Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Clutch · 03-16-2003, 05:25 PM

Just for a giggle.

I was just re-reading Kipling, and happened upon a bit of verse that seemed a perfect description of the ICR and Discovery Institute types: busily organizing away, chattering about the research they're always just about to do, but strangely never doing.

The irony is also wonderful...

Quote:

Here we sit in a branchy row
Thinking of beautiful things we know,
Dreaming of deeds that we mean to do,
All complete, in a minute or two --
Something noble and wise and good,
Done by merely wishing we could,

We've forgotten, but -- never mind
Brother, thy tail hangs down behind!

If you want to read the whole poem, it's the Road Song of the Bandar-Log, in the The Jungle Book.

theyeti · 03-16-2003, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Clutch
]I was just re-reading Kipling, and happened upon a bit of verse that seemed a perfect description of the ICR and Discovery Institute types: busily organizing away, chattering about the research they're always just about to do, but strangely never doing.

Come on now, let's be fair. When have those guys ever proposed doing research?

theyeti

Chiron · 03-17-2003, 08:53 PM

At the risk of derailing your topic, I submit that the Beatles may have hit the nail on the head in Nowhere Man:
"He's as blind as he can be
Just sees what he wants to see
Nowhere man, can you see me at all
Nowhere man don't worry
Take your time, don't hurry
Leave it all till somebody else
Lends you a hand"

From what I've read while lurking these past couple of weeks (from Keith, gabe, et al), and from reading some other forums (notably from an epithet-hurling guy who calls himself "Socrates," et al), it's scary how well some people fit this description.

-Chiron

Jobar · 03-18-2003, 06:58 AM

Welcome, Chiron- we're all damn glad to know that there are lurkers out there, learning from all the effort we put forth on people like Keith. If it appeared that the only ones listening were either the committed students and teachers of evolution, and the creationists who should be committed,

I doubt we'd bother. Trying to teach someone who "just sees what he wants to see" is a bitter and pointless task- but they are not the only ones listening!

And, for the few who have no familiarity with The Jungle Book, there is a delicious irony in Clutch's joke; the Bandar-Log are monkeys.

Oolon Colluphid · 03-18-2003, 07:45 AM

I can never read Kipling, or even hear the name, without a shudder... of embarrassment. The embarrassment of walking right into something, feeding the straight-man line to someone in all innocence. His response was the uncontrolled glee of someone who has been waiting years to be asked the question.

Got talking of poetry at uni.

Asked the fatal question: Do you like Kipling?

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

--> "I don't know... I've never kippled.

DT

Coragyps · 03-18-2003, 08:46 AM

Ewwww. And to think that was regarded as a slightly off-color joke back about 1905 or so.......

Oolon Colluphid · 03-18-2003, 09:36 AM

In my defence, this is further evidence against Lamarckian inheritance. I�m sure my parents must have heard the joke, but they didn�t pass that knowledge on to me...

DT the embarrassed... except that it's actually damned funny, if only you can catch someone with it...

03-17-2003, 08:53 PM	#3
Chiron Regular Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: 9 Zodiac Circle Posts: 163	You've coaxed my first post out of me! At the risk of derailing your topic, I submit that the Beatles may have hit the nail on the head in Nowhere Man: "He's as blind as he can be Just sees what he wants to see Nowhere man, can you see me at all Nowhere man don't worry Take your time, don't hurry Leave it all till somebody else Lends you a hand" From what I've read while lurking these past couple of weeks (from Keith, gabe, et al), and from reading some other forums (notably from an epithet-hurling guy who calls himself "Socrates," et al), it's scary how well some people fit this description. -Chiron

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03-18-2003, 06:58 AM	#4
Jobar Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: secularcafe.org Posts: 9,525	Welcome, Chiron- we're all damn glad to know that there are lurkers out there, learning from all the effort we put forth on people like Keith. If it appeared that the only ones listening were either the committed students and teachers of evolution, and the creationists who should be committed, I doubt we'd bother. Trying to teach someone who "just sees what he wants to see" is a bitter and pointless task- but they are not the only ones listening! And, for the few who have no familiarity with The Jungle Book, there is a delicious irony in Clutch's joke; the Bandar-Log are monkeys.

03-18-2003, 07:45 AM	#5
Oolon Colluphid Contributor Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Alibi: ego ipse hinc extermino Posts: 12,591	I can never read Kipling, or even hear the name, without a shudder... of embarrassment. The embarrassment of walking right into something, feeding the straight-man line to someone in all innocence. His response was the uncontrolled glee of someone who has been waiting years to be asked the question. Got talking of poetry at uni. Asked the fatal question: Do you like Kipling? . . . . . . . --> "I don't know... I've never kippled. DT

03-18-2003, 08:46 AM	#6
Coragyps Veteran Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Snyder,Texas,USA Posts: 4,411	Ewwww. And to think that was regarded as a slightly off-color joke back about 1905 or so.......

03-18-2003, 09:36 AM	#7
Oolon Colluphid Contributor Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Alibi: ego ipse hinc extermino Posts: 12,591	In my defence, this is further evidence against Lamarckian inheritance. I�m sure my parents must have heard the joke, but they didn�t pass that knowledge on to me... DT the embarrassed... except that it's actually damned funny, if only you can catch someone with it...

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