So Much Work Done...
Whoops!
I will fix that here.
A Tale Of Passive-Aggressive Futility
I talked about my boss and his seemingly compulsive need to empty the trashes in our office and to put my trash can back in the wrong place. I don't know how many times I've told him where the trash can should go, but he just puts it where it's convenient for him.
The most recent time he did this, I decided I'd try to give him a visual cue to help him understand why I want my trash can in a particular spot. I left the can where he placed it and put my trash in the spot where I want the can.
There was a pile of trash there to be seen when he came into the office. He said nothing.
Damn it! Now I'll just make certain the trash is empty before he gets to the office.
Bill Nye Thinks Star Trek Is Better Than Star Wars
The original series had Captain Kirk happy to know Christianity had made it out to some distant planet. Deep Space 9 had the whole Emissary and the Prophets religion stuff. Sure, the Federation thought the Prophets were just a species living in a worm hole, but Captain Sisko (the Emissary) wasn't too sure. Voyager has Commander Chakotay and his Native American religious beliefs involving animal and/or spirit guides. And Next Generation did have all that Klingon religion silliness.
But Next Generation does have this high water mark moment of Captain Picard non-religious wonderfulness.
Also, Bill said the Star Wars had noise in space and indicated that Star Trek didn't. Well... here's just a taste from Deep Space 9.
But, Bill's cool. I'll cut him some slack.
Lying About The Opposition Is Still Wrong
There's a Facebook page called StopTheWorldTheTeabaggersWantOff that posts all manner of things anti-Republican and anti-conservative. And they lie when they appear to quote well-known conservatives. The page attempts to hide behind the claims of satire, but The Onion they ain't. The danger of what those liars are doing comes from others believing the lies.
I spoke specifically about three graphics share by those folks lying about something various conservatives have said. I put together a graphic warning others to not share anything from StopTheWorldTheTeabaggersWantOff (see below).
I spoke specifically about three graphics share by those folks lying about something various conservatives have said. I put together a graphic warning others to not share anything from StopTheWorldTheTeabaggersWantOff (see below).
In the comments thread on my Facebook page I summed it up this way...
"For the record, I put this graphic together. I had been seeing these images by STWTTWO being shared by FB friends who are skeptics and should know better. Shittily done "satire" such as this needs to be called out, because the likelihood of people believing it is too high. If you doubt that, just read the comments whenever you see graphics such as these shared on social media.
I asked in the comment threads for sources and checked out the ones given to me. I looked up the quotes. With the exception of one sentence attributed to Gene Simmons, none of these statements were uttered by the people in the images. And I checked my own logical thinking. Meaning - if these people actually said these things, why is it I'm only seeing them being called out by some FB anti-Tea Party site?
I'm not some conservative apologist, at least I don't think I am. I am for fair and honest debate and sharing of ideas. If you are liberal and you want to see people in government who share your ideals, lying about the opposition isn't the right way to make that happen. The ends don't justify the means, do they?
And I say this to both sides of the political aisle. It just happens that the majority, but not all, of my FB friends tend to be liberal Democrats, so I see a butt load more of this kind of bullshit coming from that end of the spectrum.
I also made this because, as I mentioned, I see skeptics sharing these items. One in particular (I won't name the person) has such a strong political bias against Republicans their skepticism completely fails and they post away. Skeptics are supposed to help the internet to be a rational place. (A Sisyphean task, I know.) They're not supposed to add to the bullshit. And when some have a strong reputation of being a skeptic, others are more likely to accept their statements and sharing of political graphics as being true.
With great skepticism comes great responsibility.
Believe me, politicians and political pundits talk enough they are bound to say something stupid. And if you think they are on the wrong side of an issue that can be demonstrated by their actual words. So, give 'em what for when you think they are wrong, but be prepared to back it up and don't lie.
No matter how noble you cause, bullshitting people is still wrong."
"For the record, I put this graphic together. I had been seeing these images by STWTTWO being shared by FB friends who are skeptics and should know better. Shittily done "satire" such as this needs to be called out, because the likelihood of people believing it is too high. If you doubt that, just read the comments whenever you see graphics such as these shared on social media.
I asked in the comment threads for sources and checked out the ones given to me. I looked up the quotes. With the exception of one sentence attributed to Gene Simmons, none of these statements were uttered by the people in the images. And I checked my own logical thinking. Meaning - if these people actually said these things, why is it I'm only seeing them being called out by some FB anti-Tea Party site?
I'm not some conservative apologist, at least I don't think I am. I am for fair and honest debate and sharing of ideas. If you are liberal and you want to see people in government who share your ideals, lying about the opposition isn't the right way to make that happen. The ends don't justify the means, do they?
And I say this to both sides of the political aisle. It just happens that the majority, but not all, of my FB friends tend to be liberal Democrats, so I see a butt load more of this kind of bullshit coming from that end of the spectrum.
I also made this because, as I mentioned, I see skeptics sharing these items. One in particular (I won't name the person) has such a strong political bias against Republicans their skepticism completely fails and they post away. Skeptics are supposed to help the internet to be a rational place. (A Sisyphean task, I know.) They're not supposed to add to the bullshit. And when some have a strong reputation of being a skeptic, others are more likely to accept their statements and sharing of political graphics as being true.
With great skepticism comes great responsibility.
Believe me, politicians and political pundits talk enough they are bound to say something stupid. And if you think they are on the wrong side of an issue that can be demonstrated by their actual words. So, give 'em what for when you think they are wrong, but be prepared to back it up and don't lie.
No matter how noble you cause, bullshitting people is still wrong."
Movie Recommendation: Her (2013)
 |
| Warner Bros. |
Well written. Great performances. An intriguing look at the possible interaction between humans and Artificial Intelligence.
And some very, very, very bad pants.
Music heard on the show...
Dimland Radio opening theme song: 'Ram' by The Yoleus
First ad break bumpers: 'Jesus Chrysler Drives A Dodge' by The Screaming Blue Messiahs & 'God Damn Job' by The Replacements
First ad break bumpers: 'Jesus Chrysler Drives A Dodge' by The Screaming Blue Messiahs & 'God Damn Job' by The Replacements
Second ad break bumpers: 'Dear God' by XTC & 'Santa Claus Is Coming To Town' by Fred Astaire
Closing song: 'Angler's Treble Hook' by $5 FiddleThat's it! See you next Saturday night for Dimland Radio 11 Central, midnight Eastern on www.ztalkradio.com you can also download my show from the z talk show archives page. You can email your questions and comments to drdim@dimland.com
You can also go to my CafePress store and buy stuff with my artwork on it and have me do a portrait for you if you like. Find out more here and here.
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