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"The Origin of Specious Nonsense"

«134567…201

Comments

  • #2
    fatmammycat
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,208 ✭✭✭fatmammycat


    Heard this advertised earlier, checked out site and pods, zero science on offer, even in the page samples. Nor is May (author) a scientist himself.


  • #3
    c_man
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,436 ✭✭✭c_man


    From bowsing that site
    Reasons why I detest Evolution

    1: It teaches us to be satisfied with - not understanding origins.

    :D:D:D


    Conor Lenihan is going be at the launch of this garbage? Really?


  • #4
    Dades
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 25,558 Mod ✭✭✭✭Dades


    I really hope the part about the Minister turning up is bollocks.

    A publicity stunt on behalf of the publishers perhaps?


  • #5
    c_man
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,436 ✭✭✭c_man


    Dades wrote: »
    A publicity stunt on behalf of the publishers perhaps?

    You can also bet that that e10,000 won't be given out in a raffle. I imagine it'll be on offer to anyone who can prove evolution or something...


  • #6
    fatmammycat
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,208 ✭✭✭fatmammycat


    maybe so, I would be surprised if he did make an appearance at this kind of bash.


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  • #7
    MagicMarker
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 32,865 ✭✭✭✭MagicMarker


    For a minute there I thought Conor Lenihan wrote it! Although launching it isn't much better.

    Where is Buswells hotel?


  • #8
    GLaDOS
    Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 23,228 Mod ✭✭✭✭GLaDOS


    "A Hoax" "A Joke"
    "A Fantasy" "An Impossibility"
    "A Fiction"
    "A Fairytale For Adults"
    "The greatest deceit in the history of science"

    Getting rave reviews

    Cake, and grief counseling, will be available at the conclusion of the test



  • #9
    sensibleken
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,650 ✭✭✭sensibleken


    I went to a talk on the great o'neil which featured conor lenihan last week. he came accross as...a bit dim. so im not really suprised/


  • #10
    oceanclub
    Registered Users Posts: 3,411 ✭✭✭oceanclub


    Nope, he's launching it; I rang Lenihan's office and it was confirmed. When I asked did not having a Minister for Science launch an anti-science book give it credence, I was told that just because he was launching it did not mean he agreed with it, which obviously wasn't the question I asked.

    P.


  • #11
    Turtwig
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,578 ✭✭✭✭Turtwig


    This is purely an attempt to try to get book publicity by sparking controversy. Ignore and stop discussing it.:)


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  • #12
    MagicMarker
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 32,865 ✭✭✭✭MagicMarker


    Malty_T wrote: »
    This is purely an attempt to try to get book publicity by sparking controversy. Ignore and stop discussing it.:)

    Discussing what?

    :pac:


  • #13
    Dades
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 25,558 Mod ✭✭✭✭Dades


    Malty_T wrote: »
    This is purely an attempt to try to get book publicity by sparking controversy. Ignore and stop discussing it.:)
    While that might be true, I think it's ridiculous that the minister is going.

    I'm going to let him know, too.

    http://www.deti.ie/corporate/ministersoffice/lenihan.htm


  • #14
    fatmammycat
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,208 ✭✭✭fatmammycat


    This is beyond ridiculous.


  • #15
    axer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,517 ✭✭✭axer


    This sums up the stupidity of the author:
    127451.JPG


  • #16
    MagicMarker
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 32,865 ✭✭✭✭MagicMarker


    ''Charles Darwin & King Kong the Gorilla shall be present''.

    WTF?


  • #17
    Pushtrak
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,640 ✭✭✭Pushtrak


    axer wrote: »
    This sums up the stupidity of the author:
    Only thing that could make that worse would be if they'd used "Euro's."


  • #18
    Galvasean
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,746 ✭✭✭✭Galvasean


    Damn tacky website crashed my browser. F#cking Creationist SCUM! :mad:

    It's beyond ridiculous that the minister for science is helping to launch this tripe. I'm sending him an email to express my concern (that says a lot since I normally don't bother).


  • #19
    Galvasean
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,746 ✭✭✭✭Galvasean


    axer wrote: »
    This sums up the stupidity of the author:
    127451.JPG

    Maybe he is raffling off ten thousand individual euro coins?


  • #20
    pts
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 576 ✭✭✭pts


    Grrrrr.....
    Will be writing an angry email this evening. Is there any particular way a TD should be addressed?


  • #21
    Sam Vimes
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,611 ✭✭✭✭Sam Vimes


    pts wrote: »
    Grrrrr.....
    Will be writing an angry email this evening. Is there any particular way a TD should be addressed?

    "Thieving gombeen" I believe is the correct nomenclature


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  • #22
    Dades
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 25,558 Mod ✭✭✭✭Dades


    pts wrote: »
    Grrrrr.....
    Will be writing an angry email this evening. Is there any particular way a TD should be addressed?
    Just remember you pay his wages (the wages of sin...)


  • #23
    fatmammycat
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,208 ✭✭✭fatmammycat


    In his book May uses 'the wonder of pregnancy to disprove the hoax of evolution'. Oh dear. Just...oh dear.


  • #24
    Zombrex
    Closed Accounts Posts: 25,848 ✭✭✭✭Zombrex


    Galvasean wrote: »
    Maybe he is raffling off ten thousand individual euro coins?

    €10,000 worth of euro coins? :P


  • #25
    sink
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,314 ✭✭✭sink


    I sent the minister an angry (but polite) email. I'll let you know if I get a reply.


  • #26
    Zombrex
    Closed Accounts Posts: 25,848 ✭✭✭✭Zombrex


    This book seems to be being self published

    http://originalwriting.ie/bookshop/non-fiction/bodymindspirit/the-origin-of-specious-nonsense/

    Seems like anyone with a twitter account can get a Minister to come to their "lauch party"

    What was that about coming to the opening of an envelope:P


  • #27
    Rowley Birkin QC
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,248 ✭✭✭Rowley Birkin QC


    Just e-mailed Matt Cooper, would be great if he picked up on this nonsense.


  • #28
    Galvasean
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,746 ✭✭✭✭Galvasean


    Email sent. Had to reign in on the bad language....
    I am writing to express my absolute dismay that you, our Minister for Science, are helping with the launch of the book 'The Origin Of Specious Nonsense'. This book is about as unscientific in approach as one could imagine. You would be wise to pick and chose what kind of literature you are seen to promote with greater care as this move is making you look like a laughing stock in the eyes of right thinking members of our society.

    Yours sincerely,

    Sean


  • #29
    sink
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,314 ✭✭✭sink


    This is what I wrote.
    Dear Sir,

    I was horrified to discover that you will be attending a book launch of "The Origin of Specious Nonsense" by author John J. May. Although I have not yet read it I understand that this book attacks evolution, one the most well supported theories in the entire field of biology and underpins everything we know about the nature of life. It is so well supported by evidence in the fossil record and DNA that it is considered a fact as much as gravity is considered fact.

    Now if John J. May discovered some evidence that disproved evolution, such as a species which does not fit in the phylogeny of the tree of life and so falsifies it, he should publish his research in a scientific journal and there would be no doubt that he would win a Nobel prize and become a world renowned figure.

    I have my doubts as to the credibility of his claims and his motivations. Evolution has been under attack since it's inception by religious dogmatists who are anti-scientific in outlook. Motivated not by a quest for truth through following the empirical evidence as uncovered by the scientific method, but rather a quest to uphold their superstitions and religious nonsense above that of science. Their modus operandi is to deny the evidence, muddle the facts and discredit true science and scientists in the public media.

    Sir as the minister for science, you represent the government in all matters pertaining to science and to be associated with such anti-scientific tripe, discredits you, discredits this government and discredits the people of this country who elected you. I genuinely hope you reconsider attending this book launch.

    Yours Sincerely,


  • #30
    amacachi
    Closed Accounts Posts: 23,316 ✭✭✭✭amacachi


    I'm really confused and don't want to ask the obvious question for fear of ruining the thread. :pac:


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  • #31
    keane2097
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,775 ✭✭✭✭keane2097


    Emailed the minister there - this is appallingly stupid on his part.


  • #32
    mohawk
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,785 ✭✭✭mohawk


    At first I was shocked that the minister for science would go to a book launch for an anti-evolution book but, then I thought this is Ireland of course the minister for science would go to such a book launch.
    :mad::(:eek:


  • #33
    Dades
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 25,558 Mod ✭✭✭✭Dades


    amacachi wrote: »
    I'm really confused and don't want to ask the obvious question for fear of ruining the thread. :pac:
    Has anyone read the book? :p


  • #34
    Sam Vimes
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,611 ✭✭✭✭Sam Vimes


    Dades wrote: »
    Has anyone read the book? :p

    I read this in the synopsis:

    "These men appear to be intelligent good people who have sacrificed reason on the alter of , Chance , Mutations, Randomness which is a concoction for chaos. (I have read their excellent books)"

    In order to attack evolution people almost always do one of two things: Ignore mutation and say that nothing new can be created or more commonly ignore natural selection and say that evolution is nothing but chance. This guy has done the latter


  • #35
    Handsome Bob
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,905 ✭✭✭✭Handsome Bob


    Galvasean wrote: »
    Email sent. Had to reign in on the bad language....

    Very diplomatic, you also avoided any cheap shots, very classy indeed good sir. :)


  • #36
    Turtwig
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,578 ✭✭✭✭Turtwig


    I'm in two minds over this. On the one hand having the minister of science promote horse **** is just about what any minister does. The problem is that this particular horse **** is extremely dishonest and misrepresentative of actual scientific observations and facts.

    On the other hand there is obvious fact that this is what the creationist nutters want. They want there to be an outcry. Nothing will spark them more publicity, look what a tiny insignificant little church in Florida managed to accomplish last week. If we cause an uproar over this book we are doing the creationists more of a favour. The general public does not understand, indeed absurdly, many of them fear science. Creationist logic is pathetic, but it appeals to everyday lay peoples intuition and preys on it. The public see one guy in a labcoat (or Dr in his title) say something and another person opposes it. Letting the controversial opinion be taught in our schools suddenly becomes fair.

    Guys, I think we should ignore this, yes it is disgusting, but sometimes doing the thing that seems so glaringly obviously correct can in hindsight turn out to be glaring obviously wrong. Ignore it, the last thing we want is lay people hearing creationist lies, if this topic becomes media attention you can bet your arse that in a 30 second snippet it will be impossible to explain to the public how creationism is utterly wrong without appearing dismissive or arrogant - something that does not do you favours. Resist the urge of your instincts to show how appalled you are, and simply let this flow by with no notice given.


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  • #37
    Zombrex
    Closed Accounts Posts: 25,848 ✭✭✭✭Zombrex


    Dades wrote: »
    Has anyone read the book? :p

    I've watched the Youtube videos. His argument against us descending from apes is "Have you ever tried living in a tree?" and his argument against us descending from the ocenas is "Sit in a bath for a few hours"

    This guys seems as nuts as the "Bananas: The Atheist Nightmare" guys


  • #38
    GLaDOS
    Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 23,228 Mod ✭✭✭✭GLaDOS


    Sent my own email there, debating isn't my strong point but it's the point that counts
    Dear Conor,

    It has come to my attention that you, our Minister for Science are helping to launch the anti-evolution book "The Origin of Specious Nonsense" . This strikes me as some sort of bad joke and I cannot overstate my anger, as a student of science myself. This book has no basis in science and at the very best should be ignored. Instead we see you appearing to endorse it, which is a shocking display from a man in your position. I find myself embaressed that our government is backing such nonsense.

    Cake, and grief counseling, will be available at the conclusion of the test



  • #39
    monosharp
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,981 ✭✭✭monosharp


    Wicknight wrote: »
    I've watched the Youtube videos.

    linky ?


  • #40
    Sam Vimes
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,611 ✭✭✭✭Sam Vimes


    monosharp wrote: »
    linky ?

    some here: http://www.theoriginofspeciousnonsense.com/index-1.html


  • #41
    Cuddlytroll
    Registered Users Posts: 55 ✭✭Cuddlytroll


    Malty_T wrote: »
    I'm in two minds over this. On the one hand having the minister of science promote horse **** is just about what any minister does. The problem is that this particular horse **** is extremely dishonest and misrepresentative of actual scientific observations and facts.

    On the other hand there is obvious fact that this is what the creationist nutters want. They want there to be an outcry. Nothing will spark them more publicity, look what a tiny insignificant little church in Florida managed to accomplish last week. If we cause an uproar over this book we are doing the creationists more of a favour. The general public does not understand, indeed absurdly, many of them fear science. Creationist logic is pathetic, but it appeals to everyday lay peoples intuition and preys on it. The public see one guy in a labcoat (or Dr in his title) say something and another person opposes it. Letting the controversial opinion be taught in our schools suddenly becomes fair.

    Guys, I think we should ignore this, yes it is disgusting, but sometimes doing the thing that seems so glaringly obviously correct can in hindsight turn out to be glaring obviously wrong. Ignore it, the last thing we want is lay people hearing creationist lies, if this topic becomes media attention you can bet your arse that in a 30 second snippet it will be impossible to explain to the public how creationism is utterly wrong without appearing dismissive or arrogant - something that does not do you favours. Resist the urge of your instincts to show how appalled you are, and simply let this flow by with no notice given.
    While I fully agree with your assessment of the fundamentalist creationists, the fact of the matter is our elected representative is giving credence to the book by attending the launch in his capacity as Minister for Science. People all over Europe could open a newspaper to see that Ireland let elected a man to that position who publicly declares his bat**** crazy rejection of fundamental scientific theory. In the current economic climate, it is massively detracting from our nation's credibility (whatever is left) and so the sensible option would have to be to oppose his attendance.

    Having said that, a part of me does want him to go, just so that FF's reputation will be dragged through the mud some more.


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  • #42
    Zillah
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,371 ✭✭✭✭Zillah


    Make it big, sing it loud and sing it long.

    Toot on Creationists, you fuppin' lunatics, toot on.


  • #43
    Turtwig
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,578 ✭✭✭✭Turtwig


    Cuddlytroll wrote: »
    While I fully agree with your assessment of the fundamentalist creationists, the fact of the matter is our elected representative is giving credence to the book by attending the launch in his capacity as Minister for Finance. People all over Europe could open a newspaper to see that Ireland let elected a man to that position who publicly declares his bat**** crazy rejection of fundamental scientific theory. In the current economic climate, it is massively detracting from our nation's credibility (whatever is left) and so the sensible option would have to be to oppose his attendance.

    Having said that, a part of me does want him to go, just so that FF's reputation will be dragged through the mud some more.

    Europe, won't read it in their papers unless it becomes a BIG story.;) With regard to Europe judging us on this because of our minister of Science apparently supporting Pseudo Science that won't even cause them a shudder. Many prominent ministers in Europe already support pseudo science. When I said public, I should have said human population, most people simply do not understand science and distrust it. In fact, Ireland is the country in Europe with the biggest amount of trust in science.


  • #44
    axer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,517 ✭✭✭axer


    Sent in my complaint earlier on too.
    me wrote:
    Hi,

    I cannot believe that the Minister responsible for Science in this country
    is helping to promote a book that goes against the very nature of science.

    This is an absolute joke and makes a mokery of the Ministerial position.
    What type of message is this sending out?


    Regards,
    xxx

    Got back the standard:
    I wish to acknowledge receipt of your recent email to Minister Conor
    Lenihan.

    I will bring it to the Ministers attention at the earliest opportunity.

    I didnt want to contact the media because this eejit (the author) will end up getting free publicity instead.


  • #45
    GLaDOS
    Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 23,228 Mod ✭✭✭✭GLaDOS


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mYt974wGqo



    You facepalm, you lose

    Cake, and grief counseling, will be available at the conclusion of the test



  • #46
    davef1000
    Closed Accounts Posts: 223 ✭✭davef1000


    Email'd:

    "Dear Mr. Lenihan,

    Can you please explain why, as Irish Minister of State with special responsibility for Science, Technology, Innovation and Natural Resources, you will be attending, and indeed officiating at, the launch of a book which aims to call into question the Theory of Evolution (The Origin Of Specious Nonsense by John J. May)?

    Your appearance at this event will lend credence to this man's delusions, and to his anti-intellectual book. It will also bring further disrepute upon this Government (and it isn't as though you haven't enough of that to go around already...).

    Do you even know anything about evolution? You do, after all, have 'special responsibility' for Science.

    Please reconsider this decision. Or at least read up a bit on why this man's book is errant nonsense. I suggest Charles Darwin's On The Origin Of Species as a good place to start.

    Yours sincerely..."

    How stupid(er) can this gov't get?


  • #47
    Goduznt Xzst
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,353 ✭✭✭Goduznt Xzst


    Perhaps the author titled the book not to describe what he would discuss within its pages but rather he feels the book itself is the origin of Specious Nonsense.

    I'd tend to believe the latter.


  • #48
    Nemi
    Closed Accounts Posts: 334 ✭✭Nemi


    davef1000 wrote: »
    How stupid(er) can this gov't get?
    Hmm. Almost a year ago to the day.
    http://www.independent.ie/national-news/coughlans-no-einstein-after-gaffe-at-smart-economy-launch-1890227.html

    Friday September 18 2009

    THE TANAISTE lived up to her 'Calamity Coughlan' nickname yesterday. The gaffe-prone minister was left red-faced after she erroneously referred to the theory of evolution as having been formulated by Einstein. To make matters worse, the Enterprise, Trade and Employment Minister had just mentioned the Government's strategy of Building Ireland's Smart Economy.

    Speaking without notes to an invited audience of entrepreneurs to promote IDA Ireland's "aggressive" new campaign to market Ireland aboard, Ms Coughlan touched on the idea of the survival of the fittest. She said the IDA would be marketing Ireland as the innovation island -- "like Einstein explaining his theory of evolution".


  • #49
    Dexter Hollow Peacock
    Posts: 0 CMod ✭✭✭✭ Dexter Hollow Peacock


    Galvasean wrote: »
    Email sent. Had to reign in on the bad language....

    Is "the bad language" a place in which you can reign? :pac:

    All this nonsense is appalling but sad to say I'm not entirely surprised...


  • #50
    expectationlost
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,983 ✭✭✭✭expectationlost


    not sure when, but the posters been change "TD Minister of Science" isn't beside his name in the poster on his site http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=67983608&postcount=15

    versus http://www.theoriginofspeciousnonsense.com/images/launch%20pic.jpg

    axer you took that screengrab just today?


  • #51
    c_man
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,436 ✭✭✭c_man


    Email sent. Kept it decent. Well mostly.


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