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Scientific mind needed...

Tompet

Scholar
T
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Jun 5, 2003
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An acquaintance sent me this link as "scientific proof" of the validity of astrology. I attempted to read it, but it gave me a headache. Could someone scientifically more well-versed than I am please have a look and comment? Many thanks in advance. :)

Blah, blah, blah...
 
Ahhh..the old Biorhythms scam. The Earth's field is nowhere near strong enough to influence molecular interactions. I've seen some debunking of this, but unfortunately I didn't bookmark the sites. Look up 'biorhythms' on google and I'm sure you'll find some.

The neurological research looks good up until:
QUOTE
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This is seen as a complex wave made up of the additions and subtractions of each individual wave according to the individual cycle; P(DA) cycles in 23 days, E(5-HT) cycles in 28 days and I(NE) cycles in 33 days. Each (+) half and (-) half of the individual waves reflecting a cyclic surge and ebb of activity in each of the neuromodulator nerve cell loci. This is reflected in the cyclic changes in the relationships of the Solar System Interplanetary Magnetic field caused by the relative positions of the sun and planets as they move about each other.
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END QUOTE

This is bunk. Gibberish. I would LOVE to see and research done that says this is so. It may even qualify for the million dollar prize from the JREF.
I notice that, while many things in this page are cited, this assertation is not. I wonder why....

After this it devolves into sympathetic magic of some sort. It didn't work then and it doesn't work now.


I hope this helps.
 
Well, I only got as far as the second paragraph:
The Earth displays many physico-chemical properties attendent to a mass of matter. One of these is the Geomagnetic Field(GMF). This field is part of the sum total of the Solar System's Interplanetary Magnetic Field(IMF). These fields emminate rhythmic fluctuations. Within these rhythmically fluctuating fields life began and is evolving. The genetic determinants of life began and are evolving in concert with these fluctuating fields and use them for temporal cues. As the [central nervous system] responds to these rhythms, this is the basis for the biorhythms displayed in all animal species.
Click to expand...
(emphasis mine)

As far as I know, there has been no evidence that the central nervous system of anyone "responds" to the solar system's total magnetic field. Besides, even if it did, it would mean that the animal's current location is far more important to their "biorhythm" than when and where they were born.

If I had my curmudgeon hat on, I'd say that this was another case of someone knowing just enough physics to be able to jump to huge conclusions that "prove" their pet theory correct.

They need to learn more physics, though, because they don't use the word "quantum" anywhere in that document.
 
I'm not a scientist.

But the second paragraph is starting to set off my 'WARNING WILL ROBINSON!!' instincts. :(


"Within these rhythmically fluctuating fields life began and is evolving. The genetic determinants of life began and are evolving in concert with these fluctuating fields and use them for temporal cues. As the CNS responds to these rhythms, this is the basis for the biorhythms displayed in all animal species."

Sorry, if you start with a case like this, you're likely to head into the pit of gargling wolves pretty rapidly.

"The discipline of Astrology is based in observation and pattern recognition which has accumulated over thousands of years.

Okay. So, we recognise patterns. Fine. And people note patterns. Fine. But does that necessarily mean truth in the patterns we notice?

Sorry, the young man named Christopher in The Curious Incident of The Dog In The Night-Time by Mark Haddon, noticed that if it was a 'five red car day it was going to be a Super Good Day' - meaning if he saw five red cars, he believed that it was going to be a great day. This young man happens to be autistic. He organises his life around patterns to make sense of a life that is senseless, full of metaphors, emotions and feelings that just do not make any real impact on his mind.

I'm making an analogy here to say that just because there are patterns doesn't necessarily mean that there is inherent meaning.

"In application to the rhythmic behavior of the animals and people in response to the observed cycles tied to the rhythmic changes in the heavens, Astrology was conceived. The changing rhythmic patterns of the heavens was used as markers for the observed rhythmic patterns of behavior in living organisms."

What? Observed rhythmic patterns of behavior? Matches up with star movement? What if Antares suddenly went nova? Will I as a Scorpio suddenly have a Super Bad Day?

Sorry, Tompet - I'm following the others lead and going

'GARGLE!!!!!!' :)
 
Of course a sceptic might wonder, if astrology is so scientifically grounded, why it doesn't work in any way, shape or form whatsoever.

You'll also notice his references include no astrophysics.
When you make a claim like:
The Earth displays many physico-chemical properties attendent to a mass of matter. One of these is the Geomagnetic Field(GMF). This field is part of the sum total of the Solar System's Interplanetary Magnetic Field(IMF). These fields emminate rhythmic fluctuations. Within these rhythmically fluctuating fields life began and is evolving. The genetic determinants of life began and are evolving in concert with these fluctuating fields and use them for temporal cues. As the CNS responds to these rhythms, this is the basis for the biorhythms displayed in all animal species.
Click to expand...
You need to be able to back it up just a little bit.

Sadly a tiny amount of research shows this to be wrong, wrong, wrong.
See
this page entitled: The Interplanetary Magnetic Field .

The earth's magnetic field (magnetosphere) is not part of the IMF :
Earth has a magnetic field, too. It forms a bubble around our planet called the magnetosphere, which deflects solar wind gusts. (Mars, which does not have a protective magnetosphere, has lost much of its atmosphere as a result of solar wind erosion.) Earth's magnetic field and the IMF come into contact at the magnetopause: a place where the magnetosphere meets the solar wind. Earth's magnetic field points north at the magnetopause. If the IMF points south -- a condition scientists call "southward Bz" -- then the IMF can partially cancel Earth's magnetic field at the point of contact.
Click to expand...
.

Let's see - if he is wrong about pretty much point 1 of his explanation about how astrology works, and also doesn't address the fact that astrology doesn't work... how much more debunking is required?

And that's all before we even get into the discussion about how small the magnetic and gravitational effects of planets on the human body actually are, compared to... the doctor who delivers the baby, machines near the pregnant mother, the shape of the building they are born in, the surrounding geography, a fly flying nearby, and a trillion billion other tiny things that would have a far greater affect in real life.



But Tompet, I think you should respond to your acuaintance with a request for examples of scientific studies that show that astrology actually works before he starts worrying too much about an explanation for how it works.
 
Thanks all, I think that's plenty of ammunition to dispute the ridiculous article. :)
 
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