Re: [asa] Altruism and ID

On 6/17/07, Dave Wallace <wdwllace@sympatico.ca> wrote:
> Iain Strachan wrote:
> >
> >
> > On 6/16/07, *PvM* <pvm.pandas@gmail.com <mailto:pvm.pandas@gmail.com>>
> > wrote:
> >
>
> > Duh hardly is an insult,
> >
> >
> > It is very much an insult. The generally accepted source of the
> > expression (in my country at least) is that it imitates the sound made
> > by someone who is mentally defective. In other words: "That's obvious,
> > stupid!".
>
> Duh is an insult in Canada as well and I expect also in the North East
> of the USofA as they tend to be culturally/linguistically very similar
> to us.

Again, I respectfully disagree, neither Duh nor calling ID
scientifically vacuous is an insult. Perhaps
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duh

<quote>Many other expressions in American English are synonyms of
"duh." "Ya think?" and a sarcastically pronounced No way! are the most
common.</quote>

or Mirriam Webster can come to the rescue

Pronunciation: 'd&, usually with prolonged &
Function: interjection
1 -- used to express actual or feigned ignorance or stupidity
2 -- used derisively to indicate that something just stated is all too
obvious or self-evident

or "(used to express annoyance at banality, obviousness, or stupidity.)"

>
> Iain Strachan wrote:
> To be told what I already know, that their ideas are "scientifically
> vacuous" doesn't help. As Christians we should try and treat our
> brothers and sisters with respect, not repeat ad nauseam derogatory
> statements, however true they may be. Pim is preaching to the choir by
> repeating this mantra as if every time he says it, that it will achieve
> something. It will achieve absolutely nothing, because those of us who
> agree will not be affected, and those who aren't in the same choir will
> simply be antagonized and insulted.
> </quote>

> Actually even for those of us who agree with Pim it probably has a
> negative impact as well. At times, I for one, simply stop reading a
> note from Pim when I see him getting into that mode. Yes I know that
> probably I will miss something worthwhile but the needle is hard to find
> in the straw.

Yes, even when knowing there is a needle, it may be hard to find the
'gem'. However, expressing the simple observation that ID is
scientifically vacuous is neither insulting nor derogatory. While some
may express a concern that this will affect how people receive this
news, I find the claim that it is insulting overly simplistic.

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Received on Sun Jun 17 14:42:17 2007