hey tao,

thanks for adding me as a friend. i will message you about my book sometime tonight.

jcm

Thanks for the 'Welcome' comment on my wall, Tao. To answer your question... Yes, I've read some Daniel Quinn: Ishmael, My Ishmael and Story of B.

i caught the bass in northern Ontario......and yes it was delicious....fishing is one of my favourite things to do on a beautiful summer day!!

We're doing all right with the private messages...I might add.

Before I get to my point just thought you guys might not know that once you're friends, you can send private messages to each other. Either way I don't care just letting you know.

But that's not what I'm writing about. I watched your blasphemy challenge video and I think you might really be underestimating the power of ridicule in changing religious belief. Don't forget ridicule is a fairly new phenomenon, perhaps not really seen in any widespread public way until Dawkins The God Delusion, and it is pretty tame. But even the name was a big deal when it came out, because how dare anyone come right out and say such a thing. Think of a theist watching a Hitchens debate, when he makes one of his patented jabs against religion, which is not like a standup routine, but is rooted in the hatred of religion and all that it has done, and the crowd bursts into laughter. Just might make a theist think twice. Or how about the trailer for the movie religulous being played on public tv. I think the public ridicule of just how ridiculous religious belief are, can have incredible power to change people's minds. especially those who are just following along with no real belief behind them. They see something like this and feel empowered, follow their own deep down beliefs. We have had hundreds of years of rational discussion, and this does nothing but make them think their beliefs should be taken seriously. But in public ridicule, as is quite common for instance for people who think Elvis is still alive, or for a cult (aren't they all) that thinks a spaceship is coming to take them to paridise, I think it can work wonders. Give it a chance.

The blank card game does sound fun!

I went to Michigan for a wedding and we all piled up in a car and went to Canada! I'm not sure where we were, really. I was born in Buffalo. Lived in Orchard Park! But I was very young when we moved so, sadly I don't remember it. I'd like to go back for old time's sake.
Yay, you're a star! That's really cool that you were on a trivia show!
I have been from Gastonia all the way to California (2-week road trip with the family).
Florida (DisneyWorld)
Kentucky
West Virginia
Ohio
South Carolina

I think that's all...most of them I lived in.
Top 5 things you do for fun:

I took Japanese in high school...so that would be great!

Bed and Breakfast's are wonderful, and quaint, and beautiful, and cozy!

And, I have been to Canada once...but not so far in and only for a trip to Pizza Hut (so it was like being in America, really). But it would be great to go again...for some reason. :p

Oh, and Portishead...forgot that one.

Top 5 places to travel...Go!!!
(Ireland, Italy, Iceland, Rio de Janeiro, Amsterdam)

Yea, sorry about that...fell asleep!
Songs/Bands: I like the James Bond theme song Nobody Does It Better by Carly Simon. I like Frou Frou (sometimes), The Black Ghosts, The Myriad (sometimes) Masssive Attack. You've heard of all of them I'm sure. I like the music from Samurai Jack!! Hmmm. Just woke up not too long ago; still need coffee!

Diggin' Moloko. I like it. I like her voice. Kandy Pop...what fun! And I noticed the Power Puff Girls beside it! That's awesome. I know, I have a lot of favourites! Like I said, I love the Phantom of the Opera. I think I have most of that memorized. I'm just a nerd for music :)

...Dance magic dance...

Yes, he is awesome!

Yes!!! *my left eye seems to twitch with excitement* (which is strange)....exactly my point.
I love Tori Amos, and I absolutely love Smashing Pumpkins, and Violent Femmes, and Pixies, and I really could go on. I love music (well, anything but country and nickleback--I hate nickleback). Muse is one that I've just discovered so that's why they made the list. And Rob Zombie just rocks for me. Ole scrunchy nose.

Yep, we're nerds. I will speak for myself though. I know I'm a nerd.

...remind me of the babe...
should we go on? :)

Now your top 5...

I think vegetarians are missing the point as well. And, I'm all for the animals, too! Vegetarians, I feel, choose to be that way (which is fine) for ethical reasons. But I don't think ethics really has anything to do with it. The way I see it, other animals eat other animals to survive, and I am no different. I just have a problem with poaching, beating, and neglecting animals.
Anyway, top 5 bands...coldplay, muse, linkin park, tori amos, and rob zombie...