Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!microsof!uw-beaver!cornell!vax135!ariel!hou5f!hou5a!hou5d!hogpc!houxm!ihnp4!ihuxx!ignatz From: ignatz@ihuxx.UUCP Newsgroups: net.misc Subject: Re: The Earth-Centered Universe Message-ID: <470@ihuxx.UUCP> Date: Thu, 7-Jul-83 02:22:58 EDT Article-I.D.: ihuxx.470 Posted: Thu Jul 7 02:22:58 1983 Date-Received: Fri, 8-Jul-83 15:11:55 EDT References: <67@vortex.UUCP> Lines: 41 Jeez, I hate to add to the null-content datacomm test messages, but...this *is* somewhat amusing... Once (circa 1978) I had a next-door neighbor who was a devout follower of and believer in astrology; and, as it was bound to happen, her astrologer was over one night for dinner the same night I'd been invited. I listened, rather indulgently, to te two of them exulting overr my chart (it involves my being a Scorpio, but with lotsa water planets, or something similar--whatever, it drives astrology types crazy), and snagged on the woebegone complaint from the astrologer: "You don't know how HARD it is to calculate the celestial positions, especially because of the retrograde motions of the planets..." Followed a conversation very much like the following: Me: You calculate everything using RETROGRADE motions, like, with the Ptolemaic system??? Astrologer: Of course; that's the way the universe works. Me: Far be it for me; I'm a mere machine-twiddling CS jock. But you admit that, even if you don't believe in the Copernican system, that the numbers work out if you use it? Astrologer: Well, yes, they do. Me: Then wouldn't it be easier to convert a client's planetary configuration to a Copernican one, then calculate the relevant whatevers, then convert back to your Ptolemaic system? Maybe using a soulless computer?..*snicker*... Astrologer: Why...I never dreamed...you're RIGHT!! I'll find a computer service *immediately!* OH, THANK YOU!!! *kiss* I found out that she eventually bought time on a timeshare service and used the program that she'd had written for her to make *lotsa* money. Last time **I** ever give away an idea, no matter how hare-brained it seems... Snickering indulgently, but not getting royalties, Dave Ihnat ihuxx!ignatz