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I always found it quite interesting to see the parallels between arguments for God and aliens -- X can't be explained by science so I'm going to jump to the con
by yantrams 8y ago
I always found it quite interesting to see the parallels between arguments for God and aliens -- X can't be explained by science so I'm going to jump to the conclusion I want to believe. I thought I was immune to this kind of reasoning but even I fell for it with Oumuamua.
The initial paper and comments by some experts convinced me that there is a strong chance that this is a probe. It seemed plausible based on my limited understanding of Physics. (Moment of Inertia, Stresses etc.)
But then a paper[1] was released claiming this to be a comet. I so wanted my original belief to be true(because it was more exciting!) I considered the possibility that their [2]model wasn't accurate. I was even willing to entertain the idea of cover-up just because it didn't align with what I wanted to be true!
[1] https://www.space.com/41015-interstellar-visitor-oumuamua-comet-after-all.html https://www.space.com/41015-interstellar-visitor-oumuamua-co...
[2]A recent study claims that it was indeed the case and the probe is more likely to not be a comet. https://www.quantamagazine.org/interstellar-comet-oumuamua-might-not-actually-be-a-comet-20181010/ https://www.quantamagazine.org/interstellar-comet-oumuamua-m...
Edit: Formatting
- rdtsc 8y ago> I always found it quite interesting to see the parallels between arguments for God and aliens -- X can't be explained by science so I'm going to jump to the conclusion I want to believe. In general I think it is because of baggage associated with "God". Which God(s)? Was/is there persecution, torture, killing, suppression of human rights happening or happened using the belief or lack of believe in said God(s) as a pretext. Aliens are a cute curiosity. That is, it is pretty safe to say we believe in them or hope that they visited us without getting too many people upset. Which is kind of what they did here. "Assuming this body can't outgas, and that the acceleration came from the solar wind, then it might have these other properties, including being an alien solar sail"
- yantrams 8y agoUgh. I just noticed how I bungled it up with my phrasing. I meant "argument for manifestations of god/aliens/" and not "argument for god/aliens" And I totally agree with you.