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ORIGINAL: jlf1961

As noted in another post, I recently came across a number of papers from my college years, and one struck me in particular.

I took a class dealing with Technology and History, specifically the impacts of technology on history and culture.

The Professor (who got his PHD with this as a subject) was of the opinion that science and technology directly impacts the advance of humans and impacts culture, but also lectured intently on the non-link of what he referred to as pseudo sciences to the advancement of the accepted studies, i.e physics, chemestry, biology etc.

He was referring to astrology and alchemy primarily, but also added the dark age and pagan practices dealing with 'healing' using plants or some other 'spiritual' conjuring.

Now, the time was the mid and late 80's but even so, studies were coming out dispelling some of his theories, and I wrote a paper basically telling him his whole approach was bullshit.

Lets look at alchemy to begin with.

Alchemists were looking for the philosopher's stone, a substance that would aid in turning base metals into gold or other substances.

One of the ingredients needed to achieve this was referred to as 'elemental water,' which many have said was absolutely pure water.

However, when you consider that one of the primary compounds used in thermonuclear bombs is deuterium (heavy hydrogen) which is found in heavy water, or deuterium oxide.

A thermonuclear explosion is a fusion reaction, which means that atoms of one element is combined with protons, neutrons, and electrons to make other elements.

Now a controlled fusion reaction in a fusion power plant could, theoretically be used to 'build' other elements on an industrial scale. For example, you need 300 tons of gold, you call up the local fusion plant and order it.

The two most efficient fuels to sustain a fusion reaction are hydrogen and deuterium oxide (heavy water.)

Thus it was my contention that without actually knowing about nuclear fusion, these individuals figured out that hydrogen or deuterium oxide was needed, and thus 'elemental water.'

Pagan Healing practices

the combination of herbal and spiritual to heal people have been proved, plants were the primary source of medications and well, you get better faster is your mental outlook is more positive than negative.

Astrology vs Astronomy

Never understood why he did not see a link between the two, since primitive cultures followed the movements of the stars, sun and moon even though they were basically believing that it was these heavenly bodies controlling what was happening around them.

It is also known that people born under different astrological signs seem to have different personality traits that are associated with the sign or more accurately, the being the sign is named after.

Besides, astrology predates the hard science of astronomy by a few thousand years, and granted the astronomers of old were looking for signs in the heavens to predict the future, but without them, astronomy would not be what it is today.

On a personal note, I passed the class and got an A on the paper, along with a note that basically said that while my opinions where just that, and my arguments were sound, I was wrong.

Finally, the professor was put on a involuntary sabbatical after he showed up in class wearing a loin clothe and under the influence of peyote. This happened about six months after I had taken his class.

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ORIGINAL: needlesandpins

There is no accounting for the fact the Muggles exist.

Seriously though, we've existed in our present state for such a little time, and we've such huge egos that we think we are so advanced with all our technology. Yet here we are having forgotten most of how we used to work as a species, and I mean really survived with vital natural knowledge. We know sod all about how our brains work. We have huge pharma corps that would rather works against us for profit than cure us with natural remedies. We know more about the stars than our own oceans, and yet even that is very little really.

As a species we're crap. We fight to dispel what is most probably true in favour of what will make someone money. All the times holding ourselves back.

Needles