Having just written the following and tried to post it, I was crudely reminded that I don't have posting permission in Davison's Showcase thread. I don't know if I am crossing a line by posting it here, but since what I want to say is not directly connected with the showcase topic anyway, and merely in defense of someone who cannot currently defend himself, I'll post it here. Ban me if you must, here it is.
John A. Davison writes:
Dawkins' fantasy about "the selfish gene" was pure snake oil as have been each of his subsequent books, each more bizarre than its predecessor.
Although I don't share your opinion of Dawkins' ideas and books, you are of course entitled to it. But I must protest when you go on to say this:
He is now "weaving the rainbow" for God's sake. What next?
Now, that's just not fair. For the innocent bystander I will explain that the title "Unweaving the Rainbow" - not "weaving the rainbow", by the way - is just a metaphor for the idea that science unravels mysteries and, in the process, diminishes their beauty. The title harks back to Keats accusing Newton of taking away the beauty of the rainbow by his scientific analysis of the phenomenon.
Somehow, Mr. Davison, I don't think you are an innocent bystander. I think you know full well what the title stands for. In view of everything you've written in these forums, your mock unfamiliarity with the precis of the title does not become you and is totally unconvincing. If you really want to confront Dawkins' ideas, or even the man himself, I suggest you adopt a different tone.
Edited by Parasomnium, : No reason given.