Topic: Reason Rally
Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU started this discussion 14 years ago #18,255
Tomorrow I will be heading down to D.C. for the Reason Rally. It's basically a huge circlejerk for atheist neckbeards, but I have nothing better to do. I know there aren't too many East-coasters here on Minichan, but is anyone else planning on going? If not, you can just shit up my topic or ignore it or whatever.
Anonymous B joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 25 minutes later[^] [v] #304,160
No one is planning on going.
Anonymous C joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 11 minutes later, 36 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #304,162
At least the celebrity list looks pretty cool. I'd be up for seeing Tim Minchin and Bad Religion. Oh, and Eddie Izzard.
Anonymous C double-posted this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 38 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #304,163
Oh and the fact that Greg Gaffin has a PhD from Cornell and lectures on paleontology yet sings for a punk band would be an interesting talking point. I've always liked him.
Killer Lettuce !!iNo3FkiZx joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 11 minutes later, 50 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #304,165
Looks pretty interesting, be sure to post about it once you've been.
Anonymous E joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 1 hour later, 1 hour after the original post[^] [v] #304,193
Take pics pls.
dreamworks !k36EljOEVQ joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 10 minutes later, 2 hours after the original post[^] [v] #304,198
Anonymous G joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 5 minutes later, 2 hours after the original post[^] [v] #304,199
Killer Lettuce !!iNo3FkiZx replied with this 14 years ago, 3 minutes later, 2 hours after the original post[^] [v] #304,200
@previous (G)
His style's certainly unique, but I'd say he's one of the more entertaining comedians in the country.
@OP
/r/ing pic of Eddie Izzard.
His style's certainly unique, but I'd say he's one of the more entertaining comedians in the country.
@OP
/r/ing pic of Eddie Izzard.
Anonymous C replied with this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 2 hours after the original post[^] [v] #304,201
Lol Bill Maher is last on the speaker list. Brace for preachy ad hominems up the ass.
Anonymous C double-posted this 14 years ago, 32 seconds later, 2 hours after the original post[^] [v] #304,202
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 25 minutes later, 2 hours after the original post[^] [v] #304,212
I want to go :/
Anonymous I joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 26 minutes later, 3 hours after the original post[^] [v] #304,219
@304,200 (Killer Lettuce !!iNo3FkiZx)
> I'd say he's one of the more entertaining comedians in the country.
well thats kinda depressing
> I'd say he's one of the more entertaining comedians in the country.
well thats kinda depressing
Anonymous G replied with this 14 years ago, 20 minutes later, 3 hours after the original post[^] [v] #304,223
Killer Lettuce !!iNo3FkiZx replied with this 14 years ago, 13 minutes later, 3 hours after the original post[^] [v] #304,233
@previous (G)
> stop liking what I don't like
What UK comedians do you like then, Anonymous G?
@304,219 (I)
Just my opinion, pal.
> stop liking what I don't like
What UK comedians do you like then, Anonymous G?
@304,219 (I)
Just my opinion, pal.
Anonymous G replied with this 14 years ago, 17 minutes later, 4 hours after the original post[^] [v] #304,236
@previous (Killer Lettuce !!iNo3FkiZx)
Frankie Boyle comes to mind. And I'm too lazy to list more since you have no taste you won't like what I like ;)
Frankie Boyle comes to mind. And I'm too lazy to list more since you have no taste you won't like what I like ;)
Killer Lettuce !!iNo3FkiZx replied with this 14 years ago, 16 minutes later, 4 hours after the original post[^] [v] #304,241
@previous (G)
> Frankie Boyle
I think he retired, which is a shame. :/
you have no taste you won't like what I like ;)
That was quite a hipster thing to say.
Anyway, I probably do like them. There aren't many comedians I don't like.
> Frankie Boyle
I think he retired, which is a shame. :/
you have no taste you won't like what I like ;)
That was quite a hipster thing to say.
Anyway, I probably do like them. There aren't many comedians I don't like.
SQUARED :3 !L.....AlN. joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 50 minutes later, 5 hours after the original post[^] [v] #304,260
Anonymous I replied with this 14 years ago, 1 hour later, 6 hours after the original post[^] [v] #304,269
Anonymous C replied with this 14 years ago, 2 hours later, 8 hours after the original post[^] [v] #304,318
@OP
Do you know if Bad Religion is actually performing at this thing or is it just Greg Gaffin giving a speech?
Do you know if Bad Religion is actually performing at this thing or is it just Greg Gaffin giving a speech?
Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 38 minutes later, 9 hours after the original post[^] [v] #304,323
Anonymous C replied with this 14 years ago, 4 minutes later, 9 hours after the original post[^] [v] #304,324
@previous (Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU)
If it is actually Bad Religion playing a set then I jelly and you won't enjoy it whatsoever so >:|
If it is actually Bad Religion playing a set then I jelly and you won't enjoy it whatsoever so >:|
Anonymous C double-posted this 14 years ago, 10 minutes later, 9 hours after the original post[^] [v] #304,325
@304,323 (Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU)
And if it isn't Bad Religion then that is false advertising and you should sue.
And if it isn't Bad Religion then that is false advertising and you should sue.
Anonymous C triple-posted this 14 years ago, 1 hour later, 10 hours after the original post[^] [v] #304,330
Also fuck you if they play something like http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5b0M_B0QCA
kook !nH6RAuX8mo joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 22 hours later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #304,624
How was it?
Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #304,626
@304,325 (C)
Bad Religion did play, but I missed it because I was getting dinner and drying off.
Also, didn't see Bill Maher or Eddie Izzard. Tim Minchin was fantastic. Adam Savage gave a surprisingly heartfelt speech which I thought was a good summary of the kind of view argued for by supporters of the rally. I wonder if it's online yet.
Bad Religion did play, but I missed it because I was getting dinner and drying off.
Also, didn't see Bill Maher or Eddie Izzard. Tim Minchin was fantastic. Adam Savage gave a surprisingly heartfelt speech which I thought was a good summary of the kind of view argued for by supporters of the rally. I wonder if it's online yet.
Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU (OP) double-posted this 14 years ago, 21 seconds later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #304,627
Anonymous C replied with this 14 years ago, 34 seconds later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #304,628
Killer Lettuce !!iNo3FkiZx replied with this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #304,629
@304,626 (Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU)
> Also, didn't see Eddie Izzard.
:(
Do you at least know if he dressed fabulously?
> Also, didn't see Eddie Izzard.
:(
Do you at least know if he dressed fabulously?
Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 17 seconds later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #304,630
@304,628 (C)
It's done for the night, and I'm back on campus. There's other atheist/secular humanist related stuff going on all weekend, but I'm not going to be there for it.
It's done for the night, and I'm back on campus. There's other atheist/secular humanist related stuff going on all weekend, but I'm not going to be there for it.
Anonymous C replied with this 14 years ago, 34 seconds later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #304,631
Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 6 minutes later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #304,635
@304,629 (Killer Lettuce !!iNo3FkiZx)No idea. Ok I'm gonna upload some pictures and then give my take on the night.
First up, here's a really great sign protesting the WBC. I found it hilarious.
Anonymous C replied with this 14 years ago, 54 seconds later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #304,637
Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 3 minutes later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #304,646
@304,631 (C)Yeah, I was outside in the 50 degree rain for a few hours with just a long-sleeved shirt and no umbrella. Not a great decision in hindsight.
This is Thunderf00t doing something. It was right next to the WBC protest.
(Edited 43 seconds later.)
Killer Lettuce !!iNo3FkiZx replied with this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #304,649
Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 3 minutes later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #304,653
@previous (Killer Lettuce !!iNo3FkiZx)lolol I didn't even notice that.
Here is some guy in a jesus costume standing next to Ms. Phelps with a sign that reads "I've got 99 problems but this bitch ain't one". One of the cops there on guard duty escorted him away behind the barricade but was laughing the whole time.
Anonymous C replied with this 14 years ago, 2 minutes later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #304,655
Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #304,656
This is some thing that went up right in front of me. I can't help but feel like it was done for pure shock value.Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU (OP) double-posted this 14 years ago, 15 seconds later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #304,657
Anonymous C replied with this 14 years ago, 4 minutes later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #304,661
@304,656 (Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU)
Probably. If it was windy outside then the joke is really on him.
Probably. If it was windy outside then the joke is really on him.
(Edited 42 seconds later.)
Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 22 minutes later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #304,667
Warning: Massive tl;dr rambling. Read at your own risk
With all that being said, I really walked away from this feeling a little put off. I had 2 major concerns I guess. First off, I significantly underestimated just how much circlejerking would go on. Now, obviously I agree with the main tenets of the movement; primarily the separation of church and state and the conflict between religious fundamentalism and human rights. But you can only applaud the same couple of points for so long before it gets tedious. From 10 am until 1:30 pm or so, it was basically "Republicans hate women's freedom, fundamentalist religion oppresses the rights of minorities, denying science is bad and using rationality is good." I can only applaud and cheer for the same things so many times before it gets to be just plain stupid.
Secondly, I couldn't help but feel like this is totally the wrong way to go about doing this. As a philosophy major, I find the most interesting and fulfilling way to go about discerning truth is through argument. At the rally it was more like a rallying cry for the same couple of basic principles with a hell of a lot of polemic thrown in. That's probably par for the course as far as rallies go, but then that just means that I think rallies are useless for determining what is true and what is false. I don't think it is useful to say that "Rick Santorum is evil" or anything like that. Even if it were true (which it's not), it certainly doesn't move the discussion forward in any meaningful way, and just seems to further entrench the divide, instead of maybe trying to find some compromise somewhere, or at least by presenting a rational argument for why Rick Santorum (or any other politician/policy) is wrong. I know that they have done that, but to supplement that with this sort of rhetoric is self-defeating.
I'm really rambling on here and I'm fucking tired so this post is really fragmented. From here on out are my rambling thoguhts
I was also kind of distressed that there were a couple of kids there. I'm always really skeptical about parents who try to get their children to think the same way about religion that they do. Now, granted, the atheist parents happen to be right, but I feel like that's a decision you should let your child figure out for him/herself. I realize this sort of sounds like something a religious apologist might say maybe, but I can't help feel like there's something not okay about bringing your children to political/religious rallies.
Also the weather was shit. It was cold and rainy and I probably have the flu now.
I really enjoyed being around the westboro baptist chuch. That sounds odd, I know, but aside from letting them know that I donated $5 to a gay charity because they were there (which they were probably expecting, but nevertheless also probably weren't too pleased about), I just stood there and watched everyone hate them. While some of the insults were funny (random people driving by yelling "FUCK YOU" "FRED PHELPS IS A FAGGOT", etc.) I was actually really serene and content just standing there in a crowd watching the Phelps'. I felt bad for the daughter because she seemed like she could have been a really nice person if her parents weren't terrible people. I also seemed to get the vibe that the mother didn't take herself seriously. Like she didn't actually believe what the signs said, but she was just there for the notoriety, attention and money. That's the hunch I got, anyway.
Uh I'm done rambling for now, I think.
With all that being said, I really walked away from this feeling a little put off. I had 2 major concerns I guess. First off, I significantly underestimated just how much circlejerking would go on. Now, obviously I agree with the main tenets of the movement; primarily the separation of church and state and the conflict between religious fundamentalism and human rights. But you can only applaud the same couple of points for so long before it gets tedious. From 10 am until 1:30 pm or so, it was basically "Republicans hate women's freedom, fundamentalist religion oppresses the rights of minorities, denying science is bad and using rationality is good." I can only applaud and cheer for the same things so many times before it gets to be just plain stupid.
Secondly, I couldn't help but feel like this is totally the wrong way to go about doing this. As a philosophy major, I find the most interesting and fulfilling way to go about discerning truth is through argument. At the rally it was more like a rallying cry for the same couple of basic principles with a hell of a lot of polemic thrown in. That's probably par for the course as far as rallies go, but then that just means that I think rallies are useless for determining what is true and what is false. I don't think it is useful to say that "Rick Santorum is evil" or anything like that. Even if it were true (which it's not), it certainly doesn't move the discussion forward in any meaningful way, and just seems to further entrench the divide, instead of maybe trying to find some compromise somewhere, or at least by presenting a rational argument for why Rick Santorum (or any other politician/policy) is wrong. I know that they have done that, but to supplement that with this sort of rhetoric is self-defeating.
I'm really rambling on here and I'm fucking tired so this post is really fragmented. From here on out are my rambling thoguhts
I was also kind of distressed that there were a couple of kids there. I'm always really skeptical about parents who try to get their children to think the same way about religion that they do. Now, granted, the atheist parents happen to be right, but I feel like that's a decision you should let your child figure out for him/herself. I realize this sort of sounds like something a religious apologist might say maybe, but I can't help feel like there's something not okay about bringing your children to political/religious rallies.
Also the weather was shit. It was cold and rainy and I probably have the flu now.
I really enjoyed being around the westboro baptist chuch. That sounds odd, I know, but aside from letting them know that I donated $5 to a gay charity because they were there (which they were probably expecting, but nevertheless also probably weren't too pleased about), I just stood there and watched everyone hate them. While some of the insults were funny (random people driving by yelling "FUCK YOU" "FRED PHELPS IS A FAGGOT", etc.) I was actually really serene and content just standing there in a crowd watching the Phelps'. I felt bad for the daughter because she seemed like she could have been a really nice person if her parents weren't terrible people. I also seemed to get the vibe that the mother didn't take herself seriously. Like she didn't actually believe what the signs said, but she was just there for the notoriety, attention and money. That's the hunch I got, anyway.
Uh I'm done rambling for now, I think.
Anonymous C replied with this 14 years ago, 5 minutes later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #304,670
@previous (Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU)
It's because there is little (if any) discourse. That's the point of a rally; there is no debate, just parroting others' opinions to death because the social collective already does accepts it regardless. Most actual debates are really boring and don't draw a crowd. This is an easy way for like-minded individuals to congregate so they can ape some of the worst behaviours of their fellow constituency. Any retardation among them is usually drowned out for the even more retarded and outstanding. So long as you can prevent yourself from being the biggest idiot there then any idiocy is pretty much ignored and acceptable.
It's because there is little (if any) discourse. That's the point of a rally; there is no debate, just parroting others' opinions to death because the social collective already does accepts it regardless. Most actual debates are really boring and don't draw a crowd. This is an easy way for like-minded individuals to congregate so they can ape some of the worst behaviours of their fellow constituency. Any retardation among them is usually drowned out for the even more retarded and outstanding. So long as you can prevent yourself from being the biggest idiot there then any idiocy is pretty much ignored and acceptable.
Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 3 minutes later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #304,671
@previous (C)
Yeah that's why I never really got into doing politics. I have some pretty strongly-held political opinions of my own, and finding some friends who agree with me politically is nice too, but going to a rally takes things to an unreasonable degree. There is zero critical thinking at a rally. You applaud and cheer for things that you think you should, and you boo whenever the opposing point of view is presented. It's fucking retarded and the lowest form of political participation, if it even counts as such.
tl;dr fuck rallies they suck
Yeah that's why I never really got into doing politics. I have some pretty strongly-held political opinions of my own, and finding some friends who agree with me politically is nice too, but going to a rally takes things to an unreasonable degree. There is zero critical thinking at a rally. You applaud and cheer for things that you think you should, and you boo whenever the opposing point of view is presented. It's fucking retarded and the lowest form of political participation, if it even counts as such.
tl;dr fuck rallies they suck
Anonymous C replied with this 14 years ago, 7 minutes later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #304,676
@previous (Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU)
Not to derail your overall point but I think it's been pretty visibly demonstrated that the Phelps are in it for the notoriety. Call them IRL trolls or whatever but Louis Theroux's documentary illustrates how they do these things and the strong likelihood that Mother Phelps does it for the bullshit reactions. Her daughters and other relatives seem to not really grasp what they are doing or why but it seems to be a common theme in their family that they are aware they are full of shit but the point to annoy/irritate others and the negative attention is what keeps them doing what they do. It's sad but people don't want to have a discussion, they just want the limelight because it's much more gratifying in general. Attentionwhores will be attentionwhores.
Not to derail your overall point but I think it's been pretty visibly demonstrated that the Phelps are in it for the notoriety. Call them IRL trolls or whatever but Louis Theroux's documentary illustrates how they do these things and the strong likelihood that Mother Phelps does it for the bullshit reactions. Her daughters and other relatives seem to not really grasp what they are doing or why but it seems to be a common theme in their family that they are aware they are full of shit but the point to annoy/irritate others and the negative attention is what keeps them doing what they do. It's sad but people don't want to have a discussion, they just want the limelight because it's much more gratifying in general. Attentionwhores will be attentionwhores.
Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 54 seconds later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #304,678
Okay, one other thing that bothered me. They played Christopher Hitchens' voice as a tribute or whatever to him, but it felt so strange. Like, he has been reduced to a couple soundbites or whatever. The whole movement seems so stupid, now.
Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU (OP) double-posted this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #304,679
@304,676 (C)
I haven't seen the documentary on them, but that would be consistent with my gut reaction to them. I feel like there's no way they can be serious, so they must be in it for the infamy or whatever.
I haven't seen the documentary on them, but that would be consistent with my gut reaction to them. I feel like there's no way they can be serious, so they must be in it for the infamy or whatever.
Anonymous C replied with this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #304,680
@previous (Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU)
If you ever want to watch it the documentary is called 'The Most Hated Family In America' I believe. They picket anything and everything they can for the negative attention.
If you ever want to watch it the documentary is called 'The Most Hated Family In America' I believe. They picket anything and everything they can for the negative attention.
Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #304,681
Anonymous C replied with this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #304,682
@previous (Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU)
I am not sure if the WBC family is also racist but I can certainly foresee a future where one of their daughters goes outside of their core family's hate, dates someone they don't like and is called a race traitor or something.
I am not sure if the WBC family is also racist but I can certainly foresee a future where one of their daughters goes outside of their core family's hate, dates someone they don't like and is called a race traitor or something.
Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #304,684
@previous (C)
One of their sons actually spoke at the reason rally. I only got to hear the end of his speech, but he quoted what Bertrand Russell said here. It kind of blew my mind that a Phelps would quote that.
One of their sons actually spoke at the reason rally. I only got to hear the end of his speech, but he quoted what Bertrand Russell said here. It kind of blew my mind that a Phelps would quote that.
Anonymous C replied with this 14 years ago, 3 minutes later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #304,686
@previous (Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU)
Interesting. I'm sure the majority of it is a social diversion and the reason to keep up their image is also partially driven by financial reasons because they are a religious orginisation. I'd be curious to know what kind of income they receive from a federal and private level because it makes no sense that they could travel across the country to protest everything just because they want to.
Interesting. I'm sure the majority of it is a social diversion and the reason to keep up their image is also partially driven by financial reasons because they are a religious orginisation. I'd be curious to know what kind of income they receive from a federal and private level because it makes no sense that they could travel across the country to protest everything just because they want to.