Scepticism and arguments
Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2007 3:15 pm
It was mentioned in one topic that we should try to wash off the snake-oil smell off of us the best we can.
I believe that scepticism is an important thing, and it is a sole defence againts false belief and charlatanism. Charlatans and the like avoid sceptics, and only deal them in such a manner that they cannot defend themselves.
I therefore believe that the topic of answering sceptical inquires and questions should be discussed.
Here are my initial suggestions:
- Make a section where we upload and allow free access to all papers and similar documents regarding Polywell, along with anything that is relevant to the topic, within the limits of copyright. Make the this section quite obvious (ie, downloadable documentation with a big, shiny button that is obvious to notice). Categorizing papers according to their status and relavence is a good idea, ie peer-reviewed papers have
- We don't wait for the sceptics to come. We invite them! Write e-mails to various active sceptics and assure a proper debating ground. If necessary, appoint a judges. We can find faults and possible problems this way, as well as verify our own knowledge. Invite people from ITER forums, and so forth.
- Publish data from experiments at all costs! They are the true deciders of any scientific debate.
I believe that scepticism is an important thing, and it is a sole defence againts false belief and charlatanism. Charlatans and the like avoid sceptics, and only deal them in such a manner that they cannot defend themselves.
I therefore believe that the topic of answering sceptical inquires and questions should be discussed.
Here are my initial suggestions:
- Make a section where we upload and allow free access to all papers and similar documents regarding Polywell, along with anything that is relevant to the topic, within the limits of copyright. Make the this section quite obvious (ie, downloadable documentation with a big, shiny button that is obvious to notice). Categorizing papers according to their status and relavence is a good idea, ie peer-reviewed papers have
- We don't wait for the sceptics to come. We invite them! Write e-mails to various active sceptics and assure a proper debating ground. If necessary, appoint a judges. We can find faults and possible problems this way, as well as verify our own knowledge. Invite people from ITER forums, and so forth.
- Publish data from experiments at all costs! They are the true deciders of any scientific debate.