Crónicas de la AAIC Episodio IV: William B. Davis

También asistí al evento de William B. Davis, quien habló sobre las críticas que Richard Dawkins hizo sobre “Los Expedientes Secretos X” al decir que el show promovía el que la gente no pensases de una forma lógica. De acuerdo a Davis, mientras que en la mayoría de episodios Scully, quien presentaba alguna explicación racional, siempre estaba equivocada, Mulder tenía la razón, al haber efectivamente explicaciones sobrenaturales. El argumento de Davis se centró principalmente en que esta era una serie de ficción y debía tomarse como tal.

También contó la historia de como fue elegido para el rol del Cancer-man, la cual fue batante interesante, ya que él había audicionado para un papel y había recibido uno menor, sin ninguna linea y limitandose a fumar un cigarro. Más tarde aquel personaje se convertiría en un ícono.

Pero lo mejor estaba por llegar.

AAIC Chronicles Episode IV: William B. Davis

I also went for the William B. Davis presentation, who wanted to address the criticism Richard Dawkins had made on “The X-Files” saying that it encourages people not to think logically. According to Davis, while in most of the episodes Scully, the rational one, is wrong, Mulder was the one wight even though his explanations defied logic. Besides, the series was a work of fiction and had to be taken as such.

He also told the story of how he was chosen to be the Cigarette-smoking man, which was very funny, for his first scenes were only him standing in the back and smoking a cigarette. Later, that character would become an icon for every person who grew up in the 90s.

But the best was to come after that.

Crónicas de la AAIC Episodio III: Sunsara Taylor

Luego del podcast fui al evento de Sunsara Taylor. Ella habló sobre derechos de la mujer, pero también sobre derechos humanos y como la religión interfiere contra estos. Se enfocó especialmente en el aborto y como los religiosos tienden a ver el asunto en blanco y negro, tratando de convencer a las mujeres de no tener un aborto sin siquiera averiguar las circunstancias de este y apelando al sentimiento de culpa.. Incluso haciendo uso de la violencia para intimidar a quienes quieran obtener un aborto o a los doctores que las hagan. Explicó que muy pocas mujeres eligen tener un aborto tardío y las que lo tienen, lo hacen por razones médicas y no simplemente para quitarse un peso de encima. Sin embargo, esto no es algo que los religiosos entiendan (paradójicamente, quienes se encuentran en contra del aborto están a favor de la tortura y la pena de muerte).

En fin, simpática ella.

AAIC Chronicles Episode III: Sunsara Taylor

After the podcast, I went to the Sunsara Taylor event. She talked about women’s rights, but also about human rights and how religion interferes with them. She specially focused in abortion an how religious people tend to see the issue in black and white, trying to convince women to not get an abortion without even knowing their circumstances, often with violence aimed to intimidate them. I asked her a question about the difference between aborting a 3-week old fetus and a 8-month old. She explained that very few women choose to have an abortion that late, and if that happens, it usually is because of medical complications. Of course, that is something believers would not say. For them, every fertilized egg is a “baby.”

She is nice, isn't she?

Crónicas de la AAIC Episodio II: Dogma Free America

Andaba algo tarde para cuando llegué a la primera conferencia: El podcast Dogma Free America, el cual iba a ser emitido en vivo, y tenía a William B. Davis (el Cancer-man de Los Expedientes Secretos X) Sunsara Taylor (una activista por los derechos de la mujer y derechos humanos en general) y PZ Myers (si no conocen a PZ Myers, qué vergüenza. Para conocerlo, dense una vuelta por el blog Pharyngula). Ya que estaba tarde tuve que sentarme en la parte de atrás, lo cual hizo que no tomara muy buenas fotos de los panelistas. Hablaron sobre el sistema de salud, derechos de la mujer, abusos religiosos en otros países y también en USA, etc. Al final hubo tiempo para preguntas. Yo me paré y pregunté si los inmigrantes de países latinoamericanos influían benéficamente o no al movimiento ateo. Mi respuesta favorita fue la de Sunsara, quien me dijo que muchos inmigrantes al venir a USA ven muchas de sus posiciones confrontadas con otras, una de ellas siendo sus creencias religiosas. Al final pude sacarme algunas fotos con los panelistas.

Sí, ese soy yo con PZ Myers. Yo feliz de conocer al blogger ateo más famoso.

Pero aun habían otros eventos a los que asistir.

AAIC Chronicles Episode II: Dogma Free America

I was already a little late when I arrived to the first conference: The Dogma Free America Posdcast, which was going to be broadcasted live and had William B. Davis (The X-Files’ smoking man and, yes, an atheist), Sunsara Taylor (an activist for women’s rights and also an atheist) and PZ Myers (if you don’t know who he is, shame on you. To get to know him, just visit Pharyngula). Since I was late, I had to sit in the back and couldn’t get many good pictures of the panelists. They talked healthcare, women’s rights (Sunsara would focus on that in her presentation), and many other topics. At the end was a time to make questions. I asked how did they think immigrants were affecting the atheist movement. The answer I liked the most was Sunsara’s, who said that by coming to the U.S., immigrants see their views challenged, which also leads to challenge religion. When the event ended I went on to get pictures.

That's me with PZ Myers. I was happy to meet the most famous athiest blogger.

But there were more events to come.

To be continued.

Las Crónicas de la Atheist Alliance International Convention - Episodio I

Después de un fin de semana increíble en la Atheist Alliance International Convention, estoy de regreso en San Diego. No me he conectado mucho a la red durante estos últimos 4 días, pero la verdad es que ha valido la pena. Tengo un montón para escribir, así que a medida que avance iré poniendo los “episodios” de este fin de semana. Deséenme suerte.

Episodio I - Viernes
La convencion comenzo el viernes 2 de Octubre. Cuando llegue al Centro de Convenciones del Hotel Marriot pensé que vería un gran aviso con mucha gente alrededor. Error. Por fuera no parecía que hubiese nada fuera de lo normal en el hotel. Supongo que pensé que me encontraría con algo parecido al AnimeExpo al cual ya he ido varias.

En fin, cuando llegué al centro convenciones del Marriot en Burbank me encontré con varios vendedores ofreciendo sus productos. Habían varias asociaciones ateas ofreciendo volantes y la oportunidad de unirse a ellas. También habían quienes ofrecían libros, stickers, camisetas, magazines, etc. Desafortunadamente, yo andaba con una cantidad de dinero en efectivo muy ajustada, y eso sumado a que ya tengo varios libros que piden ser leídos, hizo que me contuviese. Los polos también eran un tanto caros, así que preferí esperar hasta el último día de la convención para ver qué realmente me llamaba la atención. Además el primer evento estaba por empezar.

Continuará.

The Atheist Alliance International Convention Chronicles - Episode I

After an awesome weekend at the Atheist Alliance International Convention, I’m back in San Diego. I haven’t gone online much during the last 4 days, but I tell you, this detachment from the web was definitively worth it. I have a lot to write about so I’ll start to do so in “episodes”, trying to group the most important details that I am able to remember. Wish me luck.


Episode I - Friday

The convention started on Friday 2nd. When I arrived at the Marriot Convention Center I thought I would see a huge banner with lots of people around. I was wrong. Out of the hotel was no sign any kind of convention was being held there, at least none a really big one, like the Anime Expo, to which I have gone 5 times in previous years.

Anyway, I went in there and found myself in the hallway with several vendors offering their products. There were different atheists associations offering flyers and the opportunity to join them, books, labels, t-shirts, magazines, etc. Unfortunately, I had a limited amount of cash and the knowledge that I already had many books at home that need to be read. T-shirts were also pretty expensive, so I preferred to wait until the last day to see what could I get. Besides the first event was about to begin.


To be continued.

Less than an hour for the AAI!

It’s almost Friday October 2nd. Tickets online are sold out. The Atheist Alliance International Convention is taking place tomorrow. I am in LA ready for the event.

While I consider myself an agnostic, it is only to the fact that I do not know if there is a god. Therefore, I do not behave as if there is one. In the same way, I don’t leave food in my garden for fairies and elves to have something to feed on.

Moreover, the way believers and their institutions behave are to me more a proof that either there is no god, or if there is, it is some kind of megalomaniacal douchebag.

And if there is and is all good and wise, it will understand the way I look at the institutions that take its name, name that I take, as some would say, in vain, to criticize those institutions or individuals that do more harm than good in the name of their beliefs.

With these thoughts in mind, I will go to the Atheist Alliance International Convention. My mind is in peace.

Oh, yeah, Richard Dawkins will be there. Yesterday he was with Stephen Colbert who, as usual, talked most of the time. But got to represent the kind of nutjob who usually attacks Dawkins.