Media updates

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Posted on 29th November 2009 by Jack in video

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BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JULY 14: Creator/develope...
Image by Getty Images via Daylife

I just added a video to the audio/video page. If you haven’t visited that page in a while you may want to click over and view a few of the more recent additions.

I prefer to keep videos on their own page as I know some RSS readers have a hard time displaying them properly. When I write a post that requires a video to help make a point I’ll include it on the home page. But that isn’t a frequent occurrence. Generally an image serves the same purpose and can be displayed in your favorite reader more easily than a video can be.

I’m also aware that videos are occasionally pulled from YouTube for one reason or another, and if one disappears from the feed I’d rather that happened on a separate page than in my main feed.

The video I added today is a casual conversation between Adam Carolla and Seth MacFarlane, the creator of Family Guy among other accomplishments. They wander into a discussion of their common disbelief in gods and the implications of that on their thinking. They bring up some of the more common objections to atheism and how they deal with them. It reminds me of several conversations I’ve had with fellow non-believers over beer (usually, for them) and coffee (always, for me).

So if you have the time, click over and enjoy a few of the videos. And if you encounter any you think I should include there, please drop me a line and let me know. We can all use a little entertainment these days.

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God says, “Quit worrying about global warming.”

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Posted on 29th March 2009 by Jack in politics

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This is why the separation clause needs to be strictly enforced, and why Shimkus needs to be replaced.

Say ‘Hebbo’ to Tarvuism!

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Posted on 12th October 2008 by Jack in satire | video

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With no disrespect to the mighty Flying Spaghetti Monster (PBTH), may I present a religion for the 21st century.

Say ‘Hebbo’ to Tarvuism!


Say Hebbo! from Torvakian on Vimeo.

Born Again

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Posted on 22nd September 2008 by Jack in re: theism | video

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BORN AGAIN is the story of Director Markie Hancock’s evangelical upbringing and her 20-year struggle to get out. Excerpts from Hancock’s journals, home movies and student films reveal the strong grip of fundamentalist religion.

As a child, she revels in the security that promises of eternal salvation bring to both her and her family. Hancock only slowly begins to question the narrow path she has fervently followed when she falls in love with a woman. It is in Berlin when she finally begins to free herself from religion and from the family she loves.

Ultimately, BORN AGAIN asks, at what price do we believe what we believe and how do we live with others who believe differently?

Visit SnagFilms for more thought-provoking independent films.

More powerful than a loco motive

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Posted on 21st June 2008 by Jack in humanism | on the web

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I love the word loco. While it suggests something isn’t quite right in a person’s head, it stops short of presuming actual insanity. Loco is even more meaningful when linked with its most common modifier, plumb. “Boy, you’re plumb loco” conveys my amazement that anyone would think, do or say something so dangerous/insipid/moronic. And we know that “motive” refers to motivation, the reason for something. So a loco motive would be religion, for example; a crazy way to reason about reality.

Could anything exert a more powerful influence on humanity than religion? Is there closer to a common human language than the notion of gods?

Yes, several things. Food is one item that transcends divisions, as is music and dance.

I don’t know that I fully understand the difference between Humanism and humanism. In general I’m a lower-case kind of guy, so I’ll confess that I consider myself a humanist. I am fascinated by my fellow humans, I think we’re a very interesting species. I feel a strong kinship with other humans. Religion offends me because all the various expressions of belief in gods include an element of divisiveness. It encourages a feeling of separation from other humans. Unlike religion, you don’t have to be taught how to dance or sing. They are instinctive behaviors.

Combine music, dance and people, especially children, and you have a compelling reason to be optimistic about the future of our species. Many things I see every day tempt me to become a complete pessimist. Then I see something like the following video and I realize I’m still the foolish romantic, still a humanist. Watch and enjoy.

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