Convention attendees LIVE updates

[davo]

There will be quite a few people attending the convention that will be tweeting comments as well as pics live from the event.

You can follow a live stream of this data here :

http://twitterfall.com/atheistcon

Others may wish to post updates directly to the forum etc, w00t! :)

[Praxis]

Many of us will also make live posts (as opposed to dead ones?!) straight to the forum via Tapatalk (some of us don't twit you know ;) ).

Davo, you're sounding just a little bit excited there mate :D

[davo]

Yes I am, and I will point out you are too as shown by missing the fact you do not have to tweet to see the live stream on twitterfall, and that I also said "Others may wish to post updates directly to the forum etc, w00t!"

hehe weeeee!

[Praxis]

:p

hmm ... not enough characters!

[davo]

Friendly warning to visitors to Melbourne, it appears the religious are laying quite cunning traps.

Please be wary, they are not a free meal as first perceived.

http://web1.twitpic.com/img/73626109-5b657243a0bf4c34ed89034909c45cef.4b985e37-full.jpg

[Praxis]

So no baby hors d'oevres then?

Damn. They are so nice with chilli sauce when they're fresh.

[Dan]

This http://twitpic.com/17u29p is to catch Catholic Priests.
http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitpic/photos/full/73626109.jpg

[davo]

Think my image link broke http://twitpic.com/17u29p
Edit! Jinx dan! How did you find my pic ? Insert twilight zone music ...

[davo]

Dinner with atheist convention committee, all running smooth after a day running thru processes, much being discussed on keeping the momentum.
Sorry on phone, short updates.

[atheist_angel]

There will be quite a few people attending the convention that will be tweeting comments as well as pics live from the event.

You can follow a live stream of this data here :

http://twitterfall.com/atheistcon

Others may wish to post updates directly to the forum etc, w00t! :)
Oooooo! Thx Davo!

[davo]

Just had breakfast with PZ Myers, he had vegemite for the first time on a communal wafer ;)
http://is.gd/agDHy

[DanDare]

Midday on A-Day. I'm in the Hilton. What's happening? Who is where?

[Praxis]

I'm here! I've checked in, met up with Goldenmane, made contact with a young Scottish lass who arrived at 4.30 am, but I can't find Durro and Starr!

I've rung Starr's mobile and it says it's disconnected :confused:

If she checks in here, tell her to call me!

[Elbert]

so much information.... it's difficult to digest.... I'm all of a twitter..

[Elbert]

Oliver Twitter? Isn't he on #canihavsmorecheezburgerpls?
Too, too droll... I can't compete. I'm Mr. Thickwit....

[davo]

Data streams dude ... Your watching the matrix, get with the times

[Elbert]

Oliver Twitter? Isn't he on #canihavsmorecheezburgerpls?
Too, too droll... I can't compete. I'm Mr. Thickwit....

[Elbert]

@Elbert: did you send this again or is there now cellular mitosis among the posts?

Dammit, I warned Prote that if we kept putting sense in here, too close to the warm bullshit on Fantasy Island, the Forums would become self-aware...
I assure you, dear Black, 'twas not I. I've been receiving two copies of every email recently... Post mitosis due to incipient E-intelligence transfusion of binary fusion, appears to be the likeliest cause.... plus, of course the proximity to fantasy, as you suggest. :o

[Praxis]

Greetings from my hotel room! Hotter than I thought it would be. Have met many familiar names and some familiar faces. Finally met Davo! Then some of us went to Young & Jacksons pub and met PZ Myers!! Met OzAthiest there too and Andrew Rawlings who has organized lots of stuff for people in town who don't have full tickets. Lots of god botherers in town too. More than the usual amount of Jesus Loves you pamphleteers. Pretty funny really. Here's a pic of me and Durro when he arrived. I'm resting up now before heading to registration at 6pm. An awesome start to the weekend!


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[two dogs]

Greetings from the Hilton South Wharf; I arrived 'round 3:45pm.

Met Davo too, when I went over to the Convention Centre to "sus out" exactly where Rooms 201 & 202 are (where the registration, drinks & canapes, and opening "ceremony" is taking place).

[Logic]

Registration time, people pouring in. Yum nibbles Inc oysters!!

Room set up good with nice big screens.

[wolty]

I am soooo jealous :)

[Logic]

Fundie heckler in audience, cath deveny said sit down and shut the fuck up! :)

[Sancho]

I wasn't sure if I could handle Deveny, so I left toward the end of Mark Tier's spot. Was she as shrill at the podium as she is in print?

[Logic]

Well she ain't shy! I found her funny though and she had some poignant things to say in between the funny.

[latin_gaia]

she was very very funny, apart from the half wit yelling out.. but her comeback was priceless... is anyone doing anything after the dinner tomoro night?

cheers

[Sancho]

Was the shouter at the front-ish left of the auditorium? I thought he'd just had too many reds beforehand.

[eccles]

From the point of view of a bedraggled refugee from the Roman Catholic Church, I found Catherine Deveny very funny, in fact the funniest of the night. She certainly took the mickey out of the "Holy" Roman Catholic Church, George Cardinal "Go To Hell" Pell and Captain Catholic aka the Mad Monk aka Tony Abbott.

GO GIRL.

[Faithfree]

Catherine Deveny was great. Funny, but spot on too every time.

[Justin]

I thought the heckler was right down the back. I thought her quip about him "speaking in tongues" and saying she had that effect on men was just as funny as the final "shut the fuck up". Overall she was just hilarious but our Adelaide Atheist token Unitarian thought it was a bit too much of a rant. The rest of us were in stitches tho'

Mark Tier started slow but I thought his telling of his "here's what happens when this shit gets out of control" experiences was a pretty good reminder of how even the moderates can bring a society down if they're let loose. Good stuff!

The message of the night?

"You're wasting your time using logic on these people, MORE MOCKING REQUIRED!"

[owheelj]

Yup Deveny was awesome. Much better than when she was on Q and A. Sue Anne Post was the highlight for me. Good opening. I look forward to more meaningful talks than just ridicule of religion though. As much as I enjoy it, I wouldn't pay $500+ just to hear people make fun of something I have no respect for anyway. Also I'm already convinced, I don't need reasons to be an atheist. Hopefully the speakers tomorrow will have meaningful insights.

[dcvr]

What a start. The opening speech had me rapt- this truly is a great gathering, and I feel privileged to be able to take part. Then we had some fun... Sue Ann Post was genius. Mark Tier did indeed start slowly and seemed uncomfortable throughout, but had some important points and made them well.

Catherine Deveny,.. Crass, offensive, hilarious and took no prisoners. Her disection of the catholic church (from her recently spiked article) worked better in print (go read her blog if you haven't already), but she still made her point, forcefully and with humour.

If I had a niggle at all, it's that the comperes were a little Fleetwood&Fox. Relax guys, we love you. :).

Great fun. I'm looking forward to the more serious sessions tomorrow. What an excellent start to the convention.

[Logic]

Day 1 about to start :)

[Justin]

Russell Blackford...separation of church & state 101

[Justin]

Taslima Nasrim just got a resounding standing ovation for her talk on her struggle against the fascism of Islam! Her expression of her only home being in those that join her in her fight for rationalism struck a chord with the crowd that won't be forgotten anytime soon!

[Praxis]

Talisma brilliant. Standing ovation. I had tears in my eyes.


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[Sancho]

She was amazing. It's great to be getting some thoughtful criticism of Islam, unattached to a Right-wing Christian agenda.

[dcvr]

What a morning. A stirring start with Phillip Adams, challenging our tactics and reminding us that believers aren't evil or necessarily the enemy.

Max Wallace reminded us religion hurts our pocketbook. Let's hope the film
he's touting about the subject gets made.

Taslima Nasrin finished up the morning session with her moving story of being left without a country to call her own because she challenged religion's oppression of women. The standing ovation was well deserved. I wish I had a fraction of her courage in the face of the abuse she has endured.

Wow! And we've only just started! This afternoon should prove to be at least as stirring - I just hope the get a monitor speaker wired up for the stage over the lunch break.

[Sancho]

Speaking of Christian agendas, where are all the protesters? Poor form, Danny.

[two dogs]

Talisma brilliant. Standing ovation. I had tears in my eyes.

Me too!

[Logic]

Taslima made me cry too! There was one lonely guy with a jesus banner out the front this morning. Disappointing! :p

[Justin]

AC Grayling, the Dr Who of Atheism: "science and religion have a common ancestor, ignorance"

[Fearless]

Thanks for the updates guys and gals :)

I am about to get ready for the dinner... where did I put that tux?

[Justin]

Cheers...AC Grayling again: (no exact quoting here...just the essence)
"Humanism: Religion has hijacked refreshment of the spirit in a secular sense that can be acheived by a quiet walk in the country as well as the rituals surrounding the transitions in life; birth, death & marraige. Time to wrest these back."

[Sancho]

Hey, wow! That secular humanist guy in the audience believes the exact same things about psychiatry that Scientologists do.

If rational, non-brainwashed people agree, Scientology must have some merit.

[Dan Gleibitz]

Excellent opening day. Congrats to all involved. I loved PZ - still grinning. Some of my thoughts:
Tamas Pataki - defined atheism in a way that I wouldn't have - especially for today's crowd. I get cranky when people tell me what I believe. Otherwise, I quite enjoyed his thoughtful presentation. I disagree that Dawkins Grayling & Hitchins are "unaware" of the moderate progressive or liberal Xtian theologies though. They all a knowledges such, but adressed the traditional. Easy targets? Sure, but rhey're also standard...

Leslie Cannold - yeah but... I don't want to WIN? I'm a secularist because I'm an atheist. You'll get my support for the secular cause, but you won't get my attendence for the 2011 Global Secularist Convention!

Jane Caro - I absolutely agree. I would have liked to have heard more from
the women.

A Grayling commenting on claims that science and other intellectual pursuit grew out of religion: They have a common ancestor just as do the monkey and the man. *The common ancestor of religion and science is ignorance.

Brilliant.

Looking forward to a big day tomorrow. Must remember to grab one of those big blue tubs of hgh from the conference next door too...

[kdc]

Hey, wow! That secular humanist guy in the audience believes the exact same things about psychiatry that Scientologists do.

If rational, non-brainwashed people agree, Scientology must have some merit.

Thought that was strange also.

My partner asked a question to PZ on the teaching of creationism in biology classes - and actually got some pretty clear disagreement from at least a few in the audience. I was pretty suprised - the manipulation/abuse of teaching curriculum in this regard has been fairly well recognised... At least I thought. Do some people doubt this occurs?

[Dan Gleibitz]

The Science teachers behind me were offended. Public school maybe? There is no doubt that ID is taught in religious schools, and no doubt that biblical creation is still taught in RE in many public primary schools.

[Sancho]

Leslie Cannold - yeah but... I don't want to WIN? I'm a secularist because I'm an atheist. You'll get my support for the secular cause, but you won't get my attendence for the 2011 Global Secularist Convention!
I'm in two minds about that. Compelling, but potentially Darth Vadering. Deserves its own thread.

Do some people doubt this occurs?
Yes. I don't believe the widespread teaching of Intelligent Design could escape attention, even in QLD.

[Logic]

Dinner start time!

[Justin]

Chaser's giving Rudd, Peter Singer & Dawkology hell at the Conference Dinner to a packed crowd!

[Fearless]

Chasers were great! If anyone wants to say hi there's a bunch of us on table 18. So many people!

[Fearless]

Time for sweets!

[Fearless]

Starters

[Fearless]

Main course... Melted in your mouth

[Fearless]

The menu

[Justin]

On to a good thing here! Will you respect my posts in the morning?
Logic, Justin & Praxis

[davo]

Big day in the morning for me, have to bow out from the party in at 7am.
Tomorrow should be awesome ;)
Pics of the forum crew from the convention photographer i will get up asap.
If i Haven't seen you make sure you come up and say hi! If i seem to be ignoring you it's because the matrix is streaming data in my ear ... I'll find you when i can and repay.
WLB gave me a pic of a murray cod, meant a lot mate, thanks :)

[Fearless]

You still don't look like Spock

[davo]

Yes i do

[Fearless]

Well ok, you have a better hair cut now.

[owheelj]

Thought that was strange also.

My partner asked a question to PZ on the teaching of creationism in biology classes - and actually got some pretty clear disagreement from at least a few in the audience. I was pretty suprised - the manipulation/abuse of teaching curriculum in this regard has been fairly well recognised... At least I thought. Do some people doubt this occurs?

There is a total of about 100 private schools in Australia that teach ID in biology, and no public schools. The premise of her question was completely false.

[Logic]

Massive Queue to get in!

[Durro]

Having a hoot. Most speakers were great, except the philosopher dude that monotoned his way through his talk and the Powerpoint guy with his technical problems and very mediocre talk who cut short his embarrassing presentation. The dinner was excellent, but oh my aching head this morning...

:eek:

[Fearless]

Im surprised i got here on time, a chunk of the city was closed off for 'run for the kids' run/jog/walkathon. Spent some time driving around in circles!

Anyway, I got ushered upstairs to the balcony level. A few sleepy heads this morning... Including me he he...

Shhh, it's about to start!

[atheist_angel]

PZ has been posting about the experience. http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif

http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/

[Fearless]

Ian Robinson's opener:

"how many people here have converted to religion?"

Over 20 hands went up.

"don't worry, I'll talk slowly"

[riddlemethis]

So is the lanyard segregation an experiment a la "blue eyes" vs "brown eyes"? That's the only rational basis for grown ups not being able to sit wherever and with whomever they please surely.

[Praxis]

Durro Starr etc I'm here! On the left, down front, in direct line to podium. Feeling just a TAD seedy this morning. *ahem* I love this convention !


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[Justin]

Robyn Williams: "I can give you a devasting two word argument against God ...Senator Fielding"

"There's no accounting in an evolutionary sense for gays, God must have put them here for a reason! ... I discussed this with a few ArchBishops..."

[Praxis]

Don't like it down the front. They're all too serious! RW is great, warm funny engaging and all around me they're silent. Crack a smile will you, this guy's great!


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[riddlemethis]

Get a red lanyard Praxi; we're pissing ourselves up the back. Yay Reds! ;-P

[Praxis]

Yep I'm moving after lunch!


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[Elbert]

I thought the heckler was right down the back. I thought her quip about him "speaking in tongues" and saying she had that effect on men was just as funny as the final "shut the fuck up". Overall she was just hilarious.... The rest of us were in stitches tho'
... even the moderates can bring a society down if they're let loose. Good stuff!
"You're wasting your time using logic on these people, MORE MOCKING REQUIRED!"
I admire Deveney... únfortunately, however, mocking only makes religious people proud... remember Jesus was mocked... they all want to suffer [a little]; to sacrifice oneself on the altar of ridicule is a god's send... it proves how holy they are. The sad truth is, only a total lobotomy will change their servile adoration of invisible supermen.
At least we can't complain about the television coverage of the event. :rolleyes:

[two dogs]

So is the lanyard segregation an experiment a la "blue eyes" vs "brown eyes"? That's the only rational basis for grown ups not being able to sit wherever and with whomever they please surely.
Could it have anything to do with the "gold" pass holders having paid extra, in order to have "better" seating? ;)

[Elbert]

There is a total of about 100 private schools in Australia that teach ID in biology, and no public schools. The premise of her question was completely false.
ID is regularly taught in Queensland state school science classes, [it depends on the teacher] with the approval of the minister for education. I have written to him on this topic, and he has no objections to that or to the presentation of creationism as truth in the compulsory RE classes in state primary schools.

[riddlemethis]

Could it have anything to do with the "gold" pass holders having paid extra, in order to have "better" seating? ;)

Sure but everyone else paid the same amt to be here today and there is no reason why grown adults can't calmly make decisions abt seating preference. I don't give a shit if I'm in nosebleed seats as long as I can sit with the people I arranged to meet here today. If it's abt $$ I guess we should be glad we're allowed to eat the same food together (insert eyeroll here)

[Praxis]

Jamie kilstein was fabulous! Very funny indeed just wish he wouldve slowed down a tad! Dan Barker on now.


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[Fearless]

Wow, what were we lucky enough to experience from an audience member addressing Dawkins with?

"I am not an Atheist and I thank god for being here today"

...

"My question is... What is DNA? and where does it come from?"

I heard someone from the audience say 'read a book!' followed by noise, respectfully extinguished by Dawkins.

But seriously, WTF!?

[riddlemethis]

I expect she thought she might get right of reply to the kind of soundbite answer she us used to the media feeding from him! Instead he shut her the hell up with pure science! Brilliant!

Loved his answer to the question about when we'll be able to safely question Islam - the fact that we don't shouldn't be mistaken for respect but be openly admitted to them as fear.

[Sancho]

Assuming God's representative today only paid for the Sunday program, how much did it cost her to ask a question she should have known wouldn't trouble Dawkins a jot?

[two dogs]

Sure but everyone else paid the same amt to be here today and there is no reason why grown adults can't calmly make decisions abt seating preference. I don't give a shit if I'm in nosebleed seats as long as I can sit with the people I arranged to meet here today. If it's abt $$ I guess we should be glad we're allowed to eat the same food together (insert eyeroll here)
Sorry, I misunderstood; I assumed that your "beef" was with not being able to sit down the front, in the "preferential" seating, for which the gold pass holders did pay a premium. Was there also discrimination between full weekend and Sunday only passes!? :eek:

[Justin]

Yip! I got to ask a question of Dawkins but was too hyped to even hear the answer!

My question was about how far can we take evolutionary principles? The brain was developed so animals didn't need to change their cellular structure in order to adapt. So is the progression of ideas part of evolution? Can a system of entities such as humans in a society evolve in the same way as a group of cooperating cells that evolved an animal?

Now I knew he doesn't support social biology much, but hearing him surprisingly talk about evolution of Universes made me wonder if he'd widened his view of evolution's applicability.

I guess I'll have to wait for the DVD to find out! But I gather he got very guarded hearing the words evolution and society in the same sentence. (good opportunity to be misquoted there! Nazism)

[Logic]

Wow, what were we lucky enough to experience from an audience member addressing Dawkins with?

"I am not an Atheist and I thank god for being here today"

...

"My question is... What is DNA? and where does it come from?"

I heard someone from the audience say 'read a book!' followed by noise, respectfully extinguished by Dawkins.

But seriously, WTF!?

I think there was more than 1 'read a book'! lol

[Sancho]

Dawkins' beaver (http://www.theonion.com/content/news/beaver_overthinking_dam).

[Fearless]

I haven't really followed Dawkins' career all that closely but I must admit I had goose bumps on his intro... was a pretty good moment.

I just wished I could have understood all of what he said ha ha

Mr Black, if you're reading, I think you might have got a bit out of Dan Barker's presentation. Spoke about his de-conversion. Was quite interesting even though he was trying to rush it a bit.

[Fearless]

Yip! I got to ask a question of Dawkins but was too hyped to even hear the answer!

My question was about how far can we take evolutionary principles? The brain was developed so animals didn't need to change their cellular structure in order to adapt. So is the progression of ideas part of evolution? Can a system of entities such as humans in a society evolve in the same way as a group of cooperating cells that evolved an animal?

Now I knew he doesn't support social biology much, but hearing him surprisingly talk about evolution of Universes made me wonder if he'd widened his view of evolution's applicability.

I guess I'll have to wait for the DVD to find out! But I gather he got very guarded hearing the words evolution and society in the same sentence. (good opportunity to be misquoted there! Nazism)

Spotted you down there, well done for getting a question in! I saw a few people lining up for a second round of questions... somehow they managed to miss a second turn.

[Fearless]

"knob fiddler" ~ Dawkins

[riddlemethis]

Sorry, I misunderstood; I assumed that your "beef" was with not being able to sit down the front, in the "preferential" seating, for which the gold pass holders did pay a premium. Was there also discrimination between full weekend and Sunday only passes!? :eek:

Nah, 2dogs, just want to understand the logic upon which any kind of segregation cld be predicated. Needless to say our grp of 15 odd found a work around that enabled us to sit together and chaos did not ensue, demonstrating the absurdity of the initial decision.

[riddlemethis]

Been pondering on the drive home - Who was that Christian and did she get what she came for with her question to RD? I ask b/c she was over heard to say to her friends when back at her seat, words to the effect of 'see, he couldn't answer!'

FTW? Was she in the same room as us? So, where will this tale of schooling Dawkins in front of his 'acolytes' appear I wonder? Press? Bloggosphere? Fundie Forums?

I think we should make google our friend in the post GAC hangover & find out.

[eccles]

http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab275/eccles64/IMG_0489-Copy-Copy.jpg

Me with Jesus and Satan
http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab275/eccles64/IMG_0485.jpg
At the Dinner
http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab275/eccles64/IMG_0492-Copy-Copy.jpg
http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab275/eccles64/IMG_0493-Copy-Copy.jpg
Richard Dawkins

[Fearless]

...she was over heard to say to her friends when back at her seat, words to the effect of 'see, he couldn't answer!' .

She must have been wearing ear plugs :rolleyes:

[Podblack]

Been pondering on the drive home - Who was that Christian and did she get what she came for with her question to RD? I ask b/c she was over heard to say to her friends when back at her seat, words to the effect of 'see, he couldn't answer!'

FTW? Was she in the same room as us? So, where will this tale of schooling Dawkins in front of his 'acolytes' appear I wonder? Press? Bloggosphere? Fundie Forums?

I think we should make google our friend in the post GAC hangover & find out.

I posted my perspective of what happened on my site? Head to Podblack.com.

[Lord Blackadder]

I was only there for the Sunday, but it was worth every penny.

Highlights of Sunday:

1) "I can give you a devasting two-word argument against God: Senator Fielding." - Robyn Williams

2) Dawkins' desciption of the Pope as the "Pope Nazi".

3) Dawkins, when asked about his opinion on whether Mary MacKillop was good for Australia: "Mary who?"

4) Conversation I was privy to at luch time:
High School student: I have friends at school who believe in Creationism.
Richard Dawkins: Oh right.
HSS: I have tried to explain to them why they are wrong, but they won't listen.
RD: Where are they getting these Creationist ideas from? Are you at a religious school?
HSS: No. It's a secular school.
RD: So who is teaching them this?
HSS: I don't know. They just have these ideas.
RD: What religion are they?
HSS: They're Anglican.
RD: Have you explained to them that Anglicans don't support Creationsim?
HSS: Yes, but they still believe in Creationism.
RD: Tell them they're fuckwits then.
HSS: *goes all starry-eyed as all Christmases have come true at once - OMG Richard said, "Fuck"!
Me: *imagines scene Monday morning at school: "Richard Dawksins says youse all are a bunch of fuckwits"...*

5) Meeting Jesus (well, Heresy dressed as Jesus, but pretty damn close. He refused to walk across the Yarra though...)

6) Meet-up after the convention, where a bunch of us Godless heathens met in pub and sung lots of Monty Python songs.

7) Almost getting thrown out of said pub for singing too many Monty Python songs.

8) Having Richard Dawkins sign my book (despite his obvious RSI).

9) Meeting the two guys who had Richard Dawksins sign their arms, which will be converted to tatoos on the morrow.

And most of all...
10) Being in the same room as 2500 other people who were on the same wave length as me.

Thanks guys for the memories! :D

[Fearless]

I posted my perspective of what happened on my site? Head to Podblack.com.

As much as I agreed with the way it was handled I still don't think it calls for a public apology, what did she expect really for the way she conducted herself?

'Hi, I am not an Atheist' - That's fine of course, all were welcome

'I thank god for being here tonight' - Was that really necessary? What was her motivation for stating this?

'What is DNA and where does it come from?...etc' - It was a blatant attempt to stir the crowd and try to catch Prof. Dawkins off guard. Of course he was going to answer her question but she would surely know he wasn't going to explain DNA in 5 minutes as well as it could be explained in 30 mins or more.

I understand it was the diplomatic approach, and it was handled well, but I don't think she deserved any form of public apology, I think the audience was quite reserved considering her attempt to stir, waste time and attempt to intimidate.

She's no angel :rolleyes:

[Mentally Saturated]

5) Meeting Jesus (well, Heresy dressed as Jesus, but pretty damn close. He refused to walk across the Yarra though...)

Now I reckon there was a perfect opportunity for some good exposure... a photo of a bunch of atheists dragging Jesus out of the Yarra after a failed "walking on water" attempt...

Front page press, for sure... :D

Gary

[Ateo]

So is the lanyard segregation an experiment a la "blue eyes" vs "brown eyes"? That's the only rational basis for grown ups not being able to sit wherever and with whomever they please surely.


Don't be cheap, if you want a better seat pay!!

Don't make us atheist look like a bunch of commies:D

My funniest bit in the convention is when I spotted a priest and asked him if his neck thingy was real, and he said: "yes it is" getting a bit upset, and then I said: "good on you!":cool:

[riddlemethis]

Don't be cheap, if you want a better seat pay!!

Don't make us atheist look like a bunch of commies:D

epic logic and comprehension fail tho - even with the attempt to mask your real view in jest.

Anyone who paid for one day actually paid a premium for their seat - a discount was given the more days you attended. Beside the point though. We were in a brilliantly designed auditorium where u can see and hear from any seat. As I've said why wasn't it possible for ppl wearing blue tix to join their friends in the red section up the back if they chose? By your logic you'd have agreed with segregated eating areas too, afterall the one day attendees didn't pay as much overall.

The decision was nonsensical and ridiculously officious and so ridicule it I will.

[kdc]

ID is regularly taught in Queensland state school science classes, [it depends on the teacher] with the approval of the minister for education. I have written to him on this topic, and he has no objections to that or to the presentation of creationism as truth in the compulsory RE classes in state primary schools.

Thanks Elbert. (and if her question was misinterpreted/mispoken as being a 'blanket' statement against all biology teachers I assure anyone that wasn't the intention) - pz answered brilliantly I thought.

Anybody else go a little crazy? :S Ended up buying 12 books... got a lot of reading to do... Thought the conference was exceptional though. Hopefully not just a once in a lifetime event in Australia :)

[Ateo]

epic logic and comprehension fail tho - even with the attempt to mask your real view in jest.

Anyone who paid for one day actually paid a premium for their seat - a discount was given the more days you attended. Beside the point though. We were in a brilliantly designed auditorium where u can see and hear from any seat. As I've said why wasn't it possible for ppl wearing blue tix to join their friends in the red section up the back if they chose? By your logic you'd have agreed with segregated eating areas too, afterall the one day attendees didn't pay as much overall.

The decision was nonsensical and ridiculously officious and so ridicule it I will.

Another cheap bastard:p

(maybe we are a bunch of commies after all:eek:)

[Praxis]

Is anyone able to tell me why the Convention didn't have a live video stream?

I've seen questions being asked on another forum about this and if possible, I'd like to be able to provide an answer.

Thanks!

[davo]

Is anyone able to tell me why the Convention didn't have a live video stream?

I've seen questions being asked on another forum about this and if possible, I'd like to be able to provide an answer.

Thanks!

Basically the costs and logistics surrounding doing so.

Funding was a really big issue, we could have doubled the size of the convention and dropped prices of tickets if the government responded to our requests instead of just passing us around until we had no choice but to bite the bullet and make the booking at the convention centre.

[Fearless]

As has already been stated it was the biggest convention in our history. Who knows years down the track it might double in size.

Small steps, well, even though this was a big one. ;)

[Praxis]

Thanks Davo - I knew it would be something like that.

I'm going to copy your response and put it over at RatSkep where some are being very peevish about it.

Hopefully they will understand the reasons.

[davo]

As I've said why wasn't it possible for ppl wearing blue tix to join their friends in the red section up the back if they chose? By your logic you'd have agreed with segregated eating areas too, afterall the one day attendees didn't pay as much overall.

The decision was nonsensical and ridiculously officious and so ridicule it I will.

Not sure how it is nonsensical and ridiculously officious?

All the seats were good seats, but on top of that there was a concerted effort to give 'better seating' to people that chose to also listen and partake in all the great speakers over the whole event, rather than the many people who only chose to see only the Sunday, or would turn up just for the afternoon sessions and see Dawkins.

If people with blue lanyards went to the red 'one day' section, the seating and logistics of getting ~2600 people into the room and seated would have been difficult, there had to be a choice over that, I'm sure if you had issues with that simply speaking to one of the many volunteers or the committee members could have sorted it out. After all we are a community aren't we? :)

[davo]

Thanks Davo - I knew it would be something like that.

I'm going to copy your response and put it over at RatSkep where some are being very peevish about it.

Hopefully they will understand the reasons.

It was filmed, but the costs associated at the convention centre where it was held with doing such a live stream are large, plus in Australia as compared to say the US, data costs are a lot higher.

There is a DVD coming out as well as footage being put on the net as soon as we get things edited.

[Praxis]

Okay, I think I've made my point nice and clear over at RatSkep. For those who aren't members there, here is my post:

You have to understand that the entire GAC was funded with no help whatsoever from any government body. No rich philanthropist hoping for "frequent flyer points" into heaven threw $$ at it. No televangelist fleeced the public or the taxpayers' purse for it.

Every speaker and performed appeared for free. There were some donations made but the entire thing was funded from ticket and merchandise sales alone.

Here is a direct quote from one of my fellow AFA Mods, Davo, who (amongst many others) worked his guts out from last Thursday until last night:

Funding was a really big issue, we could have doubled the size of the convention and dropped prices of tickets if the government responded to our requests instead of just passing us around until we had no choice but to bite the bullet and make the booking at the convention centre.


Simon_Gardner, you need to calm down a bit mate. That other crowd you mentioned, Intelligence [fucking] Squared (or whatever the fuck they are) was no doubt funded handsomely, as religious things always are.

We had no such luxury. What was presented to us over the weekend was a totally remarkable tribute to the focus and dedication and vision of a great many people, with next to little or no help whatsoever.

So stop your fucking whinging and griping like a baby denied a lollipop and buy a fucking DVD and donate some money to the AFA or Atheist Alliance International so each one of these they put on can be better than the last one. In other words, piss or get off the pot. Right?

[davo]

You could also point out committee members and volunteers missed a lot of the speakers as they were doing tasks like manning desks or doing backstage (where it was impossible to hear the speaker), we tried rotating, it helped but I would say I saw around half the speakers all up, so I am waiting for the footage too! :)

[Praxis]

Excellent point, thanks! I will go and put that in now.

[Thehappyheretic]

Talisma brilliant. Standing ovation. I had tears in my eyes.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I was balling uncontrollably. The courage of that woman in incredible!!! I already had feelings about islam like that, but I really think they are the worse out of a bad bunch.

She made enough statements of fact about islam to get her self killed a dozen times over. Very courageous!!

[owheelj]

Yeah Taslima was easily my favourite speaker of the convention. I also really enjoyed Dan Barker, PZ Myers, Phillip Adams, Peter Singer, AC Grayling and Kylie Sturgess. Actually everybody, but I think those were my favourites. Wow the Dawkins fans really gave a lot of weight to the arguments about atheists being religious and worshipping him. The standing ovation when he came out was ridiculous, and I was glad he got angry at the people yelling at the Christian woman who asked that silly question about DNA. He clearly thinks you people are silly. Having met people like David Hasslehoff, James Hird and Ian Thorp, I've never seen such a demonstration of fanaticism towards somebody. It was actually embarrassing.

[owheelj]

Re; live feed.

I'm fairly active in the very small sport of freestyle footbag. At last year's world championships (which is a much smaller event) the final day was all telecast with a live feed. The quality was low and it dropped out a lot, but it was also amazing for people like me who didn't attend. The organisers (who are also all volunteers) organised the live feed using a free video streaming website and some high end amateur/low end professional video cameras: much lower standard than the cameras used at the convention.

I have no idea about doing it using the cameras that the convention was filmed with, but it would definitely have been possible and indeed easy to have some form of live feed at almost no extra cost. Of course it would depend if you had the people with the time and technical ability to be able to do it, and if you would be happy doing it at a lowish quality or not.

[owheelj]

ID is regularly taught in Queensland state school science classes, [it depends on the teacher] with the approval of the minister for education. I have written to him on this topic, and he has no objections to that or to the presentation of creationism as truth in the compulsory RE classes in state primary schools.

I don't think this is true at all. I would love to see some actual evidence. Here is some contrary evidence of my own;

http://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/intelligent_design_hits_australia/

Robyn Williams also discusses this topic in his book; Unintelligent Design; Why God isn't as smart as she thinks she is.

A quick google search also found this;

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/11/2739157.htm

A north Queensland high school has been directed not to teach creationism during science lessons.

Bowen State High School invited a Seventh Day Adventist church pastor and creationist to address a Year 11 biology class about the religious-based theory of "intelligent design".

An official school newsletter said it was part of the study of the origins of life.

A spokesman for Education Queensland said although there had been no formal complaints the science classroom had been used inappropriately.

The school has been directed to keep science and religious studies separate in the future.

That was in November 2009 - so only 4 months ago.

[Thehappyheretic]

Yeah Taslima was easily my favourite speaker of the convention. I also really enjoyed Dan Barker, PZ Myers, Phillip Adams, Peter Singer, AC Grayling and Kylie Sturgess. Actually everybody, but I think those were my favourites. Wow the Dawkins fans really gave a lot of weight to the arguments about atheists being religious and worshipping him. The standing ovation when he came out was ridiculous, and I was glad he got angry at the people yelling at the Christian woman who asked that silly question about DNA. He clearly thinks you people are silly. Having met people like David Hasslehoff, James Hird and Ian Thorp, I've never seen such a demonstration of fanaticism towards somebody. It was actually embarrassing.

Totally, totally agree about the standing ovation before RD even said anything. Seems like those guys are replacing RD with the god that they lost faith in. I don't think he would be too comfortable with that. Sure lets admire him but not worship him!

[Justin]

My funniest bit in the convention is when I spotted a priest and asked him if his neck thingy was real, and he said: "yes it is" getting a bit upset, and then I said: "good on you!":cool:

LOL... The necky thing was real but he wasn't. That particular shit-stirrer was from Adelaide Atheists and was wandering around with his daughter who spent a lot of time dressed as a Catholic schoolgirl (..and did they get looks around Melbourne!). Funny that he didn't wear his atheist 'A' on the outfit like he usually does ;)

[Ateo]

LOL... The necky thing was real but he wasn't. That particular shit-stirrer was from Adelaide Atheists and was wandering around with his daughter who spent a lot of time dressed as a Catholic schoolgirl (..and did they get looks around Melbourne!). Funny that he didn't wear his atheist 'A' on the outfit like he usually does ;)

Are you taking about the same guy?

This one had a cane, and hid in the breaks between speakers, I suppose to avoid people asking him silly questions:cool:. I think the one I saw was a real priest.:eek:

[Ateo]

Totally, totally agree about the standing ovation before RD even said anything. Seems like those guys are replacing RD with the god that they lost faith in. I don't think he would be too comfortable with that. Sure lets admire him but not worship him!

I don't know what is the problem with this, is not against atheism at all to do so, for starters Dawkins is real and exists so stop the unfair and ridiculous attack.

I didn't stand up for RD but still clapped lots, this guy is the reason atheism is such a strong movement now.

Look heretic (and the foot bag dude) you are attacking the wrong people here, go and attack believers if you like or all no evidence based belief, but don't mock ourselves with unbased comparisons, you are the only ones being embarrasing:mad:

Also, the people that gave the standing ovation are free to do so, especially in an event like the one we had!!

[Praxis]

@Ateo. Indeed. Thank you for your comments. I agree.

I stood up at the end not just to applaud Dawkins, but because it was the culmination (with him being the final speaker) of an utterly brilliant weekend - I was beyond excited at having been there and experienced it all, heard all those people and been amongst a huge crowd of really excellent people (from my experience).

I stood up and applauded because I wanted to. Because it was the only way I had to express my jubilation at the whole thing. I practically leapt from my seat to do so - like a cork from a champagne bottle.

You want to be restrained and do just a cool, polite golf clap when you're happy and excited about something? Go right ahead. But some of us have cauldrons of life and enthusiam bubbling away inside of us and when there's a chance to let it out, then we damn well do. It wasn't for Dawkins specifically - it was an eruption which encompassed everything about the whole weekend.

I am not ashamed that I stood up and applauded, whooped, whistled and cheered. Not one little bit. On the contrary, I haven't felt quite so alive like that for a long time.

I'm the weird middle-aged woman you'll see singing along to the radio in the supermarket or doing a bit of car dancing at the lights, too. You probably sneer at that uncool behaviour too but you know what? I couldnt give a flying crap.

Now everyone sing with me: "if you're happy and you know it, clap your hands!" :D

[Ateo]

@Ateo. Indeed. Thank you for your comments. I agree.

I'm the weird middle-aged woman you'll see singing along to the radio in the supermarket or doing a bit of car dancing at the lights, too. You probably sneer at that uncool behaviour too but you know what? I couldnt give a flying crap.

Now everyone sing with me: "if you're happy and you know it, clap your hands!" :D

Good on you Praxis, sadly I missed the opportunity to meet you.

By the way if you are in Melbourne and want to have a good time send me a private message I can help you doing all those happy things you do, and you will find similar kind of people in the (my) latinamerican community here in Melbourne:)

[Praxis]

By the way if you are in Melbourne and want to have a good time send me a private message I can help you doing all those happy things you do, and you will find similar kind of people in the (my) latinamerican community here in Melbourne:)
Oooh - I smell .... DANCING :eek::D I'm sorry I didn't get to meet you too.

I am in Melbourne but I'm in the outer east. Where are you based?

(not that I need any help to do happy things but it's always great to meet other people not afraid to live joyously :) )

[Podblack]

Yeah Taslima was easily my favourite speaker of the convention. I also really enjoyed Dan Barker, PZ Myers, Phillip Adams, Peter Singer, AC Grayling and Kylie Sturgess.

Thank you! :) When I was introducing Taslima, all I could think of was 'you people probably have NO idea what's about to hit you...' and she didn't disappoint.

[Ateo]

Oooh - I smell .... DANCING :eek::D I'm sorry I didn't get to meet you too.

I am in Melbourne but I'm in the outer east. Where are you based?

(not that I need any help to do happy things but it's always great to meet other people not afraid to live joyously :) )

That is right, lots of dancing, overthere people is very joyous, people sing in the streets or dance while driving or with the brooms. Sometimes I find it hard here with the people being so quite and boring, but really shits me when some even try to calm down the ones that are joyous, like the ones with the standing ovation for RD, that was pure joy!!:D

I live in Thornbury, I will let you know later in the year when a big event comes.

See you!!

[nari]

That is right, lots of dancing, overthere people is very joyous, people sing in the streets or dance while driving or with the brooms. Sometimes I find it hard here with the people being so quite and boring, but really shits me when some even try to calm down the ones that are joyous, like the ones with the standing ovation for RD, that was pure joy!!:D
Instinctive/spontaneous movements are very important. They are all part of us when we are babies, but certain cultures slowly snuff them out, in the name of social behavioural beliefs.

Instinctive movements also go a long way towards relieving pain, whether it is physical or emotional pain. I was not at the GAC, but the applause for the whole shebang and/or Dawkins would have been instinctive and sincerely expressed.
There should be a lot more of it. Nothing to do with worshipping - it is a natural expression of pleasure and very human.

Sermon finished...:)

nari

[Thehappyheretic]

I don't know what is the problem with this, is not against atheism at all to do so, for starters Dawkins is real and exists so stop the unfair and ridiculous attack.

I didn't stand up for RD but still clapped lots, this guy is the reason atheism is such a strong movement now.

Look heretic (and the foot bag dude) you are attacking the wrong people here, go and attack believers if you like or all no evidence based belief, but don't mock ourselves with unbased comparisons, you are the only ones being embarrasing:mad:

Also, the people that gave the standing ovation are free to do so, especially in an event like the one we had!!

I did give RD a standing ovation after his presentation. I felt all those emotions of joy etc. I just thought to give him a standing ovation before he said anything was a bit fanatical, but thinking about it now I can understand. He has done a lot to further the cause and I guess that was some people's way of showing there gratitude which is fair enough.

[Thehappyheretic]

Instinctive/spontaneous movements are very important. They are all part of us when we are babies, but certain cultures slowly snuff them out, in the name of social behavioural beliefs.

Instinctive movements also go a long way towards relieving pain, whether it is physical or emotional pain. I was not at the GAC, but the applause for the whole shebang and/or Dawkins would have been instinctive and sincerely expressed.
There should be a lot more of it. Nothing to do with worshipping - it is a natural expression of pleasure and very human.

Sermon finished...:)

nari

Have to agree with that.

[Sancho]

The standing ovation when [Dawkins] came out was ridiculous, and I was glad he got angry at the people yelling at the Christian woman who asked that silly question about DNA.
...
It was actually embarrassing.

I agree. He was one of the least entertaining speakers of the whole weekend, and he gets more than enough praise and attention as it is.

I think we're all grateful for the profile he's built for contemporary atheism, but the obseqious fawning he gets only gives fundies something to point at and scream "See! Atheism is a religion witha high priest!"

[riddlemethis]

Horses for courses I s'pose. I was rapt by his talk and there are ppl here who'll tell you I'm not a big fan of his non-biol work. I was terrific to hear him say something new and he did introduce some ideas that he has not widely discussed before as far as I know. Made of Stars even speculated that he was previewing ideas for the next book - a deeper discussion of an instinct for superstition.

[DanDare]

There is a total of about 100 private schools in Australia that teach ID in biology, and no public schools. The premise of her question was completely false.
That's incorrect. I know of two state schools that teach ID. Additionally in my daughter's state school the teachers will not discuss or teach human evolution because "it may offend parents". I am in the process of documenting these infringements. In all cases these are against state policy but occur anyway. The only way they get uncovered is by parents finding out and exposing.

[Made Of Stars]

I had a gold lanyard and sat up the top. Apart from needing binoculars, it was fine.

[Made Of Stars]

Made of Stars even speculated that he was previewing ideas for the next book - a deeper discussion of an instinct for superstition.
He did touch on agenticity in The God Delusion, but it was interesting to hear him pull in ideas from his own specialty area, ethology. If he is planning another book, it would be great if it had a stronger base in the science, rather than a more populist approach.

Here's more, from the always accessible Michael Shermer: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=skeptic-agenticity

And on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T_jwq9ph8k

[owheelj]

That's incorrect. I know of two state schools that teach ID. Additionally in my daughter's state school the teachers will not discuss or teach human evolution because "it may offend parents". I am in the process of documenting these infringements. In all cases these are against state policy but occur anyway. The only way they get uncovered is by parents finding out and exposing.

Did you read my other post where I gave the example of a school late last year being ordered by the Queensland government not to teach creationism in science classes?

Question. Are these two state schools you're talking about teaching ID specifically in science class - because that is the debate. Not teaching ID in RE or social studies.

Regarding the teaching of human evolution. In most states in Australia evolution is not part of science curriculum until biology subjects in year 11 and 12.

I've provided significant evidence for my argument, while those claiming that ID or creationism are taught in science classes have provided none. I look forward to seeing your evidence.

[gruber]

when the DVD out :rolleyes:


AAAA this was supposed ot be in the GAC thread, quick black save me from myself

[atheist_angel]

AAAA this was supposed ot be in the GAC thread, quick black save me from myselfno. :p