UFO's...not an argument, just a discussion... - Page 2

asimov (John) · #21 22-06-2006, 04:45 PM

1972 april 12th Lester?? I seem to remember being up your way with a star dropper & a piece of rope at about that time

wraithe · #22 22-06-2006, 04:49 PM

well said Robert_T...We are very small in this universe, and probably insignificant in the whole of space...We have lots of theories, but they are not facts and most get dropped by the way side as crap...but while they are accepted as plausable, they are rammed down our throats as fact...if its a theory, then that is what it is, not even close to fact...so to dismiss theories as crap because it dont fit in with anothers theory, well thats just plain ignorant...Does any body really know why gravity works..NO, because we only have theories...the theory of relativity, is just that...
The theory that aliens are in space is just as plausible, as the theory of relativity, in fact probably more so, the mathematics of e.t's being out there is easier to accept...and understand...

janoskiss (Steve H) · #23 22-06-2006, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Does any body really know why gravity works..NO, because we only have theories...

What would you want besides "theories" that would make you happy that we do understand?

Robert_T · #24 22-06-2006, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wraithe

The theory that aliens are in space is just as plausible, as the theory of relativity, in fact probably more so, the mathematics of e.t's being out there is easier to accept...and understand...

wraithe, OK, but I think with this last comment you've missed or disagree with the thrust of what I'm saying... just because something is easier to understand in NO WAY makes it more plausible. The world and universe is a very complex place....

EzyStyles (Eric) · #25 22-06-2006, 05:49 PM

Religion plays a major part in what we humans believe. Personally, I do believe there are intelligent lifeforms elsewhere can't be too ignorant sometimes but also follow my christian values.

Lester · #26 22-06-2006, 06:50 PM

Ah Asi,

So that was your star dropper that went through the header causing $5,000 damage

asimov (John) · #27 22-06-2006, 06:58 PM

well....would you believe I was up that way doing some fencing....& I had to hogtie a steer??...........What time did you say you were coming to my place again??

Phil · #28 22-06-2006, 07:30 PM

Hi there
Years ago i was out in my backyard with my telescope just looking around as we all do and a strange round light came over my head it was about 100 to 200m high the strange thing about the light there was no sound at all and it was moving in funny direction . I could not believe what i was seeing so i ran inside and got my *EX* wife who came out to see what the hell i was going on about . When she saw what i had seen she to could not believe what we where looking at .To this day i still don't no what that light was.
Phil

EzyStyles (Eric) · #29 22-06-2006, 07:43 PM

interesting Phil. Did you watch it till the end?

Robert_T · #30 22-06-2006, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wraithe

We have lots of theories, but they are not facts and most get dropped by the way side as crap...but while they are accepted as plausable, they are rammed down our throats as fact...if its a theory, then that is what it is, not even close to fact...so to dismiss theories as crap because it dont fit in with anothers theory, well thats just plain ignorant...Does any body really know why gravity works..NO, because we only have theories...the theory of relativity, is just that...
The theory that aliens are in space is just as plausible, as the theory of relativity, in fact probably more so, the mathematics of e.t's being out there is easier to accept...and understand...

Hi Again Wraithe, on reflection there's something else that I'm uncomfortable with in your use of the term theory. Just want to get some thoughts down here. There is a common misconception about scientific theory, that it equates to "speculation" or opinion. It certainly can't be regarded as "fact" (though few things in life could be regarded and agreed by all as such), but nor can it be really regarded as simply speculation. There seems to have been a conflation in many peoples minds of the meaning of scientific theory and the term "theory" as used in everyday speech (e.g. I've got a theory why the weekend days always seem shorter than workdays). In common usage the word "theory" has come to mean opinion or speculation (or just plain running off at the mouth), often of a single individual, and is often used to describe something that has been said (or believed) in a way that casts doubt on it's validity or basis.

Scientific theory does differ in some important ways from this common usage meaning. First, and most fundamentally, scientific theory is phrased so as to be testable, perhaps not always with the current technology available, but there must at least be the potential for testing and the criteria for testing and confirmation or refutation should be made explicit. Scientific theory should also be based on and be consistent with repeatable observations, generally from a range of different individuals. In short, scientific theories are based on stated evidence from observations and they invite challenge by others, and from fresh observations, that seek to test the theory, also from testable and repeatable observations and the evidence they generate. Again, they're not fact, but should a theory stand the test of time and the multiple challenges thrown at it, it should be regarded with considerable more respect than that embodied in common usage of the term "theory".

What scientific theories such as relativety and gravity etc do is they predict successfully and accurately the way certain aspects of the universe behave and in this way they enhance our understanding of, and ability to move through, our universe (e.g. we couldn't get probes to the outer reaches of the solar system without an accurate theory of gravity). These theories might not provide all the answers as to how something works but they do clearly aid our understanding. A belief in the plausability of alien life or even the possibility of alien visitation really doesn't function in the same way - regardless of whether it is true or not, it doesn't really aid our understanding of the way the universe works (at least not when phrased in such a generalistic way) on the way that testable and tested theories can.

cheers,

Phil · #31 22-06-2006, 09:47 PM

Yes we did watch it travel south until we could not see it we got some images on a video but of couse the wife got everything and i got to keep my telescope.

Kieken · #32 22-06-2006, 09:55 PM

Could you describe the light? Was it very well defined or was it more of a glow? And how fast was it?

Perhaps it was some kind of ball lighting? I ones saw a documentary on NGC about these things so perhaps ....?

Phil · #33 22-06-2006, 10:00 PM

No it was a light very bright it was moving very slow the stange thing was there was no sound even when it was above my head .
Phil

EzyStyles (Eric) · #34 23-06-2006, 12:07 AM

Report it in Phil. If you can get your hands on your "EX"s video, will be good to have a look. Moving funny as in?