Comments on: ABC scare-mongering http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/ 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. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:46:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Doomsday predictions « Ideasblog http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/comment-page-1/#comment-20008 Doomsday predictions « Ideasblog Sat, 02 Sep 2006 13:02:33 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/#comment-20008 [...] http://www.badastronomy.com/bablog/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/ [...] [...] http://www.badastronomy.com/bablog/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/ [...]

]]> By: Lorne Ipsum http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/comment-page-1/#comment-20009 Lorne Ipsum Fri, 01 Sep 2006 16:14:40 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/#comment-20009 FYI, for anybody that missed the show, I wrote up a point-by-point critique of it (I know, I have no life): http://geekcounterpoint.net/files/GC038C.html I didn't work from a transcript (just typed away while I watched the show), but think I hit most of their major points. I'd be interested in any / all comments. Thanks, Lorne FYI, for anybody that missed the show, I wrote up a point-by-point critique of it (I know, I have no life):

http://geekcounterpoint.net/files/GC038C.html

I didn’t work from a transcript (just typed away while I watched the show), but think I hit most of their major points. I’d be interested in any / all comments.

Thanks,

Lorne

]]> By: Rebecca http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/comment-page-1/#comment-20010 Rebecca Thu, 31 Aug 2006 23:29:21 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/#comment-20010 There is most definitely a culture of fear that's being cultivated. At this point I think it's anyone's guess as far as who started it, but but the media/advertisers and politicians are using it. And they are using it liberally. Geez, everystinkingtime W opens his mouth, he's 1) inventing a new reason for us to be at war and 2) supporting that reason by listing all the things we have to fear in the world. As if we weren't the world power we are reputed to be. What WE need to do is cultivate a culture of skepticism. "Culture" as in "bacterial" in its method and rate of spreading. I have a whole school of Preschool through 8th graders, and I am teaching them all "critical thinking" as part of their art curriculum. Yeah, ART class. It's a parochial school, and I'm the only way they'll get it. I reinforce all year that this great tool "critical thinking" is a gift to be used for the rest of their lives, in all walks of life. That Chthulu t-shirt sounds cool. I'm jealous. Any chance you'll get to play the new Chthulu game while you're at the Con? One of my friends met the developer, got to play it in beta-testing. Sounds wicked good. Have a great time. There is most definitely a culture of fear that’s being cultivated. At this point I think it’s anyone’s guess as far as who started it, but but the media/advertisers and politicians are using it. And they are using it liberally. Geez, everystinkingtime W opens his mouth, he’s 1) inventing a new reason for us to be at war and 2) supporting that reason by listing all the things we have to fear in the world. As if we weren’t the world power we are reputed to be.

What WE need to do is cultivate a culture of skepticism. “Culture” as in “bacterial” in its method and rate of spreading. I have a whole school of Preschool through 8th graders, and I am teaching them all “critical thinking” as part of their art curriculum. Yeah, ART class. It’s a parochial school, and I’m the only way they’ll get it. I reinforce all year that this great tool “critical thinking” is a gift to be used for the rest of their lives, in all walks of life.

That Chthulu t-shirt sounds cool. I’m jealous. Any chance you’ll get to play the new Chthulu game while you’re at the Con? One of my friends met the developer, got to play it in beta-testing. Sounds wicked good. Have a great time.

]]> By: Gary Ansorge http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/comment-page-1/#comment-20011 Gary Ansorge Thu, 31 Aug 2006 16:31:22 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/#comment-20011 I spent several years in Saudi Arabia in the '70s and '80s, when there wasn't enough TV to be worth watching. Upon returning to the good old USA, when watching the Boob tube, I felt like the proverbial MArtian, trying to figure out what the heck they were saying. There is a powerful reality formation that is continually reinforced from the Tube. Leave that reinforcement for only a few months and the connections fade. It's something ( the disconnect from advertising, etc) everyone should try at least once. Then you can begin to see, we are not what society says we are. It's a very strange and interesting experience and can provide a way of understanding why other cultures think we're crazy,,, Gary 7 I spent several years in Saudi Arabia in the ’70s and ’80s, when there wasn’t enough TV to be worth watching. Upon returning to the good old USA, when watching the Boob tube, I felt like the proverbial MArtian, trying to figure out what the heck they were saying. There is a powerful reality formation that is continually reinforced from the Tube. Leave that reinforcement for only a few months and the connections fade. It’s something ( the disconnect from advertising, etc) everyone should try at least once. Then you can begin to see, we are not what society says we are. It’s a very strange and interesting experience and can provide a way of understanding why other cultures think we’re crazy,,,

Gary 7

]]> By: Sally http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/comment-page-1/#comment-20013 Sally Thu, 31 Aug 2006 15:49:44 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/#comment-20013 I watched part of the 20/20 disaster show last night. Of course, they listed Global Warming as the number one risk. Yes, humans and our activities contribute to the problem. So do volcanic eruptions--not much we can do about that, is there? My big beef is that Global Warming seems always to mean "humans are bad and ruining the Earth". We may not be helping, but we are not the whole cause and not likely the major cause. In addition to the above mentioned volcanic eruptions, the earth naturally goes through warming and cooling periods. I am sure we have all heard of ice ages/periods of glaciation. If you look back through geologic time, it is a long standing situation, and there is no reason to expect that just because there are humans on the Earth who may not be able to tolerate these temperature changes, it will stop. I am horrified by scientists who think they can stop this current warming trend, by making modifications to our environment. What then happens during the next naturally occurring glaciation period, if the Earth's cliimate has already been cooled by human design? Reduce emissions, do what we can, and make arrangements to survive the natural warming that will surely occur. I watched part of the 20/20 disaster show last night. Of course, they listed Global Warming as the number one risk. Yes, humans and our activities contribute to the problem. So do volcanic eruptions–not much we can do about that, is there? My big beef is that Global Warming seems always to mean “humans are bad and ruining the Earth”. We may not be helping, but we are not the whole cause and not likely the major cause. In addition to the above mentioned volcanic eruptions, the earth naturally goes through warming and cooling periods. I am sure we have all heard of ice ages/periods of glaciation. If you look back through geologic time, it is a long standing situation, and there is no reason to expect that just because there are humans on the Earth who may not be able to tolerate these temperature changes, it will stop. I am horrified by scientists who think they can stop this current warming trend, by making modifications to our environment. What then happens during the next naturally occurring glaciation period, if the Earth’s cliimate has already been cooled by human design? Reduce emissions, do what we can, and make arrangements to survive the natural warming that will surely occur.

]]> By: Michael http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/comment-page-1/#comment-20012 Michael Thu, 31 Aug 2006 15:11:52 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/#comment-20012 I especially enjoyed the last segment, when anyone who dared question AGW was compared by Mr. Gore to the evil cigarette makers, and then equated (by someone else) to Holocaust deniers. Way to encourage sensible, reasoned scientific debate. Never mind that both the ABC report and Al Gore continue to base their claims heavily on the IPCC 'hockey stick' report, which seems to me to be clearly at odds with historical fact. They also made the outright false claim (i.e. a lie) that every year for the last ten years has been hotter than the year before, when the satellite temperature data shows that there has been NO increase since 1998 in average global temperature. But I guess the ends justify the means. That’s good science…. I especially enjoyed the last segment, when anyone who dared question AGW was compared by Mr. Gore to the evil cigarette makers, and then equated (by someone else) to Holocaust deniers. Way to encourage sensible, reasoned scientific debate. Never mind that both the ABC report and Al Gore continue to base their claims heavily on the IPCC ‘hockey stick’ report, which seems to me to be clearly at odds with historical fact. They also made the outright false claim (i.e. a lie) that every year for the last ten years has been hotter than the year before, when the satellite temperature data shows that there has been NO increase since 1998 in average global temperature. But I guess the ends justify the means. That’s good science….

]]> By: Maurizio Morabito http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/comment-page-1/#comment-20014 Maurizio Morabito Thu, 31 Aug 2006 11:15:51 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/#comment-20014 I have been protesting for a long time in my blog against scaremongering, also on the taboo topic of Climate Change. Somehow I feel vindicated I have been protesting for a long time in my blog against scaremongering, also on the taboo topic of Climate Change. Somehow I feel vindicated

]]> By: Michael http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/comment-page-1/#comment-20015 Michael Thu, 31 Aug 2006 06:50:03 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/#comment-20015 I recently discovered that my cable internet service includes basic TV channels, so I was surfing for interesting things and happened to come across this show, just as it was coming on. So I watched the show, and I thought was pretty decent. Most of the scenarios involved the decimation of the human race, not total annihilation. [I reserve the right to make mistakes about quoted dates and such--I think they're right, but my memory only works so well.] They talked about GRBs, black holes, sentient computers, super volcanoes, asteroids, nuclear war, biological war/plagues, and global warming. I believe that's the order they had it in, and they listed them as least risk to greatest risk. I do think they should have done a better job with measurements--they were rather abstract with their terminology and relatives in places--but I think they weren't ever terribly far from reality. They mentioned asteroids, and a specific asteroid that's supposed to come really close to the Earth on April 13, 2029 (Friday the 13th, no less). There's a small chance (quoted as 1 in 1000's) the Earth's gravity could tug it just right and cause a collision in 2036. Then they pretty much explained that if the asteroid hit us, it would do a lot of damage within thousands of miles, but wouldn't seriously cripple humanity as a species. Next, they describe the results of a larger impact and how it would extinct most life on earth by blocking all the Sun's radiation. However, they never explained the size of asteroid needed for such a large impact, nor the odds of said asteroid hitting us. They also compared such an asteroid to the one that wiped out the dinosaurs, but ignored that fact that life obviously survived that one (they start by talking about the survival of small mammals, but later keep saying how only a few things will survive, like microbes). Gamma ray bursts and roving black holes were touted as seriously bad news, but I got the impression they were quite unlikely to happen. A friend watching with me is probably a better representation of the average viewer, and he understood (without me saying anything) that the show was considering these a significantly lower threat than global warming or nuclear winter. Although I would have been more clear about the real odds of some things (they seemed very pessimistic at times), I don't think the show itself was scare-mongering in any way. I don't see computers taking over the world (in a hostile sense) anytime soon. The show doesn't seem to take into account the fact that most robot programmers are as fond of life as the next guy, aren't likely to program robots to take over the world, and are likely to include fail-safe devices in anything remotely capable of doing so. The end of the show seemed to be very strongly encouraging people to take the initiative to minimize the very real threat of global warming. I honestly don't know a lot about global warming, other than not wanting to look like Venus, but they seemed to give a pretty clear indication of what is likely to happen if global warming goes unchecked. It was interesting to note all the people who talked about the things they'd do if they knew imminent doom was upon us; somehow I don't think anyone would get anything done since most of the 6 billion people on Earth would have the same idea at the same time. As another aside, I thought it funny that their text-to-voice translator used the basic Windows voice, but I also thought it was pretty cool that technology has advanced to the point where a disabled mute can speak on national TV by translating blinking eyes to spoken words (they did say it wasn't in real-time, but it's cool anyway). Anyhow, that's my review (probably not as correct or useful as the BA's reviews, but I tried), and I'm heading to bed. 'Night. I recently discovered that my cable internet service includes basic TV channels, so I was surfing for interesting things and happened to come across this show, just as it was coming on. So I watched the show, and I thought was pretty decent. Most of the scenarios involved the decimation of the human race, not total annihilation.

[I reserve the right to make mistakes about quoted dates and such--I think they're right, but my memory only works so well.]

They talked about GRBs, black holes, sentient computers, super volcanoes, asteroids, nuclear war, biological war/plagues, and global warming. I believe that’s the order they had it in, and they listed them as least risk to greatest risk.

I do think they should have done a better job with measurements–they were rather abstract with their terminology and relatives in places–but I think they weren’t ever terribly far from reality.

They mentioned asteroids, and a specific asteroid that’s supposed to come really close to the Earth on April 13, 2029 (Friday the 13th, no less). There’s a small chance (quoted as 1 in 1000′s) the Earth’s gravity could tug it just right and cause a collision in 2036. Then they pretty much explained that if the asteroid hit us, it would do a lot of damage within thousands of miles, but wouldn’t seriously cripple humanity as a species. Next, they describe the results of a larger impact and how it would extinct most life on earth by blocking all the Sun’s radiation. However, they never explained the size of asteroid needed for such a large impact, nor the odds of said asteroid hitting us. They also compared such an asteroid to the one that wiped out the dinosaurs, but ignored that fact that life obviously survived that one (they start by talking about the survival of small mammals, but later keep saying how only a few things will survive, like microbes).

Gamma ray bursts and roving black holes were touted as seriously bad news, but I got the impression they were quite unlikely to happen. A friend watching with me is probably a better representation of the average viewer, and he understood (without me saying anything) that the show was considering these a significantly lower threat than global warming or nuclear winter. Although I would have been more clear about the real odds of some things (they seemed very pessimistic at times), I don’t think the show itself was scare-mongering in any way.

I don’t see computers taking over the world (in a hostile sense) anytime soon. The show doesn’t seem to take into account the fact that most robot programmers are as fond of life as the next guy, aren’t likely to program robots to take over the world, and are likely to include fail-safe devices in anything remotely capable of doing so.

The end of the show seemed to be very strongly encouraging people to take the initiative to minimize the very real threat of global warming. I honestly don’t know a lot about global warming, other than not wanting to look like Venus, but they seemed to give a pretty clear indication of what is likely to happen if global warming goes unchecked.

It was interesting to note all the people who talked about the things they’d do if they knew imminent doom was upon us; somehow I don’t think anyone would get anything done since most of the 6 billion people on Earth would have the same idea at the same time.

As another aside, I thought it funny that their text-to-voice translator used the basic Windows voice, but I also thought it was pretty cool that technology has advanced to the point where a disabled mute can speak on national TV by translating blinking eyes to spoken words (they did say it wasn’t in real-time, but it’s cool anyway).

Anyhow, that’s my review (probably not as correct or useful as the BA’s reviews, but I tried), and I’m heading to bed. ‘Night.

]]> By: Cate Mato http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/comment-page-1/#comment-20016 Cate Mato Thu, 31 Aug 2006 04:46:15 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/#comment-20016 Why do these programs keep giving Kaku a microphone?? He speaks in soundbytes, and comments on NGC crop circle documentaries! Sheesh! Why do these programs keep giving Kaku a microphone?? He speaks in soundbytes, and comments on NGC crop circle documentaries! Sheesh!

]]> By: Ray Gray http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/comment-page-1/#comment-20017 Ray Gray Thu, 31 Aug 2006 00:46:02 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/#comment-20017 "The sky is falling there! Come with us to tell the king." So Goosey Poosey joined Cocky Locky, Henny Penny and Chicken Little, and they went along as fast ..." Nuclear War is the only scenario to REALLY worry about in the 21st Century. Yet, just like the above book quote, people enjoy thinking the world may end quickly. “The sky is falling there! Come with us to tell the king.” So Goosey Poosey joined Cocky Locky, Henny Penny and Chicken Little, and they went along as fast …”

Nuclear War is the only scenario to REALLY worry about in the 21st Century. Yet, just like the above book quote, people enjoy thinking the world may end quickly.

]]> By: idlemind http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/comment-page-1/#comment-20020 idlemind Wed, 30 Aug 2006 23:43:37 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/#comment-20020 So, if someone watches and forms some sort of cult (see: comet Hale-Bopp) and that group then offs themselves rather than get sucked into looming black holes, will their survivors sue Disney for some significant fraction of the national debt? So, if someone watches and forms some sort of cult (see: comet Hale-Bopp) and that group then offs themselves rather than get sucked into looming black holes, will their survivors sue Disney for some significant fraction of the national debt?

]]> By: Richard Smith http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/comment-page-1/#comment-20019 Richard Smith Wed, 30 Aug 2006 21:02:10 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/#comment-20019 A. Maylis: <b>The fact that planet Earth is about 4.6 billion or so years old is a convincing argument against rogue black holes causing havoc.</b> No, man, you don't get it! It's the exact opposite! I mean, Earth's been around for about 4.6 billion years, and it hasn't been hit by a black hole yet, so you know it's gotta be coming soon! A. Maylis: The fact that planet Earth is about 4.6 billion or so years old is a convincing argument against rogue black holes causing havoc.

No, man, you don’t get it! It’s the exact opposite! I mean, Earth’s been around for about 4.6 billion years, and it hasn’t been hit by a black hole yet, so you know it’s gotta be coming soon!

]]> By: A. Maylis http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/comment-page-1/#comment-20023 A. Maylis Wed, 30 Aug 2006 20:04:41 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/#comment-20023 The fact that planet Earth is about 4.6 billion or so years old is a convincing argument against rogue black holes causing havoc. Earth would never made it to that age if rogue black holes were a serious menace to continued planetary existence The fact that planet Earth is about 4.6 billion or so years old is a convincing argument against rogue black holes causing havoc. Earth would never made it to that age if rogue black holes were a serious menace to continued planetary existence

]]> By: Antares Richard http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/comment-page-1/#comment-20022 Antares Richard Wed, 30 Aug 2006 20:04:06 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/#comment-20022 Whoops! I just doomed my own humor. "Blooming" would only make matters worse without the "idiot" tag I realized. Perhaps I should work for their advertising department. Whoops! I just doomed my own humor. “Blooming” would only make matters worse without the “idiot” tag I realized. Perhaps I should work for their advertising department.

]]> By: Antares Richard http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/comment-page-1/#comment-20021 Antares Richard Wed, 30 Aug 2006 19:41:52 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/#comment-20021 Maybe it was all a typo and the advert was meant to read: "a 'blooming' possibility." Then again, I'd worried about all those "looming" idiots circling in the dark out there, myself included. Watch out! Zoom! Boy, that was close! Maybe it was all a typo and the advert was meant to read: “a ‘blooming’ possibility.” Then again, I’d worried about all those “looming” idiots circling in the dark out there, myself included. Watch out! Zoom! Boy, that was close!

]]> By: Merovingian http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/comment-page-1/#comment-20024 Merovingian Wed, 30 Aug 2006 19:16:18 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/#comment-20024 Heh, the Huffington Post, I just heard about them on a radio show I enjoy. I think doomsday scenarios are really interesting, but they do certainly need to be put in perspective. Thanks. Heh, the Huffington Post, I just heard about them on a radio show I enjoy. I think doomsday scenarios are really interesting, but they do certainly need to be put in perspective. Thanks.

]]> By: Hawk http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/comment-page-1/#comment-20025 Hawk Wed, 30 Aug 2006 18:50:22 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/#comment-20025 Phil, I hear you are doing the skeptics board at Dragon Con! I hope you come by for some fear-mongering at the Mad Scientist panel. I'm sure you can come up with at least one trillion dollar project. Hawk Phil,
I hear you are doing the skeptics board at Dragon Con! I hope you come by for some fear-mongering at the Mad Scientist panel. I’m sure you can come up with at least one trillion dollar project.
Hawk

]]> By: Aerimus http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/comment-page-1/#comment-20026 Aerimus Wed, 30 Aug 2006 18:32:01 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/#comment-20026 Yeah, news is bad and doomsday and.... DragonCon? What are you doing at DragonCon? Yeah, news is bad and doomsday and….

DragonCon?

What are you doing at DragonCon?

]]> By: Harold http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/comment-page-1/#comment-20027 Harold Wed, 30 Aug 2006 18:14:01 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/#comment-20027 D'oh! That was by YOU! I should have noticed that! D’oh! That was by YOU! I should have noticed that!

]]> By: PK http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/comment-page-1/#comment-20029 PK Wed, 30 Aug 2006 17:56:12 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/#comment-20029 During my stay in the US, and watching American, British, and Dutch television, I have come to the conclusion that (middle class) Americans are easily scared compared to the Brits and Dutch, and more importantly, they <i>want</i> to be scared. It is therefore not surprising that politicians who play on people's fears do well in the US. During my stay in the US, and watching American, British, and Dutch television, I have come to the conclusion that (middle class) Americans are easily scared compared to the Brits and Dutch, and more importantly, they want to be scared. It is therefore not surprising that politicians who play on people’s fears do well in the US.

]]> By: The Bad Astronomer http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/comment-page-1/#comment-20028 The Bad Astronomer Wed, 30 Aug 2006 17:55:02 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/#comment-20028 Harold, that was the issue I mentioned in my blog entry. My doomsday article was a companion piece with it. Harold, that was the issue I mentioned in my blog entry. My doomsday article was a companion piece with it.

]]> By: Harold http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/comment-page-1/#comment-20030 Harold Wed, 30 Aug 2006 17:46:17 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/#comment-20030 Speaking of doomsday scenarios, either Sky & Telescope or Astronomy (I can never remember which one I read a particular article in) recently reprinted a series of astronomical doomsday scenarios that Chesley Bonestell painted in the 1950's (I think). One of the favorites was the "rapture" painting in which a passing rogue star or black hole has positioned itself so it is drawing people, dogs, cars, ships, and busses off the surface of the Earth, as seen from ground level in a major city. It appears that some car company has essentially lifted this idea for its latest commercial, in which the only thing left holding onto the Earth is their car. (Not sure of the point they're trying to make - I think it has something to do with stability or traction.) Speaking of doomsday scenarios, either Sky & Telescope or Astronomy (I can never remember which one I read a particular article in) recently reprinted a series of astronomical doomsday scenarios that Chesley Bonestell painted in the 1950′s (I think). One of the favorites was the “rapture” painting in which a passing rogue star or black hole has positioned itself so it is drawing people, dogs, cars, ships, and busses off the surface of the Earth, as seen from ground level in a major city. It appears that some car company has essentially lifted this idea for its latest commercial, in which the only thing left holding onto the Earth is their car. (Not sure of the point they’re trying to make – I think it has something to do with stability or traction.)

]]> By: Joshua http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/comment-page-1/#comment-20031 Joshua Wed, 30 Aug 2006 16:10:19 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/#comment-20031 BERMUDA TRIANGLE MYSTERY SOLVED??? Leading scientist says, "I’d worry ... about an iceberg hitting a cruise ship in Bermuda." More at 11! BERMUDA TRIANGLE MYSTERY SOLVED???

Leading scientist says, “I’d worry … about an iceberg hitting a cruise ship in Bermuda.” More at 11!

]]> By: The Bad Astronomer http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/comment-page-1/#comment-20032 The Bad Astronomer Wed, 30 Aug 2006 16:02:23 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/#comment-20032 Incidentally, as I said in this entry, I don't have a problem with doomsday shows. They're fun! They just have to be handled properly so they don't scare people needlessly. Incidentally, as I said in this entry, I don’t have a problem with doomsday shows. They’re fun! They just have to be handled properly so they don’t scare people needlessly.

]]> By: The Bad Astronomer http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/comment-page-1/#comment-20034 The Bad Astronomer Wed, 30 Aug 2006 15:59:53 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/08/29/abc-scare-mongering/#comment-20034 Amstrad-- it's extremely unlikely for Sirius to go supernova. They are too far apart; when Sirius A turns into a red giant, from what I understand, it won't be able to dump enough mass on Sirius B for it to explode. It'll pour out X-rays, which should be interesting... but that won't happen for a long long time. Millions of years, certainly. A book came out about this scenario called "Supernova", written by an astronomer using the pseudonym Eric Kotani. It's not a great book but it's enjoyable. Amstrad– it’s extremely unlikely for Sirius to go supernova. They are too far apart; when Sirius A turns into a red giant, from what I understand, it won’t be able to dump enough mass on Sirius B for it to explode. It’ll pour out X-rays, which should be interesting… but that won’t happen for a long long time. Millions of years, certainly. A book came out about this scenario called “Supernova”, written by an astronomer using the pseudonym Eric Kotani. It’s not a great book but it’s enjoyable.

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