rationalskepticism.org - A fairytale

[dylan]

Cross post from other site some may like (maybe):

Once upon a time there was a large city called Dawkinia. Dawkinia was a very large and prosperous city. People came from all around the world to visit and hang out. Dawkinia was renowned for it's large population of non-religious people. It was a friendly place and it was common to find up to a thousand on the streets talking and debating everything under the sun.

It's population was managed by a small group headed by a man called Richard. Richard or Dick as he was sometimes called usually left the city planning to a designer named Josh. Josh set up the city so it was easy for the citizens to meet and hang out. So together Josh and the citizens built up the city and cooperated on many projects. It was a grand city. It's size and influence grew and grew. The people felt part of something bigger than themselves. Something that would make a difference.

Eventually the city became so grand that people would line up every day just to enter. The city thrived. One day it was announced to the populace that things were going to change. "The city is going to change" Josh announced. "Things are going to change for the better. Exciting new changes that you will all love!". The people became very excited. They already loved their city and wondered in fascination what could possibly happen.

It wasn't until later that Josh announced they would be leaving their city to build a better one. The city reacted in shock. "What about all the work we already did to build this one?" they asked. "I like this place as it is" said another. They became worried that all their hard work would be for nothing. They slowly became more and more hesitant to leave their great city. "We are the management and these things must be done! Please don't worry, everything will be ok. We need to start over so we can build not a bigger city but a better one. In order to do this we need more control of how it all happens. We need to direct the building of our new city." The citizens reacted in shock. What could they do? Dawkins was already the head of management and in charge of the city. People didn't want to leave. They didn't want to lose their freedom. They didn't want to lose all the stuff they worked and worked to build.

Slowly people on the street started to talk about the changes. Some would talk of leaving and building a new city not led by Dawkins but ruled by the people. Some said to wait and see how the new city turned out. Most became very anxious about the changes. The citizens would ask and ask the management what was going to happen. "What would this city look like?" they asked. "Why do we need to do this?". They asked and asked but were met with nothing but silence. The silence caused even more stirrings to occur. "Let's leave right now" some would say. Eventually management got word of all the commotion on the street. They saw that the people were arguing and venting their rage. Some were making plans to leave and organizing groups. It had to be stopped, management thought. "We have to build this new city! They will love it. They don't realize that it will be better for them!" management thought.

Slowly some people were being silenced. Some were told to remain in their houses. It worked at first but it just caused even more commotion. Nerves were on edge. Everyone was eager to know what was going to happen. The streets began to panic. Management thought the best course of action was declare martial law. No one was to be in the streets. No one was to organize and complain. Things were going to change and it was going to be for their own good. The streets were closed. Anger at the management raised. They wanted to know what was going to happen. They wanted a say. People began to yell and vent at the management. People devised new clever ways to communicate. Every time the citizens were silenced they came up with new ways to share and talk about what was happening. They came up with ways to talk to each other faster than they could be shut down.

Outside the city, other communities could see that the streets were empty. They wondered why such a large city was so quiet. So they asked Dawkinia management. By then there were rumors of discontent and anger. The management responded by saying "We are in the process of changing our city. It will be a better city. Everyone in the city is excited about the direction we are taking and it's future!" The city remained silent. The outsiders saw that the city was remaining silent so they asked management again why it was so quiet. Management did not respond. Eventually Dawkins responded to the outsiders queries. "Suppose you found yourself described as an utter twat a suppurating rectum. A suppurating rat’s rectum. A suppurating rat’s rectum inside a dead skunk that’s been shoved up a week-old dead rhino’s twat. Or suppose that somebody expressed a sudden urge to ram a fistful of nails down your throat. Also to trip you up and kick you in the guts." The people were getting to rowdy he insisted. They had to be silenced. Things were getting out of hand. He informed the outsiders that there was something rotten in Dawkinian culture. This hate was ample evidence that something was wrong with them and that it proves how important the new changes are. The outsiders took him at his word. The outsiders got a distorted view of what was happening.

Slowly more and more left the city. Some would return and tell others how to escape. Many found their way to Rationalia. Rationalia was a very friendly bunch. They partied hard and were very friendly. Without a complaint they offered them food and clothing and lots and lots of beer. Together they partied hard and drank their troubles away.

For many though it wasn't home. Some felt something was missing. They missed their old home. So with time they began to build a new city. No single person directed how to build it. They just worked together and cooperated dreaming of their new potential. They called their new city RS. Their official name was rationalskepticism.org but many just lovingly called it RS. Slowly the city grew. It grew and grew and many old Dawkinians followed. Dawkinia fell. It became a ghost town. RS grew slowly but surely.

With time they rebuilt a new city like the old but run by them all. A democratic city. Dawkins left Dawkinia and tried to start a new one. It grew but never reached the power and beauty of RS. The new Dawkinia was a failure. Rationalia grew very big. It was the holiday spot for many RSizens. Rationalia and RS became sister cities. RSizens never forgot the help they received as they left Dawkinia. Together they lived happily ever after and became the best cities in the world.

Moral of the story: Don't assume you know what others want even if you have good intentions and when people are in need give them help.

[Mephistopheles]

Dawkins was already the head of management and in charge of the city.

Who is this "Dawkins" character?

[dylan]

Dawkins was already the head of management and in charge of the city.

Who is this "Dawkins" character?

Leader of Dawkinia silly.

[maiforpeace]

Very sweet fairytale Dylan. Thank you.

[Mephistopheles]

Dawkins was already the head of management and in charge of the city.

Who is this "Dawkins" character?

Leader of Dawkinia silly.

No, that's Dick.

I like the story, though.

[Beako]

How much traffic is RationalSkepticism getting? Any projections?

[Feck]

That's rubbish do you not keep up with the news? the animals that lived in rationalia only cursed and swore and threw their own shit at everyone ....
nobody wants to read any stories where we don't at least have blood dripping from our fangs.

[maiforpeace]

That's rubbish do you not keep up with the news? the animals that lived in rationalia only cursed and swore and threw their own shit at everyone ....
nobody wants to read any stories where we don't at least have blood dripping from our fangs.

I'm proud to be an atheist zombie.

[FBM]

That's rubbish do you not keep up with the news? the animals that lived in rationalia only cursed and swore and threw their own shit at everyone ....
nobody wants to read any stories where we don't at least have blood dripping from our fangs.

I prefer to think we lured them in, unsuspecting, with promises of beer, bacon and cheese, then ravished their women, picked their pockets, and when they had nothing left to offer, sent them packing. :twisted:

At least that's the reputation I'd like to have.

[Feck]

That's rubbish do you not keep up with the news? the animals that lived in rationalia only cursed and swore and threw their own shit at everyone ....
nobody wants to read any stories where we don't at least have blood dripping from our fangs.

I prefer to think we lured them in, unsuspecting, with promises of beer, bacon and cheese, then ravished their women, picked their pockets, and when they had nothing left to offer, sent them packing. :twisted:

At least that's the reputation I'd like to have.

Shit if you were ravaging any women and not only was I not invited but You haven't bothered to PM me pictures I'm gonna be unhappy :twisted:

[FBM]

That's rubbish do you not keep up with the news? the animals that lived in rationalia only cursed and swore and threw their own shit at everyone ....
nobody wants to read any stories where we don't at least have blood dripping from our fangs.

I prefer to think we lured them in, unsuspecting, with promises of beer, bacon and cheese, then ravished their women, picked their pockets, and when they had nothing left to offer, sent them packing. :twisted:

At least that's the reputation I'd like to have.

Shit if you were ravaging any women and not only was I not invited but You haven't bothered to PM me pictures I'm gonna be unhappy :twisted:

'picture' = 'evidence that can used against you in court'. Seasoned felons know better than to manufacture evidence against themselves.

Anyway, your job was to go thru their wallets while they were passed out. How much did you get?

[macdoc]

I think someone should open a mirror site called irrationalia....in case this one gets too stodgy..

not fuckin' likely from what I've seen tho..

[Feck]

That's rubbish do you not keep up with the news? the animals that lived in rationalia only cursed and swore and threw their own shit at everyone ....
nobody wants to read any stories where we don't at least have blood dripping from our fangs.

I prefer to think we lured them in, unsuspecting, with promises of beer, bacon and cheese, then ravished their women, picked their pockets, and when they had nothing left to offer, sent them packing. :twisted:

At least that's the reputation I'd like to have.

Shit if you were ravaging any women and not only was I not invited but You haven't bothered to PM me pictures I'm gonna be unhappy :twisted:

'picture' = 'evidence that can used against you in court'. Seasoned felons know better than to manufacture evidence against themselves.

Anyway, your job was to go thru their wallets while they were passed out. How much did you get?

From this lot about £50 in total !!!

[FBM]

From this lot about £50 in total !!!

That's not gonna buy a lot of bacon, is it?

OK, next time we'll have to find a wealthier forum to infiltrate, destabilize and subtly advertise on so that when it goes tits up and they scramble over here, we'll have deeper pockets to plunder.

Edit: Oh, dear. I may have revealed too much...

[PairOfFeet]

Great fairy-tale! Will there be an illustrated version?