User:Spica

As a confirmed mustard jar for taking on this job as a Sysop on RationalWiki: I, Spica, pledge to only block users if they ask for it, or insert unfunny vandalism. I furthermore pledge that if I indulge in secret private conversations about you, we will make a formal report to the mob. Is that all? If you impugn my motives without warrant, or challenge my "AUTHORITY", er, there is nothing I can or will do.

Spica This user is proud to be British! This user is proud to work for the NHS and believes in Universal Healthcare for all. This user is a Hiver. This user was banned from Conservapedia. This user believes all religions are a form of psychosocial control and are therefor inherently bad for you. This user knows Mental Health Nurses are more authoritative about mental health issues than Conservapedia. This user thinks doctors are more authoritative about medical issues than lawyers. This user knows that Conservapedia is run by fascists. This user thinks that evolution explains the origin of species. This user agrees that the Big Bang explains the origin of the Universe. This user does not believe in so called Tolerance when it compromises Truth. This user knows the earth is about 4.5 billion years old. This user believes in equal rights for gay people This user is concerned about the environment. Freedom of speech can be dangerous, but must be upheld by every one of us. This user is watching you... always watching you.

Spica

(B1 V B4) V B5 V B7 V [K5 V]*

Above is the proposed astrophsyical model of the arrangements of the stars within the Spica stellar system.

The B1 V and the B4 V orbit each other very rapidly, causing the star's overall luminosity to change ever so slightly. The other components are speculative, especially the K5 V, which supposedly orbits at about 5,000 AU.

This is a nice graphic of how scientists see Spica (the stars) at the moment.

Hiver

A six-limbed alien creature from the Traveller science fiction Role Playing Game Universe. They are masters of the arts of Manipulation (getting others to say or do things they wouldn't normally do) and Psychohistory (the science of predicting the future using statistical analysis of the behaviour of billiards of beings).

Manipulation

Manipulation is a uniquely Hiver phenomenon. It is an accepted activity which accords the successful manipulator respect and admiration from the population in general. It is a way for individuals to achieve a lasting sort of fame in their society.

Components of Manipulation

Manipulation is rigidly defined by the Hivers to include four components: the deed, the manipulator, the consequences, and the claim of credit. Each component has been carefully refined and defined, and its requirements must be carefully met for it to be accepted.

The Deed

The deed itself is the stimulus which sets the manipulation into motion. The deed must be premeditated, and it must be the minimum deed necessary. As such, the deed must be carefully recorded (originally in writing; currently, manipulators maintain elaborate explanatory video and graphic records) in order to support a later claim of credit. Premeditation of the deed also includes a prediction of the consequences and their effects. The finesse of the manipulator is judged by the degree and complexity of the deed; great finesse is assumed when the deed is small and innocuous, and lesser finesse is assumed if the deed is more direct or complex.

The Manipulator

The manipulator is the person who performs the deed. A manipulator may be open and direct, or may work behind the scenes. In all cases, a true manipulation calls for the manipulator to be a single person, working alone and totally responsible for the act. If more than one person performs the deed, the act is not a true manipulation.

The Consequences

The consequences of the deed are the results of the initial act. There are obvious results of any deed, and evaluation of any manipulation ignores them; the unobvious effects are the true effects of manipulation. The manipulator must predict them correctly.

Claim of Credit

The claim of credit is the final step in a successful manipulation. The manipulator must reveal the manipulation and present its evidence of responsibility and its prediction of the consequences. Upon evaluation, the event is then acknowledged as a manipulation (or not) and proper records are made. Acknowledged manipulators are accorded a courtesy title of Manipulator (abbreviated M.) in respect for their deeds.

Manipulator

The title Manipulator is given to those select individuals who attempt to alter the course of society and history by changing or redirecting events toward a goal of their own choosing. Manipulators are important figures in Hiver culture: they are respected and powerful, but constrained by certain basic cultural values. Successful manipulators often use the prefix M. (for Manipulator).

Claim of Credit & Title

Having carried out a 100% successful manipulation on TK, Spica has earned the right to call himself M. Spica.

Fellow RW-ians need not fear the tremendous power of manipulation and psychohistory; Manipulators only use these skills on those who cross the threshold of civility and rationality (without being a good sport or having a legitimate laugh about it).

Hence the utter, total and complete defeat of TK. He has indeed been 100% Rubber Stamped. M. Spica the Hiver ^{In Friendship & Co-Operation}