There seems to be growing support for "alternate theories" in recent years. I began to wonder about all the opposition to the solid theories we already hold as true and tested. Where does all this opposition come from?

First of all, I believe that many people don't know what the word theory means. They take it to mean, "this is our current belief of the way things work, but we're not sure."

But a theory is more than a hunch. It's a sturdy scientific model that's been tested by repeated observations and backed up by empirical evidence.

But still, people use theory so loosely that it weakens the meaning. It's not a theory to point out flaws or gaps in evolution. It's not a theory to state that the earth formed in 6,000 years and not over 4.5 bil because we've seen canyons form in a matter of days. Those are limited points with little to no evidence to stand on.

But anyway, could this surge in Woo-woo ideas come from a huge willingness to believe that what we see in science fiction is possible? That because they do it on Star Trek that the current rules of physics limiting velocity to c are wrong?

In short, where do they get all these ideas? Do they just want some notoriety for pointing out phantom flaws in scientific theories?

First let me refine the use of theory in this thread to mean SCIENTIFIC THEORY.

A set of principles that build a well-tested and mathematically sound model of reality.

Why would people just start believing science fiction is possible?
Tell me the reason it is increasing...
Are people less intelligent, in your opinion, now?
Or could they be basing things on experience?

Science should be able to explain everything shouldn't it?
It can't, as of right now, can it?
Has theory ever changed? How comon is it for a scientific theory to become a scientific fact?

How many people in this world are religious? Science can't explain it can it?
Science can't see god...
The speed of light has little to do with anything on this forum... (somone claimed you can go faster or something?)(or are you talking about time travel?)

I want you to usescientific theory as to why so many people disregard scientific theory. You act like that is all that is valid, so your opinion is not valid. I don't think like that. All I need is proof, If it proves that a theory is wrong so be it...

Are we done with science?
Einstein said that life is too complex for this all to happen by chance (referring to human existince). He believes something created us. He was a scientist, but what he stated does not have any theory coinciding with it...

Has every theory been made and no more from now on?

What debunker said. . I am curious hazzard...are there some scientific topics you had in mind or is this just a rant against anyone who believes an alternative view.

And who gets to say what is "alternative" and what is "mainstream"? 600,000,000 Christians do not make god real yet they are "mainstream"?

I would like to add that the recent belief in alternative theories as you put it, is because of the flow of information nowadays. Info on anything you can think of. From assassinations to Star Wars(not the movie). Of course opinions will change with that in mind.

In my opinion, I think it has to do with disillusionment.

The government was there to provide us with laws to protect us from injustice. The military was there to protect us from our country's enemies. Religion was there to provide us with spiritual guidance.

We trusted, and served, and prayed with conviction, and anyone who challenged our point of view was considered either a kook or a traitor.

Now, because of certain incidents, the validity of our once strong convictions has been questioned.

Crimes committed by government officials have been exposed. The military has admitted to using unwitting civilians as test subjects. Religions have morphed to the point where anyone can pick and choose whatever they wish to believe in, and discard the rest.

What's left?

Most people hate gray areas, and desire simple yes or no, black or white answers. So, some people conclude that if a few politicians are corrupt, then the whole government must be as well, and they feel it's their duty to bring them to justice. If the military is hiding secrets from us, then they feel they need to band together and expose those secrets. They're sure their God will help them because they can reconfigure him/her/it to suit their needs.

And if all that is being questioned, then why not science as well? Science gives many reasons why Ets couldn't possibly be here, so they imbue their aliens with a magical knowledge that allows them to exist beyond logic and understanding. It's been said before that if you compare aliens, ghosts, fairies, and angels you'll notice there isn't much of a difference between any of them. They all exist in a mythical world that cannot be touched by reality.

I may or may not agree with conspiracy theories, alien visitations, or religious beliefs, but I can understand why some people hold on to their ideas so adamantly. We all need something more than ourselves to believe in, regardless how unlikely that something may be.

I realize I've over simplified this, and hopefully I haven't insulted anyone.

And I know this was more of a blog, rather than a post, but eh...

Thank you, and good night.

Most people are able to deal with fears and accept them as part of life...

But for others, this burden is too great. As a result, they ignore the real fears and instead create massive new things to be concerned about.

Enter Conspiracies.
The government isn’t a benign entity born of social contract, it’s a vast, fanged beast that hides unimaginable secrets from its citizens.
Or there are aliens watching us, untouchable,unseen,affecting our everyday lives,chemtrails,planet X etc,etc . Or Jimmy Hoffa is buried in the end zone at the Meadowlands. (Take your pick).

The “Apollo missions were faked” construction is an example of this. Rather than believe what evidence of all stripes seems to demonstrate beyond a doubt, THEY CREATE a world of soundstages and cover-ups, whistleblowers and—GASP!!—murder. No matter that each of their “anomalies” are explained using simple, easily verifiable evidence.

It’s simply more COMFORTING to believe that either their evidence is better, or those disproving their claims are in on the conspiracy.

Thus, the elaborate explanation of a simple event occupies their part of their minds that would otherwise be flooded with INSECURITIES ABOUT EVERYDAY LIFE.....

I'd also like to add that some people are just OUT OF THEIR FRIGGIN MINDS!!!!!!!!

I think that all too many have been convinced that if all was right in the world, there would be no disasters, and no one would ever get hurt. Wake up and smell the coffee, if you can afford some. For myself, whenever I have problems and say, "Why me?" I immediately recognize my foolishness, and say, "Why not me?", a much more reasonable question.

Some of the are,no question about it.

But I also belive that conspiracy theories provide a shortcut to the appearance of education.
Because the "science" in a conspiracy theory is highly oversimplified, it appeals to people who can't or won't make a full study of the issue.

Not only do they believe they've gone one up on the experts, they believe they are now experts themselves without having undergone the tedium of traditional education.

For the past year I've been debating pseudo-scientists in another forum, and I've encountered people who actually take pride in being ignorant of standard science.

More than one person has compared himself to Einstein, who (says the pseudoscientist) "threw away the book" and "broke all the rules" or"thinking outside the box."

They have no reply when I point out that Einstein didn't develop relativity out of ignorance of standard science, but rather he knew the physics of his day intimately.

Hazz,you´re,I'm afraid,talking to the wrong crowd.

This is a kook forum were the "belivers" share there,lets say,less than probable theories.

Nice try though.

I for one appreciate your posts on the Space, Science & Technology forum.

If I were you I would leave the "alien crowd" alone,and concentrate on what you`r good at,ie,real science,UFOs and Ghosts aren`t your cup of tea,no offence.

What?
Science and UFOs don't mix?

They Do Too!!

However, just because we couldn't get here from where ever they might come from, doesn't mean they can't get here. I am speaking of the actually unexplained by natural/human tech/whatever else ufos.

I am not saying they do have the tech, but how the f$%@ would we know??
Ufos have been seen since biblical times as many of you may know? How would those people back then get that idea? They didn't even think it was possible to fly.
No one thought man could fly. The wright Brothers changed all that. They didn't have X-files back then. You know what they did have though. The church. So the demons of before could be the aliens of today.

Humans are so full of ego. <-- that sounded funny when I typed it
Don't you think it's possible that some other life is smarter than us?
Look how fast our tech is going now. Imagine us in say 200 years. Now imagine that some alien life was in existence longer than us.

I know im talking to people with their mind made up, so i'll stop here.