Ah, the comments on the Dembski blog answer the question, once you realize that the boldfaced parts are entries by the site moderator. Or at least, they tell us that the Dembski-bloggers don't know and consider it an issue between Ruse and Dennett. And are unapologetic about it.
A psycholinguist friend of mine had a group dinner with Ruse once. She said he was charming in a pretty in-your-face way but given to saying pretty contrary/outrageous things (which she kinda liked).
I've read his book on Homosexuality, which, iirc, was pretty decent as an overview of the historical changes in the disease status of homosexuality. Some of his philosohy of biology stuff is pretty solid too although, wierdly, I'm struggling to think of any particular stance that he defends.
Ruse says that he did not send it to Dembski -- he sent the exchange to third parties, from who it made its way to Dembski. He is also ruder about Dennett on the phone than in email. More details in tomorrow's Guardian, I think. One data point: when I talked to him, it was about 7.30am in Missouri, where he was. I've never known a heavy drinker who was that lively at that time in the morning.
He clearly does like bluff rudeness -- what you might call the "hail fellow, sod off" school of human relations.
Ah, the new kinder, gentler Abu. Remember your Shi'a heritage - austere, rigid self-righteousness is the way to go. If you have done something, it cannot be a mistake.
I noticed that I'm quoted as complimenting James Perloffs music- comparing it to Bob Dylan. This is NOT what I have ever said or thought. That was a mistake. james didn't okay it with me before it was put out. James is a good guy with great intentions. I like his book- but the music, while from the heart isn't too good. Bob Dylan, has a true place in history as a muscian.
Please take off my quote! Or replace it with this message.
I do hope Ruse got Dennett's permission before sending it to Dembski.
Posted by Matt Weiner | Link to this comment | 03- 4-06 3:35 PM
It's altogether possible he thought you were rude or perhaps unkempt in person.
Posted by Jonathan | Link to this comment | 03- 4-06 3:41 PM
Ruse can indeed be "weird" in person. Not to mention hella inappropriate.
Posted by The Woodchuck | Link to this comment | 03- 4-06 3:41 PM
Ah, the comments on the Dembski blog answer the question, once you realize that the boldfaced parts are entries by the site moderator. Or at least, they tell us that the Dembski-bloggers don't know and consider it an issue between Ruse and Dennett. And are unapologetic about it.
Posted by Matt Weiner | Link to this comment | 03- 4-06 3:45 PM
I've heard Ruse is a very heavy drinker; wonder if that has anything to do with the odd behavior.
Posted by Protagoras | Link to this comment | 03- 4-06 3:48 PM
This article talks about Ruse. He seems to be the Joe Lieberman of Darwinian theory. This book is a perfectly fine history though.
Posted by joe o | Link to this comment | 03- 4-06 3:57 PM
Do y'all have a problem with heavy drinkers who are pretty weird in person?
Posted by John Emerson | Link to this comment | 03- 4-06 4:10 PM
Not if they're either (a) zoophiles or (b) obsessed with age-of-consent laws, or both.
Posted by ben wolfson | Link to this comment | 03- 4-06 4:20 PM
A psycholinguist friend of mine had a group dinner with Ruse once. She said he was charming in a pretty in-your-face way but given to saying pretty contrary/outrageous things (which she kinda liked).
I've read his book on Homosexuality, which, iirc, was pretty decent as an overview of the historical changes in the disease status of homosexuality. Some of his philosohy of biology stuff is pretty solid too although, wierdly, I'm struggling to think of any particular stance that he defends.
Posted by nattarGcM ttaM | Link to this comment | 03- 5-06 3:17 AM
Ruse says that he did not send it to Dembski -- he sent the exchange to third parties, from who it made its way to Dembski. He is also ruder about Dennett on the phone than in email. More details in tomorrow's Guardian, I think. One data point: when I talked to him, it was about 7.30am in Missouri, where he was. I've never known a heavy drinker who was that lively at that time in the morning.
He clearly does like bluff rudeness -- what you might call the "hail fellow, sod off" school of human relations.
Posted by Andrew Brown | Link to this comment | 03- 5-06 3:53 AM
Thanks Andrew. The Dembski blog moderator made it pretty clear that they didn't give a flip about the privacy of e-mails.
Posted by Matt Weiner | Link to this comment | 03- 5-06 7:58 AM
So should I take down this link? I mean, the stuff is already all over the web, but if Dennett didn't give his ok, it's not nice to link it.
Posted by FL | Link to this comment | 03- 5-06 8:09 AM
Ah, the new kinder, gentler Abu. Remember your Shi'a heritage - austere, rigid self-righteousness is the way to go. If you have done something, it cannot be a mistake.
Posted by SomeCallMeTim | Link to this comment | 03- 5-06 8:14 AM
Ne regrettez rien!
And enough already with the Stalinist photoshopping of Unfogged. (Add metaphors, mix!)
Posted by slolernr | Link to this comment | 03- 5-06 9:29 AM
That's it! Slol is outed!
Posted by FL | Link to this comment | 03- 5-06 10:10 AM
"Heavy drinker" is a fuzzy set, but there are lots of us who wake up bright and early and head to work every morning.
Posted by John Emerson | Link to this comment | 03- 5-06 10:15 AM
Well, I doubt you'd be so chirpy talking to a journalist, is all. People remember their crapulance when I introduce myself.
Posted by Andrew Brown | Link to this comment | 03- 5-06 10:22 AM
crapulence. crap.
Posted by Andrew Brown | Link to this comment | 03- 5-06 10:26 AM
That was so non-earnest.
Posted by slolernr | Link to this comment | 03- 5-06 4:32 PM
Thought you were retired, Emerson.
Posted by The Modesto Kid | Link to this comment | 03- 5-06 4:48 PM
No, I'm non-recovering. As far as the "work" goes, I was using the historical present and a pretty vague historical "us".
Posted by John Emerson | Link to this comment | 03- 5-06 5:46 PM
Hi,
I noticed that I'm quoted as complimenting James Perloffs music- comparing it to Bob Dylan. This is NOT what I have ever said or thought. That was a mistake. james didn't okay it with me before it was put out. James is a good guy with great intentions. I like his book- but the music, while from the heart isn't too good. Bob Dylan, has a true place in history as a muscian.
Please take off my quote! Or replace it with this message.
So glad your paying attention!
:)
Maggie Pascal
Posted by Maggie Pascal | Link to this comment | 03- 5-06 10:05 PM