Sunday, May 27, 2012

Champions of Reason





This is something I've wanted to work on for the longest time, but was unable to due to circumstances at the time. Now that I got around to finally doing it and I'm feeling rather great about it.

This is a depiction of people I intellectually admire. I say admire because it is rather impossible for me to take someone as a hero, looking past their human flaws. But it is their flaws that makes them human, which makes their intelligence all that more admirable.

There are many, many others who didn't make in this art who are just as awesome. They have my appreciation although not on this art.


Alrighty. Moving on.



Edit: As promised, here's the larger PSD file for printing. The art is reduced to 50% of its original size, but it is still sitting at 6566x4128 pixels, which should be plenty for any kind of printing situations.


The only condition for the usage of this artwork is to keep it non-profit. I do not care how or where you use it as long as the condition is met and you have my permission as long as it is so. Just to be clear, by non-profit I mean you may not make any money from my work.


Also if you feel like being extra nice, you may also link back to me (this blog), or credit me when and where you use the piece.



96 comments:

  1. I recognize some of them, but not all. Would you tell us who each of them are?

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMay 27, 2012

    +1

    Please name all from left to right.

    ReplyDelete
  3. @David

    From left: John Cleese, Penn Jillette, Bill Nye, Stephen Hawking, (above) Frederick Nietzsche, (below) George Carlin, Carl Sagan, Christopher Hitchens, Richard Dawkins, Charles Darwin, Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Adam Savage, Michio Kaku.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Almost needs Stephen Fry on there somewhere...

      Delete
    2. AnonymousMay 27, 2012

      And Sam Harris...

      Delete
    3. AnonymousMay 27, 2012

      Adam Savage and Penn Jillete but not Voltaire, Thomas Huxley, or Camus?

      Delete
    4. Please consider doing one of the American presidents that stood for the seperation of chirch and state.

      Delete
    5. AnonymousJune 06, 2012

      Nietzsche; Friedrich, besides: voltaire is nothing against Tesla http://theoatmeal.com/comics/tesla . composition is ok. that list is subjective. great artwork. nice idea. thx.

      Delete
    6. Tesla vs Turing, now there is some competition to consider!

      Delete
  4. My new wall paper, I think it's great!
    Thanks! :)

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  5. AnonymousMay 27, 2012

    My new wall paper / facebook cover. Damn fine art, just got yourself a new fan :)

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  6. AnonymousMay 27, 2012

    fucking awesome....

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  7. AnonymousMay 27, 2012

    /r/atheism is about to go fucking bananas. Thanks for the brilliant work. <3

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  8. got this from r/atheism. It is spectacular!!!!!

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  9. You know what's sad? There are no women in this picture. I would have at least liked to see Marie Curie in there.

    Not to say any of these people shouldn't be in this picture. It is a wonderful picture. I just can't help but notice a distinct lack of female role models. It isn't because there aren't any, although there are fewer and those who do exist are largely ignored by society.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have to agree with Luna M.

      Society has somehow made it "natural" to forget women.

      We need to help shatter this mentality.

      Delete
    2. AnonymousJune 06, 2012

      That was my first thought also :C

      -Rumtopf

      Delete
    3. There are certainly female Atheists, but this drawing isn't about just atheists, it's about voices of reason, Atheists who have been vocal about it and done a lot for reason. Not a single woman I can think of on that category. Maybe a few, but the reasons I can think to include them are weak to say the least.

      It's not the artist that has forgotten woman, it's woman that have forgotten to participate.

      But I agree, it does need some rocking tits.

      Delete
  10. AnonymousMay 27, 2012

    New background. Thank you!

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  11. Awesome work man. Please please please release this under CC or any copyleft license so we can spread the word. I definitely want to use it.

    I'm actually thinking about making a poster out of this and hanging it in my office.

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousMay 27, 2012

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHABAHAHABAHAHANABAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

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  13. AnonymousMay 27, 2012

    Needs James Randi! =)

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  14. @almafuerte
    You are free to use my work for non-commercial purpose as much as you want. ;)

    I will also make high res file available over next few days for better printing. I'm currently on a trip so I'll get to it as soon as I return.

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnonymousMay 27, 2012

    Your PHD is on the way.

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  16. I have some problems with a couple of people in the picture. For me, at least one of them is actually anti-reason when he's speaking outside his particular field of expertise.

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    Replies
    1. AnonymousJune 02, 2012

      And who is that?

      Delete
    2. AnonymousJune 03, 2012

      For me, it's Penn jillette. He's fine when debunking psychics, religious claims, and supernatural things.

      Whenever it comes to his own brand of Libertarianism, he's quite willing to at the very least lie by omission (or in the case of global warming, outright lie). His TV show "Bullshit" often has guests as the "let's laugh at these nutballs who want to recycle"-kind of "expert" whose credentials are often variants on "Member of the CATO Institute." By the by, Jillette is a CATO fellow.

      For more, read this: http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Penn_and_Teller

      Delete
  17. FishFingerMay 27, 2012

    So brave.

    ReplyDelete
  18. You really need to remove this. Your blog can be connected to your real name, which could lead to your house being burned down or worse.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Some sexist assholes in there, too. Real heroic. This is why we can do without gods or heroes - scratch the surface and there are none.

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    Replies
    1. Oh please....Are you talking about Hitch, who stood up for womens rights all over the world????Who loved a good wind up????Or Dawkins who called bullshit on whiny elevator girl????.....I dont care who has a vagina or not.....These are great men....The fact that they are portrayed as heroes IS supposed to be a little tongue-in-cheek...You are the one being sexist....From A Female who remembers when men WERE real sexist assholes....

      Delete
  20. AnonymousMay 30, 2012

    Totally shocked, I am, to see that a guy who can't think of any women who are "champions of reason" has a portfolio in which women are depicted as the usual helium-breasted fucktoys.

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  21. AnonymousMay 30, 2012

    And then they fucked.

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  22. AnonymousMay 31, 2012

    Can I commission you to do one with all women?

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    Replies
    1. Unfortunately I'm not available for commissions. Even if I was available, portraits of real people are not something I do for living, or for my own pleasure. You've probably seen the last of work like this from me.

      Delete
  23. AnonymousJune 01, 2012

    Simply amazing that you were able to complete this whilst furiously masturbating with the other hand!

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  24. I love this picture. I admire many of these same men and enjoy seeing them in such "superhero" poses.

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  25. Amazing image. How did you choose the order you put them in. Is it by how much you admire each or the influence they've had on the world? Just curious.

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    Replies
    1. It is based on my admiration and their influence on me. Some I admire and influenced me greatly, some I just admire and some just influenced me (to a varying degree). The order of their position is a representation of it, although not exclusively. (e.g. Neil Degrasse Tyson might as well have been on the front, but I have become aware of him only in recent years)

      Delete
  26. AnonymousJune 02, 2012

    Awesome work of art but I feel a few people are missing. James Randi, Sam Harris, Daniel Dennett, Stephen Fry. I know I shouldn't be complaining because this is work of art is amazing, but personally I think they deserve to be up there with the rest of them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousJune 02, 2012

      I'd love to in the future see a more expansive remake of this picture; while it is now my new wallpaper, I think it hasn't quite reached it's full potential.

      Delete
  27. AnonymousJune 02, 2012

    This picture has become my desktop background.

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  28. Awesome, thanks for the great piece of art, kudos!

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  29. Awesome, thanks for the great piece of art, kudos!

    ReplyDelete
  30. AnonymousJune 02, 2012

    Amazing, so fucking awesome, you've done a great service for humanity! (But no James Randi? :P)

    ReplyDelete
  31. Put this up on Zazzle, with a commission going to you, and I for one will definitely buy it. To support your amazing art. http://www.zazzle.com/custom/framedprints

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  32. I LOVE IT! thanks!!!

    people, please! stop telling the artist which characters he's supposed to admire. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  33. AnonymousJune 02, 2012

    Just made a print of this and ordered it! SO... EPIC!!!!!! *nerdgazms*

    ReplyDelete
  34. AnonymousJune 02, 2012

    Lovely work. I've shared it in FB too. You deserve moar views.

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  35. You sir are a sexist - where are the women?

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  36. Wow, that's amazing. Instant Desktop background :)
    Now for the poster...
    Also I don't really know any women synonymous with atheism/skepticism....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ayaan Hirsi Ali???There arent many but that has to do with with guys generally being less afraid to stand up for their beliefs ...women still seem to be influenced by family and tradition...The two at the front are British but who have done a lot of work in the states because we just dont need it so much in Britain....Which is maybe why there arent so many female Atheists either....It would be good to have more...But women do other stuff...

      Delete
  37. AnonymousJune 03, 2012

    Excellent work sir

    ReplyDelete
  38. Oops. Accidentally deleted few too many comments. Anyways, you can criticize me all you want but please try not to insult others here if possible.

    I'm sorry if I deleted your comment even though it was in my defense. Some of them were deleted by accident.

    ReplyDelete
  39. AnonymousJune 04, 2012

    This is amazing, I love you for doing this, I admire pretty much everyone there, never expected to see such a collection in an awesome art form. Many respects dude.

    ReplyDelete
  40. AnonymousJune 04, 2012

    I'm so tired of people on the Internet claiming that everybody owes them doing everything to please them. No women on the poster? Add them at once, you sexist pig! Also the author is racist (only single African American in the corner), offends the religious feelings of peope (most characters drawn are atheists), offends children rights (no children).
    I think girlwriteswhat could fit into this poster. She is both woman and an anti-feminist. What do you think of this champion of reason, "dear" feminists?

    ReplyDelete
  41. Why are people getting all bent out of shape over a personal admiration of other beings? Not everyone likes the same things, or has the same ideas. So, why is it that, when this man, this artist, decides to share his personal admiration for several other people, others jump down his throat, telling him who he should admire?
    Who he admires has absolutely no bearing on what kind of person Saejin is. He likes to make art, so he did. You may not like the people portrayed here, and that's fine. I don't like some of the people portrayed here, but I don't think I should threaten to burn this guy's house down over something as simple as an illustration. That's the kinda shit that happened back in the middle ages. I thought we would be beyond that by now.

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  42. AnonymousJune 06, 2012

    Wow, this is outstanding (both conceptually and artistically) - Very very nice.

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  43. This is amazingly brilliant!

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  44. AnonymousJune 08, 2012

    This is amazing work. It's now my wallpaper!
    To all of you bitching about who is and who isn't in the picture - grow up.
    This is a piece of art that he did very well and posted up for free download. It's not a statement of man vs woman or who deserves to be recognized vs who doesn't. Get off your high horses.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Beautiful work. I don't know all of the individuals you've chosen, but that's some good company.

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  46. AnonymousJune 12, 2012

    SO BRAVERY OMFG

    ReplyDelete
  47. AnonymousJune 18, 2012

    Why the fuck are people like Dawkins and Hitchens commanding the foreground. I mean at least you put Nietzsche "in" the picture, however to place him off to side while also neglecting to add in numerous other philosophical monoliths displays an utter lack of intellectual depth. "Derp lets make an image with revolutionary figures who promoted reason. Gotta make sure super important people like Dawkins, Hitchens, Tyson, Jilette, and Cleese make it into the picture." I mean those people are waayyy more important than the Greeks and the entirety of the modern existentialist movement. In fact you might as well go ahead and remove Nietzsche and insert the Reddit alien.

    ReplyDelete
  48. AnonymousJune 18, 2012

    @ Anonymous - Go draw a picture yourself. He obviously did it for his own enjoyment with people he admires, that he chose to represent in this picture, and he also said that he didn't even put all of them in.

    ReplyDelete
  49. AnonymousJune 18, 2012

    Only the important ones right, like Dawkins i.e. the Billy Graham of "reason".

    ReplyDelete
  50. nickelcurryJune 21, 2012

    Damn, that must have taken a long time. I love the cliff and the water splashing up, haha. Superhero intellect!

    I am kind of confused why people are upset with who is or isn't in the poster. Yea, it doesn't have everyone or maybe not the people that certain people would pick, but, guys, it wasn't made for you to hang on your wall or to showcase who everyone should admire. It just showcases some of the people that the artist admires and was made in his own time for his own fun. If you like these guys, great, you can stick it on your wall. If not, well, tough. An artist doesn't have to make something for everyone.

    ANYWAY.

    Goddamn, Jin, stop being so awesome for just a bit, okay? And, also, I haven't seen you in a long, long time and I don't even know if you're back in Canada. Or maybe you've moved to space? I am a bad person, but hope your life is grand. :C CARRY ON.

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  51. AnonymousJune 25, 2012

    Le strong. the le kill XDD

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  52. AnonymousJune 28, 2012

    Holy cow! I think that's Grappling Ignorance next to John Cleese!

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  53. AnonymousJuly 17, 2012

    Art is subjective, assholes. This is the artist's interpretation. Don't like it? Tough darts.

    I, for one would gladly pay for a framed print. For now it is my new desktop :)

    ReplyDelete
  54. I just ordered a print of your drawing alongside a lot of awesome quotes ranging from Nietzsche to Einstein to improve the decoration of my company's offices. Thanks for sharing, your drawing is also my wallpaper :)

    I just thought you might like to know your awesome art has made it as far as Argentina.

    http://phanta-soft.com

    Once I put them up, I'll send you a few pics of the office so you can see how it looks.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Magnificent work, but... ¿can you do one with the great women of reason?

    Marie Curie, Hypatia of Alexandria, Lise Meitner, Lady Ada Lovelace, Rachel Carson, Margaret Mead, Rosalind Franklin , Mary Leakey, Jane Goodall, Grace Murray Hopper, Lyn Margullis, Barbara McClintock, Caroline Herschel, Margaret Cavendish, Maria Goeppert-Mayer...

    It would be a great companion for your work :)

    ReplyDelete
  56. It looks like some smartass didn't like your work: http://www.discasting.net/champions-of-reason/
    I don't agree with him at all. And I don't believe that he's an atheist. If he was he wouldn't dislike it that SO much as he apparently does. Jerk.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Meh. It doesn't worry me. Don't let it get to you either.
      His point would have a grain of merit if the art was commissioned by church/state/organization, but he's essentially telling people (or just me in this case) to stop expressing themselves.

      I only wonder how he can get through the day without dying of rage knowing that millions and billions of people express their interest through art and visual mediums. Heh.

      Delete
  57. Greetings. Thank you Saejin Oh, but could you tell me where exactly I demand anyone stop expressing themselves or anything like that? In fact I was thrilled in positive way to find this picture. Especially because it visualized this certain kind of atheism/skepticism that I have encountered many times before. So instead of telling anyone stop anything, I wish exactly the opposite. I wish more atheist kitsch to be reviewed!

    Btw, I also used my freedom of expression when I did my analysis. And I believe that the rules shall be the same for everyone. I'm not sure about how many others think so. Ridiculousness is often critized and laughed in religious artwork, so why anyone should leave it alone when the same effect is found from atheistic/skeptic art? At least I can't imagine any reason (sic!).

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  58. Penn Jillete, the guy who claims climate change is a hoax? And Michio Kaku- have you seen some of his nutty comments about 911 and UFOs?

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  59. I use this on my facebook page, but not knowing the name of the piece I titled it "The REAL League of Extraordinary Gentlemen"

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  60. Hey, I love this picture! :) It's a perfect cover photo for Facebook and I gave you credit, of course. Thank you for creating some awesome artwork~

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  61. Recognized all of the gentlemen. Stunning work as well as an awesome idea.

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  62. This is a very brave image.

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  63. I could see these geniuses on a superhero-like cartoon.
    I mean, it's too awesome of an image.

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  64. Where can I buy a large canvas?

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  65. Hello! Do you regularly use online social communities?

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  66. Wow, Nietzsche looks so awesome! Please make 16:9 version!

    For everyone asking saying there should be a woman. Who? Yes there are a lot of female scientists, but that is clearly not what this is about(Penn, John Cleese, and George Carlin are also up there). The only woman I can think of who even comes close is Harriet Hall, but she is not in the same league as any of them. Oh, I'm also a woman.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ayaan Hirsi Ali. Definitely in this league.

      Delete
  67. How exactly is Nietzsche a 'champion of reason'?

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  68. Thank you so much. Awesome.

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  69. This is a ruddy brilliant drawing!! Well done!

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  70. Brilliant!
    Very flattering portraits, and why not!
    Would like to have seen Sam Harris and Bill Maher included, but hey, gotta draw the line somewhere.

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  71. this is great... its my wallpaper now... thanks

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  72. This.. this is epic :O Thank you so much! And for the availability to print it :D

    How about an even wider version with more faces?

    ReplyDelete