“Blues Cruise”

You may have heard of the recent trend of what might be called ‘intellectual cruises’ which are pretty much your standard cruises for those who like that sort of thing and can afford it except that instead of (or in addition to) the usual entertainments provided, one gets to hobnob with writers and political operatives, by having a different one at your table at mealtimes or attending seminars and panel discussions or just mingling with them at social events. [Read more…]

Wrong advice on how to talk to creationists

There is no shortage of people telling us atheists, especially atheist scientists, how we should talk to religious people and very often that recommendation takes the form that we need to avoid offending them. The problem with all this advice is that religious people will always be offended simply by telling them that you think they are wrong. There is no getting around that. The only way to not offend them is by pretending as if their ideas make sense. And that would be wrong. [Read more…]

Happy New Year!

nye2013

I’d like to wish all readers best wishes for the new year, though given that the world did not end on December 21 I don’t see how 2013 could be better.

I am emerging from an enjoyable week of relaxation with family and friends, only interrupted by an outbreak of a vicious stomach flu that incapacitated everyone in the family for a few days.

Regular blogging resumes tomorrow.

Reason’s Greetings

I wish everyone best wishes for the holiday season, however and with whomever you choose to celebrate it.

spiritofchristmas

(Update: I had forgotten where this comic originally came from but reader Jorg reminds me that that the original was from Calamities of Nature, which, alas, no longer produces new comics. But you can see the original, larger, version in the archive.)

Holiday blog posting

Blog posting will be sporadic until after the new year. I am going to be taking some time to goof off, or at least goof off more than I usually do.

But I will not be completely silent and will continue to post on things from time to time as and when the mood strikes me.