OPEN LETTER TO RICHARD DAWKINS

[cowiz]

Great letter. My only reservation is the venom directed at the "part-time cameraman and his side-kick yuppie". IMHO this detracts from the message and may elicit an emotional reaction from the Professor - he is on record stating his respect for Josh and his works, and to dismiss him with ad hominem attacks weakens your arguments.

Just my 2c.

The mere fact that I have been able to avoid needless and cheap ad hominems on the forums for 2½ years should inform him, should he be bothered to take note of this, that I don't rush into such things in writing lightly. It's a measure of my displeasure.

Your frustration is clear, but I'm not sure that Dawkins will view ad hom attacks in the same way.

Shit, I'm debating with Cali *hold me, I'm scared*

[Wondering Fart]

... He dedicated his book to Josh so I would be cautious of how you criticize him.

Does having a book by Richard Dawkins dedicated to you deify you somehow? Neither Richard nor Josh are exempt from criticism . . . especially not Josh.

A forum was opened for the purpose of human beings to come and participate in discussion. When human beings are involved they will likely behave like humans. The individuals concerned ought to expect perfectly human responses to injustice.

[Horwood Beer-Master]

Perhaps if you were to post this in the current incarnation of the never-ending open thread over at Pharyngula, it may grab some wider attention?


Just a thought.

It seems PZ has just commented on this issue - except he doesn't seem to understand the half of it.


Perhaps some folks here could enlighten him on Josh's behaviour.

[Wondering Fart]

Perhaps if you were to post this in the current incarnation of the never-ending open thread over at Pharyngula, it may grab some wider attention?


Just a thought.

It seems PZ has just commented on this issue - except he doesn't seem to understand the half of it.


Perhaps some folks here could enlighten him on Josh's behaviour.

Yikes! OK perhaps someone ought to direct PZ to Peter's blog. I don't know if he will even take the time to read it.

[Flora]

I enjoyed reading that! If you decide to send it, you might want to tone down the ad-homs a little as that might prevent RD from reading it further.

I have a whole staff one in production at the moment - I'm waiting for all the staff's agreement on it before I send it. You know where to look for it Cali.

[95Theses]

Great letter. I hope you don't mind a little constructive criticism?

I must agree with:

Great letter. My only reservation is the venom directed at the "part-time cameraman and his side-kick yuppie". IMHO this detracts from the message and may elicit an emotional reaction from the Professor - he is on record stating his respect for Josh and his works, and to dismiss him with ad hominem attacks weakens your arguments.

Just my 2c.

He dedicated his book to Josh so I would be cautious of how you criticize him.

and

And it's too long by half.

Busy man, that Dawkins, need to make it short enough that there's some chance he'll read it.

Sorry

Additionally some of your sentences are very long and make it hard to read. Keep it a bit simpler if you can.

The professor is a big boy in the big boys playground. I'm sure he can get his head around the large words.

[Calilasseia]

Perhaps if you were to post this in the current incarnation of the never-ending open thread over at Pharyngula, it may grab some wider attention?


Just a thought.

It seems PZ has just commented on this issue - except he doesn't seem to understand the half of it.


Perhaps some folks here could enlighten him on Josh's behaviour.

Just posted there. Let's see if I receive some serious response.

[Ironclad]

It's good.
I'd scale back the Pol-Pot and Pinochet analogies personally, but it's gtg.

IC

[Calilasseia]

I enjoyed reading that! If you decide to send it, you might want to tone down the ad-homs a little as that might prevent RD from reading it further.

I have a whole staff one in production at the moment - I'm waiting for all the staff's agreement on it before I send it. You know where to look for it Cali.

Taken a peek. You'll find my approval in the same place. And if that doesn't work, I suggest we send my little carpet bomb above.

[Heresiarch]

Yikes! OK perhaps someone ought to direct PZ to Peter's blog. I don't know if he will even take the time to read it.

PZ read it. He linked to it in the blog post on Pharyngula.

[locutus7]

Cali, your post at Pharyngula was excellent, although I personally preferred the detailed letter that started this thread. The problem is, RD and others have already begun spinning this as a normal evolutionary change that people are blowing out of proportion. Front Page poster Miranda Celeste gave her approval to RD in PZ's blog, and I expect she won't be the last.

Frankly, I'm guessing RD has realized they stumbled in the execution of this transition, and he is concerned about internet smears to his reputation. So he will unleash some supporters to unspool the counternarrative of "just a few malcontents."

[AshtonBlack]

Perhaps if you were to post this in the current incarnation of the never-ending open thread over at Pharyngula, it may grab some wider attention?


Just a thought.

It seems PZ has just commented on this issue - except he doesn't seem to understand the half of it.


Perhaps some folks here could enlighten him on Josh's behaviour.

Just posted there. Let's see if I receive some serious response.

That post over at PZ's is good, very good.

[Calilasseia]

Well, for the time being I'll hold back sending this, in the hope that a somewhat calmer measure offered up by Topsy has some effect. If it doesn't, he gets the above literary bomb, and I make my displeasure felt significantly.

[tytalus]

The post at Pharyngula is fine. The OP here is a bit of a run-on (long, and sentence wise - I have Nathaniel Hawthorne flashbacks from that many commas per sentence). And although I realize the more attack-ey bits are a measure of displeasure and Prof. Dawkins ought to be able to see past that, it's reasonable to see his actions for what they are, recognize bias, and adjust accordingly.

[Mysturji]

Wow. That was even better than my letter.
Not sure about all the ad-homs. Maybe just keep a couple of the best ones?
Also, good point comparing the forum to the Great Library, but Pinochet? Seriously. No-one died.
Just my 2p.