James Randi on Astrology

PurpleBulbous you have been shown how she did it. By just scattering so many predictions that just by probability, some would stick. Very simple really. Nothing to it. Yet, if you still don´t want to accept the truth, that´s up to you. You invented the denial machine...

"Need I say more? Honestly, anyone who thinks Lynne Palmers claim validates astrology simply isnt interested in the truth."


SO, Now we know how she did it! As it turns out, it was option C all the way. Claim something for everyday, and then you will eventually get a hit.

Well done

Please explain option C - remembering Saturn Pluto square ( of which you are illiterate of) of which she was attempting to describe. And exactly what is the truth that you ascribe to? Exactly please.

On another page, she specifically say the MOST LIKELY dates for a terrorist attack are Sept. 11th - 13th. Correct.

Look at Zoller's prediction. It was ONE specific prediction... "From September we are entering a period of increased danger to us in the West...particularly so on the Eastern sea board...After September 2001 when the first big crisis will have hit the US we will never be the same again..." Printed August 2000.

Start the denial machine...

How many lotteries has Zoller won?

Its the scattergun approach make enough guesses and some are bound to turn up correct. Mind you, Palmers approach is a bit wild even by the normal standards of this kind of guessing 16 dates in September and 130 in the year for avoiding terrorist attacks? Thats so blatant Im surprised she doesnt blush. But it gets worse. Get a load of this: Just out of curiosity, we looked up "Avoid Travel by Air." She listed 13 dates in September to be avoided. September 11 was not one of them.

"Palmer's book is an exhaustive astrological guide that lists nearly 500 different categories of activity and thousands of dates that ought to be avoided. It advises the best days for everything from cutting cloth to having surgery. Under the category of "Avoid: Terrorist Attacks" she listed more than 130 DATES in 2001. For September, she listed 16 DATES for avoiding terrorist attacks.

(cont'd)

my point is that you are counting only the hits. what about the 2,999 absolutely completely wrong predictions? those are discarded or left unmentioned, obviously.

what percentage of the palmer's almanac prediction fall into each of the above categories?

sigh i still can't believe i'm getting drawn into this.
- suppose i write a book with 10,000 predictions in it, regarding what will happen in 2010.
- suppose 5,000 of those predictions are sufficiently general that they come up "true"
- suppose 2,000 are so vague as to be unverifiable
- suppose 1 is 100% accurate

(more...)

Now, the chances of picking "terrorist attack" AND having the correct day gives a 0.003% chance or, in other words, Lynne beat approximately 36,500 to 1 odds!

"Hits and misses" HA!

See, skeptics REFUSE to see anything that would force a widening of their narrow perspective. Proven time and time again...that the most ridiculous of arguments gets thrown up when the actual facts perfectly explain the circumstance.