Not only is Mauna Kea not likely to ever erupt
again (see the "hotspot" explanation posted
elsewhere), but my understtanding is that the site offers some of the most uniformly best seeing available within the US borders, due to its
elevation, the smooth air flow off of the ocean
(minimizing "twinkle"), and the distinct absence
of light pollution. Not only that, but its proximity to the equator offers views well into
the southern celestial hemisphere, allowing observatories based there access at one time or
another to nearly the entire sky.
Even if there was a real risk of the volcano
erupting, I'd still be very tempted to stick a
telescope or two up there....
Because Puthoff and company are more than
likely pseudoscientists and the technology they're
so actively pimping is based on unrealisticly
optomistic views of how much energy is available.
Galileo keeps popping up in discussions like
this....but there is a world of difference
between being jailed for going against a
religious doctrine and a theory being met with
skepticism because it contradicts a good deal
of evidence (especially when the theory relies
strongly on supposition instead of hard evidence).
Strikes against the Orion theory as I
understand it:
In order to get a "match" between the pyramid
layout and Orion's Belt, you have to "flip" the
star chart, if I recall correctly.
Matching any given three or four points to
some other three or four points is an easy
coincidence, especially when the margin of error
in placing either set of points is high (putting
a star chart on top of a map of the Giza Plateau
will yield literally millions of star combinations
that happen to fall on the patches of ground
covered by the pyramids...the fact that the stars
that form Orion's Belt do so, while perhaps
interesting, does nothing to prove that such
a match was intentional).
The projected date of construction the Orion
theory points to (again, from my understanding)
contradicts the date supported by a large body of
archaeological evidence, including (but not
limited to) contemporary literary source, digs
on the villages erected around the site to house
the construction workers, and items (such as the
ships buried at the Great Pyramid's base) placed
on site apparently during or soon after
construction.
Until the theory is better supported, I can't
help but dismiss it.
The theory that you're talking about is
not widely accepted; it yields a construction
date more than 7000 years out of line with all
of the other evidence.
In fact, the only support I've heard for
this theory has come from the few people who
believe that crackpot geologist who claims the
Great Sphinx is 10000+ years old based on
weathering patterns in the stone (and not
taking into account how salt crystal formation
in the stone would accelerate weathering). They
inevitably seem to use this "new finding" of
the pyramids' older-than-expected age to support
their pet ancient Sphinx theory, ignoring the
piles of evidence against it.
By your logic, your vote wouldn't really count
in a purely popular election either.
The electoral college system actually enhances
your chances of casting the swing vote in any
given election; who knows, maybe next time the
election will hinge on Wisconsin's electoral
votes, and your individual vote will carry the
day....
o/~ Bye bye to one more mystery of pi,
Some idjit found a digit in binary base. Why?
So some good ol' boys in the computer lab cry,
"Zero's the quadrillionth digit of pi!
Zero's the quadrillionth digit of pi...." o/~
-- WhiskeyJack
Re:Conscience strikes....
on
D&D Trailer
·
· Score: 1
....for double damage! Roll 6d6 and let's
see how badly that really hurt....
The cost of the materials that goes into one monitor is less of a factor than the number of monitors that come off the production line flawed, and need to be discarded. We're dealing with the fabrication of tens of millions of microscopic components here, and if even a handfull of them are botched in production, the resulting monitor panel will be unsaleable. When someone pays $10000 for one of these flat panel displays, they're paying not only for the display they got, but for the X number of displays that (on average) came off the line too flawed to sell.
If you check out the screenshots of the Amazon character, notice which leg is armored. I'll give you a hint -- it's not the left leg that she's shown leading with in all the shots, where it might actually do the lass some good.....
Details like that always manage to bug the hell out of me.;)
I say draw (as in the first half of "draw and quarter") the fellow, then make him watch as his newly freed intestines are ground into luncheon meat and canned....;)
I think the real issue here is that the posts were just taken and used without any kind of prior notice and no chance for those who would like to avoid publication to voice their objections. Next time, tell us what you intend to do...how hard would it be to post a story titled "Slashdot Considering Hellmouth Book"? Give us a chance to voice our opinions before the decision is made, hey?
The site makes no mention of how multiple users on the same computer might be handled. Wouldn't shared usage spoil their profiles?
And since their tracking relies on an "anonymous" number...what would happen if all of us were to use the same number? (My impression is that the number is somehow incorporated into the client software....shouldn't be too hard to change it.;)
Behold, the reading habits of one huge entity named Slashdot!
Thanks buddy....some of us are browsing from work, and can get fired for downloading pics like that one.
Go ahead and troll....just don't lay traps like that one that could (if my boss had been looking over my shoulder when I clicked the link) put me out on the street, alright?
Interesting....I've always found the way languages (mis)translate fascinating; that this little tidbit applies to a book that many here in the States hold as not only sacred but perfect in every way makes it doubly so. In any case, the "rope" version certainly makes more sense (though the camel version has inspired some truly awe inspiring sculptures in miniature[1]).
I stil stand by my initial point, though: the founding voice of the most prominent religion in this country is on the record stating that wealth is an impediment to spiritual enlightenment, possible mistranslation and various theological manuverings aside[2].
--WhiskeyJack
[1] The Ripley's Believe-It-Or-Not museum in San Fransisco had(has?) several miniature camel sculptures in ivory on display, all of a size to fit through a needle's eye.:)
[2] The debates in the middle ages surrounding whether the Church could morally possess wealth, forinstance. (In the end, it was concern over the Church's ability to maintain power that decided the issue, moreso than any theological arguments...they only needed to manuver just enough to justify it.)
Re:Sung to the tune of Oldie Classic "Da-Do-Run-Ru
on
Battlefield Earth
·
· Score: 2
Hmmm...I have got to run with this...
He keeps writin' books even though he's dead, L. Ron Ron Ron, L. Ron Ron
That's cause his cult went and froze his head L. Ron Ron Ron, L. Ron Ron
Yeeaaaaaah, his brain is chilled!
Yeeeeeaaah, he's writing still!
And yeaaaah, he makes me ill...it's L. Ron Ron Ron, L. Ron Ron.
Now they've got a movie by this Hubbard guy L. Ron Ron Ron, L. Ron Ron
The folks at Slashdot don't think it will fly L. Ron Ron Ron, L. Ron Ron
Yeeeeah, it's 'bout those pesky Psychlos!
Yeeeeah, John T.'s got two straws up his nose!
Yeeeah, it looks like this movie just blows...cause it's by L. Ron Ron Ron, L. Ron Ron.
The star of this movie thinks that L. Ron is God L. Ron Ron Ron, L. Ron Ron
But L. Ron's religion is just one giant fraud L. Ron Ron Ron, L. Ron Ron
Yeeeah, folks're worried that this film will be
Yeeeah, recruiting more folks for Scientology
Yeeeah, all of us just have to wait and see...along with L. Ron Ron Ron, L. Ron Ron
Slashdot Mirror
Not only is Mauna Kea not likely to ever erupt again (see the "hotspot" explanation posted elsewhere), but my understtanding is that the site offers some of the most uniformly best seeing available within the US borders, due to its elevation, the smooth air flow off of the ocean (minimizing "twinkle"), and the distinct absence of light pollution. Not only that, but its proximity to the equator offers views well into the southern celestial hemisphere, allowing observatories based there access at one time or another to nearly the entire sky.
Even if there was a real risk of the volcano erupting, I'd still be very tempted to stick a telescope or two up there....
-- WhiskeyJack
Forgot to put the leading "ell" in after I changed "lawyers" to "drones" in my original draft. Whoopsy.
-- WhiskeyJack
Hmmm...
Ron Hubbard's drones
censoring Slashdot comments
with a "clear" concience?
-- WhiskeyJack
Simple: the constant "c" is the speed of light in a vacuum. Light slows down when it travels through anything else.
--WhiskeyJack
Because Puthoff and company are more than likely pseudoscientists and the technology they're so actively pimping is based on unrealisticly optomistic views of how much energy is available.
See this Scientific American article, from the December '97 issue.
Of course, I'd be very happy if I were wrong about this.... ;)
-- WhiskeyJack
Anonymous Coward writes: "So what if I played a little d&d as a teenager, does that make me unsuitable for a mate?"
Yes.
Next question?
-- WhiskeyJack
Galileo keeps popping up in discussions like this....but there is a world of difference between being jailed for going against a religious doctrine and a theory being met with skepticism because it contradicts a good deal of evidence (especially when the theory relies strongly on supposition instead of hard evidence).
Strikes against the Orion theory as I understand it:
- In order to get a "match" between the pyramid
layout and Orion's Belt, you have to "flip" the
star chart, if I recall correctly.
- Matching any given three or four points to
some other three or four points is an easy
coincidence, especially when the margin of error
in placing either set of points is high (putting
a star chart on top of a map of the Giza Plateau
will yield literally millions of star combinations
that happen to fall on the patches of ground
covered by the pyramids...the fact that the stars
that form Orion's Belt do so, while perhaps
interesting, does nothing to prove that such
a match was intentional).
- The projected date of construction the Orion
theory points to (again, from my understanding)
contradicts the date supported by a large body of
archaeological evidence, including (but not
limited to) contemporary literary source, digs
on the villages erected around the site to house
the construction workers, and items (such as the
ships buried at the Great Pyramid's base) placed
on site apparently during or soon after
construction.
Until the theory is better supported, I can't help but dismiss it.-- WhiskeyJack
The theory that you're talking about is not widely accepted; it yields a construction date more than 7000 years out of line with all of the other evidence.
In fact, the only support I've heard for this theory has come from the few people who believe that crackpot geologist who claims the Great Sphinx is 10000+ years old based on weathering patterns in the stone (and not taking into account how salt crystal formation in the stone would accelerate weathering). They inevitably seem to use this "new finding" of the pyramids' older-than-expected age to support their pet ancient Sphinx theory, ignoring the piles of evidence against it.
-- WhiskeyJack
Skimmed your post, missed your point, caught it when I re-read after hastily inserting foot in mouth. My bad.
-- WhiskeyJack, too tired to post today....
By your logic, your vote wouldn't really count in a purely popular election either.
The electoral college system actually enhances your chances of casting the swing vote in any given election; who knows, maybe next time the election will hinge on Wisconsin's electoral votes, and your individual vote will carry the day....
-- WhiskeyJack
...to find out who the next President will be.
Welcome to Indecision 2000!
-- WhiskeyJack
Cue the music, lads!
o/~ Bye bye to one more mystery of pi,
Some idjit found a digit in binary base. Why?
So some good ol' boys in the computer lab cry,
"Zero's the quadrillionth digit of pi!
Zero's the quadrillionth digit of pi...." o/~
-- WhiskeyJack
....for double damage! Roll 6d6 and let's see how badly that really hurt....
-- WhiskeyJack
In other words (and with apologies to Freud): "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar." -- WhiskeyJack PS> Got a light?
From the Norsar release pointed to above:
"...1-2 tons of explosive in water..."
-- WhiskeyJack
The cost of the materials that goes into one monitor is less of a factor than the number of monitors that come off the production line flawed, and need to be discarded. We're dealing with the fabrication of tens of millions of microscopic components here, and if even a handfull of them are botched in production, the resulting monitor panel will be unsaleable. When someone pays $10000 for one of these flat panel displays, they're paying not only for the display they got, but for the X number of displays that (on average) came off the line too flawed to sell.
-- WhiskeyJack
If you check out the screenshots of the Amazon character, notice which leg is armored. I'll give you a hint -- it's not the left leg that she's shown leading with in all the shots, where it might actually do the lass some good.....
Details like that always manage to bug the hell out of me. ;)
--WhiskeyJack
I say draw (as in the first half of "draw and quarter") the fellow, then make him watch as his newly freed intestines are ground into luncheon meat and canned.... ;)
--WhiskeyJack
Elizabethan....you wouldn't catch me dead in it, even if my lady likes a man in slops. Give me Saxon stripy-pants any day! :)
-- WhiskeyJack, whose preferred mode of funny clothing runs toward 11th century Saxon & Norse.
I think the real issue here is that the posts were just taken and used without any kind of prior notice and no chance for those who would like to avoid publication to voice their objections. Next time, tell us what you intend to do...how hard would it be to post a story titled "Slashdot Considering Hellmouth Book"? Give us a chance to voice our opinions before the decision is made, hey?
-- WhiskeyJack
The site makes no mention of how multiple users on the same computer might be handled. Wouldn't shared usage spoil their profiles?
And since their tracking relies on an "anonymous" number...what would happen if all of us were to use the same number? (My impression is that the number is somehow incorporated into the client software....shouldn't be too hard to change it. ;)
Behold, the reading habits of one huge entity named Slashdot!
-- WhiskeyJack
Thanks buddy....some of us are browsing from work, and can get fired for downloading pics like that one.
Go ahead and troll....just don't lay traps like that one that could (if my boss had been looking over my shoulder when I clicked the link) put me out on the street, alright?
-- WhiskeyJack
Glad you liked it...
You're more than welcome to freely distribute it. :)
-- WhiskeyJack
Interesting....I've always found the way languages (mis)translate fascinating; that this little tidbit applies to a book that many here in the States hold as not only sacred but perfect in every way makes it doubly so. In any case, the "rope" version certainly makes more sense (though the camel version has inspired some truly awe inspiring sculptures in miniature[1]).
I stil stand by my initial point, though: the founding voice of the most prominent religion in this country is on the record stating that wealth is an impediment to spiritual enlightenment, possible mistranslation and various theological manuverings aside[2].
--WhiskeyJack
[1] The Ripley's Believe-It-Or-Not museum in San Fransisco had(has?) several miniature camel sculptures in ivory on display, all of a size to fit through a needle's eye. :)
[2] The debates in the middle ages surrounding whether the Church could morally possess wealth, forinstance. (In the end, it was concern over the Church's ability to maintain power that decided the issue, moreso than any theological arguments...they only needed to manuver just enough to justify it.)
Hmmm...I have got to run with this...
He keeps writin' books even though he's dead,
L. Ron Ron Ron, L. Ron Ron
That's cause his cult went and froze his head
L. Ron Ron Ron, L. Ron Ron
Yeeaaaaaah, his brain is chilled!
Yeeeeeaaah, he's writing still!
And yeaaaah, he makes me ill...it's
L. Ron Ron Ron, L. Ron Ron.
Now they've got a movie by this Hubbard guy
L. Ron Ron Ron, L. Ron Ron
The folks at Slashdot don't think it will fly
L. Ron Ron Ron, L. Ron Ron
Yeeeeah, it's 'bout those pesky Psychlos!
Yeeeeah, John T.'s got two straws up his nose!
Yeeeah, it looks like this movie just blows...cause it's by
L. Ron Ron Ron, L. Ron Ron.
The star of this movie thinks that L. Ron is God
L. Ron Ron Ron, L. Ron Ron
But L. Ron's religion is just one giant fraud
L. Ron Ron Ron, L. Ron Ron
Yeeeah, folks're worried that this film will be
Yeeeah, recruiting more folks for Scientology
Yeeeah, all of us just have to wait and see...along with
L. Ron Ron Ron, L. Ron Ron
--WhiskeyJack