Background Probability

The Agnostic Popular Front has moved to its new home at Skeptic Ink, and will henceforth be known as Background Probability. Despite the relocation and rebranding, we will continue to spew the same low-fidelity high-quality bullshit that you've come to expect.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Bible belt redux, redux

Map data 2010, via NYT

In light of the Romney campaign's most recent attempt to shoot itself in the foot (after putting its foot firmly in its mouth) we have these income tax data nicely illustrated for us by the New York Times. Does this map remind you of anything you might have seen before?

Granted the overlap isn't nearly perfect, but either way you've got pretty much of the Old South in there, and most importantly, Florida. Does Romney think he can win without Florida?

Monday, September 10, 2012

Updated comment policy


It's been a long time since I've had to deal with an influx of commenters from off-site, so here are the updated rules:

1) Don't be a dick. Attack ideas, not people.

2) No one who has earned an Order of the Molly is allowed to comment under that name.

3) No one calling themselves Justicar or Integralmath is allowed to comment under that name.

4) Real names are vastly more likely to get published. Own your shit.

5) Rules 2-4 exist to protect Rule 1. You don't have to like it.

6) All comments are moderated. If you write something insulting, or boring, or fail to back up claims with facts, your comment might get posted, but don't count on it.

Sunday, September 9, 2012

#AtheismPlus vs. #Skepticism

The founders of A+ have claimed that skepticism will be one of their foundational principles. Let's look at what happens when one of the A+ advocates is challenged to provide facts to back up their paranoid claims:


What I love about this exchange is how fully it recapitulates so many of my experiences talking to A-plussers. 

Me: I am skeptical about some of your claims.
Them: What, you doubt that [given form of bigotry] is real?
Me: No, just this one hyperbolic claim that you made, right here.
Them: BLOCKED.

Wow, just wow. This right here is why some skeptics doubt whether plussers are a plus to our movement.