***The Skeptiko Random Stuff Thread***

[Arouet]

Paul's post below made me realize that this forum doesn't have a random stuff thread. So, unless the mods have an objection, this thread is for the random tidbits that don't necessarily need their own thread but you wanted to bring to the Skeptiko community's attention.

Originally Posted by Paul C. Anagnostopoulos

Completely off-topic, but I just have to point out that Mercury now orbits the Earth:

BBC News - 'Superstorm' rages on exoplanet

~~ Paul

[Ian Holfield]

It circles this star at around one-eighth the distance Mercury orbits Earth.

So that's X = 1/8 (impossible R) That's some proofreader they have there.......

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

Was it a simple typo or are a few people really, really dumb? Inquiring minds want to know.

~~ Paul

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

All fixed now.

~~ Paul

[imiyakawa]

1. Australia's PM just got booted out of office before the election. Haha

2. Astronomers estimate there are hundreds of planets (not by definition) exactly like Pluto or bigger, near Pluto or a bit further out, also orbiting the sun.

3. ~5 bodies are known to have WATER in our solar system alone! Europa, Moon, Mars (used to for certain, salt deposits), Earth, Venus (used to be a twin earth with water, none anymore). There are ~200 billion stars in our galaxy and ~100 billion galaxies in the VISIBLE universe....

4. Astronomers estimate that each star has on average two planets orbiting it (estimated through observation of star wobble).

5. Astronomers think there is a high probability of life on Europa and on Uranus. They both likely have some type of ocean under its crust.

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

Originally Posted by imiyakawa

2. Astronomers estimate there are hundreds of planets (not by definition) exactly like Pluto or bigger, near Pluto or a bit further out, also orbiting the sun.

Orbiting our Sun? Do you mean orbiting their suns?

~~ Paul

[imiyakawa]

Originally Posted by Paul C. Anagnostopoulos

Orbiting our Sun? Do you mean orbiting their suns?

~~ Paul

Yes, our sun, amidst the asteroid belt. Perfectly spherical Pluto-like objects. Many have been detected already - some bigger than Pluto.

It's not news because
A. they're not planets, technically (there's a specific criteria);
B. they're further out than Pluto (I'm pretty sure).

One of the few reasons why Pluto was downgraded.

[imiyakawa]

BOOKS & LECTURES:

1. Conversations of Consciousness (compilation of philosophy & neuroscience essays).
Free:
http://depositfiles.com/en/files/2288284

2. The nature of consciousness: Philosophical essays.
Free:
http://books.google.com/books?id=eRB...page&q&f=false

3. John Searle audio lectures on the history of philosophy of mind, and the potential for conscious computers:
http://www.furk.net/TTC_-_Philosophy...?INVITE=838359

ARTICLES/OTHER:

1. On a person with two halves of a brain that aren't connected:
http://cwx.prenhall.com/bookbind/pub...ngs/split.html

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

Originally Posted by imiyakawa

Yes, our sun, amidst the asteroid belt. Perfectly spherical Pluto-like objects. Many have been detected already - some bigger than Pluto.

Oh, Pluto! I read it as Mercury. What a dolt. I should have gotten more sleep.

~~ Paul

[imiyakawa]

N Korea seeks $75 trillion in compensation