[From Bruce Abbott (941115.1530 EST)]
Reply to Rick Marken (941115.1030)
[Scene 1: On Explanation]
Former student of Ptolemy (currently studying the new Copernican system),
speaking to a disciple of Copernicus:
Although I have "explained" the apparent motions of the planets through
the heavens in Ptolemaic terms, I'm sure that a proper application of
the Copernican model would do the same thing (i.e., explain the apparent
motions of the planets).
Disciple of Copernicus (Rickus Markus):
Let's try this again:
1) Ptolemaic theory is NOT the same as Copernican theory.
2) Ptolemaic theory is NOT about what Copernican theory is about --
the motions of the planets about the sun.
3) Ptolemaic theory is a completely and utterly incorrect explanation
of the motions of the planets through the heavens.
[Unless I'm missing something here, the disciple's reply is a non sequitur.]
[Scene 2-- The Marken Method of Model Testing]
Man speaking to Edison:
Man: You've tried 9,000 ways to make an electric light bulb, with one of two
results in each case:
(1) They didn't work at all.
(2) They burned out after only a few minutes of operation.
Edison: Did you try the last one I sent you?
Man: What's the point? It won't work. It CAN'T work. Tell you what. Get
yourself an arc lamp and try it for a while. Admire its bright glow.
See how it floods every crevice of the room with light. After doing
this demo, let me know if you think that the idea of an electric light
bulb merits anything other than a hearty belly laugh?
Cheers,
Bruce