Showing posts with label superstitions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label superstitions. Show all posts
Saturday, August 28, 2010
There's a train a-comin'
This story from North Carolina has made me laugh and laugh. One man was killed and two more hospitalized in unknown condition because they were among a dozen people who were out on the train tracks at fuckin 2:45 am... to look for a GHOST TRAIN! Ahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! The only sad thing about this story is that nine people seem to be fine. Hopefully they'll be killed next year when they're out on the tracks looking for the ghost of their dead pal.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Sorcery
According to CNN, a Lebanese guy has been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia for "sorcery". Ali Hussain Sibat was a program leader in Beirut of a call-in show, where he "according to his lawyer ... would predict the future on his show and give out advice to his audience."
This is one execution I can get behind wholeheartedly. Fuckin cons who deceive their audiences by claiming to know the future or fucking morons who actually believe they can do so - doesn't matter. One less cunt in the world is always a good thing, whether that cunt is a stupid cunt or a tricking cunt is of minor importance.
Sadly, the Saudis seem to have fucked up on basic logic, since the rationale of his death penalty was described thusly: "...the judges in Medina issued a statement expressing that Sibat deserved to be executed for having continually practiced black magic on his show, adding that this sentence would deter others from practicing sorcery." In other words, he's not being beheaded because he is making outrageous, irrational, illogical bullshit claims, he's getting his head lopped off because the Saudis think he's able to foretell the future by invoking black magic.
I've already gone on record advocating this measure before, for other reasons, but let me reiterate it in no uncertain terms: The whole Saudi royal family, its religious authorites and its clergy; every fucking institution that serves to prop up this disgusting stone-age regime of superstition, fundamentalism, misogyny and just general allround stupidity needs to be wiped off the surface of the earth.
This is one execution I can get behind wholeheartedly. Fuckin cons who deceive their audiences by claiming to know the future or fucking morons who actually believe they can do so - doesn't matter. One less cunt in the world is always a good thing, whether that cunt is a stupid cunt or a tricking cunt is of minor importance.
Sadly, the Saudis seem to have fucked up on basic logic, since the rationale of his death penalty was described thusly: "...the judges in Medina issued a statement expressing that Sibat deserved to be executed for having continually practiced black magic on his show, adding that this sentence would deter others from practicing sorcery." In other words, he's not being beheaded because he is making outrageous, irrational, illogical bullshit claims, he's getting his head lopped off because the Saudis think he's able to foretell the future by invoking black magic.
I've already gone on record advocating this measure before, for other reasons, but let me reiterate it in no uncertain terms: The whole Saudi royal family, its religious authorites and its clergy; every fucking institution that serves to prop up this disgusting stone-age regime of superstition, fundamentalism, misogyny and just general allround stupidity needs to be wiped off the surface of the earth.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Idiocy all round
A new study by PEW shows that Democrats, even more so than their supposedly more religious counterparts the Republicans, are braindead. The prevalence of ghosts, fortunetellers, communicating with the dead and other such rubbish is about twice as high amongst Democrats as Republicans.
Not surprisingly, "women are also twice as likely to have consulted a fortuneteller or psychic". This fits with personal experience, which is that women are more into fuzzy, feel-good, new age drivel, while men go more for the institutionalized, impersonal major religions. Regardless, it is a sad fact that Democrats, albeit perceived as more "secular" in their policies, are at least as irrational, ignorant and just plain DUMB as the Republicans in their world view.
Not surprisingly, "women are also twice as likely to have consulted a fortuneteller or psychic". This fits with personal experience, which is that women are more into fuzzy, feel-good, new age drivel, while men go more for the institutionalized, impersonal major religions. Regardless, it is a sad fact that Democrats, albeit perceived as more "secular" in their policies, are at least as irrational, ignorant and just plain DUMB as the Republicans in their world view.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Fuckin eejits
I don't normally critizise Norwegian affairs on this blog, since most of my readers are Americans, but the development in the Norwegian monarchy these last few weeks has been so appaling I can't keep quiet anymore.
The royal princess, Martha Louise is... how should I put this delicately...
A stark, raving nutter? No, that doesn't do her justice.
A dumb cunt unable to grasp the most basic tenets of science and critical thought? Closer, but still not adequate.
A fucking dimwit, propagating the worst sort of pseudo-religious drivel known to man? Yeah, that just about covers it.
The royal princess made headlines a few years back when she started an "angel school", teaching people to commune with their guardian angels. Now she's co-written a book on the subject, which includes ignorant, dangerous, anti-scientific rubbish like reading auras, healing crystals, other dimensions and of course talking to angels.
Naturally the princess has gotten some bad press, one professor called the book "a solid helping of spiritual quackery". That hasn't stopped it from selling. The publishing house Cappelen Damm, who is putting profits over intelligence is already printing its second edition.
Now, I have a few thoughts about what to make of it all. First and foremost, this is the final nail in the coffin of the monarchy. Norway in 2009 may have a ruling family consisting of a dimwitted crown prince with an uneducated, drug using single mother for his wife, but can we have a princess who is clearly a fuckin eejit? I think not. Let the monarchy die out with the current king and let his braindead offspring WORK for a living.
Secondly, we need to take a long and hard look at our schools. Children now leave after ten years of compulsory education without a basic knowledge of science and critical thinking. We need to give priority to science and to introduce scientific thinking into every aspect of education. We must also abolish the state church and stop teaching religious bullshit in schools. (Notice I don't say we should stop learning about religion as it pertains to culture. It is impossible to read and understand anything of western literature without a basic grasp of our history of ideas.)
Thirdly, we need to do something about the media. They now print any bullshit if they think it'll sell - ghosts, angels, healing, alternative medisin. Editors who are caught printing an uncritical story about the "supernatural" or "alternative" will be hung from the nearest lamppost. This should lead to the shutting down of most women's mags and a radical thinning of most newspapers.
Lastly, we need to start a... for lack of a better word... crusade against stupid, uncritical thinking. The poor, sad fuckers who spout this crap can be divided into two categories: Idiots and con men. The idiots must be educated in science and taught the errors of their ways. If this doesn't succeed they should at least be forced to shut their fuckin' traps and not bother other people. The con men should be shot point blank in the head, and their families billed for the cost of ammo, Chinese style.
The royal princess, Martha Louise is... how should I put this delicately...
A stark, raving nutter? No, that doesn't do her justice.
A dumb cunt unable to grasp the most basic tenets of science and critical thought? Closer, but still not adequate.
A fucking dimwit, propagating the worst sort of pseudo-religious drivel known to man? Yeah, that just about covers it.
The royal princess made headlines a few years back when she started an "angel school", teaching people to commune with their guardian angels. Now she's co-written a book on the subject, which includes ignorant, dangerous, anti-scientific rubbish like reading auras, healing crystals, other dimensions and of course talking to angels.
Naturally the princess has gotten some bad press, one professor called the book "a solid helping of spiritual quackery". That hasn't stopped it from selling. The publishing house Cappelen Damm, who is putting profits over intelligence is already printing its second edition.
Now, I have a few thoughts about what to make of it all. First and foremost, this is the final nail in the coffin of the monarchy. Norway in 2009 may have a ruling family consisting of a dimwitted crown prince with an uneducated, drug using single mother for his wife, but can we have a princess who is clearly a fuckin eejit? I think not. Let the monarchy die out with the current king and let his braindead offspring WORK for a living.
Secondly, we need to take a long and hard look at our schools. Children now leave after ten years of compulsory education without a basic knowledge of science and critical thinking. We need to give priority to science and to introduce scientific thinking into every aspect of education. We must also abolish the state church and stop teaching religious bullshit in schools. (Notice I don't say we should stop learning about religion as it pertains to culture. It is impossible to read and understand anything of western literature without a basic grasp of our history of ideas.)
Thirdly, we need to do something about the media. They now print any bullshit if they think it'll sell - ghosts, angels, healing, alternative medisin. Editors who are caught printing an uncritical story about the "supernatural" or "alternative" will be hung from the nearest lamppost. This should lead to the shutting down of most women's mags and a radical thinning of most newspapers.
Lastly, we need to start a... for lack of a better word... crusade against stupid, uncritical thinking. The poor, sad fuckers who spout this crap can be divided into two categories: Idiots and con men. The idiots must be educated in science and taught the errors of their ways. If this doesn't succeed they should at least be forced to shut their fuckin' traps and not bother other people. The con men should be shot point blank in the head, and their families billed for the cost of ammo, Chinese style.
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Travelblog: More Inverness
After Culloden and the Clava Cairns, I drove up to a tiny village called Strathpeffer to have a look at the Highland Museum of Childhood. Spent about 45 minutes up there, a small but informative museum that shows you children did indeed have a life before Nintendo. The museum is situated in an old railway station which also houses some crafts shops, a wood carver and a small cafe. The surroundings are nice, and there are some walks to be had in the area. On my way back I stopped at a tourist information center along the highway and again showed that I can't be trusted with money. I bought no less than 21 calendars as gifts for friends and colleagues back home (in my defense they were discounted and really, really nice...)
In the afternoon I drove out to Black Isle (which is not an island, but a peninsula). My main goal was the clootie well just outside Munlochy: "The Clootie well, on the A832 just behind the village, is of much more ancient origin. It was originally the home of a fairy to whom a gift of cloth was given before drinking the health giving and luck bestowing water. The well was later incorporated into the Christian religion, and became known as St. Boniface's Well. The trees and bushes for some distance around are festooned with rags, and a visit into the trees beyond the well is a somewhat eerie experience."
Eerie indeed. It is of course incredible that presumably educated, modern people continue with this idiocy, but then people still vote Socialist, so one shouldn't be surprised I guess. When the reward is a percieved peace of mind, the human species has always demonstrated a frightening capacity, even desire, to be fooled.
After the clootie well I drove out to the cozy little village of Fortrose, where I had a decidedly overpriced and mediocre dinner at a local restaurant called The Anderson. Nice people, but their steak was partially burnt and the vegetables had a bitter aftertaste to them. Still, Monday was an eventful and busy day; a good start to my trip!
In the afternoon I drove out to Black Isle (which is not an island, but a peninsula). My main goal was the clootie well just outside Munlochy: "The Clootie well, on the A832 just behind the village, is of much more ancient origin. It was originally the home of a fairy to whom a gift of cloth was given before drinking the health giving and luck bestowing water. The well was later incorporated into the Christian religion, and became known as St. Boniface's Well. The trees and bushes for some distance around are festooned with rags, and a visit into the trees beyond the well is a somewhat eerie experience."
Eerie indeed. It is of course incredible that presumably educated, modern people continue with this idiocy, but then people still vote Socialist, so one shouldn't be surprised I guess. When the reward is a percieved peace of mind, the human species has always demonstrated a frightening capacity, even desire, to be fooled.
After the clootie well I drove out to the cozy little village of Fortrose, where I had a decidedly overpriced and mediocre dinner at a local restaurant called The Anderson. Nice people, but their steak was partially burnt and the vegetables had a bitter aftertaste to them. Still, Monday was an eventful and busy day; a good start to my trip!
Friday, April 21, 2006
Ambivalence
Two stories caught my eye today that made me feel slightly ambivalent about the possible outcomes (no, I'm not always in a state of raging, arrogant certainty).
First story: The French are retreating again. After retreating from Germans, Arabs and their own students for years, this time they're retreating from their own smokers. Fear of electoral reprisals has caused the government to postpone a new law banning smoking indoors. Other examples of legislative backpedalling is given in the linked article. Now, I'm all in favor of eternally postponing laws that violate private property rights, and a ban on smoking (however much I hate that disgusting habit) is a gross violation of such rights... but on the other hand, I'd sure like to see the French government actually stand up for something, other than farm subsidies and the right not to bathe frequently.
Second story: The FDA has released a statement dismissing claims that marihuana has any discernible health benefits. Now on the one hand, I tend to think the FDA is most likely correct about this. Almost every "herbal" medication in use has no scientifically proven merit whatsoever, beyond the occasional placebo effect. In medicine, "alternative" tends to be the politically correct term for "bullshit". On the other hand, I am all in favor of legalizing marihuana, and regardless of actual medical effects I think any sane adult has a fundamental right to decide for themselves what substances they wish to inhale, inject or eat. If the medical usefulness argument is disproven, civil libertarians will lose a tactically successful angle with which to introduce legalization.
First story: The French are retreating again. After retreating from Germans, Arabs and their own students for years, this time they're retreating from their own smokers. Fear of electoral reprisals has caused the government to postpone a new law banning smoking indoors. Other examples of legislative backpedalling is given in the linked article. Now, I'm all in favor of eternally postponing laws that violate private property rights, and a ban on smoking (however much I hate that disgusting habit) is a gross violation of such rights... but on the other hand, I'd sure like to see the French government actually stand up for something, other than farm subsidies and the right not to bathe frequently.
Second story: The FDA has released a statement dismissing claims that marihuana has any discernible health benefits. Now on the one hand, I tend to think the FDA is most likely correct about this. Almost every "herbal" medication in use has no scientifically proven merit whatsoever, beyond the occasional placebo effect. In medicine, "alternative" tends to be the politically correct term for "bullshit". On the other hand, I am all in favor of legalizing marihuana, and regardless of actual medical effects I think any sane adult has a fundamental right to decide for themselves what substances they wish to inhale, inject or eat. If the medical usefulness argument is disproven, civil libertarians will lose a tactically successful angle with which to introduce legalization.
Friday, February 17, 2006
Mor(m)ons
Muahahahahaaaaaa... As if modern science hadn't bitchslapped religion around enough, along comes this beautiful little article from the LA Times... Now, believing in religion is fairly stupid in and of itself, but believing in that particular brand of organized idiocy known as mormonism takes a special kind of stupidity. Or as PJ O'Rourke once quipped about the dullness of Disneyworld: It was an insult to a country that had invented a religion like mormonism.
Anyway, the article details how modern DNA research has shredded whatever vestige of credibility one of the religion's fundamental tenets had left; that of the Native Americans (aka injuns) descending from the ancient Hebrews, who supposedly came to America 2,600 years ago. Of course, if you have the tiniest combination of brains and education you will know that the Natives actually came from Asia, several thousands of years ago.
The article goes on to describe some of the Mormon Church's teachings on the subject, which are both racist, immoral and demonstrably false. The fact that such a thoroughly despicable and stupid religion still has been able to gain millions of converts all over the world, demonstrates very clearly that when it comes to religion, there is no limit to how low otherwise sane, moral people can go. It also shows how easy it is to start a religion, even in fairly recent times - imagine then how little it took back when the "great" world religions commenced! Keep this in mind when you read about the supposed miracles of the Bible, the Koran or whatever piece of scripture you've got your grubby little hands on. You believe any of that shit, you're no better than a mor(m)on.
Anyway, the article details how modern DNA research has shredded whatever vestige of credibility one of the religion's fundamental tenets had left; that of the Native Americans (aka injuns) descending from the ancient Hebrews, who supposedly came to America 2,600 years ago. Of course, if you have the tiniest combination of brains and education you will know that the Natives actually came from Asia, several thousands of years ago.
The article goes on to describe some of the Mormon Church's teachings on the subject, which are both racist, immoral and demonstrably false. The fact that such a thoroughly despicable and stupid religion still has been able to gain millions of converts all over the world, demonstrates very clearly that when it comes to religion, there is no limit to how low otherwise sane, moral people can go. It also shows how easy it is to start a religion, even in fairly recent times - imagine then how little it took back when the "great" world religions commenced! Keep this in mind when you read about the supposed miracles of the Bible, the Koran or whatever piece of scripture you've got your grubby little hands on. You believe any of that shit, you're no better than a mor(m)on.
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Paranoid and irresponsible
Conspiracy theories and paranoia have been a part of American society for centuries, but this story is downright frightening. It shows that a considerable part of a large American minority group are fundamentally (emphasis on "mental") ignorant and irresponsible in matters of grave concern to themselves and to society.
Sadly it also shows something of a pattern in any welfare state: The increasing lack of desire and ability to take responsibility for one's own life. Everything is always somebody else's fault. Don't have a job? Well, an utter lack of skills, a bad attitude and poor grooming should be of no consequence, so blame The Man. No education? Well, it can't possibly be because you didn't pay attention in school, so it must be a conspiracy. Poor? Having several kids with as many fathers when you couldn't really provide for one in the first place is surely not your fault, society's to blame. And when you're too goddamn lazy or stupid or horny to put a rubber on your willy, then surely it must be someone else's fault when you get AIDS too.
Sadly it also shows something of a pattern in any welfare state: The increasing lack of desire and ability to take responsibility for one's own life. Everything is always somebody else's fault. Don't have a job? Well, an utter lack of skills, a bad attitude and poor grooming should be of no consequence, so blame The Man. No education? Well, it can't possibly be because you didn't pay attention in school, so it must be a conspiracy. Poor? Having several kids with as many fathers when you couldn't really provide for one in the first place is surely not your fault, society's to blame. And when you're too goddamn lazy or stupid or horny to put a rubber on your willy, then surely it must be someone else's fault when you get AIDS too.
Sunday, December 26, 2004
Monkey business
In the first place God made idiots; this was for practice; then he made school boards.
- Mark Twain
This is just the latest in a long series of attacks on science, of course... The School Board in Dover, PA has voted to include "Intelligent Design" as an alternative to evolution in high school science lessons. To understand why this is a moronic idea, please go here.
I've always found it incredible that an advanced country such as the US is still infested with so many ignorant dimwits of the religious persuasion. I guess the monkey part of the brain kicks in when ingrained beliefs and prejudices are challenged by facts...
- Mark Twain
This is just the latest in a long series of attacks on science, of course... The School Board in Dover, PA has voted to include "Intelligent Design" as an alternative to evolution in high school science lessons. To understand why this is a moronic idea, please go here.
I've always found it incredible that an advanced country such as the US is still infested with so many ignorant dimwits of the religious persuasion. I guess the monkey part of the brain kicks in when ingrained beliefs and prejudices are challenged by facts...
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
No it doesn't, you moron!
Sloppy goddamn morons of the press... USA Today writes:
"The ancient Chinese art of acupuncture offered people with arthritis of the knee significant pain relief, but it didn't seem to help people with chronic neck pain, according to two scientific studies out today.
Acupuncture, the practice of inserting needles into specific body points, has been practiced for some 2,000 years by the Chinese. But it has never been fully accepted or studied by U.S. physicians or scientists."
All good, except that it's not remotely true. What the press fails to grasp when writing about acupuncture, is that it is a wholly different phenomenon than today's practice of sticking needles in people. Allow me to explain: Acupuncture is a Chinese "art" based on a metaphysical concept. The method is based on a belief in various uninformed, superstitious dribble like "chi", "yin", "yang" and such. The needles are stuck in certain places in order to unblock unseen (and non-existing) "energy meridians" in the body. It is these blocks, according to the ancient Chinese, that cause illness, and when the needles unblock the meridians, the illness will go away.
What the two studies have shown is something quite different, according to the actual researchers, (scientists can usually be counted on to be somewhat more precise in their statements than your average media hack):
"Acupuncture might work by spurring the body to release natural painkilling substances called endorphins"
"Acupuncture is not a cure"
In other words: Sticking needles in people does not cure any illnesses (thus disproving the basic tenets of actual acupuncture) and there is a perfectly scientific, rational explanation for any physical effect you might get from it.
I don't think it is unlikely that stimulating certain sensitive parts of the body can be medically beneficial - we know it has obvious psychological benefits (a good back rub... mmmmmm!). What these studies do is to increase our knowledge and hopefully our efficiency in applying such stimulation in practical medical treatment. What they do NOT is to indicate that there is any truth whatsoever to the ancient Chinese superstition of acupuncture.
"The ancient Chinese art of acupuncture offered people with arthritis of the knee significant pain relief, but it didn't seem to help people with chronic neck pain, according to two scientific studies out today.
Acupuncture, the practice of inserting needles into specific body points, has been practiced for some 2,000 years by the Chinese. But it has never been fully accepted or studied by U.S. physicians or scientists."
All good, except that it's not remotely true. What the press fails to grasp when writing about acupuncture, is that it is a wholly different phenomenon than today's practice of sticking needles in people. Allow me to explain: Acupuncture is a Chinese "art" based on a metaphysical concept. The method is based on a belief in various uninformed, superstitious dribble like "chi", "yin", "yang" and such. The needles are stuck in certain places in order to unblock unseen (and non-existing) "energy meridians" in the body. It is these blocks, according to the ancient Chinese, that cause illness, and when the needles unblock the meridians, the illness will go away.
What the two studies have shown is something quite different, according to the actual researchers, (scientists can usually be counted on to be somewhat more precise in their statements than your average media hack):
"Acupuncture might work by spurring the body to release natural painkilling substances called endorphins"
"Acupuncture is not a cure"
In other words: Sticking needles in people does not cure any illnesses (thus disproving the basic tenets of actual acupuncture) and there is a perfectly scientific, rational explanation for any physical effect you might get from it.
I don't think it is unlikely that stimulating certain sensitive parts of the body can be medically beneficial - we know it has obvious psychological benefits (a good back rub... mmmmmm!). What these studies do is to increase our knowledge and hopefully our efficiency in applying such stimulation in practical medical treatment. What they do NOT is to indicate that there is any truth whatsoever to the ancient Chinese superstition of acupuncture.
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