Comments on: Shiny! http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/ I am an astronomer, writer, and skeptic. I likes reality the way it is, and I aims to keep it that way. My real name is Phil Plait, and I run the Bad Astronomy blog. Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:40:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Stone Age Scientist http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/comment-page-2/#comment-189443 Stone Age Scientist Sat, 06 Jun 2009 19:08:54 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/#comment-189443 Btw, I'd go for The Jellyfish anytime. Love that ship. (Trying my hand at inserting an image. I've seen other commenters do this. I'm not sure if it will work since this is my first try. Please bear if I do something wrong, Phil. Thanks.) <IMG SRC="http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/memoryalpha/en/images/b/bd/Jellyfish.jpg" ALT="jellyfish"> Btw, I’d go for The Jellyfish anytime. Love that ship. (Trying my hand at inserting an image. I’ve seen other commenters do this. I’m not sure if it will work since this is my first try. Please bear if I do something wrong, Phil. Thanks.)

jellyfish

]]> By: Stone Age Scientist http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/comment-page-2/#comment-189432 Stone Age Scientist Sat, 06 Jun 2009 18:27:08 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/#comment-189432 Hi Phil, I know this is way, way too late, but here goes: Heart of Gold (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy) 100% Babylon 5 (Babylon 5) 100% Moya (Farscape) 81% Galactica (Battlestar: Galactica) 75% Millennium Falcon (Star Wars) 75% Enterprise D (Star Trek) 75% Deep Space Nine (Star Trek) 75% FBI's X-Files Division (The X-Files) 69% SG-1 (Stargate) 69% Nebuchadnezzar (The Matrix) 56% Serenity (Firefly) 50% Bebop (Cowboy Bebop) 44% Andromeda Ascendant (Andromeda) 38% Ha! I always fancied myself living inside the Star Trek universe, whether it be Voyager or the Enterprise. Being a part of the Atlantis team in SGA isn't that bad, either. But I never thought that I'd fit best in Douglas Adams' universe. And well, I like Babylon 5 and Farscape, but personally I'd give these up to be a part of the Enterprise. And what of Serenity/Firefly? I like the shortlived series and the movie, too. I liked them so much that I even signed myself up as a Browncoat (that was way back in 2006 or 2007, I forget); not to mention that I gave each a glowing review at Amazon. I never write reviews unless something strong inside really compels me. Of course, the aim of the quiz is to place you where you wil most comfortably fit. Unfortunately, real adventures don't always work that way. Had Simon and River not met downtrodden luck, they would not have boarded Serenity to escape the central government. Okay, I should quit complaining and just be resigned to what fate has put me into. :) Hi Phil, I know this is way, way too late, but here goes:

Heart of Gold (Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy) 100%
Babylon 5 (Babylon 5) 100%
Moya (Farscape) 81%
Galactica (Battlestar: Galactica) 75%
Millennium Falcon (Star Wars) 75%
Enterprise D (Star Trek) 75%
Deep Space Nine (Star Trek) 75%
FBI’s X-Files Division (The X-Files) 69%
SG-1 (Stargate) 69%
Nebuchadnezzar (The Matrix) 56%
Serenity (Firefly) 50%
Bebop (Cowboy Bebop) 44%
Andromeda Ascendant (Andromeda) 38%

Ha! I always fancied myself living inside the Star Trek universe, whether it be Voyager or the Enterprise. Being a part of the Atlantis team in SGA isn’t that bad, either. But I never thought that I’d fit best in Douglas Adams’ universe. And well, I like Babylon 5 and Farscape, but personally I’d give these up to be a part of the Enterprise. And what of Serenity/Firefly? I like the shortlived series and the movie, too. I liked them so much that I even signed myself up as a Browncoat (that was way back in 2006 or 2007, I forget); not to mention that I gave each a glowing review at Amazon. I never write reviews unless something strong inside really compels me.

Of course, the aim of the quiz is to place you where you wil most comfortably fit. Unfortunately, real adventures don’t always work that way. Had Simon and River not met downtrodden luck, they would not have boarded Serenity to escape the central government. Okay, I should quit complaining and just be resigned to what fate has put me into. :)

]]> By: battlestar2007 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/comment-page-2/#comment-12327 battlestar2007 Tue, 24 Apr 2007 04:44:20 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/#comment-12327 It’s not just the crew, but the ship itself. Who cares what the crew is like, if you are the captain?! I found this funny comparison of the enterprise, battlestar, and falcon: http://www.outwardmotion.com/outwardmotion/starships.php It’s not just the crew, but the ship itself. Who cares what the crew is like, if you are the captain?!

I found this funny comparison of the enterprise, battlestar, and falcon:
http://www.outwardmotion.com/outwardmotion/starships.php

]]> By: UnorthodoxY » Blog Archive » Monday Afternoon Mixup http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/comment-page-2/#comment-12326 UnorthodoxY » Blog Archive » Monday Afternoon Mixup Mon, 13 Mar 2006 15:18:03 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/#comment-12326 [...] Animal Quiz found on Mental Nurse, Sci Fi one on Bad Astronomy Blog, the rest snagged from del.icio.us. [...] [...] Animal Quiz found on Mental Nurse, Sci Fi one on Bad Astronomy Blog, the rest snagged from del.icio.us. [...]

]]> By: Miral http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/comment-page-2/#comment-12322 Miral Wed, 08 Mar 2006 23:46:57 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/#comment-12322 My one was just full of ties. B5 and Stargate tied for first/second place, with Farscape and Firefly tied for third/fourth, with more further down. Maybe I'm just indecisive? :) My one was just full of ties. B5 and Stargate tied for first/second place, with Farscape and Firefly tied for third/fourth, with more further down. Maybe I’m just indecisive? :)

]]> By: Irishman http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/comment-page-2/#comment-12325 Irishman Tue, 07 Mar 2006 19:28:13 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/#comment-12325 The general principle is easy. They take the common character traits or conditions and express them as a question about personality. The more strongly agree, the more you rate to that show. Example: "You think machines are somehow out to get you." Strongly agreeing gets you in The Matrix. The more subtle issues involve traits that are shared across shows. For instance, "You have no problem working for the military." That could apply to Stargate SG-1, but also Babylon 5, and even DS9. So do they just count as 1 point for each, or is there a more subtle correlation - Strongly Agrees gets you on Stargate, but middle vote gets DS9, and the 4th position gets Babylon 5? Or is that question supposed to apply only to Stargate SG-1? The simple method would be each question is meant to address one show at a time, and any ambiguities are your problem. That's how the tie-breaker works - each question listed applies to one show, so which you pick is the most like you determines your assignment. Tom Said: >I took this test myself (Result: Nebuchadnezzar), but I thought the comments here would have more to do with the fact that the descriptions read a lot like astrology descriptions. The methodology for generating the questions is somewhat like astrology. They take the generic descriptions of conditions and phrase them as specific sounding questions. You think you're answering something unique, but it really applies to a broad spectrum of people. Also consider that many people are like me, and tend to avoid "strongly" answers on anything. I only had a few of those, mostly on questions like "I believe in telepathy. Most of the conditions apply to some degree to all of us. I wonder if those of you who were getting 100% were voting more "strongly" or more balanced answers. The general principle is easy. They take the common character traits or conditions and express them as a question about personality. The more strongly agree, the more you rate to that show. Example: “You think machines are somehow out to get you.” Strongly agreeing gets you in The Matrix.

The more subtle issues involve traits that are shared across shows. For instance, “You have no problem working for the military.” That could apply to Stargate SG-1, but also Babylon 5, and even DS9. So do they just count as 1 point for each, or is there a more subtle correlation – Strongly Agrees gets you on Stargate, but middle vote gets DS9, and the 4th position gets Babylon 5? Or is that question supposed to apply only to Stargate SG-1?

The simple method would be each question is meant to address one show at a time, and any ambiguities are your problem. That’s how the tie-breaker works – each question listed applies to one show, so which you pick is the most like you determines your assignment.

Tom Said:
>I took this test myself (Result: Nebuchadnezzar), but I thought the comments here would have more to do with the fact that the descriptions read a lot like astrology descriptions.

The methodology for generating the questions is somewhat like astrology. They take the generic descriptions of conditions and phrase them as specific sounding questions. You think you’re answering something unique, but it really applies to a broad spectrum of people. Also consider that many people are like me, and tend to avoid “strongly” answers on anything. I only had a few of those, mostly on questions like “I believe in telepathy. Most of the conditions apply to some degree to all of us.

I wonder if those of you who were getting 100% were voting more “strongly” or more balanced answers.

]]> By: Melusine http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/comment-page-2/#comment-12324 Melusine Tue, 07 Mar 2006 19:05:00 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/#comment-12324 <i>Tom says: but I thought the comments here would have more to do with the fact that the descriptions read a lot like astrology descriptions.</i> They seem like it in a way, but only as they relate to characters in these shows/movies they plug in. Personality tests work the same way, though they are much more indepth. This is just fun. If you play with it enough you can figure out the methodology behind it. Tom says:
but I thought the comments here would have more to do with the fact that the descriptions read a lot like astrology descriptions.

They seem like it in a way, but only as they relate to characters in these shows/movies they plug in. Personality tests work the same way, though they are much more indepth. This is just fun. If you play with it enough you can figure out the methodology behind it.

]]> By: Tom http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/comment-page-2/#comment-12323 Tom Tue, 07 Mar 2006 16:07:45 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/#comment-12323 I took this test myself (Result: Nebuchadnezzar), but I thought the comments here would have more to do with the fact that the descriptions read a lot like astrology descriptions. Has anyone set up one of these quizzes and know the mechanism of the quiz site (how th person setting the quiz does it)? I took this test myself (Result: Nebuchadnezzar), but I thought the comments here would have more to do with the fact that the descriptions read a lot like astrology descriptions.

Has anyone set up one of these quizzes and know the mechanism of the quiz site (how th person setting the quiz does it)?

]]> By: a Dark Matter Entity http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/comment-page-2/#comment-12321 a Dark Matter Entity Tue, 07 Mar 2006 04:00:22 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/#comment-12321 (...stupid blog ate half the post...) In DS9, it was revealed that the truth behind Roswell was...Quark. ;-) (…stupid blog ate half the post…)

In DS9, it was revealed that the truth behind Roswell was…Quark. ;-)

]]> By: a Dark Matter Entity http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/comment-page-2/#comment-12320 a Dark Matter Entity Tue, 07 Mar 2006 03:59:25 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/#comment-12320 >>I wasn’t sure what the author meant by Roswell being “fake”. I assumed I was being asked if Roswell involved an elaborate deception or cover-up. >>I wasn’t sure what the author meant by Roswell being “fake”. I assumed I was being asked if Roswell involved an elaborate deception or cover-up.

]]> By: Melusine http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/comment-page-2/#comment-12319 Melusine Mon, 06 Mar 2006 17:31:22 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/#comment-12319 <i>DIguana Says: It means that you’ll have no qualms against shooting a bounty hunter under the table when he’s pointing a gun at your head and has announced his intention to kill you, even if he has not fired first. </i> Hmm, in battle, he who hesitates loses. If someone is going to take money to kill me and mess with my ship, I'm certainly not going to stand around and talk about his miserable childhood. I don't like people stealing from my ship. (And Hans Solo had a soft side.) Thanks. DIguana Says:

It means that you’ll have no qualms against shooting a bounty hunter under the table when he’s pointing a gun at your head and has announced his intention to kill you, even if he has not fired first.

Hmm, in battle, he who hesitates loses. If someone is going to take money to kill me and mess with my ship, I’m certainly not going to stand around and talk about his miserable childhood. I don’t like people stealing from my ship. (And Hans Solo had a soft side.) Thanks.

]]> By: Irishman http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/comment-page-2/#comment-12318 Irishman Mon, 06 Mar 2006 16:58:01 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/#comment-12318 I was curious what would happen, so I picked all the middle answers. It gave me a Tie-breaker screen, with a small subset of the questions, and a radio-button selection - pick one. Then it assigns you to the appropriate ship/show, but all the percentages are 50%. I was curious what would happen, so I picked all the middle answers. It gave me a Tie-breaker screen, with a small subset of the questions, and a radio-button selection – pick one. Then it assigns you to the appropriate ship/show, but all the percentages are 50%.

]]> By: sapjes http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/comment-page-2/#comment-12317 sapjes Mon, 06 Mar 2006 08:19:17 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/#comment-12317 "You scored as Babylon 5 (Babylon 5). " But I wanna be on Serenity! :') “You scored as Babylon 5 (Babylon 5). ”

But I wanna be on Serenity! :’)

]]> By: Niku http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/comment-page-1/#comment-12316 Niku Mon, 06 Mar 2006 06:58:51 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/#comment-12316 You scored as Serenity (Firefly). You like to live your own way and don’t enjoy when anyone but a friend tries to tell you should do different. Now if only the Reavers would quit trying to skin you. Serenity (Firefly) 88% I smell a plot. You scored as Serenity (Firefly).
You like to live your own way and don’t enjoy when anyone but a friend tries to tell you should do different. Now if only the Reavers would quit trying to skin you.
Serenity (Firefly) 88%

I smell a plot.

]]> By: Michael Baker http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/comment-page-1/#comment-12315 Michael Baker Mon, 06 Mar 2006 04:24:14 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/#comment-12315 You scored as Deep Space Nine (Star Trek). I have no idea what this means... seems like I'm been cavorting with aliens my whole life! You scored as Deep Space Nine (Star Trek).

I have no idea what this means… seems like I’m been cavorting with aliens my whole life!

]]> By: ThinCritter http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/comment-page-1/#comment-12314 ThinCritter Mon, 06 Mar 2006 00:30:02 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/#comment-12314 Like wow, Myers Briggs in ( space ) sheeps clothing. Like wow,

Myers Briggs in ( space ) sheeps clothing.

]]> By: The Inoculated Mind : Welcome aboard http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/comment-page-1/#comment-12313 The Inoculated Mind : Welcome aboard Sun, 05 Mar 2006 23:34:32 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/#comment-12313 [...] Several of the science bloggers have taken the test, such as PZ Myers, Orac, Chris Mooney, and Phil Plait. Although I am somewhat satisfied with the result, I think the survey has a few problems. As one commenter points out, you are asked what you believe, not how you would react to certain situations. It does ask about your motivations, which is good. I’m all about bettering humanity and exploring, not too big on blowing things up. Modify my ship? Duh! That sounded like a point for being on the Milennium Falcon, which is a pile of modifications held together by wire ties. It should have asked how clean and efficient I would keep my ship, though. [...] [...] Several of the science bloggers have taken the test, such as PZ Myers, Orac, Chris Mooney, and Phil Plait. Although I am somewhat satisfied with the result, I think the survey has a few problems. As one commenter points out, you are asked what you believe, not how you would react to certain situations. It does ask about your motivations, which is good. I’m all about bettering humanity and exploring, not too big on blowing things up. Modify my ship? Duh! That sounded like a point for being on the Milennium Falcon, which is a pile of modifications held together by wire ties. It should have asked how clean and efficient I would keep my ship, though. [...]

]]> By: grand lunar http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/comment-page-1/#comment-12312 grand lunar Sun, 05 Mar 2006 23:11:00 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/#comment-12312 Hey, lucky me. I scored for the Enterprise-D. Ironic, considering I served on the Enterprise CVN-65. Hey, lucky me. I scored for the Enterprise-D.

Ironic, considering I served on the Enterprise CVN-65.

]]> By: hale_bopp http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/comment-page-1/#comment-12311 hale_bopp Sun, 05 Mar 2006 21:42:52 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/#comment-12311 The Falcon it is for me! Millennium Falcon (Star Wars) 94% Moya (Farscape) 88% Deep Space Nine (Star Trek) 81% Serenity (Firefly) 75% Nebuchadnezzar (The Matrix) 75% SG-1 (Stargate) 69% Andromeda Ascendant (Andromeda) 69% Babylon 5 (Babylon 5) 69% Enterprise D (Star Trek) 56% Galactica (Battlestar: Galactica) 38% FBI's X-Files Division (The X-Files) 38% Bebop (Cowboy Bebop) 38% Fun quiz. Rob The Falcon it is for me!
Millennium Falcon (Star Wars) 94%
Moya (Farscape) 88%
Deep Space Nine (Star Trek) 81%
Serenity (Firefly) 75%
Nebuchadnezzar (The Matrix) 75%
SG-1 (Stargate) 69%
Andromeda Ascendant (Andromeda) 69%
Babylon 5 (Babylon 5) 69%
Enterprise D (Star Trek) 56%
Galactica (Battlestar: Galactica) 38%
FBI’s X-Files Division (The X-Files) 38%
Bebop (Cowboy Bebop) 38%

Fun quiz.

Rob

]]> By: beskeptigal http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/comment-page-1/#comment-12310 beskeptigal Sun, 05 Mar 2006 18:58:12 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/#comment-12310 Good grief! I'm supposed to be on Andromeda and I hate that stupid show. Good grief! I’m supposed to be on Andromeda and I hate that stupid show.

]]> By: JWR http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/comment-page-1/#comment-12309 JWR Sun, 05 Mar 2006 18:22:02 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/#comment-12309 What, no Botany Bay? What, no Botany Bay?

]]> By: SFwriter http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/comment-page-1/#comment-12308 SFwriter Sun, 05 Mar 2006 17:27:11 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/#comment-12308 As a Han Solo wannabe, I was thinking Millennium Falcon, but right from the beginning, I had a very bad feeling about this... :mrgreen: Besides... What happened to the first SS Enterprise NX-01? You scored as Deep Space Nine (Star Trek). You have entered the dark side of the Star Trek universe. The paradise of Earth is far from you and you must survive despite having enemies on all fronts. But you wouldn’t have it any other way because you thrive in conflict and will know what needs to be done to take care of those around you. Now if only the Founders would quit trying to take over the galaxy. Deep Space Nine (Star Trek) 81% Enterprise D (Star Trek) 69% Galactica (Battlestar: Galactica) 63% Millennium Falcon (Star Wars) 63% Babylon 5 (Babylon 5) 56% Serenity (Firefly) 50% Below 50% is irrelevant As a Han Solo wannabe, I was thinking Millennium Falcon, but right from the beginning, I had a very bad feeling about this… :mrgreen: Besides… What happened to the first SS Enterprise NX-01?

You scored as Deep Space Nine (Star Trek).

You have entered the dark side of the Star Trek universe. The paradise of Earth is far from you and you must survive despite having enemies on all fronts. But you wouldn’t have it any other way because you thrive in conflict and will know what needs to be done to take care of those around you. Now if only the Founders would quit trying to take over the galaxy.

Deep Space Nine (Star Trek) 81%
Enterprise D (Star Trek) 69%
Galactica (Battlestar: Galactica) 63%
Millennium Falcon (Star Wars) 63%
Babylon 5 (Babylon 5) 56%
Serenity (Firefly) 50%

Below 50% is irrelevant

]]> By: Serenity http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/comment-page-1/#comment-12307 Serenity Sun, 05 Mar 2006 16:24:22 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/#comment-12307 I ended up on Serenity, too. I ended up on Serenity, too.

]]> By: Kaptain K http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/comment-page-1/#comment-12306 Kaptain K Sun, 05 Mar 2006 16:22:19 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/#comment-12306 Millenium Falcon - Works for me! Millenium Falcon – Works for me!

]]> By: John B. Sandlin http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/comment-page-1/#comment-12305 John B. Sandlin Sun, 05 Mar 2006 16:20:24 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/03/04/shiny/#comment-12305 My top three: Nebuchadnezzar (The Matrix) 81% SG-1 (Stargate) 69% Enterprise D (Star Trek) 63% The rest were below 50%. I always knew there was no spoon. jbs My top three:

Nebuchadnezzar (The Matrix) 81%
SG-1 (Stargate) 69%
Enterprise D (Star Trek) 63%

The rest were below 50%.

I always knew there was no spoon.

jbs

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