Is the Bermuda Triangle Real?

See, see the nice sky
Marvel at its big puce depths.
Tell me, ron do you
Wonder why the bulldog ignores you?
Why its foobly stare
makes you feel sleepy.
I can tell you, it is
Worried by your flagorous facial growth
That looks like
A milk.
What's more, it knows
Your snarp potting shed
Smells of pea.
Everything under the big nice sky
Asks why, why do you even bother?
You only charm dogs.

The above is courtesy of the Vogon horrible poem generator.

Anybody reading this thread will just know we're barking - think Dog. It must be intolerable to be sane....

Yes, poor them.

Unless it's an RGB laser

I think you misunderstood my last posting completely. I am just curious as to what anyone thinks of those articles whose links you sent to us. At the same time, I also wanted to stress the point that having New Age beliefs is fine as long as it doesn't become an obsession e.g. starving yourself to death thinking it would lead to enlightenment and salvation. My use of the term "you" does not apply to you personally, it refers to any reader. As for my criticism of conspiracy theorists, can anyone honestly tell me that they would give credence to rantings that have never been proven scientifically?

Uuuuuuuh, well, certainly not these guys...

You're absolutely right. And that proves my point exactly about what happens when you become overly obsessed with New Age ideas such as Ultima Thule and such to the point that it overrules your rational thinking.

Of course, that's sort of like the ultimate, but there are other, smaller forms of hell... I read an article the other day that talked about how people that became involved with EST are still in the process of putting their lives back together.

Woof!!!

Right. And how about the Aum Shinrikyo cult in Japan, which murdered dozens of innocent people in a Tokyo subway because they wanted to bring on the Apocalypse? They were convinced that the entire world was conspiring to eradicate them. Or the comet cult (I forgot what they're called) led by Marshall Hepplewhite, who committed suicide thinking that God is coming to bring them to Paradise in a spaceship? There have even been people who committed murder on the grounds that the people they murdered are witches who have hexed them and stolen their genitals (although how any males can believe this with their willies still dangling between their thighs is entirely beyond me).

The above are just a few examples. There are many more. Sometimes we see their rantings on this forum as well. It is fine if all they do is give credence to this stuff, but unfortunately there are many who would give up their life possessions and even their very lives because of these beliefs. And that is exactly what I'm saying: if you let these beliefs become such an obsession that you will believe even the most ridiculous conspiracy theories, then you are well on the way to becoming consumed and getting your lives (and those of your loved ones) ruined by them.

By this posting, I would assume that you are familiar with Fraser's "The Golden Bough."

The genitalia steeling is typically an African witch-fear. The point is, you never shake hands with someone that you even suspect might be a witch. If you still got 'em, then you haven't come into contact with a witch.

Also, in the 1st world countries, this may just the environmental pressure used by nature to weed out the stupid ones.

Yes, that's exactly what I mean, shaking hands with a witch will result in the loss of your genitals. Of course, I can understand poorly-educated, superstitious people believing in such things. After all, in WW2, natives in New Guinea thought that American soldiers were angels protecting them from demons (Japanese soldiers) and even worshipped the DC-3 Dakotas they used to ferry supplies in. But there have also been news reports of such killings taking place even in London, which just goes to show everyone what such beliefs can lead to.

Ya know, I'm not quite certain that you haven't got the cart before the horse... I have had many dealings with members of such beliefs, including the before and after version. It's kind of gray whether the magnet attracts the metal or the metal attracts the magnet, if you know what I mean.

Given a complete vacuum of wild doctrines, I get the feeling "these" people would just make it up on their own.

Good point. I've dealt with some of these weirdos myself, as should be obvious from my cynicism about them. Can you believe it, some of them actually refuse to eat at KFC because they think they're being served genetically engineered mutants with 4 legs?

I also have a friend who's so superstitious that every time I try to warn her of the consequences of not preparing a Plan B in case something goes wrong with Plan A, she would rebuke me for "cursing" her. These people actually seem to think that if you ignore a problem, it won't just simply go away, it won't even happen at all. Where these people get such outlandish notions from is utterly beyond me. Does anyone here have any ideas?

Don't be too hard on them. It sounds a bit like OCD, and that's a real, physical, medical condition.

Yeah, I guess you're right. It's just that hearing all their rants about the Illuminati, the New World Order and how a secret global cabal is planning to sell the entire human race to aliens and all that nonsense gets real old and tiring after a while.

Surely any reason for not eating at KFC has to be good, however wacky? ("Since when was fat a spice?" Adapted from S Toksvig)

Cynic

Not wanting to eat at KFC is fine since it is simply a matter of personal free choice. Talking utter rubbish like 4-legged mutants is ridiculous, especially when these nutcases try to stop other people from exercising their right of personal free choice by eating there. By the way, considering that KFC sells chicken wings, do these mutants have 6 limbs (4 legs and 2 wings)?

From time-to-time, I get a hankering for some really weird stuff. That's when I turn on Coast-To-Coast AM and listen to the freaks. The thing that cracks me up is that the host always agrees with the guest, even if the show the night before was completely contradictory. And, when I've had enough, I turn it off.

The interesting thing here is that I'm not sure where you're getting your sense of being surrounded by these people. At best, they're highly marginalized, and can only get gigs on AM radio shows in the middle of the night. This isn't mainstream stuff.

Actually, what I find is that while these people are a very small and understandably marginalized minority, unfortunately, they're also very vocal. Even worse, they habitually try to impose their views on others. Like I said before, their ideas are interesting, amusing bullshit, but bullshit nonetheless.

You know what I'd really like? I'd really like to see a whole group of these wackos with differing, conflicting ideas gather together on The Jerry Springer Show to debate their ideas. Given how these guys seem unable to accept differing opinions, it would be interesting to see how they resolve their differences.

On a lighter note, I've actually seen some of my classmates in college photocopying their notes, burning them, and then drinking the ashes. They claim it enables them to absorb the lessons better. I haven't the heart to tell them that carbon ash doesn't dissolve in water, or that their burnt notes will eventually pass out as crap. GIGO, and all that.

Now that's a weird ritual!!!

Also, sans Jerry Springer, these people go to UFO Cons all the time and manage not to kill each other. One group may believe in the "grays" and one might believe in the "reptilians" and the Heaven's Gate people... Well who cares what they think, they're all dead anyway. I think the only way they make it through the night is they're all in separate booths, and the main shows just talk about the government cover up, without discussing alien agendas.

There's something I've always been wanted to do to these guys. I've always been tempted to send them anonymous emails warning them that the Illuminati are on to them and have sent the Men-in-Black or Majestic-12 to silence them. Then get a couple of friends to dress up like The Blues Brothers and tail these guys for a few days. And sit back and watch the fun begin.

By the way, I think that Squirrel Nutkin has a very uncanny (almost spooky) ability to surf the web! If he was involved with real surfing, I think he'd be a regular at Maverick's or Waimea Bay.

He also likes to play with his nuts.

Tony might be leaving, but Brown's taking over, and you think you can relax? C'mon! These are the sort of people whp think 'Born in the USA' is a pro US government song!

And the other lot are now led by a Tony lookalike. You just knew that things had to go pear-shaped once the UK had TB.

Regarding your Avatar - it's a conspiracy - they drowned your original just off the coast of Cuba.

Cynic

Very true , Tony was laughably stupid , but Gorden is a different kind of power hungry strange. How on earth has he acquired his aura of intelligence. He's just sisnister - like your new avatar , except your avatar is funny. You are either in a dark room , or your spirit is being hideously extracted. Nutkin may have to invert colours or hand back to old nick for a while.

It is possible to be both intelligent and sinister (or vice verse stet.)

Cynic

It's true , the sisnister spellchecker let my mistake through.

So you noticed that.

By the way, kudos on the new avatar.

Doctor Who?

Inthehouse? Quack, quack

Fyz

If it walks like a Duck , and talks like a duck , then it's.......Groucho Marx. o m g

The 'Bermuda Triangle' is nonsense. A large number of vessels go missing due to regional weather , and a story evolves based on a supposed triangle and (among other things) extra-terrestrial causes. The subject attracts all the 'New Age' nutters who believe in ET , re-birthing *, and anything else detached from reality. Unable to cope with a complex world , they cling to outlandish theory whilst doing mind-expanding drugs and dismiss objection as cover-up.

In short , I consider the 'Bermuda Triangle' to be twaddle. By way of contrast I gave a link to 'freak-waves' which gives a plausible model for some ship disappearances.

* I know this to be rubbish - my spirit animal , and previous incarnation as Nosradamus tell me so. Also , todays Horoscope said so.

Okay, thanks. Like I said, I wasn't criticizing you personally, I just wanted to know what you or anyone else makes of it. My own personal opinion is that some of the disappearances are caused by inexperienced navigators getting confused by the alignment of True and Magnetic Norths, or the ships and aircraft running into the sort of sudden, ferocious storms prevalent in the area, and the wreckage buried under shifting sands or swept hundreds or even thousands of miles away.

I kind of knew that DVader. There are no more disappearances in the area than anyplace else with changeable weather and similar traffic. We may as well have an 'English Channel worm hole'.

Is that a Monty Python shoe?

You are thinking of this, I believe?

Similar, but booted.

Python fans everywhere ! In England they get known as Bovver boots.

When I have 14 hours to spare I'll read that link, Kris.

Did you do that to your avitar?

It's a secret for now , but you're very close mate !

The link was only really there for the fummy pics. Bovver boot (aka DM ) is down the bottom.

There are no more disappearances ...

talking about disappearances: during my entire life I have been loosing 2 or 3 ball-pens a week (being very conservative). This happened at home, in my job and even when travelling. Same happens to most people I know in Argentina and abroad. Question is: who the f&#"k has got all the missing pens? Are we facing some sort sort of international conspiracy?

Any clues????

"...during my entire life I have been loosing 2 or 3 ball-pens a week (being very conservative). This happened at home, in my job and even when travelling. Same happens to most people I know in Argentina and abroad..."

2 to 3 people you know in Argentina or abroad, disappeared each week?

It doesn't have to be a Triangle to any extent. It could be a Triumvirate for all we know

2 to 3 people you know in Argentina or abroad, disappeared each week?

Yes...and now that you mention it: these could be the guys that have taken my pens away!

Regarding the missing ball-pens - have you tried your "significant other" 's handbag?
Regarding the missing people - are you, or have you ever been, a member of a secret organisation? If not, do you have black-outs?

BTW, whenever I take a ball-pen anywhere, I always leave it behind. Nevertheless, ball-pens continue to accumulate at my desk. Perhaps it just depends on the delta between visiting and visited (and having cleaners who are honest, illiterate, or have sources of higher-quality pens than yours).

Nevertheless, ball-pens continue to accumulate at my desk.

THIS MEANS YOU ARE THE BOSS OF THIS DREADFUL ORGANIZATION!!!!!!!

I'm afraid it's worse than that! You have a transient wormhole some where in your house. These are known to have a voracious appetite for pens, socks, and car keys. The best thing to do is look for the other end. You will find it in one of the most unaccessed and unreachable parts of your house. For instance, pull the bed away from the wall, lift up the carpeting and you may find your missing possessions.

Well, it's either that or it's the underpants gnomes!

I have been loosing 2 or 3 ball-pens

Are these the ones that you click a thing on ? You know , where you select from black/blue/red ink . They are rather good , so you should take more care. Is it the 2-ball type or the 3-ball types that you are loosing ? Obviously the latter is more of a worry. Banks and Argos stores are a good source of pens. When signing documents , always ask to borrow a pen , and develop a good line in diversionary chat. Working in an office for a day may be worthwhile - pens,paper-clips,rubbers,rulers,pencils,post-it notes,folders,coffee mugs,chairs,desks,tables,carpet,lap-tops,servers. Well, you get my drift.You don't even need to do night shifts wearing a Balaclava , any normal office will do really. On the other hand , as has been suggested, most of these items will be found in the average handbag.

Is it the 2-ball type or the 3-ball types that you are loosing ?

Marilyn Monroe said she only used Chanel #5.

The pens I use to loose are either Dupont, or Montblanc!

Chack out Namiki pens.

I lost a 5,678$ Namiki pen last week as well! There is a reward of 50$ for it. Should you find it, please let me know!

Isn't that a bit flash* for an r&d type, even in Buenos Aires? (Bel Air maybe, but r&d means something different there, or was it a mistype for r&b, or...)

(*and that's just the size of the reward)

Hi Physicist? !

My job is doing "investigacion y desarrollo" (I&D), which translated into Shakespeare's tongue actually means research and development...

about the reward for the pen: I believe having forgotten it in Vermin's Lamborghini the other day, so I just wanted to tempt him for giving it back. Just between you and me: you know how greedy Vermin's are! This guy is in despair for money cause he wants to buy a 35$ chair! http://cr4.globalspec.com/thread/9118/The-incredible-Backwards-Walking-Rocking-Chair

Uuuuh, correction - a $35.00 house. The deal is for the house. Screw the chair!!!

They are beautiful, aren't they. I have the 1998 Panda pen. Came in a huge, carved, wooden box, complete with a bottle of ink with the panda sign on top. When I asked the previous owner whether it was wise to use the ink from the box, they nearly flipped!

"You aren't actually going to use it are you?! It's never had ink in it!!!"

"Well... Yuh! Like, why would I buy a pen if I wasn't going to use it?! Duh!!!"

PS: I'm guessing if someone actually has it, you'll never see it again. I am sorry!

I knew you were going to say that.

So did I!

So are they all, all honourable...

.... all 40 ? I doubt it. Some of us have Victorian values . Ok , that may be worse.

Kindly cover up the Piano legs.

Quite, although Victoria is a bit recent for this - although the term "Victorian values" is perhaps just a convenient label for a certain sort of prurient puritanism (sorry, just couldn't resist the phrase).

For more lessons in rabble-rousing via sarcasm (or was it irony, I seem to forget more and more these days), see Julius Caesar ("The" Bardic version), act 3, scene 2. Now, what was I saying...

Fyz

I do believe that Queen Victoria pre-deceased me in 1901. That aside , I must brush up on my Ceasar. I am clearly not as well acquainted as your good self.

My intent was merely to suggest that what we tend to call Victorian Values (hard work, integrity, and modesty??) were highly regarded by various societal groups well before that time. I seem to recollect (no certainty) that both Geoffrey Chaucer and John Dunn were subject to some related pressures. Incidentally, under no circumstances would I claim to be particularly good - especially not according to at least one of those lights.

I now realize that I have not a trace of Victorian values in my body. Your insight has shamed me into this painful public admission.

Now , where did I put that nightime reading....( I must scavange a new quote as well)

Humour is a very serious business.

... Especially the malancholic type.

"My intent was merely to suggest that what we tend to call Victorian Values (hard work, integrity, and modesty??) were highly regarded by various societal groups well before that time"

Perhaps among yourselves, but I think the opinion of the rest of the World was just a little bit different.

You are 'stating the bleedin' obvious' vermin. Anyway , what's wrong with sending kids down coal-mines.. Surely the whole world loved what the Empire did to them. They never complained.

Yup, there's a big difference between the rhetoric and the reality - but you should know all about that. I was talking about the Victorian values rhetoric; elsewhere, I have mentioned by contrast some earlier groups that really embodied those ideals (Friends, Amish, Shakers - some really positive, others showing that even the best mores can be self-destructive if taken to the limit).

Fyz

And, by the way, that's how vermins get in to mess with your stuff.

Why do I get the feeling that President Bush might have just started an interplanetary war here?

Gentlemen

May I remind you that the Bermuda triangle is real, and accompanying a steel band somewhere near Notting Hill.

Fuzz