Oddities

First!

Second!

Third!

Uhhh. . . Fourth? But seriously, did we need a 'study' to debunk astrology? What next, research money to debunk the Ouija board?

Why should it be surprising that a quarter of the population believes in astrology - almost half the population elected George Bush (twice) - now thats worth scientific exploration....

I guess it's nice to have a formal study, but astrology was effectively debunked by science a long time ago, simply because there is no possible "mechanism" for astrology's alleged effects.

No, this won't change many minds. people still believe in UFOs, ESP, and NOT evolution, so science obviously doesn't pull much weight around here.

Astrology... the stupidest way of answering life's hardest questions.

Tamoko: yes astrology is a very stupid way of answering life's hardest questions but its no worse (or better) than religion which is every bit as ridiculous.

It would be nice to see some criticism of astrology that is factual for a change, but that err... "study" misrepresented astrology in quite a substantial way because NONE of the supposed claims are true. Dean has been doing that sort of thing since the 1970's.

So what's next? Scientists will debunk history, music, and other non-scientific forms of understanding and expression? Science is great for what it explains, but that's only a part of life.

Funny how people who reject astrology never studied it and insist that they know more about it than those who have studied it for years. This is not science, but a pathetic travesty of it.

Oh really, Jack Fertig? I read the same story you did. One of the scientists involved in the study was a FORMER ASTROLOGIST. Somehow you interpret that as saying astrology is being attacked by those who never studied it? You read what you wanted to read, my friend. And equating music and art with pseudoscience that CREATES NOTHING helps your argument not one bit.

It strikes me as really weird how for all of sciences greatest breakthroughs and understandings.... how it is that Im constantly reading contradicting studies on things like ESP and Global warming. Seems like there is always one group that swears its study revealed a lack or substanciates their evidence... while often on the same page will be links to other articles on those same websites saying EXACTLY the opposite.

Take it all with a grain of salt. I think Quantum physics and the particle accelerators are clearing up alot of these more mysteriouse ideals for humanity...

I for one dont believe you can base what you do in your life on a sky chart of any kind... but I find it sad that some egos cant handle the idea that theres a whole layer of life thats a mystery. Not for long it wont be I dont believe, but mabey some will not believe thats possible either, until they do. I think the ancients reffered to this time as when the 'veil' is lifted.... but we will see! :0)

And the Telegraph is such a reputable source for science journalism...

Must have been a slow day at ABC news to drag out a 5 year old telegraph story and call it news...

And these guys think Astrology is a crock? Give me a break!!

Mot of life cannot be scientifically proven.

To put it another way, only those things which can be measured can be proven.

If we limit life's experiences to those that have scientifically measurable, repeatable, cause and effect, we destine ourselves to a miserable existence.

None of this says that astrology will never be proven, simply that we had to put up with a geocentric model of the Universe for 2000 years longer than necessary, because it couldn't be proven... until it was.

"None of this says that astrology will never be proven, simply that we had to put up with a geocentric model of the Universe for 2000 years longer than necessary, because it couldn't be proven... until it was."

oops "It" being the heliocentric model of the universe, which was also subsequently disproved.

Barnes - I understand your point, but to be fair, most religions also have some type of ethical code attached to them, so they can actually be a "positive" force. Astrology, on the other hand, has absolutely no point to it at all.

Of course astrology is bunk. Duh. If one merely looks at the earth's 26,000 procession, you can easily ascertain that the signs of the zodiac are not in the same place at all times. This thoroughly debunks most astrological forecasts because, guess what guys, the signs are not where you think they are. I know, I know...Details. Tuck this guano away with magic crystals, good and bad luck charms, evil spells, and other assorted detritus of mystics. Cue weird music.

Of course astrology is bunk. Duh. If one merely looks at the earth's 26,000 procession, you can easily ascertain that the signs of the zodiac are not in the same place at all times. This thoroughly debunks most astrological forecasts because, guess what guys, the signs are not where you think they are. I know, I know...Details. Tuck this guano away with magic crystals, good and bad luck charms, evil spells, and other assorted detritus of mystics. Cue weird music.

Astrology is like scientology: both are trying to fool people and take their money.

LawyerTom

It was astrologers who observed precession in Babylon around 500BC. Ptolemy very clearly knew about it in 160 AD.

It is clear you know nothing about astrology at all, yet declare it to be bunk anyway.

How very.... fundamentalist of you

Now they just need to discredit blood type matches in Japan and we'll be all set...

But I don't expect supporters of a discredited belief system to listen. There was a jewish messiah in the 17th century who was captured and forced to convert to islam by the turks. He still had followers afterward. They just figured it was a religious "mystery" and imitated his conversion.

People are dumb.

Quoting the article above, "Now scientists believe they have the evidence to show that horoscopes are just plain bunk. In 1958[...]"

"Now" and 1958 are contradictory. There have been 50 solar cycles since 1958.

Students of history know that Astrology is the mother of Science. Astrology enjoyed lofty status for centuries. For ages it was considered the cornerstone of Wisdom. The dawn of the so-called "Age of Reason" brought tremendous change, though. Vocal and often spiteful critics have been trying to disassociate Astrology from Science ever since.

Because of the relentless, venomous assaults Astrology and Science can never truly reconcile. That is a shame because there is great value in both Astrology and Science.

Lovers of cold, hard facts -- those who hold Logic and Reason on the pedestal of Ultimate Truth -- are unaware that they have disinherited themselves. Science is not the ultimate truth. It can only tell us _what_ is out there. It can only quantify, not qualify. It is up to us to breathe meaning into lifeless facts.

Astrology, on the other hand, is inspirational. It is one way for us to pursue and sometimes actually achieve wisdom. I feel sorry for the haters posting here. They do not know what they have snubbed and abandoned. They have bitten off their inclined noses to spite their face.