Now the crazies are frothing about comet Ison
Discussion
Sigh. In the wake of the whole 2012 hype and subsequent non-event, it's becoming depressingly clear that the crazies are now going to latch on to ANYTHING that comes even remotely close to us as "proof" of everything from Nibiru to Biblical prophecy. First is was 2012 DA14, then the Urals meteorite, now YouTube is aflap with people claiming Ison is the end of the world, no, honest, it really is this time. Despite being a lump of ice getting no closer than 63 million km, it's apparently going to cause tidal waves, pole shifts and the Second Coming. I despair. There's so much fascinating science information to be found completely free of charge online, yet so many people seem content to latch onto these bats
t insane ideas in the belief it makes them open minded. It's genuinely depressing 
t insane ideas in the belief it makes them open minded. It's genuinely depressing Simpo Two said:
I think it's the modern equivalent of superstition. Superstitions spread quickly among the ignorant and can cause harm if left to run (eg burning of witches) when leaders emerge.
This is the thing that depresses me. They are picking this nonsense up from the internet, so access to information clearly isn't the issue. It just bugs me that people have the ability to search for information only to latch onto such garbage when the real world of astronomy and cosmology is so rich a subject. It took all of 30 seconds to find details about the closest approach of Ison, not to mention actual footage of it, yet people are now all over YouTube regurgitating Mayan prophecy and all manner of other toss. The fact the whole alternative media and conspirosphere are exploiting the naivety is the properly depressing thing.Read through a few of the various claims, people are experts once they have found out that typing a few symbols into a search engine makes them instant experts. Then they get followers with the same bent, these reinforce the delusion. You don't have to look far for examples. For these the internet is the same as a town hall meeting for the village idiots.
Unfortunately the internet will not allow them to be ignored. The internet empowers some of them. Imagine a whole day at a David Icke conference..... you have to be a bit convinced to swallow that lot.
Unfortunately the internet will not allow them to be ignored. The internet empowers some of them. Imagine a whole day at a David Icke conference..... you have to be a bit convinced to swallow that lot.
I will soon me launching my Isonmatic self-erecting mylar shelter with lead lining. Guaranteed to keep comet influence away. Don't delay!...be first on your street for the surprisingly affordable way to protect your family. The first hundred customers can have their Isonmatics for only $99.99. Guaranteed for life.
It's worth thinking about when the Great Russian Meteorite came in.
Chelyabinsk is on the 55th parallel, where Newcastle lies. They have similar populations, about 1 million people but while Chelyabinsk is surrounded by tundra, Newcastle is surround by similar conurbations. If the GRM had come in just four hours later, it would have exploded above the Tyne, and the damage would have been much greater as there is more to damage there.
Thirteen hours later and it would have got Quebec. The Canadians don't have nuclear missiles, but the Americans sure do, so another eight minutes later and the Alaskans would be reaching for the Red Button. Sarah Palin would have.
John
Chelyabinsk is on the 55th parallel, where Newcastle lies. They have similar populations, about 1 million people but while Chelyabinsk is surrounded by tundra, Newcastle is surround by similar conurbations. If the GRM had come in just four hours later, it would have exploded above the Tyne, and the damage would have been much greater as there is more to damage there.
Thirteen hours later and it would have got Quebec. The Canadians don't have nuclear missiles, but the Americans sure do, so another eight minutes later and the Alaskans would be reaching for the Red Button. Sarah Palin would have.
John
Sort of.
Many people feel a need for super-natural explanations or they don't want to trust science and rational thinking.
With the more "orthodox" traditional religions (which often did - and still do - satisfy peoples' "spiritual" needs) seemingly in decline, many are drawn to even more "wacky" belief systems.
Many people feel a need for super-natural explanations or they don't want to trust science and rational thinking.
With the more "orthodox" traditional religions (which often did - and still do - satisfy peoples' "spiritual" needs) seemingly in decline, many are drawn to even more "wacky" belief systems.
hornet said:
Sigh. In the wake of the whole 2012 hype and subsequent non-event, it's becoming depressingly clear that the crazies are now going to latch on to ANYTHING that comes even remotely close to us as "proof" of everything from Nibiru to Biblical prophecy. First is was 2012 DA14, then the Urals meteorite, now YouTube is aflap with people claiming Ison is the end of the world, no, honest, it really is this time. Despite being a lump of ice getting no closer than 63 million km, it's apparently going to cause tidal waves, pole shifts and the Second Coming. I despair. There's so much fascinating science information to be found completely free of charge online, yet so many people seem content to latch onto these batst insane ideas in the belief it makes them open minded. It's genuinely depressing
Just wait until this disseminates....t insane ideas in the belief it makes them open minded. It's genuinely depressing http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news178.html
I don't think it is any worse now than it's ever been. If anything, it is better. When I was born, baby-boomer, there was a religious revival, presumably brought about by the war. But over a few years, probably less than a dozen, there was a reversal. I suppose some bloke, wanting to earn a few bucks, will write a book on the reasons, but there was a feeling of inevitability at the time.
One part of my family, all aged females, were catholic bead worriers and there was great concern when Sputnik first went up as it would bother god. There were sermons about it. The state church lost its authority, lost its way and, most tellingly, lost its believers. The catholic church went the same way in this country but its taken a lot longer in Ireland for instance.
If these people, who need to believe in things greater than themselves, in magic, in superstition, have gone onto worrying about the occasional asteroid impact, which if truth be told is going to arrive a lot sooner than the second coming (oh! I remember those days of second comings) then so be it. It seems to me to be a lot, lot safer than having some massive organisation, with seats in parliament, and in Ireland having a constitutional say in day to day government, being paid by them. At least it is now only Sky internet, the great Dark Force. The internet is a safe place for them to voice their opinions. Much better than them restricting scientific debate and experimentation for silly reasons.
There have always been crazies. Mrs Dutch, who lived across the road from me, believed that every baby girl who was born with a 'visible' mole (can there be an invisible mole and, if so, how would one know) was evil and should be put in a home. She used to give sort of seances to which a dozen or so would go every week. This sort of thing happened in every street, in every town.
Praise all the one true gods for the internet. Keeps these wierdos off the street.
One part of my family, all aged females, were catholic bead worriers and there was great concern when Sputnik first went up as it would bother god. There were sermons about it. The state church lost its authority, lost its way and, most tellingly, lost its believers. The catholic church went the same way in this country but its taken a lot longer in Ireland for instance.
If these people, who need to believe in things greater than themselves, in magic, in superstition, have gone onto worrying about the occasional asteroid impact, which if truth be told is going to arrive a lot sooner than the second coming (oh! I remember those days of second comings) then so be it. It seems to me to be a lot, lot safer than having some massive organisation, with seats in parliament, and in Ireland having a constitutional say in day to day government, being paid by them. At least it is now only Sky internet, the great Dark Force. The internet is a safe place for them to voice their opinions. Much better than them restricting scientific debate and experimentation for silly reasons.
There have always been crazies. Mrs Dutch, who lived across the road from me, believed that every baby girl who was born with a 'visible' mole (can there be an invisible mole and, if so, how would one know) was evil and should be put in a home. She used to give sort of seances to which a dozen or so would go every week. This sort of thing happened in every street, in every town.
Praise all the one true gods for the internet. Keeps these wierdos off the street.
Derek Smith said:
Praise all the one true gods for the internet. Keeps these wierdos off the street.
If only..... there is a dispute over a TV licence. The hearing is in a few days time. The defendant (?) is a 11/9 believer and using it to get out of paying (BBC not presenting the facts). They are using it to kick up a stink... might be three or four of them on the street outside holding up placards.... "careful now" "down with this sort of thing"I vote a drive by super soakering.
I vote - leave everyone to their own belief systems.
I have a lot of time for people who really and truly do believe in and live proper Christian values - whether they are real Christians or people who behave like one.
I have little time for those who foist their belief systems on others or believe that those who believe in something different are necessarilly wrong. Although I will hapilly engage in any sort of spiritual discussion with anybody - as long as the discussion remains civil.
I have a lot of time for people who really and truly do believe in and live proper Christian values - whether they are real Christians or people who behave like one.
I have little time for those who foist their belief systems on others or believe that those who believe in something different are necessarilly wrong. Although I will hapilly engage in any sort of spiritual discussion with anybody - as long as the discussion remains civil.
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