Why Evolution is True is a blog written by Jerry Coyne, centered on evolution and biology but also dealing with diverse topics like politics, culture, and cats.
Don’t expect deepities or god-bashing today (you can find histrionics and controversy elsewhere on the internet), or maybe not even biology, for Professor Ceiling Cat is hellishly busy. I will do my best to provide some light entertainment for Hump Day.
The Guardian has given prizes in its 2011 “Travel Photographer of the Year” contest. The images will be on view at the Royal Geographical Society from this Friday to August 19, coinciding with London’s Olympic games (information on the exhibit is here).
There’s a gallery of 14 of the winning photos on the Guardian website, and I’ll reproduce just three here (click to enlarge):
Winner – Best Single Image in a Spirit of Adventure portfolio White Sea, Karelia region, northern Russia. A curious and playful beluga whale swims near a scuba diver under the broken ice. Photograph: Franco Banfi, TPOTY
While travelling in India, I’ve ridden on trains that were close to this several times—people on the roof, hanging out of windows, etc.:
Winner – Best Single Image in the Exotic portfolio category: Tongi/northern border of Dhaka/Bangladesh. During the Muslim congregation, local residents arrived at and left the congregation by train. They climbed to top of the train and squeezed into every space they could find. Photograph: Yeow Kwang Yeo, TPOTY.Highly Commended – Natural Elements portfolio A group of kiang (Tibetan wild donkeys) running free through the Himalayan plains around Paryang, west Tibet. Photograph: Matjaz Krivic, TPOTYWinner – One Shot Wild Moments (single image category) Kaieteur Falls, Guyana. Photograph: Stuart Dunn, TPOTY.
“The thing about coded messages like Coyne’s is that they need to be decoded before they can be challenged or discussed. It means that he can be as snide as he likes, and if someone tries to call him on it, he can say “But you are reading too much into it”. It’s the tactic of a coward who knows he is wrong.” and you also posted:
“I think it’s very likely that Coyne is referring to Ophelia with the “histrionics” comment. ”
Comments which made Benson conclude without any proof that Jerry was referring to her.
It’s pathetic that you pretend to be genuinely asking sincere questions when you’ve already claimed the answer.
To quote the histrionics remark in full:
“I think it’s very likely that Coyne is referring to Ophelia with the “histrionics” comment. However, the nature of allusions like the one he has made is that the connections need to be made in the mind of the reader. So I have asked him explicitly what he was referring to in a comment on his blog – I will be very interested in his response, if there is one.”
I don’t claim any answer: that’s the point. Only Jerry knows what he was referring to.
Your speculation was based on nothing substantive. You even speculated that “Prof. Ceiling Cat” could be a reference to PZ Meyers when anyone who knows Jerry and reads his web site knows it was a reference to himself. Not cryptic in the slightest except to the ignorant with a penchant for innuendo and rumor.
BTW, the first quote of yours in my first response to you belies your claim of sincerity.
The comment to which you refer (also quoted here as well) does not fool anyone nor does it do anything to challenge the proof of echinda’s disingenuity and insincerity.
BTW regarding Benson’s site. Based on echinda’s speculations there, Benson has already irrationally concluded Jerry’s post was all about her and she has attacked him for it.
Echinda did nothing to dissuade her. Quite the opposite actually.
sometimes, people aren’t talking about the FTB lot. Sometimes, Jerry is just telling a story about the interesting things he actually *does*. Himself.
And sometimes they mean something despite what you’ve decided to conclude they mean. Indeed, upon being corrected that Professor Ceiling Cat doesn’t refer to PZ (he’s the squid guy), but is in fact Jerry himself, you’ve acknowledged and corrected that error, and sent to Jerry an apology, right?
Just like how you jumped in feet first in the Don Kane issue last year after it was known he was entirely correct to demean him for pretending to be a geneticist on a biologist’s blog, right?
Who am I kidding! If you were at all interested in knowing shit from shinola, we wouldn’t have to have this conversation about you every so often. This time, though, I’m including you in the loop.
Speaking and writing should come after one knows what the fuck one is talking about. Not before. It does not follow that because your emotions are significant to you that your opinion is to the rest of the world. This is particularly ironic given that the non-blog website on which you’re now depositing your particularly virulent brand of rumor-mongering is that of one of the most erudite people you’ll (n)ever meet.
Now, I expect that now that have what generally passes for a fact to hold in that air-inflated head of yours, you’ll promptly be making the rounds to unfuck the untruths you’re so profligate at spreading.
My apologies to Jerry et al for my comportment here, but manifestly not to this ersatz pissant.
For the record, here’s Echidna’s lucubration on Jerry:
“The thing about coded messages like Coyne’s is that they need to be decoded before they can be challenged or discussed. It means that he can be as snide as he likes, and if someone tries to call him on it, he can say “But you are reading too much into it”. It’s the tactic of a coward who knows he is wrong.”
The fact that you assumed that “histrionics” referred to OB speaks volumes about OB and yourself and not one bit about Professor Coyne. Jerry has been pretty good at keeping this crap off his website for almost a year now and I’m sure that he’d prefer to keep it that way. And yes, you were very disingenuous about the way you broached the topic after the comments you made at B&W.
I used to read Jerry’s blog a lot when I was caught up in a debate with a family member who was being caught up in creationism. Jerry was one of the really good sources of information that I went to, and I’ve dropped in on his blog from time to time since. To be honest, I don’t have much interest in Ceiling Cat.
I think you’re a troll and a troublemaker. It’s obvious to me, as to anyone else who frequents this notablog, that ‘Professor CeilingCat’ is a reference to Jerry himself. He comments under the name of CeilingCat, ffs.
OT (or not) but FYI, today the Australian census results (2011) came out. “No religion” is 22.3%.
Since the previous census in 2001, no-religion has pinched 7 percentage points from Christianity (which was 96% in 1911 but now down to 61%). This is currently a 1%pa attrition rate (implying a half-life of 60 years for Christianity?).
Last census, Anglican was only a hair above no-religion (a hair that has since succumbed to attrition anyway), so no-religion is now vying only with Catholicism (and is on track to seize the top spot in 2014).
Nonchristian religions are only a minority but growing steadily (attributed to immigration). Roughly, Buddhism 3%, Islam 2%, Hinduism 1%, Judaism 0.5%, other (which??) 0.8%.
Since it’s salt water in equilibrium with ice, then it’s likely to be noticeably below 32 degrees (I’m assuming that you’re using an antiquated temperature called “Fahrenheit”, and you’re actually referring to 273+/- Kelvin).
I’ve never dived under sea ice, but I have dived in frozen-over fresh-water quarries ; it is decidedly sub-tropical, but perfectly manageable. I’ve felt much colder caving in snow-melt – because the flexibility of the coveralls you use prevents them being either water-proof or particularly close-fitting.
Having recently taken delivery of a new, beer-belly-size dry-suit, I look forward to the prospect of doing some ice-diving this winter.
Trivial error??? He’s off by 25%, for crying out loud! That’s like saying the population of the world is 5.25 billion when the correct number is 7 billion! Egregious! Unpardonable!
That’s good, it should not be missed out. Well I these pics, but there are other many wonderful photos I have collected , these were also added. Some wonderful Himalaya’s climbing pics.
Well, I had been too to Asia. I had a collection of beautiful South Asia. I like the beautiful greenery and scenes there. Especially I was much influenced by the food and their traditional culture.
Can’t believe they missed that empty spot in front of the port side windshield.
the occupier of that spot fell under the train
I see a few lap vacancies as well. (I don’t think you could fit this many people on a train in America… unless maybe they were all kids.)
That’s the spot for the photographer to get on.
Jerry, I assume that by the biology Professor Ceiling Cat you mean PZ, and by “histrionics” you mean… what do you mean exactly? And controversy?
You’ve piqued my curiosity.
“You’ve piqued my curiosity.”
My you’re a disingenuous one aren’t you?
You already posted at Ophelia Benson’s blog that:
“The thing about coded messages like Coyne’s is that they need to be decoded before they can be challenged or discussed. It means that he can be as snide as he likes, and if someone tries to call him on it, he can say “But you are reading too much into it”. It’s the tactic of a coward who knows he is wrong.” and you also posted:
“I think it’s very likely that Coyne is referring to Ophelia with the “histrionics” comment. ”
Comments which made Benson conclude without any proof that Jerry was referring to her.
It’s pathetic that you pretend to be genuinely asking sincere questions when you’ve already claimed the answer.
No, I am sincere. The phrase came up on Ophelia’s blog, and was interpreted to refer to her.
I thought she might be right, but since Jerry was making an allusion to something, without providing context, I thought I would ask directly.
My comments at Ophelia’s blog, if you read them, focus heavily on the issue of interpreting cryptic comments.
“No, I am sincere. The phrase came up on Ophelia’s blog, and was interpreted to refer to her. ”
The comments of yours I quoted plus others that you’ve made elsewhere clearly refute your statement.
Also, the interpretation was insinuated by you and one in which Benson agreed. You provided nothing to caution her.
To quote the histrionics remark in full:
“I think it’s very likely that Coyne is referring to Ophelia with the “histrionics” comment. However, the nature of allusions like the one he has made is that the connections need to be made in the mind of the reader. So I have asked him explicitly what he was referring to in a comment on his blog – I will be very interested in his response, if there is one.”
I don’t claim any answer: that’s the point. Only Jerry knows what he was referring to.
How more dishonest can you be?
Your speculation was based on nothing substantive. You even speculated that “Prof. Ceiling Cat” could be a reference to PZ Meyers when anyone who knows Jerry and reads his web site knows it was a reference to himself. Not cryptic in the slightest except to the ignorant with a penchant for innuendo and rumor.
BTW, the first quote of yours in my first response to you belies your claim of sincerity.
Seriously? JD already quoted your remark in full. Why would you post a lie that is so easily checked?
For anyone curious wanting to get to it quickly, go here:
freethoughtblogs.com/butterfliesandwheels/2012/06/im-out/
Scroll down to comment 438.
Ah, nevermind. I missed comment 442.
The comment to which you refer (also quoted here as well) does not fool anyone nor does it do anything to challenge the proof of echinda’s disingenuity and insincerity.
BTW regarding Benson’s site. Based on echinda’s speculations there, Benson has already irrationally concluded Jerry’s post was all about her and she has attacked him for it.
Echinda did nothing to dissuade her. Quite the opposite actually.
sometimes, people aren’t talking about the FTB lot. Sometimes, Jerry is just telling a story about the interesting things he actually *does*. Himself.
Actually doing stuff.
Just a thought.
Sometimes, words mean whatever you want them to mean.
Only if your inclined to gossip, unsubstantiated rumor, and tabloid journalism.
Decent folk don’t speculate wildly to fit a particular narrative or agenda. They wait for conformation and clarity.
Unfortunately, you didn’t and Prof. Coyne would be justified in ignoring you given your statements and behavior.
And sometimes they mean something despite what you’ve decided to conclude they mean. Indeed, upon being corrected that Professor Ceiling Cat doesn’t refer to PZ (he’s the squid guy), but is in fact Jerry himself, you’ve acknowledged and corrected that error, and sent to Jerry an apology, right?
Just like how you jumped in feet first in the Don Kane issue last year after it was known he was entirely correct to demean him for pretending to be a geneticist on a biologist’s blog, right?
Who am I kidding! If you were at all interested in knowing shit from shinola, we wouldn’t have to have this conversation about you every so often. This time, though, I’m including you in the loop.
Speaking and writing should come after one knows what the fuck one is talking about. Not before. It does not follow that because your emotions are significant to you that your opinion is to the rest of the world. This is particularly ironic given that the non-blog website on which you’re now depositing your particularly virulent brand of rumor-mongering is that of one of the most erudite people you’ll (n)ever meet.
Now, I expect that now that have what generally passes for a fact to hold in that air-inflated head of yours, you’ll promptly be making the rounds to unfuck the untruths you’re so profligate at spreading.
My apologies to Jerry et al for my comportment here, but manifestly not to this ersatz pissant.
For the record, here’s Echidna’s lucubration on Jerry:
“The thing about coded messages like Coyne’s is that they need to be decoded before they can be challenged or discussed. It means that he can be as snide as he likes, and if someone tries to call him on it, he can say “But you are reading too much into it”. It’s the tactic of a coward who knows he is wrong.”
The fact that you assumed that “histrionics” referred to OB speaks volumes about OB and yourself and not one bit about Professor Coyne. Jerry has been pretty good at keeping this crap off his website for almost a year now and I’m sure that he’d prefer to keep it that way. And yes, you were very disingenuous about the way you broached the topic after the comments you made at B&W.
Professor Ceiling Cat = Jerry
Ah. I searched, and found a couple of references to Jerry as Prof. Ceiling Cat about a year ago. How did it start?
He’s a cat lover and his icon is Ceiling Cat. He speaks fluent ceiling cat as well.
BTW, you assume so much about Jerry’s “tactics” (see my previous post) yet as shown by your questions you know absolutely nothing about him.
I used to read Jerry’s blog a lot when I was caught up in a debate with a family member who was being caught up in creationism. Jerry was one of the really good sources of information that I went to, and I’ve dropped in on his blog from time to time since. To be honest, I don’t have much interest in Ceiling Cat.
Hmmm. Cleanup on aisles 2 & 4. Perhaps this one is best treated with Fenbendazole?
Is that good for cleaning up egg on face?
I think you’re a troll and a troublemaker. It’s obvious to me, as to anyone else who frequents this notablog, that ‘Professor CeilingCat’ is a reference to Jerry himself. He comments under the name of CeilingCat, ffs.
OT (or not) but FYI, today the Australian census results (2011) came out. “No religion” is 22.3%.
Since the previous census in 2001, no-religion has pinched 7 percentage points from Christianity (which was 96% in 1911 but now down to 61%). This is currently a 1%pa attrition rate (implying a half-life of 60 years for Christianity?).
Last census, Anglican was only a hair above no-religion (a hair that has since succumbed to attrition anyway), so no-religion is now vying only with Catholicism (and is on track to seize the top spot in 2014).
Nonchristian religions are only a minority but growing steadily (attributed to immigration). Roughly, Buddhism 3%, Islam 2%, Hinduism 1%, Judaism 0.5%, other (which??) 0.8%.
Reblogged this on thewordpressghost and commented:
Everyone,
Here are some great travel pics!
I love the Beluga Whale. But you won’t catch me swimming in 32 degree water to get the picture.
😉
Ghost.
Since it’s salt water in equilibrium with ice, then it’s likely to be noticeably below 32 degrees (I’m assuming that you’re using an antiquated temperature called “Fahrenheit”, and you’re actually referring to 273+/- Kelvin).
I’ve never dived under sea ice, but I have dived in frozen-over fresh-water quarries ; it is decidedly sub-tropical, but perfectly manageable. I’ve felt much colder caving in snow-melt – because the flexibility of the coveralls you use prevents them being either water-proof or particularly close-fitting.
Having recently taken delivery of a new, beer-belly-size dry-suit, I look forward to the prospect of doing some ice-diving this winter.
I think you meant centigrade, not martian temps.
😉
Also, if we’re dissecting Dr. Coyne’s wording here, I am more worried by this:
“There’s a gallery of 14 of the winning photos on the Guardian website, and I’ll reproduce just three here (click to enlarge).”
To my shock and horror, I have discovered that in fact four photos were posted. 🙂
Uh-oh…
someone’s pants are on fire!
(I guess we can allow ceiling cat a typo or two– it’s hard to type without opposable thumbs.)
Ceiling cat has a trained monkey for doing that. Cultural evolution.
A trivial off by one error.
Move along, people. MOVE ALONG!
Either that, or Jerry is using a Jedi mind-trick to get people to re-enact a scene from Star Trek: TNG. There are FOUR photos . . .
Trivial error??? He’s off by 25%, for crying out loud! That’s like saying the population of the world is 5.25 billion when the correct number is 7 billion! Egregious! Unpardonable!
Damit! I thought that with “reproduce” and “enlarge”, there was going to be some Viagra reference or something.
Foiled again!
That’s good, it should not be missed out. Well I these pics, but there are other many wonderful photos I have collected , these were also added. Some wonderful Himalaya’s climbing pics.
Well, I had been too to Asia. I had a collection of beautiful South Asia. I like the beautiful greenery and scenes there. Especially I was much influenced by the food and their traditional culture.