Richard Dawkins, Sexist?
This one's a little complicated, and for once, religion is not to blame. Shorthand, because of an incident on an elevator in Ireland -- in which Richard Dawkins was not involved -- Richard Dawkins is now being accused of sexism. By people who might otherwise be thought of as among his biggest fans. Gawker reports, in a post entitled "Richard Dawkins Torn Limb from Limb -- By Atheists":
Biologist, philosopher, and atheist prophet Richard Dawkins really put his foot in it. The New Statesman says Dawkin's career as a public intellectual is kaput. The Atlantic Wire has him losing a flame-war against his very own fan base. In the blogosphere, the most devoted Dawkinsians—people who've spent their adult lives in adoration of his every utterance—are boycotting his books and calling him a buffoon. A classist, male chauvinistic, and potentially racist buffoon. And why?
Because some a------ in Ireland doesn't know how to ask a girl on a date.
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Nov '10
Re: Richard Dawkins, Sexist?
"Philosopher"? I think I just threw up a bit in my mouth.
Sep '10
Re: Richard Dawkins, Sexist?
So lovely to see the professed rationalist approach to life revealed to be as petty and peevish as it is perfectionistic. Sounds downright dogmatic, dontchathink?
Jul '11
Re: Richard Dawkins, Sexist?
Lovely that there is a tear in his Selfish Genes.
Piranha of politically correct pomposity in a shrinking pool will invariably turn on anything beyond a brown skinned hermaphrodite.
Mar '11
Re: Richard Dawkins, Sexist?
Thanks - this is hilarious :-)
A video, including the young lady in question, here. Even more hilarious - these people take themselves sooo seriously. Obviously Liberals.
I generally don't agree with Prof Dawkins - he is too mechanistic in his view of the Universe - but here I think I'm on his side - being propositioned in an elevator is not quite on the same scale as having a clitoridectomy.
This should perhaps be included in the Gay History course, as a cautionary tale in what happens when opposite sexes get into an elevator...
Edited on Jul 15, 2011 at 2:19pmRe: Richard Dawkins, Sexist?
Oh the emotional, irrational thoughts of the skeptic!
Jan '11
Re: Richard Dawkins, Sexist?
Ironic that, of all people, Richard Dawkins would fall victim to a "Thou Shalt Not ..."
Sep '10
Re: Richard Dawkins, Sexist?
This just looks like the digital equivalent of a lynch mob to me. Dawkins is right, there are more important things to worry about than trivialities on the internet. Anyone expending more than a few letters on this really should examine how myopic their perspective actually is--both the "creep" in the elevator and Dawkins polemically analysis of that situation are trivial matters.
What has happened to the world when people have lost all perspective between the great and the banal? I wouldn't be surprised if this is caused by, in part, the destruction of the liberal education. How do you know what's great and important and what's not when you've never attempted to study the great questions and problems?
May '10
Re: Richard Dawkins, Sexist?
I like Richard Dawkins and am not the least surprised he finds himself in conflict with the Left.
Richard Dawkins, just like Steven Pinker, is a self-identified liberal, but there are many, many areas in their teachings that right wingers and conservatives find themselves in agreement with. Leftists may quote approvingly the famous biologist when he is criticising religion, but they will be very uncomfortable with what he has to say on the science of biology and human nature.
Edited on Jul 15, 2011 at 2:27pmMay '10
Re: Richard Dawkins, Sexist?
This little incident of scale destroying his book sales might cause a moment of deep thought for Prof. Dawkins. The intelligent leftist that is suddenly, massively confronted with the contradictions of leftism is possibly vulnerable to a change of heart. Shall we invite him to join the Right? Imagine the heft we'd have if we converted him.
May '10
Re: Richard Dawkins, Sexist?
As Jim Baker said of the Iran/Iraq war, it's pity they both can't lose. Dawkins is a pompous ass who's finding out that it's no good being a member of sub-faction C when Faction A is really in charge and only tolerates sub-faction C to the extent it furthers the aims of Faction A.
Perhaps he's never heard of Trotsky. In Dawkin's case, the ice-pick is metaphorical but just as destructive. But of course left-wing factions ALL think they are the tip of the spear - be they atheists, rationalists, feminists, socialists. They're always bewildered as they're being dragged away to be shot.
Jul '10
Re: Richard Dawkins, Sexist?
I can do without the Dawkins heft, thank you. Stick a fork in it and your hat will get blown off.
Edited on Jul 15, 2011 at 6:42pmJul '10
Re: Richard Dawkins, Sexist?
Watching that pack of jackals rip each other apart is delicious. The narcissism in those youtube and blog posts makes me wonder why anyone gives them the time of day.
Jun '10
Re: Richard Dawkins, Sexist?
Bill - Since you've posed the question, "Richard Dawkins, Sexist?" what do you think the answer is?
Mar '11
Re: Richard Dawkins, Sexist?
The lady involved is a devout skeptic and atheist who in the past has lauded Dawkins for his battles with Fundamentalist Christians. Her remarks were unremarkable, his reaction provoking, both their positions stubborn and dogmatic.
That his dismissive arrogance should be turned against a feminist shibboleth instead of against people of faith, has shaken the atheist community to the core.
I know that, given a chance, they could join hands over their mutual disdain for Global Warming Deniers.
Edited on Jul 15, 2011 at 3:56pmAug '10
Re: Richard Dawkins, Sexist?
So basically it took the Irish to take the obnoxious Dawkins down? I like that.
Mar '11
Re: Richard Dawkins, Sexist?
JB, I don't think Dawkins would add to our heft more than likely his heft would be decreased by joining us, as if we would really have him.
I am enjoying a bit of schadenfreude, isn't this the guy who suggest that abortions should be extended to children up to the age of 2? Couldn't happen to a nicer chap.
Edited on Jul 15, 2011 at 4:42pmJun '10
Re: Richard Dawkins, Sexist?
Give Me Liberty: JB, I don't think Dawkins would add to our heft more than likely his heft would be decreased by joining us, as if we would really have him.
I am enjoying a bit of schadenfreude, isn't this the guy who suggest that abortions should be extended to children up to the age of 2?
Can you cite a reference for that, please? I can't seem to find this on the Internet and it seems radically inconsistent with his other stated positions condemning child abuse.
Jun '10
Re: Richard Dawkins, Sexist?
Katherine Young in her book Spreading Misandry talks about the pecking order of the oppressed. This kerfuffle above is simply due to Dawkins being near the bottom as a WASP (without the "P") but lifted up a few steps because he is a liberal atheist who seems to hate Christianity, Christians, theists and conservatives. So, normally that would help a lot. But this is different.
Young's book deals with how much misandry there is in modern films and the culture at large. But, the pecking order is implicit and very important. For example, she says that black men in the movies about how badly women are treated are usually good guys and treated as "honorary women". If Dawkins were only black -- this might make him untouchable for these kinds of tantrums. But, if he were a conservative black? Well, we might have to re-calibrate for this.
Jun '10
Re: Richard Dawkins, Sexist?
Brian Watt
Give Me Liberty: JB, I don't think Dawkins would add to our heft more than likely his heft would be decreased by joining us, as if we would really have him.
I am enjoying a bit of schadenfreude, isn't this the guy who suggest that abortions should be extended to children up to the age of 2?
Can you cite a reference for that, please? I can't seem to find this on the Internet and it seems radically inconsistent with his other stated positions condemning child abuse. · Jul 15 at 5:03pm
Are you confusing abortion with child abuse, Brian? What gives? The definition of what constitutes abortion vs. infanticide is very elastic. Surely you know that. If in doubt ask Mr. Obama. He's very elastic in his thinking on this subject.
Sep '10
Re: Richard Dawkins, Sexist?
Mr. Dawkins transgressed one of the fundamental commandments of the Left: Thou shalt not question any grievance of any member of a Designated Victim Group. By liberal canon law, you must agree with every such grievance in deadly earnest. Even raising a question out of apparent curiosity will result in expulsion, as Larry Summers found out long ago.