Post by speakertoanimals on Mar 26, 2011 15:58:32 GMT 1
There are unfortunately a few topics in science that are the perennial favourites when it comes to (honest) misunderstandings or mistaken claims that science has no idea. A few ones from these boards:
Big Bang: expanding space (how can emptiness expand), curved space (how can nothing curve), the CMB and so on.
Quantum theory: Probably the RICHEST source of nonsense, and on the web, any weird and wonderful claim you like can have the word quantum attached. Seems that the perception here is that quantum theory is so wacky that ANY seeming nonsense can be argued as bieng possible, if you claim that quantum does it!
Usual target of those who think they can just apply argument from incredulity. Or those who want to sell their own particular brand of quantum nonsense (ie the consciousness does magic line).
A new one to here that has just popped up -- misunderstanding the second (or even the first law) of thermodyanmics. Another rich source, since most thermodyanmics isn't intuitive anyway.
Usually, on the web, to be found by those trying to sell perpetual motion machines, creationists trying to claim evolution couldn't happen, and other nut-jobs. Although the free-energy merchants have now to add the quantum tag as well when trying to sell their nonsense, because the zero-point energy and quantum wierdness seems to offer a much better way round the gullible and into their pockets.
Just odd how the SAME bits of physics keep coming in for the attention of idiots on the web, I presume because they are almost totally non-intuitive and hard to understand. Hence easiest target when it comes to trying to increase common ignorance and misunderstanding in order to further your own nefarious ends!
Any other good examples?
Big Bang: expanding space (how can emptiness expand), curved space (how can nothing curve), the CMB and so on.
Quantum theory: Probably the RICHEST source of nonsense, and on the web, any weird and wonderful claim you like can have the word quantum attached. Seems that the perception here is that quantum theory is so wacky that ANY seeming nonsense can be argued as bieng possible, if you claim that quantum does it!
Usual target of those who think they can just apply argument from incredulity. Or those who want to sell their own particular brand of quantum nonsense (ie the consciousness does magic line).
A new one to here that has just popped up -- misunderstanding the second (or even the first law) of thermodyanmics. Another rich source, since most thermodyanmics isn't intuitive anyway.
Usually, on the web, to be found by those trying to sell perpetual motion machines, creationists trying to claim evolution couldn't happen, and other nut-jobs. Although the free-energy merchants have now to add the quantum tag as well when trying to sell their nonsense, because the zero-point energy and quantum wierdness seems to offer a much better way round the gullible and into their pockets.
Just odd how the SAME bits of physics keep coming in for the attention of idiots on the web, I presume because they are almost totally non-intuitive and hard to understand. Hence easiest target when it comes to trying to increase common ignorance and misunderstanding in order to further your own nefarious ends!
Any other good examples?