TGIF: Dawkins disinvited to science conference

_{Denyse O'Leary

January 29, 2016

Atheism, Culture, Darwinism, News}

Share: Facebook; Twitter; LinkedIn; Flipboard; Print; Email

Probably for all the wrong reasons.

Richard Dawkins dropped from science event for tweeting video mocking feminists and Islamists

Professor Richard Dawkins has had an invitation to speak at a science event withdrawn by organisers for sharing a “highly offensive” video mocking feminists on Twitter.

Dawkins was scheduled to speak at the Northeast Conference on Science and Skepticism which will take place in New York City in May, but on Thursday organisers issued a statement concerning his participation.

“The NECSS has withdrawn its invitation to Richard Dawkins to participate at NECSS 2016. We have taken this action in response to Dr. Dawkins’ approving re-tweet of a highly offensive video. More.

A joke song satirising the alliance between radical Islamism and radical feminism. The Islamist character was rather endearing.

Yeah.

Dawkins later responded to his “de-platforming” of the NECSS conference: “De-platformed for tweeting an irrelevant joke song? Ah well, ‘Always look on the bright side of life.’ Incidentally, would Monty Python have been de-platformed for that? No, don’t be silly, Life of Brian was only satirising Christianity.”

Richard Dawkins, you helped the asshats to power; they just couldn’t get enough power from “satirising” (and often, persecuting) Christians. You’re the menu now.

Apparently the retweet has been un-retweeted. We don’t follow, but think this kinda tuneless thingy is the vid, while it’s up.

Like we said before, in a row between a king cobra and a Great Western Diamondback, it is really hard to pick favourites.

Going nuts is an unhappy fate, but with luck Dawkins is taking neo-Darwinism with him, for company or whatever. Maybe he’ll come out the other side.

See also: Rethinking evolution

Follow UD News at Twitter!

Note: This stands in for Fri Nite Frite. G’nite:

Comments

Seversky at 5, you are Comment of the Week. Dawkins disinvited but defended at UD https://uncommondescent.com/intelligent-design/comment-of-the-week-dawkins-disinvited-but-defended-here/ Let’s hope other NECSS speakers suddenly discover a subsequent engagement (Oscar Wilde’s phrase) for the same day.News_{January 30, 2016
January
01
Jan
30
30
2016
04:06 AM
4
04
06
AM
PDT}

The NECSS is entitled to "de-platform" whoever it chooses but it sends entirely the wrong message. The proper response to offensive speech is more speech expressing offense and exposing the offender to criticism. Unfortunately, there are many in the UK, including members of Parliament, who ought to know better. They seem to have forgotten - or perhaps they have never read - the principles of a free society set out by the nineteenth century English philosopher John Stuart Mill in On Liberty. In none of the great bills or charters or declarations of human rights is there a right not to be offended. There is, however, a right to say things that some might find objectionable. If I were asked, I would tell the NECSS that, while the video linking Islamists and feminists might well be offensive to some, so is the "de-platforming" of Richard Dawkins to others. So whose sense of offense trumps whose?Seversky_{January 29, 2016
January
01
Jan
29
29
2016
11:22 PM
11
11
22
PM
PDT}

I don't agree with this banning. Its immoral and illegal and anti freedom. It is like the oppressive feminist and, some Islamic people and powers. Dawkins makes a good point about Mony Python. If its christians then its okay but if its left wing favorites then its not. It has nothing to do with offensive. Its about controling what is said about identity groups that those in power say may not be put down . If it was creationists, Christians, me it would be okay. This is common speech and thought, control. These people have no right to punish or involve themselves in what other people do or think or say. Also because Dawkins is famous and so it matters more. Yes it matters because they would do it to everyone. This meeting should be boycotted by all freedom loving people and all people who demand NO POWERS are to tell you what is right or wrong except the government and that within rules. UD , representing censored ideas/people should in this case stand with Dawkins. Tweeking on the internet is to be watched??? None of their business. Feminism has been a evil presence in our society and some Muslim stuff in the world. Not just them. This is not about anti-jokeism. This is thought/speech/tweeking control. Its very offensive for any group on our soil to presume to dictate moral actions. Speak about it but no punishment. In Canada the HRC would arrest him as Canada today is a dictarship.Robert Byers_{January 29, 2016
January
01
Jan
29
29
2016
08:27 PM
8
08
27
PM
PDT}

Mung at 2, now there's a thought! He could bring the feminist and the Islamist with him, and they could all hold forth in unison. Who says life can't be fun? Tip: Wear ear plugs.News_{January 29, 2016
January
01
Jan
29
29
2016
06:24 PM
6
06
24
PM
PDT}

Perhaps he can get a table at the upcoming UMC conference in Portland in May.Mung_{January 29, 2016
January
01
Jan
29
29
2016
05:46 PM
5
05
46
PM
PDT}

The organizers could apologize for having issued the invitation to begin with. Any science that gets associated with people who refer to others with so much disrespect is not serious and might remind of names like Josef Mengele, who brought so much shame to the medical profession. Serious science keeps itself from segregating people for their personal beliefs or worldviews.Dionisio_{January 29, 2016
January
01
Jan
29
29
2016
04:17 PM
4
04
17
PM
PDT}

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Leave a Reply