GENIUS FORUMS

This is a bit of a laugh.

Paul Livingston, an Australian comedian (best known as "Flacco"), has written on the imbecility of the Atheist Society of Australia, an organization founded by none other than our good selves. It was a chapter published a few years ago in a book called, "Releasing the Imbecile Within". While he focuses mainly on the Atheist Society's newsletters, he also makes oblique references to the Thinking Man's Minefield and Genius Forum

Releasing the Imbecile Within - Chapter 13: Our Father Who Aren't In Heaven

Apparently, he turned the book into a stage show and toured the country with it.

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we should try to find a way to discuss with him

In the works.

Faust13 wrote:we should try to find a way to discuss with him

Are you sure that's a good idea? He is a mere comedian who does what the herd wants him to - keeping their minds off reality. In this case by giving the herd the sense of relief by assuring them how those who claim to have some knowledge of truth are not on to something after all.

Comedians are not to be taken seriously. He was simply searching for material for his act as usual. The material that works for comedians very well, because of the audience they aim for, is that which strikes the ordinary herd member as odd, dangerous, off the beaten path etc. so he displays it to them in a funny way, assuring them it is all very silly, so they can have a laugh and go home thinking 'oh, guess we are still right after all.'

I actually think it would be interesting to talk to him about things like "certainty" - as he represents a certain "everyman" perspective there, and also about the philosophy of humour. It just depends on whether I can get past his agent :)

My favourite bit was where he accuses us of "setting traps of inescapable logic" and luring people to a place where they find it "impossible to escape from beneath the pressure of rock-solid certainty".

Incidentally, the Atheist Newsletters he is referring to are here.

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I think the most ironic part if where he chastises us for mocking people's beliefs. That's an absolute ball-tearer.

Funny read.

I don't think he wants to engage you though, just belittle you and move on so he doesn't get himself into trouble.

Well, yes, you are probably right on an intellectual level. We'd pretty swiftly show up his hypocrisy, but I'm hoping he may feel on a moral level he owes some sort of right of reply. Plus our stated desire to talk with him about the philosophy of humour might appeal to his ego.