[avandonk]

I have been following this discussion. Science is not just plodding logically through the cowpats to get to the understanding of phenomena that are generally far more complex and subtle in their linkages to everything else than we usually understand . It takes rather large intuitive leaps to make major breakthroughs. But then the real hard work begins to show that your 'leap' is real.

The only thing that really works is evidence based science. Conjecture has to be backed by experiment. Generally if a theory cannot predict further effects or consequences that can be observed or tested it is about as good as the existence of the Easter Bunny. A cute theory that a rabbit leaves chicken eggs and chocolate eggs. The only ones that fall for the 'proof' are small children that do not yet know they are being deceived.

What still amazes me that there are people who barely understand just the basics of 'known' mathematics and physics and then glibly expound theories that supposedly 'solve' some of the big problems. There is nothing wrong with expounding these theories but listening and understanding to any valid critical assessment of these so called theories is also part of the game. Blindly ignoring valid criticism is bordering on delusion.

Yes there are 'scientists' with a personal ownership of current paradigms. If the evidence is strong enough it will overcome even these stubborn guardians of the 'truth'.

I don't know how many times I have heard young scientists say 'X by dying has contributed more to his field than he did in all of his life'.

I will stop now.

Alright a joke that a very famous scientist told me a long time ago.

He said to me at some drinking party ' It is not until your prostate is bigger than your brain is when you can be invited to become a member of The Royal Society'

So all you girls out there no matter how smart, you will never qualify!

I just realized you can qualify by having a brain bigger than their combined prostates.

Bert