Alien Planet

[iceman]

What are some opinions of the televised two hour program Alien Planet? It presents itself as a scientific documentary (with much scientific commentary) about what life would/could be on other planets in the universe based on current scientific theory(beliefs). In fact, it is little more than pure speculative fiction based upon overgeneralizations of scientic observations here on earth, with the mix of personal opinions of people in various scientific fields, along with powerful computer imagery and animation (suggestion), in my opinion.

Points to ponder:

Name of planet is Darwin 4 (suggests evolution as absolute fact)
A probe named Da Vinci (current association with book written to undermine Christianity?)

Does this program reveal science, or at least much of science, to be, in fact, little more than a competing faith (religion) in explaining our existence and the universe around us rather than observable, measurable and predictable absolute truth?

 

[Thal59]

Haven’t seen the show, but all people with an imagination have the right to dream or speculate.

The problem is when the speculation starts becoming fact to the people who dreamed it up in the first place; like Arianism to the Nazis.

Sometimes we can make nonsense sound so good we have a tendency to believe it, and it leads to big trouble. Just ask Adam and Eve.

Thal59

 

[JB]

iceman:

What are some opinions of the televised two hour program Alien Planet? It presents itself as a scientific documentary (with much scientific commentary) about what life would/could be on other planets in the universe based on current scientific theory(beliefs). In fact, it is little more than pure speculative fiction based upon overgeneralizations of scientic observations here on earth, with the mix of personal opinions of people in various scientific fields, along with powerful computer imagery and animation (suggestion), in my opinion…

Of course it is speculative fiction. We do not yet have the ability to explore extrasolar planets in the manner described on the show. Such speculations can be useful educational tools though, and overgeneralizations are commonly used in such tools to get the main point across without getting bogged down in other irrelevant details.

A similar overgeneralization commonly used is to model the Earth as being a sphere. It isn’t a sphere, actually, its diameter is wider across the equator than through its axis, some latitudes in the southern hemisphere average farther from the center of the Earth than their counterparts in the northern hemisphere, and the surface everywhere varies in elevation from mountain peaks to ocean trenches. But for many purposes these details are irrelevant, so we often overgeneralize and describe the Earth as being spherical or almost spherical without going into all the specifics.

iceman:

…Points to ponder:

Name of planet is Darwin 4 (suggests evolution as absolute fact)…

I think it rather recalls Darwin the explorer who set out on a long voyage, who discovered and documented many new kinds of living things in distant places, just as the ship and probes do in this show.

iceman:

…A probe named Da Vinci (current association with book written to undermine Christianity?)…

I rather think the intended association is with Da Vinci the scientist, who produced remarkably accurate anatomical studies of humans, animals and plants, engineering works that were state of the art for their time, and science speculations that were not yet possible in his time, such as flying machines.

iceman:

…Does this program reveal science, or at least much of science, to be, in fact, little more than a competing faith (religion) in explaining our existence and the universe around us rather than observable, measurable and predictable absolute truth?

No.

 

[Brian_C]

Don’t worry. I can’t see it influencing anyone. Was that the show with the flying whale thingys? Man I could barely stay awake it was so silly and boring.

 

[AnotherFriend33]

What are some opinions of the televised two hour program Alien Planet?

I took it as a homework, I found it here for download. It lasts 1 hour, 33 minutes, and 42 seconds. However it feels as if it would be much longer because it is really boring (and I am the kind of guy who finds science interesting).

It presents itself as a scientific documentary (with much scientific commentary) about what life would/could be on other planets in the universe based on current scientific theory(beliefs).

It is the typical propaganda from TV channels like Discovery, History, etc. They self appointed themselves as the wise guiders of today’s science.

In fact, it is little more than pure speculative fiction based upon overgeneralizations of scientic observations here on earth, with the mix of personal opinions of people in various scientific fields, along with powerful computer imagery and animation (suggestion), in my opinion.

I agree with you, it is a combination of the following elements:

1. Science Fiction
2. Fictitious Science.
3. Wild Speculations.
4. Non-sense.
5. Lies.

Points to ponder:

Name of planet is Darwin 4 (suggests evolution as absolute fact)
A probe named Da Vinci (current association with book written to undermine Christianity?)

This propagandistic material sells or tries to sell its audience the following myths:

1. Big Bang.
2. Spontaneous Generation.
3. Evolution, or Darwinism.
4. Intelligent Design.
5. The authenticity of long-faked Space Exploration.
6. Life on other planets, involving some intelligent life on other planets.
7. The authenticity of high-budgeted S.E.T.I.
8. The possibility of Alien Contact, Alien Visitation Full Disclosure, and all Garbage-Related Issues of that kind.

Does this program reveal science, or at least much of science, to be, in fact, little more than a competing faith (religion) in explaining our existence and the universe around us rather than observable, measurable and predictable absolute truth?

This show is meant to sound like if it would be scientific, but it does not miss the chance to include George Lucas on it, so the fools would say:

Gee… is like on Star Wars…

However, the most poisonous comments come from Dr. Michio Kaku. If you intentionally skip 90% of the Martian-Like Computer Animation, you may have a chance to interpret from Kaku’s words what is the true message they are trying to sell behind this “Alien Planet” show.

 

[tobinatorstark]

What are some opinions of the televised two hour program Alien Planet? It presents itself as a scientific documentary (with much scientific commentary) about what life would/could be on other planets in the universe based on current scientific theory(beliefs). In fact, it is little more than pure speculative fiction based upon overgeneralizations of scientic observations here on earth, with the mix of personal opinions of people in various scientific fields, along with powerful computer imagery and animation (suggestion), in my opinion.

Points to ponder:

Name of planet is Darwin 4 (suggests evolution as absolute fact)
A probe named Da Vinci (current association with book written to undermine Christianity?)

Does this program reveal science, or at least much of science, to be, in fact, little more than a competing faith (religion) in explaining our existence and the universe around us rather than observable, measurable and predictable absolute truth?

complete garbage. Just scientist trying to think they know everything.