Topic: Why Smart People Believe Weird Things
Krimsa's photo
Thu 02/12/09 03:35 AM
Edited by Krimsa on Thu 02/12/09 03:54 AM
Yet isnt it interesting that individuals who we might otherwise consider bright or intelligent (at least by society's standards of what constitutes intelligence) to hold stupid or "strange" beliefs . Whether or not someone decides that the beliefs of another are stupid and/or strange are totally subjective. I have that right. I also have the ability to be discerning and to decide for myself what I consider valid or a load hooey. The issue I have with Creationism is that it is clung to "in spite" of the credible evidence that supports its demise and relegation to that of standard creation mythology. .

Citizen_Joe's photo
Thu 02/12/09 05:04 AM

I personally feel Creationism is dumb. Sorry. That is my right.


Debating catastrophism vs evolution isn't nearly as appealing as waiting for next halloween photos with you in another cat costume. More whiskers please. laugh

no photo
Thu 02/12/09 07:08 AM


I personally feel Creationism is dumb. Sorry. That is my right.


Debating catastrophism vs evolution isn't nearly as appealing as waiting for next halloween photos with you in another cat costume. More whiskers please. laugh
HAHA. :thumbsup:

no photo
Thu 02/12/09 07:48 AM
Believing in weird things helps invent new ideas to create great inventions.

Although sometimes accidents do happen to create new inventions.

Amazing how each individual brain functions in its own way. Some better then others as some work extrodinarily great but cannot do simple tasks.

The study of the brain is a subject by itself that takes pages and pages of discussion.

I know of a lady who invented the lazor lie detector for the FBI. She banked millions for the idea. Drives around in a Bentley, lives in a penthouse with the view of the ocean and doesn't have to work anymore.

In the long run one good idea can change your life! What are you waiting for? Do it!

Have fun while you are at it.

I going to test my mechanical automated ass slapper with four wheels on it.laugh

no photo
Thu 02/12/09 08:13 AM
Edited by Jeanniebean on Thu 02/12/09 08:14 AM
The whole point in finding people who agree with your view would be moot if all the people you could find were dumb people or people with no education..

But if you found a bunch of intelligent scientists with Ph.D's to agree with you, then you might be more convincing or at the very least get more respect.

But where authorities are concerned, do you believe every book ever printed? Do you believe every book ever written just because it is called "non fiction?"

Most people would say, "of course not."

Then why do people believe ancient scriptures?

Just because they are old?

My intelligence tells me that is not a good enough reason.


Atlantis75's photo
Thu 02/12/09 08:28 AM
Back in the 17th century, it was claimed and "proven" by scholars and researchers, that "it is impossible" to travel faster than riding on a horse, because above the speed of 30miles/hr, the humans would suffer serious health problems, due to speed. Anyone who claimed, that you can go twice as fast as a horse or more, was claimed insane and unreliable.

Back in the 18th century, it was "proven" with birds and bats
that anything heavier than the largest flying birds (vultures) is impossible for flight. Therefore humans and heavier objects could never be able to lift off from the ground. Anyone who claimed otherwise was labeled as insane and "unscientific".

Hmm?

It's human nature to search for the unknown. This is why we advance. Anything that seems "weird" or out of ordinary fascinate people and want to know more about it.

Here is the proof:

What sounds more interesting to you?

- learning about a piece of rock with all the known substances
-learning about a piece of rock with unknown substances, that we don't even have on Earth?




no photo
Thu 02/12/09 11:28 AM
Edited by Bushidobillyclub on Thu 02/12/09 11:37 AM
To me its not a matter of whether its more interesting to learn about foreign substances and minerals in a rock, then how you determine they are foreign.

Methodology is very important to rational conclusions.

I am willing to except some incredible things, after all I am a student of physics I find QM most fascinating of all. Intellectual honesty requires that I hold my conclusions of why these things are weird due to the lack of proper analysis and lack of skill in using the advanced tools as well as the lack of advanced mathematics to model the outcomes that support such a conclusion. This is the same reason most professional physicist who do have excellent skills using our current tools and vast knowledge of the research also hold there conclusions in reserve, because the math to model it isn't there yet, the tools to find the supporting evidence for the various conclusions doesn't exist yet.

How we came to accept that particles can actually be entangled is through experiment, observation, and mathematical modeling.

If your conclusion as to why this behavior is such does not engage with proper analysis and make use the advanced tools (that dont currently exist) at the disposal of modern society, AND its outside of what is widely held as true, then you have a long road to convince me.

This is why science uses peer review and scrutinizes EVERY variable, and why it takes years and sometimes decades to overturn, or change the traditional accepted truths.

Its not being closed minded, its due diligence.

davidben1's photo
Thu 02/12/09 01:15 PM
a group of members of a company sat around a table, as the one at the head of the table asked for new ideas of how to keep chips from crumbling and breaking during shipping and distribution......

one said aloud, "why don't we use a tennis ball can"???

the room erupted with laughter, until the wise one at the head of the table raised the hand...

"what is so wierd and funny about that", was asked???

"perhaps we have a great idea here, perhpas we don't, but nothing greater is ever known, if one at first discount all that itself think is wierd"???

the pringle potato chip company became and still holds one of the largest stakes in the potato chip market to this day.....

a paraphrased true story......

peace


no photo
Thu 02/12/09 07:24 PM

a group of members of a company sat around a table, as the one at the head of the table asked for new ideas of how to keep chips from crumbling and breaking during shipping and distribution......

one said aloud, "why don't we use a tennis ball can"???

the room erupted with laughter, until the wise one at the head of the table raised the hand...

"what is so wierd and funny about that", was asked???

"perhaps we have a great idea here, perhpas we don't, but nothing greater is ever known, if one at first discount all that itself think is wierd"???

the pringle potato chip company became and still holds one of the largest stakes in the potato chip market to this day.....

a paraphrased true story......

peace


Excellent post David.

We should always be reminded that weird ideas can be the next great idea, after all the strange is just that which we know little about.
What should follow is a serious consideration which entails effort and proper logical reasoning while being mindful of fallacious pitfalls and poisoned logic.


davidben1's photo
Thu 02/12/09 07:28 PM


a group of members of a company sat around a table, as the one at the head of the table asked for new ideas of how to keep chips from crumbling and breaking during shipping and distribution......

one said aloud, "why don't we use a tennis ball can"???

the room erupted with laughter, until the wise one at the head of the table raised the hand...

"what is so wierd and funny about that", was asked???

"perhaps we have a great idea here, perhpas we don't, but nothing greater is ever known, if one at first discount all that itself think is wierd"???

the pringle potato chip company became and still holds one of the largest stakes in the potato chip market to this day.....

a paraphrased true story......

peace


Excellent post David.

We should always be reminded that weird ideas can be the next great idea, after all the strange is just that which we know little about.
What should follow is a serious consideration which entails effort and proper logical reasoning while being mindful of fallacious pitfalls and poisoned logic.




to deny another's reality soon limit one's own to misery???

Citizen_Joe's photo
Thu 02/12/09 08:55 PM
Edited by Citizen_Joe on Thu 02/12/09 08:55 PM

How we came to accept that particles can actually be entangled is through experiment, observation, and mathematical modeling.


Extrapolating from one hypothesis to form a theory which causes you to form another hypothesis and get others to co-write a publication, a miracle occurs, and suddenly you've come up with an axiom, which has no basis in fact, but you can then write a book about it and say how brilliant you are, right? Oh wait. that's the guy in the wheel chair. Wrong genius. Sorry. laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh



no photo
Thu 02/12/09 09:11 PM


How we came to accept that particles can actually be entangled is through experiment, observation, and mathematical modeling.


Extrapolating from one hypothesis to form a theory which causes you to form another hypothesis and get others to co-write a publication, a miracle occurs, and suddenly you've come up with an axiom, which has no basis in fact, but you can then write a book about it and say how brilliant you are, right? Oh wait. that's the guy in the wheel chair. Wrong genius. Sorry. laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh



You could just come out and say it. What ever it might be. That would be more productive.

Maybe detail what
which has no basis in fact

is in reference to . . .

Then we would be heading somewhere for a potential conversation. :wink:

Citizen_Joe's photo
Thu 02/12/09 09:34 PM
It wasn't intended as conversation. Merely bantering about, and adding a bit of humor to what many now consider science fact without basis in anything other than ideas without a single useful purpose. So, more or a parody or a paradox, depending on your perspective.

freeonthree's photo
Thu 02/12/09 09:35 PM

:tongue: If a person tells me that they don't believe in the Draconians then they pretty much lose all credibility with me:tongue:


drinker Right on !

no photo
Fri 02/13/09 11:24 AM
Edited by Bushidobillyclub on Fri 02/13/09 11:25 AM

It wasn't intended as conversation. Merely bantering about, and adding a bit of humor to what many now consider science fact without basis in anything other than ideas without a single useful purpose. So, more or a parody or a paradox, depending on your perspective.
Well then this is merely a throw away comment with no basis, why would anyone agree with you when you do not even have an example for your comment?

Are we supposed to guess? Your comment seemed to be in reference to my comment about quantum entanglement. Are you saying that this is fiction, that scientists made this up?

What exactly are you saying? Sounds like you have beef somewhere, but either are not confident enough in your knowledge to present it, or just like to stir the pot.

no photo
Fri 02/13/09 11:38 AM
Edited by Jeanniebean on Fri 02/13/09 11:39 AM


It wasn't intended as conversation. Merely bantering about, and adding a bit of humor to what many now consider science fact without basis in anything other than ideas without a single useful purpose. So, more or a parody or a paradox, depending on your perspective.
Well then this is merely a throw away comment with no basis, why would anyone agree with you when you do not even have an example for your comment?

Are we supposed to guess? Your comment seemed to be in reference to my comment about quantum entanglement. Are you saying that this is fiction, that scientists made this up?

What exactly are you saying? Sounds like you have beef somewhere, but either are not confident enough in your knowledge to present it, or just like to stir the pot.



Actually, yes I took it that he meant that quantum entanglement is fiction. I agree that it is. Bravo!

How we came to accept that particles can actually be entangled is through experiment, observation, and mathematical modeling.



Above you say "how we came to accept..." you did not say: "How we discovered, or How we proved..."

Through experiment and observation .. they came up with a possible theory with a fancy name. Oh! These particles must be "entangled."

The only possible answer? To those with no other ideas.. probably.

That is exactly how I came up with the theory that non-human intelligent life (aliens) were creating crop circles. And I was told I had no proof and that my theory was "weird."

Well I assert that "quantum entanglement" of "particles" is a weird idea since they have not even found or been able to measure an actual particle.

There is an "entanglement" of some kind, but it is not of "particles." it is vibrations and frequencies emanating from what scientists are calling "a particle" which is probably a black hole that gives out and sucks in, energy into its vortex.








davidben1's photo
Fri 02/13/09 01:53 PM
when it is seen the cosmos is a black hole, and each galaxie is a black hole, and each universe is a black hole, and each star is a black hole, and each world is a black hole, and each human is a black hole upon it's arse, then it come to see see???

nothing is created into more until it collapse inward upon itself???

the human mind has no conception of how to operate in a realm outside of it's own, so nothing within the realm it exist in has the informatiomn it need to travel forward into and out of time???

the feet that tire and the mind that weary of thought find all it ever fought but sought???








no photo
Fri 02/13/09 03:48 PM
Edited by Bushidobillyclub on Fri 02/13/09 03:53 PM



It wasn't intended as conversation. Merely bantering about, and adding a bit of humor to what many now consider science fact without basis in anything other than ideas without a single useful purpose. So, more or a parody or a paradox, depending on your perspective.
Well then this is merely a throw away comment with no basis, why would anyone agree with you when you do not even have an example for your comment?

Are we supposed to guess? Your comment seemed to be in reference to my comment about quantum entanglement. Are you saying that this is fiction, that scientists made this up?

What exactly are you saying? Sounds like you have beef somewhere, but either are not confident enough in your knowledge to present it, or just like to stir the pot.



Actually, yes I took it that he meant that quantum entanglement is fiction. I agree that it is. Bravo!

How we came to accept that particles can actually be entangled is through experiment, observation, and mathematical modeling.



Above you say "how we came to accept..." you did not say: "How we discovered, or How we proved..."

Through experiment and observation .. they came up with a possible theory with a fancy name. Oh! These particles must be "entangled."

The only possible answer? To those with no other ideas.. probably.

That is exactly how I came up with the theory that non-human intelligent life (aliens) were creating crop circles. And I was told I had no proof and that my theory was "weird."

Well I assert that "quantum entanglement" of "particles" is a weird idea since they have not even found or been able to measure an actual particle.

There is an "entanglement" of some kind, but it is not of "particles." it is vibrations and frequencies emanating from what scientists are calling "a particle" which is probably a black hole that gives out and sucks in, energy into its vortex.








The fact you say there is an entanglement of something already defies your statement. "fiction. I agree that it is."

You guys do not even understand your own use of words, why should anyone take the time to try to even engage in conversation with this kind of thinking?

If any kind of effect exists where particles interactions can be described by the word "entanglement" would remove it from the realm of fiction regardless of the actual effect . . .

tsk tsk . . . . such weak reasoning. I didn't even have to explain the effect to show the fault in this line of thinking . . .

The facts are that modern technology makes use of these effects. You can poo poo it all you want but your life is made better by our knowledge of this allegedly fictional effect.


Fiction: fictional - fabricated: formed or conceived by the imagination; "a fabricated excuse for his absence"; "a fancied wrong"; "a fictional character"

Fact: An honest observation; Something actual as opposed to invented; Something which has become real; Something concrete used as a basis for further ...

no photo
Fri 02/13/09 04:32 PM
Edited by Jeanniebean on Fri 02/13/09 04:34 PM

The fact you say there is an entanglement of something already defies your statement. "fiction. I agree that it is."

You guys do not even understand your own use of words, why should anyone take the time to try to even engage in conversation with this kind of thinking?

If any kind of effect exists where particles interactions can be described by the word "entanglement" would remove it from the realm of fiction regardless of the actual effect .

tsk tsk . . . . such weak reasoning. I didn't even have to explain the effect to show the fault in this line of thinking . . .

The facts are that modern technology makes use of these effects. You can poo poo it all you want but your life is made better by our knowledge of this allegedly fictional effect.


I'm not poo pooing it Billy. Of course they use the word "entanglement" because they don't like to use the word "connected."

There is not much difference between the two, but when I say that everything is "connected" for some reason I get "poo poed" whats that all about?

When you consider that if you could untangle those "entanglements," it is very likely the universe would fall apart. So just admit that it is all connected.


Fiction: fictional - fabricated: formed or conceived by the imagination; "a fabricated excuse for his absence"; "a fancied wrong"; "a fictional character"

Fact: An honest observation; Something actual as opposed to invented; Something which has become real; Something concrete used as a basis for further ...



I don't think dictionary definitions are sufficient when contemplating philosophical ideas of what is real and what is fictional or of what the nature or fundamental power of imagination is.

You are analytical, earth bound, mental, and logical within a certain framework. It keeps you grounded. But you cannot embrace infinity and the nature of reality inside of that box.

Fictional: "Formed or conceived by the imagination."

(Billy, I have to say that EVERYTHING in existence was formed and conceived by the imagination, therefore, by this definition, everything must be fictional.)


"Something which has become real.".... .. (What? ..as apposed to not having been real at one time?)

"Something actual as apposed to invented." (Actual meaning agreed upon as being real absent any observer? Is that even possible?)

huh


davidben1's photo
Fri 02/13/09 07:11 PM
what was called as fiction is later ALWAYS CREATED, but what be created NEXT is never SEEN until all that is NOW is seen as real???

the infinite cannot become less the finite be passed away???

to embrace the opposite of the natural sight open the portals of whole sight that see all???

to pass out of time only be first the passing away of the care of time???

the eternal is without begin and end and be within, and cannot be unleashed till there is no care if self begin or end???