discuss Science & Technology news & discussion

[CraigD]

Post and discuss interesting articles & videos about science and technology.

You don't need to be an expert - just interested in the wonders of modern science, technology, and the history of these fields.

Please keep it rational, and post articles from reputable sources.
Try not to editorialise headlines and keep the copy to just a paragraph with a link to the original source. When quoting excerpts from articles, I think the best method is to italicise the copy, and include a link to the source.

Have some fun with your comments and discussions... just keep the sources legitimate.

Other threads:
The Break Room has a number of other popular threads, so there is no need to post material here that is better suited to these other threads:

- Covid19-Coronavirus updates and news
- Conspiracy Thread Free For All
- The *religious* discussion thread

Please enjoy!

 

[CraigD]

The Forgotten Number System - Numberphile

A look at Europe's long-lost Mediaeval number system from the guys at
Numberphile.

EDIT:
I just had to double-check my spelling of the word mediaeval vs. medieval and that is apparently a story in itself:
https://www.medievalists.net/2018/01/medieval-or-mediaeval/

 

[CraigD]

Australia: World's biggest hoax?

For more than a decade, false posts on social media have claimed that Australia is a "hoax". The posts claim the continent does not actually exist and that Australia was invented to cover up "one of the greatest mass murders in history" when Britain moved some 162,000 convicts to the southern hemisphere. "If you think you've been to Australia," the posts say, you're wrong -- you've probably been to South America "where they have cleared space and hired actors to act out as real Australians". The claim has also been amplified on "flat earth" websites. Here we look at some of the reasons why Australia's existence is irrefutable.

https://factcheck.afp.com/australia-worlds-biggest-hoax

---------------------

The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories

Abstract:
What psychological factors drive the popularity of conspiracy theories, which explain important events as secret plots by powerful and malevolent groups? What are the psychological consequences of adopting these theories? We review the current research and find that it answers the first of these questions more thoroughly than the second. Belief in conspiracy theories appears to be driven by motives that can be characterized as epistemic (understanding one’s environment), existential (being safe and in control of one’s environment), and social (maintaining a positive image of the self and the social group). However, little research has investigated the consequences of conspiracy belief, and to date, this research does not indicate that conspiracy belief fulfills people’s motivations. Instead, for many people, conspiracy belief may be more appealing than satisfying. Further research is needed to determine for whom, and under what conditions, conspiracy theories may satisfy key psychological motives.

(NOTE: link is PDF)
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0963721417718261

 

[CraigD]

Search engine giants like Google could soon face competition

The European Union and the United States want to introduce tighter rules for tech giants like Google. Search engine rivals are ready to step up as efforts are made to create a fairer competitive environment.

https://www.dw.com/en/search-engine-giants-like-google-could-soon-face-competition/a-56044768

 

[Cannuck]

The Forgotten Number System - Numberphile

A look at Europe's long-lost Mediaeval number system from the guys at
Numberphile.

The Cistercian Order number sytem looks like it may have evolved from Viking runes.

 

[Cal2]

However, little research has investigated the consequences of conspiracy belief, and to date, this research does not indicate that conspiracy belief fulfills people’s motivations. Instead, for many people, conspiracy belief may be more appealing than satisfying. Further research is needed to determine for whom, and under what conditions, conspiracy theories may satisfy key psychological motives.

I remember an author once saying that in his interviews with Canadian WW2 vets, a # of them said the main reason they signed up was because they were bored. It's how I consider many conspiracists when it comes to psychological motives - excitement junkies, who try to inject a constant flow of cheap and easy excitement into their lives using conspiracies; feeding each other's excitement addiction by embellishing and telling lies to one another. Kind of like little kids who make up stories to one another to create excitement and keep it going - but more grown up kids.

As for those who don't need conspiracy theories to feed an excitement addiction...we have our own problems.

 

[Cannuck]

I remember an author once saying that in his interviews with Canadian WW2 vets, a # of them said the main reason they signed up was because they were bored. It's how I consider many conspiracists when it comes to psychological motives - excitement junkies, who try to inject a constant flow of cheap and easy excitement into their lives using conspiracies; feeding each other's excitement addiction by embellishing and telling lies to one another. Kind of like little kids who make up stories to one another to create excitement and keep it going - but more grown up kids.

As for those who don't need conspiracy theories to feed an excitement addiction...we have our own problems.

Infowar, the psychological impact of fake news and what you can do to fight it:

The Psychological Impact of Information Warfare & Fake News

 

[Cal2]

I remember an author once saying that in his interviews with Canadian WW2 vets, a # of them said the main reason they signed up was because they were bored. It's how I consider many conspiracists when it comes to psychological motives - excitement junkies, who try to inject a constant flow of cheap and easy excitement into their lives using conspiracies; feeding each other's excitement addiction by embellishing and telling lies to one another. Kind of like little kids who make up stories to one another to create excitement and keep it going - but more grown up kids.

I'll also add that like some soldiers who see and feel themselves as being more of a 'someone' when they put on a uniform - someone admired/respected by family, girls, .... - I consider many conspiracists as having a want/need for self-importance. Being an individual or part of a group who has 'the truth' can help satisfy that.

Nothing new in that for many people; many who aren't conspiracists.

imo

 

[CraigD]

I remember an author once saying that in his interviews with Canadian WW2 vets, a # of them said the main reason they signed up was because they were bored. It's how I consider many conspiracists when it comes to psychological motives - excitement junkies, who try to inject a constant flow of cheap and easy excitement into their lives using conspiracies; feeding each other's excitement addiction by embellishing and telling lies to one another. Kind of like little kids who make up stories to one another to create excitement and keep it going - but more grown up kids.

As for those who don't need conspiracy theories to feed an excitement addiction...we have our own problems.

I've actually only just heard about the 'Australia isn't a real country' conspiracy, but perhaps that's because I've been hoodwinked all my life about living in a fake country.
Disclaimer: I am not a paid actor.

I have to wonder if it was simply a case of everybody jumping on the bandwagon because - as you point out - they were bored and it is also simply so absurd that it is amusing to propagate.

Unfortunately this just reinforces the conspiracy for the less well educated.

Thankfully I grew up in a simpler age before the internet and memes existed.

 

[CraigD]

The Cistercian Order number sytem looks like it may have evolved from Viking runes.

Thanks - I thought those symbols looked vaguely familiar, but couldn't place it!

 

[Cannuck]

Thanks - I thought those symbols looked vaguely familiar, but couldn't place it!

The Vikings were there in early medieval times, mostly raiders, but some settled and left descendants.

The Anglo-Saxon rulers paid large sums, Danegelds, to Vikings, who mostly came from Denmark and Sweden who arrived to the English shores during the 990s and the first decades of the 11th century. Some runestones relate of these Danegelds, such as the Yttergärde runestone, U 344, which tells of Ulf of Borresta who received the danegeld three times, and the last one he received from Canute the Great. Canute sent home most of the Vikings who had helped him conquer England, but he kept a strong bodyguard, the Þingalið, and its members are also mentioned on several runestones.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viking_activity_in_the_British_Isles

 

[CraigD]

The Vikings were there in early medieval times, mostly raiders, but some settled and left descendants.

The Anglo-Saxon rulers paid large sums, Danegelds, to Vikings, who mostly came from Denmark and Sweden who arrived to the English shores during the 990s and the first decades of the 11th century. Some runestones relate of these Danegelds, such as the Yttergärde runestone, U 344, which tells of Ulf of Borresta who received the danegeld three times, and the last one he received from Canute the Great. Canute sent home most of the Vikings who had helped him conquer England, but he kept a strong bodyguard, the Þingalið, and its members are also mentioned on several runestones.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viking_activity_in_the_British_Isles

I recently discovered that I have Viking blood because I have a bad case of 'Viking disease' in my left hand. Apparently they spread the bad gene through the British Isles during the invasions.

It's a real pain because it badly affects my guitar playing.

 

[CraigD]

New year, new you: the science of making, breaking and replacing habits

Welp, after what felt like the longest year ever, it's 2021. And with the new year often comes resolutions — maybe more so this time round.

And in January, especially, we must wade through an onslaught of organisations spruiking the latest in get-rich/thin/fit-quick schemes or myths perpetuated by pop psychologists on daytime television.

But there are ways to develop good habits — and make them stick — that are backed by scientific evidence.

And it all begins — where else? — in the brain. But first: what even are habits, and why do we need them?

https://www.abc.net.au/news/science...-breaking-replacing-habits-behaviour/12989912

 

[koolishman]

Australia: World's biggest hoax?

For more than a decade, false posts on social media have claimed that Australia is a "hoax". The posts claim the continent does not actually exist and that Australia was invented to cover up "one of the greatest mass murders in history" when Britain moved some 162,000 convicts to the southern hemisphere. "If you think you've been to Australia," the posts say, you're wrong -- you've probably been to South America "where they have cleared space and hired actors to act out as real Australians". The claim has also been amplified on "flat earth" websites. Here we look at some of the reasons why Australia's existence is irrefutable.

https://factcheck.afp.com/australia-worlds-biggest-hoax

---------------------

The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories

Abstract:
What psychological factors drive the popularity of conspiracy theories, which explain important events as secret plots by powerful and malevolent groups? What are the psychological consequences of adopting these theories? We review the current research and find that it answers the first of these questions more thoroughly than the second. Belief in conspiracy theories appears to be driven by motives that can be characterized as epistemic (understanding one’s environment), existential (being safe and in control of one’s environment), and social (maintaining a positive image of the self and the social group). However, little research has investigated the consequences of conspiracy belief, and to date, this research does not indicate that conspiracy belief fulfills people’s motivations. Instead, for many people, conspiracy belief may be more appealing than satisfying. Further research is needed to determine for whom, and under what conditions, conspiracy theories may satisfy key psychological motives.

(NOTE: link is PDF)
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0963721417718261

What?

Australia does not exist?

Where did I land back in 2013? That city with that Opera house and majestic bridge and harbour? It is all a hoax?

 

[Samer]

The Cistercian Order number sytem looks like it may have evolved from Viking runes.

Looks like hieroglyphics.

 

[CraigD]

What?

Australia does not exist?

Where did I visit land back in 2003? That city with that Opera house and majestic bridge and harbour? It is all a hoax?

The plane pilots are all in on this. They flew you to South America where we constructed Sydney and hired 5.3 million actors.

All for you mate. I hope you enjoyed the show

 

[Samer]

The plane pilots are all in on this. They flew you to South America where we constructed Sydney and hired 5.3 million actors.

All for you mate. I hope you enjoyed the show

Australia started by criminals.
Island started by thieves.
Australian empire Savagggee;
God Save (or Hail?) The Queen.
I always forget. I loved Markle on Suits before she became a Royal wait how’d i land here

 

[CraigD]

I loved Markle on Suits before she became a Royal wait how’d i land here

American socialites marrying British Heirs...
It has happened twice so it must be a real conspiracy

EDIT: Same outcome in both cases too!

 

[CraigD]

I lived like an astronaut for months in isolation

Kate Greene had a headstart in coping with lockdown cabin fever after living inside a geodesic dome at 8,000ft, as part of a space experiment.

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/jan/03/i-lived-like-an-astronaut-for-months-in-isolation

 

[Cannuck]

I recently discovered that I have Viking blood because I have a bad case of 'Viking disease' in my left hand. Apparently they spread the bad gene through the British Isles during the invasions.

It's a real pain because it badly affects my guitar playing.

The Viking population declined due to three main factors: The Little Ice Age, overhunting and plague.

Vikings, Pandemic and Modern Times
Interestingly, and sadly, many of the factors that led to the spread of the Justinian Plague and the Black Plague in the Middle Ages are still relevant today. International trade and interconnected societies move viruses quickly. However, unlike then, we now know what causes viruses and how best to treat them.

Stay safe out there...

https://www.ericschumacher.net/blog/2020/3/12/the-viking-age-viking-diseases

American socialites marrying British Heirs to steal the Royal Crown.
It has happened twice so it must be a real conspiracy

EDIT: Same outcome in both cases too!

Speaking of cases...she def caught my eye on Deal or No Deal

Meghan and Harry left the Royal Family & UK, moved to Canada, then settled in L.A. for commercial reasons...I don't feel sorry for them

 

[CraigD]

Speaking of cases...she def caught my eye on Deal or No Deal

Meghan and Harry left the Royal Family & UK, moved to Canada, then settled in L.A. for commercial reasons...I don't feel sorry for them

I thought they moved to L.A. to avoid the media.