The DM Hotline
by MikeGene
As I mentioned in the comments section of our blog, the delay with the publication of The Design Matrix is largely my fault, as I insisted on making some rather significant last minute changes at a point in the production process when last minutes changes are not normally made. So I thought it would be a good idea to offer up a posting that would give people the opportunity to ask questions or air complaints. Below the fold I'll reply to some earlier questions and comments.
Bipod:
I'm sure you've got enough data for quantifying the probability of the book being ready for shipment by such and such a date. Maybe you could do such an analysis for the following dates, thus increasing your scientific credibility:1. April 15th
2. May 1st
3. May 15th
4. June 1st
5. July 1st
6. August 1st
7. October 1st
8. December 31st
I really can't say anything because the contest is still open.
Bipod:
The nice thing about the internet is that you can use your blog to make post-publication corrections/clarifications that might be incorporated into a second edition printing.
Indeed. I already have this covered. Let's hope that page remains blank.
Raevmo:
Can't we at least see a table of contents?
I'll probably do this once the pre-orders are sent out.
Bj:
I could be all wet here, but I am betting that your book will fill a certain and needed niche. From my perspecive most ID books grow out of the political movement against Darwinism. This creates a certain tenor or stridency and also gets the book a certain labeling. I am hoping and think that your book will generally avoid that battle and just address the topic at hand-that some things give evidence of design.
I think I can promise that your hope will be vindicated. Very few people have seen the manuscript. But in case you missed it, I posted an excerpt from one of the book's editors (who reviewed the original manuscript) here.
April 12th, 2007 at 11:08 am
Will there be a book/lecture tour?
Comment by chunkdz — April 12, 2007 @ 11:08 am
April 12th, 2007 at 12:59 pm
Yes but in order to remain anonymous Mike will be wearing a bunny suit and voice modulator, which will be really creepy..
Comment by Guts — April 12, 2007 @ 12:59 pm
April 12th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
Perhaps it was Mike in Donnie Darko?
Comment by Raevmo — April 12, 2007 @ 1:12 pm
April 12th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
I think Mike Gene should go on the tour as someone else acting as the official representative of Mike Gene, who obviously cannot go on tour himself without revealing himself to be Mike Gene, rather than just imitating someone who is willing to pretend to be Mike Gene in order to deflect attention from the real Mike Gene, who is, in fact, him. That way he gets to write all of his own reviews.
Comment by keiths — April 12, 2007 @ 1:58 pm
April 12th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
Couldn't he just pull a Wizard of OZ….
"Pay no attention to the rabbit behind the curtain"
Questions:
1)Are the autographed copies of your book (given to those who pre-ordered their copies, and to me for winning the contest) signed by "MikeGene"
1a)Have you been working on your psuedo-signature?
2)Should we be expecting a photo of a rabbit on the sleeve versus the typical author photo?
2a)What about the 'about the author' part usually accompanying said photo.
3)Are you finally comfortable with your manuscript now or did you just decide, the mob's gonna kill me if I don't publish this thing already?
4)Will the rabbit fetish mystery be revealed? Or is this old news covered elsewhere?
Complaints:
I got nothin' … 'Cept:
1)I have posted this on TT twice (this makes three times) with no comment/apologies/explanations or rationalizations for you. Why are you dodging this?
1a)Why are you carrying water for these vile creatures?
1b)Do I need to get Secret Service, Thought Provoker and/or Matzke involved?
The anniversary of this tragic day in American history is fast approaching… I (speaking for we) want answers. We (ok, just me really) demand answers!
Regards
Comment by Rob R. — April 12, 2007 @ 2:30 pm
April 12th, 2007 at 7:19 pm
You want answers?
Comment by Guts — April 12, 2007 @ 7:19 pm
April 12th, 2007 at 11:14 pm
That sounds fun. But no, nothing like that is planned. I suppose this is yet another unusual aspect of the book. Normally, the author runs about trying to create demand for the book. In my case, the book would have to create demand for the author.
Tempting"¦..I crack myself up thinking about it.
I think that would be funny too. But I'm afraid someone would probably miss the joke and accuse me of being dishonest.
Yep, but not the contest winner. I said they'd get the book once it is released (different from the pre-orders).
Yes, but it's a little hard with the furry gloves.
Douglas predicts it will be on the back cover.
It's possible I could break another rule there.
I'm about 90% comfortable with it, which will have to do as I don't want to end up like cousin Easter Bunny.
If you read the book, you might find the rabbit fetish to be contagious.
But I did my civic duty and already warned people about the Swamp Rabbit.
Now, now, let's not start stereotyping the rabbits. Just because swamp rabbits insert themselves into the political arena does not mean all rabbits are like this. Some of us just like to dance.
Agents are always on the look out for hippity hoppity subversives. But there is hope that TP might one day be a Red Pillar.
Comment by MikeGene — April 12, 2007 @ 11:14 pm
April 13th, 2007 at 10:11 am
Curses, foiled again! Ok Mike, looks like you're deflection is better than my threatiness… touche.
I was borrowing his 'pale o' water' analogy so figured I could call on him if need be. I hear (think I read it here actually) that Matzke is working on a 'ID=creationism' conspiracy type book… if he nails you on your association with [red] beady-eyed assassins in a cheap rabbit suit don't say I didn't warn ya.
Thanks for the answers Mr. 'Gene' I'm looking forward to your book… and yeah I am one of those guys who will own both your and Behe's.
Best of luck to both of you guys and congratulations on gettin'erdone:!:
Regards,
Rob
Comment by Rob R. — April 13, 2007 @ 10:11 am
April 14th, 2007 at 1:19 am
I've been reading this website everyday for a year and still cannot figure out what this rabbit obsession is all about. Is it some sick inside joke about Richard Dawkins?
Comment by clay — April 14, 2007 @ 1:19 am
April 14th, 2007 at 11:14 am
Hi Clay,
Thanks for reading! To solve the Mystery of the Bunny, you have two options. Buy The Design Matrix or wait until someone else buys it and reveals him to you.
Comment by MikeGene — April 14, 2007 @ 11:14 am
April 15th, 2007 at 6:45 am
clay,
In other words, it will forever remain a mystery.
Comment by Douglas — April 15, 2007 @ 6:45 am
April 15th, 2007 at 6:47 am
However, my own theory is that the bunny is a reference to a personal DNA experiment by Mike Gene gone awry. Which is probably why Mike Gene has never posted his (or her) photo. Of course, if I were Mike, I wouldn't either.
Comment by Douglas — April 15, 2007 @ 6:47 am
April 15th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
well, whether or not it reveals the bunny mystery, I'll buy the book – whenever it comes out!
Comment by clay — April 15, 2007 @ 12:38 pm
April 15th, 2007 at 3:09 pm
MG is in heat (making his own hotline) for rabbits!
Anyone care to remember the first time a bunny reference was made here?
I notice 'The Rabbit' is the 5th most popular category (3 digit posts) at TT's, while 'Design Inferences' totals 8 and 'Theology' totals 'not yet deemed relevant by TT's.'
A strange brew this TT's crew indeed!
Comment by g arago — April 15, 2007 @ 3:09 pm
April 15th, 2007 at 3:15 pm
g arago:
Um… you do know that the funny rabbit pictures and videos are official 'open threads', don't you? I'm more a magic Quaker dove person myself, but mostly because doves are less fragile than rabbits for the purpose of hidden compartments in hats and pans and other such props. They live a lot longer too… §;o)
Comment by Joy — April 15, 2007 @ 3:15 pm