The real romance in the stars

Scientific truth is too beautiful to be sacrificed for the sake of light entertainment or money. Astrology is an aesthetic affront. It cheapens astronomy, like using Beethoven for commercial jingles. By existing law neither Beethoven nor nature can sue, but perhaps existing law could be changed. If the methods of astrologers were really shown to be valid it would be a fact of signal importance for science. Under such circumstances astrology should be taken seriously indeed. But if – as all indications agree – there is not a smidgen of validity in any of the things that astrologers so profitably do, this, too, should be taken seriously and not indulgently trivialised. We should learn to see the debauching of science for profit as a crime.

via The real romance in the stars – Voices – The Independent.

After yesterday’s post, I did some more web-wandering, and came across this 20-year old article by Richard Dawkins. Here’s another line that I like:

There are some stupid people out there, and they should be pitied not exploited.

I also discovered that Dawkins and I share the same birthday… which makes us both Aries.

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