Free Univerity Graduation Day!
Day 1,145, 08:02
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Published in USA 
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by
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by Silas Soule
Free University: Graduation Day!
The Scandal!
As some of you may be aware, a HUGE scandal has erupted regarding the source material used for the Free University lessons on Philosophy. Actually, this was going to be revealed as part of the graduation ceremony, so it's not really a scandal at all, but that certainly makes it sound more dramatic.
Phoenix Quinn - exposed! Along with an unnamed co-conspirator.
The fact is that all of the philosophy lessons were drawn from a marvelous little book by Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein called Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar.... It's available for only $4.99 on Amazon and I would encourage everybody who has enjoyed these lectures to get yourself a copy of it.
There is much more material in the book than in my New Worldish homages to it, so do check it out.
(I would also note that part of my fascination in this exercise was discovering how practically every philosopher mentioned in the book had a counter-part in the New World.)
It was a bit surprising that it took so long for anyone to notice the joke since this book was on the NY Times bestseller list for quite some time. There was even a big, fat hint dropped in one comment: "Admin and a Platypus walk into a bar..". Anyway, kudos to Dutch Marley for finally figuring it out. MaryamQ, who is very clever, also came very close to getting me to expose the sham at one point by asking, "How do you know all this stuff?"
Perhaps it was not entirely ethical of me to pull off such a long-running joke. But judging from the many comments, it seems to have brought pleasure to quite a few people. So I count that as a success. As one final lesson in the impermanence of all things, and in the spirit of Tibetan sand paintings, the entire set of articles has now been vaporized and heretofore exists only in your minds.
The Students
Although my methods may have been corrupted by my lack of virtue and a somewhat cynical attitude towards the New World, that is no reflection on the extraordinary students.
Bright sparks of sparkling personalities
The series -- which ran for just about two months -- elicited 345 comments, only 6 of which could be considered tedious or trolling. That's a 98.3% rate of charmingness on behalf of the student body! Players responded from virtually every part of the New World, both veterans and newbies. I think I noticed that there were even 4 or 5 five former country presidents among them.
Numerous responses were of a high-quality. Some were deeply philosophical, some acutely witty, many just very funny. They highlighted the enormous charm and personality of the responders. Of particular note in this regard, special mention goes to: MaryamQ, Samuel Seabury, Thedillpickl, Johnobrow Dadds, BeDva, Plugson, Vincent Nolan, Mister Beefhead, Comrade Laika, Arjay Phoenician and maverick10 Dodge Knight. Many participants had fun or clever things to say, but you guys especially delighted with your witty repartee and insights.
Diplomas
So, without any further ado, based on both the quantity and quality of student participation, and by the Authority invested in me by my own solipsistic interpretation of Bishop Berkeley's phenomenology, the following Diplomas are awarded.
Use them only for good!
Doctor of Virtual Philosophy (VPh.D.)
Doctor MaryamQ, with a Chair in Philosophy of Happiness
Doctor Vincent Nolan, with a Chair in Post-Marxist Economics
Doctor Johnobrow Dadds, with a Chair in Situationist Anti-History
Doctor Samuel Seabury, with a Chair in Classical Philosophy
Doctor Thedillpickl, with a Chair in Pickles
Doctor rainy Sunday, with an Honorarium in Whimsy
Doctor Comrade Laika, with an Honorarium in Literature
Doctor maverick10 Dodge Knight, with an Honorarium in Poesie
Doctor Arjay Phoenician, with an Honorarium in Ethical Philosophy
Doctor Ace451, with an Honorarium in Contemplation
Doctor BeDva, with an Honorarium in Latourian Relativism
Doctor Plugson, with an Honorarium in Canadian Relativism
Doctor Linus Ben
Doctor courage cowardly dog
Doctor Max Wellbrock-Talley
Doctor mittekemuis
Master of the Arts of Virtual Philosophy (M.A.)
Master cival unrest
Master Cold Hearted Snake
Master Early party lycker Cuyler
Master weasel2
Master Blue Holt
Master Endy
Master loftedraptor
Master Bofrst-Mann
Master Chris Carnage
Master Dumb Emma
Master MachtGeil
Master Sir Robert Dudley
Bachelor of the Arts of Virtual Philosophy (B.A.)
Specialist Aldous Zamiatin
Specialist Alee Ann
Specialist Alexandr Sunbeliever III
Specialist Brad Carre
Specialist Claudio Siux
Specialist daeng Oni
Specialist Dutch Marley, with an Honorarium in Detective Logic
Specialist GreekHoplite
Specialist Iseutz
Specialist jorgejorge97
Specialist Jude Connors
Specialist Mestre Luiz
Specialist Mr eLego
Specialist Thomas Keesman
Certified in the Arts of Virtual Philosophy (C.A.)
(Please note that those who contributed only a tedious comment have been excluded.)
Orator Alex Collier
Orator Amil Topuz
Orator Animis
Orator Ataltar
Orator Athasnim
Orator Candor
Orator Canester
Orator chorrito
Orator Crusadercarl
Orator Daniel Parker
Orator egemen_i
Orator eHeathen
Orator George Pumpkinette
Orator Gherk
Orator Grainne ni Mhaille
Orator Gregus Hedvik
Orator hb741
Orator idiotski
Orator Jelen od Potoka
Orator Jockaye
Orator Joe DaSmoe
Orator Jovan Tekelija
Orator Karantwnis
Orator Kemal Ergenekon
Orator kiselavoda0928
Orator Lieutenant Scheisskopf
Orator logan Dunleavy
Orator McCorleone Family
Orator Michael Porter
Orator Michal Lodziana 1
Orator PigInZen
Orator Pisoj Zobr
Orator R00ffles Mesyats
Orator Red_Baxter
Orator Rheinlander von Phalz
Orator Ronnel Nonato
Orator saltydog
Orator Sandy_Cro
Orator Sean Power
Orator Skylovaravas
Orator Spud of Doom
Orator spyskam
Orator St Krems
Orator TemujinBC
Orator Tiamati.Magick
Orator Veni_Zelos
The Scandal!
As some of you may be aware, a HUGE scandal has erupted regarding the source material used for the Free University lessons on Philosophy. Actually, this was going to be revealed as part of the graduation ceremony, so it's not really a scandal at all, but that certainly makes it sound more dramatic.
Phoenix Quinn - exposed! Along with an unnamed co-conspirator.
The fact is that all of the philosophy lessons were drawn from a marvelous little book by Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein called Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar.... It's available for only $4.99 on Amazon and I would encourage everybody who has enjoyed these lectures to get yourself a copy of it.
There is much more material in the book than in my New Worldish homages to it, so do check it out.
(I would also note that part of my fascination in this exercise was discovering how practically every philosopher mentioned in the book had a counter-part in the New World.)
It was a bit surprising that it took so long for anyone to notice the joke since this book was on the NY Times bestseller list for quite some time. There was even a big, fat hint dropped in one comment: "Admin and a Platypus walk into a bar..". Anyway, kudos to Dutch Marley for finally figuring it out. MaryamQ, who is very clever, also came very close to getting me to expose the sham at one point by asking, "How do you know all this stuff?"
Perhaps it was not entirely ethical of me to pull off such a long-running joke. But judging from the many comments, it seems to have brought pleasure to quite a few people. So I count that as a success. As one final lesson in the impermanence of all things, and in the spirit of Tibetan sand paintings, the entire set of articles has now been vaporized and heretofore exists only in your minds.
The Students
Although my methods may have been corrupted by my lack of virtue and a somewhat cynical attitude towards the New World, that is no reflection on the extraordinary students.
Bright sparks of sparkling personalities
The series -- which ran for just about two months -- elicited 345 comments, only 6 of which could be considered tedious or trolling. That's a 98.3% rate of charmingness on behalf of the student body! Players responded from virtually every part of the New World, both veterans and newbies. I think I noticed that there were even 4 or 5 five former country presidents among them.
Numerous responses were of a high-quality. Some were deeply philosophical, some acutely witty, many just very funny. They highlighted the enormous charm and personality of the responders. Of particular note in this regard, special mention goes to: MaryamQ, Samuel Seabury, Thedillpickl, Johnobrow Dadds, BeDva, Plugson, Vincent Nolan, Mister Beefhead, Comrade Laika, Arjay Phoenician and maverick10 Dodge Knight. Many participants had fun or clever things to say, but you guys especially delighted with your witty repartee and insights.
Diplomas
So, without any further ado, based on both the quantity and quality of student participation, and by the Authority invested in me by my own solipsistic interpretation of Bishop Berkeley's phenomenology, the following Diplomas are awarded.
Use them only for good!
Doctor of Virtual Philosophy (VPh.D.)
Doctor MaryamQ, with a Chair in Philosophy of Happiness
Doctor Vincent Nolan, with a Chair in Post-Marxist Economics
Doctor Johnobrow Dadds, with a Chair in Situationist Anti-History
Doctor Samuel Seabury, with a Chair in Classical Philosophy
Doctor Thedillpickl, with a Chair in Pickles
Doctor rainy Sunday, with an Honorarium in Whimsy
Doctor Comrade Laika, with an Honorarium in Literature
Doctor maverick10 Dodge Knight, with an Honorarium in Poesie
Doctor Arjay Phoenician, with an Honorarium in Ethical Philosophy
Doctor Ace451, with an Honorarium in Contemplation
Doctor BeDva, with an Honorarium in Latourian Relativism
Doctor Plugson, with an Honorarium in Canadian Relativism
Doctor Linus Ben
Doctor courage cowardly dog
Doctor Max Wellbrock-Talley
Doctor mittekemuis
Master of the Arts of Virtual Philosophy (M.A.)
Master cival unrest
Master Cold Hearted Snake
Master Early party lycker Cuyler
Master weasel2
Master Blue Holt
Master Endy
Master loftedraptor
Master Bofrst-Mann
Master Chris Carnage
Master Dumb Emma
Master MachtGeil
Master Sir Robert Dudley
Bachelor of the Arts of Virtual Philosophy (B.A.)
Specialist Aldous Zamiatin
Specialist Alee Ann
Specialist Alexandr Sunbeliever III
Specialist Brad Carre
Specialist Claudio Siux
Specialist daeng Oni
Specialist Dutch Marley, with an Honorarium in Detective Logic
Specialist GreekHoplite
Specialist Iseutz
Specialist jorgejorge97
Specialist Jude Connors
Specialist Mestre Luiz
Specialist Mr eLego
Specialist Thomas Keesman
Certified in the Arts of Virtual Philosophy (C.A.)
(Please note that those who contributed only a tedious comment have been excluded.)
Orator Alex Collier
Orator Amil Topuz
Orator Animis
Orator Ataltar
Orator Athasnim
Orator Candor
Orator Canester
Orator chorrito
Orator Crusadercarl
Orator Daniel Parker
Orator egemen_i
Orator eHeathen
Orator George Pumpkinette
Orator Gherk
Orator Grainne ni Mhaille
Orator Gregus Hedvik
Orator hb741
Orator idiotski
Orator Jelen od Potoka
Orator Jockaye
Orator Joe DaSmoe
Orator Jovan Tekelija
Orator Karantwnis
Orator Kemal Ergenekon
Orator kiselavoda0928
Orator Lieutenant Scheisskopf
Orator logan Dunleavy
Orator McCorleone Family
Orator Michael Porter
Orator Michal Lodziana 1
Orator PigInZen
Orator Pisoj Zobr
Orator R00ffles Mesyats
Orator Red_Baxter
Orator Rheinlander von Phalz
Orator Ronnel Nonato
Orator saltydog
Orator Sandy_Cro
Orator Sean Power
Orator Skylovaravas
Orator Spud of Doom
Orator spyskam
Orator St Krems
Orator TemujinBC
Orator Tiamati.Magick
Orator Veni_Zelos
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Comments
Thanks to all who participated.
That's Doctor Ace451 to you!
Master!!!
Look ma, I became an eDoctor. And this time she can't say it's a waste because an eDegree in Canadian Relativism will earn me the big bucks...or at least it will look good in my forum signature.
Thanks for running the serious, Professor Quinn. I had no idea your brilliance was a total rip-off. You pulled it off well ; )
Hope you keep writing!
damn that chick is hot.
We thank you man!
I had my suspicions but I didn't wish to embarrass or shatter my own illusions. Having said that, intellectual property is theft! \o/
\o/\o/\o/\o/\o/
brb, updating facebook status
nice to get the syllabus (finally), thanks for the class.
Magister weasel2
That pic is going to get you a FP. You should take it down
Congratulations to the participants.
Thanks! Ripoff or not, it's been fun and inspiring. I shall now pretentiously add my credentials to my eSignature. 🙂
I would like to thank the real world, for existing, ummmm
I would like to thank the fact that all knowledge is in a way consumed and regurgitated anyway, ummm
seriously, when I write a college paper, as long as I reword a phrase, I can include it with no citation, and this is encouraged so copy paste, change "the cat walked in to a bar" to "the feline approached the entrance of the drinking establishment calmly" not much difference....just sayin
Twas good craic!
Hey! Look Ma, my name's in the article!
I'm a docturd pickle!
Thanks for the fun Phoenix!!!
Totally putting Specialist on my resume
SEE!
If you never go to class you can still get your degree!
I have a Doctorate in Anti-Scientology
If you lose a forfeit point you can have one of mine. I`ve read some work by Plato. I plagiarized them for love letters. Socrates seemed racist. He thought it was alright to have slaves as long as they weren`t the same color as him. That was my take on it. As a result, I never finished the book.
That`s why I didn`t get a Doctor`s degree. That or maybe my spelling.
lol
Hi mom!