Editing 808: The Economic Argument
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
− | The image shows fields of human life that would be greatly improved and/or allow certain people to make a lot of money if some crazy phenomena (mostly {{w|paranormal}}) actually worked in reality or were testable and usable concepts. Crazy phenomena, in this case, means counter-intuitive things that go against common sense and which science often contradicts ( | + | The image shows fields of human life that would be greatly improved and/or allow certain people to make a lot of money if some crazy phenomena (mostly {{w|paranormal}}) actually worked in reality or were testable and usable concepts. Crazy phenomena, in this case, means counter-intuitive things that go against common sense and which science often contradicts (Though Relativity and QM are a major part of physics, they are still counterintuitive and “crazy). As the comic tries to prove, if there were commercial use for it and proofs of it working, there will be high investment made in the technology to use and harness such concepts. |
− | So far only {{w|Theory of relativity|relativity}} and {{w|quantum electrodynamics}} have major evidence backing them. Specifically, the theory of relativity | + | So far only {{w|Theory of relativity|relativity}} and {{w|quantum electrodynamics}} have major evidence backing them. Specifically, the theory of relativity allows your {{w|Global Positioning System|Global Positioning System (GPS)}} device to synchronize with satellites a hundred miles in the air and show your current position. The design of modern circuit-boards and other electronic devices is influenced by quantum electrodynamics — smartphones or high capacity hard drives wouldn't be possible without this theory. |
The non-scientific/disproved concepts trying to pass as real and scientific are: | The non-scientific/disproved concepts trying to pass as real and scientific are: | ||
− | *'''{{w|Remote viewing}}:''' Alleged ability to see and know things far away with the strength of your mind, without physically being in that place | + | *'''{{w|Remote viewing}}:''' Alleged ability to see and know things far away with the strength of your mind, without physically being in that place and using technology (cameras, TV screens and so on). |
*'''{{w|Dowsing}}:''' Alleged supernatural ability to sense, using two dowsing rods/sticks/pieces of metal where underground water/oil supplies or hidden valuables are. | *'''{{w|Dowsing}}:''' Alleged supernatural ability to sense, using two dowsing rods/sticks/pieces of metal where underground water/oil supplies or hidden valuables are. | ||
− | **Both dowsing and remote viewing would have greatly cut costs to oil companies, because it would have made finding new oil sources easier | + | **Both dowsing and remote viewing would have greatly cut costs to oil companies, because it would have made finding new oil sources easier. |
− | *'''{{w|Aura (paranormal)|Auras}}:''' Non-scientific belief that every human has an invisible "energy field" that can | + | *'''{{w|Aura (paranormal)|Auras}}:''' Non-scientific belief that every human has an invisible "energy field" that can affect their health and feelings. |
− | *'''{{w|Homeopathy}}:''' | + | *'''{{w|Homeopathy}}:''' Non-scientific belief that the more diluted a remedy, the more effective it is, and that the remedy should, before dilution, cause similar symptoms to the disease it is said to cure. These "remedies" are often diluted so much that, on average, not even a single molecule of the original substance will remain. It is completely untrue, and proven no more effective than a placebo, so one can instead use much cheaper glucose and have the same effect. It is often advertised as an "alternative medicine". |
− | *'''{{w|Prayer#Prayer_healing|Remote Prayer}}:''' Non-scientific belief. Trying to help a person with their health problems by praying/pleading to a greater supernatural force to help them get better. While we're not ones to rag on anybody's religion, we don't have scientific proof or empirical evidence of it working; | + | *'''{{w|Prayer#Prayer_healing|Remote Prayer}}:''' Non-scientific belief. Trying to help a person with their health problems by praying/pleading to a greater supernatural force to help them get better. While we're not ones to rag on anybody's religion, we don't have scientific proof or empirical evidence of it working; such prayer may sometimes have a ''detrimental'' effect if the person knew they were prayed for. |
− | **All three would have revolutionized healthcare if proven to work, which is very, very unlikely | + | **All three would have revolutionized healthcare if proven to work, which is very, very unlikely. |
*'''{{w|Astrology}}:''' Trying to predict the future by studying the motions of the planets for answers - a non-scientific and very popular belief that tries to look scientific; this was a major focus of {{w|astronomy}} until science began to disprove it in the 1600s. | *'''{{w|Astrology}}:''' Trying to predict the future by studying the motions of the planets for answers - a non-scientific and very popular belief that tries to look scientific; this was a major focus of {{w|astronomy}} until science began to disprove it in the 1600s. | ||
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:[A three-column table. The headings are actually standing above the table.] | :[A three-column table. The headings are actually standing above the table.] | ||
+ | {{incomplete transcript}} | ||
:{| class="wikitable alternance" | :{| class="wikitable alternance" | ||
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|} | |} | ||
− | :Eventually, arguing that these things work means arguing that modern capitalism isn't | + | :Eventually, arguing that these things work means arguing that modern capitalism isn't THAT ruthlessly profit-focused. |
{{comic discussion}} | {{comic discussion}} |