Brights Logo Design Option

 

Fred in Ohio (USA), a new Bright, was hoping to find a square Brights’ graphic for use on his Facebook profile. He didn’t find the shape. But now, thanks to his prompting and some steps taken by Brights’ Shopkeeper Diane, a new “square logo” is available.

 

This new iconic expression of the Brights’ name is an acceptable adaptation of the original (still preferred) version that you can find on every page of the website.

 

The square image is apropos to centering on the bib of an apron or the brim of a cap. It is also well suited to the front pocket of a golf/polo shirt or hoodie. You can see it pictured on a broad assortment of merchandise in The Brights’ Shop at Cafй Press:

 

International Brights Forum Report

 

Predictably, there was a fair amount of discussion this month about the civil unrest in the UK, which ranged from calls for sympathy to the plight of the poor to frank condemnation of all forms of violent protest.  Though some participants in this discussion could be said to disagree almost diametrically about the underlying issues, it should be said by no one that brights do not have ethical concerns or moral foundations, as is often alleged, for this topic shows otherwise!

Attracting fewer responses but numerous page-views was this Topic: Can U.S. Non-Believers Become a Political Force? The near-eponymously quoted blog post by Adam Lee at AlterNet raises some interesting critiques of "movement" atheism and an informative historical context.  Though the post focuses on the U.S. situation, surely there are many parallels to any environment where prevalent super-naturalistic norms curtail the fair consideration of brights and their ideas.  If you are reading this Bulletin, you are likely registered with at least one civic action movement: the Brights Network; what can we learn from the history of freethought in society and the effect and effectiveness of the various "consciousness-raising and civic activism" campaigns on offer?

All are welcome to register at the Forum to share their perspectives.  See the "Register Now" link, top-right of page.

 

Seculars to Celebrate

 

It’s a USA location, but all are invited! Whether or not at this early date you hope to attend, you can help spread word of the Reason Rally that is being planned for March 24, 2012 on the mall in Washington, DC. The Brights’ Net is one of the co-sponsoring organizations.

 

To help the jamboree name go viral, consider putting a logo button on your Facebook page, website, etc. Starter material is available at:

 

Did They Hear (about the Brights) from You?

 

It’s an option on the registration, but a great many registrants do report how they learned of the Brights. Recent examples:

Most of the above come from USA states, but constituents hail from all over. Included in above are recent registrants from the UK (Shropshire), Israel, Italy, Canada (Ontario), and Serbia. Be sure to tell others about the Brights movement -- it’s how we grow!

 

Goodbye Mike, Hello Kevin

 

It’s personal for us here at Brights Central. Kevin Schultz starts work today as our new “main man” for computer operations and website functionality. (This Bulletin blast is his first.) Welcome, Kevin!

 

With this new hire, BC bids adieu to Mike McElroy. We knew the day would arrive sometime, and now it has. After three years assisting The Brights' Net on top of a fulltime job at an organization close by, Mike McElroy is moving on. Several months ago, he sought and acquired a better fulltime position, but it is located too far away to make combining efforts practical. (Already living over 20 miles from BC, Mike has faced commuting a large triangle.)

 

Sad for ourselves, of course we are glad for Mike. And we think we’ve been pretty lucky, too. When first hired to help out here, Mike said he would commit to just 6 months. (He would promise only to “try it out and see how it goes.”)  

 

And yet we have held onto him for all of 3 years. It’s been wonderful. Many thanks, Mike! Perhaps it bodes well for Brights Central that Kevin, who works fulltime for the State of California, recently said about this auxiliary job that he will be “trying it out to see how it goes”.       ;-)

 

Brights Morality Project Report

 

Received from Ruban, Project Director (Malaysia):

As a reference point, the 4 statements can be found here: 
http://www.the-brights.net/action/activities/organized/arenas/1/area_b/statements.html

 

Rather Pleased to Be Here

 

Tanner (Minnesota, USA): “As an openly gay skeptic in a pathetically conservative and christian town, I am happy to be a Bright!”

 

Glenn (Georgia, USA): “I guess you would say that I am now a bright that struggles with faith instead of a believer that struggles with doubt!”

 

Erich (South Africa): “I’m proud to be an atheist or whatever I might be called, I’ve never been happier or more content in my life.”

 

Jordan (Ohio, USA): “As an enthusiastic atheist, I am happy to put my support behind this movement. It's an absolutely brilliant idea.”

 

Daniel (Sweden): “It was about time I joined up and showed my support.”

 

We Can Talk Now!

 

 “I want you guys to know that my discovering your website last year actually may have saved my marriage. My wife is a super (strongly so!) and I am a bright (just as strong). We have had some rugged times. Now, though, she agrees with the Brights vision statement that it isn’t fair that I can’t be who I am, especially in this state. We can talk and we’re learning to let each other be more who we are.”

The above, from Carver (Texas, USA) is a favorite of the emails (“out of the blue”) received during August at BC. It relates closely to what we think is proving one of the more important of the principles of the Brights movement (Principle #8):

 

Personal Relations / Civic Relations

 

We had learned of romance being spurred within the Brights’ forum, but Carver’s comment is the most direct we recall having so far received as regards the improving of already established personal relationships. It came almost on the heels of a somewhat similar exchange with another Bright that had prompted this comment:

 

(Paul) “I hope that you, as a bright, and your wife, a super, can find that civic goals give something both are able to agree on, even if existential interpretations of the world strongly differ. I've been told by more than a few couples that the civic focus has aided their communications, so I'd be glad to add another example to the lineup.”

 

This got us to wondering how common is this type of situation within the community of Brights? Question: Has this movement had any effect on your own interactions, not just with spouses or relatives, but with fellow citizens? If it has, we’d like to hear your story (but be brief). Please send it to the-brights@the-brights.net and put OURSTORY in upper case letters in the subject line.

 

Action Arena 2: (Budding Brights)

 

A related post in the Brights Forum by participant “cejuan” has pointed Brights Central to a new resource that will likely be of interest to many parents or guardians, as well as to educators and others who care about the development of thinking youngsters. It is “The Skeptic’s Dictionary for Kids.”

 

Here’s the information cejuan provided:

 

Phil Plait at Bad Astronomy has a link to a great new resource for kids.
http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/08/12/skeptics-dictionary-for-kids/

Here is the site. The articles about Scientific Skepticism and Clever Hans are good.
http://sd4kids.skepdic.com/