tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68065303722848225452024-03-13T22:09:51.161+00:00PogsurfPog, surfing. It does exactly what it says on the tin.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240399669150057121noreply@blogger.comBlogger199125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806530372284822545.post-77599958190408119822015-10-13T11:18:00.000+01:002015-10-13T11:18:45.094+01:00When the Dawn ComesA poem, read by the author, for you to enjoy.<br />
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<br />Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240399669150057121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806530372284822545.post-10557430397233628842015-08-31T06:23:00.000+01:002015-08-31T06:23:36.482+01:00Calling out the bigotry of Ophelia Benson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYlKWWze5ccMxTsLie9tNGkSVxIXhlscT4qaka8-1slIyqj7fWlHFV14Lq5RGZpWx_X6dyX17UTzIthVfaGDcqsgi-nv0cWBbFsiJUaTd3siz0NYOYlMNw_J4xXNPBM_vl28LLNMratJs/s1600/Melby+you+sick+fuck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYlKWWze5ccMxTsLie9tNGkSVxIXhlscT4qaka8-1slIyqj7fWlHFV14Lq5RGZpWx_X6dyX17UTzIthVfaGDcqsgi-nv0cWBbFsiJUaTd3siz0NYOYlMNw_J4xXNPBM_vl28LLNMratJs/s320/Melby+you+sick+fuck.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ophelia Benson tweets:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Melby you sick fuck you really need to stop obsessing over me. Yes you really are like the pitters that way.</blockquote>
Benson is saying her target is "sick" and "obsessed". She is using the language of mental health to make her argument, but the aggression of "sick fuck" makes it clear this comment is not made in a compassionate or caring way. Benson is slurring, presumably because she has run out of rational arguments to counter Melby's claims.<br />
<br />
Benson has choices. She could ignore Melby, by blocking her. Instead she chooses to vent her anger in a bigotted and harmful way.<br />
<br />
Ophelia Benson is a mental health bigot.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240399669150057121noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806530372284822545.post-10658529228334501072015-08-29T18:20:00.000+01:002015-08-29T18:20:12.389+01:00Exciting news!I'm really pleased to announce that Rebecca Watson has been helping me with a chapter of my forthcoming book about bullying (prov. title: How to be a Bully), the one which will deal with the law and bullying. Rebecca has a unique perspective as a feminist and an atheist who was extensively bullied by her own "allies" following the Elevatorgate scandal.<br />
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The book has been delayed somewhat, largely because Prof. Myers insisted on doing more fieldwork. The end result will be worth it, I just have to learn to be as patient and dedicated as my esteemed colleagues.<br />
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More news as soon as I can talk about it, Pogsurf.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240399669150057121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806530372284822545.post-80718212332561445552015-08-28T09:44:00.000+01:002015-08-28T09:46:13.687+01:00DiscocuntsToday's Guest Post comes from Peter Flanders. I used to be at secondary school with Peter back when I used to live in Luton. When I saw he had posted this a the Slymepit I sought his permission to repost. I hope you enjoy.<br />
______________________________________<br />
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Original post: <a href="http://slymepit.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=302011#p302011" target="_blank">http://slymepit.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=302011#p302011</a><br />
Refers to post at Butterflies & Wheels: <a href="http://www.butterfliesandwheels.org/2015/massive-i-tells-ya/" target="_blank">http://www.butterfliesandwheels.org/2015/massive-i-tells-ya/</a><br />
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Discocuntgate continues to rumble on (in my head). I didn't see Benson's post until after she had noticed it was a hoax, so I don't know if I too would have been fooled by it. But I think there were so many clues to its spoofiness any native English speaker should have spotted it was a joke quite easily. This shows a woeful lack of scepticism on her part, and when she did correct the post, her "Never mind" comment demonstrates she pays little heed to her having been shown to be so gullible. She offers no insight into why she was had, so we don't know if she never read the link she posted, taking just the image alone on trust, or whether she read the original article and every single one of the alarm bells contained within it flew over her head, or whether she placed too much trust in the way she was first tipped off that the image existed. I'm going to de-construct it from my England based perspective, others may find even more hidden jokes which I have overlooked.<br />
<br />
Oafie titles her post 'Massive, I tell ya'. She finds it funny that a massive sign, including the word massive, has a massive 'cunt' typo in it. Nothing wrong with that, I do too. But then she proceeds to describe it as if it were a real event. Her link to the origin says "Cardiff Store Apologises For Offensive Shop Banner".<br />
<br style="background-color: #ecf3f7; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />
First clue. Which store? There's no store name in the image, who was apologising?<br />
Next clue. It just looks a bit photoshoppy.<br />
<br />
On to the original article. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.walesoncraic.com/cardiff-store-apologises-for-offensive-shop-banner/" target="_blank">http://www.walesoncraic.com/cardiff-store-apologises-for-offensive-shop-banner/</a><br />
<br />
She has clearly never seen the source website before. It's called WalesOnCraic. Craic is an Irish word. It means gossip or vibe. What's the craic? has a close similarity to What's happening? in meaning. It's not a Welsh word, or if it is it is no where near as common as the Irish version. It is pronounced 'crack'. The site name is "Wales On Crack". We can be certain that Benson read the article's headline, because she quoted it in her post. Maybe she found that funny too, that a Cardiff store owner would have to apologise for such a massive typo. As I re-read the article I notice I had overlooked that in paragraph two we learn that the store name is "Massive Discounts". So the central point of WalesOnCraic's joke is that the store did not notice an offensive typo in the sign for their own store. This escaped me as I didn't expect a store to be called "Massive Discounts" in itself. Whether Benson thought that was the store name we will never know.<br />
<br />
Paragraph three we find the store owner is called Jim Bellend. For those not familiar with English slang, the bellend is the end part of a penis. It would be extremely unlikely that it would be a Welsh person's surname.<br />
<br />
<b> Jim Bellend wrote:</b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“I’ve always hammered home the importance of good spelling to my staff. Unfortunately, this didn’t extend to the twat who made my sign and posted it for all the world to see. It’s a massive embarrassment as I don’t have any discocunts in stock.”</blockquote>
Unlikely a store manager would call a member of staff a 'twat' when giving a quote to a newspaper. The store manager is oblivious to the problem of displaying "DISCOCUNTS" on the High Street, he is concerned that he can't stock them.<br />
<br />
Lesley Longarms looks like a made up name, but is just possible.<br />
<br />
<b>Lesley Longarms wrote:</b><br />
<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“I popped in to get one for my husband as I’d rather he didn’t touch mine. I was vexed when they told me that they didn’t sell any. I left in tears so I went to Burger King and stuffed my face full of dead cow and fat.”</blockquote>
Lesley Longarms wanted to buy a discocunt for her husband because she would rather he didn't touch her discocunt. Hmm, that looks a little problematic to me. She was vexed when they said they didn't sell discocunts. Similar. The 'dead cow and fat' line also seems a bit unlikely when giving a quote to someone.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The shop has since replaced the banner.</blockquote>
Lovely little understated punchline from WalesOnCraic, or as Benson would say, after all that fuss, "Never mind."<br />
<br />
So perhaps you have never heard of WalesOnCraic before, and you don't know about Royston Butterscotch's reputation as a fearsome journalist. Why not try the "about us" button?<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
WalesOnCraic is a spoof website for entertainment purposes only.</blockquote>
They are very open about their mission. One click and Benson could have settled any little niggling doubts. But she didn't have any, and it is even likely she didn't read past the headline of the article.<br />
<br />
Benson prides herself in teasing apart every little nuance of other people's comments and statements. But when she gets tucked up like a kipper, reports spoof as fact, we are told to never mind. It is inconsequential that she cannot tell fact from fiction, even when the clues are pressed up against her nose.<br />
<br />
The comments are enlightening too:<br />
<br />
<b>Rob wrote:</b></div>
<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Facepalm. How does that get through even the most cursory system?</blockquote>
Err, if you are talking about how Benson posted this, it is because she is extremely gullible.<br />
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<b>Galloise Blonde wrote:</b></div>
<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
FAKE. I’ve lived in Cardiff for over five years and I’ve never seen any shop resembling this. Plus it totally looks Photoshopped and comes from a stupid ‘satire’ site.</blockquote>
Her first reason is the unlikely "fact" that she knows every shop in Cardiff, at city with a population of over 300,000. Second, it looks photoshopped, which is better, but is not conclusive proof of anything. Finally she gets it, it's a "stupid 'satire' site". Not so stupid that they couldn't fool Benson mark you. If WalesOnCraic is stupid, Benson is even dumber by falling for it. Nice compliment for your blog host there.<br />
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<b>Delft wrote:</b></div>
<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Are you sure this is real? Just judging by the other post titles I’d say this is a spoof site: </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Helpline Opens To Help Women Addicted To Buying Cushions </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
New Series Of Rentaghost To Be Filmed In Bedlinog </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Labour Party To Organise Piss-Up In A Brewery</blockquote>
<br />
Delft has his/her suspicions, but doesn't know how to check them.<br />
<br />
<b>Delft wrote:</b></div>
<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
But worth a smile: </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
[Shopkeeper: ] …It’s a massive embarrassment as I don’t have any discocunts in stock. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Shopper Lesley Longarms said: “I popped in to get one for my husband as I’d rather he didn’t touch mine. I was vexed when they told me that they didn’t sell any.”</blockquote>
Delft has now noticed a smutty joke.<br />
<br />
<b>Caf wrote:</b></div>
<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
This is satire, but I’ve worked in banner making and its actually not that implausible that a mistake can creep in. If it gets past the digital stage, people will likely never see the whole banner until its in place, and even then, they aren’t looking for spelling mistakes, so it may be a client that sees it first.</blockquote>
Caf gets it, but doesn't enlighten us as to where his/her opinion comes from.<br />
<br />
Benson gets off on being a humourless old crone. Full marks to WalesOnCraic for exposing how she can be dumber than stupid. She could have used this as an opportunity to explain what she found funny and why she failed to spot the wind up. You have to suspect she is embarrassed for finding such a massive cunt joke funny. If she was just able to apply the analytic skills she applies to everyone else to herself we might end up with a much more likeable and insightful person.</div>
Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240399669150057121noreply@blogger.com0Luton, UK51.8786707 -0.4200255000000652251.8002737 -0.58138700000006516 51.9570677 -0.25866400000006523tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806530372284822545.post-37474995672496651062014-12-24T07:53:00.000+00:002014-12-24T07:53:27.813+00:00A Slight Hiccup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240399669150057121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806530372284822545.post-6323247535995269002014-12-20T08:52:00.000+00:002014-12-20T08:52:21.327+00:00Who the bloody hell is he?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240399669150057121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806530372284822545.post-74846735821298725012014-05-03T08:07:00.002+01:002014-05-03T08:07:59.622+01:00Untitled.bmp<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirGeRqbJiUrpR4AzHbTSPoDBNcBABWgjMfBGbZZtkIGYC26100054rldyiipb0HlyckLtek1l7oyEEeUk0I8CCMzK5b8qCfbpnnFhAYKZyw09QfwT_KDQVSg9yBVPgbKqliuyIqIgCrNY/s1600/Untitled.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirGeRqbJiUrpR4AzHbTSPoDBNcBABWgjMfBGbZZtkIGYC26100054rldyiipb0HlyckLtek1l7oyEEeUk0I8CCMzK5b8qCfbpnnFhAYKZyw09QfwT_KDQVSg9yBVPgbKqliuyIqIgCrNY/s1600/Untitled.bmp" height="200" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240399669150057121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806530372284822545.post-81946484326226234252014-05-03T06:09:00.002+01:002014-05-03T06:09:36.801+01:00Untitled.bmp<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjC2axp8FCRG_SBurcTCuS5ZBwJtKOGzCvx3N4Izt8bh1_Aj6cB-YAkGXeo2sv-JMwmW0wlzhdPPlu6LMo0X0UTpy_pBZIhzgxxOpjt8Kuo80o5iTQCPBT-fFK0WWO5VzDvnWeM_7TMZg/s1600/Untitled.bmp" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjC2axp8FCRG_SBurcTCuS5ZBwJtKOGzCvx3N4Izt8bh1_Aj6cB-YAkGXeo2sv-JMwmW0wlzhdPPlu6LMo0X0UTpy_pBZIhzgxxOpjt8Kuo80o5iTQCPBT-fFK0WWO5VzDvnWeM_7TMZg/s320/Untitled.bmp" height="307" width="640" /></a><br />
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I have resolved to live by a new doctrine called #Wiesnerism.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240399669150057121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806530372284822545.post-75964424330519619782014-05-02T08:10:00.000+01:002014-05-02T08:26:45.424+01:00Available for late Autumn 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1m0tOOJEYgyO5qJULVDJDIjGdemLef4_7ck2VEifZ27TP5BSA3S7-P57HweqIbD8XYRtTwIPAokDqVPYUIBLwLnkwcyKqSvdGXRPsRafwtFDBWmrMTp08d_5iAjGDm75TeVFcIQB8kJw/s1600/Whats+it+like+to+be+a+bully.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1m0tOOJEYgyO5qJULVDJDIjGdemLef4_7ck2VEifZ27TP5BSA3S7-P57HweqIbD8XYRtTwIPAokDqVPYUIBLwLnkwcyKqSvdGXRPsRafwtFDBWmrMTp08d_5iAjGDm75TeVFcIQB8kJw/s1600/Whats+it+like+to+be+a+bully.bmp" height="400" width="282" /></a></div><br />
Inspired by the life of Descartes, informed by the questioning of Camus and exhilarated by the scholarship of Sartre the author of this book goes on adventure into the darkest recesses of the human mind.<br />
<br />
Who is the hero, who's the villain, we just don't know, and that is the nub of problem. This book has a happy ending, but will challenge you to take your thinking just a little bit further.<br />
<br />
<br />
Face your fears and learn to go deeper in this WORLD-WIDE best seller.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Price: tba<br />
ISBN: tba<br />
<br />
<b>Special offer:</b> in recognition of their true but zany commitment to freedom of expression members of the <a href="http://slymepit.com/phpbb/">SlymePit</a> are entitled to purchase a signed copy at 25% discount, but this offer is conditional upon satisfactory documentary evidence being provided.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240399669150057121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806530372284822545.post-69649724974824077972014-01-21T13:45:00.001+00:002014-01-21T13:45:09.792+00:00St George Slaying the Dragon Named Mohammed<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVQADv1EPcr7EWus6HzYytGC0qUlnBRmyuUO2Vc_gbdlXVj-WnSv96pwW2s7_Q0N_zabN50H12g2wSVrcXmqeKYYXb-XJtaHEOSopKG8-7vKDPjWZTrRXeGHob9fwONL8XfuIsOy4u9k/s1600/st-george-slaying-the-dragon-named-mohammed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVQADv1EPcr7EWus6HzYytGC0qUlnBRmyuUO2Vc_gbdlXVj-WnSv96pwW2s7_Q0N_zabN50H12g2wSVrcXmqeKYYXb-XJtaHEOSopKG8-7vKDPjWZTrRXeGHob9fwONL8XfuIsOy4u9k/s1600/st-george-slaying-the-dragon-named-mohammed.jpg" height="640" width="451" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. George slaying the dragon named Mohammed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240399669150057121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806530372284822545.post-48444787393775710402013-07-08T18:03:00.000+01:002013-07-08T18:03:02.325+01:00Blogging may be light ...Pogsurf is off for an eight day canal boat cruise, so blogging may be light until he resurfaces. <br />
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Enjoy the rest of the blogosphere until then.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240399669150057121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806530372284822545.post-8357039592952293722013-07-04T06:18:00.000+01:002013-07-04T06:18:16.998+01:00Is this plagiarism?The Internet is awash with rumours that PZ Myers has plagiarised his own work by lifting long passages from his blog and republishing them in book form. If properly attributed then this does not consist of plagiarism. Until now Pogsurf has been unable to get a copy of said book in order to check for himself; Waterstones in St Albans and Hemel Hempstead say the book does not exist.<br />
<br />
So the question is, is requoting a private e-mail, which I wrote and sent yesterday, and publishing it here on this blog today plagiarism? Answers on a postcard please to the usual address.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">
Hello!</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">
<br />
I've started the petition "International Humanist and Ethical Union: Revoke the award you gave to Professor PZ Myers in 2011" and need your help to get it off the ground.</div>
<div original_target="http://www.change.org/en-gb/petitions/international-humanist-and-ethical-union-revoke-the-award-you-gave-to-professor-pz-myers-in-2011" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">
<br />
Will you take 30 seconds to sign it right now? Here's the link:<br />
<a href="http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/international-humanist-and-ethical-union-revoke-the-award-you-gave-to-professor-pz-myers-in-2011" saprocessedanchor="true" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.change.org/en-GB/<wbr></wbr>petitions/international-<wbr></wbr>humanist-and-ethical-union-<wbr></wbr>revoke-the-award-you-gave-to-<wbr></wbr>professor-pz-myers-in-2011</a> <span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">
Here's why it's important: <span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">
Myers is a poor excuse for a humanist. He uses his blog, Pharungula, to smear, threaten and belittle those with whom he has ideological differences. The silencing tactics he uses are unbecoming of a professor, whose first duty is to foster rational debate.<span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">
Myers has used his blogs to host threats. This borders on criminal activity and is clearly ethically unsound. Myers is a rape apologist who uses the taboo of anal rape culture to taint his opponents and to belittle those who challenge his views.<span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">
The IHEU are so out of touch with this that in one early communication they wrote to me that:</div>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="background-color: white; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
"... Myers himself is well-known for championing language-sensitivity ..."</blockquote>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">
The IHEU should revoke their 2011 award to Myers, and make a public apology for their misguided behaviour for promoting as a humanist champion such a bullying and repulsive individual.<span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">
You can sign my petition by clicking here. <span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">
Thanks! <span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">
</div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">
</div>
<span class="HOEnZb" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;"><span style="color: #888888;">Martin Wiesner</span></span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">
PS it is not very often I include my entire address book in a mailout, but this is one of those occassions.</div>
</blockquote>
___________________________________<br />
<b>Examples of nasty pushback following the above e-mail</b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br /><table aria-role="presentation" cellpadding="0" class="cf gJ" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0588235); border-collapse: collapse; color: #777777; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; margin-top: 0px; width: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="gF gK" style="margin: 0px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: top; white-space: nowrap; width: auto;"><span class="gD" email="info@bchumanist.ca" name="BC Humanists" style="color: #222222; display: inline; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">BC Humanists</span></td><td class="gF gK" style="margin: 0px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: top; white-space: nowrap; width: 326.4583435058594px;"></td><td class="gH" style="color: #222222; margin: 0px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top; white-space: nowrap;"><span alt="3 July 2013 14:50" class="g3" id=":2of" style="margin-right: 3px; vertical-align: top;" title="3 July 2013 14:50">14:50 (15 hours ago)</span><br />
<div aria-checked="false" aria-label="Starred" class="zd" role="checkbox" style="cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: 20px; outline: 0px;" tabindex="-1">
<span class="T-KT" style="display: inline-block; height: 19px; margin: -4px 0px; padding: 2px; text-align: center; width: 19px;"><img alt="" class="f T-KT-JX" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/images/cleardot.gif" style="margin-top: 0px; vertical-align: top;" /></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="gF gK" colspan="3" style="margin: 0px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: top; white-space: nowrap; width: 577.5694580078125px;"><table cellpadding="0" class="cf iB" style="border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: fixed; white-space: nowrap; width: 577.7777709960938px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="margin: 0px;"><div class="iA g6" style="color: #555555; overflow: hidden; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: top;">
Please remove us from your address book.</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
<div>
</div>
<br />
Answer: No. Then added to Google+ circle called "Wankers".Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240399669150057121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806530372284822545.post-47676804606714447802013-07-02T09:27:00.000+01:002013-07-02T09:27:05.815+01:00News Flash: Mermaid spotted near Co-op in North Watford<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Amazing! </b></span><br />
<br />
A real live mermaid has just been spotted outside the Co-op on the St Albans Road in North Watford.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagVtnmUJ2PXQk2-BGYO0BJOFbyxELOqLjTePCQ0jJkbSaW9nAK0IoReF1zgMha_UBCofl-QqiU6KugLUUFJXjAr9LVW2w2jKhB5Q8B_1MGjL4DJj1kfFrJbegLdYvroB644itmNELZoo/s1600/North-WATFORD-mermaid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagVtnmUJ2PXQk2-BGYO0BJOFbyxELOqLjTePCQ0jJkbSaW9nAK0IoReF1zgMha_UBCofl-QqiU6KugLUUFJXjAr9LVW2w2jKhB5Q8B_1MGjL4DJj1kfFrJbegLdYvroB644itmNELZoo/s640/North-WATFORD-mermaid.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
#BuriedTreasure</div>
<br />
If you spot Justin Vacula holding an exactly similar looking one in Dublin this coming Sunday 30th June 2013 you will win a <b>£10 spot prize</b>.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Update 2<span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span> July 2013</b></u><br />
The £10 spot prize has been claimed by a Pirate Wench, who prefers to remain anonymous.<br />
Competition closed.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240399669150057121noreply@blogger.com0Dublin, Ireland53.3498053 -6.260309699999993453.0463133 -6.9057566999999933 53.6532973 -5.6148626999999935tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806530372284822545.post-38342220137590638862013-06-27T06:50:00.000+01:002013-06-27T06:50:17.153+01:00Shivver Me Timbers!!1!<span style="font-size: x-large;">Avast Ye Swabs!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Shiver me Timbers, and Hoist the MainBrace!</span><br />
<br />
There be trouble and storms ahead on the High Seas, landlubbers.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8KKIt4PZjQyttDLJT090Mc3EW-lW4SdQ3fxrkJba4W0Wp-17qiTvhnT1d13hJ7lZSdl6WKYwkd6Zw80xG1WGqHGFF6VGcfgekktQY8m1c2nf-W8LCWywmlA3XPifRpE9omT_Xgw-t3Y/s1600/%23BuriedTreasure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="#BuriedTreasure" border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8KKIt4PZjQyttDLJT090Mc3EW-lW4SdQ3fxrkJba4W0Wp-17qiTvhnT1d13hJ7lZSdl6WKYwkd6Zw80xG1WGqHGFF6VGcfgekktQY8m1c2nf-W8LCWywmlA3XPifRpE9omT_Xgw-t3Y/s320/%23BuriedTreasure.jpg" title="Treasure Island" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to embiggen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Poor old Capt. Blackbeard has lost his moral compass, and our <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Caganer&src=typd">#BraveHero</a> Capt. Pogsurf intends to get it back.<br />
<br />
Using the treasure map on the left, try to work out how Capt. Blackbeard will get from the land of <a href="http://www.morris.umn.edu/">morris men</a> to the land of <a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSstL-_4bSx8BU_t9GIWVpdoohDFh_lmftFd9CFvQHQ0EGVspI4zbc_xMnW">black gold</a>.<br />
<br />
Will he find his lost moral compass along the way, or will Pogsurf have to hand it to him on a party plate like a giant foam pie? We just don't know, and half the fun is just joining in and trying something new out.<br />
<br />
Happy Sailing to all travellers worldwide. And watch out for pirates!Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240399669150057121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806530372284822545.post-86864839505989696532013-06-26T22:47:00.001+01:002013-06-26T22:47:13.910+01:00Interesting conversation from the internet's biggest coward<a class="twitter-timeline" data-widget-id="350006254615273473" href="https://twitter.com/pzmyers">Tweets by @pzmyers</a><br />
<script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+"://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs");</script><br />Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240399669150057121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806530372284822545.post-28113508781979357722013-06-26T07:00:00.001+01:002013-06-26T07:00:26.120+01:00Another abusive e-mailRegular readers of Pogsurf will know that we do not treat abusive e-mailers very kindly here. The most recent abusive e-mail comes from David Pollock who is Regional Coordinator, Europe for the International Humanist and Ethical Union. His e-mail address is <a href="mailto:david.pollock@iheu.org">david.pollock@iheu.org</a> .<br />
<br />
Between 10th and 25th June 2013 I sent a total of five e-mails on the subject of rape jokes and threats made by PZ Myers. Pollock says that the subject I refer to is "a crude but not uncommon trope". Pollock feels he is entitled to comment upon my psychological state, a common silencing tactic, and labels me "obsessive". For the record Mr David "Wanker" Pollock, the correct word is 'tenacious'.<br />
<br />
Pollock's malicious communication has been forwarded to Hertfordshire Constabulary. The IHEU have been warned that any further abusive e-mails they send to Pogsurf will be published in full.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240399669150057121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806530372284822545.post-40673545249451868522013-06-24T04:52:00.000+01:002013-06-24T04:52:51.947+01:00Conference resource<b>Updated 24 June 2013</b><br />
The competition is now closed and all panelists have been contacted directly.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9469XAQMrm0N3JwZ3Q4ZzlqVTQ/edit?usp=sharing">Click here to download the answers</a><br />
<br />
If you would like to see how rape culture on a blog can lead to threats to others being treated as normal <a href="http://pogsurf.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/i-have-now-found-thread-on-michael.html">click here</a>.<br />
<br />
Original post (as amended) follows:<br />
______________________________________________<br />
<div>
I have a resource which I am aiming to distribute to the skeptical, feminist and non-feminist and atheist communities by 29th June 2013, in time for the Empowering Women Through Secularism conference which is being held in Dublin.</div>
<a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9469XAQMrm0NzVtUVl2Ulp0NTA/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9469XAQMrm0NzVtUVl2Ulp0NTA/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Click here to download the resource</a><br />
<br />
If you would like a clue to questions 1 to 3 <a href="http://pogsurf.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/pharungula.html" target="_blank">click here</a><br />
<br />
If you would like to see some background research <a href="http://heathen-hub.com/blog.php?b=1712" target="_blank">click here</a> and scroll down to 'Rape culture'<br />
<br />
______________________________________________<br />
<b>Distribution list</b><br />
<br />
Conference panelists<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://ffrf.org/">Dan Barker</a>, Freedom From Religion Foundation, USA</li>
<li><a href="http://freethoughtblogs.com/butterfliesandwheels/">Ophelia Benson</a>, author and commentator, USA</li>
<li><a href="http://www.annbrusseel.be/">Ann Brusseel</a>, Member of Flemish Parliament, Belgium</li>
<li><a href="http://www.michaelnugent.com/2012/10/20/if-there-is-a-right-to-life-there-must-be-a-right-to-death-mairin-de-burca/">Mairin de Burca</a>, writer and secularist, Ireland </li>
<li><a href="http://atheistalliance.org/">Carlos Diaz</a>, President Atheist Alliance International, Argentina</li>
<li><a href="http://atheist.ie/">Jane Donnelly</a>, Education Policy Officer Atheist Ireland</li>
<li><a href="http://ffrf.org/">Annie Laurie Gaylor</a>, Freedom From Religion Foundation, USA</li>
<li><a href="https://twitter.com/amcteirnan">Anthea McTiernan</a>, reproductive rights activist and journalist</li>
<li><a href="http://fitnahmovement.blogspot.co.uk/">Maryam Namazie</a>, Fitnah Movement for Women’s Liberation</li>
<li><a href="http://freethoughtblogs.com/taslima/">Taslima Nasrin</a>, novelist and activist, Bangladesh and India</li>
<li><a href="http://michaelnugent.com/">Michael Nugent</a>, Chairperson Atheist Ireland</li>
<li><a href="http://www.internationalfreethought.org/spip.php?article80">Nina Sankari</a>, Polish Rationalist Association </li>
<li><a href="http://www.irishimmigrationworks.com/">Farhana Shakir</a>, lawyer and legal consultant, Pakistan</li>
<li><a href="http://www.katesmurthwaite.co.uk/">Kate Smurthwaite</a>, comedian and activist, Britain</li>
<li><a href="http://onelawforall.org.uk/">Anne Marie Waters</a>, One Law for All Campaign, Britain</li>
<li><a href="http://skepchick.org/">Rebecca Watson</a>, Skepchick network, USA</li>
</ul>
<br />
Other named individuals<br />
<ul>
<li>Christine Shellska </li>
<li>Jeremy Shepperd </li>
<li>Justin Vacula </li>
<li>Sara E. Mayhew </li>
<li>Stuart Bechman </li>
<li>Tim Larmour </li>
<li>Tim Skellett </li>
<li>Victor Franco </li>
</ul>
<br />
Organisations<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Ateistisk Selskab</li>
<li>Atheism UK</li>
<li>Atheist Association of Finland</li>
<li>Atheist Foundation of Australia</li>
<li>Atheïstisch Verbond</li>
<li>BC Humanist Association</li>
<li>Centar za građansku hrabrost</li>
<li>Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain</li>
<li>Free Society Institute</li>
<li>Freedom From Religion Foundation</li>
<li>Freethought Lebanon</li>
<li>Gambia Secular Assembly</li>
<li>HALEA</li>
<li>IBKA-Vorstandssekretariat</li>
<li>Iniciativa Atea</li>
<li>Malta Humanist Association</li>
<li>Minnesota Atheists</li>
<li>Philippine Atheists and Agnostics Society</li>
<li>Progressive Atheists Inc.</li>
</ul>
______________________________________________<br />
If you would like to add more names or organisations to my distribution list please feel free to do so, then comment below, or to get in touch with me personally to let me know.<br />
<br />
<br />Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240399669150057121noreply@blogger.com0Watford, Hertfordshire, UK51.656489 -0.3903199999999742451.498894 -0.71304349999997418 51.814084 -0.067596499999974247tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806530372284822545.post-21998450174540501192013-06-20T05:43:00.000+01:002013-06-20T05:43:38.590+01:00I have now found the thread on Michael Nuggent's blog which details the worst excesses of the Slymepit. It can be found <a href="http://www.michaelnugent.com/2013/03/03/examples-of-nasty-pushback-against-some-feminists-on-the-internet/">here</a>, under the title "Examples of ‘nasty pushback’ against some atheist/skeptic feminists on the Internet". The items are numbered 1 to 50. I can find no threats amongst them.<br />
<br />
Looking back at "Cataloguing threats" I can see I need to make a correction. The list of publishers of threats should read:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>PZ Myers</li>
</ol>
A table of threats for the #FtBullies v. Slymepit blog war can now be drawn up thus:<br />
<br />
<table border="1"><tbody>
<tr> <td>Threat</td> <td>Publisher</td> <td>Nym</td> <td>Redaction status</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>1.</td> <td>PZ Myers</td> <td>Janine</td> <td>redacted</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>2.</td> <td>PZ Myers</td> <td>J</td> <td>redacted</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>3.</td> <td>PZ Myers</td> <td>Janine</td> <td>redacted</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>4.</td> <td>PZ Myers</td> <td>Wowbagger</td> <td>redacted</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>5.</td> <td>PZ Myers</td> <td>stogoe</td> <td>redacted</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>6.</td> <td>PZ Myers</td> <td>Blake</td> <td>redacted</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>7.</td> <td>PZ Myers</td> <td>RickrOll</td> <td>unredacted</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>8.</td> <td>PZ Myers</td> <td>Ward S. Denker</td> <td>unredacted</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>9.</td> <td>PZ Myers</td> <td>Janine</td> <td>unredacted</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>10.</td> <td>PZ Myers</td> <td>Cath the Canberra Cook</td> <td>redacted</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>11.</td> <td>PZ Myers</td> <td>Jeff Eyges</td> <td>redacted</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>12.</td> <td>PZ Myers</td> <td>Janine</td> <td>redacted</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>13.</td> <td>PZ Myers</td> <td>phantomreader42</td> <td>redacted</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>14.</td> <td>PZ Myers</td> <td>Shplane</td> <td>unredacted</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>15.</td> <td>PZ Myers</td> <td>ambullcetus</td> <td>redacted</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>16.</td> <td>PZ Myers</td> <td>AJ Milne</td> <td>unredacted</td> </tr>
<tr> <td>17.</td> <td>PZ Myers</td> <td>Janine</td> <td>unredacted</td> </tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It is a now a very simple step to see that PZ Myers has unashamedly used his position as a blog publisher to enable others to make threats. I think my entire case that Myers is an unworthy recipient of the 2011 award by the IHEU is made, and I shall be e-mailling them shortly.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240399669150057121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806530372284822545.post-39792678174111733012013-06-19T07:55:00.000+01:002013-06-19T07:55:42.249+01:00Abusive callsToday was a busy day on the telephone here at Pogsurf Towers. The phone never stopped ringing. A chart detailing the number of abusive calls is shown below:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjykmmx4Zc-w0T5jmFMqqtgMWUHtEdR_SfwPfvyOAMtKY1BIHMuA5FBa2O5xkBP33H0newfSKzCRtPQ6j1hMMW8exfjVadUfjOmOGGCuNrT0QHnyO0Y-5IGQqT69T3TF-6qr_2BOKXm-NI/s1600/abusive-calls-18-06-13.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjykmmx4Zc-w0T5jmFMqqtgMWUHtEdR_SfwPfvyOAMtKY1BIHMuA5FBa2O5xkBP33H0newfSKzCRtPQ6j1hMMW8exfjVadUfjOmOGGCuNrT0QHnyO0Y-5IGQqT69T3TF-6qr_2BOKXm-NI/s320/abusive-calls-18-06-13.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Calls to Pogsurf Towers 18th June 2013*</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
All calls are now being auto-diverted to Scotland Yard's Anti-Harassment Unit, logged and monitored. Suspects are being interview by local police forces where appropriate.<br />
<br />
_______________________________________<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">* One caller was a receptionist working for Pogsurf's dentist. She has now been released from custody after her immigration papers were shown to be genuine. Pogsurf offers his profuse apologies for the amount of police time that she has wasted.</span>Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240399669150057121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806530372284822545.post-58969060274651134882013-06-19T05:53:00.000+01:002013-06-19T05:53:59.362+01:00Cataloguing threatsGreta Christina <a href="http://freethoughtblogs.com/greta/2013/06/17/open-letter-to-cfi-withdrawing-support/">makes a real world claim</a> which should be possible to verify by examining the evidence:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #2c2b2b; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><i>It expressed the intent to work with “all elements of the secular community,” without any acknowledgement of the “elements” in this community who have been engaging in a persistent campaign of hatred, harassment, abuse, and threats of violence, rape, and death towards feminist women in this movement. </i></span></blockquote>
Without wishing to minimise the suffering of anyone, it must be acknowledged that hatred, harassment and abuse are highly subjective, and so are going to prove much more difficult to catalogue. Threats of violence, rape or death are in themselves much more serious issues, and should in theory be simpler to catalogue.<br />
<br />
I propose a template thus. Establish a list of publishers who have allowed threats to be made. I am unsure of who the publisher is at the Slymepit, or whether individual commentators should be identified as publishers, so for the time being the list of publishers is:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Unknown</li>
<li>PZ Myers</li>
<li>... (add other publishers here)</li>
</ol>
<div>
It has been claimed that a list of Slymepit threats have been published on Michael Nugent's blog, although I have not yet seen this for myself. When this is located I will add the relevant data.</div>
<br />
Establish a list of nyms who issue threats. From the #FtBullies side I am going to use the numbered list published at <a href="http://aratina.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/skepsheik-liar-lunatic-or-lord.html">Aratina's "</a>Skepsheik: <a href="http://aratina.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/skepsheik-liar-lunatic-or-lord.html">Liar, Lunatic, or Lord?"</a> post thus:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Janine</li>
<li>J</li>
<li>Janine</li>
<li>Wowbagger</li>
<li>stogoe</li>
<li>Blake</li>
<li>RickrOll</li>
<li>Ward S. Denker</li>
<li>Janine</li>
<li>Cath the Canberra Cook</li>
<li>Jeff Eyges</li>
<li>Janine</li>
<li>phantomreader42</li>
<li>Shplane</li>
<li>ambullcetus</li>
<li>AJ Milne</li>
<li>Janine</li>
<li>... (add Slymepit and other relevant threats here)</li>
</ol>
<div>
Take the same list of threats, and note if the threat has been redacted:</div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>redacted</li>
<li>redacted</li>
<li>redacted</li>
<li>redacted</li>
<li>redacted</li>
<li>redacted</li>
<li>unredacted</li>
<li>unredacted</li>
<li>unredacted</li>
<li>redacted</li>
<li>redacted</li>
<li>redacted</li>
<li>redacted</li>
<li>unredacted</li>
<li>redacted</li>
<li>unredacted</li>
<li>unredacted</li>
<li>... (add Slymepit and other redactions here)</li>
</ol>
<div>
Obviously the above is a work in progress, and may appear quite one-sided at this time. Commenters are welcome to link to other published lists of threats and similar material below.</div>
</div>
Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240399669150057121noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806530372284822545.post-48149162136170128782013-06-18T00:50:00.000+01:002013-06-18T00:50:10.347+01:00Catching up with some paperworkPogsurf's Statcounter gizmo has gone a bit bonkers tonight. (ProTip: click on the beer bottle to see who is visiting Pogsurf tonight). Tomorrow he will rise at about 8.30 BST and has to go and pick a neighbour's child up from school, leaving at about 2pm. He will mostly be sorting out his paperwork, so if you'd like to phone him at home, or on his mobile, during daylight hours, please feel free to do so.<br />
<br />
PZ Myers is far to chicken to call himself, which is why he is <a href="http://freethoughtblogs.com/butterfliesandwheels/2013/06/in-the-mail/">trying to motivate his horde</a> to harass Pogsurf. <br />
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An Garda Síochána have already advised that should PZ attend Dublin 2013 he will be arrested under a EU-wide arrest warrant for 'inciting or coercing others to commit a felony'. Enjoy you conference from behind bars, PZ!<br />
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<br />Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240399669150057121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806530372284822545.post-40707354133251120162013-06-17T23:27:00.000+01:002013-06-17T23:34:56.039+01:00Pogsurf is off to DublinPogsurf is appearing in <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/orchestras/concertorchestra/about/news/imaginewatford2013.shtml">a show at Watford Palace Theatre</a> on the 29th June, then he is off Dublin the very next day for a conference, and to drink some Guiness. Why not comment below if you to are off to somewhere nice?Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240399669150057121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806530372284822545.post-16660717845658677992013-06-17T01:12:00.003+01:002013-06-17T01:32:38.422+01:00Another bully spotted in the wild: BLS NelsonPogsurf has spotted another bully out in the wild, this time it's a 'Philosopher'.<br />
<br />
Look <a href="http://blog.talkingphilosophy.com/?p=6958#comment-137620" target="_blank">here</a> where Pogsurf posts as Pogsurf, but BLS (Big Lazy Slob) Nelson replies in the following comment as 'Pog'. For the record, Pogsurf, has many, many friends in real-life (i.e. offline) who refer to him as Pog. Why should it matter if the Slobster uses that particular nym in the short form?<br />
<br />
The reason is is that BLS is making a 'calculated insult'. This is a very slight form of insult, but one which the recipient will notice, and one that is very hard<span style="font-size: x-small;">*</span> for others to detect. Pogsurf is being bullied by belittling, and ignored in that BLS refuses to address the philosophical content<span style="font-size: x-small;">**</span> of Pogsurf' two comments. Philosophy has a strong ethos of tackling the ball and not the player, so this sort of thing should be frowned upon by any owners of a philosophical blog.<br />
<br />
What does Pogsurf do when he is bullied? First <a href="http://pogsurf.blogspot.com/2013/06/abusive-e-mail.html" target="_blank">he gets angry</a>. Then he lets his emotions settle down a bit. Then <a href="http://pogsurf.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/professor-soon-to-return-humanist-award.html" target="_blank">he gets even</a>. The last time Pogsurf got abused by an idiot, he threatened to feast on the beating heart of the abuser, and to doxx all the abusers' loose acquaintances to family and friends.<br />
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Since BLS thinks he is being 'funny' by belittling someone who comments on his blog, Pogsurf intends to complain to the highest power he can in order to deal with the little squirt. More soon when we have a copy of the letter to the Editor of <a href="http://blog.talkingphilosophy.com/?page_id=1351"><i>The Philosophers’ Magazine</i></a>.<br />
<br />
Remember: ignoring plus belittling equals bullying. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*</span> The Slobster is creating a false aire of bonhomie.<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">** </span>No True Sctosman fallacy, Is/ought not being a dichotomy, comments about 'labelling'. Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240399669150057121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806530372284822545.post-42822002432955778832013-06-14T09:52:00.000+01:002013-06-14T09:52:19.742+01:00Definition: Shunning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fL55Fdo4cgB4_Ctt_Gwk5HXoh-wXX5a9Gpjg4GjFhbOAkEPDOVWkOwoTT2RfQeO7k5dHXka3re1qklmcxOErmtZmNK0Ha3vJg4vrAYvqQcDqX9zE7Vzs2Uqq8VyT_roYIoN3OuV8Uo0/s1600/shunned.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fL55Fdo4cgB4_Ctt_Gwk5HXoh-wXX5a9Gpjg4GjFhbOAkEPDOVWkOwoTT2RfQeO7k5dHXka3re1qklmcxOErmtZmNK0Ha3vJg4vrAYvqQcDqX9zE7Vzs2Uqq8VyT_roYIoN3OuV8Uo0/s640/shunned.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Shunning is a behaviour where someone is turned away from from some person or some place that they would like to go. There must be at least two parties for shunning to occur.<br />
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Don't worry over-much when shunning occurs. The best thing to do is to take some time out, reflect upon your own actions, and query whether your intent was good or bad. Because humans have many prejudices, and often feel guilt or shame from past actions, you may find a range of emotions will occur open discovering you have been shunned. Take a little bit of time to let your emotions settle, and see how you feel about it later.<br />
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Don't forget that the people or person who are on the other side of the shunning wall may be feeling strong emotions too. Giving them time to reflect upon their own actions may lead to a more satisfactory resolution of the shunning incident in the long term.<br />
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When shunnig occurs, there are three possible outcomes:<br />
<ol>
<li>You let the matter rest and go someplace else</li>
<li>You feel aggreived and seek sort of redress from the shunner</li>
<li>You come to understand that your own actions were disruptive or wrong </li>
</ol>
In time you will come to understand better where you lie on the 123 ladder. Don't forget for any particular incident you may hit any particular rung of the ladder.<br />
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When shunning is combined with taint you have bullying. Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240399669150057121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6806530372284822545.post-23282304303339824932013-06-13T08:31:00.002+01:002013-06-14T04:07:24.420+01:00Thought for the day: this is not Islam #hastag<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXy6rbcC1irhUCXYxTDYWRMK7QnqTevLIFAI4BXipVEQGzkCgFu1PL9d9ZQnOzAkfY7njTfRshBTwfcNs6nUVjbkZB6t9sNuSfSd-OK0vsbUDURfdzG3pn8D32o_FeKNZ5uKrCRWhlI8/s1600/this-is-not-Islam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="St George slaying the Dragon that is named Mohammed" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXy6rbcC1irhUCXYxTDYWRMK7QnqTevLIFAI4BXipVEQGzkCgFu1PL9d9ZQnOzAkfY7njTfRshBTwfcNs6nUVjbkZB6t9sNuSfSd-OK0vsbUDURfdzG3pn8D32o_FeKNZ5uKrCRWhlI8/s640/this-is-not-Islam.jpg" title="This is not Islam" width="451" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/search/timeline?q=%23thisisnotIslam&src=typd">#thisisnotIslam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/realtime?q=%23tRecovery&src=typd">#Recovery</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/realtime?q=%23tRecovery&src=typd">#Insight</a> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Created in 2013, here Wiesner draws upon a number of intertwined motives; such as Bulgarian Orthodox iconography, the legend of St George, the oppression of the Welsh by their near neighbour the English and the killing of animals for meat<span style="font-size: x-small;">*</span>; yet still retaining his overall <span class="st">naïve style. The piece, formerly titled <b>'this is not Islam #hashtag'</b>, when is first was first published worldwide on a now long extinct blog<span style="font-size: x-small;">**</span> on 13th June 2013<span style="font-size: x-small;">***</span>.</span><br />
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The narrative of the art clearly is from right to left, unlike most art within the contemporaneous western European period, but retains a top to bottom direction. Does the lance, or more formerly the 'lancicle' graze the dragon's neck, or does it draw the observer's eye to the leading letter of the piece's caption? We may never know, and counties have gone to war over less.<br />
<br />
Wiesner never spoke of the meaning of the phrase 'St. George slaying the dragon named Mohammed', and the Mohammed reference itself is highly obscure. Probably an early English King or similar. The handle of the lancicle extends beyond the borders of the frame, seeking viewers to question the very existence of frames of reference themselves, and to go yonder and to seek a wider view from themselves.<br />
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Overall Pogsurf verdict: 4<span class="st">¾ out of 10, a bit naff, and it will never catch on. </span><br />
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Media: felt pen and watercolour on stock white 90gsm laserjet paper<br />
Dimensions: "A4" which is 8.3" x 11.7" or as was then 210mm<span style="font-size: x-small;">****</span> x
297 mm
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">* This practice was still legal but mostly frowned upon by decent people in 2013</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">** Believed to be called 'Plogslurf', from the German roots of 'plog' and 'slurfing'</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*** Opinions still differ when and where the piece was first exhibited, but what is known is that this took place within the three months after 13/6/2013, was in the south-west Herts area, and on that day it was definitely raining.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">**** mm: obsolete measuring terminology, which was abandoned after the fall of the EU in 2016.</span>Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240399669150057121noreply@blogger.com0