The end of an era
by KrauzeIt has been a lot of fun, but we all knew it had to end someday. We had only planned to keep it going for a couple of weeks, but the reactions were above all expectations, and we just got swept away by the success. But we have decided to stop while we are still on top. So let me finally come clean: Richard Dawkins doesn't exist.
The entity you know as "Richard Dawkins" is simply a character created by the team here at Telic Thoughts. We have taken turn writing articles and books, and Guts has done an amazing job making composite images and live animations for use in television interviews.
We came up with the idea while hanging out at Mike Gene's place for pizzas and PlayStation. Deuce had brought some wine coolers, and we got pretty slushed. I don't remember who came up with the idea of making a fake persona, but I know that it was Joy who came up with naming him "Richard", as she thought it would make for some good jokes. We wrote down a bunch of stuff, and when we woke up next morning, the idea still made sense.
It has been great fun coming up with outrageous stuff to have "Dawkins" say, seeing how many people would buy it. We were simply amazed that people not only took us seriously, but actually started praising Dawkins for the stuff we made him say. Like, that a religious upbringing is child abuse, or that being abused by a priest is not as bad as having been brought up Catholic to begin with. These things were beyond the pale and without any foundation what so ever, but people lapped it up, calling Dawkins a "defender of reason".
We messed up, though, when we let Dawkins sign a petition to make religious upbringing illegal. We later became worried that a fake signature (if only on an internet petition) would bring us in conflict with the law, and an insincere statement distancing Dawkins from the petition had to be typed up.
But all good things must come to an end. I hope you enjoyed our little prank and aren't too mad if we had you fooled. I have enjoyed every second of it, and as we wrap it all up, I would like to thank the entire crew here at Telic Thoughts for keeping up the appearances all these years. Enjoy the rest of April.
April 1st, 2007 at 3:45 am
Nice diversionary tactic, Krauze. But as we wait (and wait) for The Design Matrix to appear, it's pretty clear that Mike Gene, not Dawkins, is the fictional character.
The other giveaway: no real person could possibly be so enamored of an animal that eats its own excrement.
Comment by keiths — April 1, 2007 @ 3:45 am
April 1st, 2007 at 3:51 am
Grumpy much, Keith?
Comment by Krauze — April 1, 2007 @ 3:51 am
April 1st, 2007 at 4:39 am
No. Why?
Comment by keiths — April 1, 2007 @ 4:39 am
April 1st, 2007 at 8:04 am
It really doesn't take all that long, either. Also, I admit it was I that thought that airline lady had a stupid face. You should have seen it – it was stupid as all get out.
Comment by macht — April 1, 2007 @ 8:04 am
April 1st, 2007 at 10:50 am
Well, since Keiths is on to us, we ought to go the whole way and admit that Mike Gene too was invented. Some of us take turns posting as "Mike Gene." And after coming up with the "God Delusion" bit, we decided that "Mike Gene" needs a book.
But we don't want TT readers to be worried – "Keiths" is real.
Comment by MikeGene — April 1, 2007 @ 10:50 am
April 1st, 2007 at 11:14 am
You mean, "Keiths are real". The "s" is there for a reason.
(Mark 5:9)
Comment by keiths — April 1, 2007 @ 11:14 am
April 1st, 2007 at 11:24 am
Dawkins aren't real!
Comment by Krauze — April 1, 2007 @ 11:24 am
April 1st, 2007 at 7:40 pm
My preciousssssss.
Comment by macht — April 1, 2007 @ 7:40 pm
April 2nd, 2007 at 8:35 am
Comment by neddy — April 2, 2007 @ 8:35 am
April 4th, 2007 at 11:42 am
"Enjoy the rest of April." – K.
What about a Happy Easter, Krauze? Too politically incorrect for the unknowings at TT's?
'The era that never began.'
I believe MG is a (single, with kids) real person. Though, I wonder what he believes.
Comment by g arago — April 4, 2007 @ 11:42 am
April 4th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
"You mean, "Keiths are real". The "s" is there for a reason. (Mark 5:9)"
Cute. I'm curious as to the reason. I trust the reason is benign, but your reference does leave one wondering whether you are schizophrenic, possessed, or just enjoy an irreverent twist on a Biblical passage?
Comment by Eric Anderson — April 4, 2007 @ 2:11 pm
April 4th, 2007 at 8:45 pm
Hi Eric,
The real reason is rather prosaic: my last name begins with 'S'.
Since I don't capitalize the 'k' or the 's', others have commented that it looks like a plural. The idea of a cabal of Keiths is amusing to me, so I've run with it.
I remain open, however, to the possibility that I am possessed.
Comment by keiths — April 4, 2007 @ 8:45 pm
April 4th, 2007 at 11:13 pm
OK, fair explanation. I'll keep that possessed one in my back pocket in case I need it!
Comment by Eric Anderson — April 4, 2007 @ 11:13 pm