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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