#1
by hackenslash » Sep 10, 2010 12:12 am
After much thought, I have decided to bring the idea of the book that was discussed at RDF back to life. It is going to take a substantially different form than previously, for obvious reasons. It is my intention to provide an 'Idiot's Guide To Critical Thinking' (this may actually be the title, and is my working title).
Again, for what I hope are obvious reasons, rather than making this a book based on forum posts, I am taking the bull by the horns and writing this book myself, but I still need your input. I will be relying greatly on the content provided by the members here, and I will probably be opening topics across the forum on a broad range of topics so that members can contribute and correct my own misundertandings. If this begins to look like a viable project, a significant portion of the proceeds will go to the forum, and the running thereof. It would be really good if I could make the forum financially independent, so that LIFE does not have to bear the brunt of any shortfall in income, so that the forum can continue in perpetuity. While I, like many others, massively appreciate LIFE's amazing contribution to the sustenance of the community that was RDF, it is time, I think, to take responsibility for our own existence.
This book, unlike the previous incarnation, will not be based on forum posts but will, I hope, contain all of the things that were considered for the previous entity. My intention is to present an opportunity to the forum to have a major input into how the book runs. This will take the form of a) the topics that must be included, b) critical appraisal of what is written on any given topic, c) material for inclusion under any particular chapter heading, etc, and c) editing.
Unlike the previous incarnation, it is my intent to take full editorial and compositional control, although I would like input on each chapter as I complete it, so that any factual errors, disagreements, etc, can be resolved. Obviously, this is intended for mass publication so, in the event that this is actually picked up by a publisher, an in-house editor will have input into the final draughts.
When I first came up with this idea, we were still at RDF, and could possibly count on the backing of Richard, assuming the project had merit, to get us through the door with publishers. From here on in, we are alone, and the book will stand or fall on its own merits (as is proper, frankly). Here, I must take control in a manner that I never intended for the previous incarnation of the project, or it will never get off the ground. I hope that people will understand this decision.
I still intend to include a few posts from forum members, simply beause they are of such a quality and lucidity that my own feeble writings can't hope to match them. I have begun to earmark a few posts, and I will be contacting the authors as the project progresses.
Rest assured that all of those people who have contributed to my education in the last couple of years will be suitably credited, either along with their specific contributions, where appropriate (and where permission has been given to pinch their beautiful expositions), or in the acknowledgements, in those cases where specific material hasn't been employed directly but has contributed to the furtherment of the project, either by educating me or by just being brilliant. In the latter case, I will contact those members so that, where they agree, they can be mentioned by use of their real-life names. Where they do not agree, they will be referred to by their forum usernames. Suitable credit to the forum will be prominent.
Some may think this is an act of self-aggrandisement. This is not the case. This is a book that the world needs. If Sagan were still with us, I would be pestering him to write this. Dawkins is alreay a no-no, simply because the fuckwits think he is strident (I always loved that. Wait till these fuckers get a load of me and Cali (whose help I shall be counting on a great deal, among others, in provision of the hard science and the citations to back it up).
Are you with me? Any questions, ideas, chapter headings, etc, post them in thias thread.