The results are in, and I’m sorry to say that women dressing provocatively caused no significant statistical difference in the frequency or magnitude of earthquakes. Geology is simply unimpressed by small localized fat concentrations on the short-lived bodies of mammals.
I’m afraid, though, that the experiment didn’t test the alternative hypothesis: that there is a lecherous god using reverse psychology on us. That’s the problem with the whole god idea — it’s a shifting target.
I don’t know why the creationists haven’t been pushing this one.
(Moved below the fold because apparently a cartoon of a naked man and woman will freak some people out. Isn’t it enough to just say it’s a Bible story? That excuses everything!)
I never thought of this, but it’s a real danger: the Homeopathic Bomb.
Homeopathic bombs are comprised of 99.9% water but contain the merest trace element of explosive. The solution is then repeatedly diluted so as to leave only the memory of the explosive in the water molecules. According to the laws of homeopathy, the more that the water is diluted, the more powerful the bomb becomes.
All I need is a minuscule quantity of octanitrocubane and a couple of liters of bottled water, and *POW*, I’ll have the deadliest water balloon in the universe. Those people who were afraid the LHC was going to destroy the planet when it was switched on had better watch out, because I will tap the POWER of HOMEOPATHY!
It’s weird what can suddenly go viral on the web. Jen is riding the tiger right now with her light-hearted ‘boobquake’ idea…and it’s getting picked up all over the place. CNN has a decent article on it, good because they let her explain what it’s about.
“It’s not supposed to be serious activism that is going to revolutionize women’s rights, but just a bit of fun juvenile humor,” she wrote. “I’m a firm believer that when someone says something so stupid and hateful, serious discourse isn’t going to accomplish anything – sometimes light-hearted mockery is worthwhile.”
Back on Boobquake’s Facebook page, McCreight took a moment to be serious and encouraged followers to consider donating money to the American Red Cross’ disaster relief efforts or to the AHA Foundation, an organization that strives to “defend the rights of women in the West against militant Islam.”
Some seem to be getting a bit indignant about it all, and are taking it way too seriously. I think it’s great that people are willing to point and laugh at the stupidity of religious beliefs — I wish more would do so!
Fortunately, in my teaching career, I have been spared confrontations with comic book nerds.
I recognize that as the Green Lantern creation myth. I guess if we’re going to have to teach the controversy, I’ll have to address that in intro biology next year…
Apparently, German Catholics are a bit irate over the cover to a satirical magazine. I don’t understand why. This one just shows a reverent priest, titled “The church today”.
And this one actually offers a practical use for Christian icons (“Does Jesus play a role?”).
This cover is a little more serious, befitting a more serious magazine. It says, “The Hypocrites: the Catholic Church and Sex” — this is a little more accusatory.
Maybe the church does have good reason to be a bit touchy about it all.
There is a whole collection of Skeptic Trump cards available on the web, and what do you know, I’m in there:
A bit chipmunky, but look: I have no worthy adversaries, and no arch nemesis! I guess I’ll be scampering to the goal line unopposed, then. (I notice, though, that Dawkins’ nemesis is Alister McGrath — that’s like saying the biggest obstacle in your way is a blob of jello.)