Crop Circles
POSTED BY: misbehaven
UPDATED: Friday, September 1, 2006 17:53
VIEWED: 5794
PAGE 2 of 4
Quote:
Originally posted by canttakesky:
I am familiar with that terminology. However, I take exception to it. It assumes that there are formations made with an intent to deceive, and formations that aren't. If we don't know who made them, how they were made, and why they were made, how can we assume that some were meant to deceive and others aren't? I would prefer different language to make the distinction, though I am not yet sure what.
I should have said that I object to the use of the word "fake."
I see your point, and I agree. The terminology is problematic, because the research is inconclusive and makes certain assumptions; however, they're probably finding it difficult to define properly as well.
"The only thing that will redeem mankind is cooperation."
-Bertrand Russell
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If you'll all permit a dip into somewhat bigoted cynicism, this topic highlights something I've been noticing more and more of. What I've noticed is that people will believe any damned thing!. And for many of them, once they believe, no amount of rational discourse will dissuade them. As long as there's a *chance* that magic is real, they'll cling to every scrap of evidence that 'confirms' it. Unfortunately a desperate desire for our fantasies to be real isn't enough to make them so.
SergeantX
"Dream a little dream or you can live a little dream. I'd rather live it, cause dreamers always chase but never get it." Aesop Rock
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Quote:
Originally posted by Finn mac Cumhal:
I already do most of that. It's not all it's cracked up to be. I suggest defining a new type of crop circle: the amorphous non-agrarian crop circle. That way I can research it from the comfort of my own front porch and when my neighbors complain about the patchy deadness of my lawn I can assure them it is for scientific posterity.
Shiny! If we're all just going to set on your front porch to study this phenomenon (notice I'm inviting myself and others), then I think we're going to need copious amounts of alcohol (have to stay hydrated), Hawaiian shirts, grapefruit (for vitamin C), and fly-swaters. All in the interest of science, of course.
"It never got weird enough for me." Hunter S. Thompson
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I guess some people just need to believe in something greater than themselves, so why not magic or aliens? It's as good a thing as any.
"The only thing that will redeem mankind is cooperation."
-Bertrand Russell
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Cool. It’ll be like one of those Corona commercials, except there’s no beach or palm trees, and no Corona, that stuff’s nasty.
Nihil est incertius vulgo, nihil obscurius voluntate hominum, nihil fallacius ratione tota comitiorum.
Nothing is more unpredictable than the mob, nothing more obscure than public opinion, nothing more deceptive than the whole political system.
-- Cicero
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Quote:There is a difference between believing in and being open to. I am open to just about any damn thing, but I generally hold out for evidence before endorsing a position. If I believe in something, such as God, I choose a belief for philosophical reasons. Otherwise, as a scientist, I try to avoid "believing in" things. Including positions claimed by scientists.
Originally posted by SergeantX:
What I've noticed is that people will believe any damned thing!.
However, just being open to any damn thing often results in accusations of gullibility, double standards, and other uncomplimentary comments. Oh the latest was something to the effect that I have an anti-establishment compulsion. Shrug.
So I am curious, what exactly annoys you? Is it that some people accept knowledge beyond empiricism and rationalism? Or simply that they subscribe to ideas that you find utterly ridiculous? Dogmatism? No offense meant. I have a lot of respect for the rational and intelligent comments you have made, and was just wondering, what are you really peeved by?
Can't Take My Gorram Sky
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Quote:
So, what are your thoughts? Is it E.T.'s, government weapons testing, pranksters with boards and garden rollers, or something altogether different?
Not ET's, for certain. Weapons testing ? My guess is the latter - pranksters w/ boards and garden rollers.
People love a happy ending. So every episode, I will explain once again that I don't like people. And then Mal will shoot someone. Someone we like. And their puppy. - Joss
" They don't like it when you shoot at 'em. I worked that out myself. "
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Quote:
Originally posted by Finn mac Cumhal:
....and no Corona, that stuff’s nasty.
You mean the smell of dead skunk doesn't appeal to you? I'll tell you what. I'll bring some absinthe, King of Spirits Gold, that way we might actually see something. And fly-swaters for the bats. I'll leave the rest to you.
"I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me. "
-Hunter S. Thompson
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Quote:
Originally posted by AURaptor:
Not ET's, for certain.
Just curious, but why for certain?
It never got weird enough for me. -Hunter S. Thompson
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Quote:
Originally posted by canttakesky:
So I am curious, what exactly annoys you? Is it that some people accept knowledge beyond empiricism and rationalism? Or simply that they subscribe to ideas that you find utterly ridiculous? Dogmatism? No offense meant. I have a lot of respect for the rational and intelligent comments you have made, and was just wondering, what are you really peeved by?
Can't Take My Gorram Sky
Ahh... your insight is impressive. It's kind of complicated, but I'm working for a company that, in almost every way, is a really cool place to work. But at the heart of the CEO's vision for the company is a bunch of fruity-oaty 'transpersonal philosophy' models. He's structured the entire hierarchy of the company based on a system of 'levels' of development that assumes the preeminence of mysticism and 'higher' states of consciousness. (ie confirms his own new-age religious convictions)
It's not required that we overtly subscribe to this belief system, but the few people who've dared to mention that, perhaps, the emperor wears no clothes, have found themselves soon after looking for work. It's not the worst kind of oppression or anything like that, but the mandatory delusion wears on a person.
Anyway, in general I'm content to let people believe in whatever entertains them, but lately I've been more tempted to try to 'wake people up' a little. A pretty pointless endeavor I admit.
SergeantX
"Dream a little dream or you can live a little dream. I'd rather live it, cause dreamers always chase but never get it." Aesop Rock
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