Posts: 3,202
Threads: 108
Joined: Jun 2010
I have a friend that is "youtube convinced" that there is a firmament above the earth holding back the biblical "waters above", which is somehow related to the Van Allen belt and the faked moon landing, and in fact all rockets never actually getting into space. Satellites do not exist. A huge conspiracy.
This (at least the fake moon landing part) seems to be a very common belief in Puna. Like, super scary common...
This friend is willing to listen to local scientists, and go to mauna kea (VIS) to see for himself. Would the nice volunteers at the VIS be able to show him a satellite? Or explain that we aren't looking at the moon through water? Is there any argument you would make to obviously refute these claims?
Oh Puna...
Posts: 1,557
Threads: 50
Joined: Oct 2012
Do they not see satellites moving across the sky at night? If so what do they think they Are?
... I'm not a scientist.. but I did stay at a holiday Inn express once.
Posts: 11,018
Threads: 750
Joined: Sep 2012
there is a firmament above the earth holding back the biblical "waters above"
Yes, that certainly sounds true.
Please reassure your friend (if he has a high level of security clearance) that the TMT has incorporated a "firmament water" setting on its lasers. Should a deluge break through, astro-hydrologists are at the ready to zap the celestial floods before they can reach the earth's surface.
Assure your friend he's safe, as long as the TMT is built. They only side effect is that the humidity might get pretty high for a few days afterward.
Four people are in a room and seven leave. How many have to enter again before it's empty?
"I'm at that stage in life where I stay out of discussions. Even if you say 1+1=5, you're right - have fun." - Keanu Reeves
Posts: 2,151
Threads: 73
Joined: Mar 2007
HOTPE, I really agree with your logic overall, but can you explain to me how the humidity around here could possibly get any higher?
Posts: 14,114
Threads: 424
Joined: Aug 2012
how the humidity around here could possibly get any higher?
Social media hysteria....
Posts: 11,018
Threads: 750
Joined: Sep 2012
how the humidity around here could possibly get any higher?
Yes, that's tricky, and obviously extremely scientific. It requires quadratic equations, faith, and so forth. However, briefly, firmament water contains a slightly different molecular structure than regular water, so when vaporized by the TMT's laser our relative humidity level can actually exceed 100%. Steamy +.
It's like when a football player displays an intangible 110% effort on a particularly excellent play. Touchdown! Packers!
Four people are in a room and seven leave. How many have to enter again before it's empty?
"I'm at that stage in life where I stay out of discussions. Even if you say 1+1=5, you're right - have fun." - Keanu Reeves
Posts: 2,151
Threads: 73
Joined: Mar 2007
OK! It all makes perfect sense now.
Posts: 10,221
Threads: 344
Joined: Apr 2009
Has your friend ever watched satellite TV?
Posts: 3,202
Threads: 108
Joined: Jun 2010
TomK, he thinks satellite TV and GPS come from cell towers.
Posts: 10,221
Threads: 344
Joined: Apr 2009
Ask them to point a satellite TV dish at the nearest cell tower and report the results back to you.
