Wednesday 17 October 2012

Umbriel

But what are ghost stories to Brother Data with his ‘rational beliefs, reasonably held’? Can he move away for a brief holiday from the ‘space of reasons’? I suggest, probably not, that would be too uncanny. Brother Data remains strictly tied to a natural world bounded by naturalist type explanations. The idea that there might be an anomalous residuum is one which bounces off his deflector shield and clearly for the transporter to beam wraiths and spooks it would have to be switched off momentarily. An overriding of the frequency as one moves too close to Umbriel the dark moon of Uranus might allow penetration. It’s a theoretical possibility that there might be haunted sectors of the Cosmos subject to advanced disorder. Here your bright certainties are gloomed.
Umbriel by NASA

2 comments:

ktismatics said...

"probably not"

If you're prepared to invoke probability estimates, then perhaps an empirical investigation is in order. Here's a questionnaire:
1. Do you believe in ghosts?
2. Do you like ghost stories?

I'll be subject 1. My answers: No. Yes.

ombhurbhuva said...

double yes here.
But then I can perhaps qualify by bringing in the concept of the tulpu that can get away. I am preparing a post on this taking as my theme the great story 'The Jolly Corner' by Henry James.