McGrath of Harlow

I woulldn't class "dozy sod" or "fescking eejit"really as abuse. Nor for that matter really "bloody po-faced so and so". They don't really add too much to the discussion, but I suppose they satisfy some need.

Not in the same league as some of the stuff that's being thrown at Akenaton, GfS and pete but it's the principle of the thing. You seemed to get a bit agitated about Steve's reference to a "thick French peasant" (presumably a reference to Saint Bernadette Soubirous). The need that is satisfied is the put down. Putting the insolent little oik in his place. The psychology of the school yard.

You quite rightly said that Steve can sound in danger of falling into treating Darwin as a belief system not open to revision. Strangely he didn't pick you up on that, only called me a "feckin' eejit" when I agreed with you. In his reply to your post, he did say "Carry on like that and you'll end up in the naughty corner with Wacko, Ron, pete, Hawk and Guffers.". (Not me I notice. Not sure if that's good or bad.) I wonder what gives him the right to talk to you like that. I have never knowingly misrepresented Steve but I may, from time to time, have misunderstood what he was saying as he is frequently self-contradictory and inconsistent.

GUEST,Musket penny dropping on snails

Sounds like a day well spent but I'm not sure what any of it has to do with me. In what way has the penny dropped? Do you think I'm part of the " bottom 0.00001%"? Do you think I'm a homophobic, racist bigot? Have I accused you of being "a waste of time"? You picked me up on what, to anyone who doesn't have a scientific background, might seem a fairly abstruse point but does in fact relate to my "disagreement" with Steve, that is, the status of a scientific theory. What was the purpose in starting off "Dozy sod""? Later "I don't have a working hypothesis on human snails. If I called you a dozy sod it would be deduction from observation.". Is this really the language of someone with a PhD in mechanical vibration and a senior management position in the NHS?

I can understand the reaction to the likes of Akenaton, GfS and pete (even if I can't quite see the point) but when you extend it to your responses to anyone who doesn't quite see things your way, I think you need to stop and take a look at yourself.

Steve and Ian (and their trusty henchgnome Dave) are coming over like a bunch of playground bullies demanding respect on pain of a good beating.

P.S. Ian, I still think you're wrong about Newton v Einstein