The Evils Of Pseudo Science And The Brain Drain It Causes

By Author: Stuart Owens
Total Articles: 81
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The actual beginnings of astrology are lost in history. From the Old Babylonian period we have the first records of attempts to correlate basic problems as famine, death or war with the positions of the stars and planets. Though we now understand much more about the true nature of the starry universe, many individuals still cling to the medieval notion that earthly events in their individual lives may be predicted from observations of the skies performed by experienced and perhaps inspired practitioners of astrology.

Let’s get real. People can't cast spells and can we all agree that astrology is pseudo-science? While we're at it, let's stop using the phrase “I'm spiritual." The "spiritual" part is usually right after they mention astrology. Most people who read horoscopes also buy into other new age load like tarot cards and self-healing.

Self healing? Self healing was perfected by Rambo in Rambo: First Blood when he stitched his arm shut after he cracked a kid's back while jumping off a cliff and the only reason his arm split open was because he's so tough; he wanted to make the bad guys think they had a chance. ...
... It was like Rambo sent them all Christmas cards, but instead of cards it was murder.

The other turn off about horoscopes is that some people make financial decisions based off them. They re-read the sentence a few times until the implications set in. Yes, there are mouth breathers out there who literally believe clumps of rocks and dirt floating around pockets of gas, have anything to do with their stocks and lottery winnings.

Have you ever noticed how people ask you what sign you are and always say "I knew it" only after you tell them which one? That is because they are an epitome of stupidity. It doesn't matter what sign you tell them you are, they'll always say "yeah, you're totally a [fill in asinine symbol], I can tell." No, you can't tell because you're an idiot. I hate it when people ask me what ‘sign’ I am.

Astrological signs are based off arbitrary Zodiac symbols drawn by people who also believed that light from stars came from vents on burning chariot wheels. I mean, do people even buy this load? Here's a sample horoscope I found on some sap-magnet website:

“Creative energy, especially involving writing or speaking, could be overflowing within you today. Ideas could be coming thick and fast, dear Leo. You might want to call some old friends and discuss your thoughts with them.”

Creative energy? What on this Earth is creative energy? Also, notice how the tone is set by the use of "...dear Leo," as if some ancient sage was addressing a dear old friend. At this point one usually feels vindicated in spending $199.95 on the newly acquired Brazilian power crystal, just as the CEO of the psychic hotline sets off to the tropics with the millions he's raked in from people.

I especially like the "could be overflowing" part, which puts the astrologer in a safe haven, in the unlikely event that the horoscope was an alphabet soup and has nothing to do with anyone or anything in the universe. Of course, that would constitute fraud, so thankfully we have the doctrine of uncertainty to protect psychics everywhere from malpractice lawsuits. Otherwise an entire industry of aging hippies and their clientele comprised of middle-class 16 year old girls and bored house wives trudging aimlessly from one rebellious new-age religion to the next would have to find a new hobby.

With the advent of the internet it is easier to gather some real knowledge. There are a lot of web forums that promote skeptical inquiry. These boards can be accessed easily over high speed internet service providers like Charter Internet.

Stuart is freelance writer who enjoys writing about the evils of pseudo-sciences and Internet forums which can be accessed over popular service providers like Charter Internet.