WTF Stories of the Week - Page 199

Alex · 09-22-2009, 08:18 PM

Yeah, and notice that the cover of the book in no indicates it is something more than just a free copy of On the Origin of Species. So, if I were aware of the anniversary I wouldn't at all be surprised to see copied being handed out by some group.

Besides, people handing out books free on campus is how I ended up with several dozen bibles and the collected oeuvre of the Hare Krishnas by the time I graduated.

It is also why I have a half dozen sample size packets of dog treats in my desk at work since they were standing outside the BART station for a week. Someday I might have a dog, or skip lunch and be really hungry.

Ghoulish Delight · 09-22-2009, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

That's not a thought (the Hitler part, I've no doubt that by our standards he was racist and sexist) unique to Cameron. It is a very common view expressed in certain creationist circles. Mostly based on the mistaken assumption that Social Darwinism was his idea (which led to eugenics which led to some of the atrocities of Hitler).

ETA: Actually watching video now. Who wants to tell him he got the title of the book wrong?

I happened to have just read the chapter about Francis Galton in The Drunkard's Walk today.

Alex · 09-22-2009, 10:29 PM

Is that interesting, well written? I heard an interview with the author but then forgot about the book.

And speaking of randomness, I strongly recommend everybody listen to this episode of Radio Lab on stochasticity. And internalize everything said in the first 20 minutes.

SzczerbiakManiac · 09-23-2009, 01:09 AM

Mwanza Flat-headed Rock Agama: The Spiderman Lizard
Daily Mail
Wikipedia

Pics

Spoiler:

lashbear · 09-23-2009, 05:01 AM

that lizard is the CUTEST.

Ghoulish Delight · 09-23-2009, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

Is that interesting, well written? I heard an interview with the author but then forgot about the book.

And speaking of randomness, I strongly recommend everybody listen to this episode of Radio Lab on stochasticity. And internalize everything said in the first 20 minutes.

It's pretty good. The statistical information is probably not new to you, but he spends a lot of time on the history of probability mathematics statistics so that keeps it interesting.

Moonliner · 09-23-2009, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

Yeah, and notice that the cover of the book in no indicates it is something more than just a free copy of On the Origin of Species.

So anyone have any plans for Nov 19th? It might be fun to get a group together to meet on the various campuses with signs that read:

FYI:
Book by Darwin
Forward by Bible Thumping Loonies

Stan4dSteph · 09-23-2009, 08:10 AM

Just make sure you spell it foreword, not forward.

bewitched · 09-23-2009, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SzczerbiakManiac

Mwanza Flat-headed Rock Agama: The Spiderman Lizard
Daily Mail
Wikipedia

Pics

Spoiler:

You know he sits around on rocks going, "I am AWE-some!"

Spider lizard,
Spider lizard,
Does whatever a spider lizard does...

bewitched · 09-23-2009, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moonliner

So anyone have any plans for Nov 19th? It might be fun to get a group together to meet on the various campuses with signs that read:

FYI:
Book by Darwin
Forward by Bible Thumping Loonies

Or it might be fun to go hand out copies of the Bible with a foreward debunking creationism glued in.

09-22-2009, 08:18 PM	#1981
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Yeah, and notice that the cover of the book in no indicates it is something more than just a free copy of On the Origin of Species. So, if I were aware of the anniversary I wouldn't at all be surprised to see copied being handed out by some group. Besides, people handing out books free on campus is how I ended up with several dozen bibles and the collected oeuvre of the Hare Krishnas by the time I graduated. It is also why I have a half dozen sample size packets of dog treats in my desk at work since they were standing outside the BART station for a week. Someday I might have a dog, or skip lunch and be really hungry.
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09-22-2009, 10:29 PM	#1983
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Is that interesting, well written? I heard an interview with the author but then forgot about the book. And speaking of randomness, I strongly recommend everybody listen to this episode of Radio Lab on stochasticity. And internalize everything said in the first 20 minutes.
	Submit to Quotes

09-23-2009, 01:09 AM	#1984
SzczerbiakManiac "ZER-bee-ak" Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,409	Mwanza Flat-headed Rock Agama: The Spiderman Lizard Daily Mail Wikipedia Pics Spoiler: __________________
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09-23-2009, 05:01 AM	#1985
lashbear SwishBuckling Bear Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: In Isolation :) Posts: 6,597	that lizard is the CUTEST. __________________ *I Heart* my Husband - I can't think of anyone I'd rather be in isolation with.**
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09-23-2009, 08:10 AM	#1988
Stan4dSteph Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: East Bay Area, CA Posts: 3,156	Just make sure you spell it foreword, not forward.
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