No, this isn’t what you’re thinking. The comedy group LoadingReadyRun does a satirical newscast where the topic is, well, see for yourself.
I think someone’s been reading my book .
About Bad Astronomy
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Phil Plait, the creator of Bad Astronomy, is an astronomer, lecturer, and author. After ten years working on Hubble Space Telescope and six more working on astronomy education, he struck out on his own as a writer. He has written two books, dozens of magazine articles, and 12 bazillion blog articles. He is a skeptic, and fights misuses of science as well as praising the wonder of real science.
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Death from the Skies!
Order a copy of Death from the Skies! from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Borders.
"If things worked the way I wanted them to, any reporter about to do another 'sensational' story on deadly meteors would consult this volume, and bang! common sense would find its way into the news. How strange would that world be?"
-- Adam Savage, Mythbusters"Reading this book is like getting punched in the face by Carl Sagan. Frightening, but oddly exhilarating."
-- Daniel H. Wilson, author of How to Survive a Robot UprisingSocial/Networking/Cool Stuff
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October 6th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
You wrote a book?
October 6th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
The international here of astronomy who has heard of such a weird concept.
October 6th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Would it be your book? Or, maybe, Asimov’s book. Or, possibly, Tyson’s book?
October 6th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Ivan, do you stare at your computer all day waiting for Phil to post about his book, Death From The Skies, now available in paperback from Amazon and other fine retailers, just so you can post, “You wrote a book?”?
Make no mistake, I still think it’s funny that you do that and I hope and expect that you continue doing it. In fact, I think the next time Phil mentions his book, we should ALL post a comment, “You wrote a book?”. I was just wondering about your technique of allowing only one minute to pass between Phil’s post and your comment, that’s all.
Stay vigilant.
October 6th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
I particularly like the jabs at the Pluto fiasco: “mythical 9th planet”.
October 6th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Hi! I’m Matt (The newscaster in the above video). I just wanted to thank you for linking to it, Phil.
It was written by an astronomer friend of ours who feels much the way you do regarding conspiracy and non-science, and I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks again!
October 6th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
I second PsyberDave’s idea! All in favour?
You wrote a book?
October 6th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
PsyberDave:
No, man, like er… the Phil dude is here in London town, man… and like er… I’m picking up his vibes, man…
October 6th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Love the video.
What’s this about a book?
October 6th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
You wrote a book?
Thanks for the hug at TAM London!
October 6th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
If Phil ever DOES write a book titled How to Survive the End of the World(Hint,Hint) it should start with JUST DON’T BE THERE!. Snark. As you can tell, I’m not all that committed to planets. Nice places to grow up but so bloody hard to get away from.
As far as vibes are concerned(Mr Good Vibe is ONE of my nick names) isn’t it funny that my new vehicle is a Pontiac VIBE??? No? Oh well. Must be a coincidence,,,
SO Ivan. You have BadAstro on an RSS feed? Now, THAT’S a good vibe.
GAry 7
October 6th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
sorry not here but year just noticed.
October 6th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
The rogue planet Hyperion is already here!!! It’s hiding in plain sight as one of Saturn’s moons!!
October 6th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
It isn’t about Battletech/Mechwarrior? Darn.
October 6th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
PS Phil, nice short video on pareidolia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6l8ByKUQMf4&feature=sub
October 6th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Wonderful to hear about the erectile dysfunction curing side effect of rogue planetary collisions. I wonder if it will also cure anti-vaccine parents of children of their irrational fears?
And,
You wrote a book? Keen-o.
October 6th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
But what does Debra have to say???
October 6th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
Five minutes I’ll never get back. Thanks, Phil.
And I love the “Wacky Astrologer” stereotype, even though you’ll find that most astrologers are pretty reserved, friendly, grounded people, who are just trying to give people some guidance in their lives, benign advice that they are free to take or leave. It reminds me of the pop-culture view of pot-smokers as stupid, lazy stoner hippies– often the complete opposite. Which is funny because pretty much everyone does it, just doesn’t talk about it.
Keep chasing that rainbow.
October 6th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Damon are for real or just kidding? I can’t tell.
Astrologers want your money and nothing else.
And when you say “pretty much everyone does it” are you referring to smoking dope or using astrology? You weren’t very clear.
October 6th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
Based on the paranoid response, I would say Damon is a big fan of both…
October 6th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
Aww, but what I was thinking was pretty damn cool: Death From Above 1979 – Going Steady. It’s a tragedy they’ve broken up…
October 6th, 2009 at 11:27 pm
Love LRR, awesomeness abounds!
October 7th, 2009 at 2:10 am
Dude, Phil…
You wrote a book?
October 7th, 2009 at 4:58 am
Du hast ein BUCH geschrieben?
October 7th, 2009 at 5:46 am
“Unlocking the Itzamna Code”? I wonder if that’s a play on the title of the book “Breaking the Maya Code”, the wonderful book by Mayanist Michael Coe that is equally an insight into the field of hieroglyphic epigraphy as it is a warning of the dangers of intellectual establishmentism and arguments from authority, available at your local bookstore????
October 7th, 2009 at 5:49 am
So what was the observer behind the astronomer seeing about 5:00 in the video that made him gather up his stuff and run off? Thanks for the link, Phil. And thanks to LoadingReadyRun for a well-done skit.
October 7th, 2009 at 6:12 am
http://www.2012hoax.org
October 7th, 2009 at 7:16 am
I actually overheard one of our OA’s, most recent politically correct term for secretary, start talking about this the other day. She was absolutely convinced that the whole 2012 end of the world was the truth. I tried to interject that this a bunch of hooey propagated by fear mongers and other charlatans trying to either a) make money from the fear or b) just spread their ridiculous claims. I gave up when she became agitated and started going on about gawd’s vengeance for our evil ways. I would send her the link to this video, but she might take as a reenforcement of her already misguided beliefs.
Personally I thought the video was hoot and I especially liked the guy behind the astronomer starting around 4:50 rechecking the various telescopes adn then grabbing his stuff and running for the hills.
October 7th, 2009 at 8:21 am
Don’t forget LoadingReadyRun’s annual Desert Bus for Hope annual fund raiser. It’s always a lot of fun and they do a great job of raising funds for the sick kids.
http://www.desertbus.org
October 7th, 2009 at 11:08 am
Bloody brilliant!
October 7th, 2009 at 11:29 am
Je heeft een boek geschriven?
October 7th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
She said “your anus”.
Heh heh heh…
October 7th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Du har skrevet en bog?
October 7th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
@4. PsyberDave
“Ivan, do you stare at your computer all day waiting for Phil to post about his book, Death From The Skies, now available in paperback from Amazon and other fine retailers, just so you can post, “You wrote a book?”?”
It is a little uncanny. Could it be that Ivan3Man is Phil’s alter ego/nom de plume?
October 7th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
“Does Hyperion exist? If so, named for lamest Titan.”
Wonderfully executed send-up all round. Thanks for sharing that, Phil.
October 8th, 2009 at 9:07 am
Psyber Dave (4) said:
He must do. He always beats me to it.