New Year, New Focus
I have been casting about for a new focus for this blog in 2009. See, it has occurred to me (all right—people have been beating me over the head with it) that in order to be widely read (and thereby fulfill its purpose), a blog needs a niche. A blog about general skepticism simply won't generate sufficient readership to be noticed. So I started looking at skeptical topics in an attempt to find mine—my niche, my area to shine.
I think I've found it.
The Pseudo-History Channel is gearing up for a new round of Nostradamus-mining. Apparently, the old fraud saw the same looming disasters predicted by the Mayan calendar for the year 2012. So the scholars at HC are gearing up for the inevitable stupidity that seems to stick to Nostradamus like static cling.
So I have decided to learn as much as I can about this stuff, sort the sense from the nonsense, and then report it back to you.
Now don't misunderstand me. I like the History Channel. I have even appeared in a documentary that pops up there from time to time. (I'll tell you about it in another entry someday.) But there seem to be two separate programming "tracks" over there, one of which comprises well-researched legitimate historical material. The other appears to have been designed by a panel consisting of John Edward, J. Z. "Ramtha" Knight and Erich Von Daniken. I realize TV is an entertainment medium, but putting Nostradamus' predictions on the History Channel is like writing a chemistry text that includes instructions for turning lead into gold. The Sci-Fi Channel, maybe, but not the History Channel.
Here's a taste of the simple-minded content we are told to expect from HC on the Nostradamus/2012 subject:
I expect that some people need to be told why the transparently emotional, irrational video is a bunch of baloney. That's why I plan to concentrate on this story in the new year.
If you are aware of primary source material I should know about, I'd appreciate a link or other heads-up. Thanks for reading. Right now I'm off to revisit James Randi's Mask of Nostradamus.
I think I've found it.
The Pseudo-History Channel is gearing up for a new round of Nostradamus-mining. Apparently, the old fraud saw the same looming disasters predicted by the Mayan calendar for the year 2012. So the scholars at HC are gearing up for the inevitable stupidity that seems to stick to Nostradamus like static cling.
So I have decided to learn as much as I can about this stuff, sort the sense from the nonsense, and then report it back to you.
Now don't misunderstand me. I like the History Channel. I have even appeared in a documentary that pops up there from time to time. (I'll tell you about it in another entry someday.) But there seem to be two separate programming "tracks" over there, one of which comprises well-researched legitimate historical material. The other appears to have been designed by a panel consisting of John Edward, J. Z. "Ramtha" Knight and Erich Von Daniken. I realize TV is an entertainment medium, but putting Nostradamus' predictions on the History Channel is like writing a chemistry text that includes instructions for turning lead into gold. The Sci-Fi Channel, maybe, but not the History Channel.
Here's a taste of the simple-minded content we are told to expect from HC on the Nostradamus/2012 subject:
"In the year 2012, from the Earth's perspective, the sun will align with the center of the Milk Way galaxy in an incredibly rare astronomical phenomenon that occurs only once every 26,000 years. Some believe this galactic alignment brings with it a time of radical change—even danger.
"The Mayan astronomers, known for their accuracy, chose December 21, 2012 to end their famous 'Long Count' calendar."
I expect that some people need to be told why the transparently emotional, irrational video is a bunch of baloney. That's why I plan to concentrate on this story in the new year. If you are aware of primary source material I should know about, I'd appreciate a link or other heads-up. Thanks for reading. Right now I'm off to revisit James Randi's Mask of Nostradamus.
You new niche? Interesting but sounds too narrow!!!
However Fraudamentaries would be a GREAT angle.
As a kid, I always hated watching stuff and finding out later the TV program missed the key facts.
Martin Shermer discusses Fraudementaries in his book Why People Believe Wierd Things.
I am SHOCKED that the history channel would cover this stuff tho; clearly they are trying to spread their appeal.
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"Narrow" is exactly what is required. I explained this already. I can't compete with the big boys. The way to grow the readership is to specialize, and this is a topic that will not go away for the next 3+ years.
I am not familiar with Martin Shermer. However, I am well acquainted with another fine author by the name of Michael Shermer, who has written extensively on skeptical topics.
The History Channel seems to have a 2-track system. One track consists of straight historical material, the other of bullshit--often settled bullshit--like Roswell, Bigfoot, and other pseudo-history a la Nostradamus. It's not shocking at all. They've been doing it for years, simply because it sells.
In the interest of disclosure, I should mention that I appear in a "real" documentary that surfaces on the HC from time to time. It's a serious movie with some re-enactments in it to jazz it up. The interviews are with real scholars, not "Mayan experts," or authors of books on alchemy. So HC does some good stuff, but they have a spotty track record with this other kind of material.
Having now watched the "Nostradamus: 2012" drivel last night, I am even more interested in pursuing this.
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I have been a great student of all this 2012 stuff for many years. I will sum it up as follows: Precession of the Equinoxes. Look it up, learn what it means. It is indisputable proof that a great event is in the process of occurring. And the Milky Way discovery that NASA has just announced in the last few days might just tie into it all...
Stay tuned!
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Oh good! We need some true believers, people who use words like "indisputable." Great to have you here. Bring your friends.
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