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 Alex C wrote:
As with most "major martian discovery!" stories it will probably only be something that makes geologists excited, but I hold a small amount of excitement every time in the vain hope it's something actually interesting.

Yeah, science is dull. No doubt you'd prefer reading about Kim Kardashian's latest bowel movement.

 Ouze wrote:
Yeah, my guess is also liquid water.

I doubt it. Its probably yet another discovery of a compound which means there might have been water there at one time.

Failing Jimmy Hoffa, gonna go with J'hon J'onezz. Or however you spell Martian Manhunter's real name.

Relapse wrote:

 BrotherGecko wrote:
I'm suspecting more evidence towards the idea of liquid water having once been there. Or that Mars could have supported life X billion years ago because we found this.

The conspiracy stuff I've seen is more exciting though lol.

I wonder if it's more along the line of having found evidence of a still substantial amount of water.

That would be a extremely significant find for sure. I just wonder if it will only be particularly significant or exciting to those in specific science professions.

Smacks wrote:

 Alex C wrote:
As with most "major martian discovery!" stories it will probably only be something that makes geologists excited, but I hold a small amount of excitement every time in the vain hope it's something actually interesting.

Yeah, science is dull. No doubt you'd prefer reading about Kim Kardashian's latest bowel movement.

Is it cold up there on your mountain?

Relapse wrote:

 Howard A Treesong wrote:
Something to do with water.

That's my guess, also.

I bet it's ice!

Or Gypsum.

Maybe bug poop.

 Smacks wrote:

 Alex C wrote:
As with most "major martian discovery!" stories it will probably only be something that makes geologists excited, but I hold a small amount of excitement every time in the vain hope it's something actually interesting.

Yeah, science is dull. No doubt you'd prefer reading about Kim Kardashian's latest bowel movement.

Not at all, but neither do I find "omg this color of dirt means there might have been some water here in the distant past" as exciting as they make it out to be.

I mean, sure, it's interesting to an extent, but when they schedule a press conference for some shockng, groundbreaking discovery on Mars only to announce that they really haven't found proof of anything, just something that points toward a theory, I can't help but be disappointed and wary of similar "discoveries" in the future.

 BrotherGecko wrote:

Smacks wrote:Yeah, science is dull. No doubt you'd prefer reading about Kim Kardashian's latest bowel movement.

Is it cold up there on your mountain?

No. In fact, it's warm and bright, with double glazing, microwaves, computers, and a wealth of other marvellous inventions and materials. All thanks to the people who understood just how interesting science is.

The abject ignorance behind statements like "geology isn't interesting", by people who benefit every day from the hard won discoveries of others, is just shameful. It does not deserve your well intentioned white knighting.

EDIT:

 Alex C wrote:
Not at all, but neither do I find "omg this color of dirt means there might have been some water here in the distant past" as exciting as they make it out to be.

I mean, sure, it's interesting to an extent, but when they schedule a press conference for some shockng, groundbreaking discovery on Mars only to announce that they really haven't found proof of anything, just something that points toward a theory, I can't help but be disappointed and wary of similar "discoveries" in the future.

In that case, I apologize. There are people who actively sneer and yawn at the accomplishments of maths and science, while spending their days staring at smart phones and listening to digital music etc... Never grasping the connection between small discoveries and the furthered understanding that empowers all of humanity.

What if it is the Omnissiah?

 Smacks wrote:

 BrotherGecko wrote:

Smacks wrote:Yeah, science is dull. No doubt you'd prefer reading about Kim Kardashian's latest bowel movement.

Is it cold up there on your mountain?

No. In fact, it's warm and bright, with double glazing, microwaves, computers, and a wealth of other marvellous inventions and materials. All thanks to the people who understood just how interesting science is.

The abject ignorance behind statements like "geology isn't interesting", by people who benefit every day from the hard won discoveries of others, is just shameful. It does not deserve your well intentioned white knighting.

Are you... are you serious? I benefit from the intense logistics that the post offices and various trade companies of the world have set up but if someone started explaining to me about the intricacies of how vital post stickers are and wanted me to find it... exciting (of all things) simply because I benefit from that?

Space is boring. It is. You may like it but space for me is just flat out boring. Do I appreciate some of the things space has helped us with? Of course. Do I find it exciting or something worth looking into? Well no.

The world benefits from so many things it's pretty nutty to think people should find almost everything exciting (you will be hard pressed to find something with no benefits at all).

Are you excited when you see concrete? Are you excited every time you turn the key to your house? Are you excited every time you put on shoes? By your logic you better be or you are nothing more than a Kardashian bum sniffer you filthy pleb.

Get over yourself dude, it's just a red planet. The majority of the world probably doesn't care. If you do that's cool, but you are certainly not so far above those that don't to warrant calling them what amounts to a fool.






Excitement and appreciation are very different. I appreciate my ancestors who ate poisonous food and learned not to eat it, but it's hardly exciting. Hop off that high horse.

Maybe they found my keys, they have to be somewhere.

This thread needs a lot fewer LULZ and 100% less insults.

Not a suggestion, by the way.

 Swastakowey wrote:
Are you excited when you see concrete? Are you excited every time you turn the key to your house? Are you excited every time you put on shoes?

Actually I sort of am, this week I've bought 4 different locks and read a number of articles on different kinds of loch mechanism. Mostly regarding anti-keybumping technology. I've also watched a number of unboxing videos of new smart locks, it's a fascinating subject. I'm also familiar with lots of different knots and ways of lacing my shoes, there is cross lacing, bar lacing, my personal favourite is European bar lacing which combines what I think are the best features of both systems (though it's much harder to get the laces the same length which is the major downside). And I can tell you the difference between good and bad square knots. In fact, if more people took an interest in knots and shoelaces, then their shoelaces wouldn't come undone so often.

As for concrete, what's not to get excited about?

They found the Noctis Labyrinth. Don't open it!

 Smacks wrote:

 Swastakowey wrote:
Are you excited when you see concrete? Are you excited every time you turn the key to your house? Are you excited every time you put on shoes?

Actually I sort of am, this week I've bought 4 different locks and read a number of articles on different kinds of loch mechanism. Mostly regarding anti-keybumping technology. I've also watched a number of unboxing videos of new smart locks, it's a fascinating subject. I'm also familiar with lots of different knots and ways of lacing my shoes, there is cross lacing, bar lacing, my personal favourite is European bar lacing which combines what I think are the best features of both systems (though it's much harder to get the laces the same length which is the major downside). And I can tell you the difference between good and bad square knots. In fact, if more people took an interest in knots and shoelaces, then their shoelaces wouldn't come undone so often.

As for concrete, what's not to get excited about?

Those are just a few examples of the millions (random number) things that happen to you every day. The point I am making is that you do not get excited about every little thing in your life related to Science.

Please don't try play it off like you do, because not only would you need a lot of time on your hands you would also need a great memory in order to recount everything in your day to day life to be excited about it.

Are you excited right now? You are typing, and looking at a screen, and in a house, and have windows, and have a chair, carpet, tiles, colored goods, electricity etc.

Are you like always excited or something?

very enthusiastic and eager.

When you hear a gunshot happen at night are you excited?

Your argument is just incredibly silly.

Surely you understand, as some kind of science extraordinaire well above the those who are not fascinated by mars, can understand why someone might not be excited or even interested in something while also not being a potato yes?

I, for one, wish more people got excited about lots of random stuff. It makes the world much more interesting to listen to people who are fascinated; it sort of makes them fascinating to a certain extent. It's certainly more interesting listening to them talk than to people who seem constantly jaded and bored with life and the many wonderous things that make it up. That said, I certainly wouldn't hold it against anyone who didn't find my particular interests interesting, as long as they found something of interest in their own lives. I guess since we are on a forum dedicated to tabletop games, that would probably apply to most of us.

I had a student a few years ago who seemed to get excited about everything in class. Like genuinely excited. It got to the point where other students started rolling their eyes when he opened his mouth. The eye rollers were the ones who ticked me off. I guarantee the excited one will do something important one day.

 Swastakowey wrote:
Those are just a few examples of the millions (random number) things that happen to you every day. The point I am making is that you do not get excited about every little thing in your life related to Science.

You're right, mostly just new discoveries. But everything else is still interesting, so your point is kind of irrelevant.

 Gordon Shumway wrote:
I, for one, wish more people got excited about lots of random stuff. It makes the world much more interesting to listen to people who are fascinated; it sort of makes them fascinating to a certain extent. It's certainly more interesting listening to them talk than to people who seem constantly jaded and bored with life and the many wonderous things that make it up. That said, I certainly wouldn't hold it against anyone who didn't find my particular interests interesting, as long as they found something of interest in their own lives. I guess since we are on a forum dedicated to tabletop games, that would probably apply to most of us.

I had a student a few years ago who seemed to get excited about everything in class. Like genuinely excited. It got to the point where other students started rolling their eyes when he opened his mouth. The eye rollers were the ones who ticked me off. I guarantee the excited one will do something important one day.

Yes but did that kid call them Kardashian butt watchers for not sharing that enthusiasm? The problem is when people act superior for finding something fascinating or exciting that other people do not share.

I love history and wargaming (and many other things) but I don't get upset when people don't share that enthusiasm for those things. If I did what smacks just did last night when we had to choose a movie (the house owner had some great historical movies, but we where outnumbered and Shrek was watched over Zulu or Tora! Tora!) then everyone in that room would have thought a lot less of me and for a good reason. That was the point I was trying to make, along with the sillyness of having to find something exciting or you do not appreciate it...

But yea I agree




Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Smacks wrote:

 Swastakowey wrote:
Those are just a few examples of the millions (random number) things that happen to you every day. The point I am making is that you do not get excited about every little thing in your life related to Science.

You're right, mostly just new discoveries. But everything else is still interesting, so your point is kind of irrelevant.

No it is not irrelevant.

You are acting superior for something you do not even do yourself. By admitting you do not find everything science related exciting you have now shown yourself to be hypercritical.

At least say:

"Yes, I understand people like different things now and that excitement/interest and appreciation are different. I am not better than someone else because I happen to like this and they don't find it interesting."

You know there's some high quality trolling going on when Kim K's ass gets brought up repeatedly in a thread about Mars

I'm with Swastakowey. Astronomy is one of my favorite subjects but I wouldn't think lesser of someone if they found the discovery of water on Mars to be boring. If I had to guess what they found it's probably some Iron Oxide that definitely maybe proves that there might have been liquid water on Mars. Perhaps.

 Swastakowey wrote:
No it is not irrelevant.

You are acting superior for something you do not even do yourself. By admitting you do not find everything science related exciting you have now shown yourself to be hypercritical.

At least say:

"Yes, I understand people like different things now and that excitement/interest and appreciation are different. I am not better than someone else because I happen to like this and they don't find it interesting."

You are equivocating "exciting" with "interesting" because you are bad at arguing. No one mentioned "exciting" except you, which is why your point is moot and irrelevant.

As for being superior. Alex C elaborated on what he meant and I already apologized to him before you ever posted. However, I am not going concede that the rate at which people do not take an interest in things that are important is anything but shameful. There is nothing appealing about ignorance, or the people who cling to it. Expecting people (people who vote for example) to take an interest in things like government, isn't intellectual snootiness or superiority. It's really just the bare minimum of expectation. People should take an interest in things, beyond trashy gossip.

 Smacks wrote:

 Swastakowey wrote:
No it is not irrelevant.

You are acting superior for something you do not even do yourself. By admitting you do not find everything science related exciting you have now shown yourself to be hypercritical.

At least say:

"Yes, I understand people like different things now and that excitement/interest and appreciation are different. I am not better than someone else because I happen to like this and they don't find it interesting."

You are equivocating "exciting" with "interesting" because you are bad are arguing. No one mentioned "exciting" except you, which is why your point is moot and irrelevant.

As for being superior. Alex C elaborated on what he meant and I already apologized to him before you ever posted. However, I am not going concede that the rate at which people do not take an interest in things that are important is anything but shameful. There is nothing appealing about ignorance, or the people who cling to it. Expecting people (people who vote for example) to take an interest in things like government, isn't intellectual snootiness or superiority. It's really just the bare minimum of expectation. Take an interest in things.

Yea I read exciting from another comment... which is my bad.

The thing is, the guy said (basically) "Surprise space discovery is likely to be boring" to which you replied "Yeah, science is dull. No doubt you'd prefer reading about Kim Kardashian's latest bowel movement."

That is "intellectual snootiness or superiority".

People should take an interest in things, beyond trashy gossip.

Well I find it hard to believe that the person you said that too finds nothing interesting but trashy gossip. Because not finding mars discovery nobody knows about yet exciting means they drool over trashy gossip.

 Swastakowey wrote:
Well I find it hard to believe that the person you said that too finds nothing interesting but trashy gossip. Because not finding mars discovery nobody knows about yet exciting means they drool over trashy gossip.

I find it hard to believe that about him too, which is why I apologised to him. In fact I never meant to seriously accuse him of that, I was just being ironic because he said it wasn't interesting (which I don't think he meant, it was just the word he used). It is true that more people do actually care about what Kim Kardashian is doing than about scientific discovery (which often goes over people's heads). That's kind of sad really, and I don't mind saying it.

Anyway, about Mars...

 Smacks wrote:

 Swastakowey wrote:
Well I find it hard to believe that the person you said that too finds nothing interesting but trashy gossip. Because not finding mars discovery nobody knows about yet exciting means they drool over trashy gossip.

I find it hard to believe that about him too, which is why I apologised to him. In fact I never meant to seriously accuse him of that, I was just being ironic because he said it wasn't interesting (which I don't think he mean't, it was just the word he used). It is true that more people do actually care about what Kim Kardashian is doing than about scientific discovery (which often goes over people's heads). That's kind of sad really, and I don't mind saying it.

Anyway, about Mars...

Fair enough I guess.

Although I disagree that everybody should care about scientific discovery. There is more to making this world run than just science and taking an interest in some of the many things (which may not be science, although science can be related) does not mean their interests no longer matter etc.

Anyway, continue Mars talk.

Werent they releasing this information last night? Did I miss it or an I early to the show?

 KingCracker wrote:
Werent they releasing this information last night? Did I miss it or an I early to the show?

11:30am EST I believe.

It will either be liquid water or microbic life. Either/or, its a big discovery.

chaos0xomega wrote:
It will either be liquid water or microbic life. Either/or, its a big discovery.

Just heard liquid water on CBS. Not sure if that's confirmed or speculation, with the news programs being what they are...

Yup, its liquid water, was hoping for microbial life.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/nasa-mars-water-announcement-agency-announces-that-it-has-found-proof-of-flowing-water-on-mars-a6670446.html

....so?

Baffled at what's so shockingly amazing about it. Nothing's even proven yet, it's just more (strong) evidence. For possible alien live on a...what level?

Yawn.

 Sigvatr wrote:
....so?

Baffled at what's so shockingly amazing about it. Nothing's even proven yet, it's just more (strong) evidence. For possible alien live on a...what level?

Yawn.

It's not evidence of life. It's evidence (and pretty incontrovertible evidence at that) that flowing water regularly occurs on Mars. It's a sign that Mars MIGHT currently have life on it, but it's more exciting for future colonization.