# Do you have any pet theories that probably wouldn't hold up under scientific scrutiny? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 10, 2013, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-any-pet-theories-that-probably-wouldnt-hold-up-under-scientific-scrutiny/670893 "2013-10-10T17:50:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![CLee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f19dbf/32.png) [@CLee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CLee)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2013, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-any-pet-theories-that-probably-wouldnt-hold-up-under-scientific-scrutiny/670893/21 "2013-10-10T22:27:19Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > I do have such a theory and I have not succeeded in even getting anyone to comment on it. It is that time is best viewed as logarithmic; there was nothing before time 0 because log(0) is -infinity. That there will be no entropy death of the universe; things will just slow down and interactions will take place over larger and larger distances and, from out point of view, will take longer and longer, but not from a logarithmic point of view. So you could still have life, even intelligent life, it just is very slow. The free energy of the universe will never hit 0, although it does approach it asymptotically. Some thermodynamicist has studied the question of how much energy is needed for a computation and the answer is there is no minimum, but the less you use the slower it is. > > In Steven Weinberg’s First Three Minutes, I had the impression that as much happened between 10^{-43} seconds and 10^{-42} seconds as happened between 10^{-42} seconds and 10^{-41} and so on. There was, from our point of view, nearly infinitely large energy and things, including computations, were happening at near infinite speed. It was so fast that perhaps there was some kind of life, even intelligent that evolved and disappeared and to whom we represent the entropy death of their universe. > > How’s that for a totally off-the-wall theory? And yet I do not know that it can be refuted. **Hari Seldon** , maybe some aren’t commenting because like me, it’s too far over their head to comprehend? Not that I haven’t tried, I’ve read this several times but my grasp on physics is that which earned a passing grade in a required course and that’s about it. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-any-pet-theories-that-probably-wouldnt-hold-up-under-scientific-scrutiny/670893/22 "2013-10-11T11:52:37Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > These same people LOOOOVED Bill Clinton, right? > > Thought so. But they didn’t question things like Clinton’s citizenship or his religion did they? That’s the whole point of my theory about them being racist; it’s because they use this not so hidden code to hide there racism. Where are all of the Republicans denouncing the birthers? How can they bitch about Obama going to the Reverend Wrights church before the election and question his Christianity and call him a Muslim after the election? The problem with the hidden code is that people are not as stupid as some people think and they see it for what it is. That’s my theory. ---
**Author:** ![Obnoxious\_Hood\_Ornament](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3be4f8/32.png) [@Obnoxious\_Hood\_Ornament](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Obnoxious_Hood_Ornament)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-any-pet-theories-that-probably-wouldnt-hold-up-under-scientific-scrutiny/670893/23 "2013-10-11T12:45:48Z")
> [@](#): > > I do have such a theory and I have not succeeded in even getting anyone to comment on it. It is that time is best viewed as logarithmic; there was nothing before time 0 because log(0) is -infinity. That there will be no entropy death of the universe; things will just slow down and interactions will take place over larger and larger distances and, from out point of view, will take longer and longer, but not from a logarithmic point of view. So you could still have life, even intelligent life, it just is very slow. The free energy of the universe will never hit 0, although it does approach it asymptotically. Some thermodynamicist has studied the question of how much energy is needed for a computation and the answer is there is no minimum, but the less you use the slower it is. I don’t have anything to add other than to say that is an interesting take on the subject, and I’m glad you posted it. I’ve secretly dreamed that black holes are actually engines that reverse entropy in some unknown way. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-any-pet-theories-that-probably-wouldnt-hold-up-under-scientific-scrutiny/670893/24 "2013-10-11T12:56:29Z")
> [@Werekoala](#): > > I think that UFOs are most likely not alien spacecraft, but time machines. There ain’t no difference between a flying saucer and a time machine. People get so hung up on specifics they miss out on seeing the whole thing. Take South America for example. South America, thousands of people go missing every year. Nobody knows where they go, they just, like, disappear. But if you think about it for a minute, you realize something. There had to be a time when there was no people, right? Well where did all these people come from, huh? I’ll tell you where. The future. And where did all these people disappear to? ---
**Author:** ![CLee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f19dbf/32.png) [@CLee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CLee)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-any-pet-theories-that-probably-wouldnt-hold-up-under-scientific-scrutiny/670893/25 "2013-10-11T13:33:07Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > There ain’t no difference between a flying saucer and a time machine. People get so hung up on specifics they miss out on seeing the whole thing. Take South America for example. South America, thousands of people go missing every year. Nobody knows where they go, they just, like, disappear. But if you think about it for a minute, you realize something. There had to be a time when there was no people, right? Well where did all these people come from, huh? I’ll tell you where. The future. And where did all these people disappear to? Maybe one day a spacecraft will land and with a blinding flash and deafening whoosh all the lost pens, hangers, socks, keys, pets, and people will tumble out in a tangled pile and we’ll all joyfully plunder the cosmic lost and found. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-any-pet-theories-that-probably-wouldnt-hold-up-under-scientific-scrutiny/670893/26 "2013-10-11T13:46:29Z")
Whenever my feet get soaked in the rain, I get a cold. I know current germ theory rejects this idea, but it’s always been true for me. I know racism when I see it, and there are many instances in which people expressing opposition to President Obama are clearly doing so out of racism. It’s not proveable, but it’s clear to me. That doesn’t mean that everyone who opposes the President is racist, but it’s not that hard to tell these people from the racists. ---
**Author:** ![Obnoxious\_Hood\_Ornament](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3be4f8/32.png) [@Obnoxious\_Hood\_Ornament](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Obnoxious_Hood_Ornament)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-any-pet-theories-that-probably-wouldnt-hold-up-under-scientific-scrutiny/670893/27 "2013-10-11T13:54:45Z")
> [@](#): > > Maybe one day a spacecraft will land and with a blinding flash and deafening whoosh all the lost pens, hangers, socks, keys, pets, and people will tumble out in a tangled pile and we’ll all joyfully plunder the cosmic lost and found. Knowing my luck, if a UFO ever stopped by it’d end up being _Wowbagger the Infinitely Prolonged_, and he’d just call me a kneebiter and leave. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-any-pet-theories-that-probably-wouldnt-hold-up-under-scientific-scrutiny/670893/28 "2013-10-11T13:54:47Z")
> [@SpoilerVirgin](#): > > Whenever my feet get soaked in the rain, I get a cold. I know current germ theory rejects this idea, but it’s always been true for me. > > I know racism when I see it, and there are many instances in which people expressing opposition to President Obama are clearly doing so out of racism. It’s not proveable, but it’s clear to me. That doesn’t mean that everyone who opposes the President is racist, but it’s not that hard to tell these people from the racists. I think science is full of shit when it comes to catching colds. If I sleep with a fan on I seem to catch a cold. Or if I get wet and stay cold and wet too long I seem to catch a cold. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-any-pet-theories-that-probably-wouldnt-hold-up-under-scientific-scrutiny/670893/29 "2013-10-11T13:57:56Z")
> [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > But they didn’t question things like Clinton’s citizenship or his religion did they? That’s the whole point of my theory about them being racist; it’s because they use this not so hidden code to hide there racism. Where are all of the Republicans denouncing the birthers? How can they bitch about Obama going to the Reverend Wrights church before the election and question his Christianity and call him a Muslim after the election? The problem with the hidden code is that people are not as stupid as some people think and they see it for what it is. That’s my theory. But the loonies on the Right DID accuse the Clintons of murder (the Vince Foster case), and all kinds of other absurd things. ---
**Author:** ![Macca26](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/13edae/32.png) [@Macca26](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Macca26)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-any-pet-theories-that-probably-wouldnt-hold-up-under-scientific-scrutiny/670893/30 "2013-10-11T14:05:13Z")
Well mine’s pretty mundane. I’m of the mind that wearing bras really does create notches in women’s shoulders where they apply pressure every time they’re worn. Kinda like how corsets would change the ribcage shape. No idea if it’s for real but I concluded this when I was a kid and saw these grooves on my mother’s shoulders where her straps went (though she’s not exactly thin, so…) ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-any-pet-theories-that-probably-wouldnt-hold-up-under-scientific-scrutiny/670893/31 "2013-10-11T14:14:36Z")
My theory is that nearly every man who strongly advocates against homosexuality, the “homosexual lifestyle”, and believes that sexual orientation is a choice, is a closeted homosexual. I think this might actually hold up to scientific scrutiny, though I’m not quite sure that would work. ---
**Author:** ![CLee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f19dbf/32.png) [@CLee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CLee)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-any-pet-theories-that-probably-wouldnt-hold-up-under-scientific-scrutiny/670893/32 "2013-10-11T14:20:15Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > My theory is that nearly every man who strongly advocates against homosexuality, the “homosexual lifestyle”, and believes that sexual orientation is a choice, is a closeted homosexual. > > I think this might actually hold up to scientific scrutiny, though I’m not quite sure that would work. Agree. ---
**Author:** ![CLee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f19dbf/32.png) [@CLee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CLee)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-any-pet-theories-that-probably-wouldnt-hold-up-under-scientific-scrutiny/670893/33 "2013-10-11T14:50:59Z")
As social creatures we tend to define ourselves by that which we are and that which we are not, but our self-perception is untrustworthy. If we suffer a trait or habit we dislike, we’ll criticize it in others. Whenever I meet a new person who claims to hate drama, I step to the side and get out of Drama’s way because it’s comin’. Whenever someone says I’m not racist/bigoted/nosy/needy there is always a “But…” exception to follow that demonstrate s the speaker’s racism, bigotry, nosiness, and. It’s not the worst habit to have; we’re all flawed and striving towards self improvement, but those upfront confessions are telling. ---
**Author:** ![Sateryn76](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Sateryn76](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sateryn76)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-any-pet-theories-that-probably-wouldnt-hold-up-under-scientific-scrutiny/670893/34 "2013-10-11T14:53:18Z")
I think that the recent rise in authentic autism cases is caused by too much Folic acid intake during pregnancy. Spinal deformities are bad, but relatively rare, and dosing up on Folic acid has pushed fetal neuro development too far in the other direction. I also think authentic cases of autism are no way as common as diagnosed, and a lot of kids who are just a little weird are becoming weirder because parents and schools have decided they’re autistic/Asperger’s/whatever spectrum. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-any-pet-theories-that-probably-wouldnt-hold-up-under-scientific-scrutiny/670893/35 "2013-10-11T14:55:23Z")
I believe the reason MJ is considered to be a gateway drug is _because_ it’s illegal. If it were legal, I think a significantly less amount of kids would be willing to experiment with breaking the laws with things like cocaine or heroine. ---
**Author:** ![CLee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f19dbf/32.png) [@CLee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CLee)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-any-pet-theories-that-probably-wouldnt-hold-up-under-scientific-scrutiny/670893/36 "2013-10-11T15:00:00Z")
> [@Sateryn76](#): > > I think that the recent rise in authentic autism cases is caused by too much Folic acid intake during pregnancy. Spinal deformities are bad, but relatively rare, and dosing up on Folic acid has pushed fetal neuro development too far in the other direction. > > I also think authentic cases of autism are no way as common as diagnosed, and a lot of kids who are just a little weird are becoming weirder because parents and schools have decided they’re autistic/Asperger’s/whatever spectrum. I was leaning towards antidepressants and the steroids, sugars, caffeine, and corn based diet that might be screwing with neural development. The things we ingest aren’t healthy or balanced, and our blood sugar is all over the place. Hadn’t thought of supplements but we do throw meds in prophylacticly in an attempt to counteract a shitty diet, don’t we? Interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Wargamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Wargamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wargamer)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-any-pet-theories-that-probably-wouldnt-hold-up-under-scientific-scrutiny/670893/37 "2013-10-11T15:10:46Z")
I think GMO are dangerous and we should all swich to Free Range Corn. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-any-pet-theories-that-probably-wouldnt-hold-up-under-scientific-scrutiny/670893/38 "2013-10-11T15:17:54Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > But the loonies on the Right DID accuse the Clintons of murder (the Vince Foster case), and all kinds of other absurd things. How is that racism? That’s normal politics and has nothing to do with my theory. If you want to debate the subject start a thread in Great Debates. This is IMHO territory. Do you have a theory you would like to add to the thread? ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-any-pet-theories-that-probably-wouldnt-hold-up-under-scientific-scrutiny/670893/39 "2013-10-11T15:21:37Z")
> [@Sateryn76](#): > > I also think authentic cases of autism are no way as common as diagnosed, and a lot of kids who are just a little weird are becoming weirder because parents and schools have decided they’re autistic/Asperger’s/whatever spectrum. Agreed 100%. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2013, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-any-pet-theories-that-probably-wouldnt-hold-up-under-scientific-scrutiny/670893/40 "2013-10-11T15:29:17Z")
Not exactly a theory, but I am absolutely certain I can perceive colour in my peripheral vision. I’ve confirmed this with informal experimentation, but people on the SDMB have told me this is impossible. (I’m not even sure the weight of facts rests on their side (I found documents suggesting some colour perception is possible). They were certain of it though. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-any-pet-theories-that-probably-wouldnt-hold-up-under-scientific-scrutiny/670893.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-any-pet-theories-that-probably-wouldnt-hold-up-under-scientific-scrutiny/670893.md?page=3)