Moonwatcher signing in. I was over at a certain other board that shall remain nameless that suddenly pulled the plug on us. So now I'm over here. I may visit there but I suspect it won't be as likeable a format anymore. I was "High_Evolutionary" over there. As I'm fairly new at starting to learn any science in-depth, I thought Moonwatcher was a more appropriate name anyway.

Welcome !

I love that film too!

campermon wrote:Welcome !

I love that film too!

And the associated SF story, which is where Moonwatcher was named.

I wonder whether he ever found a tall enough tree?

Welcome!

campermon wrote:Welcome !

I love that film too!

Thanks. Loved the movie and the book. The book told us a bit about that proto-scientist, Moonwatcher, trying to understand and learn about his world. I remember once thinking that, within the context of his world and the information and evolutionary development he had to work with, he was actually far smarter than a Creationist,
considering the information and evolutionary advantages the Creationist has over the little pre-man.

I don't get the reference I'm afraid, but nevertheless, welcome .

Plus Moonwatcher actively tested his ideas - unlike Creationists.

For those who don't understand the reference, Moonwatcher was the lead ape in the beginning of the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey who is forcibly evolved by the monolith.

Weaver wrote:

campermon wrote:Welcome !

I love that film too!

And the associated SF story, which is where Moonwatcher was named.

I wonder whether he ever found a tall enough tree?

Welcome!

Yes I loved those opening chapters. Clarke really got into Moonwatcher's thought processes and how he was beginning to reason within the limits of his knowledge. Sadly he never found a high enough tree himself but we later did by standing on his shoulders.

virphen wrote:I don't get the reference I'm afraid, but nevertheless, welcome .

2001:A Space Odyssey

virphen wrote:I don't get the reference I'm afraid, but nevertheless, welcome .

Its the book version of "2001: A Space Odyssey" we are talking about. In the book, Clarke gave one of the pre-men at the beginning a name (translated to English, of course). The tribe called him Moonwatcher because he would gaze at the moon with this look in his eyes they couldn't understand.

Welcome to the lifeboat, Moonwatcher!

Weaver wrote:Plus Moonwatcher actively tested his ideas - unlike Creationists.

For those who don't understand the reference, Moonwatcher was the lead ape in the beginning of the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey who is forcibly evolved by the monolith.

That's true. If it didn't work (ie. didn't stand up to the evidence), he rejected it. He never quite rejected his tree theory of course, but its a nice metaphor that there were people who, within the knowledge available in their times, were way smarter than a creationist.

Hi Moonwatcher and welcome aboard. Great name btw!

Moonwatcher wrote:

Its the book version of "2001: A Space Odyssey" we are talking about. In the book, Clarke gave one of the pre-men at the beginning a name (translated to English, of course). The tribe called him Moonwatcher because he would gaze at the moon with this look in his eyes they couldn't understand.

What a great basis for a user name

Glad to have you here

Hello from Brisbane, Australia, and welcome!

As a house warming present, here's a few laughs for your entertainment.