Brainfade Posted January 21, 2013 Posted January 21, 2013 On this idle day (MLK holiday), I started to wonder about astrology - no, not astrology per se, but the question of what is it that attracts people to it. The easy answers, of course, are: "Well, people are gullible. People are fools. People are ignorant. People want some solace in something." All probably true to one extent or another, but we all know of intelligent, successful, otherwise rational people plan their lives based on what a Panditji says. I grew up in a family of successful businessmen - sharp, decisive, rational individuals with MBAs from Wharton and IQs higher than mine - who planned their personal lives around "Jaadagams" (horoscope) and some Vaadyar's (priest) interpretation of planetary positions. I extricated myself from this routine in my 20s, but was an active participant in this way of life as a child and youth. Now, I can't even fathom what the heck I was thinking. Which brings me to Prem Jyotish. With parents visiting from India, we turned on the Hindi TV package. Every channel that I have seen has at least one show, usually multiple, sponsored by this guy. The telecast of Amitabh's KBC on Sony (I believe) is sponsored by him. Obviously, a very successful man. Obviously many people "believe in" him. What makes him such a draw? What are y'all's thoughts? And while exploring, I found this. It's hilarious: lwjvhnIg60o
ganeshran Posted January 21, 2013 Posted January 21, 2013 Almost every superstitious belief stems from one of two causes - insecurity and lack of belief in one's own ability or indoctrination from a young age. The idea that we don't control a lot of external events which influence our lives can be a scary thought and people resort to shortcuts like astrology/religious practices to reassure themselves that stuff which they cannot control will eventually work out in their favor. Indoctrination is an even more powerful cause IMO. Any established belief system is next to impossible to give up even in the face of the most powerful rational argument. Cognitive dissonance leads people to dismiss opposing evidence and continue to believe in mumbo-jumbo.
punjabi_khota Posted January 21, 2013 Posted January 21, 2013 My guess would be that since it sounds scientific enough and has a 'theory', which makes it attractive. The 'astro' part of astrology IS scientifically correct and light years (pun unintended) ahead of other types of future prediction schemes such as parrot-ology or palmistry or stochastic calculi (apologies to Outsider :P) etc.
Clarke Posted January 21, 2013 Posted January 21, 2013 It takes a bit of courage to question authority, something that cannot be gauged by IQ or taught at Wharton. The foundations of these pseudo-sciences lie in organized religion. How many folks do you see going total agnostic/atheist after completing biology in high school (in particular the chapters on evolution) ? They simply accept god and evolution as completely legitimate co-existing theories. As long as you're accepting the religious tales, I don't see how one can then ignore the rest of the package followed by one's family/elders.
ganeshran Posted January 21, 2013 Posted January 21, 2013 My guess would be that since it sounds scientific enough and has a 'theory', which makes it attractive. The 'astro' part of astrology IS scientifically correct and light years (pun unintended) ahead of other types of future prediction schemes such as parrot-ology or palmistry or stochastic calculi (apologies to Outsider :P) etc. Isnt the majority of astrology based on a geocentric model :dontknow:
punjabi_khota Posted January 21, 2013 Posted January 21, 2013 Isnt the majority of astrology based on a geocentric model :dontknow: It is ? Ok, didn't know that. I mean at least it gives consistent (false :hahaha:) results since there are some rules and ****, and some algorithms.
Ram Posted January 21, 2013 Posted January 21, 2013 It takes a bit of courage to question authority, something that cannot be gauged by IQ or taught at Wharton. The foundations of these pseudo-sciences lie in organized religion. How many folks do you see going total agnostic/atheist after completing biology in high school (in particular the chapters on evolution) ? They simply accept god and evolution as completely legitimate co-existing theories. As long as you're accepting the religious tales, I don't see how one can then ignore the rest of the package followed by one's family/elders. I disagree. I dont think being religious is a pre-existing condition required to be superstitious. Sure, religion does a tremendous job prepping the human mind to be open to accepting other belief systems, but I dont think it is a pre-requisite.
Clarke Posted January 21, 2013 Posted January 21, 2013 I disagree. I dont think being religious is a pre-existing condition required to be superstitious. Sure' date=' religion does a tremendous job prepping the human mind to be open to accepting other belief systems, but I dont think it is a pre-requisite.[/quote'] Not a necessary condition at all, but it lays the foundation for the biggest pseudo-science (astrology) in the case of our society.
ganeshran Posted January 21, 2013 Posted January 21, 2013 It is ? Ok' date=' didn't know that. I mean at least it gives consistent (false :hahaha:) results since there are some rules and ****, and some algorithms.[/quote'] The only part of astrology which I have seen giving consistent results is the horoscope matching stuff. Two different snake oil sellers more often than not give the same answer for the horoscope. When it comes to predicting the future, all are inconsistent and equally wrong.
Brainfade Posted January 21, 2013 Author Posted January 21, 2013 The only part of astrology which I have seen giving consistent results is the horoscope matching stuff. Two different snake oil sellers more often than not give the same answer for the horoscope. (1) Give us an example - are you talking mainly about marriage compatibility? (2) Why do think it "works"?
straighttalk Posted January 21, 2013 Posted January 21, 2013 there is a tendency among certain group of people to consider certain things as more cool or more hip. These same group of people will try to entice or convince the other group to change their mind. I am not talking about people doing this for public consumption but within their own social circles. a person who doesnt blv in God or astrology..assumes a superior position and sees fit to pass judgement on the other person..as insecure, less confident, superstitious, etc. more often than not...the other person does not try to change your viewpoint or trade insult. whereas you have every right to live your life as you see fit...you have no right to pass judgement on another person for his belief as long as he doesnt try to push his agenda on you.
punjabi_khota Posted January 21, 2013 Posted January 21, 2013 there is a tendency among certain group of people to consider certain things as more cool or more hip. These same group of people will try to entice or convince the other group to change their mind. I am not talking about people doing this for public consumption but within their own social circles. a person who doesnt blv in God or astrology..assumes a superior position and sees fit to pass judgement on the other person..as insecure, less confident, superstitious, etc. more often than not...the other person does not try to change your viewpoint or trade insult. whereas you have every right to live your life as you see fit...you have no right to pass judgement on another person for his belief as long as he doesnt try to push his agenda on you. :blink: Of course you do. We all do. It is called freedom of speech.
nikred Posted January 22, 2013 Posted January 22, 2013 The only part of astrology which I have seen giving consistent results is the horoscope matching stuff. Two different snake oil sellers more often than not give the same answer for the horoscope. The silly FLAMES game, which we played as kids, gives consistent result no matter who does it. So what's your point? :P
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