Monday, January 3, 2011

Why the internet isn't making us smarter

PZ Myers at Pharyngula posts a screen capture that demonstrates why the internet isn't making us smarter. I recommend you check it out there, since my columns are too narrow for the graphic to show well here.

But here's an excerpt that explains the basic situation:
Just to put it in text: creationist ignoramus posts amazing "fact" in his status:
** Fact- if the earth was 10 ft closer to the sun we would all burn up and if it was 10 ft further we would freeze to death... God is amazing!
Someone politely replies, stating the actual astronomical facts.
to anyone wondering, that's not true. 1) Earth's orbit is elliptical and the distance from the sun varies from around 147 million kilometers to 152 million kilometers on any given year. 2) Every star has a habitable zone that is affected by the size of the star and its intensity. The Sun's habitable zone is about 0.95 AU to 1.37 AU. An AU is the Earth's average distance from the sun, 93 million miles, so Earth's orbit could decrease by 4,500,000 miles or increase by 34,000,000 mises and still be in the habitable zone. 3) If your claim was true any moderately sized earthquake could take us out of the habitable zone. sorry.
The facebook status was hilarious enough, but his reply is simply perfect.
Okay thats cool and alll but dont ever comment on my status telling me that i am wrong everrrr again. I didnt ask you did i? Answer: NO
LALALALALA — I CAN'T HEAR YOU!

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