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Orpheus
Skeptic Friend
92 Posts |
 Posted - 02/24/2003 : 03:58:14
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It seems that astrology has pervasively insinuated itself into popular culture. Every magazine and newspaper seems to have an astrology column, and if I had a dollar for everytime somebody told me their star sign as a way of explaining their behaviour, I'd be rich, very rich.
How can skeptics counter this sort of brain-numbing trend? What to say to people who feel comfortable to categorise their (and your) behaviour based on this sort of nonsense?
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Find your own damned answers! |
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Dr. Mabuse
Septic Fiend
Sweden
9688 Posts |
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Infamous
Skeptic Friend
85 Posts |
 Posted - 02/24/2003 : 10:55:15 [Permalink]
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Much of astrology is just for entertainment.
It's interesting that there are actually 13 constellations for possible signs but they don't use one.
The 13th is Ophiuchus and would only be the sign for one day. I happen to be born on that day. Horoscope people usually put me in with Scorpio (which *should* be Scorpius) or Sagittarius.
It can't be all that accurate if I'm a Scorpio to some people and a Sagittarius to others...and the sun was in neither constellation the day I was born. |
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Slater
SFN Regular
USA
1668 Posts |
Posted - 02/24/2003 : 10:57:06 [Permalink]
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Well astrology does make perfect sense.
If Jupiter, Venus, Mars et al are actual Gods, and if the constellations are the actual heroes and villains of the classical Mediterranean placed on the solid dome of the sky that is three to seven miles over our heads then OF COURSE their interactions are going to affect us, silly.
Isn't the constellation Lyra your own instrument that your dad, Apollo, gave to you that almost enabled you to bring Eurydice back from Hades?
You are THE Orpheus, aren't you? Whatever happened with those Nymphs pulling off your head? That musta hurt.
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Dr. Mabuse
Septic Fiend
Sweden
9688 Posts |
Posted - 02/24/2003 : 13:11:21 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by Infamous
Much of astrology is just for entertainment.
It's interesting that there are actually 13 constellations for possible signs but they don't use one.
The 13th is Ophiuchus and would only be the sign for one day. I happen to be born on that day. Horoscope people usually put me in with Scorpio (which *should* be Scorpius) or Sagittarius.
It can't be all that accurate if I'm a Scorpio to some people and a Sagittarius to others...and the sun was in neither constellation the day I was born.
There are two main variants of astrology, depending on how you choose to interpret the signs. Sidereal system and tropical system. So, Orpheus, if you meet one who say they believe in astrology, ask them which system they use.
Tropical (the popular one in the newspapers with twelve signs equally distributed over the year) is obviously just for entertainment.
The Sidereal system (is pseudo-scientific, and) takes into account that different signs have different sizes, and the suns relative position etc.
As Infamous points out, this creates conflicts between different systems. Astrologers don't agree on the interpretation system either.
As for science: The only influence other planets have on us is by two known forces: gravitational force and electromagnetic force. Gravitational force from planets are so ludicrously small that it makes bigger differences if the midwife was fat or slim.
And since most deliveries are made indoors, the electromagnetic radiation from Venus is easily by several magnitudes outmatched by a single candle.
That leaves only: Mystical force.
Ever since Man started to figure out how nature works, Man has discovered and quantified: Gravitation, electricity, magnetism, time, weak and strong nuclear force. All of these has been found to have a strong impact on our daily lives. If this mystical force had existed, then someone would have found out a way to measure it.
Astrology is a weird way of viewing the world. On one side, there is determinism: By knowing your initial state (your birth) we can calculate your future. At the same time, believing in the supernatural, that planets have a mystical influence on our lives.
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Dave W.
Info Junkie
USA
26022 Posts |
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walt fristoe
SFN Regular
USA
505 Posts |
Posted - 02/24/2003 : 18:39:03 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by Orpheus
It seems that astrology has pervasively insinuated itself into popular culture. Every magazine and newspaper seems to have an astrology column, and if I had a dollar for everytime somebody told me their star sign as a way of explaining their behaviour, I'd be rich, very rich.
How can skeptics counter this sort of brain-numbing trend? What to say to people who feel comfortable to categorise their (and your) behaviour based on this sort of nonsense?
This site goes far in explaining why things like astrology are so popular. |
"If God chose George Bus of all the people in the world, how good could God be?"
Bill Maher |
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mingofmongo
New Member
4 Posts |
Posted - 03/17/2003 : 02:27:18 [Permalink]
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I think it was Carl Sagen who said that there are more astrologers practicing today than there ever were astronomers throughout time.
That pretty much sums up the reason why skeptics play for the loosing team. Another good one - this time from the famous con-man Yellow Kid Weil - "The suckers WANT to be taken." |
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Dr. Mabuse
Septic Fiend
Sweden
9688 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2003 : 15:48:23 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by mingofmongo
I think it was Carl Sagen who said that there are more astrologers practicing today than there ever were astronomers throughout time.
Scary, isn't it?
quote:
That pretty much sums up the reason why skeptics play for the loosing team. Another good one - this time from the famous con-man Yellow Kid Weil - "The suckers WANT to be taken."
This is even more scary.
What team do you play for?
And do you think it's right that suckers should be taken?
I play with the skeptics. I play to win. And I hate people taking advantage of the weak.
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Dr. Mabuse - "When the going gets tough, the tough get Duct-tape..."
Dr. Mabuse whisper.mp3
"Equivocation is not just a job, for a creationist it's a way of life..." Dr. Mabuse
Support American Troops in Iraq:
Send them unarmed civilians for target practice..
Collateralmurder. |
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