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You're the zoo's main attraction

  • 31-08-2011 9:49pm
    #1
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 406 ✭✭


    Not sure if aliens and ufo's are entirely paranormal - but i was reading an article a while ago on why we're here, and one theory that made a lot of sense to me is that the earth is effectively a zoo set up by a more intelligent lifeform. So we could be just here for the craic, to see how it goes over a length of time?!

    It makes sense to me, because if we found a new and apparently habitable planet we would probably set up a colony or test species to see how they adapt and evolve!

    Just an interesting way of looking at it I think.

    Love to hear anyone elses thoughts


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 445 ✭✭viadah


    Like the South Park episode 'Cancelled'?


  • Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 7,943 Mod ✭✭✭✭Yakult


    Was the article South Park? Haha


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 639 ✭✭✭omen80


    Not sure if aliens and ufo's are entirely paranormal - but i was reading an article a while ago on why we're here, and one theory that made a lot of sense to me is that the earth is effectively a zoo set up by a more intelligent lifeform. So we could be just here for the craic, to see how it goes over a length of time?!

    It makes sense to me, because if we found a new and apparently habitable planet we would probably set up a colony or test species to see how they adapt and evolve!

    Just an interesting way of looking at it I think.

    Love to hear anyone elses thoughts

    Of course it makes sense to you.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 406 ✭✭FesterBeatty


    What? South parks not a documentary?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,145 ✭✭✭lolo62


    absolutely a possibility...until someone proves it wrong its a valid theory.. if i had to choose which one i wanted as my reality between this and the 'reptilian' thing id go with this one for sure


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 639 ✭✭✭omen80


    lolo62 wrote: »
    absolutely a possibility...until someone proves it wrong its a valid theory.. if i had to choose which one i wanted as my reality between this and the 'reptilian' thing id go with this one for sure

    Oh dear....


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,145 ✭✭✭lolo62


    omen80 wrote: »
    Oh dear....

    oh dear what?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 639 ✭✭✭omen80


    lolo62 wrote: »
    oh dear what?

    ....


  • Subscribers Posts: 19,425 ✭✭✭✭Oryx


    omen80 wrote: »
    ....
    Omen80 you have added exactly zilch to this thread. Please read the forum charter and understand the rules before posting again. Thank you.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 445 ✭✭viadah


    The 'oh dear' probably refers to the fact that you said 'until someone proves it wrong its a valid theory' which could invite something like the following:

    'I believe that fairies built Newgrange as a barber shop for Chupacabras and until someone proves it wrong its a valid theory.'

    Probably not as extreme as that but the statement is like a 'kick-me' sign, especially around here.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,766 ✭✭✭✭maccored


    viadah wrote: »
    The 'oh dear' probably refers to the fact that you said 'until someone proves it wrong its a valid theory' which could invite something like the following:

    'I believe that fairies built Newgrange as a barber shop for Chupacabras and until someone proves it wrong its a valid theory.'

    Probably not as extreme as that but the statement is like a 'kick-me' sign, especially around here.

    I take your point on that, but considering this is the 'paranormal' forum, you would expect anyone posting to understand that people may well believe in ufos. the fact is the idea that fairies built Newgrange as a barber shop for Chupacabras is a theory anyone and everyone has the right to hold if they so choose.

    *edit - i had to cut that what i had typed as I just know I'll get banned for it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 445 ✭✭viadah


    Obviously this is the 'paranormal' forum, I'm just making reference to the ambiguousness of the statement and making the point in the most reasonable manner I can think of before someone else does. I'd like to think most of us can accept things soberly and evaluate intellectually rather than falling to the tinfoil hat wearing stereotype that has done nothing for reasonable debate.

    The 'zoo' theory falls on the basis that what, millions of years ago aliens decided to see what would happen if the right push was given? That speaks of a patience that is truly paranormal to me. Remember the load process for tape games on Commodore 64s?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,766 ✭✭✭✭maccored


    Im not arguing - i know what you mean. What gets my goat though is that people shouldnt come to the forum posting things like 'oh dear' - as if its a surprise that someone on a paranormal forum might well believe in UFOs.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,145 ✭✭✭lolo62


    maccored wrote: »
    Im not arguing - i know what you mean. What gets my goat though is that people shouldnt come to the forum posting things like 'oh dear' - as if its a surprise that someone on a paranormal forum might well believe in UFOs.


    i agree with you 100% its so draining to come onto this forum sometimes and have to defend your contributions from negative and sneering comments and judgements...blatent breaking of the rules besides being immature and antagonising

    you can tackle this in one of three ways

    1. argue...no point because some peoples lives depend on winning
    2. ignore...works temporarily but then the thread just gets killed by the all round general bad buzz
    3. hit the report button and enter 'trolling'

    moderators do a great job but dont have time to read every single post so the solution is simple..

    apologies for going off topic here...had to say it as i feel very strongly about


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 406 ✭✭FesterBeatty


    Sorry i started this thread. The zoo has clearly not evolved enough to deal with such matters


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 456 ✭✭Derfil


    To expand on the theory it'd be a bit like Fota Island as we have more room to roam, whereas a Zoo is a little restrictive. Each one of us is owned by a reptilian monster similar to what some people do on those reality computer games like the Sims.

    Some of the reptilian monsters are ok and we flourish, some are assholes and make their human suffer. And some of the reptilian monsters get hacked off and just kill their human off.


  • Subscribers Posts: 19,425 ✭✭✭✭Oryx


    I love this theory. But religion has had the same theme since time began. Even the hitchhikers guide to the galaxy has us down as an experimental supercomputer. I think we just need to feel there has to be pattern or control in this chaos, that someone is in charge. :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,354 ✭✭✭Urizen


    Oryx wrote: »
    I love this theory. But religion has had the same theme since time began. Even the hitchhikers guide to the galaxy has us down as an experimental supercomputer. I think we just need to feel there has to be pattern or control in this chaos, that someone is in charge. :)

    Are you questioning the great prophet Douglas Adams? Blasphemer! :P

    But yeah, the zoo hypothesis is a clever one. I like to imagine it in conjunction with the Gaia hypothesis (intelligent Earth, basically), and imagine them slugging it out for control.

    Actually, they kinda did the Gaia hypothesis in South Park too, with the head lice.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,089 ✭✭✭DjFlin


    This would be the most sucky zoo of all time. Who goes to a zoo with only one type of animal in it. This place would go space-bankrupt so fast.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 639 ✭✭✭omen80


    maccored wrote: »
    Im not arguing - i know what you mean. What gets my goat though is that people shouldnt come to the forum posting things like 'oh dear' - as if its a surprise that someone on a paranormal forum might well believe in UFOs.
    ]
    You do realise what a UFO is? That can mean anything military etc...doesn't have to be aliens!
    I think the paraormal forum should allow critisism of idiots. How else will you learn??


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  • Subscribers Posts: 19,425 ✭✭✭✭Oryx


    omen80 banned for one week.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 445 ✭✭viadah


    Zing!

    I feel I have to make the point again - the original 'oh dear' reference was made, in my opinion, in regards to the openness of a statement that essentially meant any theory is plausible without contrary evidence. I'd like to think most of us posting in the paranormal forum do actually share paranormal beliefs to an extent and while I'm not going to knock anyone who searches for fairies at the bottom of their garden, for example, I don't think anyone should go looking for them just because there is no proof that they aren't there.

    With regards to the zoo, I've seen enough of our monkey activities to agree this planet could be called a zoo, but like I said any alien race who seeded this world and watched it evolve for millions of years as entertainment would have to have a serious amount of patience, so the theory doesn't work for me.

    'Glarthax, don't go to the bathroom yet, they're about to evolve thumbs!'


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,145 ✭✭✭lolo62


    viadah wrote: »
    Zing!

    I feel I have to make the point again - the original 'oh dear' reference was made, in my opinion, in regards to the openness of a statement that essentially meant any theory is plausible without contrary evidence. I'd like to think most of us posting in the paranormal forum do actually share paranormal beliefs to an extent and while I'm not going to knock anyone who searches for fairies at the bottom of their garden, for example, I don't think anyone should go looking for them just because there is no proof that they aren't there.

    With regards to the zoo, I've seen enough of our monkey activities to agree this planet could be called a zoo, but like I said any alien race who seeded this world and watched it evolve for millions of years as entertainment would have to have a serious amount of patience, so the theory doesn't work for me.

    'Glarthax, don't go to the bathroom yet, they're about to evolve thumbs!'

    since i was the one who made the so called 'open statement' i would just like to point out i was just making an observation...

    i am of the opinion that anything is possible and have had so many of my beliefs challenged to date, that i have come to the conclusion we really dont know jack s**t, despite the fact we think we know it all...thats where i am coming from

    also at no point did i make the statement 'i believe this to be true' neither did the OP for that matter...

    i get where you are coming from but 'oh dear' is not a contribution in any way shape or form...it is a judgement made from the sidelines based on the assumption that anyone who entertains the theory still writes letters to santa claus.

    You used the example of fairies in the garden...fine you dont think they should go looking for them just because there is no proof that they aren't there....thats your opinion...but if you come on a forum and make statements like 'oh dear' you are knocking their beliefs regardless of how hairbrain you think they are.

    btw..im not accusing you of knocking anyone!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 445 ✭✭viadah


    'Oh dear'-gate.

    I know it wasn't a contribution to dialogue, that's why I valiantly tried to head it off before it turned to a slagging match. May have failed...

    All we're doing here is discussing, without tangible first-hand proof it's safe to say that all we know for sure is that we don't know. We should be able to argue for or against theories without seeing discussion turn to mud-slinging. I think it helps us all evolve in some small way. I prefer some form of brevity personally, as long as it remains good natured!

    Back to the zoo, I respect anyone's right to believe what they want, I just personally don't subscribe to it. Nor the Dogon theory which could be saddled up for a mosey along the trail beside it.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,649 ✭✭✭Not The Real Scarecrow


    Its not a zoo, its a safari and he's the lion........


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,766 ✭✭✭✭maccored


    omen80 wrote: »
    ]
    You do realise what a UFO is? That can mean anything military etc...doesn't have to be aliens!
    I think the paraormal forum should allow critisism of idiots. How else will you learn??

    Whats this, the Mr Pedantic Half Hour?

    Obviously 'ufo' is any unidentified flying object ... but again, if you used your brain you'd realise it is a term generally used in reference to aliens.

    I love the idea that the paranormal forum is full of idiots. I'd wager most of us are anything but. 'Paranormal' has an 'n' in it btw. Must be terrible to have to be corrected by an 'idiot'.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,145 ✭✭✭lolo62


    viadah wrote: »
    'Oh dear'-gate.

    I know it wasn't a contribution to dialogue, that's why I valiantly tried to head it off before it turned to a slagging match. May have failed...

    All we're doing here is discussing, without tangible first-hand proof it's safe to say that all we know for sure is that we don't know. We should be able to argue for or against theories without seeing discussion turn to mud-slinging. I think it helps us all evolve in some small way. I prefer some form of brevity personally, as long as it remains good natured!

    Back to the zoo, I respect anyone's right to believe what they want, I just personally don't subscribe to it. Nor the Dogon theory which could be saddled up for a mosey along the trail beside it.

    you dont need to head off offensive comments thats the job of the moderators and I think Oryx has done his job there...

    its come across to me at least that you are defending the comments that were directed towards myself so thats the only reason im even bothering with this...but if you are saying you were trying to mediate out of the goodness of your heart, fair enough

    im all for arguing for or against theories as long as theres a level of respect from both sides but theres a big difference between disagreeing with members, and calling them idiots?!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 445 ✭✭viadah


    Of course there is, that's why he got a suspension. I wasn't defending his comments, I was clarifying before it degenerated, reasonably I thought. And it obviously didn't work, so apologies there. If you read through you'll find it was our good gentleman maccored who took to the implication that the forum was being roasted for attendees beliefs. My point erred towards reasoned debate and was always in reference to the potential for ambiguous statements to be grabbed at by the minority of trolls here, not a defense anywhere of any comments made towards you. Then I felt it behooved me to return the conversation to the topic by saying something like -

    The holes in the theory of the zoo make me question it, as do the holes in any theory. The pros and cons of every reasonable debate have to be weighed in order to balance our own beliefs. Blind faith and snap dismissals are just as bad as each other. The zoo theory falls for me because of the patience involved. Ever go see a tiger cub in a zoo? Cute yes? You'd almost go every day to watch it play and mature. But not for a few million years to see if it ever managed to make it to the moon.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,145 ✭✭✭lolo62


    viadah wrote: »
    Of course there is, that's why he got a suspension. I wasn't defending his comments, I was clarifying before it degenerated, reasonably I thought. And it obviously didn't work, so apologies there. If you read through you'll find it was our good gentleman maccored who took to the implication that the forum was being roasted for attendees beliefs. My point erred towards reasoned debate and was always in reference to the potential for ambiguous statements to be grabbed at by the minority of trolls here, not a defense anywhere of any comments made towards you. Then I felt it behooved me to return the conversation to the topic by saying something like -

    The holes in the theory of the zoo make me question it, as do the holes in any theory. The pros and cons of every reasonable debate have to be weighed in order to balance our own beliefs. Blind faith and snap dismissals are just as bad as each other. The zoo theory falls for me because of the patience involved. Ever go see a tiger cub in a zoo? Cute yes? You'd almost go every day to watch it play and mature. But not for a few million years to see if it ever managed to make it to the moon.

    you have been absolutely reasonable throughout so there are no hard feelings.
    in maccoreds defense it has been my experience that beliefs do get roasted here, and it is a bit hard to take on a paranormal forum, as i have to wonder why someone is here if they think its all raving mad?! im not a big fan of sport so you wont see me on the GAA forum...

    i totally agree with you that blind faith and snap dismissal are as bad as eachother but my statement was not made in blind faith (sorry i missed that the first time around)....if i had been asked to expand on it i would have been glad to but im not prepared to enter into conversation with someone who resorts to name calling

    i do think posters should be able to make ambigious statements without being grabbed at as unfortunately a lot of threads dont reach the point of reasonable debate because of it


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 271 ✭✭meryem


    Coming back to the topic I don't think we are a mutated DNA result of some aliens sitting in remote corner of this universe watching us grow in billions over a period of time. Just to have funny experiment succeed. It might be possible we are watched by some aliens across the universe but we couldn't be a zoo part. Yeah! I want to exclude myself from this zoo theory for I don't think I am an animal with some tail or so. lol

    It's a quite free time coined theory as it appears to me. :)

    To All: Please bear with my post if it offends anyone here. Thanks!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,633 ✭✭✭maninasia


    Oryx wrote: »
    I love this theory. But religion has had the same theme since time began. Even the hitchhikers guide to the galaxy has us down as an experimental supercomputer. I think we just need to feel there has to be pattern or control in this chaos, that someone is in charge. :)

    Zeus and all the Gods were doing the same thing with humans on the Earth, it's an idea as old as civilization and even older than that maybe.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 271 ✭✭meryem


    But still they do not fall in the category of Aliens. :) Otherwise it's like age old theory. ;)


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