephaolopod conspiracy)?
“One of these things is not like the others…”
Is it that Sophie in’t Veld isn’t from a former part of the British Empire?
Btw, what did you get the award for (primarily)? Was it for the blog, fighting creationism, or another reason (like a vast Cephaolopod conspiracy)?
Bribes. Extortion. Random angry threats. I just pointed my cyberpistol at them and told ’em to hand it over.
It’s got some other guy’s name on it, but who cares.
Oops, sorry about the double post.
I suspect the difference is that all the other award-winners have probably published books. I think PZ’s going to have to give the award back.
Unless…hey, I have an idea…
Let’s take a look, literally.
V.B. Rawat
Narendra Nayak
David Pollock
Sophie in’t Veld
PZ Myers
It’s obvious which one is different. While Nayak, Pollock and Myers all have beards, PZ is the only one with a scruffy, cheesy beard.
Btw, what did you get the award for (primarily)? Was it for the blog, fighting creationism, or another reason (like a vast Cephaolopod conspiracy)?
I refer you to this XKCD strip:
http://xkcd.com/520/
Hey Maverick!
Ixnay on the onspiracycay!
PZ, you’re doing yourself a disservice.
Your blog is doing an important job too – fighting religious intolerance, superstitious thinking, etc., & promoting rational thought. And it must’ve taken considerable courage, on a par with the other recipients of IHEU awards.
Or did you mean you’re the only award winner who prefers cephalopods to people?
Maybe it’s because you encourage so many people to confident and extroverted about humanism and related things. Visibility is important and you have been fantastic with that. Plus, you have that awesome beard.
Maybe it’s mostly the beard.
Only American in the group?
Quick! Squirt some ink and swim away!
PZ Myers is a tireless and impassioned defender of humanism and human rights, and he speaks from a position of respect on the Internet. He has made his thoughts and his space available to a vibrant community of uncompromising freethinkers and friends, and with these helped shape the direction and speed of the new atheist movement. He brought atheism and humanism into the daily lives of thousands of people directly, and provides support as they interact with others in their millions. In a very real sense, he is the leader of the people of reason who are known to, and can speak to, only those in their own immediate spheres.
I’ll second that. I lurk here quite often (more often then I should, really) and these posts, plus the glorious squidtank of sniny-toothed commenters, have made a real difference in how I think about being an atheist in the U.S. I also hadn’t really heard of humanism, or gotten the sense that it was an organized thing, until hanging around this blog.
Plus, I actually had a debate with a real, live person today about the merits of various creationist arguments. I found myself remembering all of you lovely people, and delighted to engage on the topic since it’s one that I already find kind of fun, thanks to this blog. And it actually was quite fun, and spirited, though I left out the bits about porcupines.
PZ is a poopy-head.
#18 speedwell says:
[Dustjacket!]
F@21: Heh, yeah. False modesty irritates me, though. :)
Congrats. You’ve won an award and also gained a few role models.
Frankly I’m surprised there are any comments at all, however, that may be due to lack of talent on my part as I can’t kiss ass and type at the same time.
Yes, congratulations on the award. It’s well deserved, PZ.
I voted to get Sophie into the European parlement.
@Maverick
Indeed, she isn’t from the former British Empire. She has our liberal humanistic (Dutch) values. Which we exported together with protestantism, proto-KJV, a superior economic theory to allow the British to build their empire.
More info Channel 4: How Britain made the modern world.
From one biochemist to the other-Well P.J.Myers biochemists of the same feather hang together! that my be one reason why IHEU decided to honor us at the same meet.
I really cherished you talk and our photo!