Talking to God

Some time ago, during the Brouhaha surrounding Dawkins’ comment on the professional integrity of a journalist who believes in the literal truth of an obviously allegorical event, the professor tweeted

A believes in fairies. B believes in winged horses. Criticize A and you’re rational. Criticize B and you’re a bigoted racist Islamophobe.

I’m still convinced that Dawkins was spot on. A few days ago, though, I noticed that reality is even stranger. I was walking down a street, encountering someone who was loudly arguing – with nobody. Belatedly, I noticed an earbud and a cable linking it to a phone. Somewhat relieved I walked past.

But the encounter got me thinking: At first I thought the guy was mad, talking to thin air. The phone altered by perception. That is rational. The reverse, though is completely irrational:

If you tell some one that you are talking to god, nobody bats an eye. Do the same while holding a phone, and they’ll put you in the looney bin.