(Conspiracy Nation, 06/23/05)
-- The positivists, who call themselves "scientists," are obsessed with
measurements. (See "Can It Be Measured?" http://www.shout.net/~bigred/Measured.html)
As Isaac Asimov himself admitted, "If there is some phenomenon that can
neither be observed nor measured under any conceivable circumstances,
then, as far as the world of experimental science is concerned, it can
be treated as though it does not exist." (Understanding Physics, Vol.
II, ch. 7 footnote)
For instance, there is the mistaken commonplace that "nothing can
travel faster than the speed of light." (Declared by the U.S.
government to be 186,281.7 miles per second. Not yet declared though
is, what exactly is "light?")
The exact notion is, rather, anything traveling faster than light could not be seen. So, anything not
seen "can neither be observed nor measured" and "can be treated as
though it does not exist."
"Science" comes from the Latin word "scio" which means "to know." It is
a way of knowing. After Isaac Newton, the positivists hijacked science
and artificially bounded the ongoing inquiry with measuring devices.
(See "Bodies Having Purpose," http://www.shout.net/~bigred/BodPurp.html)
These include formulas, which are used for measurements when part of
the data is unavailable.
After a hard day of measuring things, the "scientists" like to relax
with other measurement fetishists and tell tall tales. One of the best
of these whoppers is entitled...
It was a dark and stormy night. The "scientists" had gathered at the
Humbug Tavern, a favorite spot. Their measuring tools and book of
formulas were nearby, in case of emergencies such as a collapsing
reality. Huddled by a roaring fire, which seemed to protect them all
from "the outside," one of their group, George Francis FitzGerald,
began a most amazing tale.
"Light is a wave form, so something must be waving," he began. "Yet
in a vacuum, light will still travel, in 'waves.' The 'waves' carry the
'light' through the vacuum. So of what could the 'waves' consist?"
Some of the "scientists" grew uneasy. This was scarey stuff!
Instinctively they reached for their measuring tools.
"What must be in the vacuum of space?" continued FitzGerald. "Let us
call it 'ether.'" (The "scientists" roared with laughter at the bold
invention. Here was something which might be measured!)
As the laughter died down, another of the "scientists" embellished
the tale. "Since the 'light' travels in transverse 'waves,' and the
'ether' must be a solid to carry the transverse 'waves,' let us say
that the 'ether' is a greatly tenuous gas having a rigidity greater
than steel." Uproarious laughter broke out anew at the audacity of the
suggestion.
The "scientists" next agreed that the "ether" must be in a state of
"absolute rest." They needed this as a reference point for "motion." If
everything were in motion, then what would "motion" be?
"And where is this 'ether?'" asked one. "It is in 'absolute space,'"
they said.
Now another of the "scientists," Albert Abraham Michelson, suggested
a further twist. "The 'absolute space' could be moving toward us, or
away from us," he guffawed. At the Humbug Tavern, laughter burst forth
again. How could there be "motion" if nothing were standing still?
"Motion" compared to what!?
"We'll have to tone that down," suggested one of the "scientists,"
as the chuckling ceased. "We'll say it is the earth that is moving
toward or away from the 'absolutely resting ether' inhabiting the
'absolute space.'"
It was formula time. They'd have to tack on some formulas to mystify
the public. One formula they arrived at took account of the 'ether
wind' which, depending upon its direction, would either increase or
decrease the velocity of light.
At this point, FitzGerald added another whopper to the tale. "And
the objects become shorter as they move into the 'ether wind!' A
'light' beam headed into the 'ether wind' is slowed, but a 'FitzGerald
contraction' counteracts that by foreshortening the object!"
Some felt FitzGerald had gone too far. But he was supported by
Albert Einstein, one of the great storytellers of the claque, who next
added his own inimitable skills to the yarn.
"Not only that, but time would slow down!" The room exploded with
merriment. As if time did not exist independently of motion! This was
the funniest leg-puller of them all!
The "scientists" went home with wide grins, after many hearty slaps
on the back. All agreed that that evening's tale was "one for the
records." And so, it was written down in their Book Of Yarns, and has been handed
down to us today.
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Conspiracy Nation
http://www.shout.net/~bigred/cn.html