Bill Nye Boo'd In Texas For Saying The Moon Reflects The Sun

BirdyBuddy · 29th August 2007, 02:54 PM

Just spotted this:

Quote:

Bill Nye, the harmless children's edu-tainer known as "The Science Guy," managed to offend a select group of adults in Waco, Texas at a presentation, when he suggested that the moon does not emit light, but instead reflects the light of the sun.

http://bsalert.com/news/1990/Bill_Ny...s_The_Sun.html

At the end is this:

Quote:

This story originally appeared in the Waco Tribune, but the newspaper has mysteriously pulled its story from the online version, presumably to avoid further embarassment (sic).

ETA: looks like a fun site too!
ETA2: maybe this belongs in Religion?

tracer · 29th August 2007, 03:10 PM

Quote:

This story originally appeared in the Waco Tribune, but the newspaper has mysteriously pulled its story from the online version, presumably to avoid further embarassment (sic).

Or maybe because the news story originally appeared in April of last year....

Tumblehome · 29th August 2007, 05:20 PM

I wonder why Nye referenced the bible to make the point. It sounds like he was intentionally stirring the pot. If he was...good for him!

I like the woman's comment as she was leaving in a huff with her kids: "I believe in God!", the same as covering your ears and shouting, "I'm not listening, I can't hear you!"

Achán hiNidráne · 29th August 2007, 05:23 PM

I think he was making a point about what we humans believed in our primitive past versus what we know now.

Of course, there is a significant number of people who prefer living in the Dark Ages (or earlier), so I'm not surprised.

Complexity · 29th August 2007, 05:41 PM

I wonder how they explain the phases of the moon and eclipses?

Dumber than slime mold.

Normal Dude · 29th August 2007, 05:49 PM

It's rather embarrassing sharing the same country with them.

AZAtheist · 29th August 2007, 05:58 PM

TexAS, like KansAS...another state showing it's "AS"

This Guy · 29th August 2007, 06:07 PM

Have there been any test of the public water system in Waco?

Something ain't right there!

Rodney · 29th August 2007, 06:27 PM

Originally Posted by tracer

Or maybe because the news story originally appeared in April of last year....

Yes, there is nothing mysterious about not being able to access an online newspaper article 16 months later. Further, the above account is misleading. According to http://www.ocellated.com/2006/04/13/bill-nye-in-waco --

"The Emmy-winning scientist angered a few audience members when he criticized literal interpretation of the biblical verse Genesis 1:16, which reads: 'God made two great lights — the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars.'

"He pointed out that the sun, the 'greater light,' is but one of countless stars and that the 'lesser light' is the moon, which really is not a light at all, rather a reflector of light.

"A number of audience members left the room at that point, visibly angered by what some perceived as irreverence."

So, it's not as if the people who left must believe that the moon is a natural light rather than a reflector, they just didn't like Nye's irreverence.

TX50 · 29th August 2007, 06:39 PM

Choosing not to blissfully ignore 1,500 years or so of astronomy is
so "irreverent".

ponderingturtle · 29th August 2007, 06:40 PM

Originally Posted by TX50

Choosing not to blissfully ignore 1,500 years or so of astronomy is
so "irreverent".

No it is the persecution of pointing out that their book of fables is not entirely consistent with reality.

Rodney · 29th August 2007, 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by TX50

Choosing not to blissfully ignore 1,500 years or so of astronomy is
so "irreverent".

And what, exactly, is your evidence that anyone who walked out on Nye ignored 1,500 years or so of astronomy?

plumjam · 29th August 2007, 07:37 PM

you're sure it wasn't that he "mooned to reflect the sun"?

EeneyMinnieMoe · 29th August 2007, 08:31 PM

You know you need to calm down when Bill Nye, the guy making funny faces and mugging after Sesame Street, offends you.

Complexity · 29th August 2007, 08:31 PM

If they didn't like Nye's lack of reference for their ignorant beliefs, they would have hated mine.

Achán hiNidráne · 29th August 2007, 08:36 PM

Originally Posted by Complexity

If they didn't like Nye's lack of reference for their ignorant beliefs, they would have hated mine.

They'd lynch me for mine.

Complexity · 29th August 2007, 08:50 PM

I would be positively vilified.

It would take a while - they'd have to look it up, first.

Mark, I'd be willing to work 'em tag team.

godless dave · 30th August 2007, 01:09 AM

What's ridiculous is not that these people believe the moon actually emits light, but that they thought Nye's statement was irreverent.

That said, many of them probably do believe things equally silly, like that dinosaurs and humans lived at the same time.

29th August 2007, 02:54 PM	#1
BirdyBuddy Terrorized by 'tiels Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: 127.0.0.1 Posts: 5,785	Bill Nye Boo'd In Texas For Saying The Moon Reflects The Sun Just spotted this: Quote: Bill Nye, the harmless children's edu-tainer known as "The Science Guy," managed to offend a select group of adults in Waco, Texas at a presentation, when he suggested that the moon does not emit light, but instead reflects the light of the sun. http://bsalert.com/news/1990/Bill_Ny...s_The_Sun.html At the end is this: Quote: This story originally appeared in the Waco Tribune, but the newspaper has mysteriously pulled its story from the online version, presumably to avoid further embarassment (sic). ETA: looks like a fun site too! ETA2: maybe this belongs in Religion?
	Last edited by BirdyBuddy; 29th August 2007 at 03:02 PM.

29th August 2007, 05:23 PM	#4
Achán hiNidráne Illuminator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Muskego, WI. Posts: 3,979	I think he was making a point about what we humans believed in our primitive past versus what we know now. Of course, there is a significant number of people who prefer living in the Dark Ages (or earlier), so I'm not surprised.
	__________________ "As the Corpse Lord knows, men today are ill-trained--ignoble: naught but wet anuses dribbling childish terrors and superstitions! Thus is knowledge--history, science, the world of the ancients--lost, never to be regained!" --M.A.R. Barker, "The Man of Gold" Last edited by Achán hiNidráne; 29th August 2007 at 05:26 PM.

29th August 2007, 05:41 PM	#5
Complexity The Woo Whisperer Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Minnesota, USA Posts: 9,263	I wonder how they explain the phases of the moon and eclipses? Dumber than slime mold.
	__________________ "It is a great nuisance that knowledge can only be acquired by hard work." - W. Somerset Maugham "Thought is subversive and revolutionary, destructive and terrible; thought is merciless to privilege, established intuititions, and comfortable habit. Thought looks into the pit of hell and is not afraid. Thought is great and swift and free, the light of the world, and the chief glory of man." - Bertrand Russell

29th August 2007, 05:49 PM	#6
Normal Dude Space Shuttle Door Gunner Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: W/ The Evil Council Posts: 3,959	It's rather embarrassing sharing the same country with them.
	__________________ "At some point, you just get past the horror of someone having these beliefs, and begin to enjoy the sheer comedy of it all." Complexity And I dont care if your name is Norm or Jack, Or Dick. I dont see why you have to post your name everytime you make a comment./ its IRRELIVANT -Rwalsh

29th August 2007, 06:07 PM	#8
This Guy Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: On the corner of WALK and DON'T WALK Posts: 2,000	Have there been any test of the public water system in Waco? Something ain't right there!
	__________________ I'm lost. I've gone to find me. If I should return before I get back, please ask me to wait!

29th August 2007, 03:10 PM	#2
tracer Graduate Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Silicon Valley, Calif. Posts: 1,356	Quote: This story originally appeared in the Waco Tribune, but the newspaper has mysteriously pulled its story from the online version, presumably to avoid further embarassment (sic). Or maybe because the news story originally appeared in April of last year....

29th August 2007, 05:20 PM	#3
Tumblehome Graduate Poster Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Beside the point Posts: 1,445	I wonder why Nye referenced the bible to make the point. It sounds like he was intentionally stirring the pot. If he was...good for him! I like the woman's comment as she was leaving in a huff with her kids: "I believe in God!", the same as covering your ears and shouting, "I'm not listening, I can't hear you!"

29th August 2007, 05:58 PM	#7
AZAtheist Thinker Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tucson, Arizona Posts: 225	TexAS, like KansAS...another state showing it's "AS"

29th August 2007, 06:27 PM	#9
Rodney Illuminator Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 3,942	Originally Posted by tracer Or maybe because the news story originally appeared in April of last year.... Yes, there is nothing mysterious about not being able to access an online newspaper article 16 months later. Further, the above account is misleading. According to http://www.ocellated.com/2006/04/13/bill-nye-in-waco -- "The Emmy-winning scientist angered a few audience members when he criticized literal interpretation of the biblical verse Genesis 1:16, which reads: 'God made two great lights — the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars.' "He pointed out that the sun, the 'greater light,' is but one of countless stars and that the 'lesser light' is the moon, which really is not a light at all, rather a reflector of light. "A number of audience members left the room at that point, visibly angered by what some perceived as irreverence." So, it's not as if the people who left must believe that the moon is a natural light rather than a reflector, they just didn't like Nye's irreverence.
Rodney Illuminator Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 3,942

29th August 2007, 06:39 PM	#10
TX50 Graduate Poster Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,555	Choosing not to blissfully ignore 1,500 years or so of astronomy is so "irreverent".
TX50 Graduate Poster Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,555

29th August 2007, 06:40 PM	#11
ponderingturtle Orthogonal Vector Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Tarrytown, NY Posts: 26,432	Originally Posted by TX50 Choosing not to blissfully ignore 1,500 years or so of astronomy is so "irreverent". No it is the persecution of pointing out that their book of fables is not entirely consistent with reality.
	__________________ Sufficiently advanced Woo is indistinguishable from Parody "There shall be no poofing in science" Paul C. Anagnostopoulos Force ***** on reasons back" Ben Franklin

29th August 2007, 06:46 PM	#12
Rodney Illuminator Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 3,942	Originally Posted by TX50 Choosing not to blissfully ignore 1,500 years or so of astronomy is so "irreverent". And what, exactly, is your evidence that anyone who walked out on Nye ignored 1,500 years or so of astronomy?
Rodney Illuminator Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 3,942

29th August 2007, 07:37 PM	#13
plumjam Banned Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Valencia, Spain Posts: 7,837	you're sure it wasn't that he "mooned to reflect the sun"?

29th August 2007, 08:31 PM	#14
EeneyMinnieMoe Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 6,660	You know you need to calm down when Bill Nye, the guy making funny faces and mugging after Sesame Street, offends you.

29th August 2007, 08:36 PM	#16
Achán hiNidráne Illuminator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Muskego, WI. Posts: 3,979	Originally Posted by Complexity If they didn't like Nye's lack of reference for their ignorant beliefs, they would have hated mine. They'd lynch me for mine.
	__________________ "As the Corpse Lord knows, men today are ill-trained--ignoble: naught but wet anuses dribbling childish terrors and superstitions! Thus is knowledge--history, science, the world of the ancients--lost, never to be regained!" --M.A.R. Barker, "The Man of Gold"

29th August 2007, 08:50 PM	#17
Complexity The Woo Whisperer Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Minnesota, USA Posts: 9,263	I would be positively vilified. It would take a while - they'd have to look it up, first. Mark, I'd be willing to work 'em tag team.
	__________________ "It is a great nuisance that knowledge can only be acquired by hard work." - W. Somerset Maugham "Thought is subversive and revolutionary, destructive and terrible; thought is merciless to privilege, established intuititions, and comfortable habit. Thought looks into the pit of hell and is not afraid. Thought is great and swift and free, the light of the world, and the chief glory of man." - Bertrand Russell

30th August 2007, 01:09 AM	#18
godless dave Great Dalmuti Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: St. Paul, Minnesota Posts: 6,131	What's ridiculous is not that these people believe the moon actually emits light, but that they thought Nye's statement was irreverent. That said, many of them probably do believe things equally silly, like that dinosaurs and humans lived at the same time.