Bruce,

Their comments are perhaps the natural reaction that comes to mind when reading sophist physics, but it is a missed opportunity that they didn't become very specific in their reply. From my perspective, people like Dick continue to gain adherents because the responses are not thorough enough because of the obvious reaction. However, false concepts such as creationism were able to gain adherents from more open minded people because the scientific response was slow. Now, of course, creationism is well debunked by outstanding contributions from many scientists, but if the reaction would have been sooner then this sort of thing might never have become as popular as it did.

I don't imagine Dick's model will ever gain that kind of fame requiring real thorough responses, but I think that such situations are real opportunities for Science to better explain itself to the public. That is what I enjoy about Dick's 'model', it has an inherent misunderstanding of science, and the correction to that misunderstanding moves at the heart of science and its success. Of course, a correction to Dick's approach will never convince an Aurino (who like Dick is pretty much sold on their own misguidings). But, it will convince others who are not as solipsist in their view of the world.

Warm regards, Harv

• Too bad, indeed - pmartin - May 13, 2002 - 15:45 UTC
  • Science has already solved Dick's problem - yanniru - May 13, 2002 - 15:56 UTC
    • It could be - pmartin - May 13, 2002 - 16:17 UTC
      • It's all math - yanniru - May 13, 2002 - 22:58 UTC
        • "Our" longest sustained topic ever here thus settled? - occupant - May 14, 2002 - 07:27 UTC
        • I think your insight is as keen as your wit, Mike (nt) - pmartin - May 15, 2002 - 23:03 UTC
          • Although I'm residential, I'll pass along your remarks to Mike - occupant - May 15, 2002 - 23:26 UTC
  • Pythagorean nonsense - harvey1 - May 13, 2002 - 16:52 UTC
    • some kind of nonsense, for sure - occupant - May 14, 2002 - 07:11 UTC
• A wave equation - yanniru - May 13, 2002 - 15:49 UTC
  • I need to review this - harvey1 - May 13, 2002 - 19:10 UTC
    • I am pleased that Dick sticks to his guns - yanniru - May 14, 2002 - 21:20 UTC
      • you were quite unsuccessful refuting MY points - occupant - May 16, 2002 - 05:18 UTC
• 'Political' science....I don't think Dr. Dick seeks "adherents" - occupant - May 13, 2002 - 16:30 UTC
  • It's not "it's flinger" of course; it's "its flinger." - occupant - May 14, 2002 - 04:55 UTC
• Harv - bruce - May 14, 2002 - 14:50 UTC
  • I agree the response was warranted - harvey1 - May 14, 2002 - 15:11 UTC
• Harv - bruce - May 14, 2002 - 14:52 UTC
  • ridiculous comments do not augment science writing - occupant - May 14, 2002 - 15:48 UTC
    • They are much easier... - bruce - May 15, 2002 - 14:23 UTC
      • sly, clever - something - May 15, 2002 - 15:38 UTC
        • I agree with.. - bruce - May 16, 2002 - 03:31 UTC
          • So a metaphor is not ridiculous even if far from exact? - occupant - May 16, 2002 - 05:51 UTC
            • I agree with Patrick and Bilge... - bruce - May 16, 2002 - 20:29 UTC
              • thanks, you took the easier questions and left the others to - occupant - May 16, 2002 - 21:30 UTC
                • Not sure what you are getting at... - bruce - May 16, 2002 - 23:48 UTC
                  • nibbling around at the topics - occupant - May 17, 2002 - 04:14 UTC
                    • Tell me what you think wrt universal time... - bruce - May 17, 2002 - 04:49 UTC
                      • Universal may be like relative time but context frame bigger - spazcon - May 17, 2002 - 19:11 UTC
                      • Were you going to reply this year? - carefuluniverse - June 6, 2002 - 16:21 UTC
              • I agree with myself - occupant - May 16, 2002 - 23:44 UTC