Comments on: Two talks in the Old Dominion!

By: Richard

Richard — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 15:42:59 +0000

I think skeptics are sometimes guilty of swinging too far in the other direction of what they are trying to refute. They rightly poke holes in the evidence of say, sasquatch claims, by examining and rejecting the so-called evidence and proving hoaxes. But then they say: “Sasquatch (definitively) does not exist”.

But it all hinges on the amount and quality of evidence. The more scientific approach would be to say: “There is no reputable evidence for sasquatch. I will believe it when I see it.”

“We are all (not) going to die” is another definitive statement that ignores the fact that, depending on what we are talking about, really really bad stuff can ALWAYS happen! The issue is: what evidence is there for Dec 21st in particular? The answer, as Phil is great at pointing out, turns out to be: not much. Nothing from the Maya, nothing from astronomy or geology. But that doesn’t mean something COULD NOT happen. Lots of “apocalyptic” things can always happen, every single day, including today. The question, from a scientist’s pov is: do we have enough evidence to go from “possible” to “likely”?

http://richard-weir.com/2012-is-it-the-end-of-the-world/

By: Martín Pereyra

Martín Pereyra — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 14:31:01 +0000

I might be pedantic, but I think that at this point, it should be a well-known fact among those interested in this stuff that the artifact depicted in the poster is not Maya but Aztec (Mexica, more specifically).

By: mike burkhart

mike burkhart — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 15:53:32 +0000

Good but I think it for nothing, because when the world dose not end in December of 2012 they will just set the next date , and when the world dose’nt end the next,the next, the next,the next,the next,the next,the next. All the way to 1 billon years form now when the red giant sun ends the world .

By: Captn Tommy

Captn Tommy — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 15:14:29 +0000

A. Admission Free, Open To The Public, Phil Plait…

1. YOU are speaking
2. You have a poster for it.
3. Admission is Free

Do you really need to say Open To The Public?

B. It has been known for years that the Mayan calendar resets. wouldn’t it be more entertaining to wait until Dec. 22d and have a good laugh? Though if your talks are as good as your Blog, I can see why peaople would like to hear you kick a dead horse. (now there’s a silly phrase).

By: j patrick

j patrick — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 02:58:35 +0000

Nice poster,Phil. Did u do the layout?

John

By: Nicole

Nicole — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 18:15:59 +0000

Thanks for the plug, Phil!

Hi Rich and Callie! So I’ve been told that parking is limited at the Jefferson Foundation, but just down the block is the stadium parking and that’s all open to anyone after 5pm. Look forward to seeing you again!

By: Richard Drumm The Astronomy Bum

Richard Drumm The Astronomy Bum — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 03:36:43 +0000

I’ll be there with bells on, so-to-speak, just have to figure out the parking situation… If it’s clear I might bring a solar scope or 2…
Hi, Callie! :^D
Meskine:
I’m from Lexington too! Graduated LHS in ’68. My dad taught history at VMI.

By: JSto

JSto — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 03:09:17 +0000

Good to see you earlier!

By: Elwoodius

Elwoodius — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 01:36:43 +0000

“Perfect for the budding scientist in your family. He will be available afterword to autograph his book.”

Sorry to be a pendant, but the budding scientist in my family hasn’t written any books…

Shame I’m so far away – I’d like to hear this talk!

By: Meskine

Meskine — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 00:20:11 +0000

Phil, where in Virginia did you grow up? I’m a Lexington boy myself. Even though I’ve been in Texas for over 30 years, I still consider Lexington “home”. Alas, I’ll be missing your talks by about a month.