First reaction by Richard Dawkins.

[DanDare]

I feel very annoyed that he is being misled with false information from (probably) Andrew Chalkley in order to cover up his incompetence. Until Richard has the full picture of what has happened and why, he'll just respond to the lies he's being fed.

Peter’s blog post seems like a pretty good summary. If he wants to read it, he can.

My view is that funds need to be raised to start RD-net II minus the RD foundation if there’s a will to do it. Let RD do what he wants with his own site. Me, I always rated Dawkins as a geneticist; if I want an atheist, I’ll stick with The Hitch, thanks.

Towards a New Foundation

[DanDare]

Bella, would you put an ugly photo of yourself up as your avatar please, or wear a jihab or something. Your avatar is very distracting and bad internet behaviour by happily married men like myself will be all your fault.

[eXcommunicate]

Bella, would you put an ugly photo of yourself ...

Blasphemer!

[Xeno]

Bella, would you put an ugly photo of yourself up as your avatar please, or wear a jihab or something. Your avatar is very distracting and bad internet behaviour by happily married men like myself will be all your fault.

See? His mind's already going when he writes jihab for hijab.

[fuck you & fuck your god]

If it was already mentioned, sorry, but a few weeks ago we got what was supposed to be an update from the powers that be describing how the redesign of the site was going, only there was almost nothing to the post. I cant remember who posted it??? It was curt and condescending to say the least, maybe we should have had an inking then. At the time, I had no idea who it was.

[virphen]

If it was already mentioned, sorry, but a few weeks ago we got what was supposed to be an update from the powers that be describing how the redesign of the site was going, only there was almost nothing to the post. I cant remember who posted it??? It was curt and condescending to say the least, maybe we should have had an inking then. At the time, I had no idea who it was.

I'm 99% sure the post you are referring to was made by Andrew Chalkers.

[heyjude]

Bella, would you put an ugly photo of yourself up as your avatar please, or wear a jihab or something. Your avatar is very distracting and bad internet behaviour by happily married men like myself will be all your fault.

HAHAHAHA ... Rationalia.com Where Atheists Advocate Burkas that'll be a first

[Kiwi]

Has the mainstream media picked this debacle up yet ?

[virphen]

Has the mainstream media picked this debacle up yet ?

Would you expect them to?

[heyjude]

Has the mainstream media picked this debacle up yet ?

Would you expect them to?

However much we don't want it to be... I think the whole issue is already over. Richard has said his bit... no doubt he's consoled Josh for going through all the abuse, and they've moved on. That's it. It probably isn't even going to register on the radar of the Foundation's income or traffic, or anything.

How many times in your life have you experienced something emotionally HUGE and unfair and traumatic? But...then... nothing happened. There was no retribution, no one got in trouble, sent to the Principal's office or lost their job, or even got a rap on their knuckles.

I guess that's what we're supposed to learn when our little shit of a brother or sister does something bad and we got in trouble for it. Life can be fucking unfair and we don't always get to fix it.

We're a strong community... let's try and focus on continuing what we had with those of us who want it. We don't even know how many people *will* leave rd.net ....

[tnjrp]

One would think some with, let's phrase it "anti-Dawkinsian" leanings might pick it up for the funny bit at the end, at the very least. And as an aside, anyone been to the fundie forums to check out if they've choked on their or are using the debacle otherwise to flag their particular horses (high, live or dead as the case may be) yet?

I generally agree with what PZ's been saying on this thread, BTW, in case anyone's counting.

[hackenslash]

I've been keeping an eye on Bananaman's blog. No sign of a clue there yet.

[ozewiezeloose]

I've been keeping an eye on Bananaman's blog. No sign of a clue there yet.

Clues on bananaman's blog? Come on!

[virphen]

I've been keeping an eye on Bananaman's blog. No sign of a clue there yet.

Clues on bananaman's blog? Come on!

[Chauncey Gardner]

Yeeeeeah, as a graphic designer, I have to say, I've never like RD.net's front page. Good grief, it's so CLUTTERED! What for degree did Josh freaking GO for? Not one in design, I hope. The only thing I like about it is the top banner.

that's true but also very unfair. i've project managed a few large websites and the most difficult thing to do is change the design, particularly of a site front page, because of familiarity. A site like rd.net that grew very quickly probably started out as a quick-n-cheerful html website where things just got added over time and there wasn't time (or maybe budget) for someone to stand back, take a long hard look at it and come up with a different user interface.

The current situation at rd.net interests me for a few reasons...(a) the speed with which some forum members flipped into becoming backstabbing whinging idiots is astonishing . It displays a level of irrationality that defies belief. (b) I'm curious to what the new "discussion area" will be like.

My guess is that they (Josh included) will come up with something smart, clever and useful.

There's something very unsavoury about some of the drama and comments being made about RD himself and the vitriol directed at Josh is incredible. Nobody comes out of this looking good. Josh could have managed the transition better and the RD.net community could have been more mature and rational in the way they responded.

The more comments I read from RDF exiles, on here, the more I'm thinking...."wow, it's no surprise that they wanted to cull that community..."