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Rationalwiki and reinventing the wheel

Moved to Forum:Paranormal disappearances

Dammit

I had a great idea for a comic about two years ago, that I still wanna work on once I get my skill high enough (no sense doing it while I still suck). Great little idea, lots of fun. And then I revised the idea to make it more serious, no problem. And now I find the webcomic Narbonic, read through it's archives. Twice. AND HUGE CHUNKS OF IT MATCH THE STORY I WANTED TO DO ORIGINALLY! And even worse, what I changed it to matches huge chunks of what the whole "Dark Reign" BS they've been doing over at Marvel, just from a ground floor PoV. WTF people, can't I have ideas that are mine? (also, go read Narbonic, it's friggin' awesome, and Phil Foglio approved). --Kels (talk) 00:19, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

The same thing happened to me once. I had this great idea for a kind of ape that would be smaller but with a tail and which would be pretty much the most awesome animal one can imagine, but someone had already come up with the monkey. Boy was my face red!--Tom Moore^{fiat justitia} 00:31, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Simple solution. Make them anyway, but add lasers! Everyone loves laser monkeys! --Kels (talk) 00:37, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Set the comic in space and add hot blue chicks. No one will catch the resemblance. --User:Theautocrat/Sig 04:42, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Don't worry, there is no such thing as originality any more. I got a brief to sketch an album cover for a friend's mini project and after he described it, I was "oh, you mean like this" and he was "DAMMIT! Is there anything that those goths on DeviantART haven't done first?!!?!?!". So really, originality is all about hiding your sources, or at least disguising them enough, or possibly just marketing them to the people who don't really care. ^postate 15:06, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

I thought of Spore (though not the name) fully ten years before it got made into a mediocre video game. Will Wright ruined it. My Spore would have totally rocked. ^Me!Sheesh!_Mine! 15:49, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

I wrote a couple of guitar riffs I was really chuffed with, and then Adore by the Pumpkins came out and the opening track's first riff is strikingly similar, so that was that one out. The other one sucked. Crundy^{Talk nerdy to me} 21:38, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

I work in the opposite direction - I try to copy a cool riff or rhythm, and by the time I'm playing something credible it's totally different than what I'm "copying". ħuman 23:22, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

My brother and I had an idea in the early eighties for a phone that would play tunes instead of ringing, then you could sell new tunes to the owners in perpetuity. It was just another stupid joke to us... Totnesmartin (talk) 23:31, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

And the guy who developed a concept for "a portable digital music player with an interactive screen" in the 70s is kicking himself now... ^postate 00:21, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

As always Sam Goldwyn said it best: "I had a monumental idea this morning, but I didn't like it". If you're not familiar with the quotes of the great man, change that, "include yourself out". DogP^{Marmite Patrol} 07:27, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

Cold weather payment

Two letters just dropped through our letterbox: we's getting £25 cold weather payments. The Welfare state works (for me anyhow). ^{I have just eaten} _& stilton^talk 09:00, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Your government gives you money because it's particularly cold?--Tom Moore^{fiat justitia} 09:05, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

"Old age pensioners" is what we used to call Toast and her girlfriend. And, yeah, if it's fucking cold, they should get some extra money to get by. Not sure where I'll get mine (although this winter has not been so bad yet, all above zero F unlike last year and year before). ħuman 09:11, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Right, if you EC me once more, I'm going to... well, I dunno; nothing probably. We're expecting a week full of 43º (~110F) days. Where's my government cheque to help subsidise the cost of ice-cream and cold beer? Out of curiosity, just how cold does it have to get before the government starts hurling money at people? -Redback^{demands obedience} 09:14, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Right, if you EC me once more, I'm going to... well, I dunno; nothing probably. Yup "You get a Cold Weather Payment of £25.00 for every weeek when the average temperature is freezing or below freezing." ^{I have just eaten} _& stilton^talk 09:15, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

And should Redback get a cold beer checkque every week the tempos are above 90 bpm? ħuman 09:17, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

No, I should get a cold beer cheque merely because I'm so damned good looking. -Redback^{demands obedience} 09:19, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

And about a month ago we got £125 winter fuel allowance. ^{I have just eaten} _& stilton^talk 09:20, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

It dropped below 40 degrees F here in Florida recently. I want some money.--Tom Moore^{fiat justitia} 09:21, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Fuel allowance? What, do you need to go out and buy coal or something? -Redback^{demands obedience} 09:24, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

No, we have teh gas & 'lectric supplied, we're surprisingly modren here. ^{I have just eaten} _& stilton^talk 09:28, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Didn't the Bush government send cheques to all US taxpayers last year because, well, it thought it was good idea? Or have I got that wrong?--Bob^{It's cold!} 16:27, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Yes, they did. F'ing morons. ħuman 07:49, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

Fuck you people. Supposed to be the middle of fucking summer here and today it rained all fucking day and didn't get above 15 fucking celcius. Fucking outrageous. Oh yeah, did I say fuck yet? Well fuck. Aceⁱ⁹ 07:59, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

Fucking even my fucking beer is sticking to my cunting lips. Time for scotch and a bad fucking attitude. Aceⁱ⁹ 08:00, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

A thought about the teabaggers

It seems the teabag movement attracts alot of the right-wing libertarian crowd. The Ron Paul types. I noticed these are also the groups most likely to be associated with the 9/11 "truth" movement. Has there been many of the "truthers" at these tea parties? If so, I can't imagine them getting much sympathy from the more mainstream teabaggers; after all, their basically going around making the case that bin Laden is innocent. Trying to get them to show up in droves to these protests might be an interesting way to create internal friction within the movement. It'd be fun to watch, anyway. Anyone have any thoughts on this? DickTurpis (talk) 16:27, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

I've heard that same argument applied to the birthers. In both cases I doubt it would have any effect on the movement, since it has shown itself to be very willing to consort with the lunatic fringe. Tetronian ^{you're clueless} 16:40, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Crank magnetism, of course. Your average teabagger will have an extreme distrust of government and a paranoia that it's too big. Your average truther will have an extreme distrust of government and a paranoia that it's too big. The memes are very, very compatible. ^postate 16:51, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

That's my point, they are very compatible in some ways, and while the teabaggers will soak up the birthers without much trouble as they're both just simply anti-Obama, the truther movement claims George W. Bush carried out the 9/11 attacks, and henceforth it wasn't Islamic terrorists. This doesn't sit well with most people anywhere on the political spectrum, particularly not your standard conservative (can you imagine Andy getting behind this?). Of course, if the truthers claimed Obama was behind the 9/11 attacks it'd be a different story altogether, but even they can't try to pull that one off. Meanwhile, since the truthers and baggers agree on many of the other issues, it would be interesting to see substantial truther showings at tea parties. It could stand to discredit or divide it. Either would be beneficial. DickTurpis (talk) 17:26, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Obama behind 9/11, that'd be Conspiracy Golddust - although far-fetched even by some standards. Anyway, I imagine it could be compatible with some anti-Islamic values, as fairly moderate conspiracies for 9/11 state that it was an Islamic threat that the government allowed to happen - however I think that one seems to me to lie on the liberal side, don't know why, it just does (perhaps because the motive in that case is "so we can go into other countries and steal some oil"). ^postate 18:02, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Actually Obama/9-11 might fly. There is already "Obama is a Muslim", "Obama has links to terrorists", "Obama is a threat to the US". Obama 9-11 isn't that big a step.--Bob^{It's cold!} 18:18, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

wouldn't be any stupider than this. Totnesmartin (talk) 18:36, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Tony Blair caused Dunblane. Palm meet face, face meet palm. I have quite a sizeable handprint on my face now, thankyouverymuch. ^postate 18:40, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Interestingly, if you google "Obama caused 9/11" you get quite a lot of hits. I couldn't find a really serious one though.--Bob^{It's cold!} 19:53, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

I suppose the fact that you can't find a serious one is reassuring... ^postate 19:55, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

has anyone had a snigger at the urban dictionary meaning of teabagging ? Hamster (talk) 05:24, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

I think so, yes. Twelveteen times. Eleventeen times. A billionzionzorsz times. ħuman 05:27, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Back at uni

It's just lovely being back at university. However, we have to use coal as we have no electricity and/or gas. As I type, my laptop is being powered by a rodent running in a wheel, with that energy harnessed into electricity using a small generator from 1976. SJ ^Debaser 17:45, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Coal! You've got it lucky. When I were a lad we had to burn wet wood which we first dried by rubbing it with our hair.--Bob^{It's cold!} 18:12, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Tough times, bro, tough times. SJ ^Debaser 18:12, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Currently I think the warmest place near me will be the liquid nitrogen storage unit. ^postate 18:16, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Running your laptop from a rodent? When I was your age, I worked out all the calculations with slate and pencil and whistled down a phone to connect to the internet! Professor Moriarty 18:17, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Phone? You were lucky. We can to use tin cans and hairy string. Totnesmartin (talk) 19:45, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Are we the only ones doing Monty Python here Totnesmartin?--Bob^{It's cold!} 20:40, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Slate and pencil? Lucky bastard. I had to use a piece of charcoal on the back of a shovel. Incidentally, my mother attended the last one-room schoolhouse in our state - that's 1st through 12th grade in one classroom (it's now a museum). On cold days, she rode to school in an unheated road-converted railroad caboose pulled by a farm tractor. Sadly, this is not hyperbole. So you can imagine how much slack I got cut as a kid. --Martin Arrowsmith (talk) 00:54, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

Coal? Isn't that the least "green" fuel ever, short of burning small children (and only slightly less evil)? Radioactive afikomen ^{Please ignore all my awful pre-2014 comments.} 21:06, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Kind of. There are multiple types fo coal. Anthracite actually is a very clean and effective fuel, but it's so rare most people just use bituminous, which is like burning puppies. The Emperor 21:38, 9 January 2010

Mmm... burning puppies. It warms my heart to hear you say that. Radioactive afikomen ^{Please ignore all my awful pre-2014 comments.} 21:45, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Not as tasty as burning guppies... ħuman 02:49, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

Don't worry, there's also lignite, used in coal-fired power plants. That's like burning kittens! --User:Theautocrat/Sig 03:00, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

Some new technologies can actually use coal in a much cleaner way and new power stations can sequester the CO₂. Of course old stations are still "dirty" as is most domestic usage. In our yurt we use finest Welsh anthracite in a Coalbrookdale stove and it's a delight compared to an open fire. Генгис^{Our ignorance is God; what we know is science.} 10:17, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

*looks outside* Hmmm... 36C in the shade... tarmac melting again... maybe dial the aircon down a few more notches. Seriously tho, you guys up north have my sympathies. --Psygremlin話しなさい 10:37, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

It's lovely being back at uni, mostly because I have a double bed and ensuite. EddyP (talk) 11:26, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

Engrish

Wow! A Kitchen Thing!

Ah, now it all makes sense.

You guys are going to be so jealous of me. Look what I bought, a family necessary kitchen thing. Check out the instructions on the back! Crundy^{Talk nerdy to me} 21:34, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

I always wondered how those things worked. Now I'm ...errr...none the wiser. Genius. Worm^{(t | c)} 21:39, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

I approve this message

What "hypothes" is? All unhinged am I not knowing. Sprocket J Cogswell (talk) 21:42, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

Dear fuck, if you need a mould for dumplings you fail at life. ^postate 00:24, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

Reminds me of our industrial fans at work. On the chord, there is a tag with a drawing of (what I assume is) the chord and a measurement of 50 cm randomly put on said drawing. On the other side, the chord says "When installed the chord must be lilled at least 50 cm. (as shown) or else it might cause the severe accident probably." Gooniepunk2010 ^{Oi! Oi! Oi!} 00:26, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

Hahahahahaha love it!!!! Post it here. Aceⁱ⁹ 00:29, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

Bah, Flying Goku is the gold standard of hilarious Engrish. Beat that, round-eye! --Kels (talk) 02:35, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Wine

Moved to Forum:Wine

Should dprjones press charges?

Ok, for those of you not following the youtube debates, PCS has now filed fraudulent DMCAs TWICE, in addition to literally STEALING MONEY FROM DYING CHILDREN! And yet dprjones is still letting him off the hook if he leaves? That seems wrong to me (did a video response stating my opinion, hope dprjones notices: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKg4PpBaEZc ). Opinions?--Mustex (talk) 04:59, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

I'm afraid that I'm suffering from UAoPO (Unknown Acronym or Person Overload).--Bob^{It's cold!} 13:10, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

PCS is short for "Posterboy for Creationist Stupidity." Its a nickname for VenomFangX. The whole story is on his page.--Mustex (talk) 15:24, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

with the latest VFX video claiming DPR is a pedophile and encouraging others to report his foul condict to CPS I would say that either a "vacation" with men in white coats is in VFX future or a court date. Hamster (talk) 21:21, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

I believe that dpr should press charges. PCS has now committed perjury at least twice (at least by US law), and has now opened himself up to a libel case (by Canadian or UK law). PCS is causing too much harm, and I think that a serious legal slapping is the only thing that can possibly shock the boy back in to some level of sanity. Failing that, at least he'd be financially obliterated (this kind of libel and disclosure of dpr's home address would be pretty serious matters) or locked-up, thus removing him from teh interwebs. There is also the possibility of his being prosecuted for stirring up a lynch mob, since it's difficult to see any other reason behind his libel and subsequent revealing of dpr's home address. --^{Ask me about your mother} 19:03, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

It's long past time for PCS to learn a brutal lesson. ^{— Sincerely, Neveruse / Talk / Block} 19:11, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Can we lay off picking on TK over at Wikipedia

I really don't want to name names, but I really don't like our opinions of Conservapedia and TK to spill over onto the Wikipedia talk pages. In my opinion, Wikipedia is a noble project but has been hurt by partisan bickering on many topics and articles. Can we not contribute to this? If TK violates Wikipedia rules, then call him out on it (he really should not be editing his own articles), but Wikipedia is not the place to confront him about his plagiarism (here is, and Conservapedia is :) ). ConservapediaEditor (talk) 06:37, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

However, he is on record at WP for saying that admins are beholden to the commandments and it was fair to point out what a lying little shit he is. I also gave him the chance for right of reply (which after all, we'll never get at CP). He declined, so I've commented elsewhere on that scumbag's actions. Case closed as far as I'm concerned - we proved he lied, and that's fine by me. --PsygremlinHable! 10:41, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

We'd debate him he if he was up for debate here (he left in a huff because we wouldn't sysop him), and of course there's no point arguing at CP as everyone knows. Basically, he's had it coming. Totnesmartin (talk) 10:47, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

He did respond to comments on his talk page here during December; maybe he would again. Wikipedia's article about Conservapedia isn't the place to pursue vendettas - it's for verifiable NPOV info about CP, & its talk page is for discussion of the article content only. Until somebody in the mainstream media writes about sysop behaviour at CP, it's not notable content for the WP article. Wẽãšẽĩõĩď^{Methinks it is a Weasel} 12:45, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

Click the button

This is full of win. Not as fun as this, but still. -Redback^{demands obedience} 11:19, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

I'm not sure which scarier... that somebody made that page, or that you found it. --PsygremlinParla! 12:37, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

Unfortunately the goatmixer has broken down. It looks like those sound effects have been removed from the web. We'll have to either find some more or delete it. Wẽãšẽĩõĩď^{Methinks it is a Weasel} 12:50, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

I really hope this doesn't suck

The A-Team movie. It definitely won't be as good as the show, because the show was simply so cheesy and 80s it can't be beaten. SJ ^Debaser 12:48, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

They did pretty good with the Get Smart movie, although of course they couldn't replicate the show's "so fucking corny that it's hilarious" effect. Tetronian ^{you're clueless} 14:27, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

I didn't see that, although I wanted to. Steve Carell's pretty funny. The A-Team movie won't be anything like the show, it'll just be another action movie. Probably worth seeing though. SJ ^Debaser 16:58, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

There's a certain je ne sais quoi about a firm, young carrot TV shows that's very hard to translate to cinema - they either overdo what made it good and ruin it (The Avengers) or drop it completely and lose the whole point of the thing (Miami Vice). There are probably only a half-dozen or so good adaptations. Totnesmartin (talk) 17:12, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

I have to agree with you. I haven't see the Miami Vice TV show, but I know it was up there with the other awesome 80s TV-era shows. But the film was absolute shite. At least if the A-Team sees a resurge in popularity when it comes out in June I can say I watched it before it was cool. SJ ^Debaser 17:15, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

I dunno, if it's referred to by Family Guy I think it officially becomes popular. Then again, maybe that's just the Internet kind of popular. ~ Kupochama^[1][2] 18:37, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

I'm guessing it's the internet kind of popular - for example, I've heard "bird is the word" a gazillion times on the internet after it was in that Family Guy episode, but never once in real life. Tetronian ^{you're clueless} 19:37, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

It was in Full Metal Jacket... does that count as real life? ħuman 20:53, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

Yes, except that that was years ago... Tetronian ^{you're clueless} 03:39, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

So long as it doesn't take itself seriously (and the trailer makes it look like it really doesn't) it'll rock. I was a bit skeptical about Liam Neeson, but what the hell, it actually works! ^postate 20:16, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

Just Registered

I spent many months lurking at RW and I finally decided to contribute. I've mostly dealt with Apollo hoaxers and fighting against astrology bullshit. I encourage people to be skeptic and not to accept everything they hear as true but to most people out there this means "Scientist should not be trusted and random crap at YouTube should be accepted as truth". Mr.Orange (talk) 13:54, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

Hullo and welcome! I only hope your welcome isn't marred by accusations of sockpuppetry, like mine was :)

And does anybody really believe in astrology anymore? I mean, anybody? It was debunked as a science many centuries ago. Even in my time (The late 18th century) it was losing credibility. EdmundBurke (talk) 16:26, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

sadly millions still do - we have hardly anything about astrology here so please fire at will. Totnesmartin (talk) 17:14, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

Russel Grant was on Celebrity Mastermind and as soon as he sat down, I couldn't help myself but blurt out "go on then, predict the questions". ^postate 20:15, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

Welcome, Mr. Orange!--Tom Moore^{fiat justitia} 20:26, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

Is Nancy Reagan still alive? --Gulik (talk) 21:05, 11 January 2010 (UTC) (And most newspapers around here have a horoscope column.)

Sidewiki

I don't know if anybody has experimented with Google sidewiki or if we have spoken about it before, but it seems to be an interesting idea. It allows you to leave your own comments in a sidebar on other sites' web pages.--Bob^{It's cold!} 17:55, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

It's an interesting thought, but I'm not sure how many websites will go for it (especially political blogs, many of which already censor their comments sections). Tetronian ^{you're clueless} 19:35, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

You can already comment on the search results, although having just looked at some search results, they seem to have deleted a lot of them. ^postate 20:23, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

Actually, I don't think you can switch it off. If you've got the google toolbar it's enabled by default. As you say Tetronian, there are many political blogs and wikis who would prefer to censor comments. Obviously nobody here who had been blocked from any other wiki would want to use it to make comments after being blocked, but I imagine that some people will use it in that manner.--Bob^{It's cold!} 20:46, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

Ah. And here is another cute trick - once somebody has made a comment, other users can vote the comment up or down. Have they been watching us?--Bob^{It's cold!} 21:22, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

Haha, I have always thought the WIGO format was a novel idea. I never though anyone else would pick up on it, though. Kudos to whichever clever RWian invented it. Tetronian ^{you're clueless} 03:21, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Comments have been rated up/down for much longer than the current WIGO system. Anyone seen if RW has attracted any yet? ^postate 11:31, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

There are no sidewiki comments on RW yet.--Bob^{It's cold!} 11:33, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

There's one now. ^{I have just eaten} _& stilton^talk 11:42, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

I can't seem to see any on CP (not even the Obama article) or ASK yet either. I guess that people are still learning about it.--Bob^{It's cold!} 11:37, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Trouble is it's page linked rather than site linked. I rarely hit the Main Page of any WIKI so wouldn't see 'em. ^{I have just eaten} _& stilton^talk 11:46, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Maybe we should add some to their main entry point pages, like Evolution and Obama? Crundy^{Talk nerdy to me} 11:47, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Heh! I've put one on Recent Changes. ^{I have just eaten} _& stilton^talk 11:54, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

I see your comment on the main page and I've voted it up - but I can't see anything on recent changes.

CP Recent changes? ^{I have just eaten} _& stilton^talk 12:00, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Nope. Can't see it there either. The edit option is present though. Strange. Is RC technically different?--Bob^{It's cold!} 12:04, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Just put something on Teflpedia's recent changes and that worked.--Bob^{It's cold!} 12:08, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

EC) Bugger. It's still there for me but Screengrab won't include the sidewiki sidebar. ^{I have just eaten} _& stilton^talk 12:09, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

I get nothing on Teflpedia. Strange. ^{I have just eaten} _& stilton^talk 12:10, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Could you try TP mainpage?--Bob^{It's cold!} 12:12, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

(unindent) An interesting thought has occurred. If you copy parts of the text on the page it makes them as comments of this section. We could do a rebuttal of cp:evolution, pointing out flaws and making comments right next to the article for all to see. - π 12:12, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Similar thoughts had occurred to me.--Bob^{It's cold!} 12:14, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Of course this would simply be in the interest of providing additional comment or observation. Not for the purposes of vandalism or abuse.--Bob^{It's cold!} 12:17, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Totally fed up with Edit Conflicts. Sulkin' ^{I have just eaten} _& stilton^talk 12:18, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

I was thinking of mostly putting in the rest of the quotes that Ken has deceitfully left out. - π 12:19, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

The way this is set up it looks like it will be the Wild West for a while - but I imagine that earlier comments will have a greater chance of staying up as they will get voted on first.--Bob^{It's cold!} 12:23, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Just reading up on what they are prepared to accept complaints about. All reasonable stuff from google including:

• Please note that just because you disagree with someone’s point of view does not mean it violates any policies.

Which seems very fair.--Bob^{It's cold!} 12:37, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

There's several on CP's Main Page - you have to click the Next button, It's @ the bottom on the right - not exactly shouting at you. ^{I have just eaten} _& stilton^talk 12:40, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

That's weird - I'm sure I didn't see them when I looked half an hour ago.--Bob^{It's cold!} 12:45, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Brave New World

I just read it for like the 4th time today. It's fucking awesome, so I make a point to read it every year or so. Even though I don't agree with all of Huxley's message, BNW is still (in my humble opinion) the most imaginative philosophical novel ever written. I strongly recommend it, especially as a companion to 1984. Tetronian ^{you're clueless} 19:33, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

I have read it a few times myself. Its one of the "Big Three" dystopia novels with 1984 and Fahrenheit 451. Aceⁱ⁹ 19:39, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

I would make that a "Big 4" because of A Clockwork Orange. But yeah. Tetronian ^{you're clueless} 19:51, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

I never really cared for Farenheit 451, it seems way too simplistic to me. A better book on the same theme would be A Canticle for Leibowitz, which has a bit more meat to it. --Kels (talk) 21:28, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

I wasn't a 451 fan either to be honest. Aceⁱ⁹ 21:46, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

BNW is decent, but gravely over-rated. Huxley is at his best in satirising contemporary social mores such as in Point Counter Point or Crome Yellow. Eyeless in Gaza is another fantastic book which must surely be the battle cry of every anti-cynic on the planet. Huxley was somewhat obsessed with the reconciliation of science and human rights; he had all sorts of far fetched fears about 'social engineering', which were even a bit leftfield back then. Although its visionary, I think all BNW serves to do is categorise Huxley into a dystopian writer, which he certainly was not. He wrote far better novels than BNW. Even from a merely technical viewpoint, it was constrained and somewhat forced - there was no natural flow like in the truly exceptional Point Counter Point.

Fahrenheit 451 is excellent but people have to overlook Bradbury's innate writing flaws. He was poor in plot development and in creating realistic and believable characters, but the overall concept was superb. A fine novel.

Tetronian, I'd recommend branching out from BNW as its an outrageously over-rated book. You should try his sequel if nothing else (Island) EdmundBurke (talk) 21:53, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

I think the issue I had with 451 had a lot to do with the fact that while it was a good idea to base a story around, he didn't base much of a story around it. Characters ended up reduced to simply explaining the great idea the story was based on and came off as massively unrealistic and unrelatable. That works great in an essay, but not for a short novel. I did like how he tied it in to a much better story in The Martian Chronicles. --Kels (talk) 21:57, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

Yeah, I'd agree with you there alright. The actual plot was pants, but the concept was brilliant. One simply has to overlook these things to get at the raw genius of his message though - censorship doesn't come from above, it comes from below. EdmundBurke (talk) 22:14, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

Why the fuck has We not been mentioned yet? I found We to be better than BNW, which was better than Fahrenheit 451. 1984 is the best, though, if only because it is so much more popular and has had a far greater impact on political discourse and everyday life than the others put together. --User:Theautocrat/Sig 00:43, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

@Burke: I've read Island, I wasn't too impressed with it. I have yet to read Point Counter Point though. I see what you mean about some of BNW being rather forced, but I still maintain that most of his arguments are presented in an ingenious and entertaining manner. He may not be a dystopian writer, but I don't think BNW is as overrated as you say. Then again, to quote some Heinlein, "I am only an egg." Tetronian ^{you're clueless} 03:18, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

I go with Battle Royale as my dystopia novel of choice.--Thanatos (talk) 03:34, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

What is We? Am I missing something here?

@Tetronian, Yeah, Island isn't much to shout out about. But you forget, we are all eggs just trying to do the best we can! Personally BNW irks me. Yes there are some intelligent passages but I think his central theme is over-stated. And it has suceeded in casting his reputation for most people, who think BNW was his only book of worth even though Point Counter Point was one of the best books of the inter war period! EdmundBurke (talk) 14:58, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Yeah, I'll have to get my hands on Point Counter Point. Admittedly you are right that most people know Huxley for BNW, but I still think that despite its preachiness it is still a pretty good read. Tetronian ^{you're clueless} 17:43, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

How does one wrap their mind around something like this?

Some of you have, obviously, seen that I posted the retirement templates up on my pages earlier this morning (6 hours ago) and have been wondering what's up. While I hate talking about my problems, this one is going to haunt me no matter what I do, so why not talk about them amongst the community here, where nobody but me has a personal stake? Bluntly put, I awoke this morning to a phone call from my mom. Appearantly, last night my sister was finishing up work with a co-worker when he grabbed the keys to lock up, locked the doors, and raped her. She was in the hospital all night and into this afternoon.

Needless to say, amongst everything else, my sister and I have always been very close, and this whole thing has had me, and continues to have me, in a state of emotional shock mixed with just about every other negative emotion imaginable: anger, rage, saddness, depression, etc. I am unable to comprehend one ounce of it. Part of me wants to deny it; to put myself into a state of dillusion about it. The other part wants to go to the jail where this fucker is and beat him and strangle him to death in the most brutal ways imaginable. None of these thoughts, obviously, are the least bit rational. But how can one be rational over a situation like this?

So, the part where the folks here come in, is that I need to know the one answer. The answer which seems easiest and yet is so trivial. The answer which is the first step to healing. And the answer I need is to this: How does one even begin to wrap their minds and emotions around this situation? The Goonie Punk ^{Can't sleep, clowns will eat me!} 00:38, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

That's terrible, and I'm so sorry for your sister and for yourself.

There's no easy way to get through things like this. You just have to take it one bit at a time. One minute at a time, one hour at a time. Eventually, one day at a time. Concentrate on what can be done - contacting her work, taking care of her house and pets, going to your own work or school. Doing things may help make you feel better.

Know that you always have a place of sympathy and support here.--Tom Moore^{fiat justitia} 00:44, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Jesus Christ. Gabe, I'm so fucking sorry to hear about this. The only answer I can come up with is: slowly, I would imagine, with the help of a lot of love and compassion and talking and just being with friends and family and people who care. I figure that probably sounds trite, but faced with the sheer meanness and horror that life presents us with sometimes, I'm not sure what else there is to say. As we say in French: bon courage. You and your family will need it; but you will all get through this. Stay strong. Lots of love, --Paul. TheoryOfPractice (talk) 00:48, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Also, Gabe, Alice Sebold's Lucky is about her experiences being raped. I am told it has helped other people understand what they're feeling.--Tom Moore^{fiat justitia} 00:50, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Shit Gabe, man I really feel sorry man, that is fucking awful and I can't begin to imagine how this feels for you, your family and especially your sister. Some people are fucking animals. Personally I would resort to violence but that isn't for everyone. If there is anything I can do, no matter what, just flick me an email - I sent you one this morning already. Again though dude, that is horrendus news and my thoughts are with you and your family. Aceⁱ⁹ 01:01, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

I'm sure that there is nothing I could say or do that could take away your pain and anger other than my thoughts will of course be with you and your family.Rad McCool (talk) 01:23, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

You've already made the first important step - you've talked about it. I cannot imagine what you're going through and have little to offer beyond the usual platitudes except, maybe, the old saying - This too shall pass. Time is a great healer. Serious wounds take serious time and there will always be the scars but one day you, and your sister, will emerge stronger and better; trust me on this one. In the mean time, hang in there. Bob Soles (talk) 01:26, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Take it one day at a time. Fuck, real scumbags out there. You, your sister and your entire family have all my sympathy and spiritual support. I'll pray for her recovery--Thanatos (talk) 01:37, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Agree with Rad, there's not much we can do here but sympathize and offer what support we can. Bob is definitely right, time, acceptance, and a willingness to seek help are really the best way. --Kels (talk) 01:40, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Tom said most of what I think, I think. I love you and please take care of yourself and your sister. As I said, feel free to call any time. ħuman 01:43, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Dude, sorry about what happened. My sister and I are also very close, and if something like that ever happened to her, my first inclination would be violence. There is a period of time that this will haunt you and your family, to be sure, but try to keep a cool head about it during these first crucial days. Like I said, my first inclination would be violence, but that is not my final resolute inclination once the dust has settled. Shoot me an email if you so choose to discuss, and again, I'm sorry that happened. Aboriginal Noise ^Punkrock 01:52, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

short answer, You dont. You tell yourself that there WAS nothing you could do to preventit happening, and there IS nothing you can do to fix it, Nothing that happened was your fault. You be supportive and recognise that she may have problems simply being with men , and needs to overcome that. She will need more support to testify at any trial. A therapist may help her when she is ready for that. Good luck . Hamster (talk) 01:59, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

the police , or hospital should be able to give you resources for rape crisis centers or other counselling. If you need more drop me a message of your city and I will see what I can come up with.

Hamster (talk) 02:05, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Shit, Goonie, I am sorry to hear about that. I hope you and your family manage to recover from this. ĴαʊΆʃÇä₰ secret trainer of needles! 02:24, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Yeah, I agree with all of the above. Take care of your family, and make sure to take care of yourself as well. Sterile cowbell 02:34, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Be strong, Goonie. It won't be easy, but take it one moment at a time. You family and your friends (including us) are there for you, don't be afraid to lean on them. Tetronian ^{you're clueless} 03:37, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

That is absolutely horrible. I hope that the sorry sack of shit spends many years in prison finding out what it feels like, preferably with a make-shift weapon.

From your sister's point of view the thing she is going to be feeling the most is the betrayal of trust, especially as it was someone she knew. It will take her a long time to be able to build that up again and you will need to be conscious of that.

I hope you and your family can get through this. I wish there was something I could do to help and if you can think of anything I'll do it. All the best. - π 03:39, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

These guys have already said pretty much all of it. It sucks, the prompt feelings are no fun, and it will come back to bite again and again. The legal system will add its own insults, even with all the support she can get. Be there for her, and encourage her to use all the resources offered, and don't expect the effects to dissipate soon, not even after a dozen years or so. There is healing to be found in carrying on with the daily stuff, everything in its own moment, if that is at all possible. Shut me up, what the fuck do I know? Did I mention it sucks? Be well, all of you. Sprocket J Cogswell (talk) 03:53, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

For Gooniepunk2005, a bit of dog Latin courtesy of Margaret Atwood: Nolite te bastardes carborundorum.

Neither ought you or your sister to let anyone take advantage of the emotional fallout of the crime, to modify your thinking while your guard is down. ListenerX^TalkerX 04:17, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Everyone has pretty much covered everything, but please let me add my own sympathies to that of our friends. I'd also advise you to remember that the most important thing is to keep talking to people. Don't try to hold it all in and take care of it yourself. Talking always makes things better, even if it's just to us anonymous nobodies online. SirChuckB^{A product of Affirmative Action} 04:54, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Words cannot express.. so very sorry to hear of this and wishing you strength through this time of difficulty. I hope it helps to know all the support and caring you have from everyone here.. Take care Refugee^{talk page} 06:50, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

how she deals with this depends on many many factors. Its easier to watch and observe than to predict. The Hospital should have dealt with the physical , and some of the emotional aspects. Depending on where you live it can be worth following up on her fertile period and the need for a "morning after" contraceptive. Her beliefs of course need to be regarded. You may be tempted to "wrap her up and shield her from everything". In my experiance thats a mistake, it may be desirable for a few days but not much longer. Of she has been battered then she can simply say it was an assault, no need to go further. Check with the DA and see if he is being complete with the charges. Sexual assault, simple assault, kidnapping and civil rights violations may apply since he locked the door, effectively making her captive. I am rambling so I will stop now. I hope this helps somewhat.

That's really horrible. I have no personal experience of circumstance like this but I am told that the main thing is support of friends and family. Counselling is also highly recommended - if only to talk about it with a disinterested party. That goes for those close to your sister as well. As for the perpetrator, I'd be inclined to take out a contract or atttend to him personally with a baseball bat but presumably after he's done jail time you'll all just want to forget that it ever happened. Deepest sympathy to your sister and your family. ^{I have just eaten} _& stilton^talk 07:38, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Thank you all for your support. I assure I have taken every word everyone has said to heart. Lord Goonie ^{Hooray! I'm helping!} 07:40, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

I really don't know what to say except to say that I understand that your sister, you and your entire family must be going through a horrible time. --Bob^{It's cold!} 09:33, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

I'll borrow Bob's words, since I can't think of much more to add. Take care of the family, and yourself. --^{Ask me about your mother} 10:07, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

By talking. Keep talking to us, talk to your family, and most importantly of course, talk to your sister. DeltaStar_{Senior Sysop}^{Speciationspeed!} 12:11, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Holy shit man. There are some sick people in the world. Despite your most innate, primal urge to meet violence with violence, true calm will come by mastering this. In other words, you won't do your sister any good if you're languishing in prison for assaulting this sick bastard (Not that he doesn't deserve it) EdmundBurke (talk) 14:55, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

I'm so sorry to hear that mate, that's one of the most horrific pieces of news one can possibly ever receive. My thoughts are with you my friend, I've emailed you more. Keep in touch. Love you mate. SJ ^Debaser 15:43, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Horrible news. I hope your sister gets through this okay, that you can help her, and that the SOB gets lots of jail time. --Gulik (talk) 21:14, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Sorry news. I can't add much to what's already been said. Counselling is a good idea - for your sister, you, anyone else who's struggling to deal with this. Anger, denial, depression are all part of the process of dealing with traumas like this, but it really helps to talk it out. Wẽãšẽĩõĩď^{Methinks it is a Weasel} 23:16, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

James Burke

I just finished watching The Day the Universe Changed. It inspired me to rewatch Connections(If you have not seen both of these, stop reading and watch them. Seriously. Why are you still reading this instead of watching Connections? Get out). I'm presuming that a good segment of the RW population is a.) old enough to know them, and b.) intelligent to comment on them. I, for one, find that his predictions are scarily accurate, and would relish any other commentary on the subject. --User:Theautocrat/Sig 03:10, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Never heard of them; I'll go check out Connections.--Tom Moore^{fiat justitia} 03:17, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

He was is^{(Thought he was dead)} very underrated: The link with Baxter & Tomorrow's World did hm no favours. ^{I have just eaten} _& stilton^talk 09:13, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

I always enjoined his Connections column in Scientific American. I was very disappointed when they dropped it a few years ago during an editorial re-vamp. Генгис^{Our ignorance is God; what we know is science.} 10:29, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Yet more stuff for my "to get" list... I used to love connections. Totnesmartin (talk) 10:53, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

As an aside, if you've ever played Civilization or any of its descendants, Burke's various series were one of the inspirations. MDB (talk) 14:37, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Back when it was originally broadcast (I was 25 at the time) I remember it being hideously uncool to actually appreciate it and not make "witty" jokes at its expense. I think that maybe this was its biggest failure. We nerds loved it but the wider audience didn't appreciate it for what it was. As such it only preached to the converted. Having said that I remember the final episode as being one of the best pieces of television ever - and few have matched it since. Bob Soles (talk) 15:12, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Connections or Day The Universe Changed, Bob? --User:Theautocrat/Sig 00:23, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

Oops, didn't see the ambiguity. I meant Connections. Bob Soles (talk) 15:58, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

RationalWiki:Sports bar

For the next time Human live blogs baseball?

On the topic, how about the wildcard games? - π 09:03, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Or we could just do it in the back alley... Tetronian ^{you're clueless} 12:43, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

I thought you'd never ask (*gay hand thing) Crundy^{Talk nerdy to me} 13:21, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

How about just making a "live sports" forum when the need arises, and it will always be there? ħuman 20:24, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

We probably will have quite a bit going this year with the World Cup coming up. - π 23:48, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Some fine BS

Okay, so I did the stupid thing of clicking a Facebook ad (it said something like "Learn the TRUTH about the Large Hadron Collider", I just couldn't resist) and eventually ended up trawling the Amazon.com forums for a bit. Found this thread, which is interesting. Sounds very similar to people we know. Very obsessed with the Dawin/Hitler thing and brings up the Lenski LTEE as being outright faked. ^postate 18:46, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Sarah Palin

Sarah Palin is going to work for Fox News.

In other shocking news,

• The sun rose this morning
• Water is wet
• The Pope is Catholic
• Bears shit in the woods.

MDB (talk) 18:55, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Yessss...I can't wait to watch her show. Also, they should make The Daily Show a few minutes longer to compensate for the added material. ^{— Sincerely, Neveruse / Talk / Block} 19:03, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

If you have heard an earth-shattering "woo-hoo!" recently, it probably came from your nearest comedy writer. MDB (talk) 19:22, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

This is definitely banner news for anyone involved in comedy, yes! ħuman 20:30, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Bears always seem to have a supply of charmin tissue though. Palins vast international experiance in staring down Russia, and protecting the border by wielding her rifle from helicopter will position her very well for Fox news. Hamster (talk) 19:35, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

I hear that things may not be going well for Roger Ailes, Fox's director. R Murcock's son in law says

"I am by no means alone within the family or the company in being ashamed and sickened by Roger Ailes's horrendous and sustained disregard of the journalistic standards that News Corporation, its founder and every other global media business aspires to.

Are things going to change?--Bob^{It's cold!} 20:53, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

There was an article in the New York Times this weekend about Ailes. Apparently he is the one responsible for shifting the network's programming to the right, and some of the Murdochs aren't happy about it. As for the Palin news: it's very telling, and it says a great deal about the Tea Party: their icons are people not interested in governing, they are merely media spectacles. Tetronian ^{you're clueless} 20:59, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Should be good fun. She'll simultaneously ruin her presidential chances by reminding the nation she's an intolerant, incoherent bitch, whilst also providing some wholesome entertainment for all people who admire courage in the face of idiocy. EdmundBurke (talk) 21:37, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Cat in the hat

Does my bum look big in this?

Oh wow, I just discovered that my latest cat lets me put things on her head. This is going to be fun :) Crundy^{Talk nerdy to me} 19:15, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

The formula for success has been known for some time. Stuff + Cats = Awesome. Get cracking. ^{— Sincerely, Neveruse / Talk / Block} 19:24, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

try Icanhascheezburger.com for more kitty ideas Hamster (talk) 19:39, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Also try catsinsinks.com and kittenwar.com when you get really bored. ^{— Sincerely, Neveruse / Talk / Block} 19:44, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

My Mom once got a sweater for her poodle. After she put it on him, it walked around for about thirty minutes with an expression on its little face that clearly said, "what did I do wrong? don't you love me anymore?" so we took it off and never tried again. MDB (talk) 21:47, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Schla(ä)fly(i)?

Has anyone ever heard of Ludwig Schläfli? I just ran across him as I was going through things on WP. I wonder if he's a ancestor of Andy? --Edgerunner⁷⁶_{Tah-daaaaaaah!} 19:29, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

His father's family were Swiss immigrants. ListenerX^TalkerX 19:34, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

I have heard of him inasmuch that the Schlafli number is used to describe polygons. I think. --User:Theautocrat/Sig 02:16, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

This is bugging me...

According to my calculations, the claim that the units in today's xkcd comic cancel out is incorrect; when I poked the units around and put them into Maxima I got energy^-1. Is this correct? Evil word Phantom! 19:47, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

I think it's OK? It's energy/pressure*(distance/volume)/distance = J/Pa*(km/L)/km =(up to factors)= (N*m)/(N/m^2)*(m/m^3)/m = unitless. --Retwa (talk) 19:59, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Yes, it works out. You divide joules by a pressure you get a volume. You might get it backwards if you don't use the right measurement for the Prius, as for that sort of thing distance/volume of fuel is as useful a metric as volume of fuel/distance. So the left side cancels to a volume, and the right side cancels to 1 / volume. The units work out as dimensionless. And depending on who you believe for the actual figures, the equation does come out as "pi within experimental error". ^postate 20:04, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

I both used distance/fuel and I got something else wrong... Evil word Phantom! 20:09, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Who the heck thinks of these things? I mean, obviously Randall Munroe does, but I have to wonder what compels him to come up with something so random. Tetronian ^{you're clueless} 21:32, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

It may be a parody of The Equation of Creation, which is hilarious if it is. --User:Theautocrat/Sig 02:20, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

That would make a lot of sense, actually. Thanks Autocrat! Tetronian ^{you're clueless} 03:18, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

Mei for crat

Mei got cratted and decratted within a few hours, apparently there was no discussion. So, on with the discussion: Totnesmartin (talk) 20:47, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Support

• Tetronian ^{you're clueless} 20:49, 11 January 2010 (UTC) Mei is useful. 'nuff said.
• ^{— Sincerely, Neveruse / Talk / Block} 20:51, 11 January 2010 (UTC)
• Gooniepunk2010 ^{Oi! Oi! Oi!} 22:21, 11 January 2010 (UTC)
• - π 23:00, 11 January 2010 (UTC) All the arguments against are so self important, I vote we give her Phantom Hoover's cratship.
• ~ Kupochama^[1][2] 23:09, 11 January 2010 (UTC) Being demoted by Mei would be substantially more cute than by Ace. No offense, but we all know it.
• Why not. -- Nx / talk 23:11, 11 January 2010 (UTC)
• Bureaucrat essentially gives demotion & renaming abilities & not much else beyond sysop powers. I think Mei can be trusted to use these & is here often enough to put demotion powers to good use. Wẽãšẽĩõĩď^{Methinks it is a Weasel} 23:37, 11 January 2010 (UTC)
• Mei is more useful than all other crats put together. --User:Theautocrat/Sig 00:10, 12 January 2010 (UTC)
• Mei is useful, not vandalous, and trusworthy. I guess I support. ĵ₳¥ášÇ♠ʘ would rather be hated for who he is than loved for who he is not 02:13, 12 January 2010 (UTC)
• Support. TheoryOfPractice (talk) 02:16, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

Oppose

• ListenerX^TalkerX 20:49, 11 January 2010 (UTC)
• Evil word Phantom! 20:55, 11 January 2010 (UTC) She's useful, but she hasn't really been around enough.
• --Bob^{It's cold!} 20:58, 11 January 2010 (UTC)
• I like Mei a lot so it isn't personal, but I still feel opposed. Aceⁱ⁹ 21:10, 11 January 2010 (UTC)
• EdmundBurke (talk) 21:27, 11 January 2010 (UTC) The less people who have these positions of authority the better. You don't want this place turning into WP, where unwarranted self importance on the internet has long been a disease of the most explosive variety.
• As with Ace, nothing personal, but we don't need more 'crats. Maybe one of us could give her ours? I rarely use mine... ħuman 22:06, 11 January 2010 (UTC)
• Simply for the fact that I'm still not a crat Crundy^{Talk nerdy to me} 22:15, 11 January 2010 (UTC)
• Too many crats already. Nothing personal. But if whoever cratted Mei in the first place wants to forgo their own cratship in exchange, then I'd support that. Генгис^{Our ignorance is God; what we know is science.} 12:11, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

Goat

• I think I should be the only bureaucrat. Or they should create a new position for me. "Pooh-bah" perhaps. DickTurpis (talk) 21:20, 11 January 2010 (UTC)
• Abstain Aboriginal Noise ^Punkrock 21:56, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Discussion

I don't see why not. Tetronian ^{you're clueless} 21:01, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

LX and PH voted "Oppose". That's reason enough for me to support. ^{— Sincerely, Neveruse / Talk / Block} 21:03, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Actually PH brings up a good point. I was basing my decision on perceived trustworthiness, it didn't occur to me to think of anything else. Tetronian ^{you're clueless} 21:05, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Yeah but he's a fucking wanker, so it's irrelevant? ^{— Sincerely, Neveruse / Talk / Block} 21:11, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

We have non-bureaucrats voting here in violation of established convention. Their votes should be stricken. ListenerX^TalkerX 21:26, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

I once knew this guy who made a habit out of enforcing unwritten rules. Turns out he was a Red. ^{— Sincerely, Neveruse / Talk / Block} 21:27, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

@LX: What convention? When Javascap held a vote on Neveruse, everyone voted. Tetronian ^{you're clueless} 21:28, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

I was mistaken about the convention. My apologies. ListenerX^TalkerX 21:43, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Not a problem. In the end, though, I think most of the voters will be the 'crats anyway. Tetronian ^{you're clueless} 21:45, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

I'm sure this 'Mei' person is all fine and good, but you just don't need anyone else to be a 'crat. As far as I know, they hold no power here other than social influence. They are a scourge if nothing else, allowing people the delusion of superiority on the internet. I've seen it on Wikipedia, that place is over-run by sysops with 15 or so chips on their shoulders. Just scrap this kind of sad internet popularity contest altogether. EdmundBurke (talk) 21:31, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

You could at least be subtle. Evil word Phantom! 21:33, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Pardon? Look up unwarranted self importance on encyclopedia dramatica. I'm sorry if I was being too brash! EdmundBurke (talk) 21:35, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Mr. Burke makes an excellent point... ^{— Sincerely, Neveruse / Talk / Block} 21:36, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

What Mr. Burke fails to take into account is that we bureaucrats are superior to you peons. We are better looking, smarter, stronger, our shit smells like fresh baked cookies, our penises are much larger (yes, this is true even of the female crats), and we are all astoundingly witty. These traits should not be overlooked. DickTurpis (talk) 21:46, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Damn right Dick. We are superior in so many ways as to be almost classed as a higher species. Also, User:EdmundBurke reminds me of someone. Aceⁱ⁹ 22:04, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

I wonder how Mei will take the good news regarding penis size. Tetronian ^{you're clueless} 22:06, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

@Tetronian: Confused! -- =w= 11:52, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

Ahh, the lesser known corollary of Danth's Law regarding internet claims about having a large penis... ^{— Sincerely, Neveruse / Talk / Block} 22:09, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Vote Thanatos for the least influential crat at Rationalwiki. My significance is in my insignificance!--Thanatos (talk) 06:49, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

;;

Thank you for voting everyone. I am surprised and happy about the amount of support. Mei still likes all oppose voters (even MC!) so there is no need to argue. -- =w= 11:52, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

De-crat ListenerX

Support

• ^{— Sincerely, Neveruse / Talk / Block} 21:36, 11 January 2010 (UTC)
• EdmundBurke (talk) 21:38, 11 January 2010 (UTC)Not a bad idea. Lets clean up some of the dead wood lying around!
• ^{— Sincerely, Neveruse / Talk / Block} 22:35, 11 January 2010 (UTC)
• Not Red enough. Wẽãšẽĩõĩď^{Methinks it is a Weasel} 23:25, 11 January 2010 (UTC)
• Detrimental to this site due to being coming close to finding our secret funding line by the Comintern annoying. --User:Theautocrat/Sig 00:12, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

Oppose

What's he done to deserve decratting? His opinions may be his own but he doesn't abuse his position. Totnesmartin (talk) 21:57, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

I barely notice him , thats excellent Crat conduct, keep him 67.72.98.58 (talk) 22:03, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

He's different from everyone else here, and I like him for it. 'sides, he's a good 'crat. SJ ^Debaser 22:07, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

• I agree with the above. Differing opinions help avoid groupthink. Tetronian ^{you're clueless} 22:09, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Agreed. ListenerX is a pretty natty 'crat. Nothing but good experiences with him. --^{Ask me about your mother} 22:25, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

• Ummmm... why? ĴάΛäšςǍ₰ is writing a comment 02:13, 12 January 2010 (UTC)
• Bureaucrats shouldn't be decratted unless they have abused their powers, which he hasn't done. Plus, ListenerX is a fine person all around; even when he's being disagreeable he's still pleasant to be around. Radioactive afikomen ^{Please ignore all my awful pre-2014 comments.} 10:34, 12 January 2010 (UTC)
• I like ListenerX -- =w= 12:23, 12 January 2010 (UTC)
• What the hell would we do that for? ListenerX is one of the most independent people here, and that's why I love him. Lord of the Goons ^{The official spikey-haired skeptical punk} 15:41, 12 January 2010 (UTC)
• I fucking hate the guy. Oppose de-cratting. TheoryOfPractice (talk) 15:53, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

Goat

I think this is supposed to be a joke. My sense of humo(u)r is not working today (or most days, for that matter). Tetronian ^{you're clueless} 22:00, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Storm

--Kels (talk) 21:51, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

I never, ever, thought I'd sit down to watch a 9 minute beat poem all the way through, yet alone want to hear it again immediately afterwards. The video makes it look even more amazing. ^postate 14:28, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

Saw Tim Minchin do this live in Edinburgh last year. Simply brilliant :) Worm^{(t | c)} 16:20, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

Crat elections

Why not have twice yearly (say) elections instead of ad hoc nominations? On the Anniversary of RW2 founding and 6 months later. ^{I have just eaten} _& stilton^talk 01:50, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

We could have a crat parliament and Trent as our benevolent dictator could dissolve it for elections. (I just want to get carried away). - π 01:56, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

I fully support the idea of a 'crat parliament. And we could all have titles, like, say, Minister of the Exchequer or Prime Minister (Human), or Winston Churchill (Ace), or War Minister! And then Trent could be king and call for elections whenever he damn well felt like it (or is that Prime Minister? My British politics are sketchy at best). Someone had better work on this in their sandbox... --User:Theautocrat/Sig 02:12, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

I rhink you want a site handyman, to fix stuff and keep things working good. You can have Benevolent Dictator and Council of Elders to discuss stuff and look cool. Mei should be a crat cause she might be Ancient Mei from the Dresden Files , and that would be bad :( Hamster (talk) 05:50, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

We must give preference to the High Priest/Priestess as per The RationalWiki Silly Person's Society. - π 06:58, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

Wait, wait. Did Toast just make a reasonable suggestion, only to have Pi dickishly swat it aside by diving straight into slippery-slope hyperbole, or was her suggestion in jest in the first place and I'm just missing out on the joke? Radioactive afikomen ^{Please ignore all my awful pre-2014 comments.} 10:40, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

What makes you think my idea was dickish and slippery-slope hyperbole? I think you should have to defend why you are a crat every 6 months. You have not been here for nearly a year and you still have your rights, despite the fact you don't know what has been going on in your absence. - π 10:54, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

It was slippery-slope hyperbole because holding elections (which, knowing us, would be done as informally as possible) does not equal "OMG we're instituting a representative democracy!". And from my point of view, that you mischaracterized Toast's argument in the manner most likely to derail the conversation makes you kind of a dick. Radioactive afikomen ^{Please ignore all my awful pre-2014 comments.} 11:01, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

Given that your "point of view" is mostly the inside of your rectum, I can see how you were confused. - π 11:11, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

No, I'm pretty sure you're just a dick. Radioactive afikomen ^{Please ignore all my awful pre-2014 comments.} 11:19, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

Haven't you got an e-penis to measure or a list of grudges to document? - π 11:26, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

Nope. Man, do you always turn into a douchebag when the argument isn't going your way? You should try joining Conservapedia—I hear they value people like that. Radioactive afikomen ^{Please ignore all my awful pre-2014 comments.} 11:32, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

It is better than the local equivalent of Godwin's Law. - π 11:40, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

Hmph. Point taken. Radioactive afikomen ^{Please ignore all my awful pre-2014 comments.} 11:45, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

EC Please don't fight. This tiny misunderstanding isn't worth fighting over. -- =w= 11:46, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

We will stop fighting for Mei. RA --> <-- Pi. See, we are all friends now. - π 11:59, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

Of course. Though I like to think we're still friends even through all the fighting. : ) Radioactive afikomen ^{Please ignore all my awful pre-2014 comments.} 12:08, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

I do too, but even so. Fights make Mei sad. -- =w= 12:13, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

And from my point of view, that you mischaracterized Toast's argument in the manner most likely to derail the conversation makes you kind of a dick. And in my opinion, you deliberately railroaded the conversation to engage in this annoying drama fest. Well done! EdmundBurke (talk) 17:11, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

YouTube , NephilimFree and Bible - pounding head on desk

I have been watching some vids on youtube by a guy called NephilimFree. One is on the Nephilim, giants, children of fallen angels and human women . (never heard of that in Sunday school) I asked him a question about why he thought the church removed books of the Bible. I was thinking of Judas and Rnoch. He replied thusly: The church did not remove any books from the Bible. The books were cannonized if they were inspired scripture - if the words were given to the author by the Holy Ghost. The Apocraphal books are not inspired, and thus were not canonnized. The books in the Bible are all that God intended to be part of it. My reaction: say what ! Hamster (talk) 05:56, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

We have a small NephilimFree entry. Aceⁱ⁹ 05:59, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

I did enjoy Ice on the moon Hamster (talk) 06:16, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

Apparently the Nephilim were all who were destroyed in the flood if I recall some of the crap on ASK aright. ^{I have just eaten} _& stilton^talk

According to Wikipeia (quoting the burble) the Nephilim were some kind of giants who interbred with humans. All a bit David Icke, although the revised ASoK version may be different. Totnesmartin (talk) 12:13, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

This is beginning to sense. They must have been the ones to ride dinosaurs. Now if I could just figure out the Zombie Jesus thing I'd be a Christian again. ^Me!Sheesh!_Mine! 14:11, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

Entire country block at CP

It would seem that the user TK at Conservapedia has blocked most (if not all) IP's coming from my country because I can no longer register. I tried with multiple ISP's and they're all blocked. The country is Croatia. Mr.Orange (talk) 17:15, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

TK is famous for his ridiculous range blocks. He's blocked large swaths of Europe and Asia just for kicks. Tetronian ^{you're clueless} 17:23, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

Which makes me wonder why we're apparently making User:TK so welcome here. Whilst we should have room for all points of view it seems that Terry Koeckritz's history is fast being forgotten. Bob Soles (talk) 17:59, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

Proposed essay on Dignity

I hope to post an essay on RationalWiki. The proposed title is "Dignity: what is it?"

The essay will have much of the content of Dignity's article on Wikipedia, but I will editorialize the essay to meet RationalWiki's high standards. I am proposing to put the essay here because the article on Wikipedia is being battered; it may become senseless at any moment.

If you would like to keep a good article at Wikipedia, please visit Talk:Dignity. At the bottom of that page, editors may request that the most recent version by **Pyrrhon** be displayed immediately. Please make that request. No reason is required. Thank you for your help. ESO  talk   18:01, 12 January 2010 (UTC)