Now here's something that'll go to Orac's head (if, in fact, he actually had a head instead of a Plexiglass cube of blinking colored lights). He's been named by Rebecca Watson (a.k.a. The Skepchick) as one of the Top 10 Skeptics Who Kicked Ass in 2008!
I'm tellin' ya, to be included in a list with luminaries such as Ben Goldacre, Amanda Peet, Susan Jacoby (whose book, The Age of American Unreason, I really really need to get around to reading), Phil Plait, and fellow ScienceBlogger P.Z. Myers. Of course, my favorite skeptic on the list this year is Sanal Edamaruku, the Indian skeptic who was threatened with death by a Tantrik's death chants and cheerfully challenged the Tantrik to go ahead and try to kill him. The only condition was that no physical contact could be made. Then, on national TV he was seen cheerfully smiling as the Tantrik tried over and over and over again to chant him to death with his "magic."
Rebecca is wrong about one thing though. It's not true that no one has ever seen Orac, not even his wife. Trust me, my wife has seen me (although, unfortunately, of late not as much as we should see each other). Also, a certain super secret cabal of skeptics have actually seen Orac "in the flesh" (or "in the plastic"), so to speak, including fellow members of the ScienceBlogs collective and even her Skeptics' Guide to the Universe co-podcaster Steve Novella. Amusingly, however, at the time Steve was utterly unaware that it was me and didn't realize it until I told him later in another context.
But that, perhaps, is a story for another day.
As for 2009, here's hoping this skeptic can continue to kick ass in the coming year.
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Yeah, with all that plexiglass, I bet she can see right through you.
Sorry, couldn't resist. Thanks for all the 2008 vintage respectful insolence, and a good 2009 to you and everyone else reading this!
Anyone that discredits whiny IDist bully and DCA lover DaveScot gets an A+ in my book.
Thanks you Orac.
I was going to note on Skepchick's site that I, too, have seen you (or, actually, your alter ego...I have not seen ORAC in the...um...plexiglass...)
I hope you, your wife, and all the sciblog writers and commentators have a very good and safe New Year.
Here's to another solar orbit's worth of Respectful Insolenceâ¢
and a happy 2009 to all !
Congratulations Orac! Thanks for a great year of Respectful Insolence--can't wait to see what 2009 brings.
Happy New Year!
I forgot to mention. Rebecca and others might actually have the opportunity to see me in the plastic, so to speak, at The Amazing Meeting this year. I really mean to try to make it there, although I've been to Las Vegas in July and am not too keen on the blast furnace heat that is the norm there. If I can make it, I guess I'll just have to stay in the casinos and at the meeting...
But let face it, Rebecca's picture of you as Eneman, can't compare to the picture of Phil Plait's telescope. That is what one calls using the tools that best suit ones trade.
Congratulations, o captain my captain.
As an aside, I thought you might get a kick out of this from The Onion.
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/32884
Ew...now all I can think of is the scene from "Fried Green Tomatoes" where the unhappy housewife wraps her nude body in saran wrap in a desperate attempt to rekindle the marital spark. Don't do it, Orac, please, no matter how the desert heat may addle your circuitry.
Seriously, though, congratulations on being so kick-ass and all, and thanks for continuing to fight the good fight. You are a true inspiration to me. Happy New Year.
A well-deserved award.
Happy New (ass kicking) year.
Well, that's just ass-kicking awesome! Guess I'll just have to keep on reading, as I've been since about 2005 or so. Here's to a respectfully insolent 2009!
A hard earned reward. Those anti-vaccinationists can be vicious.
Congrats! Well deserved award!
Now go let your wife and kids "see" you!
Happy New Year!