Comments on: My readers are smart http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/ 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 15:46:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Lucia http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/comment-page-1/#comment-52489 Lucia Sat, 27 Oct 2007 08:41:25 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/#comment-52489 I visited the VLA in December 1999; It was an anniversary year- the 20th I think. There were lots of pics of the movie Contact; I don't remember it being on sale, but we came when there was nobody working in the visitor center. I also took panorama pics, and tried to get them to look good for a collage. I didn't want to ruin them, so I gave up the idea. It is an amazing place! Really enjoyed the day; VLA, Painted Desert and Roswell all in the same day! The people at the Visitor Center were very nice; they let us know it was too late for a crash site tour. I wanted to experience the extremes of space exploration! :) I visited the VLA in December 1999; It was an anniversary year- the 20th I think. There were lots of pics of the movie Contact; I don’t remember it being on sale, but we came when there was nobody working in the visitor center. I also took panorama pics, and tried to get them to look good for a collage. I didn’t want to ruin them, so I gave up the idea. It is an amazing place! Really enjoyed the day; VLA, Painted Desert and Roswell all in the same day! The people at the Visitor Center were very nice; they let us know it was too late for a crash site tour. I wanted to experience the extremes of space exploration! :)

]]> By: Elliott http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/comment-page-1/#comment-52471 Elliott Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:32:39 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/#comment-52471 Been there. Done that. Stood there staring with my mouth open. Been there.

Done that.

Stood there staring with my mouth open.

]]> By: Quiet_Desperation http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/comment-page-1/#comment-52487 Quiet_Desperation Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:11:46 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/#comment-52487 >>> spiritually transmitted diseases I am *totally* using that in a fantasy story. >>> spiritually transmitted diseases

I am *totally* using that in a fantasy story.

]]> By: Cello Man http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/comment-page-1/#comment-52488 Cello Man Tue, 23 Oct 2007 14:30:36 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/#comment-52488 Oh yes, and they did indeed sell "Contact" at the VLA Visitor Center. Already had my copy at home, though. Oh yes, and they did indeed sell “Contact” at the VLA Visitor Center. Already had my copy at home, though.

]]> By: Jack Hagerty http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/comment-page-1/#comment-52466 Jack Hagerty Tue, 23 Oct 2007 07:04:35 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/#comment-52466 The BA says: "I wonder if they sell copies of "Contact" there too?" Another movie trivia bit: In the big "pullback" opening of the movie, the effects team embedded the Cydonia "face" on the image of Mars seen as we pass it. It's too small to be seen on standard VHS/525 scan TV, but might be visible in high def. It's in one of the special features on the DVD. - Jack The BA says: “I wonder if they sell copies of “Contact” there too?”

Another movie trivia bit: In the big “pullback” opening of the movie, the effects team embedded the Cydonia “face” on the image of Mars seen as we pass it. It’s too small to be seen on standard VHS/525 scan TV, but might be visible in high def. It’s in one of the special features on the DVD.

- Jack

]]> By: Troy http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/comment-page-1/#comment-52473 Troy Tue, 23 Oct 2007 00:37:37 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/#comment-52473 Regarding the Ken B. Link: I have to wonder where does one get Christian certification? I suppose they must also be S.T.D.(spiritually transmitted diseases) free? Since Christianity mandates one is to love their enemy, shouldn't Christians by obligation date Satanists? Regarding the Ken B. Link:
I have to wonder where does one get Christian certification? I suppose they must also be S.T.D.(spiritually transmitted diseases) free? Since Christianity mandates one is to love their enemy, shouldn’t Christians by obligation date Satanists?

]]> By: Cello Man http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/comment-page-1/#comment-52475 Cello Man Tue, 23 Oct 2007 00:06:12 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/#comment-52475 Huma, I think that happens in every creative profession. With my own (music) I constantly think I could have composed or performed a piece just a little bit better. Hell, I heard that Leonardo da Vinci spent 14 years painting the Mona Lisa's lips, just going back from time to time to make tiny little changes with light and shading. Huma, I think that happens in every creative profession. With my own (music) I constantly think I could have composed or performed a piece just a little bit better. Hell, I heard that Leonardo da Vinci spent 14 years painting the Mona Lisa’s lips, just going back from time to time to make tiny little changes with light and shading.

]]> By: huma http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/comment-page-1/#comment-52454 huma Mon, 22 Oct 2007 22:00:25 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/#comment-52454 Phil, when you write a book, do you get itchy over some part that you keep rewriting, but despite your efforts, it still looks clumsy and leaves you frustrated, or it's generally natural and easy going? Phil, when you write a book, do you get itchy over some part that you keep rewriting, but despite your efforts, it still looks clumsy and leaves you frustrated, or it’s generally natural and easy going?

]]> By: JB of Brisbane http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/comment-page-1/#comment-52453 JB of Brisbane Mon, 22 Oct 2007 21:55:41 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/#comment-52453 I might have mentioned this before, but I came across my copy of Phil's (first) book at the visitor centre for the Parkes Radio Telescope in 2005. Sadly, I could not photograph the event, as there were signs everywhere telling us not to use electronic equipment in the vicinity of "the dish", and that included my camera, even though I was shooting on film at the time. I guess I could always Photoshop something... I might have mentioned this before, but I came across my copy of Phil’s (first) book at the visitor centre for the Parkes Radio Telescope in 2005. Sadly, I could not photograph the event, as there were signs everywhere telling us not to use electronic equipment in the vicinity of “the dish”, and that included my camera, even though I was shooting on film at the time.
I guess I could always Photoshop something…

]]> By: Nancy A. http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/comment-page-1/#comment-52474 Nancy A. Mon, 22 Oct 2007 20:07:41 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/#comment-52474 Wife??!! Aw, shoot. Oh, yeah. I just remembered -- I'm married, too. Maybe in our next life, Cello Man. Sigh. Wife??!! Aw, shoot.

Oh, yeah. I just remembered — I’m married, too.

Maybe in our next life, Cello Man.

Sigh.

]]> By: www.giveamazinggifts.info » My readers are smart http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/comment-page-1/#comment-52481 www.giveamazinggifts.info » My readers are smart Mon, 22 Oct 2007 19:50:43 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/#comment-52481 [...] The Bad Astronomer put an intriguing blog post on My readers are smart.Here’s a quick excerpt:Bad Reader Cello Man went to the Very Large Array, a radio observatory in New Mexico, and found a copy of my (first)* book at the gift shop there (I wonder if they sell copies of “Contact” there too?). As I said, he’s smart, … [...] [...] The Bad Astronomer put an intriguing blog post on My readers are smart.Here’s a quick excerpt:Bad Reader Cello Man went to the Very Large Array, a radio observatory in New Mexico, and found a copy of my (first)* book at the gift shop there (I wonder if they sell copies of “Contact” there too?). As I said, he’s smart, … [...]

]]> By: Mark Martin http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/comment-page-1/#comment-52480 Mark Martin Mon, 22 Oct 2007 19:32:50 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/#comment-52480 After having seen the movie 2010, I now understand that there are school teachers out at those dishes polishing the big bearings by hand with rags. After having seen the movie 2010, I now understand that there are school teachers out at those dishes polishing the big bearings by hand with rags.

]]> By: Nemo http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/comment-page-1/#comment-52479 Nemo Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:21:39 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/#comment-52479 Even if it's not photoshopped, that doesn't prove anything. You could've bought the book elsewhere. Or you might've borrowed it, and not even bought it at all! Or you might have taken an image of the cover from the Internet, printed it, and wrapped it around another book. We know you book hoaxers are a devious lot. Even if it’s not photoshopped, that doesn’t prove anything. You could’ve bought the book elsewhere. Or you might’ve borrowed it, and not even bought it at all! Or you might have taken an image of the cover from the Internet, printed it, and wrapped it around another book. We know you book hoaxers are a devious lot.

]]> By: Ken B http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/comment-page-1/#comment-52478 Ken B Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:12:58 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/#comment-52478 Cello Man, Hey, if NASA could fake the all of those moon landings, they could certainly fake a photo or two of someone allegedly holding a book in front of the VLA! Oh, just in case: :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) I think we're just poking fun at the BA for saying that the photo was "proof" of you buying the book at the VLA gift shop. Of course, it's possible the BA used that term tongue-in-cheek. Cello Man,

Hey, if NASA could fake the all of those moon landings, they could certainly fake a photo or two of someone allegedly holding a book in front of the VLA!

Oh, just in case: :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)

I think we’re just poking fun at the BA for saying that the photo was “proof” of you buying the book at the VLA gift shop. Of course, it’s possible the BA used that term tongue-in-cheek.

]]> By: Arthur Maruyama http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/comment-page-1/#comment-52449 Arthur Maruyama Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:06:33 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/#comment-52449 For Dadoo: I did go to the International UFO Museum in Roswell (on my way from Carlsbad for the Caverns to White Sands), and....well, it's not much. It is basically a set of exhibits with newspaper articles from the time of the Crash, models and drawings of objects and materials supposedly seen by witnesses of things from the Crash and of other UFO incidents, and written materials speculating on what had happened and the supposed cover-up (plus a gift shop, of course). I did have the dubious pleasure of being ahead of a True Believer who had latched himself to an elderly couple, so I half-listened to him bloviating how the Museum got it wrong but he had the TRUTH on UFO's. For Dadoo:

I did go to the International UFO Museum in Roswell (on my way from Carlsbad for the Caverns to White Sands), and….well, it’s not much. It is basically a set of exhibits with newspaper articles from the time of the Crash, models and drawings of objects and materials supposedly seen by witnesses of things from the Crash and of other UFO incidents, and written materials speculating on what had happened and the supposed cover-up (plus a gift shop, of course).

I did have the dubious pleasure of being ahead of a True Believer who had latched himself to an elderly couple, so I half-listened to him bloviating how the Museum got it wrong but he had the TRUTH on UFO’s.

]]> By: Cello Man http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/comment-page-1/#comment-52462 Cello Man Mon, 22 Oct 2007 17:41:58 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/#comment-52462 Also: Since the internet makes it hard to detect sarcasm at times, if anybody REALLY believe that picture of me is faked, I'll be happy to email you the original high resolution pic (2592 x 3888, 3.01 MB) and you can examine it in super duper detail to look for evidence of digital manipulation. Best of luck to you, because you won't find any. Besides, a Bad Astronomy reader isn't the type of person to fake photos. I'll leave that to ghost hunters and conspiracy theorists. Also:

Since the internet makes it hard to detect sarcasm at times, if anybody REALLY believe that picture of me is faked, I’ll be happy to email you the original high resolution pic (2592 x 3888, 3.01 MB) and you can examine it in super duper detail to look for evidence of digital manipulation. Best of luck to you, because you won’t find any.

Besides, a Bad Astronomy reader isn’t the type of person to fake photos. I’ll leave that to ghost hunters and conspiracy theorists.

]]> By: Gary Ansorge http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/comment-page-1/#comment-52464 Gary Ansorge Mon, 22 Oct 2007 17:22:03 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/#comment-52464 Hey Phil. My bro sent me some really cool periodelia as an html attachment. Does that count as an attachment you won't open in your email? I would forward a link, but all I have is his email message and the photos attached. GAry 7 Hey Phil. My bro sent me some really cool periodelia as an html attachment. Does that count as an attachment you won’t open in your email? I would forward a link, but all I have is his email message and the photos attached.

GAry 7

]]> By: Ken B http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/comment-page-1/#comment-52463 Ken B Mon, 22 Oct 2007 17:17:16 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/#comment-52463 Readers may be smart, but keyword-based advertising isn't. Consider this screenshot as I was reading this post: http://www.hvcomputer.com/temp/BA-advert.png I'm not sure if people reading BAs thoughts on Vitter and Creationism are necessarily the right target for "meet Christian singles in your city". :-) Readers may be smart, but keyword-based advertising isn’t.

Consider this screenshot as I was reading this post:

http://www.hvcomputer.com/temp/BA-advert.png

I’m not sure if people reading BAs thoughts on Vitter and Creationism are necessarily the right target for “meet Christian singles in your city”.
:-)

]]> By: Mario http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/comment-page-1/#comment-52486 Mario Mon, 22 Oct 2007 16:26:44 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/#comment-52486 That picture definitely does not look photoshoped. I should know. I do that for a living ;) That picture definitely does not look photoshoped. I should know. I do that for a living ;)

]]> By: Quiet_Desperation http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/comment-page-1/#comment-52460 Quiet_Desperation Mon, 22 Oct 2007 16:22:55 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/#comment-52460 >>> When did we start verbing “Photoshop”? I believe it started with version 1, so 1990? Adobe discourages it, but good luck on controlling *that* meme. >>> When did we start verbing “Photoshop”?

I believe it started with version 1, so 1990?

Adobe discourages it, but good luck on controlling *that* meme.

]]> By: Quiet_Desperation http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/comment-page-1/#comment-52459 Quiet_Desperation Mon, 22 Oct 2007 16:18:51 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/#comment-52459 Smart? Of course we is! >>> I smell a tautology. Ew, I had one of those once. >>> you can see the image of a radio telescope >>> dish and a Bad Astronomy Fan holding a book!!!! I don't see it. :( I'd post my picture somewhere, but I don't show up in photographs. Smart? Of course we is!

>>> I smell a tautology.

Ew, I had one of those once.

>>> you can see the image of a radio telescope
>>> dish and a Bad Astronomy Fan holding a book!!!!

I don’t see it. :(

I’d post my picture somewhere, but I don’t show up in photographs.

]]> By: Skeptical Doug http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/comment-page-1/#comment-52461 Skeptical Doug Mon, 22 Oct 2007 16:12:43 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/#comment-52461 How do you know if a person is smart? If he buys Phil's book. Who buys Phil's book? People that are smart! Wait a second! My baloney detector is firing. I smell a tautology. ;-) How do you know if a person is smart? If he buys Phil’s book.
Who buys Phil’s book? People that are smart!

Wait a second! My baloney detector is firing. I smell a tautology. ;-)

]]> By: Ken B http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/comment-page-1/#comment-52458 Ken B Mon, 22 Oct 2007 15:45:49 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/#comment-52458 "Proof"? You call that "proof"? Anyone can Photoshop[*] themselves into anything. And did anyone else notice the image of Jesus in the clouds? [*] When did we start verbing "Photoshop"?[**] [**] And when did we verbify "verb"? “Proof”? You call that “proof”? Anyone can Photoshop[*] themselves into anything.

And did anyone else notice the image of Jesus in the clouds?

[*] When did we start verbing “Photoshop”?[**]
[**] And when did we verbify “verb”?

]]> By: PsyberDave http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/comment-page-1/#comment-52457 PsyberDave Mon, 22 Oct 2007 15:17:32 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/#comment-52457 Phil, Holy Haleakela to you! My wife and I are going to Mauna Kea in a couple of weeks. You want me to write your name in on the Keck II sign up sheet? Phil,

Holy Haleakela to you! My wife and I are going to Mauna Kea in a couple of weeks. You want me to write your name in on the Keck II sign up sheet?

]]> By: Cello Man http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/comment-page-1/#comment-52456 Cello Man Mon, 22 Oct 2007 15:07:56 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/21/my-readers-are-smart/#comment-52456 By the way, big thanks to my wife for all the pretty pictures. By the way, big thanks to my wife for all the pretty pictures.

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