Cuddly Atheism

Derek Colanduno is the co-host of the amazing hit podcast Skepticality. He and Swoopy interviewed me a few months ago and now it’s my turn to interview him!

Kate: So, the first question I ask everyone: When did you first realize you were a skeptic?

Derek: Well, my dad was always a hard-ass about questioning everything, he was almost Dawkins in a way. He had the ‘luxury’ of being sent to one of those old-school Catholic schools when he was younger. That embittered him to religion and in-turn led to his ability to naturally question almost everything. When *I* didn’t display those traits, he kind of corrected that in me. I never knew there was a ‘word’ for it until I grabbed my first Skeptic Magazine, which I purchased due to the main article contents, which were all about Carl Sagan… I still have a few copies of that exact issue. Right there in the front of the magazine, it spells out what a Skeptic is. So, either I have always been one, just didn’t know the word for it until then. Or… I am brand new… ;)

Kate: Ha, I wouldn’t say you’re brand new at all. How old were you when you picked up that first Skeptic Magazine?

Derek: I was probably around 24-25.

Kate: And were you a fan of Carl Sagan before picking up that first magazine?

Derek: I had read Demon Haunted World when I was in college, it came out around that time. I have ALWAYS been fascinated with Religion and its effects on people and the world, still am. As most kids at the age I was, I searched a bit to see if any form of religion ‘fit’ me. None really did, I kind of hated rituals and religious traditions the way most all organized religions say they should be done. So, that book spoke to me. When I saw the Skeptic Magazine with Carl on the cover, I wanted to read it…

Kate: I think it’s great that your foray into skepticism involved Skeptic Magazine with which your podcast is now affiliated. Skepticality was the first major podcast of its kind. How and when did you decide to become involved?

Derek: With Skeptic Magazine?

Kate: And with podcasting. How did it all come together?

Derek: Ok, podcasting was just me wanting to do what I always wanted to do. Back in college I worked for old-school over the air radio doing engineering and also on-air DJ work. I worked as the engineer for National Sports Radio Network, (which I think was bought by ESPN), and also one of the last privately held Rock stations left, which was an Alterative Rock Station doing late night on-air stuff now and then as a fill-in. Swoopy would come to the studio back then and we’d like to toss on music WE liked, since it was the middle of the night and the boss types were all long asleep. So, when we heard about Podcasting… we had that moment of… “HEY we can do the show we ALWAYS wanted to do!”. And since we had tons of Audio/Video equipment already, it was easy to start doing it.

Kate: And the show you always wanted to do had to do with skeptical issues, I take it? How did you become involved with Skeptic?

Derek: Skeptic Magazine happened out of sheer amazement. Dr. Shermer has always been my favorite of the ‘Skeptics’ I knew of. Mainly because I like his style. I have never been really ‘religious’ as he was, but I understand why people are. And his way of dealing with the borderlands between hard core religion and atheism has a very delicate touch which I think allows it to be absorbed by more people. When I first got home from the hospital, Dan Loxton contacted Swoopy and told us Skeptic wanted us to be their official podcast… the rest is history. As for the radio show…. the Skeptical issues wasn’t really thing, more the stuff that ARE skeptical issues, but back then, we didn’t really know much about the ‘Skeptic’ movement or the identification with the word. But, yes, what we WANTED to talk about is pretty much what Skepticality is now.

Kate: That’s amazing. Speaking of the now-widespread ‘skeptic movement’, it seems to be a relatively new phenomenon. Do you think you had a hand in promoting it?

Derek: I am not sure really. Once we started our show, we were shocked at how many groups there were out there. We knew about the JREF, and CFI (CSICOP), but had no idea just how many other groups there really were. So, I don’t know how much of a hand we had in ‘growing’ it, as much as giving people who were content that no one else was giving them.

Kate: So you basically gave other skeptics an alternative platform to get their messages out?

Derek: Maybe, but more to the point that it gave people who thought like us an alternative to what seems to be the mainstream of talk radio, or big media. Something that would speak to people who have always wanted to hear about the information/issues they identify with. That and … the world needs more critical thinking in terms of history and science. And that was a big goal of our show when we started.

Kate: And it’s an admirable goal. On to another question I ask everyone: Would you define yourself as an atheist?

Derek: There is one. I guess I am. I just don’t like labels like that. Some people disagree with me, but I think putting even Atheists into a ‘group’ turns it into its own form of religion, which is kind of anti what most Atheists I know are. I always say I am a “I don’t care ist” Because, just being anti-religion doesn’t gain you much ground in the public discourse, and being against everything shuts down 95% the people from wanting to even listen to you, or look at your opions objectively. Which is a terrible thing about people in general. It is sad that even the whole concept of ‘Agnostic’ is rife with issues all its own, mostly based on ignorance and misuse of the word over time. I fear that this response doesn’t even answer your question! :) If I was going to claim anything, I can claim ‘Humanist’.

Kate: I understand your concerns. One of my goals is to ‘take back’ the word ‘atheist’ and redefine it in a more positive light because, in the end, all it means is a lack of a belief in a god.

Derek: Or… gods… :) I just don’t believe in any ‘supernatural’ anything. Because if something happens, it happens or it doesn’t. If it happened, it was natural. Or it didn’t, therefore it would be, well nothing. Sadly, I feel much the same about the nonsense of ‘Organic’ food, and ‘all natural’ beef. I mean, aren’t all vegetables ‘organic’, if they weren’t they would be, well … something else. They rot, they are plant material, etc…. Definitions sometimes get Skeptics and Critical thinkers in a bind.

Kate: I know what you mean, and I’m not going to shell out an extra 5 bucks for tomatoes because they’re labeled ‘organic’.

Derek: Sadly, many people will. Next time you are in a store with a big produce section. Pay attention to the many stupid little labels there are to brand stuff with strange ‘feel good’ labels. It is positively stupid. Even FISH for all that is good has different crazy labels now.

Kate: ‘Wild’ Salmon, &c.

Derek: “Farm Raised” … There are even some more strange than that.

Kate: I really just want a tasty fish. Is that too much to ask?

Derek: Exactly … And it gets even more crazy when you talk to anti-GM food people. They are just as bad as the Anti-Vax people in my opinion.

Kate: Hmmm, I don’t know. The Anti-Vax people have a good chance at destroying a good portion of the population.

Derek: Oh, yea… but, I was just referencing the Anti-Vax people since they have the same mindset as the ‘organic food’ and anti ‘Genetic Modified’ food folks. It is all the same root, people who have good intentions, but have some VERY flawed bits of knowledge which they won’t let go of.

Kate: I think a lot of bad logic stems from good intentions which is why it’s so difficult to get these people to see reason. They’re passionate about what they believe is helpful to the world.

Derek: Exactly. Which is why I like to take a very… ‘nice’ approach if I can since these people aren’t bad people, they are good people, just they completely believe wrong things. It is hard to get a hate on for someone who really just believes they are doing the right thing, if you can separate yourself from the problem. Which is VERY hard to do.

Kate: It is, and it’s why I admire people like Robert Lancaster from Stop Sylvia. He can convert the most rabid Sylvia Browne fan with his charm and general good nature. I believe it’s what we should all strive for.

Derek: Exactly, I am so glad that Robert is recovering from his stroke. What is it with us Skeptic types and the need to visit the hospital?

Kate: I know you can sympathize with him from your own experience. How has your own trauma affect you and do you see the world any differently because of it?

Derek: Physically I was a total mess when I first woke up from my coma… but, I am now almost 4 years out since it happened and with my excellent rehab program, most people who didn’t know me before, would never know that it ever happened. Now, my wife and Swoopy both always comment that I am now a much ‘nicer’ and far more patient and calm person. But, even when I was in the hospital, I was beating the Skepticality drum. Swoopy hung up all sorts of Skepticality stuff in my ICU room and handed out CD’s with some of our episodes on them so the nurses and doctors could get an idea who that sleeping guy with all the tubes and wires in him was. Which was VERY nice, since most of my rehab doctors knew me from the show, and therefore felt very comfortable being very technical and such with me. So, I knew a lot about what was going on.

Kate: That is an extreme comfort. When you look back on your experience now do you feel lucky? Bitter?

Derek: The only part I could call… ‘luck’ was where I was when the stroke started. I happened to be at dinner surrounded by friends and my wife, and Swoopy. So, lots of people there to realize something was REALLY wrong. And, if it had started only 10 mins earlier, I would have been on the road home, on the highway doing somewhat over 70 miles per hour in my truck. The rest I give all the credit to my wife, Swoopy, and my doctors.

Kate: So thanks to time and your loved ones, you’re still here. Now that you get to enjoy life, where do you see yourself in, say, 10 years?

Derek: There is a funny question, my boss asked me that last week as well… lol Well, at this point all I really think about is how much better I will be feeling and hopefully will be back to where I was just 4 years ago. I still can’t drive a car yet, and my speech is off and on. Maybe, at that point, I can really think about where I will really want to be. But right now, I am just focused on becoming what I was… more than what I will be. One step at a time type of hing I guess. :)

Kate: I do hope that you realize how amazing you are at present. I think every Skepticality fan would agree.

Derek: Well, thank you…. but you should hear me attempt to read from notes still… it is not a pretty sight! But, according to Swoopy, that was never my strong suit. I used to lecture for side money and I was NEVER able to use any form of script or such.

Kate: Well keep trucking on, Derek. You have hordes of fans out there who are pulling for you.

Derek: Thanks, I will… only way to be!

Kate: I think this is a good place to start wrapping up unless there’s anything else you’d like to cover?

Derek: Sounds good! You know where to find me if you have any extra questions… and just to remind people that we are coming up on another great year for the Skeptic Track at Dragon*Con! We have Randi, Phil Plait, and many others coming back for the fun once again!

Kate: And I’m going to be there, so everyone should definitely attend.

Derek: That is right! So, I will finally get to meet you in person as well! :)

Kate: It will be great considering we’ve now both interviewed each other!

Derek: True! Can’t wait… see you in about 6.5 months! :)

Kate: Thanks, Derek. It’s been a pleasure.