- Details
- Category: Commentary
My intent for this website is to be "just the facts" about the universe and my experiential (i.e., limited) advice about observing and gear.
I will be sharing some thoughts on Flat Earthism, because I am increasingly running into them, in real life. (Hint: it's all about psychology; it's definitely not science).
Here's the first (because it was easy and fast): The Magic/Fairy Corollary
Note: I am fine with pretty much any religion - IF you use it to bring people together and do not use it to Other.
- Details
- Category: Commentary
Brandolini's Law (the Bullsh1t Asymmetry Principle) states:
The amount of energy needed to refute bullshit is an order of magnitude bigger than that needed to produce it.
The Magic/Fairy Corollary (the Fool Rule?) states that when providing an explanation for a phenomenon, it is many orders of magnitude easier to exclaim "Magic!" than it is to independently derive the proven explanation.
Acting independently, even a good faith actor is unlikely to re-create decades or centuries of scientific experiment. Given the internet, many rabbit holes still lead to Magic! In the best of cases understanding a phenomenon is still magnitudes more complicated than shouting "Magic!"
Throw in those not acting in good faith...
Thus the BS.
Those acting per Brandolini's Law, often reduce the burden - by orders of magnitude! - required for the uniformed to understand, should the uninformed choose to become informed. And yet...
"It's Magic!"
"Actually, it's when voltage difference between oppositely charged areas is greater than the atmosphere's resistance. Current!"
"It's MAGIC!"