A process of non-thinking called faith

I need to keep better track of where I get my links. Someone recently pointed out that Richard Dawkins's 2-part documentary "Root of All Evil?" is on Google Video, but I can't remember who and I can't find it in my friends page. Anyway, here they are (about 50 minutes each): part 1 part 2

It's refreshing to hear someone take a strong stand against religion. Pretty much only Bill Maher does that, though I've also seen Alan Dershowitz in a debate on C-SPAN. Unfortunately it seems to be difficult to be an advocate against religion without sounding like a pompous jerk. I have a feeling Dawkins is not going to change anyone's mind, but maybe it will inspire someone else to figure out a better way to change people's minds.

See also Freeman Dyson's review of Daniel Dennett's Breaking the Spell (which I should put on my Amazon wish list before I forget). From a comment by lupoleboucher on zenspider's journal linked to by memegarden.

Translated lyrics meme

From several people, colorwheel being the most recent:

1. Take the lyrics to a favorite song (make sure it's relatively well-known).
2. Go to Google Language Tools and translate the lyrics into German; then from German to French; and finally from French back into English.
3. Post the results verbatim.
4. Invite your friends to guess the song based on the newly mangled lyrics. [Comments are screened for a little while to avoid spoiling the puzzle.]
[5. Bonus question: what do these songs all have in common? Edit: Oops, I screwed up on the fact-checking. Only three have something in common, while the other one only comes close.]

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