What is the history of HAF? I'd like to know as a newbie. Who started it and when? What brought it about? Is Whitney the "oldest" member?
Whitney created it, I'm pretty sure. But that's about all I know.
I can tell you a part of it, the story of how Asmo became a part of it anyway.
Asmo originated in a happy dimension where he had been attempting an evil take over for millennia.
He failed in the end, he took too much pride in his evil deeds, required to much artistry of himself. Although his evil was innovative and won many awards, there just wasn't enough of it. His physical form was destroyed but his essence took refuge in the HAF forum. No one believes the Norway story do they?
Quote from: The Magic Pudding on November 12, 2011, 12:52:12 AM
I can tell you a part of it, the story of how Asmo became a part of it anyway.
Asmo originated in a happy dimension where he had been attempting an evil take over for millennia.
He failed in the end, he took too much pride in his evil deeds, required to much artistry of himself. Although his evil was innovative and won many awards, there just wasn't enough of it. His physical form was destroyed but his essence took refuge in the HAF forum. No one believes the Norway story do they?
So...
He's kind of like Lord Voldemort?
Quote from: The Magic Pudding on November 12, 2011, 12:52:12 AM
I can tell you a part of it, the story of how Asmo became a part of it anyway.
Asmo originated in a happy dimension where he had been attempting an evil take over for millennia.
He failed in the end, he took too much pride in his evil deeds, required to much artistry of himself. Although his evil was innovative and won many awards, there just wasn't enough of it. His physical form was destroyed but his essence took refuge in the HAF forum. No one believes the Norway story do they?
So... he's not just a lump of clay :D
Also, what is this Norway story. I am interested.
Yes Magic Pudding, please do enlighten us of the Norway story. And as for Asmo's evil winning awards, I believe it. He's quite ingenious in his wicked ways. :D
If Whitney created it (perhaps with extra-dimensional assistance from Asmo), I would like hear her story. Maybe it's already posted someplace - if so, please direct me to it.
You know, for a lump of clay, asmo seems to be quite the force of nature XD
Quote from: Budhorse4 on November 12, 2011, 01:34:19 AM
You know, for a lump of clay, asmo seems to be quite the force of nature XD
I'd like to give you a medal for this statement. I've never hear more honest words before. :D He does seem to really know how get things going.
I started it in 2006 (i think). The why was two fold. From being on other forums I noticed there were a lot of theists who come to atheist forums seeking angry atheists and of course finding them (telling people they are angry tends to make them that way); so why not have a place that focuses on killing a stereotype. The second reason is that I also noticed that most atheist forums are a bit too libertarian; they don't do much in the way of controlling civil dialogue. So this was also an experiment in what would happen if free speech on the board were limited just enough to kinda make people be nice to each other and also get rid the pet peeve of all thinking people; claims without any basis (the preaching rule)....that's an ongoing experiment as we keep finessing the rules to find a good balance that actually works.
McQ was among the first members to join and since then it has changed in looks and been crashed a few times; sometimes my fault, one time by hackers, and then more recently by the forum system just not being able to handle us anymore due to glitches (perhaps I can blame Asmo ;) )....sometime along the way we came up with a mission statement that is located here: www.happyatheistforum.com
Awesome. Good stuff to know. :)
Neat
Quote from: DeterminedJuliet on November 12, 2011, 12:54:35 AM
He's kind of like Lord Voldemort?
Most likely derived from Asmo, same with Sauron and others.
The wisdom of not sharing your evil plan through monologue with your nemesis, a hard won lesson for Asmo. All young evilgelicals now benefit from gratuitously cruel behavioural therapy to prevent them blurting out their plan.
The Norway story was his cover story, that he is merely a somewhat disturbed human living in the frigid Northern wastelands.
It is rumoured he hast taken physical form and is gathering an army of polar bears and blaming their disappearance on global warming which is actually caused by his vast volcanic forge.
I have warned him that some are suggesting his deeds are derivative of other evil geniuses.
He seemed to take notice but I'm not sure if he's called off his immaculate conception plan, he really wants a mini me he can order to suffer a torturous death and then zombifie.
Quote from: The Magic Pudding on November 12, 2011, 02:09:09 AM
It is rumoured he hast taken physical form and is gathering an army of polar bears and blaming their disappearance on global warming which is actually caused by his vast volcanic forge.
I have warned him that some are calling his deeds derivative of other evil geniuses.
He seemed to take notice but I'm not sure if he's called off his immaculate conception plan, he really wants a mini me he can order to suffer a torturous death.
I feel the need to question him on this. And if it's proved to be true, force him to give me a pet polar bear and immunity to the effects of his plan... but he's not allowed to steal my world domination plot.
Quote from: Whitney on November 12, 2011, 02:02:20 AM
I started it in 2006 (i think). The why was two fold. From being on other forums I noticed there were a lot of theists who come to atheist forums seeking angry atheists and of course finding them (telling people they are angry tends to make them that way); so why not have a place that focuses on killing a stereotype. The second reason is that I also noticed that most atheist forums are a bit too libertarian; they don't do much in the way of controlling civil dialogue. So this was also an experiment in what would happen if free speech on the board were limited just enough to kinda make people be nice to each other and also get rid the pet peeve of all thinking people; claims without any basis (the preaching rule)....that's an ongoing experiment as we keep finessing the rules to find a good balance that actually works.
McQ was among the first members to join and since then it has changed in looks and been crashed a few times; sometimes my fault, one time by hackers, and then more recently by the forum system just not being able to handle us anymore due to glitches (perhaps I can blame Asmo ;) )....sometime along the way we came up with a mission statement that is located here: www.happyatheistforum.com
Thank you. I've visited your website and see that you are quite involved in the Dallas freethinkers' group. You've done a good job in creating and managing this forum, it seems to me. Congrats.
Quote from: Ecurb Noselrub on November 12, 2011, 02:38:21 AM
You've done a good job in creating and managing this forum, it seems to me. Congrats.
Thanks...I have lots of help, couldn't keep it going without the mods and other helpful members.
Quote from: Whitney on November 12, 2011, 02:39:50 AM
Quote from: Ecurb Noselrub on November 12, 2011, 02:38:21 AM
You've done a good job in creating and managing this forum, it seems to me. Congrats.
Thanks...I have lots of help, couldn't keep it going without the mods and other helpful members.
Group hug!!
Quote from: The Magic Pudding on November 12, 2011, 02:09:09 AM
Quote from: DeterminedJuliet on November 12, 2011, 12:54:35 AM
He's kind of like Lord Voldemort?
Most likely derived from Asmo, same with Sauron and others.
The wisdom of not sharing your evil plan through monologue with your nemesis, a hard won lesson for Asmo. All young evilgelicals now benefit from gratuitously cruel behavioural therapy to prevent them blurting out their plan.
The Norway story was his cover story, that he is merely a somewhat disturbed human living in the frigid Northern wastelands.
It is rumoured he hast taken physical form and is gathering an army of polar bears and blaming their disappearance on global warming which is actually caused by his vast volcanic forge.
I have warned him that some are suggesting his deeds are derivative of other evil geniuses.
He seemed to take notice but I'm not sure if he's called off his immaculate conception plan, he really wants a mini me he can order to suffer a torturous death and then zombifie.
I'll trade cheap Swedish Cheese and Danish beer for my pet polar bear. It would go great with my moose.
Quote from: Budhorse4 on November 12, 2011, 03:06:56 AM
I'll trade cheap Swedish Cheese and Danish beer for my pet polar bear. It would go great with my moose.
Hahaha. Then we could have polar bear play dates. That'd be fun. :)
Quote from: DeterminedJuliet on November 12, 2011, 03:10:57 AM
'course! You're part of the group!
Yay! *bounces while clapping swiftly and grinning wide* Now I feel all loved and accepted. :D
Whitney created her account on the 22nd June 2006, which marks the start of the forum, she is account number 2, number 1 is 'Anonymous'.
And then there's Tank, who has done tons to improve things.Although lots of people have worked hard on the forum, and helped it to evolve and grow, Tank dug deep into how the forum works, and discovered all kinds of stuff I never knew existed.
He's like the James Brown of forum moderators (that would be James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, who was also called the Hardest Working Man in Show Business). Except Tank isn't dead.
;)
So many changes over time. This grew from a teensy little forum into the juggernaut it is now (it's not really, but I wanted to use that word so badly!). We've had some really interesting people come and go. Some we miss, some...well not so much. I think we've really learned how to deal with trolls very well.
I appreciate the various members and the unique viewpoints I've been exposed to here. I've been able to disagree with people on topics and continue to interact with them regardless, in most cases. That's a good reflection on Whitney and the job she's done, and the membership as a whole.
Quote from: The Magic Pudding on November 12, 2011, 12:52:12 AM
I can tell you a part of it, the story of how Asmo became a part of it anyway.
Asmo originated in a happy dimension where he had been attempting an evil take over for millennia.
He failed in the end, he took too much pride in his evil deeds, required to much artistry of himself. Although his evil was innovative and won many awards, there just wasn't enough of it. His physical form was destroyed but his essence took refuge in the HAF forum. No one believes the Norway story do they?
I believe the Norway story. Slarty Bartfast is my brother.
I miss the habit of switching to a discussion of shampoo whenever a faithhead started preaching. That was fun.
Quote from: OldGit on November 13, 2011, 04:13:45 PM
I miss the habit of switching to a discussion of shampoo whenever a faithhead started preaching. That was fun.
Who's to say you still can't? I think I would enjoy this talk of shampoo instead of hearing someone preach at me about how I'm going to hell.
Quote from: not your typical... on November 13, 2011, 05:58:56 PM
Quote from: OldGit on November 13, 2011, 04:13:45 PM
I miss the habit of switching to a discussion of shampoo whenever a faithhead started preaching. That was fun.
Who's to say you still can't? I think I would enjoy this talk of shampoo instead of hearing someone preach at me about how I'm going to hell.
That won't happen here. It's against the rules >:(
Quote from: Tank on November 13, 2011, 06:15:58 PM
That won't happen here. It's against the rules >:(
Good, cuz the day that happens, I'll prolly leave. js.
Quote from: not your typical... on November 13, 2011, 06:47:59 PM
Quote from: Tank on November 13, 2011, 06:15:58 PM
That won't happen here. It's against the rules >:(
Good, cuz the day that happens, I'll prolly leave. js.
Well at least give the staff a chance to sort the problem out (if it happens at all) before you head for the hills!
Quote from: Tank on November 13, 2011, 07:50:39 PM
Well at least give the staff a chance to sort the problem out (if it happens at all) before you head for the hills!
Fine, It'll be like an actually good episode of 24... Who started preaching? O.o
Quote from: OldGit on November 13, 2011, 04:13:45 PM
I miss the habit of switching to a discussion of shampoo whenever a faithhead started preaching. That was fun.
I tried to resurrect this practice a month ago or so, but no one else seemed to bite. :(
Sorry, Juliet, I must have missed it. I'll join in next time.
I'll join too! ;D
In the original formulation created by the sadly now mostly absent
curiosityandthecat, the discussion should relate to
men's shampoo. It helps if the following image is used:
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages39.fotki.com%2Fv1232%2Fphotos%2F8%2F892548%2F6116196%2F1216184739910-vi.gif&hash=4e51efd08708598a749c1e3f70059284047d3b94)
Of course a general discussion of shampoo is acceptable, and even desirable, since the whole point is to derail the thread...
Muahahaha!
It should be illegal for a guy to have that much fun shampooing hair :D
Quote from: Budhorse4 on November 15, 2011, 02:29:00 AM
It should be illegal for a guy to have that much fun shampooing hair :D
haha. I watched it too long, just laughing at his face... then my head started to itch. o.O
Quote from: not your typical... on November 15, 2011, 02:56:05 AM
Quote from: Budhorse4 on November 15, 2011, 02:29:00 AM
It should be illegal for a guy to have that much fun shampooing hair :D
haha. I watched it too long, just laughing at his face... then my head started to itch. o.O
LOL!
Quote from: not your typical... on November 15, 2011, 02:56:05 AM
Quote from: Budhorse4 on November 15, 2011, 02:29:00 AM
It should be illegal for a guy to have that much fun shampooing hair :D
haha. I watched it too long, just laughing at his face... then my head started to itch. o.O
I'm sure he could help with that. *wink wink nudge nudge* Haha
Quote from: not your typical... on November 13, 2011, 07:52:37 PM
Quote from: Tank on November 13, 2011, 07:50:39 PM
Well at least give the staff a chance to sort the problem out (if it happens at all) before you head for the hills!
Fine, It'll be like an actually good episode of 24... Who started preaching? O.o
I think it was SuperiorEd, he tended to get a bit preachy from time to time.