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Sunday, January 15, 2012

Why you should not read your daily horoscope?


Oh, hey there! Do you read "your" horoscope? If you are,
you are probably just wasting your time and maybe even harming yourself if you intend to take it too seriously and make important decisions based on what your zodiac sign tells you. Do you really believe that half a billion people in the world are going to have the same problems and the same rewards as you because you were both born on the same month or under the same zodaic sign? I think not! The horoscopes you can find in newspapers and magazines are not exactly personalized. They want to apply to a large amount of people and end up applying to no one.
Being obsessed with puting everything to the test myself, I had to do a little experiment. Instead of ignoring the horoscope section of the newspaper like usually, I read it. But not just the one for sagittariuses, that is supposed to apply to me, but all of them. And I looked for things that could somehow describe the problems and other things I was currently having. And I must say, I did find some lines that could apply to me, but they were not under the half man half horse sign.
Although I don`t know if the guys who write this nonsense they call horoscope, spend hours looking at the stars and planets trying read them, before they start writing or do they just put together a few Barnum statements* for each sign and call it a night, I know they can`t be true either way. I did some reading and I read that astrology doesn`t even take into account all the major bodies in our Solar system, let alone all those in our galaxy or the hundreds of billions of other galaxies in the Universe. If they are trying to see connections between astronomical phenomena and events in our world, then shouldn`t they consider the full picture with everything on it?
Modern scientists consider astrology a pseudosciense as astrology has repeatedly failed to demonstrate it`s effectiveness in controlled studies. So why a lot of people in all parts of the world continue to read and belive horoscopes? Well, some scientists have suggested that much of the continued faith in astrology could be psychologically explained as a matter of cognitive bias. In other words, irrationality.
Adverse to what would seem rational, people continue to have faith in astrology. I ask, why is that so? To they eager to know what the future brings or to they just seek for guidance in their lives? Could be either. But if one would want to point a finger at somebody or something then it has to me media. People working in media are mostly college-bred. They should really know better. They shouldn`t print this quite possibly harmful fiction. But they do. Why? They don`t wanna lose readers and therefore money. Alot of people read horoscopes and if one newspaper would stop printing them, they would most likely start to order another one.
Well we have quite the situation here, don`t we? Newspapers can`t stop printing horoscopes as it could result the sales to fall. So what could be done for stopping this nonsense? The governments could forbid the printing of horoscopes, but even if horoscopes are possibly dangerouse, it would still feel like taking a toy from a child because it`s not rational to spend time playing. So the question remains. I personally think that every once in a while media should publish articles on why astrology isn`t reliable. And then maybe after some time has passed, they could drop printing them at all.
In conclusion I must say that maybe there is a relationship between astronomical phenomena and the events in our world, but we can`t use one do predict the other. At least not with the methods used so far. And if to be hones with you, I don`t even find it a loss. I think that it`s for the best. If we could actually predict future, then it would be as dull as watching an episode of your favourite soap after reading the summary of the episode from TV guide.

Now tell me what do you think of astrology? Do you read your daily horoscope?

Sorry for this part but a fellow blogger asked to promote her website about the 2012 - end of the world theory. www.2012-endoftheworld.com/ So if you have a few extra minutes, then there are some interesting articles you could read.


*Barnum statements are statements that people find personally unique and meaningful, but the statements could be applied to just about anybody. e.g You've gone through a lot of ups and downs over the past few years, emotionally and financially, and that has caused some stress in your life.

71 comments:

  1. Horoscopes are a load of crap. Spot on my friend. Spot on

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    1. I agree with the cat.

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    2. Agreed. They are designed to apply to anyone regardless of your actual sign.

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  2. I hate horoscopes, they say one thing on one site and a different thing on other sites!

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    1. I`ve noticed that too. I guess they are looking at different stars and planets?

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  3. I'm sure they just have a large database of this already written, then pull some at random when it's time for print.

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    1. Lol. I wouldn`t be too surprised if that would be true.

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  4. Thank you! I always laugh because I am so unlike how I am supposed to be.

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  5. When I'm out and about and I meet new people and they ask me what my "sign" is, my reaction: :|

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  6. Well, I found out I was a Virgo, looked up how a Virgo works, and now I'm exactly like one

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    1. Well, yeah. Those all-around characterisations are somewhat right occasionally.
      And I do have spotted some analogy in different people with the same sign.

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  7. Never believed in horoscopes, never will. :P

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  8. Yep, horoscopes rely on highlighting a few arbitrary characteristics we all possess on some levels based on planetary alignment at our birth. Not buying it.

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  9. It's a bunch of BS. Never bought into em at all.

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    1. I`m so glad there are no naive people reading my blog.

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  10. ANOTHER EPIC COMMENT! My bad!

    I agree, horoscopes are rather woolly. There are a few general astrology principles that ring true, but I wouldn't invest a lot of time in it. It leaves no room for the fact that people are individual and therefore very different. Also, most horoscopes are computer generated, which is why you found that many of the other sign's readings applied to you, too! They like to say that it's because of your moon sign and rising sign, which are different to your sun sign, that more than one reading can apply to you, but it's a load of bollocks! (Cynical Capricorn, me! Haha!)

    Astrology is a tricky divination, you have to know what you're doing or you could end up with bad information! To work out your own astrological chart or have someone do it for you is one thing, but to bunch a whole group of people together in one category just because they were all born around the same time is just ridiculous! It's the same problem I have with psychology!

    In answer to your question on my desert blog:

    I live in an arid region, so it's what I know. I love the heat! I love all things pertaining to the element of earth, because I'm an Capricorn! (earth sign - little astology joke) The colours of the desert are my favourite and I adore cacti and cactus flowers. (I have quite a collection in my back yard!) I also associate the Arizona desert with Native American art and craft, which I love, particularly Navajo designs. My Tumblr is also a good expression of the above mentioned.

    http://justalittledesertflower.tumblr.com/

    Sorry for the huge comment and for answering two at once, but I thought I save you a trip back to my other blog! :)

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    1. Hey, Jéanne!
      Your bads are not bad at all. This is some pretty decent feedback. Although, your comment is probably longer than my post.
      Anyways, I`m glad to hear you are not that into horoscopes. I was afraid you might be. You have mentioned that you are a capricorn qutie a few times on your blog.
      You don`t like psychology? HAHA! I`m actually considering studyng psychology. But I see what you mean.
      Arid? *finding a dictionary* You know, I like to think I know a few words in English, but when I`m reading your posts or comments, I almost every time have to check out a word or two.
      I see how they are beautiful, but aren`t they like really dusty?
      Navajo desings. Lady, you are into some exciting things. I`ll check your tubmlr out.
      And again, don`t worry, I love long comments. But why are you saving me the trip back to your blog? You don`t want me there? :O

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    2. I like to make jokes about my zodiac sign, as I do possess many of the attributes synonomous with Capricorn, like stubborness, determination and willfulness, but I fall short of the 'whole package' in that I am not serious, stuffy, money obsessed or in any way a natural leader! Old slacker, me!

      It's an interesting topic, but I don't agree with psychology, because in the last 50 years or so, human beings have changed and evolved, but pychology has not! We're still applying the same stupid laws and expecting different answers. Ridiculous! I also hate being labelled and put in a box! I'm an individual and demand to be treated as one! *grumpy face*!

      I am sorry if my crazy diction is confusing, but I'm not sure how to otherwise articulate my words. I blame my silly, uptight English education! I will try to use plain English more often.

      I don't mind the dryness and dust. To me it's cleaner than the sweat brought on by high humidity. Maybe it's because Im not crazy about being wet. I have no objctions to taking a shower or a swim, but to be damp all the time is just icky!

      As for my variety of interests, what can I say, I'm an artist! I was merely being considerate in saving you another trip to my blog, but do pop in as often as you ike, it's always nice to have visitors! :D

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  11. I think people go out of their way to true and make their horoscope come true..

    Weird Funny News

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    1. One daily newspaper here in Estonia stopped printing horoscpes. The readers where not happy. After several complains, they started printing horoscopes again.
      PEOPLE ARE MAD!!!

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  12. Horoscopes often have a bad message, but show you a way out of it. They never tell you something bad and let you feel bad. Still I hate them and think they are nonsense.

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  13. I've never believed those anyways ;)

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  14. they always the same message for each sign disguised in different words "take control of today" "times are changing you will feel in charge"

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  15. I read them just because it's funny how their predictions pretty much fit with everyone.

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  16. don't read your horoscope from two different sources, because they will be extremely different

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  17. I always had a feeling horoscopes were a waste of time and still do.

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  18. Never really cared for horoscopes but one fun game I like to play at restaurants with my girlfriend is, I'll read three or four horoscopes and have my girlfriend guess what one is suppose to be hers, or which one is suppose to be mine!

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    1. Haha. Sounds fun. How often does she guess the right one with the first try?

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  19. I used to know a women who "wrote" the astrology section in my local paper. She said she just made it up half the time, the other she copied it off the internet.

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    1. Mate, there is no need to have such srtong feelings against something so futile as horoscopes.

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  21. I find horoscopes really interesting!

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  22. I hate those stupid things too, they are all a load of crap, makes me want to take a nap.

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  23. i like what jim morrison says about astrology
    he doesn't care
    he's just gonna get his kicks in before this whole shit house burns down

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  24. Those horoscope things in the newspaper are there just to waste my time :x

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  25. Dude, my astronomy professor spent an entire class period on this.

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  26. They can't be all that important if they need to be changed or whatever everyone was talking about last year.

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  27. I dont use horoscopes, for me its all fake stuff

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  28. Totally agree with you. Now please go and explain this to my sister..

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  29. Load of rubbish, yet sooo many people live theirs by their stars . . . Why????

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  30. I don't think I've done one since middle school

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  31. Haven't read one in ages. And I don't really think anyone is stupid enough to take them seriously, at least I hope so..

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  32. There are a TON of girls that used to go to my school that believed in all this bunk. Hate it.

    Sure it can be fine to talk about I guess long as you dont live by it but sad part is a lot of people do live by it. Waste. Grow your minds faster people..

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  33. I never listen to that crap anyway

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  34. I always found this crap stupid.

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  35. I have never used these things before. My mom believes them though..

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  36. I don't read daily horoscope but my mom believes in such things to a certain extent :) nice post...
    www.garimazlifeblog.blogspot.com

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  37. Meh, I don't believe in astrology. I mean, I can see how it would be cool if this stuff did work, but it doesn't. So I never read them..

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  38. dont really believe that stuff. i mean i m sure it has some kind of value, but nothing to me. :]

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  39. come on guys, it's science. I mean, just read your daily horoscope from two different newspapers...

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