--- Paul Witte <questort@attbi.com> wrote:
All joking aside, I personally feel it is our responsibility to at least try to set people straight on stuff like this
Mixed feelings here. I enjoy astronomy and atming for very personal reasons, and easing the minds of those who see conspiracy around every corner, and doomsday prophesies in every ancient writing, isn't one of those reasons. Sometimes you just have to let the poor souls wallow in their own ignorance; they won't believe you anyway. Some small people will always thrive on yelling large defiance, and even though "the truth is out there", they wouldn't recognize or accept it even when it's handed to them on a platter. I don't care if this fringe gets "set straight" or not, as long as they don't claim something is based on science fact, if it's not. I'm always willing to at least look at their "proof" before I laugh and walk away. Darwinism in action: Tell them it's actually a comet, with a "mother ship" hiding behind it, and here's what you have to do, to get picked up...first, get a purple robe... C'mon, I'm kidding. If someone is genuinely concerned, and willing to listen to reason, go ahead and reach out. Otherwise, they need a psychiatrist, not an astronomer. As I said, I have mixed feelings.
(though I must agree giving him the SLAS schedule might be a bad idea). Rich, you might want to forward that email to Phil Platt at www.badastronomy.com.
Good start! Chuck
From: Chuck Hards
Do this: Tell him that yes, we know about it, but there isn't room on the escape ship for him, too, sorry old chap.
Then give him Orin Hatch's phone number.
__________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! - Official partner of 2002 FIFA World Cup http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com