This is why we can't have nice things

I cannot believe all the stupidity that is contained in a 1:13 min video. Rep Joe Barton asks US Secretary of Energy and Nobel Laureate (physics) Steven Chu where oil comes from. Dr Chu basically laughs at the shear stupidity of the question. I guess it's his job to be a high school teacher for elected officials.
Rather than knowing how dumb of a question he just asked he is proud that he "stumped" the Secretary. His Twitter page: "I seemed to have baffled the Energy Sec with basic question - Where does oil come from? Check out the video: http://bit.ly/O4m0p #tcot"

How does the highest ranking Republican on the Energy and Commerce Committee not understand plate tectonics?
I know this is in the States, but this doesn't give me much hope for the future seeing as Canada apparently has equally dumb elected officials.

Stupidity Strikes Again

Not this shit again. Conservative MP James Lunney has decide to spout off some creationist stupidity in parliament.

Let's breakdown his statement to see just how wrong he is:

"Mr. Speaker, recently we saw an attempt to ridicule the presumed beliefs of a member of this House and the belief of millions of Canadians in a creator. Certain individuals in the media and the scientific community have exposed their own arrogance and intolerance of beliefs contrary to their own."

No one has ridiculed anyone's beliefs. Canadian Minister Gary Goodyear was rightful ridiculed for turning a scientific question (evolution) into an issue of religion. This man is our Minister of State for Science and Technology! Ugghhh.

"Any scientist who declares that the theory of evolution is a fact has already abandoned the foundations of science. For science establishes fact through the study of things observable and reproducible. Since origins can neither be reproduced nor observed, they remain the realm of hypothesis."


First, theories are not facts. Theories are a set of intellectual tools we use to articulate and apply to our daily endeavors.

Second, no one is claiming evolution can explain the origin of the organisms. Evolution can help explain why they change. He is 0-2 in this statement with respect to a lack of comprehension.

"In science, it is perfectly acceptable to make assumptions when we do not have all the facts, but it is never acceptable to forget our assumptions. Given the modern evidence unavailable to Darwin, advanced models of plate techtonics, polonium radiohalos, polystratic fossils, I am prepared to believe that Darwin would be willing to re-examine his assumptions. The evolutionists may disagree, but neither can produce Darwin as a witness to prove his point."

This is where the crazy comes on strong. His examples of plate techtonics, polonium radiohalos and polystratic fossils are all complex topics that only appear to be problematic to evolution if you're ignorant, or shilling Creationism.
Also I love how he believes that he knows what Darwin would think. But really, who gives shit what Darwin thinks, its not like what he thinks would matter. If we could resurect Darwin and he agreed, would that invalidate the all the work in biology since his death?

"The evolutionists may genuinely see his ancestor in a monkey, but many modern scientists interpret the same evidence in favour of creation and a creator."

Wrong again. There is no debated among modern scientists about (young earth) creationism (Claiming the earth is only about 6000 to 10 000 years old). Belief in young earth creationism implies either humans lived with dinosaurs or dinosaur bones fake (and where planted by Satan to fool humantity). I don't think you'll find scientists debting these facts.













Evolution neither denies nor requires a role of an original creator. Setting up science and religion as enemies hurts everyone. Idiots like James Lunney are doing it only create wedge issues to win votes.

Twitter and Scientology.

I've just jumped on this strange and unusual Twitter bandwagon. I imagine it's similar to when I switched from ICQ to MSN and I told my friends, that MSN woud never take off since ICQ is obviously superior... I imagine in one year from now I'll say what was that book of face we used to use. Oh technology, I don't understand you but you own me.

I randomly stumbled upon this website today and I do believe that my favorite article was The Top 10 Secret Celebrity Scientologists. Although I must admit I knew all of them but two... However I won't spoil it, you should check it out yourself. I wonder if Scientology is like Twitter and although right now it feels wrong in a few years it might be the norm.

I love that song

By now everyone and their grandma has least tried to play one song from RockBand or Guitar Hero. Both of theses titles are rhythm music games which happen to have awesome soundtracks. But the grandfather of modern rhythm based games is the unforgettable Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!











My love of old games leads me to finding this new video:


Man that tune sounds good even after 20 years. Game is out May 18th

THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF YEAR!!

This post is for all of you who mark it on calender, who believe that work should be cancelled and school should be on a small hiatus to sit on the couch and enjoy the best amateur athletic event of the world!! THE NCAA TOURNAMENT IS UPON US!!!

For all of you who don't care, well screw you and the carriage full of books you rode in on!!

because this is awesomeness at its APEX!!

There will be great wins, predictable wins and great failures! like this guy!

I bet you that this guy wishes he had a TV rather then a computer during this time as well since he doesn't seem to busy!!

Anyhow, get your butt in your favourite chair, forget about your gf or bf until Monday and relax and enjoy the competition!

on a side note, how awesome is it that this cop is just playing solitaire in his car, what a life portable fun and carry a gun!!!!

well til next time, keep your hand off the remote and your cell phone turned off cause its game time!

Stupidity at Home

In my various internet travels I found this lovely little tidbit. Canadian Minister Gary Goodyear "won't confirm belief in evolution." Now this wouldn't brother me at all, except that he is the Minister of State for Science and Technology!!
A science minister that doesn't believe in the fundamentals of science. Are you fucking kidding me?












He then clarifies (after a shit-storm of bad press coverage) "of course" he believes in evolution, but he should not have to answer that question because "anybody asking a question about my religion is appropriate.”
I'm sorry I can't ask my Science Minister what he believes is scientifically relevant? We need to know these things to maintain bias-free science in our country. Other countries are not so lucky.
















How does Canada, one of the top countries in the world in science, have a Science Minister that is a chiropractor (albeit a very successful chiropractor) while the US has a Secretary of Energy who won the Nobel prize in physics? This guy's particular beliefs don't bother me, what bothers me is that we have many competent scientists in the Canada who are more qualified to serve than this guy. We should expect our government to appoint qualified individuals.

The Beans Don't Burn on the Grill

Previously (possibly on another blog) I wrote about my excitement for the movie Funny People, which I might have called my most anticipated movie of 2009. In case you haven't realized it yet, I exaggerate all the time. And if we're not dear friends you probably didn't know about my tendancy to exaggerate in the same way you are not aware of my ridiculous love for Dave Eggers. The man could make greatness out of coat hangers -- this is not an exaggeration, I'm pretty sure he could write a magical story about coat hangers. It would undoubtedly leave me breathless and inspired and then just as I was recovering from the brilliance of his written word he would create some kind of charity for people in third world countries who don't have coats...or hangers.... or food. Seriously the man is unbelievable... and he just directed a forty minute short with James Franco. Seriously, unbelievable this man is.
Anyhoo, enough of a rant, where I'm going is that Dave Eggers wrote (or helped write) the screenplay for Where The Wild Things Are, which might be my most anticipated movie of 2009. Spike Jonze directed it, Catherine Keener, Paul Dano, Catherine O'Hara are all in it, it's going to be glorious and after a few rumors that they had to re cut the whole thing, we finally have a trailer. Of course it's not a trailer that we can see right at this moment but at least the promise of a trailer that someday we will watch. Thus, I change my most anticipated movie of 2009 to Where The Wild Things Are.... at least until tomorrow. Or at least until the trailer comes out for This Side of the Truth.

Sidenote: I do believe in this blog I compensated for my tendancy to exaggerate by over linking to everything. I apolagize. I just really like giving you links. Like this one.