Think The Recent Meteorite Crash is a "Mass Hystreria" ?

Question

Think The Recent Meteorite Crash really is a "Mass Hysteria"?
Mass Hysteria? Alien Related? Andromeda Strain? New Discovery Government Cover-up? Making People Sick true or false?
[Scientists say the "sickness" that struck locals after a meteorite crash is mass hysteria.??]
http://news.yahoo.com/s/space/20070927/sc_space/meteoritecrashbreedsmasshysteria

Answer 1

I didn't realize this story was still in the news. At the time the story broke, there were doubts that this 'lake' was even formed by a meteorite impact. People may or may not have seen a streak in the sky but the truth is that 'lakes' such as this are quite common in the area. What is even more common is the putrid fumes that come from them.

To quote: 'And when meteorites have struck, they have never carried any hint of some mysterious space disease. "I don't know of any known record of a meteorite landing that emitted odors so noxious that people got sick from it," said geologist Larry Grossman of the University of Chicago.'

Geoffs url states that the number of ill is now at 30 instead of the 'hundreds' that have been erroneously reported. Also, it claims that local villagers have taken most of the meteorite fragments! I find that hard to believe and it would suggest to me that very few fragments, if any, were ever at the site to begin with.

I guess when you live in a small town in Peru, this is the biggest thing to get you on the front news page so you might as well milk the most of it while you can. I will remain skeptical of a meteorite impact until such is actually proven.

Hysteria? Yes (and maybe to get some good tourist income).
Alien? No
Andromeda? No
Coverup? No. For what possible reason? Meteorites fall to Earth every day. Most of these are not recovered but about ten per year are. There is nothing mysterious about meteorites as you additional questions would suggest.
Making people sick? False.

Answer 2

You are seriously that ignorant that you think that atheists believe that? The ONLY theory I've heard that involves a meteorite causing life on earth was from Fred Hoyle, who actually wrote a book on it, called Lifecloud. His theory was that a meteorite impacted the earth, but it didn't 'make life come into existence'. Rather, the meteorite carried small microbes and this contaminated the earth. He did a sequel to this book, called Diseases from Space, in which he hypothesised that many diseases we get regularly are introduced from space. The last one is not really an idea mainstream science takes seriously. Fred Hoyle doesn't believe in evolution. He's an astrophysicist, and he's a scientist many creationists cite as not believing in evolution. But evolution is not his area of expertise. He studies space, not evolutionary biology. And he openly derides evolution. Of course what you've said is absurd -- because most atheists wouldn't believe that. Now, I live near a town called Murchison, and back in the sixties, a big meteorite fell down at Murchison, in Meteorite Street, in what's called Meteorite park. Right now, there are chunks of this meteorite at universities all over the world, and scientists are examining the meteorite and finding that it actually contained what are amino acids -- the building blocks of life. They've found evidence for over 100 amino acids, some of which are not found anywhere on earth. Amino acids are very important to life, and it could just mean that life is common in the universe and our planet just got 'infected' with microbial life, which gradually evolved into more complex life. The Murchison Meteorite shows evidence of being in contact with water before it came to earth, so whatever planet it came from may have also harbored life in some form. Microbes can survive in space, because they just become dormant -- it's too cold. So the idea that a meteorite (or many meteorites) could have contaminated planet Earth with microbes millions of years ago, which gradually evolved into some more complex beings, is quite likely. But as for a meteorite "causing" life to come into existence, that's a bit far fetched, and shows you don't really understand what's going on. There's a good chance that life is quite prevalent in the universe, as microbial life. Once you understand the mechanisms by which evolution works, it's really not that far fetched. I suggest you go and learn from a reputable source what evolution is. The ONLY thing evolution says is that an individual who lives long enough to reproduce passes on their genes. It DOES NOT involve itself at all with the creation of life. Evolution is just an observable thing that happens, and the theory of evolution in no way asserts any influence over the creation of life. Abiogenesis (the creation of life) and evolution are two completely separate ideas. When I was a christian (I'm now an atheist) I used to think that evolution was just how god did it. Now I know there are more plausible explanations for how life began, but the sheer volume of evidence for evolution cannot be ignored. YOu can misrepresent it all you like, but the fact is, it has vast amounts of evidence, and by misrepresenting it, the only thing you're making look foolish is yourself. Seriously, just do some reading on this stuff. I can't understand why anyone who believes in god couldn't imagine that god might use evolution.

Answer 3

It's a stretch to call it mass hysteria...especially since this story has now disappeared. Call it short-lived localized hysteria.

I have no doubt that many people got headaches and were feeling nauseus. That's often the result of standing next to a pit full of noxious fumes. That said, I think the hysteria was more prevalent among those reporting the story than among those who were actually in the area. That's rather typical for the media.

Answer 4

Bjørn Sørheim posted this on MPML:

INGEMMET (Instituto Geológico Minero y Metalúrgico) of Peru have released a first report on the meteorite that created a ~14m crater in eastern Peru September 15 at 11:45 local time. It is said to be a chondrite with 15% kamacite, but no subtype given. Pieces will be distributed to NASA, UK and Japan for investigations.

Report located at:
http://www.ingemmet.gob.pe/paginas/pl01_quienes_somos.aspx?opcion=320

Answer 5

Looking at cognitive processes, it certainly seems reasonable. First, they get the primacy effect (the first explanation they hear is that the crash may be making people sick). The fear aspect makes this a highly persuasive suggestion, especially if you do not know much about meteorites or geology. Then the confirmational bias kicks in - people begin asking questions of themselves in such a way that it confirms their suspicions, without really looking at alternatives.

Answer 6

it was some arsenic released by the impact that caused some problems. but it was quite an impact people getting sick after a meteorite crashed near their town, certainly made some people panic.

Answer 7

Hi. The one in Peru? Some think that trapped methane in the ground was released.

Answer 8

Have you been watching "Smallville" again ?

Answer 9

Thanks for telling, didn;t know that.