Comments on: In Search of Alien Glyphs (or are they microwave blasters?) http://boingboing.net/2010/03/23/in-search-of-alien-g.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Fri, 24 May 2013 08:44:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/03/23/in-search-of-alien-g.html#comment-742420 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-742420 If the stalks were bent by a microwave beam powerful enough to permanently warp/break them then they should show signs of being strongly heated since they contain water. Heck, they probably would've burst from the sudden production of steam in the stalks. If the stalks were bent by a microwave beam powerful enough to permanently warp/break them then they should show signs of being strongly heated since they contain water. Heck, they probably would’ve burst from the sudden production of steam in the stalks.

]]> By: KremlinLaptop http://boingboing.net/2010/03/23/in-search-of-alien-g.html#comment-742421 KremlinLaptop Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-742421 Mighty fine horse you've got there, mister. Bit high though, ain't it? Must take an AWFUL long time gettin' all the way on up there. Mighty fine horse you’ve got there, mister. Bit high though, ain’t it? Must take an AWFUL long time gettin’ all the way on up there.

]]> By: dculberson http://boingboing.net/2010/03/23/in-search-of-alien-g.html#comment-742425 dculberson Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-742425 Yeah, the US Army has plenty of bases and an enormous ability to test equipment. The last and least useful place for them to test a weapon would be on privately owned property, especially when testing it involves destruction of private property - the crops. (You do know that's how a farmer makes a living, right? So making crop circles is directly impacting his bottom line.) If they can crash test a helicopter for research, they sure as hell can lay out a grid and fire a microwave weapon at it. The entire premise of the US military "testing" by creating crop circles is ridiculous. It would require a LOT more evidence than just the existence of the weapons. p.s. @Marcel: why would someone making a crop circle necessarily be a "hick?" Yeah, the US Army has plenty of bases and an enormous ability to test equipment. The last and least useful place for them to test a weapon would be on privately owned property, especially when testing it involves destruction of private property – the crops. (You do know that’s how a farmer makes a living, right? So making crop circles is directly impacting his bottom line.)

If they can crash test a helicopter for research, they sure as hell can lay out a grid and fire a microwave weapon at it. The entire premise of the US military “testing” by creating crop circles is ridiculous. It would require a LOT more evidence than just the existence of the weapons.

p.s. @Marcel: why would someone making a crop circle necessarily be a “hick?”

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/03/23/in-search-of-alien-g.html#comment-742427 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-742427 > A reasonable hypothesis considering that the SR-71 > Blackbird was operational for many years before the > USAF even acknowledged its existence. The SR-71 was public knowledge months before it's first flight. You are thinking of its predecessor the A-12, which was kept secret for 2 or 3 years after its first flight, but was also public knowledge well before its first operational use. > A reasonable hypothesis considering that the SR-71
> Blackbird was operational for many years before the
> USAF even acknowledged its existence.

The SR-71 was public knowledge months before it’s first flight. You are thinking of its predecessor the A-12, which was kept secret for 2 or 3 years after its first flight, but was also public knowledge well before its first operational use.

]]> By: Syd http://boingboing.net/2010/03/23/in-search-of-alien-g.html#comment-742428 Syd Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-742428 @rationalist I'm not convinced by Jacques's argument but UFO's are exactly the kind thing I expect (and hope) to find on BB. @rationalist I’m not convinced by Jacques’s argument but UFO’s are exactly the kind thing I expect (and hope) to find on BB.

]]> By: dougr650 http://boingboing.net/2010/03/23/in-search-of-alien-g.html#comment-742429 dougr650 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-742429 If this is presented as a serious hypothesis, then the author has clearly failed to even google "maser" to understand what exactly a maser is, and what its effects might be on something like a cornstalk. Here's a tip to save you some time: it wouldn't flatten them. On the other hand, a board attached to a rope would. Hmmm, let's see -- bored jackasses with time and lumber vs. space-borne military death rays... Yeah, I'm gonna go with the former on this one. Conclusion: Y r dlsnl hlf-wt wh cn't cnstrct vn prpr trll-pst. If this is presented as a serious hypothesis, then the author has clearly failed to even google “maser” to understand what exactly a maser is, and what its effects might be on something like a cornstalk. Here’s a tip to save you some time: it wouldn’t flatten them. On the other hand, a board attached to a rope would. Hmmm, let’s see — bored jackasses with time and lumber vs. space-borne military death rays… Yeah, I’m gonna go with the former on this one.

Conclusion: Y r dlsnl hlf-wt wh cn’t cnstrct vn prpr trll-pst.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/03/23/in-search-of-alien-g.html#comment-742438 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-742438 Dr. Vallee has a PhD in physics and a long, distinguished history in traditional and paranormal research. Perhaps you incredulous readers should re-read his post with a little respect for his accomplishments as a serious researcher. He may still be wrong, but he most certainly isn't just a crackpot with a halfbaked idea and access to a keyboard. Dr. Vallee has a PhD in physics and a long, distinguished history in traditional and paranormal research. Perhaps you incredulous readers should re-read his post with a little respect for his accomplishments as a serious researcher. He may still be wrong, but he most certainly isn’t just a crackpot with a halfbaked idea and access to a keyboard.

]]> By: Tristan Eldtritch http://boingboing.net/2010/03/23/in-search-of-alien-g.html#comment-742445 Tristan Eldtritch Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-742445 You're probably absolutely right! All I could say in my defence is that I felt I was arguing against what I thought of as a form of high horseism in itself - the immediate rejection of certain types of ideas as "conspiracy drivel" and nonsense - but yeah, I guess I got up on the horse myself. In defence of Vallee, I think its worth noting that his UFO books have been widely admired by people like Robert Anton Wilson, Terence Mckenna, and Erik Davis, who are all pretty cool in my book. You’re probably absolutely right! All I could say in my defence is that I felt I was arguing against what I thought of as a form of high horseism in itself – the immediate rejection of certain types of ideas as “conspiracy drivel” and nonsense – but yeah, I guess I got up on the horse myself.

In defence of Vallee, I think its worth noting that his UFO books have been widely admired by people like Robert Anton Wilson, Terence Mckenna, and Erik Davis, who are all pretty cool in my book.

]]> By: Marcel http://boingboing.net/2010/03/23/in-search-of-alien-g.html#comment-742446 Marcel Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-742446 I want Adam Savage and the Myth Busters all over this, because I gotta know. I want them to recreate, in a credible fashion, with ropes and planks, one of these more intricate cropcircles. And, within an acceptable timeframe. That, is the challenge. I want Adam Savage and the Myth Busters all over this, because I gotta know.

I want them to recreate, in a credible fashion, with ropes and planks, one of these more intricate cropcircles.

And, within an acceptable timeframe.

That, is the challenge.

]]> By: KeithIrwin http://boingboing.net/2010/03/23/in-search-of-alien-g.html#comment-742204 KeithIrwin Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-742204 I'm sorry. I don't know how to say this and not sound insulting, but is this a parody or do you really mean this? I'm honestly not sure here. I’m sorry. I don’t know how to say this and not sound insulting, but is this a parody or do you really mean this? I’m honestly not sure here.

]]> By: gobo http://boingboing.net/2010/03/23/in-search-of-alien-g.html#comment-742460 gobo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-742460 That's an easy theory to throw out there, but really -- look at the cropcircles pictured above. How would any one of those be created with a couple of guys with heavy boots and a 2x4? Seems to me that the frequently-cited Occam's Razor swings the other way, here. I'd be far more willing to believe masers / microwaves, as outlandish as that seems, than drunk farmers with wooden planks, considering the complex patterns. That’s an easy theory to throw out there, but really — look at the cropcircles pictured above. How would any one of those be created with a couple of guys with heavy boots and a 2×4?

Seems to me that the frequently-cited Occam’s Razor swings the other way, here. I’d be far more willing to believe masers / microwaves, as outlandish as that seems, than drunk farmers with wooden planks, considering the complex patterns.

]]> By: Elistar http://boingboing.net/2010/03/23/in-search-of-alien-g.html#comment-742205 Elistar Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-742205 This is a really elaborate troll, right? Clearly, the crop circles are the result of a flotilla of DaVinci-built ornithopters. They were built in anticipation of peak oil. And they're still under wraps. This is a really elaborate troll, right?

Clearly, the crop circles are the result of a flotilla of DaVinci-built ornithopters. They were built in anticipation of peak oil. And they’re still under wraps.

]]> By: Steve Schnier http://boingboing.net/2010/03/23/in-search-of-alien-g.html#comment-742208 Steve Schnier Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-742208 A reasonable hypothesis considering that the SR-71 Blackbird was operational for many years before the USAF even acknowledged its existence. A reasonable hypothesis considering that the SR-71 Blackbird was operational for many years before the USAF even acknowledged its existence.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/03/23/in-search-of-alien-g.html#comment-742212 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-742212 So.. you don't have a link for us to the paper you wrote about all this? So.. you don’t have a link for us to the paper you wrote about all this?

]]> By: max_supernova http://boingboing.net/2010/03/23/in-search-of-alien-g.html#comment-742214 max_supernova Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-742214 Just for giggles, why not try some *gasp* actual science? Look at the stalks. Have they been blasted with microwaves, or just bent by a guy with a two-by-four on a rope? This fails even as a troll. Stupid conspiracy theories shouldn't have easily testable disproof. Just for giggles, why not try some *gasp* actual science?

Look at the stalks. Have they been blasted with microwaves, or just bent by a guy with a two-by-four on a rope?

This fails even as a troll. Stupid conspiracy theories shouldn’t have easily testable disproof.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/03/23/in-search-of-alien-g.html#comment-742218 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-742218 25 July 1964: President Johnson makes public announcement of SR-71. 29 October 1964: SR-71 prototype (#61-7950) delivered to Palmdale. 7 December 1964: Beale AFB, CA announced as base for SR-71. 22 December 1964: First flight of the SR-71 with Lockheed test pilot Bob Gilliland at AF Plant #42. 2 July 1967: Jim Watkins and Dave Dempster fly first international sortie in SR-71A ... uh huh. You're thinking of the F-117 Night Hawk, classified from 1975 to 1988. 25 July 1964: President Johnson makes public announcement of SR-71.
29 October 1964: SR-71 prototype (#61-7950) delivered to Palmdale.
7 December 1964: Beale AFB, CA announced as base for SR-71.
22 December 1964: First flight of the SR-71 with Lockheed test pilot Bob Gilliland at AF Plant #42.
2 July 1967: Jim Watkins and Dave Dempster fly first international sortie in SR-71A

… uh huh. You’re thinking of the F-117 Night Hawk, classified from 1975 to 1988.

]]> By: UncaScrooge http://boingboing.net/2010/03/23/in-search-of-alien-g.html#comment-742219 UncaScrooge Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-742219 I can easily see where the military-industrial complex would run out of secure real estate to test these things. Isolated English countryside is the only rational choice left. I can easily see where the military-industrial complex would run out of secure real estate to test these things. Isolated English countryside is the only rational choice left.

]]> By: kthugha http://boingboing.net/2010/03/23/in-search-of-alien-g.html#comment-742220 kthugha Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-742220 interesting hypothesis, excepting the fact that crop circles are made by humans, with planks of wood and ropes. interesting hypothesis, excepting the fact that crop circles are made by humans, with planks of wood and ropes.

]]> By: KremlinLaptop http://boingboing.net/2010/03/23/in-search-of-alien-g.html#comment-742225 KremlinLaptop Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-742225 I've got a razor I'd like to give you, it used to belong to a bloke called Occam. I’ve got a razor I’d like to give you, it used to belong to a bloke called Occam.

]]> By: The Hamster King http://boingboing.net/2010/03/23/in-search-of-alien-g.html#comment-742231 The Hamster King Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-742231 This is classic cargo-cult science -- making magical thinking sound plausible by appropriating technical language without understanding the underlying concepts. Microwaves are not magical force beams. Your "hypothesis" is nonsense. This is classic cargo-cult science — making magical thinking sound plausible by appropriating technical language without understanding the underlying concepts.

Microwaves are not magical force beams. Your “hypothesis” is nonsense.

]]> By: Doug Sharp http://boingboing.net/2010/03/23/in-search-of-alien-g.html#comment-742232 Doug Sharp Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-742232 Fullbore woo on Boingboing always saddens me. Fullbore woo on Boingboing always saddens me.

]]> By: physicsguy23 http://boingboing.net/2010/03/23/in-search-of-alien-g.html#comment-742236 physicsguy23 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-742236 It's quite a large jump from intense microwaves disrupting electronic systems to using microwaves to bend plant material into intricate shapes without ever cooking the plants! Incidentally, it requires a jump over all known principles of electromagnetic radiation. There is a lesson here - take an introductory physics class to learn how the universe works instead of reading a new age magazine. It’s quite a large jump from intense microwaves disrupting electronic systems to using microwaves to bend plant material into intricate shapes without ever cooking the plants! Incidentally, it requires a jump over all known principles of electromagnetic radiation.

There is a lesson here – take an introductory physics class to learn how the universe works instead of reading a new age magazine.

]]> By: craiig http://boingboing.net/2010/03/23/in-search-of-alien-g.html#comment-742237 craiig Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-742237 Hypothesis: Crop circles are caused by microwave weapon tests. Data: Microwave weapons exist. Conclusion: Crop circles are definitely caused by microwave weapons. - On the other hand, you could go out and run some experiments. Would a microwave weapon leave traces that could be detected on the stalks? Perhaps attempt to build a microwave device to do this (many amateurs have built prototypes)? You could find crop circles to nearby research facilities to see if there was a correlation. There are so many other things you could have done than just saying "well, about 30 years ago lines up with when crop circle were big news". Perhaps microwave experiments are to blame for 1980's fashion sense? Hypothesis: Crop circles are caused by microwave weapon tests.

Data:
Microwave weapons exist.

Conclusion:
Crop circles are definitely caused by microwave weapons.

- On the other hand, you could go out and run some experiments. Would a microwave weapon leave traces that could be detected on the stalks? Perhaps attempt to build a microwave device to do this (many amateurs have built prototypes)? You could find crop circles to nearby research facilities to see if there was a correlation.

There are so many other things you could have done than just saying “well, about 30 years ago lines up with when crop circle were big news”. Perhaps microwave experiments are to blame for 1980′s fashion sense?

]]> By: physicsguy23 http://boingboing.net/2010/03/23/in-search-of-alien-g.html#comment-742239 physicsguy23 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-742239 I agree whole-heartedly. I agree whole-heartedly.

]]> By: Matt Deckard http://boingboing.net/2010/03/23/in-search-of-alien-g.html#comment-742241 Matt Deckard Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-742241 I tried reading this post at first thinking it was serious, but by the time I got to the end I figured it couldn't possibly be. So I tried re-reading it as satirical, but it doesn't really work as that either. Is it possible that this post is part of a secret government experiment to develop a new mega-weapon using microwaves, and if so, do you think anybody will believe me if I write an article in New Age magazine about it? I tried reading this post at first thinking it was serious, but by the time I got to the end I figured it couldn’t possibly be. So I tried re-reading it as satirical, but it doesn’t really work as that either.

Is it possible that this post is part of a secret government experiment to develop a new mega-weapon using microwaves, and if so, do you think anybody will believe me if I write an article in New Age magazine about it?

]]> By: Boba Fett Diop http://boingboing.net/2010/03/23/in-search-of-alien-g.html#comment-742242 Boba Fett Diop Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-742242 The crop circles are made by humans, but they are certainly not the creation of maths students with two-by-fours on ropes. They are the product of downdraft from my giant radar-absorbing war zeppelin. Luxembourg will rue the day, let me tell you... The crop circles are made by humans, but they are certainly not the creation of maths students with two-by-fours on ropes. They are the product of downdraft from my giant radar-absorbing war zeppelin.

Luxembourg will rue the day, let me tell you…

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/03/23/in-search-of-alien-g.html#comment-742243 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-742243 the conspiracy is alive! All hail discordia. the conspiracy is alive! All hail discordia.

]]> By: snakedart http://boingboing.net/2010/03/23/in-search-of-alien-g.html#comment-742244 snakedart Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-742244 Sorry -- the military's experimentation with microwaves doesn't make you any less wrong. Feel free, however, to follow up with a photo of yourself with tongue planted firmly in cheek. Sorry — the military’s experimentation with microwaves doesn’t make you any less wrong.

Feel free, however, to follow up with a photo of yourself with tongue planted firmly in cheek.

]]> By: pegcarter http://boingboing.net/2010/03/23/in-search-of-alien-g.html#comment-742246 pegcarter Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-742246 "Why this isn't obvious to the paranormal research community is a complete puzzle to me. " Yes, and why isn't it obvious, to *your readers, that the crop circles are not caused by guys tromping around in the middle of the night, with boards, heavy boots and scratch paper? “Why this isn’t obvious to the paranormal research community is a complete puzzle to me. ”

Yes, and why isn’t it obvious, to *your readers, that the crop circles are not caused by guys tromping around in the middle of the night, with boards, heavy boots and scratch paper?

]]> By: tkahvesi http://boingboing.net/2010/03/23/in-search-of-alien-g.html#comment-742251 tkahvesi Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-742251 Somehow, the government has changed my web bookmarks from rational, humanist, and scientific miscellany over to wild-eyed conspiracy drivel. They are definitely out to get me. Somehow, the government has changed my web bookmarks from rational, humanist, and scientific miscellany over to wild-eyed conspiracy drivel. They are definitely out to get me.

]]>