# A Gravity Pit (for warping the SDMB and its purpose by being a bumptious prick)
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-gravity-pit-for-warping-the-sdmb-and-its-purpose-by-being-a-bumptious-prick/561721
**Category:** The BBQ Pit
**Created:** [November 24, 2010, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-gravity-pit-for-warping-the-sdmb-and-its-purpose-by-being-a-bumptious-prick/561721 "2010-11-24T00:41:11Z")
**Posts on this page:** 16
**Page:** 3
### Author:  [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2010, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-gravity-pit-for-warping-the-sdmb-and-its-purpose-by-being-a-bumptious-prick/561721/41 "2010-11-24T16:38:21Z")
When I saw the title of the thread in question, I thought to myself, “A physics question! Those are always a fun read.” Then I saw who the OP was.
> [@Rhythmdvl](#):
>
> Since he’s unlikely to be pitted anywhere else, let me just add:
>
> Just get up and introduce yourself to the other passengers! Nobody likes a dark and shadowy figure hanging out in the background mumbling “Alfred” this and “criss-cross” that. You’re making everyone nervous. Fuckwit.
Bravo, sir.
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### Author:  [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2010, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-gravity-pit-for-warping-the-sdmb-and-its-purpose-by-being-a-bumptious-prick/561721/42 "2010-11-24T16:46:04Z")
> [@kanicbird](#):
>
> As for what some of you call the ‘gotcha’ that I was accused of, it was really a reply to the gotcha that Stranger on a Train gave.
>
> A common tactic used to shut down non-conforming thinking is stating we already have our answer, in this case the theory of relativity and the like, no need for your input. Basically that is the method used by SoaT, and very anti-free thinking - stuff like this has kept science in the dark ages and has kept organized religion in power btw.
>
> I countered with your theory also depends on a almost mythical particle, that is defined in such a way that it is acceptable that it may never be found, this is what is holding that theory together. And yes I did related it to belief in God as that is what I am familiar with and saw a correlation, though it was a response, not a intent.
That’s not really the way I saw it - they responded to you. You just didn’t seem to like their answers.
The problem with your correlation is that it is a significant departure. It effectively equates a theoretical entity - an entity that fits into a broader framework - with what is essentially pseudoscience.
To be clear, when I say ‘pseudoscience’, I’m not getting all ‘atheists are correct’ on you, what I’m saying is that “God” as an explanation is not on par with what is considered a scientific explanation. God could exist, yet my usage of pseudoscience would still be accurate in this case.
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### Author:  [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2010, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-gravity-pit-for-warping-the-sdmb-and-its-purpose-by-being-a-bumptious-prick/561721/43 "2010-11-24T16:50:58Z")
> [@kanicbird](#):
>
> So we are not suppose to ask questions? and if a pattern is seen not suppose to ask why this pattern will not hold? We are suppose to just accept what they say blindly? and just assume that they already though of everything I could ever came up with?
>
> Really are you sure you want to be stating this?
I’m not going to speak for him, but if you want to ‘ask questions’ then you need to do so in the appropriate venue. You need to learn the science, learn the theories, and put forth the questions in the appropriate venue.
The trouble with what you are doing is that you don’t have the education (neither do I, btw) to discern whether your question _is_ a legitimate question. So to make a fuss about it as though it was definitively a subject that required equal treatment is a bit absurd.
It’s like if I went to my doctor and disagreed with his interpretation of my blood pressure. Sure, my great grandmother _might_ be correct that everything is fine with me and that it’s in my head, but the fact remains that I should trust the _current_ expert UNLESS I’m skilled enough and know enough to dispute it.
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### Author:  [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2010, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-gravity-pit-for-warping-the-sdmb-and-its-purpose-by-being-a-bumptious-prick/561721/44 "2010-11-24T16:58:47Z")
F\*&kin gravities! How do they work?
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### Author:  [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2010, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-gravity-pit-for-warping-the-sdmb-and-its-purpose-by-being-a-bumptious-prick/561721/45 "2010-11-24T17:01:33Z")
I can has Graviton?
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### Author:  [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2010, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-gravity-pit-for-warping-the-sdmb-and-its-purpose-by-being-a-bumptious-prick/561721/46 "2010-11-24T17:03:36Z")
> [@kanicbird](#):
>
> something I think is called negative energy.
YES!! YES INDEED!! I am feeling this negative energy. My aura is fucking pulsating with it!
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### Author:  [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2010, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-gravity-pit-for-warping-the-sdmb-and-its-purpose-by-being-a-bumptious-prick/561721/47 "2010-11-24T17:04:32Z")
> [@kanicbird](#):
>
> Um, do you really want comment on this. It makes no logical sense, just muddying the waters.
Yes, your comments generally don’t.
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### Author:  [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2010, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-gravity-pit-for-warping-the-sdmb-and-its-purpose-by-being-a-bumptious-prick/561721/48 "2010-11-24T17:19:39Z")
> [@kanicbird](#):
>
> So we are not suppose to ask questions?
Anyone can ask questions, but you may not understand the answer. If you don’t understand the answer, it isn’t the scientists lack of imagination that is the problem. If you want to question the answer, you need to be educated in the field enough to point out the specific flaw.
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### Author:  [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2010, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-gravity-pit-for-warping-the-sdmb-and-its-purpose-by-being-a-bumptious-prick/561721/49 "2010-11-24T17:22:53Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#):
>
> I _do_ think it’s a bad idea to enter GQ threads assuming that the OP is looking for a “gotcha” moment.
He no longer deserves the benefit of the doubt, having abused it for years. **Kanicbird** has shown open disdain for the scientific method and repeatedly misuses scientific terms even after others have repeatedly attempted to correct him. He is deliberately ignorant, and is a living avatar of the ignorance we have been fighting since 1973.
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### Author:  [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2010, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-gravity-pit-for-warping-the-sdmb-and-its-purpose-by-being-a-bumptious-prick/561721/50 "2010-11-24T17:51:00Z")
I opened **kanicbird** thread about gravity when only two people had replied. I was _incredibly_ tempted to answer that the attraction of the two ships was just God’s love pulling them together, or a “soul tie” between the two ships, but i didn’t want to threadshit or cause other problems in GQ.
While i think it’s generally preferable to give people the benefit of the doubt in GQ, **kanicbird** is one of those people whose “benefit” ran out a long time ago, at least for me.
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### Author:  [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2010, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-gravity-pit-for-warping-the-sdmb-and-its-purpose-by-being-a-bumptious-prick/561721/51 "2010-11-24T17:57:52Z")
> [@mhendo](#):
>
> I opened **kanicbird** thread about gravity when only two people had replied. I was _incredibly_ tempted to answer that the attraction of the two ships was just God’s love pulling them together, or a “soul tie” between the two ships, but i didn’t want to threadshit or cause other problems in GQ.
How about “they want to make an anchor baby” ?
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### Author:  [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2010, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-gravity-pit-for-warping-the-sdmb-and-its-purpose-by-being-a-bumptious-prick/561721/52 "2010-11-24T18:00:10Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#):
>
> How about “they want to make an anchor baby” ?
Correction: [Austin Powers]“They want to make an anchor, baby”[/AP]
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### Author:  [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2010, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-gravity-pit-for-warping-the-sdmb-and-its-purpose-by-being-a-bumptious-prick/561721/53 "2010-11-24T18:13:09Z")
Well, maybe, but Austin was an _international_ man of mystery and seemingly unconcerned with green cards and such.
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### Author:  [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2010, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-gravity-pit-for-warping-the-sdmb-and-its-purpose-by-being-a-bumptious-prick/561721/54 "2010-11-24T19:12:26Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#):
>
> He no longer deserves the benefit of the doubt, having abused it for years. **Kanicbird** has shown open disdain for the scientific method and repeatedly misuses scientific terms even after others have repeatedly attempted to correct him. He is deliberately ignorant, and is a living avatar of the ignorance we have been fighting since 1973.
So what? The mods can close the thread if necessary.
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### Author:  [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2010, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-gravity-pit-for-warping-the-sdmb-and-its-purpose-by-being-a-bumptious-prick/561721/55 "2010-11-24T22:27:48Z")
> [@kanicbird](#):
>
> A common tactic used to shut down non-conforming thinking is stating we already have our answer, in this case the theory of relativity and the like, no need for your input. Basically that is the method used by SoaT, and very anti-free thinking - stuff like this has kept science in the dark ages and has kept organized religion in power btw.
A very common tactic used by the woo-ful is to claim that those who think critically and take an evidence-based approach are really dependent on “faith” and are intent on shutting down those brave mavericks who eschew dogma. This tack is used in an attempt to ridicule supporters of evolution but there are many similar applications in medicine and other areas of science.
Unfortunately for the mavericks, the “dogma” they despise is developed through logic, careful gathering of evidence and reproducible research.
And so it turns out that they are not mavericks at all, but just part of the endless sea of believers who think their personal convictions and collections of anecdotes trump science.
I think **kanicbird** keeps flailing away on his woo crusade, not because he thinks he’s convincing anyone here, but under the impression that somewhere out there among the Teeming Millions, there are others who while not deigning to post will experience Revelation and join his movement. The sad reality is that the few who might agree with him are all busy on woo-sites and the rest are laughing at his attempts to join battle with the skeptics.
I know this for a fact, since they have e-mailed me. 🙂
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### Author:  [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2010, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-gravity-pit-for-warping-the-sdmb-and-its-purpose-by-being-a-bumptious-prick/561721/56 "2010-11-24T23:14:01Z")
> [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](#):
>
> Sorry. We’ll try to do better and stop pissing about all the time.
That’s the spirit.
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