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25 Most Influential Living Atheists

  • 14-01-2011 11:19AM
    #1
    vinchick
    Closed Accounts Posts: 162 ✭✭


    Hello!

    Just wondering has anyone else seen this list of the 25 most influential living atheists? Well according to that site anyway.

    http://www.superscholar.org/features/influential-atheists/


    Is there anyone missing that you would have put in or is it a good list?

    Love to hear your thoughts.


Comments

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


    Everyone on that list is awesome. I like that the four horsemen made it to the top, and I like that Susan Blackmore got in there.


  • #3
    CerebralCortex
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,811 ✭✭✭CerebralCortex


    Zillah wrote: »
    Everyone on that list is awesome. I like that the four horsemen made it to the top, and I like that Susan Blackmore got in there.

    Ray Kurzweil and PZ Myers are in there together interestingly considering their views on each other, especially PZ's views on Ray.


  • #4
    Tim Robbins
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,026 ✭✭✭Tim Robbins


    Lack of hot birds as expected. Number 15 is kinda cute. ~Your man Brian Cox has got to make the break through soon.


  • #5
    CerebralCortex
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,811 ✭✭✭CerebralCortex


    Tim Robbins wrote: »
    Lack of hot birds as expected. Number 15 is kinda cute. ~Your man Brian Cox has got to make the break through soon.

    I agree!!

    hecht_bw-thumb.jpg


  • #6
    Dades
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 25,566 Mod ✭✭✭✭Dades


    Interesting list!

    Never heard of half of those people! That said I was never initially influenced by atheists - just by reality. :pac:


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  • #7
    vinchick
    Closed Accounts Posts: 162 ✭✭vinchick


    I quite like the way they have some of their books listed. Means I don't have to go searching!


  • #8
    sponsoredwalk
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,038 ✭✭✭sponsoredwalk


    I would of thought Eugenie Scott would have made the top 10 if not top 5.
    Fighting creationism head on deserves recognition :cool:


  • #9
    robindch
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 24,452 Mod ✭✭✭✭robindch


    Tim Robbins wrote: »
    Lack of hot birds as expected.
    Please allow me to add Ariana Sherine:

    143323.jpg


  • #10
    Tim Robbins
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,026 ✭✭✭Tim Robbins


    robindch wrote: »
    Please allow me to add Ariana Sherine:

    143323.jpg

    That's the one who started the bus campaign. Yes she's a hottie alright.

    I wonder are atheist birds all lesbians.


  • #11
    vinchick
    Closed Accounts Posts: 162 ✭✭vinchick


    Tim Robbins wrote: »
    That's the one who started the bus campaign. Yes she's a hottie alright.

    I wonder are atheist birds all lesbians.

    Just the sensible ones.:D


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  • #12
    Galvasean
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,746 ✭✭✭✭Galvasean


    Only recognised a few TBH.
    No Angelina Jolie :'(


  • #13
    keppler
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 389 ✭✭keppler


    sponsoredwalk wrote: »
    I would of thought Eugenie Scott would have made the top 10 if not top 5.
    Fighting creationism head on deserves recognition :cool:


    And what would you know about fighting creationism eh.....:rolleyes:


  • #14
    sponsoredwalk
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,038 ✭✭✭sponsoredwalk


    keppler wrote: »
    And what would you know about fighting creationism eh.....:rolleyes:

    Lol, nothing! I only know what it's like to argue against someone pretending
    to be one of them :P


  • #15
    Zillah
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,371 ✭✭✭✭Zillah


    Tim Robbins wrote: »
    I wonder are atheist birds all lesbians.

    What?


  • #16
    Tim Robbins
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,026 ✭✭✭Tim Robbins


    Zillah wrote: »
    What?

    My tongue was in my cheek. Didn't think you buy that! ha Ha


  • #17
    Dades
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 25,566 Mod ✭✭✭✭Dades


    Good. I was having a wtf moment myself.


  • #18
    Zillah
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,371 ✭✭✭✭Zillah


    Well, ok, but I don't even get it if it's a joke. What's the association between lesbians and atheists? If we were talking about women's wrestling or short haircuts I could at least see where you were going with it.


  • #19
    MagicMarker
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 32,865 ✭✭✭✭MagicMarker


    Ugh, why do the people writing these lists insist on starting from No.1? I want to start from the end ffs! Scrolling down ruined it for me. :(

    Did TOTP start from no. 1?! :mad:


  • #20
    MagicMarker
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 32,865 ✭✭✭✭MagicMarker


    Interesting to see Sam Harris has a security detail, though not surprising.


  • #21
    Zillah
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,371 ✭✭✭✭Zillah


    MagicMarker wrote: »
    Interesting to see Sam Harris has a security detail, though not surprising.

    It makes him all the more dramatic and sexy.


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  • #22
    ArtSmart
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,614 ✭✭✭ArtSmart


    Benny?

    ETA. Yeah , nice list. (mostly) long time fan of Pinker.


  • #23
    CiaranMT
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,093 ✭✭✭CiaranMT


    Zillah wrote: »
    Well, ok, but I don't even get it if it's a joke. What's the association between lesbians and atheists? If we were talking about women's wrestling or short haircuts I could at least see where you were going with it.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN1AaHaqj4Q


  • #24
    KeithAFC
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,239 ✭✭✭✭KeithAFC


    Sam Harris is my favourite in regards to religion and the paranormal.


  • #25
    TwoShedsJackson
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,438 ✭✭✭TwoShedsJackson


    Michael Shermer used to be an evangelical Christian? Did not know that until now.

    Julia Gillard, Prime Minister of Australia, is an atheist, I know they are concentrating on scholarly types on that list but hopefully her atheism has made people in Australia consider their opinions on atheism.


  • #26
    Beruthiel
    Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 42,361 Mod ✭✭✭✭Beruthiel


    Tim Robbins wrote: »
    Lack of hot birds as expected.

    Luckily, all those hot men make up for it.....


  • #27
    HavingCrack
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,847 ✭✭✭HavingCrack


    I don't like the whole 'slant' of the list for a better word. Simply put, a lack of belief in a god or gods isn't enough to be counted as influential. It's almost saying that those people who are militantly atheist are somehow more 'worthy' than people who simply don't believe in deities. I just feel this is wrong.

    Being subjective, I'd argue that Mark Zuckerberg has in fact a lot more influence with a lot more people than Richard Dawkins has or indeed will ever have. For example, say the US president was atheist for the sake of the argument. Clearly he/she would far more influence on world affairs than anyone on that list. Whether they are loudly outspoken about their atheism, criticise ridiculous religious beliefs and religious positions of power or remain completely quiet about their lack of faith-'live and let live' and all that, is irrelevant, they're still more influential.


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