We should do that. lol
Do we have to stop at science?
I’m totally down to welcome in strangers who want to talk history or philosophy, too. Roving bands of people, seeking shelter by paying with their special interests.
Just go hang out in the student union or in the mall of your nearest state university. You’ll find plenty of people eager to talk about all sorts of topics.
This sounds somewhat like the end of Fahrenheit 451.
There’s a couple of science-based social groups (usually ‘skeptics’ is in the name, a la Skeptics Society) where I live (SLC) so might be a very good place to start recruiting ‘sales’ people in your own areas…
I don’t let anyone in my house but I would gladly setup a few chairs, picnic umbrella, folding table and a tray if frosty beverages on the front lawn. Why the front? Maybe some neighbors will join in and we can have a science block party with music, balloons, and Mr. Wizard/Bill Nye style physics demonstrations.
I have this notion that one day it would be nice to be neighborly enough to just put out a sign that says “fresh coffee”, “brunch”, “Beer on tap” or whatever as a signal that people should drop by for a chat.
But I’m not really in my neighborhood’s demographic. It’s an older neighborhood, and the only folks close to my age seem like extreme introverts.You know how some people are really into.putting up flags? Some hang pride flags, others political flags or country flags, etc. I say you should hang a flag of your favorite hobby (assuming PG rated). Into D&D? Hang a D&D flag. Maybe one of those introverts will be curious enough to say “nice flag”, and you take it from there.
As a former Jehovah’s Witnesses turned atheist, you all have fun, but I’m not spending my Saturday knocking on doors anymore.
Good on you. Thank you for seeing reason. That was objectively awful.
“Thank you, but we follow Martian facts here, we aren’t interested in your Venusian ways.”
I’d tell them there is almost no water on venus, that it’s like thousands of times dryer than the sahara. Until they have a scientific explanation for an alternative biology that is not water based and can survive in air, it’s far more likely phosphine is created by some abiotic process.
I do find it funny because this whole hysteria about life on venus is so silly. There is no reason to assume phosphine is being created by a completely alien, non water based biology. But they want to believe and/or sell clicks.
This sounds fascinating. I would totally invite them in.
It also reminds me of a horror story I read that had been written before heavier-than-air flight became possible, but seemed within reach. The story had been written just a few years before the Wright brothers success at Kitty Hawk.
The author imagined ferocious jellyfish-like creatures that lived in the upper atmosphere, and kept themselves aloft with gas-filled bodies. Interesting idea.
Been saying this for years. I’m supposed to be fine when someone wakes me up on a Saturday morning to shove Jesus up my orifice, or sends my preschooler home from school with bible pamphlets, but if I did that to them with atheism, they’d riot.
And yet somehow they’re being persecuted. Fuck them.
Though I’d love to talk with them about science, that phosphene thing has been thoroughly debunked
I would tell them to leave because any unsolicited person at my door is a complete stranger and potential threat
I don’t let strangers in my home
Phosphine is one thing but also ammonia. And considering the climate on venus’ surface, that’s one important find.
Also, these trace amounts of either are only found in the twilight/night side of venus. They seem to ‘burn off’ on the day side.
The other day at a family gathering, I found myself explaining CRISPR in tones normally reserved for religious fervor.
Excuse me. Do you have time to hear about the good word of our Lady and Savior, Jennifer Doudna?
Science or NASA clickbait?
Honestly I could imagine that in a slowed down world