Outreach with a 'crystals and wholeness' crowd

[Gfamily]

As the chair of our Astro Society I was contacted by a local 'crystals and dreamcatcher' type shop as they were planning a Solstice Glamping weekend, and they wondered if we could 'bring some telescopes to do some stargazing'.

Sadly I explained that with it being over the solstice, it wouldn't get properly dark at all, and no stars would be visible until almost midnight.

However, I had given a talk to the Society on the Solstice and the Lunar Standstill, so offered to give a talk instead.

I had to modify the talk for a general audience, but it's now one I might offer to other non specialist groups.

With it still being light at 8pm, we had to move the screen under a Gazebo to be able to see the slides, but it seemed to go down well.

I also gave a quick talk on how to get started in Astronomy, covering Binoculars, using a phone for nightscapes, and some good apps.

A good time was had by all, and we managed to get away before the rain started.

[niallk]

I'm an electronic engineer with a low tolerance for mystical stuff, but I once delighted and thrilled someone mad into that stuff by describing how I've designed quartz crystal oscillators by exciting their energy resonance electro-mechanical properties to produce very pure frequencies 😁

Then I wowed by explaining that there was one pulsating 38.4 million times per second in her mobile handset... 🤣

[Gfamily]

3 hours ago, niallk said:

I'm an electronic engineer with a low tolerance for mystical stuff, but I once delighted and thrilled someone mad into that stuff by describing how I've designed quartz crystal oscillators by exciting their energy resonance electro-mechanical properties to produce very pure frequencies 😁

Then I wowed by explaining that there was one pulsating 38.4 million times per second in her mobile handset... 🤣

One of my slides included this image - from an 'astrology friendly' website that 'explained' the solstices

Happily it raised a laugh from the lovely people

And was then explained on a more scientific basis

 

[niallk]

I just know that there's a deeper universal truth in that diagram based on the Golden Ratio, Phi, Logarithmic Spirals and the Fibonacci Sequence ...

[niallk]

All joking aside, great to be approached about setting up some telescopes, and fair play for giving a talk 👍👍

[Greymouser]

12 hours ago, Gfamily said:

One of my slides included this image - from an 'astrology friendly' website that 'explained' the solstices

Happily it raised a laugh from the lovely people

And was then explained on a more scientific basis

 

Well done. I imagine enlightened without mocking and everyone left with a smile on their face. A successful day I would say!

16 hours ago, niallk said:

I'm an electronic engineer with a low tolerance for mystical stuff, but I once delighted and thrilled someone mad into that stuff by describing how I've designed quartz crystal oscillators by exciting their energy resonance electro-mechanical properties to produce very pure frequencies 😁

Then I wowed by explaining that there was one pulsating 38.4 million times per second in her mobile handset... 🤣

This statement caught my curiosity. I am sure I am wrong, but feel the need to ask, with no offence intended: Do you have the same intolerance for those that go to church/temple/synagogue/mosque? Do you go to any of those yourself?

Which brought my rambling mind to the question: Is non belief, taken to a certain point, in fact a belief system? Richard Dawkins comes to mind.

Incidently, I have no intention or desire to start a debate on religion. Just maybe tolerance.

[niallk]

6 hours ago, Greymouser said:

This statement caught my curiosity. I am sure I am wrong, but feel the need to ask, with no offence intended: Do you have the same intolerance for those that go to church/temple/synagogue/mosque? Do you go to any of those yourself?

Which brought my rambling mind to the question: Is non belief, taken to a certain point, in fact a belief system? Richard Dawkins comes to mind.

Incidently, I have no intention or desire to start a debate on religion. Just maybe tolerance.

I think my choice of phrase was indeed poor, while trying to tell my little anecdote: it's not that I'm intolerant of others and their beliefs - to each their own!  But some things just aren't my gig.  Others are free to do and believe what they want of course - as long as in general it means being kind to others.  Life is too short, and we all derive joy, comfort and solace in our own ways.

In the example I mentioned, I actually got on great with that person, and rather than mocking her beliefs, I spoke about the quite wonderful scientific properties of quartz crystals and she was really taken with the fact that they are used in so many wireless devices which we often take for granted.  In a way, we found common ground i guess. 🙂  If anything, I think I possibly even bolstered her beliefs!

I will respectfully leave it there - I won't comment on religion, or other beliefs.

 

Is non belief, taken to a certain point, in fact a belief system?

I think it could just be!! 😅

 

Just maybe tolerance

I'll say "Amen" to that 😉

[inedible_hulk]

8 hours ago, Greymouser said:

Which brought my rambling mind to the question: Is non belief, taken to a certain point, in fact a belief system?

Yes, given my inability to do the maths myself 😊

[JOC]

On 23/06/2024 at 20:28, niallk said:

Then I wowed by explaining that there was one pulsating 38.4 million times per second in her mobile handset

I have had such things quoted to me, along with the movement of atoms and electrons in crystal lattices generally, by those with a belief in crystals and their powers.  They used such 'scientific' evidence to explain to me (they know I was a scientist) why their crystals shouldn't be dismissed and how it was with plausible to believe that such resonances could imbue the crystals with their powers.  Whatever my beliefs I am well practiced in knowing when to nod sagely and not contradict their own beliefs - sometimes the discussion of such things has as much ability to offend and create hostility as a discussion of politics - which I also steer clear of!  However, the occasion that I really started to wonder was when I had popped into one of these shops to buy some nicely smooth polished stones as a gift for a nephew who liked such things.  Before each stone was added to the gift bag for me a length of dried sage was lit and the smoke was wafted over and around the stone.   On enquiry I was told it was to remove any negative energy from the stone and prepare it for it's new owner.  I guess I appreciated the sentiment if not the science!!

[Captain Scarlet]

Amongst other things my father was a jeweller and a geologist in his time, and he amassed a collection of minerals. My favourite was a huge lump of rose quartz which he used as a doorstop for his shop in Ascot in the 70s/80s. It now adorns my garden wall, here shown with a Nagler 31 for comparison. I think it weighs about 50kg.

Most people who visit assume it’s there to give the house good vibes.

Magnus 

[Greymouser]

On 26/06/2024 at 14:23, JOC said:

 Whatever my beliefs I am well practiced in knowing when to nod sagely and not contradict their own beliefs

Oh I know this very well, but have at times failed to follow it. Not crystal ' magic, ' but Catholic ' magic. ' My father in law is a very devout Catholic and can be very intolerant at times, of other belief systems, ones even less esoteric than crystals! I once called him out on his comments about religion, only to nearly end up fighting him! How stupid am I?

23 hours ago, Captain Scarlet said:

Amongst other things my father was a jeweller and a geologist in his time, and he amassed a collection of minerals. My favourite was a huge lump of rose quartz which he used as a doorstop for his shop in Ascot in the 70s/80s. It now adorns my garden wall, here shown with a Nagler 31 for comparison. I think it weighs about 50kg.

Most people who visit assume it’s there to give the house good vibes.

Magnus 

Wow! That is one gorgeous specimen! The crystal, not the eyepiece, sorry! From what little I have seen, the crystal could be worth far, far more than the eyepiece too. Not that you would even consider it, selling that is, unless very hard times come, considering the link to your father. A bit heavy to steal too I guess. ( Don't worry it's safe from me, your furry friend, as I recall is more at risk! )

[Captain Scarlet]

7 hours ago, Greymouser said:

… your furry friend … is more at risk! )

You talking to me?

😁😁

 

[Sunshine]

I am purely a logic and fact based being, most of the time I find myself amused and puzzled by you humans. 🖖

Edited yesterday at 00:37 by Sunshine

[Roy Challen]

On 26/06/2024 at 17:20, Captain Scarlet said:

 

Most people who visit assume it’s there to give the house good vibes.

Magnus 

It absolutely does...not so sure about the quartz though 😜

[Paz]

On 26/06/2024 at 17:20, Captain Scarlet said:

 I think it weighs about 50kg.

Magnus 

Are you referring to the crystal or the Nagler? 😀

Edited 18 hours ago by Paz

[Greymouser]

13 hours ago, Captain Scarlet said:

You talking to me?

😁😁

 

Well, I suppose I might be...
Would you like to come and have a sleep on my bed? It's quite comfy and warm. He, says its his wife's bed, it's not, It's all mine!

There again, if not, it's all good. Soon back to sleep for a little nap, after all I am getting on, 16 in human years. My claws are ready though, if he thinks he can move me again!