It’s been a long time since I’ve uploaded a YouTube video, so today I took a few minutes to answer some YouTube mail. I hope this actually works, as my video-making skills are . . . nonexistent. Enjoy!
It’s been a long time since I’ve uploaded a YouTube video, so today I took a few minutes to answer some YouTube mail. I hope this actually works, as my video-making skills are . . . nonexistent. Enjoy!
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My first impression was “Woah… Rebecca totally looks like a hippie.”
A unicorn woke me up this morning. It was really annoying.
Hippie was totally the look I was going for!
I thought that pendant hanging from her neck was some sort of New Age energy/nature-jewelry. I was not convinced by my thoughts.
So, combining the two arguments…
If I say to God, “hey, God, wake me up in the morning,” and the next day my cell phone alarm starts to ring, that means I should be convinced of God’s existence? Or perhaps I should start worshiping my cell phone? I’m not sure I want to join either Christianity or Nokianism right now.
Fuggin beatniks.
I want you to know that I drank a lot of cola just now and I burped pretty much all the way through watching this. It doesn’t change anything, but I wanted you to know.
You should do more Youtube stuff, you look and sound good.
@fcmk: Hm, the pendant is in fact a heart with a robot on it made for me by Amy at Surlyramics.com. I should have backed up the laptop so it was in view…
@tkingdoll: “You should do more Youtube stuff, you look and sound good.” Thank you, but that compliment is somewhat in question considering the aforementioned 6-minute belch…
Well, if a unicorn died for you, at least it has the potential of filling your meat freezer.
That was really good Rebecca You were not smarmy or condescending. I think this was a much better way to approach this subject. The reason being is that I think you are correct in that I do not think that believers realize how stupid and non persuasive their arguments are when they confront atheist. This was good and I am looking foreword to more of these. Oh but could you turn the fan off it was blowing your hair all over and I was looking at your hair and not listening to you at times………I’m a guy and get easily distracted……
@xenu: Mostly what he said.
Oh and a unicorn did wake me this morning…….wait a minute ….. never mind that was my cat…..
speaking of unicorns, everyone should go to cornify.com it makes unicorns and rainbows appear on any website! i find it makes me happier when reading depressing news or sorting through spam.
Well done Rebecca. I agree with what Xenu said “You were not smarmy or condescending. I think this was a much better way to approach this subject.” To many people, the word skeptic means cynical. I like to see posts where calm and rational arguments are used rather than responses that berate and mock differing view points. In fact, I also like posts that berate and mock stupid people. Go figure.
Nice anecdote.
Also, nice bookshelf. Does the room you recorded that in qualify as a “study?” I always wanted one of those, with nice bookshelves and a little fireplace or Franklin Stove. Sigh, one day…
Isn’t it odd that the zealots attempt to convince with “reason” and yet they have no skills of logic or reason? Their source material is an old book, not experiments that can be reproduced or verified.
Then they quote this old book as if the words have some power to change our mind — as in, “oh, it says that in the bible? Well, now that does it, I see what you are getting at. Why didn’t someone point that out to me before? Now I believe, and want to be sprinkled or immersed and have my soul saved.”
I wonder also, how they reconcile that God wanted Abraham out of the area where they were sacrificing kids, then he said — hey, lets take yours, then he says — just kidding. Then he sends his own kid to be sacrificed. Somehow, why is it that the religion went backwards?
Don’t get me wrong, on the last six hour flight to Alaska I began to think child sacrifice at high altitude was a good thing, but I digress.
Ms. Watson, fine video – glad you are getting all the email trying to save your mortal soul. Perhaps there are more clever emails out there — the people who you quoted were dolts. Then again, may there are not. Time to go walk my unicorn and sacrifice to my cell phone. Style points for the necklace – no doubt it is a magic one that channels energy in some vortex (pardon me – even writing that causes me to aspirate succus – the skeptic gods are angry).
@xenu: Thanks! No fan, just an open window and a suddenly breezy afternoon . . .
@Hanes: Nah, just my living room but thanks! Here’s the bookcase when I first got it. It’s since become slightly more packed: http://www.flickr.com/photos/skepchick/2157510477/
@Rebecca:
Good job! Bravo! And your avatar does you justice (or is it the other way around?) :-D You sound very calm and rational with your answers.
Hmm…My Shelties wake me up in the morning. I guess I should start worshiping them instead of telling them off because I don’t have to get up at 5:30am on the weekends.
@Andres_Diplotti: “Nokianism?” No! “Sonyism!” Worship the Sony of God!
@Rebecca: In my culture, belching is a compliment. You’ve insulted my people.
Also, it wasn’t loud manly belching, it was just the hiccupy gentle type. Still, a POX ON YOUR CLAN.
@TerrySimpson: I think of it as the most elaborate and wide-spread incidence of Stockholm Syndrome ever experienced.
@Kimbo_Jones: The longer I think about your last post, the more I like it…
Please, ma’am, I want some more.
Very nice post, but I fear that your calm and rational responces may fall on deaf ears. Pearls before swine and all, don’t cha know? I also liked the copy of Flim Flam in teh book case. On a purely purile note, I like your hair. Gives you that “diaphonous otherworldly skeptic” look.
Geeze I can’t believe how many religious nuts responded to your “rational response” thing! Got to love all those videos- it’s insane how many people feel the need to have an innocent look on their face saying they believe and “they’re not afraid.” It’s so cookie cutter too by their answers.. ughh. Go Rebecca!
Well,
While your arguments are as good as any, maybe even as good as Steve Novellas, maybe even better (dare I say it?)
Well, it must be said.
You’re way cuter than I remember you. (Every time that I see you).
It goes like this: she’s cute, I’m over it. I’m okay with that. Then she does a video.
She’s WAY cuter, than I recall. Suddenly, I’m not over it.
Then I’m over it and we start over again.
Thank god my GF likes you too, otherwise, I might be in trouble (she’s on my neck now, ouch… gotta go…).
rod
Those comments are very similar to the ones that I received on my own Blasphemy Challenge (and other vids). at first I tried to respond to them too but it became clear that they didn’t want to hear what I had to say, just repeat their own screeds.
btw you have a very natural beauty Rebecca, it was nice to see that in your video.
Well done Rebecca, calm and persuasive. I would recommend closing the window though, much like Xenu I am easily distracted :)
They call me “the Unicorn” for a good reason. And I’d die for you!
If you’re having problems with the sound on this video, simply do what I did: Strap your computer monitor onto the handlebars of your bicycle and ride away from your computer speakers at a constant speed of 230 MPH.
Well,
You’re hot.
But you’re not as hot as my GF and no one is forcing me to say this, in any way.
Thanks,
rod
(I hate my life…)
You Beaut Rebecca, that was spot on! I wonder if any of them are likely to take a look at it, it would be a shame if you are preaching to the choir, even if it’s such a good laugh.
Why so many compliments for being well mannered? What, were you all expecting her to act like a raving lunatic?
Dang, I was gonna mention how Flim Flam is the only legible title on your shelves. Now I have to settle for the consolation price. What’s with the Euro promotion? Are you in league with the NWO?
Oh and the video is excellent.
Oh how cool!
I’ve got the same phone.
I, for one, am all for fellatious arguments.
While I’ve never been woken up by a unicorn, I have woken up horny. Does that count?
Cool, Rebecca! You look just like you! The resemblance is uncanny….
Hey thanks Rebecca, ..you sort of made sense ,. but do you really think that the argument is cogent,..I mean the point is moot,..ummm..I think Douglas Addams summed it up with the Babblefish thingy..and that observably evolving fish in Africa..( see I was listening )..if god exists let her be , she has enough to cope with , ..what with believers like Barney..
luv ya work c u down under.
A nice video – particularly as it led me to the blasphemy challenge and various videos from the “distant” (Internet) past.
A loose tie-in to the PRAISE DARWIN question, how does one get one’s message out? I doubt that the video here is going to provide much guidance to the believers hell-bent on saving a skeptic’s soul…
I am truly a u-tube neophyte, but when I watch Rebecca’s original challenge, I do not see a direct connection to the Unicorn… video. A search of “Rebecca Watson” videos puts this new one way down on the list, not particularly easy to find outside of this site.
Unless there is something that catches attention and pulls the message above the you-tube noise threshold, why do you believe this one particular video among millions of videos is going to make much of a difference to those who most need its content?
This, again, is another example of why I believe that the PRAISE DARWIN message was effective. The tone and phrasing caused the billboard to rise above the noise threshold and had the message distributed far beyond the original geographical and demographic reach of the physical billboard.
I did enjoy the video (I say this as I dodge the small fly flitting around overhead…)
Y_S_G
I wake up most mornings because I have to pee, which I guess gives everybody one MORE reason to worship my penis.
That whole a-fly-killed-the-non-believer argument is ludicrous. Maybe if the “attack” had happened immediately, but the fact the guy died so long after doesn’t even make a good anecdote. Are Christians really so simple minded that they can’t even make up a better story? THESE are the people in charge? Oi.
Can I be A Unicorniest?
@Skepotter: Well, if you take what the Catholics claim at face value, then so too can Jesus. In fact, the shear amount of Jesus meat the world over should be able to fill multiple freezers keeping you fed for many years to come. And if most likely will never go bad! Furthermore, with all the excess Jesus meat, we could potentially feed the worlds populations multiple times over! Think Jonathan Swift’s solution for feeding poor Irish people, but with Jesus instead of babies.
@killyosaur42: Yes, but Jesus meat is dry and tasteless. Not like the sweet, juicy, tender flesh of the baby.
@MarlowePI: But baby is so full of fat, and does’t do well to fill your freezer, unlike Jesus meat.
Can you make Jesus Jerky from Jesus meat?
@gr8googlymoogly: Jesus Jerky: 1 lbs lean Jesus meat, trimmed of all fat. Marinate in a strong brine for 1 hour. Set oven to 180. Nail strips of Jesus meat to wooden plank in a cross pattern, place in oven and dry for 8 hours or until meat is dry.
@Chew: Works better if you have a smoker, I have access to a smoker. Brine should be made of Dead Sea salt, so you can really accentuate that messianic flavor. Goes very well with Manischewitz wine, and matzo crackers.
@killyosaur42: I have a smoker, too, but no wood this morning. I’ve searched high and low for hickory but it’s impossible to find any store that stocks it in the winter. For $37 I can buy 50 lbs online but…
I love this website. It’s got everything I love: skepticism, blasphemy, and recipe swapping.
Nice video. Very well done.
This unicorn died for your sins:
http://www.elfwood.com/fanq/c/h/chrystyn2/dead_unicorn.jpg.html
Along with evidence that unicorns and rainbows are related:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_1&listing_id=12549271
;->
Oh, and I woke up this morning, like many mornings, to the sound of Inspirational Christian Radio; KFUO-FM. I happen to like their music.
http://www.classic99.com/
(Public radio is for breakfast: http://kwmu.org/ )
Unicorns have one thing up on God: they really do exist!
http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1092254
Or, well, they did, anyway. The last one died of old age several years ago.
I grew up in the California Pagan community, and my parents were friends with the Zells. I got to hang out with some of the herd on several occasions. Once, one of them tagged along on a several mile hike with a friend and I.
Not that there weren’t drawbacks. For one thing, they smelled like goats. And I can confirm with certainty that rainbows weren’t what they shot out their asses.
And yes, goats count as unicorns. Some of the earliest depictions of unicorns show them as one-horned variants of common two-horned animals, including bulls and goats. Then there’s the “unicorn deer”, assumed to be a genetic mutation, found last summer: http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/06/11/unicorn-deer-italy.html
So take heart: God may not be real, but with a little surgery you too can have your very own unicorn. I’d recommend you invest heavily in air fresheners, though. Goats stink.
Dammit, should say “with a friend and me.” Yes, I’m that picky about grammar. :)
I giggled. Well done.
JT
I wish I could make YouTube videos. I don’t have a working webcam and my speaking skills suck. I blog a lot, though, but I know my message would carry more weight if I made videos out of my essays.
@ Dale_Husband : Consider podcasts. It’s easier and can reach a wider audience. (I’m constantly listening to podcasts while driving.)
Rebecca, I grew up as raving ultra fundamentalist Christian. When I was de-converting your videos was one of the things that gave me the courage to think, hey maybe this God thing is pretty ridiculous.
My wife and I watched it, and were really surprised that you are attractive. I know that sounds incredibly lame, but we were both raised to see feminism and atheism and skepticism as all the same thing: a bunch of evil ‘isms that keep people from God. Beauty came from within, a gift from God, and no skeptic/atheist/feminist could have the sort of inner beauty that makes someone really nice looking. They weren’t nice, so they couldn’t look nice.
Besides, why would an attractive women want to be an atheist? Then she couldn’t marry a good man, since men only become atheists to have total sexual freedom. We were confused why the verbal, physical, and emotional abuse you must be receiving from atheist men, didn’t give you the broken look that abused people often seem to have.
We talked about the message and what you looked like a lot, trying to make sense out of how the two could be in the same person. Don’t think that your video skills are non-existent! It made a huge impact on us. Over a couple years, we’ve gone from very sad ultrafundementalists to very happy atheists, and you have a small part in that.
Keep up the good work.
Suggest to turn off the Amish heating fan while u record your vids.
Never mind the fact that it’s an anecdote. How about the fact that everyone dies?!
“Somebody said something bad about god and then one day at some point in the lives (in fact on the day they died!!! Coincidence?) they died. ”
Take THAT science!