#30299: marco pozzana — 06/29  at  11:08 AM
very good, I'll be back!

#30314: — 06/29  at  01:42 PM
Hy, this is pretty cool. a summer camp for atheist kids. I've been thinking lately, that one reason atheism/humanism isn't taking off, is because we lack institutions.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/29/education/29camp.html?8hpib

And by the way, if you don't think that's a good idea, how do you explain PYGMIES AND DWARVES!!!!!!!!??????

#30318: — 06/29  at  03:06 PM
LOL Thanks Steve ... I almost forgot about PYGMIES and DWARVES.

#30323: — 06/29  at  03:37 PM
Lacking institutions is a good thing though. Institutions tend to lead to institutional corruption and incompetence (beyond that of mere individuals). I blame the humans involved as it's unlikely to be the fault of the bricks and pieces of paper. Science seems to be the only (conceptual) institution which actively seeks to expose and stamp out any corruption or incompetence (whether individual or institutional). Other institutions foster, promote and cover up these problems.

#30324: — 06/29  at  03:45 PM
SEF, I think that is a bit too cynical, even in my eyes. The institution of Pharyngula allows a group of us to share common and conflicting thoughts, including atheism. Christianity is a constant presence to the children of the US, even if their families are only mildly religious. Where should the children of atheists go for support and comraderie?

While I have no interest in the feared 'church of atheism' I do believe that youngsters ought to have someplace to go where skepticism is encouraged.

#30336: — 06/29  at  05:18 PM

even if their families are only mildly religious

While you may not like it, families are another corrupt institution - even without Christianity dragging them down further. Families will usually commit all sorts of dishonest acts to protect their own from the rightful consequences of their misdeeds - even to the extent that the law is forced to acknowledge it (with wives and husbands).

youngsters ought to have someplace to go where skepticism is encouraged

That's supposed to be school! Or at least the higher levels of the science part of it...

NB The camp institution looks to be a rather peculiar American phenomenon anyway (although, like the MacDonalds etc infections, it's spreading back to here too).

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#30386: tony g — 06/30  at  12:24 AM
back on the topic of Tangled Bank, i'd like to volunteer to host sometime in the future -- post-september would be best.

tony g
milkriverblog

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The 31st edition of The Tangled Bank science/nature blog carnival has been posted at Science & Sensibility. This time, the format resembles an academic conference. I submitted my post "Contact from Belize" and it made the list (I don't...

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