This loone spends the first half of this screed (yes, it’s a screed, ultimately, against science specifically, and intellectuallism in general) whining that the elitists in the scientific community have prematurely dismissed astrology, ad hoc, not giving it the scientific attention it so badly deserves. Then, in part two, explains why science is irrelevant to Astrology, because it is untestable under the rigors of the scientific method (which is true–unfortunately for her that is the strength of the scientific approach, and the weakness of her mythology.)

Which is it? Which brand of sour grapes is she complaining about?

Don’t expect logic from someone who makes mythology such a huge part of their being, I guess.

BTW, in the really bad analogy dept–Music has THEORY, we can study sound waves, do social experiments on different kinds of music, study the MRIs of people’s brains listening to music, etc, etc.

I also have been warned previously about a terrribly painful time when Jupiter enters Uranus but have no first hand experience of such.

I’m supposed to be too old to chuckle @ that sorta thing, but I chuckled nonetheless.

60613, While you might assume that astrology is generally scoffed at, it’s a thriving industry full of believers and people keep forking over millions of dollars in support of it.

Skeptico wrote an excellent post on the subject a couple years ago

Astrology believers – unsinkable rubber ducks

Of all the woo beliefs, astrology seems the most persistent, the most resistant to evidence, and the most frustrating to debate with believers. I am reminded of Randi’s unsinkable rubber ducks – no amount of contrary evidence will ever un-convince the true believer in astrology. Why does this irrational nonsense continue to flourish despite the complete absurdity of its premises and lack of evidence for its efficacy? This persistent belief in the teeth of evidence would in itself make an excellent psychological study.

I can only explain it in terms of the power of confirmation bias and the forer effect.

*snip*

Confirmation bias is a godsend to astrology. The many different predictions of astrology, with its numerous aspects to consider, and the different possibly interpretations of the data mean it is child’s play to cherry pick predictions that match the actual characteristics of the person, and ignore those that don’t. No matter who the person is, there will be something in the horoscope that fits, and what doesn’t fit will be forgotten. Confirmation bias means the believers don’t even realize they have done this.

But on the bright side, KA, I look forward to any time when my moon is rising over Uranus!

Thought I was too old to laugh @ that, but apparently not.

I also rely on bumper stickers-hedging all bets, doncha see- but bumper stickers don’t come with a tasty almond-flavored treat!