

The Scientific Exploration of Astrology
Jan 12, 2021
In this intriguing discussion, Professor Richard Wiseman, a skeptical psychologist, shares his experiments on astrology's influence on luck and financial markets. Jo Marchant, a journalist and author, delves into astrology's historical ties to ancient civilizations and its resurgence in modern society. They humorously explore the scientific scrutiny of astrology, including studies on personality traits and the allure of horoscopes. The conversation also examines how astrology parallels with data science and its psychological effects on today's youth.
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Ancient Astronomy and Astrology
- Ancient peoples saw the sky and Earth as interconnected, with celestial events correlating to seasonal changes.
- This made sense as the stars guided timekeeping, navigation, and agriculture.
Astrology, Power, and Politics
- The Babylonians formalized omen predictions based on celestial events, manipulating interpretations for power.
- This impacted political structures, as seen in how Newtonian physics influenced democratic revolutions.
Matching Experiment Debunks Astrology
- Matching experiments, where astrologers try to match horoscopes to individuals, consistently show chance results.
- This demonstrates the importance of blind procedures in scientific testing.