Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Astrology

     Astrology is a pseudoscience based on the premise that astronomical phenomena can be used to predict or interpret events in our life. The planets in our solar system are said to represent life forms that can be interpreted based on their zodiacal positions and how they're situated in space relative to one another. It is said that this can give a comprehensive analysis of a person and their future potential based on their natal horoscope.
     Unfortunately the astronomy field is one filled with extraordinary claims that lack irrefutable evidence. Controlled experiments show that astrologers' abilities don't exceed the degree of chance of their predictions coming true, although it is barely testable to begin with due to the vagueness of the predictions. Astrology itself even has some inconsistencies in its history. First, there used to be 13 zodiac signs, the missing one being Ophiuchus, which was discarded after it was decided 12 was the favorable number of signs. Also they don't account for the "wobble" of Earth's axis over a period of 26,000 years. This wobble has changed the current signs to be at least one sign off from the constellation the sun rises in from 2,000 years ago!
     Personally I don't believe in astrology or horoscopes but I do enjoy reading them from time to time. Enjoy this short 1 minute video from Bill Nye on the subject.


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3 comments:

  1. AnonymousAugust 8, 2015 at 9:43 AM

    I agree that Astrology is anything but specific and logical with predictions, and can see that the broadness of predictions causes the illusion of accuracy. For example people reading their horoscope believe that the description applies directly to them, however the claims are broad enough so that nearly anyone will find them to be true.

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  2. AnonymousAugust 8, 2015 at 12:59 PM

    I remember learning about this as a child. I was big into astronomy at the time and my sister always told me to see what my horoscope reading was every day. I told her its not the same thing, and that astrology maps are completely different than what they were 2000 years ago. She could never realize that one was the study of the stars and the other was a fortune tellers ploy.

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  3. AnonymousAugust 8, 2015 at 2:08 PM

    I honestly do not like horoscopes, or anything about astrology. I used to, until I realized how vague they could be, and after reading about it in the textbook, I ended up laughing about applying them to my life in the past. I feel like if they aren't what you wanted to hear, it could just bring you down. I also feel like some people only choose to believe in good ones, or they might take them too literally, that they'll make bad choices. In the end, it's best to listen to your heart. Sorry if that sounded cheesy.

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