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PZ Myers is a biologist and associate professor at the University of Minnesota, Morris.
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More articles by PZ Myers can be found on Freethoughtblogs at the new Pharyngula!

When will I ever learn?

Category: Personal
Posted on: October 18, 2010 12:57 PM, by PZ Myers

I'm in London, and I got ambushed by this guy making videos. He bought me beer, what can I say? Anyway, he said he wanted to ask me serious questions about biology, and when he got me on camera he instead asked me all this weird stuff about constellations and telescopes and has me looking like a stammering moron. He'll probably put it online soon, and then I'll be in trouble.

He goes by the name Andromeda's Wake. At least it was really good beer.


My humiliation and profound ignorance made public:

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Comments

#1

Posted by: JD Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 1:12 PM

Armchair astronomy tends to be commonplace after the consumption of oatmeal stout.

#2

Posted by: Ann Major Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 1:14 PM

English Ale is wonderful, be sure to check out CAMRA & hit up some of the 'real ales' on tap here.
http://www.camra.org.uk/

#3

Posted by: Ray Moscow Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 1:15 PM

You're still in London? Heck, I'd buy you a real ale, even, without video. How much longer are you in town?

#4

Posted by: Silič O'Nopolitanopoulos, Färschdbischuf Beesknees aus Ulm und Klein Elguth, Elector Pharynguline. Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 1:19 PM

Where have all the octos gone? Long time drinking.

Youtube filmed them everyone.

#5

Posted by: Glen Davidson Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 1:20 PM

Yeah, hey PZ, I'd like to ask you a biology question. What kind of life would appear on Europa, and would it use DNA?

At least it wasn't an IDiot, who'd say that if you couldn't answer the question above, that evolution isn't science--just a religion like their own worthless garbage.

Glen Davidson

#6

Posted by: Fred Price, The Cantankerous Cephalopod Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 1:25 PM

hehehehehe, my tentacles are all tingly, i thought this was going to turn into a very different post after the comment about making PZ look like as 'stammering moron', how dare he, i demand repentance for this heinous sin!!!!
anyways, i'm kinda glad this did not turn into a repeat of the 'Expelled' fiasco, that would haver ruined my day, on the other hand, i still chuckle about the fact that PZ was expelled from the cinema by creationists and accomdationist sympathisers because they couldn't take the truth of what he would think of the movie and what it proposes, even though it was supposedly a sorta cult movie rebelling against the evil atheists and their stupid logic.

#7

Posted by: Kristian Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 1:38 PM

Hah, that made my day. :)

#8

Posted by: Sastra Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 1:40 PM

If you were really looking like a stammering moron, I would wonder what he slipped into the beer.

I suppose that teachers may have an advantage over non-teachers when it comes to interviews. They are used to being asked questions on a regular basis -- and they are used to many of these questions being somewhat incoherent or ill-formed. There's probably a certain insouciant aplomb professors gain over the years, an acquired inability to be rattled by impertinence from the young and ignorant. Dealing with creationists, accomodationists, and reporters should feel like familiar territory. You can always fall back on teacher-mode, if need be, and ask them questions in turn.

#9

Posted by: te24hours Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 1:40 PM

Ought you be drinking beers with strangers possessed of recording technology? I'd assume that might be bad for your blood pressure. I know it would be for mine.

#10

Posted by: Tim D. Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 1:57 PM

Andromeda's Wake is one of the good guys. One of the best Youtube channels dealing with Astronomy.

#11

Posted by: somewhereingreece Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 2:03 PM

I would really like to meet you again, if you are holding a meeting with other Londoner fans. :-)

#12

Posted by: JolietJake Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 2:13 PM

Damn it, Jim! I'm a doctor (of evolutionary biology), not a cosmologist. What? A beer? Yeah, OK, sure, I star gaze now and then. Whaddya wanna know?

#13

Posted by: Magic Pants Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 2:14 PM

It depends on how you look at it, Sastra, or maybe the tone of the questions. It can be more flattering than impertinent when people assume that because a person is a scientist they must be an expert in ALL sciences. You only run into trouble when you let them believe it long enough to find yourself trying to explain something way over your head. I doubt that PZ had this problem because, like you said, he's got to be used to dealing with conversations that drift or get hijacked off the road of familiar certainty.

#14

Posted by: RLFoster Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 2:21 PM

It's an old joke, but you should have told him you were a specialist in Uranus.

#15

Posted by: https://www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawky3qJgrFanDHMKzWaPBrWmkeLLQGa8K2o Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 2:27 PM

At the end of the day it's only the beer that matters!

#16

Posted by: https://www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawky3qJgrFanDHMKzWaPBrWmkeLLQGa8K2o Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 2:29 PM

At the end of the day it's only the beer that matters!

#17

Posted by: Magic Pants Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 2:35 PM

What sucks is when people think you should know something you don't. I work with plants and people often ask me why their damn houseplants are dying. I tell them I don't have a clue why and they always give me that "well what the hell do you know about plants if you don't know that" look, which I have to absorb and overcome by running over as many esoteric factoids about plants as I can in my head.

#18

Posted by: legistech Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 2:42 PM

You're not kidding, Tim D., AndromedasWake has some terrific videos up. I particularly enjoyed his smackdown of the fine-tuning argument -- especially since it's one of the few arguments that I think Dawkins did a disappointingly awful job with in The God Delusion, giving it way too much credence.

#19

Posted by: Flatland Nautilus Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 2:47 PM

Now see, PZed, if you were in the Pisces rising stage, like me, you could have handled that situation more gracefully. By getting another beer off the guy.

#20

Posted by: Fred Price, The Cantankerous Cephalopod Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 3:05 PM

good one Flatland Nautilus, i like youre style.
off subject, did anyone know Benoit Mandlebroit (need i say more?) has unfortunately and sadly died.
his obituary was in the independent (british newspaper).

#21

Posted by: https://me.yahoo.com/a/DhjBEuJ8pt63x6eBKuPx0Jv9_QE-#7c327 Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 3:48 PM

Copy editor alert!
"Fortuitous" and "coincidence" mean exactly the same thing.
"Fortuitous" doesn't even remotely mean "fortunate."
Sorry, I can't help myself.
While you're going through your dictionary trying to prove me wrong, you might want to look up "apropos." It doesn't mean what you think it means.

#22

Posted by: daniel.lavine83 Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 4:03 PM

If you're going to be a pedant, you should at least get your facts straight:

for·tu·i·tous/fôrˈt(y)o͞oitəs/Adjective
1. Happening by accident or chance rather than design.
2. Happening by a lucky chance; fortunate.

From Merriam Webster. See #2?

#23

Posted by: vanharris Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 4:09 PM

daniel, the Oxford Canadian says pretty much the same, esp. lucky chance.

#24

Posted by: https://me.yahoo.com/a/3m7DJ5IDuekRrDecB7fQFVvUILuLjxgy#f34f3 Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 4:21 PM

I keep looking through the post and comments, re the previous yahoomess comment.

I'm still trying to figure out why someone suddenly felt the need to alert us to the fact that the word fortuitous has no relation to fortunate.

Anyone?

Also I just went and looked up apropos, meant exactly what I thought it did.

Oh well, that’s life, (the universe and everything – if you like your Latin puns).

#25

Posted by: 'Tis Himself, OM Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 4:23 PM

when he got me on camera he instead asked me all this weird stuff about constellations and telescopes and has me looking like a stammering moron.

See, that's what you get for being dickish to Plait. You could have learned all that astronomy stuff but no, you couldn't be bothered.

#26

Posted by: KingUber Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 4:25 PM

I've heard of this guy

#27

Posted by: Paul Burnett Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 4:27 PM

Fred Price (#20) wrote: "off subject, did anyone know Benoit Mandlebrot (need i say more?) has unfortunately and sadly died."

Obit at http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/10/18/mandelbrot_obituary/

Now to break the news to the folks at FRACTINT.

#28

Posted by: Jack Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 4:40 PM

Hey PZ, if you're still in London how about a pub meet? Not often the London readers have a chance to meet the author.

#29

Posted by: nejishiki Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 4:54 PM

#24
Maybe the joke is that his whole post isn't apropos.
Or he's crazy. Never forget crazy.

#30

Posted by: revfrost Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 5:38 PM

All it takes is a beer to get Pharyngulated?! I spent four years of tuition for the same result... Behold, the power of beer.

#31

Posted by: Quotidian Torture Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 5:59 PM

Andromeda's Wake, huh? Sweet! TK is a pretty awesome guy, from what I've heard, and his "Welcome to the Universe" videos make me try very hard to keep from sniffling.

#32

Posted by: starfart Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 6:02 PM

PZ, the lesson isn't in declining such 'interviews', but simply in knowing how to detect the whiff of underhandedness and then bursting forth with blinding clarity with every question they pretend to want answers to. Sure, they might edit the interview to their advantage, but there's nothing wrong with accepting. Go ahead and let them have it...but ONLY if you have a recording device (they're relatively cheap, widely available, and can fit in a pocket as comfortably as any cell phone) that you can whip out and place right next to your beer on the table on just such occasions. I would think that any similar encounters you have being so equipped would yield an excellent antidote to any perversions they might concoct...and you get to show and tell exactly just how slimy some ideological worms can be as a bonus. I'm serious.

#33

Posted by: The Sailor Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 6:02 PM

I apologize to everyone for going OT, but Benoit Mandelbrot died October 14th.

Fractals and chaos theory brought me closer to being an atheist than any other sources.

The rest of the journey is due to you guys.

Ahh shucks, check above closer next time. [hangs head in shame.]

#34

Posted by: Al Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 6:05 PM

You should use a pic that makes you look less like a teddy bear; try this one:

#35

Posted by: JolietJake Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 6:07 PM

@21

"Fortuitous" and "coincidence" mean exactly the same thing.

The definition of "coincidence" deals primarily with two events happening at the same time, with the two events somehow relating to each other.

Example: One person buys a car. That person calls a friend and says, "hey, I just bought a car." The friend says, "what a coincidence, so did I!"

The definition of "fortuitous" deals with a single event having no specific cause except pure chance.

Example: Someone is driving home. They're scanning through radio stations. They come across their favorite song, and it's just starting. They think to themselves, "how fortuitous that I get to listen to this song in its entirety."

In the second example, there's no other incident to relate the song to. No co-incident, to put it literally.

#36

Posted by: Cath the Canberra Cook Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 6:20 PM

Did a dungeon troll comment get deleted, or did yahoomess the proofreader accidentally comment on the wrong post?

#37

Posted by: Callinectes Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 6:26 PM

[blockquote][b]JolietJake:[/b] In the second example, there's no other incident to relate the song to. No co-incident, to put it literally.[/blockquote]

Incident #1: happening upon that particular radio channel at that precise moment.
Incident #2: that radio broadcaster choosing to play that particular song at that precise moment.

#38

Posted by: Callinectes Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 6:27 PM

Shit! Would Paul Zachary the janitor please clean up my mess.

#39

Posted by: SC OM Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 6:29 PM

Posted by: starfart | October 18, 2010 6:02 PM

Mm?

#40

Posted by: Silič O'Nopolitanopoulos, Färschdbischuf Beesknees aus Ulm und Klein Elguth, Elector Pharynguline. Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 6:37 PM

I'm serious.
Pity that PeeZed wasn't.

My dear Starfart, it's good of you to come back, but do please try to take life a little less literal.

#41

Posted by: JolietJake Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 6:51 PM

@37

Incident #1: happening upon that particular radio channel at that precise moment. Incident #2: that radio broadcaster choosing to play that particular song at that precise moment.

I could still argue that point, but regardless. If I choose an imperfect example, the fault is in the example, not in the underlying point that they have different definitions.

#42

Posted by: Andyo Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 7:04 PM

Posted by: SC OM | October 18, 2010 6:29 PM
Posted by: starfart | October 18, 2010 6:02 PM

Mm?

interesting...
#43

Posted by: Aratina Cage Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 7:18 PM

I'm still trying to figure out why someone suddenly felt the need to alert us to the fact that the word fortuitous has no relation to fortunate.

That particular Yahoomess was littlejohn. He can't help himself sometimes, I've noticed.

#44

Posted by: pasadena beggar Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 7:27 PM

gee, Magic Pants, as a Master Gardener, I get lots of questions from people who want to know why their plants are dying. I answer, and with out any kind of attitude. I don't know anything, let alone everything, but you might have done better than this.

#45

Posted by: pasadena beggar Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 7:29 PM

gee, Magic Pants, as a Master Gardener, I get lots of questions from people who want to know why their plants are dying. I answer, and with out any kind of attitude. I don't know anything, let alone everything, but you might have done better than this.

#46

Posted by: goldencoathanger.com Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 9:11 PM

Not sure if you're aware yet, or if any commenter has already mentioned it already, but Adromedaswake posted the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaeJ-Dd_NJA&feature=sub

I thought it was a funny if immature. I also think you should have asked him some astronomy questions that weren't actually about astronomy.

Wish I could have been at the Amazing thingamajig.

#47

Posted by: Grahame Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 9:44 PM

Are you sure you should be drinking beer?

#48

Posted by: Hot-Z Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 9:46 PM

You were pretty hammered..one beer, or was it a yard..lol

#49

Posted by: Caine, ghetto féministe Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 9:50 PM

SC:

Posted by: starfart | October 18, 2010 6:02 PM

Mm?

Adding my Mm? here...

#50

Posted by: Magic Pants Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 9:53 PM

pasadena beggar,
Yeah, I do actually try and do better and go through the commonest nutrient/water stress symptoms, but the pathology of ornamentals is not my field. Next time I could refer them to you.

It can be flattering when people think you're an expert in a huge category of science, as long as they understand that there's a lot to know. It's not nice when they think that a huge category of science, such as evolutionary or plant biology, is entirely covered in a couple of graduate degrees, (or mastered by reading a few magazine articles, for that matter).

#51

Posted by: jbowen42 Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 10:07 PM

I thought PZ looked really tired, and slightly annoyed about being asked about things he doesn't study.

I thought it was very unfair.

#52

Posted by: llanitedave Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 10:08 PM

News Flash! Biologist stumbles on astronomy questions! Oh, the SCANDAL!

Therefore, Goddidit.

#53

Posted by: KudzuRunner Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 10:15 PM

@51/52 (and others)

You can tell that this video is supposed to be humor, right?

#54

Posted by: jbowen42 Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 10:22 PM

@53

I guess I missed the satire. Perhaps I should have another look?

#55

Posted by: jbowen42 Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 10:33 PM

@53

Upon review, yes I can see the satire. It can be difficult to know when you don't know anything about the person doing the interviewing.

#56

Posted by: Callinectes Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 10:51 PM

@ 55 Check out his other videos, you'll get the idea (worth it).

#57

Posted by: jbowen42 Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 11:09 PM

Callinectes @ 56:

Thanks. I will do so.

Any particular recommendations?

#58

Posted by: https://www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawmVyIvuN7R9xXdAk_jiUtODpvnc4tzVqKM Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 11:44 PM

Tired? I thought PZ looked somewhat drunk.
He did fine, though.
The idea of getting Ray Comfort drunk and then tormenting him ON VIDEO ...
or one of those silly "does God exist" debates, only with beer added, the debaters are getting drunk as they debate, more and more elemental and belligerent ...

#59

Posted by: Aratina Cage Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 11:57 PM

Andromeda's Wake: PZ, you were born on March the 9th, which would make you a Pisces... I'm a Taurus... and as you know, A Taurus and a Pisces is a nearly perfect relationship match. Now, I looked at your horoscope this morning and it said... "You will feel a rush of excitement--impassioned excitement--as you meet an interesting new person today." Uhm, how's that going for you?

PZ: I'm still waiting. I'm sorry.
LMAO!!
#60

Posted by: jbowen42 Author Profile Page | October 18, 2010 11:57 PM

Work in the morning...

Good night.

#61

Posted by: First Approximation, L'esprit de l'escalier Author Profile Page | October 19, 2010 12:04 AM

The idea of getting Ray Comfort drunk and then tormenting him ON VIDEO ...

Why get him drunk? He's silly enough sober.

#62

Posted by: JS1685 Author Profile Page | October 19, 2010 12:23 AM

"It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Yes, it is."

lol

#63

Posted by: ric.larsson Author Profile Page | October 19, 2010 1:25 AM

Sucker. You know nothing about stars - now please give up your educator-role at the university as a biologist, and please try to get someone to revoke your degree while you're at it!

Everyone knows you need to know about galaxies in order to teach things about cells and probabilities of survival. It's in the name, of that other field you're not teaching and probably haven't studied at all: astrobiology.

Now feel owned and quit. Thank you!

#64

Posted by: somewhereingreece Author Profile Page | October 19, 2010 1:32 AM

This was HILARIOUS! *applauds*

#65

Posted by: https://www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawldl-qqzkSQtUMDew0Vf1in_5-JzpVSSiI Author Profile Page | October 19, 2010 1:44 AM

Ahh, don't worry about it, PZ. Andromeda's Wake is on "our side" and just wanted to have a bit of fun. His viewers (myself included) undoubtedly recognize it as a little prank/satire. Your credibility is not in any danger. :)

#66

Posted by: hznfrst Author Profile Page | October 19, 2010 2:00 AM

Despite Andromeda's pretty good website, this attempt at humor fell flat on its face. Maybe it's an English thing - it took a bunch of us over here in the colonies a long time to catch on to Monty Python, after all.

PZ was just being polite to you, Mr A, that's all.

#67

Posted by: billygutter01 Author Profile Page | October 19, 2010 3:14 AM

Started watching... made (in my estimation) a moderately pithy comment on the video, tried to reload, only to find it listed as "Private".

I came back to Pharyngula, tried to view it from here... "Private" all over again!

That'll teach me to make a banal/"moderately pithy" comment in the future.
*sigh*

I 'spose I'll have to wait for a response video to see the rest.

*slinks away muttering, trying to remember the name of that gum advertisement that featured the giant oil octopus*

#68

Posted by: kieran Author Profile Page | October 19, 2010 4:00 AM

Video is private, can't watch it!

#69

Posted by: slugsie Author Profile Page | October 19, 2010 4:13 AM

Try this link for the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NR0DXDabiZk&feature=sub

#70

Posted by: McCthulhu is taking ∞ to eat all the pi Author Profile Page | October 19, 2010 4:44 AM

PZ: I got a LOL out of 'sex face.' But sheesh, I think AndromedasWake owes you a subscription to Sky and Telescope or Astronomy magazine for ambushing you and asking you such astronomy nerd questions. I took two years of astronomy at university* and regularly read the articles in Science mag (the ones that have pictures of weird starry and swirly galaxyey or planety things in the title header) and I got the same answer success rate. Hooray for Crux, the obvious answer! Although, I was tempted to say The Pencil is the smallest constellation (two stars connected by a straight line - from the Mystery Science Theater 3000 sketch).

*Dropped out because I developed a sleep disorder, and yes, that shame does cause more sleeplessness.

#71

Posted by: McCthulhu is taking ∞ to eat all the pi Author Profile Page | October 19, 2010 4:58 AM

People are apparently still not quite adept at catching the subtle nuances of British humour (humour - with the 'fucking U' in it). AndromedasWake's tongue is firmly planted in cheek and I kinda wonder about some people's goofiness sensors when they couldn't tell that the whole thing was just meant to be a mild knock at the limitations of the human brain. Becoming a professor in any science requires a lot of focus and dedication and the degree of knowledge required now (and in the future) is staggering. If AndromedasWake actually expected a biology professor to know the nerdy end of astronomy questions he would have to be a complete nutbar. But he isn't, and you can tell that from looking at a couple vids/titles on his YouTube page. Full points to PZ for playing along and actually getting a couple of good chuckle moments in there...he must be part Python.

#72

Posted by: David B Author Profile Page | October 19, 2010 5:07 AM

Andromeda's Wake seems to have accomplished his objective, which I take to be getting a whole new bunch of people to look at his vids.

Me for one.

Worth watching, too.

#73

Posted by: PZ Myers Author Profile Page | October 19, 2010 5:09 AM

Yes, really. I had a pleasant chat with Andromeda's Wake, and thought that his questions were really funny...and they do make a good point. It doesn't matter how smart you are, there are broad domains of science which you'll know nothing about.

Some people are reacting as if I should be embarrassed about not knowing stuff. I wonder if that's common, and shouldn't be considered a major cause of our current nasty problems. Shouldn't we be unabashed about admitting where we're ignorant?

#74

Posted by: McCthulhu is taking ∞ to eat all the pi Author Profile Page | October 19, 2010 5:30 AM

Shouldn't we be unabashed about admitting where we're ignorant?

I would still be mock-offended enough to try and weasel an astronomy magazine subscription out of him to appease the hurt and embarrassment. Or possibly beer subscription (they must have those in the UK, don't they?).

#75

Posted by: kieran Author Profile Page | October 19, 2010 5:48 AM

I'm now going to be concerned about seeing peoples sex face when talking to them.....

#76

Posted by: McCthulhu is taking ∞ to eat all the pi Author Profile Page | October 19, 2010 6:33 AM

kieran: Yeah, remind me never to allow AndromedasWake anywhere near me with a video camera. I think he got the idea from the movie Office Space. Don't let anyone video you showing your 'Oh! face.'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncpdcFOMJhA

#77

Posted by: josh.baz Author Profile Page | October 19, 2010 7:15 AM

I never suspected you had this much spontaneous comedic wit in addition to your considerable talents as a writer in more reclined environs.

Though I now suspect your breakneck blogging pace is a result of your first drafts being golden ready-to-publish works.

That came out more... sycophantic than I intended. I better throw in a rebuke... you uh.. don't know a lot about Astronomy! Shame!

#78

Posted by: marcushill Author Profile Page | October 19, 2010 7:19 AM

Actually, an important corollary of the fact demonstrated in this video (that no amount of expertise in one area of science makes you an expert in another discipline) is that having a bunch of scientists in fields that aren't evolutionary biology say something about evolution is about as pertinent as asking the opinion of (insert your favourite stereotype of a stuid person here).

#79

Posted by: Petzl Author Profile Page | October 19, 2010 7:32 AM

Well, I think its pretty clear from this interview that, since Professor Meyers admits to not knowing everything: Creationism is much more likely than Darwinist evolution from monkeys and the Earth is indeed 10,000 years old. I can't believe he made it so easy, and on his own blog to boot! If only the other know-it-alls like Dawkins et al. would would make the same profession of ignorance!

#80

Posted by: Cath the Canberra Cook Author Profile Page | October 19, 2010 7:39 AM

LOL, does he also ask technical biology questions of astronomers anywhere? Though I do think it went on a bit long.

BTW, he's wrong about the largest constellation. The largest constellation is the Emu. It's very cool, it's a figure/ground inversion in which the pattern is actually in the dark. Only visible in the southern hemisphere, on nights with good seeing. Best on a moonless night in the outback.

#81

Posted by: Peter Ashby Author Profile Page | October 19, 2010 9:47 AM

I regularly tell people that us scientists are in fact the most ignorant people on the planet. In order to do science you must do a PhD or equivalent which involves reading as much of the literature on your subject area as you possibly can. You do this because there is no point reinventing the wheel and you have to know all that is known in your area to be able to identify the pieces of remaining ignorance so you know where to start digging.

Scientists therefore are not just ordinarily ignorant, we are globally ignorant, seeking to know things that nobody knows. Andromeda's Wake was therefore simply demonstrating your ordinary ignorance outside if your specialist area.

BTW on Skype yesterday the youngest at Uni in NZ threw a question on enzyme kinetics at me (I last did any enzyme kinetics in 1985 when I last did any Biochem) and I was able to answer it (it was the old trick question where the system is saturated). How cool is that? I had assumed I had gone back to being ordinarily ignorant of all that stuff.

#82

Posted by: marcushill Author Profile Page | October 19, 2010 9:56 AM

Incidentally, I thought the best sex face was Ben Goldacre's

#83

Posted by: https://me.yahoo.com/a/YxX5gxIJtODvUh.bBdZFisq6gJvFIbD3#1eecf Author Profile Page | October 19, 2010 1:46 PM

New commenter:

Coincidence refers to events happening by chance. No more, no less.

An event is fortuitous is it happens by chance, but also has a positive result. If there was a person that you were trying to avoid, you wouldn't say that you fortuitously happened to meet them at the bank.

I don't see how one could claim that fortuitous has no relation to fortunate, when both words stem from the root "fortune". It is true that "fortuitous" has a stronger implication that random chance was involved than "fortunate". Also, it is more likely to be ascribed to a single event rather than referring to a general state of affairs (Consider "I was fortunate to be able to go to the best public schools in the state." One could not replace "fortunate" with "fortuitous" here.)

This entire discussion seems to be apropos of nothing, as far as I can tell.

#84

Posted by: Diane G. Author Profile Page | October 19, 2010 4:50 PM

LOL!! What fun.

PZ, I was so trying to give you the benefit of the doubt, till you blew that question of magnitude so spectacularly. (FWIW, I guessed 14--nyaa nyaa nyaa...)

Biggest message coming through is "why be defensive about not knowing everything?" Would that more academics were as comfortable with this really elementary concept. Too many deserve the stereotypic adjective "pompous." (Tho more in the arts than the sciences, IME&O, tho that could be my bias showing.)

[Why does someone always have to chime in with unflattering comments about looks? That's relevant how? Ever stop to think of what it feels like to be told you look tired when you feel great? (I get that a lot. Sorry--eye-bag genes.) Really, remember what Thumper's mother told him.
(PZ, you looked relaxed & healthy & very much the descendent of Vikings that you are. :D )]

Anyone not aware of the astronomical conventions for denoting magnitude should enjoy the story. The ancients began by calling what they thought were the brightest stars "first magnitude," with dimmer objects denoted second, third, fourth, etc. Later on when more modern astronomers tried to quantify the system, and some objects were brighter than first magnitude (e.g., Venus), well, the only way to go was negative. So--the brightest objects have negative magnitude. Like that old sign:
||Plan Ahea||

#85

Posted by: ophelia.benson Author Profile Page | October 19, 2010 7:18 PM

Oh that happened to me! Except without the video - and without the beer, dammit. And without London.

A guy called Alex Tsakiris. Calls himself "Skeptiko" - which I conflated with "Skeptico," so like a fool I said sure, I'll do an interview. Found myself being harangued about near-death experiences and what they show us about blah blah blah...Then he did an edited version, full of him saying what a scandal it is that I'm not an expert on NDEs and parapsychology and blah blah blah, and put it online. Total prat.

#86

Posted by: C_Ford Author Profile Page | October 19, 2010 8:36 PM

Wow, what a nut. Hey I have a question for you about biology. What is the formula for Interest over time?

But you made a good point about constellations being made up things. They are not physical entities. They are imaginary links between stars. The constellations themselves are only visible from earth. Next time this nut ambushes someone explain to him what a paralax is. A paralax is the effect of objects appearing differently from different points of view.

Its also a word from an awesome song by Rush called Roll the Bones. It has great atheistic undertones. Check it out. It's great Canadian music.

#87

Posted by: Diane G. Author Profile Page | October 20, 2010 12:57 AM

#53Posted by: KudzuRunner | October 18, 2010 10:15 PM

@51/52 (and others)

You can tell that this video is supposed to be humor, right?

Repeated as it seems to be necessary. Is there some sense-of-satire black-out this week or what?

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