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From: GMS@psuvm.BITNET
Newsgroups: net.astro
Subject: Re: astrological software (FLAME ON)
Message-ID: <2021GMS@psuvm>
Date: Thu, 1-Aug-85 19:31:37 EDT
Article-I.D.: psuvm.2021GMS
Posted: Thu Aug  1 19:31:37 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 3-Aug-85 08:33:56 EDT
References: 1301@eagle.UUCP
Lines: 32

I must admit that Marty has a point.  The calculations of positions of
solar system objects produced by 'astrological' software is, itself, of
some value to astronomers.  (Althou I've not set seen the argument, on the net,
that the *interpretations* that  'astrologers' draw from these positions has
any value.)
     
As a Computer Scientist/Astronomer I fear I associate the notion of
'astrological software' with those machines we occasionally see at shopping
malls that advertise 'Your Horoscope Done by Computer'.  In these cases I
strongly resent (1) the implication that a horoscope is at all meaningful
(I really am bummed by the thought that some people base their LIVES on this
stuff!), and (2) the implication that, because it is generated by a computer
that it is somehow more valid than a human-generated horoscope.
     
Some of my best friends are into astrology - really!  Nevertheless I would
suggest that anything that goes at all beyond the calculations, and goes
into interpretation, be sent to another newsgroup so as not to
*contaminate* net.astro  (just kidding Linda & Chuck! :-)
     
(I do know of an I Ching program for the IBM-PC if anyone cares.)
     
Where do the flying-saucer and phenominology people post?  Perhaps that
would be a good place for the interpretive astrological software?
     
Gerry Santoro       . . . psuvax1!santoro
Penn State University   . . . psuvax1!psuvm.bitnet!gms
     
"God is a comedian playing to an audience that is afraid to laugh!"
     
     
                (I think Voltaire said this, but am not sure)