Month: November 2012

Careful with Astrology

I used to think astrology was very interesting. I would study the charts and the interpretations of aspects, planets, houses and even locational astrology. Even though I thought it was interesting I was still aware that it wasn’t a real science, but I think I wanted to believe in it. I mean it looks real on paper – the charts look so mathematical and scientific looking.

But I think the key piece of information for me was the fact that on paper Western Astrology says that all the signs are 30 degrees. But in actuality they are not all the same distance apart in the sky. They are not all 30 degrees.

The other thing is that you can go to one site and get an interpretation of your Mars in Pisces or your Saturn conjunct Venus. And if you don’t like that one you can go to another site and then another until you find the interpretation that you like best. They don’t agree on everything. Western astrologers don’t all interpret it the same way. And then Western and Eastern astrologers don’t agree.

So basically I think it comes down to an opinion. If you’re looking for an opinion then astrology will give you one, but remember it’s just an opinion. And why would you want to make someone else’s opinion more important than yours? I also remember reading in Psychology Today once that people who believe in Astrology or Tarot often feel that they don’t have control over their lives. There are also better ways of predicting your future.

What’s the difference between your iPhone and your religion?

Not have an iPhone? Then what’s your favorite smart phone? Better yet what’s the difference between your favorite brand of ______ and your religion?

Are you passionate about Honda, Porsche, Hummer’s, or Ferrari? What’s your favorite brand of computers? Let’s get more specific and let’s ask our brain.

According to your brain there is no difference between brands (your favorite brand) and your religion. This is based on MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging) tests. Studies showed that the brain doesn’t distinguish between our favorite brands and religion. Martin Lindstrom teamed up with neuroscientists to compare the brains activity of devout Christians and brand fans. There was no difference.

Read more about this in Martin Lindstrom’s Buyology

 

Optimism is like red wine

A glass a day is good for you, but a bottle a day is dangerous.

In other words it’s quite beneficial for you to be optimistic. Optimistic people live longer, are healthier, more successful, happier, and make more money. And perhaps there are times when you want to moderate it.

This is inspired from the book The Optimism Bias

How to predict your future

According to Tali Sharot we can make relatively accurate predictions when we look back in time and say, “Last month I was late for most meetings, enjoyed only half of the films I viewed, and received no gifts from my loving partner. Therefore, this month I am more likely not to be on time for the majority of my appointments, will probably only appreciate 50% of the movies that I watch and should not expect any gifts.”

Taken from The Optimism Bias