Proof of non-existence
23 July 2004, 09:10 AM
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Proof of non-existence
Watching a bit of that Nessie thing last night, I got thinking. Is it actually possible to prove that something doesn't exist?
Whether or not you believe there is a Loch Ness monster is irrelevant here. It would be possible to prove it did exist - catch it. But how would you prove conclusively that it doesn't?
Whether or not you believe there is a Loch Ness monster is irrelevant here. It would be possible to prove it did exist - catch it. But how would you prove conclusively that it doesn't?
23 July 2004, 10:08 AM
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It is in fact logically impossible to prove that something does not exist.
Something the entire Loch Ness tourist industry relies VERY heavily on.
Something the entire Loch Ness tourist industry relies VERY heavily on.
23 July 2004, 10:09 AM
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proving something doesn't exist today is one thing,; proving that it didn't exist yesterday and won't exist tomorrow is a little harder.
in any case - there's no point looking for nessie in loch ness, as she's in my loft tank.
in any case - there's no point looking for nessie in loch ness, as she's in my loft tank.
23 July 2004, 10:17 AM
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That won't prove it doesn't exist, just that it's not in the loch at the time you drain it..
It would be the loch lomond monster or wherever it is that it went to 
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23 July 2004, 10:21 AM
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they proved it doesn't exist ages ago ..........there isn 't enough food in the loch to sustain such a beast , unless it eats at the local curry house
23 July 2004, 10:40 AM
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And can you prove that something DID Happen.
Did Neil Armstrong go to the Moon and all That ?
Maybe Nessie Went to the Moon which is Why They can't find her anymore ?
Did Neil Armstrong go to the Moon and all That ?
Maybe Nessie Went to the Moon which is Why They can't find her anymore ?
23 July 2004, 11:40 AM
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And can you prove that something DID Happen.
Did Neil Armstrong go to the Moon and all That ?
Did Neil Armstrong go to the Moon and all That ?
23 July 2004, 11:52 AM
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Originally Posted by Nimbus
So numerous photos, radar tracking of the space craft from earth by independant orginzations (including the russians), laser reflectors left at the landing site that can still be seen and used on earth, not to mention a few kilos of luna rock that is impossible to re-create on earth. Not enough proof for you then?
Un-manned dummy craft.
No telescope on Earth can see Lunar landing debris.
None of it transmits signals to Earth.
"Lunar rock" *is* re-creatable on Earth.
But let's not go there again, shall we?
There was a statement on one of the religion threads a short while ago about proving the existence of God. Apparently, he (can't remember who) believed that it was the onus of the non-believers to prove that God doesn't exist. As stated above, it is logically *impossible* to prove non-existence. But that's also another story perhaps...
23 July 2004, 02:12 PM
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I'm reminded of a passage in HHGTTG where man proves the non-existance of God. I would quote it, but I cannot remember it, apart from the thing about "man then went on to prove black is white and white is black and got run over on a zebra crossing"
As for the moon landings. Was reading /. (some new pictures from the A11 mission, fantastic!) some nutter going on about how the moon is a nuclear fueled baloon, put up by the government to emit light, thus allowing spying on people at night, lol gotta love it
As for the moon landings. Was reading /. (some new pictures from the A11 mission, fantastic!) some nutter going on about how the moon is a nuclear fueled baloon, put up by the government to emit light, thus allowing spying on people at night, lol
gotta love it
23 July 2004, 02:36 PM
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Originally Posted by ProperCharlie
hence the existence of sonar
If a submarine can find enemy submarines I'm sure they could find a monster. It's a wive's tale, ****e.
A cool myth though.
23 July 2004, 02:47 PM
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Somone mentioned proof of man landing on the moon, as did TelBoy, no doubt in reference to proving if something did/did not happen. I mentioned the moon landing, with reference again to someone claming it did not happen, plus I mention new A11 pictures NASA has digitized. Nimbus then asks me where they are, so I posted a link.
23 July 2004, 02:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Markus
Somone mentioned proof of man landing on the moon, as did TelBoy, no doubt in reference to proving if something did/did not happen. I mentioned the moon landing, with reference again to someone claming it did not happen, plus I mention new A11 pictures NASA has digitized. Nimbus then asks me where they are, so I posted a link.
I see. Too clever for me mate!!
But...does Father Christmas exist??
23 July 2004, 02:57 PM
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Originally Posted by TelBoy
"Lunar rock" *is* re-creatable on Earth.
23 July 2004, 03:05 PM
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"Lunar rock" *is* re-creatable on Earth.
Trust me - in 3 years we looked at a lot of rocks, but NOTHING like these. Under the microscope they were quite incredible. It would be extremely difficult to recreate these on earth, rather like alchemy, and if that was possible.....
And anyway - how did we get from Nessie to God...?
23 July 2004, 03:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Markus
I'm reminded of a passage in HHGTTG where man proves the non-existance of God. I would quote it, but I cannot remember it, apart from the thing about "man then went on to prove black is white and white is black and got run over on a zebra crossing"
23 July 2004, 03:19 PM
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Thanks for that Beth, I was going to scour the net for the passage, but hey, I knew someone would post it
The moon does exist.
On the subject of existance and myth, I quote Federal Wildlife Marshal Willenholly:
"No the **** is real. Its the female orgasm that's the myth"
Not at all related to the thread, but there is always a need for a Kevin Smith reference.
Snoogans!
The moon does exist.
On the subject of existance and myth, I quote Federal Wildlife Marshal Willenholly:
"No the **** is real. Its the female orgasm that's the myth"
Not at all related to the thread, but there is always a need for a Kevin Smith reference.
Snoogans!