DHS, You just might be interested in Stevin Pinker's "The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined" It's a well researched and written book dealing with the idea that we think we live in an age that is getting worse, but that thought is wrong...

>I've found atheists to be quite interested in the convolution of morality

Can you give me some examples?

First, it would be useful if you explained what you mean when you say "morality"?

"I've found atheists to be quite interested in morality."
And I've found atheists to be quite interested in the convolution of morality.

hey, sorry for misreading what you wrote. My bad. You said happiness did come from drunken parties. My experience has been the opposite (after too many of them on my part).

Anyway, I think that atheists are genuinely good people and not baby eaters. I mean, look at F. Scott Fitzgerald.

You are quite right, thank you for pointing that out - that helps reassure me that I wasn't being vague in my claims. :)

Still, perhaps the man has a point regarding evidence so let's look at the actual claim and see what we have.

I said:

My own experience is that I am (excepting certain rare circumstances) happier with a beer in my hand and a Welsh gymnast bouncing up and down on my cock than I am with just the beer. That's the truth.

So, I'm happier with the attentions of the gymnast and holding a beer than I am with just the beer. Now, evidence.

Firstly, there are my own direct accounts of the situation. I can confirm I was happier. This is quite subjective, though.

Then, there's objective evidence. Analysis of my demeanour by uninvolved observers. It can be confirmed that when I have a pint in my hand, I normally have a smile. Assuming this is an indication of my happiness level as it is in other human animals then it's not a stretch to conclude that I'm happier with a beer and being ridden like there were Indians in hot pursuit because I have a huge grin on my face.

To support this, besides the gymnast, there are several other eyewitnesses. It was THAT kind of a party. They also didn't wait decades to write down their accounts unlike SOME 'eyewitness' accounts, I believe they were tweeting in real time, thus giving their accounts further value as they didn't have time to collude, misremember or embellish the story. They all confirm that I certainly looked like I was enjoying myself.

But... we hold ourselves to higher standards, do we not! We are scientists - even if some of us are amateur ones! The scientific method is key and what do we hold in great regard? That the results are.... repeatable!

Yes, I shall once again have to go to bat with a Welsh gymnast and holding a beer in my hand - in the name of science!

To which end, in order to measure this properly and remove any eyewitness bias, does anyone here have access to an MRI machine?

I think to prevent her banging her head a lot (and the confusion of having two brains in the MRI) she's going to have to assume a very low slung reverse cowgirl position. Now, she's flexible so should be able to manage this but I am at risk here of painfully bending an important part of my anatomy. Still, in pushing the boundaries of human understanding, sometimes sacrifices must be made. It's the cross I shall have to bear (where DOES that phrase come from?).

So, my friends, let us assuage the doubting Thomases! Bring me a beer, a gymnast, an MRI machine and let us do science!

Thank you. :)

(She had Lambrini. I like 'em classy.)

You say you're happy with booze and sex alone.

I'm going to have to insist that you show me exactly where I said that or retract your comment. And in future, do me the courtesy of not blatantly misrepresenting my position - especially when I clearly stated:

I do not believe the only things in life are sex and booze.

Please familiarise yourself with Rule 3 in the Commenting Rules & Tips. If a morally bereft, baby-eating atheist can do his best to follow the rules, I'm sure you can too.

Shame to get serious again. We were having such fun!

In all seriousness though, BenS never said beer and sex alone, he also said cheesecake... (OK, not so serious afterall)

No photos please! Just evidence relevant to the claim or its generality as applied to other humans.

I hope you're not asking for photos.