Ardent Atheist

Dear Flying Spaghetti Emery, do you feel it's important to continue to be cynical about the rate of atheists coming out (especially young ones) and the possible surge that may happen as it gains traction over the years or find solace in it to deal with current societal disappointment?

Thu, 09 May 2013 03:10:36 -0700

I am not at all cynical about this new development. I do however think it’s very important to consider that we may not be seeing a growing number of atheist but rather, a growing number of people willing to be counted as the atheists.

I have always thought that the number was much larger than the commonly held 3-5% and I suspect that our growing numbers may be due to nothing more than a new social acceptance of non-believers. The way the data has been collected has also changed. We are no longer simply accepting census reports to determine our numbers but applying more focussed and accurate ways of determining people’s beliefs. The census takers were not looking deeply enough into the complexities of married couples who had split religious beliefs/non-beliefs and children were presumed to hold the same beliefs as their parents. While this is largely true, it’s not completely accurate and more sophisticated data gathering techniques are proving this to be the case.

We must never be guilty of skewing data dishonestly. This is the way of the religious and we must strive for loftier behavior. Recent trends in data mining have some claiming that anyone saying they do not subscribe to any single religion belong in the non-belief category but I have found that many of the guests on my show who identify in this way, will go on to explain that the consider themselves “spiritual” or that the believe in a higher power of some kind. Clearly, it would be inaccurate to count those folks as atheists.

Moreover, we should not count all agnostics and humanists as non-believers either ut many news sources have done just that in attempt to suggest that the atheist numbers are growing. It’s just more bad science and data manipulation.

I say we should all continue in the fight to convince others that their lives and the lives of their fellow man will be better served by shedding religion but to that end, we should always employ an accurate representation of the data.

Is there a link for the Cardinal Law humor that you played in a podcast last year?

Thu, 09 May 2013 02:48:58 -0700

Yes ther is. You may find it at https://gumroad.com/emeryemery#dXUd

Video

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:27:43 -0700

Video

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 10:40:15 -0700

Seth McFarlane - Sexist or Sexiest?

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 17:27:00 -0800

Daily Beast contributor, Marlow Stern wrote a scathing attack on Seth McFarlane and his Oscar performance titled, “The Juvenile Oscars”, claiming, ”Seth McFarlane bombed terribly hosting the 85th Academy Awards honoring the best in cinema for 2012”.

To bolster his complaints, the Daily Beast offers a video mashup containing many of the jokes Stern cites as proof of McFarlane’s “sexist” and “cringe-worthy”, ”incredibly awkward Rat Pack-meets-Crank Yankers routine”

Watch the clip here: Seth McFarlane’s Worst Oscar Jokes.

Watching the clip, I was struck by one major thing: Whatever you may think of their content or appropriateness, the jokes worked! You may find them cringy, sexist, frat boy or however you choose to paint it, but the audience laughed. As a stand-up comedian of many years, I know the difference between “did well” and “bombed” and that difference is the noise that comes just after the punchline. Or doesn’t. And here, it clearly does. One is left wondering how Marlo Stern determines whether a performer bombed or killed. Did he watch this show in closed caption and no sound? Am I being insensitive to a deaf journalist here?

The video mashup contains a total of 16 punchlines. Of them, 5 receive strong loud laughter. 1 gets moderate but extended laughter that grows into Strong loud laughter. 6 receive moderate laughter. 1 receives moderate laughter followed by some groans and 2 cut away too soon to ascertain what kind of response they received while only 1, gets an immediate groan.

Let’s start with the last two jokes in the mashup. McFarlane is just coming off this joke; “Django is a movie where a woman is subjected to violence, or as we call it, a Chris Brown and Rihanna date movie.”, which gets moderate laughter followed by some groans which prompts McFarlane to say, “Ohhh, Oh No. No, that’s what we were afraid he would do.”, followed by strong two stage rolling laughter, but the mashup is not edited in a way that you can know this. We come in as McFarlane says, “That’s as bad as it gets if it makes you feel better.” which receives immediate, strong laughter and he tags with, “It’s really not as bad as it gets”. and the mashup ends, leaving us with no clue if the tag got a laugh.

The tag did indeed earn a very nice laugh as can be seen/heard in this clip.

In an attempt to label McFarlane a sexist, Stern writes, “Later in the night, he even quipped that we’d “reached that point in the evening” where Salma Hayek, Penelope Cruz, or someone else [read: attractive Latina] comes onstage and “we have no idea what they’re saying, but we don’t care, ’cause they’re so attractive.” but McFarlane actually said, “Well, we’ve finally reached that point in the ceremony where either Javier Bardem, Salma Hayek or Penelope Cruz comes onstage and we have no idea what they’re saying, but we don’t care, because they’re so attractive.”

Is it sexist to refer to the very male Javier Bardem as an attractive Latina or just Freudian?

Now let’s analyze what Stern describes as “The joke that attracted the most groans”, A joke about the Lincoln assassination. McFarlane says, “Daniel Day-Lewis is not the first actor to be nominated for playing Lincoln. Raymond Massey portrayed him in 1940′s Abe Lincoln in Illinois. I would argue, though, the actor who really got inside Lincoln’s head was John Wilkes Booth.”

After quoting the joke in his article, Stern hangs this sarcastic word as his only critique of the Lincoln joke;

“Clever”

And for that one single moment, he got something right. That joke was very clever. It was well written and well delivered and dare I say, McFarlane was well aware that it might get the groans it earned. This is how good performers work. Knowing that not every joke will kill and even, on occasion, telling a joke for it’s technical prowess and clever structure, fully prepared to drop a saver tag that becomes the real punchline and reminds the audience that they aren’t as much in control of this performance as they might like to think.

That’s exactly what happened. McFarlane followed those groans like a seasoned pro with, “Really? 150 years and it’s still too soon?”, which garnered very strong laughter over which McFarlane sarcastically stated, “I got some Napoleon Jokes coming up, you guys are gonna be so mad!” creating another wave of strong, rolling laughter.

In closing, Stern laments, “We should’ve really all seen this coming, since his Oscar promos leading up to the ceremony were unfunny, to say the least.”, linking to a Variety piece by John Weisman lambasting a promo video whose link does not function.

Here’s a mashup of some ad spots. I won’t presume to tell you what you should find funny. I’m sure you can decide for yourself but I will say, I don’t find Marlow Stern’s article the least bit funny but that video mashup up is hilarious.

Show Notes - Episode 99

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 16:05:00 -0800

Episode 99 aired on January 16, 2013.

The following guests were in studio:

Baron Vaughn

Website

Twitter

Eliza Skinner

Website

Twitter

Danny Bevins

Website

Twitter

Episode 99 was the first episode to air on the GoCast Network

Here’s the video broadcast of the first hour of Episode 99

Video streaming by Ustream

Relevant Links for Episode 99:

The following links were talked about during the first hour of the show

Chris Rock - Message for White Voters (YouTube)
The Elf on the Shelf (Wikipedia)
History of Rape (Wikipedia)
Kathryn Schulz: On being wrong (the TED Talk Emery mentioned)
Scott Fraser: Why eyewitnesses get it wrong (TED Talk)
Eliza Skinner loves Tyler Perry (YouTube)
David Fincher (IMDb)
Danny Bevins Videos
Drunks (IMDb)
Pat Robertson Blames Awful-Looking Women for Marriage Problems (Huffington Post)
Robertson: God Will Punish Us For Supporting Gay Rights (YouTube)
“Christian Papers, Please” (Troy Conrad’s Tumblr)

If you enjoyed the first hour of this episode and would like to hear the full 90 minute version, be sure to subscribe to our Premium Cuntent for a measly $10/year.

If you’d like to hear Emery’s comedy album “Purveyor of Filth”, you can purchase it at CDBaby or on iTunes.

If you’d like to purchase any (or all) of the tracks from the vile comedy album, “Chaos Radio”, you can find them here.

Don’t forget to “Like” us on Facebook

Also, join our Facebook group, “Ardent Atheist - Wall of Reason”

You can also follow us on Twitter

Oh yea. We won a Podcast Award!!! You can check out Emery’s acceptance speech here.

Ardent Atheist airs each Wednesday at 7 PM (Pacific). You can watch the video broadcast of the episode LIVE on the GoCast Network. You can also subscribe to the podcast via iTunes (Rate and Review!!).

Ardent Atheist - Where Reason Reigns Supreme!!

Jokes Don't Rape People, People Rape People!

Sat, 27 Oct 2012 01:10:00 -0700

I will never understand why anyone thinks they should have the right to force others into dealing with the awful aspects of life in the same way they do.

I was raped by an uncle over a 9 year period and one way to take back my life from that experience was to turn the experience into humor. It was great therapy for me.

I won’t demand that others turn their pain into humor, but I would ask that you exorcise your painful experiences your way, and leave me to be free to exorcize mine in my way.

If you were raped, I’m sorry. If my humor causes you to relive your nightmare, then perhaps you haven’t dealt well with yours. Please know that I have dealt with mine and I’m quite happy and I no longer allow the awful actions of my deranged uncle to have any power over my life.

And please know that my uncle didn’t rape me because people made rape jokes. He did it because he was sick.

Show Notes - Episode 89

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 15:38:27 -0700

Episode 89 aired on October 24, 2012.

The following guests were in studio:

Eric Cash

Facebook

Twitter

Chris Porter

Website

Twitter

Cat Purcel

Facebook

Video Broadcast of Episode 89

Relevant Links for Episode 89:

The following links were talked about during the first hour of the show or shared by listeners during the live chat.

If you enjoyed the first hour of this episode and would like to hear the full 90 minute version, be sure to subscribe to our Premium Cuntent for a measly $10/year.

If you’d like to purchase any (or all) of the tracks from the vile comedy album, “Chaos Radio”, you can find them here.

If you’re interested in helping the Black Atheists of America with their “Science Cubed” program, you can find out more information by sending an email to sciencecubed@blackatheistsofamerica.org

Don’t forget to “Like” us on Facebook

Also, join our Facebook group, “Ardent Atheist - Wall of Reason”

You can also follow us on Twitter

Ardent Atheist airs each Wednesday at 7 PM (Pacific). You can watch the video broadcast of the episode LIVE on YouTube (Subscribe!!). You can also subscribe to the podcast via iTunes (Rate and Review!!).

Ardent Atheist - Where Reason Reigns Supreme!!

Show Notes - Episode 88

Sat, 20 Oct 2012 18:47:14 -0700

Episode 88 aired on October 17, 2012.

The following guests were in studio:

Zach Kahn

Website

Twitter

Jeff Hatz

YouTube Channel (Creepy Priest)

Facebook

Video Broadcast of Episode 88

Relevant Links for Episode 88:

The following links were talked about during the first hour of the show or shared by listeners during the live chat.

If you enjoyed the first hour of this episode and would like to hear the full 90 minute version, be sure to subscribe to our Premium Cuntent for a measly $10/year.

If you’d like to purchase any (or all) of the tracks from the vile comedy album, “Chaos Radio”, you can find them here.

Don’t forget to “Like” us on Facebook

Also, join our Facebook group, “Ardent Atheist - Wall of Reason”

You can also follow us on Twitter

Ardent Atheist - Where Reason Reigns Supreme!!

Show Notes - Episode 87

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 14:50:00 -0700

Episode 87 aired on October 10, 2012.

The following guests were in studio:

Cole Parker:

Facebook

Eric Schwartz:

Website

Twitter

Andy Sell:

Facebook

Twitter

Video broadcast of Episode 87:

Relevant Links for Episode 87:

The following links were talked about during the first hour of the show or shared by listeners during the live chat.

If you enjoyed the first hour of this episode and would like to hear the full 90 minute version, be sure to subscribe to our Premium Cuntent for a measly $10/year.

Love Ardent Atheist? Why not vote for us at the Podcast Awards. Wouldn’t it be great if we won under the “Religious Inspiration” category? Voting ends on October 15th. A vote for any podcast other than Ardent Atheist is wasting your vote!!! (There may also…possibly…be blowjobs given to listeners who vote for us, so…)

If you’d like to purchase any (or all) of the tracks from the vile comedy album, “Chaos Radio”, you can find them here.

Don’t forget to “Like” us on Facebook

Also, join our Facebook group, “Ardent Atheist - Wall of Reason”

You can also follow us on Twitter

Ardent Atheist - Where Reason Reigns Supreme!!

Show Notes - Episode 86

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 15:24:42 -0700

Episode 86 aired on October 3, 2012.

The following guests were in studio

John Novotny - Creator of The Callback Podcast

Callback Podcast

Callback Podcast on Twitter

John Novotny on Twitter

Danny Villalpando - Comedian / Possibly a Jew

Website

Chris Strait - Comedian / Definitely a Jew

Website

Chris Strait on Twitter

Video Broadcast of Episode 86:

Relevant Links for Episode 86:

The following links were talked about during the first hour of the show or shared by listeners during the live chat.

If you enjoyed the first hour of this episode and would like to hear the full 90 minute version, be sure to subscribe to our Premium Cuntent for a measly $10/year.

If you’d like to purchase any (or all) of the tracks from the vile comedy album, “Chaos Radio”, you can find them here.

Don’t forget to “Like” us on Facebook

Also, join our Facebook group, “Ardent Atheist - Wall of Reason”

You can also follow us on Twitter

Ardent Atheist - Where Reason Reigns Supreme!!

Show Notes - Episode 85

Sat, 29 Sep 2012 13:11:00 -0700

The following guests were in studio for Episode 85, “2 Christians 3 Atheists and an Agnostic Aussie Walk into a Wall”:

Brad Stine -

Website - http://bradstine.com/
IMDb - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0830407/

Ian Harris -

Website - http://theevolutionofcomedy.com/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/comediocre

Ken Sands -

Website - http://kensands.net/Welcome.html

Ben Ellwood -

Website - http://benellwood.com/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/Benellwood11

The following links were talked about during the first hour of the show or shared by listeners during the live chat. (Want to participate in the live chat? Go to the Facebook group, “Ardent Atheist - Wall of Reason” and find more information!)

Brian Govatos from The Proud Atheist chatted on the “Wall” this week. Check out his website for some great atheist t-shirts. Don’t forget to visit the blog on the site also.

As always…thanks for listening and don’t forget to subscribe to Premium Cuntent!

Show Notes - Episode 84

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 16:01:08 -0700

The following folks were in studio for Episode 84, “Faith Healers or Child Killers?”:

Ashley Austin Morris

Website - http://ashleyaustinmorris.tv/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/AshAustinMorris

Dustin Kaufman

Website - http://www.dustinkaufman.com/
https://twitter.com/dustin_kaufman

Adam Kaplan

Website - http://www.ammoandpussy.com/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/ammoandpussy

As always…thanks for listening and don’t forget to subscribe to Premium Cuntent!

Show Notes - Episode 83

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 13:37:00 -0700

The following folks were in studio for Episode 83, “John Raels on Like a BAMF”

John Rael

Website - http://skepticallypwnd.com/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/SkepticallyPwnd

Jarrett Lennon Kaufman

Website - http://www.turbofool.com/
Twitter - http://twitter.com/#!/TurboFool

Wendy Hughes -

Website - http://www.theoddsmustbecrazy.com/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/Wendy91602

The following links were talked about during the first hour of the show or shared by listeners during the live chat. (Want to participate in the live chat? Go to the Facebook group, “Ardent Atheist - Wall of Reason” and find more information!)

Placebo Bands
Skepticality Podcast (Wendy and Jarrett’s “podlets” are a regular segment of the Podcast)
B.A.M.F. (Urban Dictionary)
Bill Nye - Creationism is not appropriate for children
Akin rape theory rooted in Nazi death camp experiments
Elvis Presley’s bible fetches $94,600 at U.K. auction
Compact Cassette (Wikipedia…for the younger listeners)
Freaks and Geeks (IMDb)
Jarrett’s page at Movie Kids
Mark Edward’s book, Psychic Blues
Pray for my sick cat (Facebook)
Intercession (Wikipedia)
Past life regression (Wikipedia)
Phil Plait - “Don’t Be a Dick” speech
Diet Supplements or Nutritional Supplements: A Ruse By Any Other Name is Still a Ruse
Black Atheists of America
The Complete Idiots Guide to Reflexology
Fuck Me, Ray Bradbury - Rachel Bloom
You Can Touch My Boobies - Rachel Bloom
Kinesio Taping - Dr. Steven Novella
Copper Magnetic Therapy Jesus Bracelet
The Miracle of Calanda (Skeptoid)
This is what getting your vagina vajazzled looks like

As always…thanks for listening and don’t forget to subscribe to Premium Cuntent!

Show Notes - Episode 82

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 09:43:28 -0700

The following folks were in studio for Episode 82, “Uncut Circumspection about Unholy Circumcision”

Steven Paul Leiva

About - http://about.me/stevenpaulleiva

Peter Zachos

Website - http://peterzachos.com/

Adam Kaplan

Website - http://www.ammoandpussy.com/
Podcast - http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/a-and-p-podcast/id490025285

The following links were talked about during the first hour of the show or shared by listeners during the live chat. (Want to participate in the live chat? Go to the Facebook group, “Ardent Atheist - Wall of Reason” and find more information!)