Astronomy began to diverge from astrology, in the Muslim world during the turn of the 2nd millenium AD, and in 2006 the U.S. National Science Board published a statement identifying astrology, along with ten other practices or beliefs, as "pseudoscientific" due to their lack of statistically significant predictions or a plausible explanation for how planetary positions could consistently affect human behaviours. [Wikipedia]
So thats the americans, people who say things like "the jury is still out on evolution". So why then when Prof Brian Cox and Dara O'Briain say "Let's get this straight once and for all, Astrology is rubbish" The other presenter, Brian Cox, then agreed and said "in the interests of balance on the BBC, yes astrology is nonsense." is there an outcry?
Let's face it, no-one believes their horoscopes, do they? That's what I thought.
Apparently my horoscope for today (11/02/2011) is "What would happen if you decided to take care of yourself today, Gemini? This is what the planets are trying to tell you. You need to relax, to let yourself be taken care of, and close your eyes and dream. Leave the daily tasks behind. You need peace and quiet. Lie down and release all your worries. You don't need to act and you don't need to react. Just relax." if you check horoscope.com but "It scares you when life seems like it's slipping through your fingers and you can't slow it down. But it isn't life that's playing tricks on you. You aren't seeing things as clearly as you should be. You feel a little left out, but don't worry. You're just out of energy. Try and think of this empty feeling inside as a kind of purification or a much-needed break from everything." if you check oh wait horoscope.com, maybe the stars realigned between my clicks!?!?
So(*) the think I have been trying to find time to get the whimsical centres of my brain onto recently is that asstrology is supposed to predict the future, now let's assume for a moment that it does in fact work (and is better at it than the canary that predicted my friend Roz's wedding, not happened). They looked into the night sky and saw that light years away (so thats years ago too) the stars were aligned in such a way that said: "Pisces (Dr Brian Cox): you may feel inclined to be disparaging about pseudoscience today, do so at your peril" and "Aquarius: your outspoken stance may outrage the feebleminded. Wear a hat". and deduced that they were in for a rocky ride. Why not get their defence in early? Discredit Cox, accuse him of being a soothsayer, witness prophecy "Things can only get better". Rubbish O'briain.
Did they? no. why? 'cause they didn't see it coming, 'cause astrology is nonsense. The stars are there because thats where they are and we are here for the same reason. might as well derive meaning from the alignment of the tea leaves left in the bottom of your cup of the juxtaposition of the creases on your palm. Ah you're all idiots and what's more you've proved your prediction engine doesn't work. Now SHUT UP and move on to homeopathy, now there's something you can really believe in, belief is all its got.
Homework: read Francis Wheen: How Mumbo Jumbo conquered the world
don't read your horoscope
I have read up on it and here are my horoscopical predictions for you, yes you.
Aries: you are not getting enough sleep of late, treat yourself to an early night
Scorpio: is someone you know becoming more distant? try sending them an email
Capri: did you forget to collect your kids from kindergarten this evening? Are you sure? well where are they?
Gibbonii: who's that behind you? no not him, HIM!
Gemini: you will promise to write blog post and fail to do so. (omg that is so true of me!!!!!!)
* more on "so" in some later post
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