I used to write horoscopes for a magazine. Guess what my background was? I was the IT support guy of the magazine publisher.
No experience needed to write generic horoscopes, people who believe in it will believe whatever they read anyway.
this post was submitted on 21 Jun 2025
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Showerthoughts
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A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. The most popular seem to be lighthearted clever little truths, hidden in daily life.
Here are some examples to inspire your own showerthoughts:
- Both “200” and “160” are 2 minutes in microwave math
- When you’re a kid, you don’t realize you’re also watching your mom and dad grow up.
- More dreams have been destroyed by alarm clocks than anything else
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Astrology used as a predictive engine obviously doesn't work. Anyone using it that way is using it improperly IMO. It's more like procedurally generated advice. For example, mine says there's a conflict between old and new, and to embrace change while drawing on past lessons. Super vague, can apply to anyone. But it resonates and gives me something to focus on. That's really all there is to it. Trying to "prove" it doesn't work is like trying to "prove" wrestling is fake. That's not the point, man.
Astrology used as a predictive engine obviously doesn’t work. Anyone using it that way is using it improperly IMO. It’s more like procedurally generated advice. For example, mine says there’s a conflict between old and new, and to embrace change while drawing on past lessons. Super vague, can apply to anyone. But it resonates and gives me something to focus on. That’s really all there is to it. Trying to “prove” it doesn’t work is like trying to “prove” wrestling is fake. That’s not the point, man.
It is advertised as such, so I hope you can forgive those using it improperly after being mislead by those pushing the practice.
It is at best a placebo and at worst a life destroying belief. Self reflection and keeping long term journals is far better for what you use Astrology for than Astrology.
Have any cases of life-destroying choices that can be attributed to astrology?
You are free to search "Astrology ruined my life" and comb through the information yourself and then come back to me if you need examples.
Very reddit to get downvoted for asking a question. But yeah, I saw what I expected. People using astrology improperly, becoming obsessed, and finding consequences. If it doesn't happen with astrology, it'll happen with something else. This is a people problem.
Very Lemmy to complain about how Reddit Lemmy is.
If it doesn’t happen with astrology, it’ll happen with something else. This is a people problem.
Yes. Which is why it is important to spread real information so people don't end up making an avoidable mistake.
I don't disagree. However, anyone who thinks it predicts the future? They won't be swayed by people who say "nuh uh". People have been saying that forever. Anyone who thinks to prove it isn't predictive either already know, or are susceptible to confirmation bias. I'm just calling it what it is: a procedurally generated advice column. Take what resonates, leave what doesn't. If it affects your mental health, take a step back. It's not that serious.
The more people who can be exposed to the scientific method to question their beliefs the better. You don't know other people like you think you do and the vast majority have the capacity to listen and learn.
I sincerely hope you're right. I'm American, so I don't have that kind of faith in humanity lately. By all means though, spread the word.
Yes. And that in itself can both be helpful and harmful. I've seen people to whom that was like a therapy. Also as those already 'give' something to focus on, so you do not use logical judgment to find where to focus to. This lead to unwise decisions.
But you know what is at least as therapeutic as this but more reliable? Therapy.
Therapy costs money, and isn't done for fun though. It's not the same thing. Like, are we trying to tell people who read fortune cookies to go to therapy instead? It's a dumb interest that some people get way too into. Therapy helps with the obsessive part, which doesn't need astrology to manifest.
Fortune cookies are fake. Everyone knows that they're fake. I haven't met a single person that cared about them at all. I have met people that truly believe in the supernatural fortune telling palm readers, horoscopes, and astrology. People spend money on this shit. People base whether they should date someone based on star signs. No one makes decisions based on John Cena either. It's a belief system left over from thousands of years ago, that like most of the others, has mountains of evidence against it. It should be completely ignored.
Some people do seem to really act on this stuff though. There's enough people talking about Mercury being in retrograde and asking other people about their star signs for that to be proven.
People are also talking about John Cena's heel persona as though it represents anything tangible to reality. Where's the harm though?
Sounds like a good way to hone your horoscope-writing skill.
That seems like a lot of work to prove that obvious horseshit is obvious horseshit.
Do not disparage the journal of negative results. It's a critical part of science.
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What a waste of time.
Why should you try to dispute astrology? People who believe in it doesn't listen to reasons anyway. And for the others, well, they don't need a demonstration of what they already know.
Also, asastrology really works*
*) in fulfilling people beliefs, wasting their time and sometimes money.
What a waste of time.
Experimenting with the world around you is never a waste of time. Just because you believe you know something to be true, doesn't mean others don't require further evidence to sway their beliefs.
Inherent in this experiment is writing down the events of your life and reflecting on them, which even if you know Astrology is meaningless, is a good exercise to grow as a human.
Why should you try to dispute astrology? People who believe in it doesn’t listen to reasons anyway. And for the others, well, they don’t need a demonstration of what they already know.
Why should you come here to dispute my simple experiment? People who find it interesting or helpful will do it or interact positively, and for the others like yourself, don't need to waste their time commenting about how much of a waste of time this is.
Also, asastrology really works*
*) in fulfilling people beliefs, wasting their time and sometimes money.
Unfortunately the people who believe in Astrology don't listen to this rhetoric because it lacks any empathy or understanding of what it is like to be a human and pretends like the speaker holds or has held no unreasonable beliefs.
It's lies. That's why it's bad. It's blatant lies published as reality.
People are trusting. This just erodes trust in others, and in society in general.
Just one little thing. That adds up with all the other little things.
Non-selective long-term memory and self-reflection, you say?
Wouldn't it be nice.
You donj't have to disprove astrology to know it's bullshit.
Astrology has to prove it's not bullshit, or it's bullshit. Astrology has failed completely over thousands of years of testing.
That's how all logic works everywhere in the universe. Except for asshole religious freaks. They say the exact opposite, because they prefer to live in a fictional world where reality has no meaning at all. Yeah, astrologers are weird religious freaks. Fucking obviously.
You donj’t have to disprove astrology to know it’s bullshit.
But I can, and I did. Also, yes you do.
In Science you work to disprove your own hypothesis, and the only reason you "know" Astrology is bunk today is because of experiments like these done by people much smarter.
That said the rise of the Age of Aquarius was to signal a rise in authoritarianism and a dark control by a powerful few over a helpless many.
Just sayin'.
These types of things are inherently introspective, so anyone that puts a little effort into it will always find an explanation.
As if an user could be interested in pursue such enlighten...
That is a might big brush you have there. Try painting yourself with it.