OPEN LETTER TO RICHARD DAWKINS

[hackenslash]

Oh, that's right. Get Cali on my case!



I approve of Cali's letter, although I have made my reservations known in this thread.

[HughMcB]

[Girlysprite]

I've been reading the post and following up the links in this thread...and wow...I didn't know it was this bad. I just stumbled in when someone emailed me the link of this forum (I'm very grateful to this person). I guess I'll just stick with this forum then.

[MissingNo.]

In light of what Dawkins has said on the issue, I think it's even more imperative that you reconsider the ad hominems in the letter. The emotions may be justified but considering Dawkins already thinks you're being rabid hate-mongers and from what I understand, thinks of Josh as a personal friend, the tone of your letter isn't going to help. It's only going to help to confirm his misapprehensions about the situation.

[recursive prophet]

Great letter Cali. I'll post a link at TalkRational, and hope you will soon join in the science discussions there. I believe you are already registered. You will see many familiar faces from the evo forum at what was rd.net. I was part of a group that left for TR last April, as by then I saw the demise of RDF as inevitable. I still posted there-mostly in the Tech forum after that-and came here after Seth was banned and Charlou gave up trying to reason with TPTW.

I'm afraid Richard has failed to take his age into account and has become way over-extended. The very fact he would rely so heavily on a twat like Josh is ample proof. One can hope the public relations disaster that has resulted from such misplaced delegation of authority will bring things into focus, but I doubt it will happen.

Anyway, thanks for all the insight you shared in the forums, and I look forward to reading more of your scientific views at TR. Ratz is a great place to talk about a wide variety of subjects, and there are many interesting users here. But for science discussions, I suspect TR will be the site that picks up Richard's fallen baton. Over the last couple months I noticed the traffic in the 2 science fora there had overtaken those at rd.net, and I believe once you become active at TR you will understand why. Here's hoping I see more of you, both here and there. (I've always said ratz has the best smiley selection in the metaverse. )

[ElDiablo]

Cali.
Too late now, but...
I would lose the Pol Pot and Pinochet references - too overboard. We're still around to protest.

I respect Dawkins' work and I only know of him through books and video, but I can't say I'm surprised or appalled by his position. In the interviews I've seen of him, he doesn't seem to be able to understand individuals. He needs to hang around Judge Judy for a while; she can tell when someone is full of crap without from a mile away.

[HughMcB]

To ALL,

Please read thread...

http://rationalia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=75&t=9279

[recursive prophet]

Cali.
Too late now, but...
I would lose the Pol Pot and Pinochet references - too overboard. We're still around to protest.

I would agree, ElD, but not to worry. I think the chance RD would have read the entire letter is about the same as Josh posting a mea culpa and opening the forum again. I don't believe that even now Richard begins to comprehend the damage he has done to his reputation. By the time he finally gets it, it will be way too late. Probably is already. The morale of this story? Make sure all your heroes are long dead.

[Fred Hsu]

[lordpasternack]

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.

But Richard said that Josh also pretty much founded RD.net, and I presume he does most of the tech work...

[Flora]

Cali, I see elswhere that you've asked to have this published in news media. Please would you emphasise that this letter is purely your own personal comment and has not come from the rest of the forum staff. Thanks.

[Matthew Shute]

The thread had fallen off the main page, so: "bump". I hope Richard Dawkins has an opportunity to read this letter at some point; I would be intrigued to read his response.

[Blondie]

Good post, but if you plan to submit it for printing by various newspapers might I suggest you have someone edit it for you? There are a few grammatical 'curiosities' as well as several points of style that could do to be amended.

[goodboyCerberus]

Edit: Self-censor: Never mind. Calilasseia's post is a day old and I don't feel like stirring the pot.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Honestly, the rhetoric about Pinochet et al is very overheated.

I disagree with the way Josh has handled this, but let me ask you: who has been "disappeared"? No, really. Who has been tortured? Who has been murdered?

You weaken your case by such fevered comparisons. This is a tempest in a teapot, and nothing more; and while I'm convinced you've been treated badly, you're still breathing, you're still eating, and you're still paying the rent.

Quit with the hyperbole already.