Keep Science on the Rational Highway! |
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Evidence that Science is veering away from Rationalism: ....Case 1 - The Moon and Solar System OriginThe moon has been proposed as the key to unlocking the solar system. This was a major justification for the Apollo Programme. This successful and far-sighted project, along with other space probes (mostly U.S.), have indeed opened the door of planetary origin. Yet the "official" result has bordered on confusion. Here is an abbreviated list of the questions the long-established theory -- moon capture -- appears to answer. Q.1 Why is the earth-moon system unique in our solar system? (Capture allows individuality). Q.2 Why has the earth's spin rate not been drastically cut through tidal interaction with the moon? (Insufficient time). Q.3 Why is the moon not in the plane of the earth's equator? (Insufficient time). Q.4 Why is the moon not in a geostationary orbit? (Insufficient time). Q.5 Why is a planet like Mercury missing half its rock and moving fast in an unusually inclined orbit? (Perhaps it suffered rock sloughing and impact). Q.6 Why is the earth not missing its rock and is not in an inclined orbit? (Perhaps it did not suffer sloughing and major impact). Q.7 What could have quickly 'tamed' a newly introduced, careening moon? (Repeated passage through a primordial, earth-orbiting disc of icy bodies). Q.8 Why are the moon's craters not evenly, randomly distributed over its surface, as one would expect from random meteorite impacts? (Some impacts were part of the transport and orbit correction process, and therefore not random). Q.9 What was the source of the vast quantities of CO2 (approximately 600 times existing atmospheric reserves) and other atmospheric compounds essential to life on earth over the past 550 mil. years? (Those icy bodies orbiting earth at the time of moon capture). Q.10 Following the event which terminated the Pre-Cambrian, approx. 550 million years ago, why did:
(These things are in some way linked to moon arrival). Q.11 Why does the lunar 'soil' contain evidence of an inexplicably strong past sun? (The moon was closer to the sun for most of its existence). Q.12 Why do (sampled) rocks of the earth and moon have a common oxygen isotope 'signature'? (A common donor planet provided material to both). This is an abbreviated list of the answers moon capture appears to provide. Moon Capture is not a sealed case. The leading 'official' theory of moon origin -- earth impact -- is a useful model. When narrowly applied to our own moon, it answers few questions and requires coincidences and hypothetical scenarios bordering on the fantastic. So why is the science public relations machine turning away from its own expert advice? Is it because moon capture implies a rational universe, rather than a Harry Potter universe?
....Case 2 - SpeciationFor more than 50 years it has been known that a species is essentially an information programme working inside a living cell. One species can theoretically be changed into another by signalling information. Recent advances have clearly pointed to the processes involved. Yet the 'official' opinion is that the transformation of one species into another is a mystery. Why is intelligent signalling of information a mystery? Is it because intelligent signalling is rational? Would scientists really prefer one species to turn into another, as if by magic?
....Case 3 - Species ExtinctionThere is evidence to link environmental pressure to the rise and fall of species. But have we gone overboard? The common explanation is that species were driven into existence through environmental pressure and driven out of existence through environmental pressure. Do we detect a contradiction here? Various calamitous events -- intense volcanism, climate change, meteor strikes, influxes of cosmic radiation, and so on -- undoubtedly affected life. Do such events account for the selective removal of one species, but not another? Some extinctions seemingly were not caused by a blunt instrument. So, are sharp instruments built into nature? At least one cogent theory of selective species removal has been proposed. It is built around the nervous and orientation systems of organisms, combined with variations in the earth's magnetic field (Jacobs J.A., 1984, Reversals of the Earth's Magnetic Field, Adam Hilger Ltd., Bristol. See chapter on extinctions). Why select a blunt instrument when a sharp instrument is available?
....Case 4 - ClimateHas humanly engineered change to the physical environment affected world climate? Leave aside smog, poisons, incorrect application of some fertilizers, and similar atmosphere-affecting mistakes and avoidables. These are obviously bad for the planet. Are clean, natural greenhouse gases bad for the planet? Recently, average world temperature has been increasing and so has man's output of greenhouse gases. What additional proof do we require? Isn't the cause-effect link obvious? It's getting hotter, and we keep producing these gases. We are referring to clean, unavoidable by-products of legitimate human activity. These activities can always be refined, improved, and changed with technologic advance. Can this planet stand conscientious and careful use of its resources? This random, nonsensical, chance-derived outcome of natural accidents - if this is how one chooses to view the planet's origin - has capably handled the order of 600 times its current atmospheric reserves of CO2 - a greenhouse gas - without deviating once from the narrow band of temperatures amenable to life. All this time, it kept its ocean salt-content within similar rigorous limits - with salt constantly leaching in from the land masses. We have barely begun the story. The world's weather is known to cycle in time, and no correlation to greenhouse gases has been clearly established. There are sound climate theories. For example, the earth's atmosphere is a slightly magnetic fluid and there is some basis for suspecting a link between weather, magnetism and solar activity. Further, slight variations in the earth's orbit are bound to have their effect. The idea that life could accidently survive for over four thousand million years, only to be threatened by a relatively small increase in certain atmospheric compounds, is comparable to evicting a mouse when a hippopotamus is in the house. Once again, does the matter devolve onto the question -- is there rationality out there or does Harry Potter rule? For more on geology and climate change click here. Does this speak of the patient's condition?
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. . . . . . . . . . .A nonsensical past, a nonsensical future?Are we going to be
We shall answer these questions via a detour. The mystery of the Christian Religion is touched on in a beautiful statement by the man of God, J.G. Lake (1870-1935). 'The life of the Christian, without the indwelling power of the Spirit in the heart, is a weariness to the flesh. It is an obedience to commandments and an endeavour to walk according to a pattern which you have no power to follow. The christian life that is lived by the impulse of the Spirit of Christ within your soul, becomes a joy, a power, and a glory.' True Christianity embodies much more than a mere system of beliefs and commandments. Central to the Christian Faith is the Word of God, the Bible, which has been miraculously, accurately preserved. The Bible has overwhelming relevance to the successful functioning of society and is the basis upon which modern democracy and modern technology were founded. Elements within the ancient Roman Empire employed every means imaginable to obliterate Christianity and banish the Word of God. Civilisation, as it was then known, was obliterated. We still have the Word of God. State enforced religion of the Middle Ages was soon overtaken by a mafia cabal with methods at times almost as bad as those of heathen Rome. In 1199 Pope Innocent III ordered the burning of all Bibles. Men in those times died like flies and sometimes didn't live much better than flies. We still have the Word of God, and biblically inspired democracy has made inroads against despotism. Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, Islamic Militants, etc. etc. . have had no more success in evicting the Word of God from this earth than did their predecessors in history. Whenever men have tried to destroy the Truth, they have only succeeded in destroying their own welfare. A minority of technical references today deliberately attack the Bible. Even world-leading science publishers have permitted their authors to distort and misquote the Bible and to misrepresent the beliefs and attitudes of their scientific forebears. This blatant departure from scholarship only appears to happen in relation to the Bible -- no other document. This departure from sound scholarship and from humble acceptance of the advice of superiors is not confined to elements within technology. Quite obviously, some of those who are engineering our laws and guidelines for society have the same problem. History testifies that rather than abolishing the Word of God they will abolish their own welfare. Returning to our leading questions -- do we have a nonsensical, unguided past and are we going to suffer a nonsensical future? Life succeeded here for at least four thousand million years without being blasted, frazzled, scorched or poisoned. This is perhaps the greatest FACT of geology -- but don't expect it to be talked up by people who are intent on evicting the Creator from his own universe. We may add to this unshakeable testimony of the geologic past, the testimony of the Scriptures. Various apocryphal scenarios have been conjectured based on the book of Revelation and similar parts of the Scriptures. Revelation is a spiritual message phrased in earthly language and is a graveyard of future prediction. There are parts of the Bible intended to help mankind meet the future in a practical way and one of the purposes of this project is to investigate such matters. There are going to be future difficulties on this planet: they will almost certainly involve the magnetic field: practical steps to meet this challenge could include increased research into planets, planetary magnetism, magnetic field reversals, stockpiling of non-perishable food such as grains, installation of shelters designed to withstand the elements and tax incentives aimed at increasing vegetation shelter belts. Another obvious conclusion is the urgency of research into the effects of severe atmospheric electrical activity on transport and communications, especially air travel. Lesser side issues raised by this project include the futuristic idea that perhaps sophisticated quantum-electrical information transfer could somehow be linked with cancers and similar diseases -- conjectural, but not detrimental to the theory that radio, magnetism, and such-like, can play a part in this area of Health; we have verification of an expanding universe; asexual reproduction (cloning) of humans is herewith predicted to be impossible; genetic engineering and modification carried out within the framework of judeo-christian morality should prove beneficial; animals have no blood relation to human beings and outside intentional sadistic cruelty there should be no restrictions on the use of unendangered species in science or industry. Perhaps we can take guidance from Galileo, whom many regard as the father of modern science. ' He was a christian Platonist as far as scientific method was concerned. This is why he praised Copernicus repeatedly in the Dialogue for his belief in the voice of reason, although it contradicted sense experience. Such a faith rested on the conviction that the world was the product of a personal, rational Creator who disposed everything according to weight, measure and number. This biblically inspired faith was stated by Galileo most eloquently in the closing pages of the First Day of the Dialogue. There he described the human mind as the most excellent product of the Creator, precisely because it could recognize mathematical truths. This faith is possibly the most precious bequest of the great Florentine...on the night of January 8th 1642, with philosophical and christian firmness he rendered up his soul to its Creator, sending it, as he liked to believe, to enjoy and to watch from a closer vantage point those eternal and immutable marvels which he, by means of a fragile device, had brought closer to our mortal eyes with such eagerness and impatience' (Encyclopedia of World Biography 2nd Ed. 1998, eds. Byers, P.K. Bourgoin, S.M. & Walker N.E., Vol. 6, p. 182).
....Case(?) 5 - Academic Ostriches?Outcomes of P. Heywood's Correspondences with Learned Institutions
The Origins Question, like some other questions, is both sensitive and
complex. Some of the greatest men of science - Sir Isaac Newton being
one - were convinced 24-hr day Creationists. Some of the greatest, scriptural,
most powerful men of religion did not hold that particular view. One standard-bearer
for freedom of religious and political expression - Martin Luther - condemned
the work of Copernicus and Galileo because it certainly appeared to contradict
the literal reading of Scripture. At the same time, the power-motivated
"official Church", whilst no stickler for scriptural accuracy,
condemned both these men, and Luther. During Victorian Times, with the
science of fossil studies growing and men such as Sir Richard Owen proposing
species revelation under a creatively pre-pro grammed mechanism, 24-hr
Creationism was backstaged. Officially, Science was creationist. Owen,
a man reportedly with religious sympathies, seems not to have employed
the one certain authority - the Word of God as it is written - perhaps
hoping his own reputation as a scientist would uphold his thesis? This
in combination with an accusation of departures from scientific professionalism,
later in life, damaged his cause. Darwin, meanwhile, a man who at first
enrolled in training for church work, eventually became the catalyst for
a gentlemanly, partly unscriptural, simple, populist theory. Clearly,
a populist but scripturally contradictory theory could only have one effect
on the 24-hr creationist stakes. What in Victorian Times was perceived
to be only worth a dime, soon became a dollar. Some may ask, why the Almighty didn't make it clear from the outset, so that there would be no controversy? The answer is self-evident. A man will never know God through technicalities. Why, then, are the technicalities there? For a technical purpose. There are facts about man's body and his planet that can only be confirmed by divine revelation. And even the technicalities in the Word of God speak to his honour, and witness to his works in the lives of men. Following are examples of some of the many letters sent by Philip Heywood to various science-religion-education bodies. Although, as will be noted, very few effective responses have as yet been forthcoming, we need not imagine that no responses have been received. Human responses in this department tend to be the same as they have been since Copernicus. Although you will find these correspondences in what is hopefully a slightly amusing setting, please do not take this as a reflection on anyone's character.
Darwin vindicated in the 21st Century! - even the mildest external pressure applied to the formerly upright Croweii Adinfiniticus has resulted in it putting its head in the sand after the manner of the common ostrich. Appended are a few illustrations of this puissant phenomenon. These letters are a product of a decade or two of attempting to contact Adinfinitical Croweii, particularly those colonies and individuals which have been scratching and finding worms in the rich verbo-pile of sciento-religious philosophy. The author of this article would happily and anonymously have donated his meagre worms to those birds already active at the site; but over two decades he could never attract their attention. When approached, they place their heads under the pile - an environmentally driven adaptation clearly paving the way for them to become fully-fledged ostriches. Artist's record of recent discovery of a species showing ostrich-like tendencies Through the swirling jargonmist we glimpse yet more convincing evidences of the vicissitudes of the species... Here at the unique Galapagaggies we observe the wafflebarons, some biasing their concoctions with jam, some with cream, and all unanimous in their assertion: "Aha! Yours is done in polyunsubstanturated fact!" Here we also catch glimpses of the elusive Croweii Adinfiniticus, often heard but never caught and held to something concrete. These ephemeral products of evolution, when not searching for earth-terms and term(inology)-ites in the verbo-pile, lay egg-ucational conundrums. A relationship has been documented between the frequency of the ululations of this remarkable transitory bird and the production of waffle. Copy of two of the more recent messages sent to Australian educational organisations such as CSIRO, the Australian Museum, the ABC's science division and the Australian Science Teacher's Association. It is rare for such organisations to even acknowledge the receipt of these messages: A.S.T.A. refuses to accept or acknowledge offers of paid advertisement. Amongst the incredible baggage the Australian taxpayer carries, could there be some stud birds? Hello at CSIRO and The Helix, from P. Heywood, dabbler in origins science (mainstream). Below is a largely self-explanatory message sent to the Australian Museum. Some years ago, when a previous Helix editor ran an article highlighting Prof. Plimer's anti-"creation science" efforts, I sent materials which I presume were unused. It certainly wouldn't have been difficult, then, to set the record straight - without mentioning me - simply by owning to the possibility that we don't know everything yet. We certainly don't. The official and correct CSIRO stance, of course, is that it doesn't involve itself in religion. It did then - under a retired editor - and to my knowledge it has never taken the simple steps to set the record straight. Please correct me if I am misinformed. Life goes on, of course, and not only does the Common Donor -- Capture Theory of moon origin stand unchallenged and enhanced by new findings; the actual processes involved in the sequential revelation (evolution) of the species can now be dimly perceived. I was able to predict several things - such as free water on the early earth (confirmed by analysis of an Australian mineral grain, and all but conclusive support of Capture); superconductivity in iron through pressurization (possible implications for the magnetic field); and capability of living cells to receive intelligence from the sun's radiation in concert with the earth's magnetic field - see SpaceDaily, several weeks past, "A Bird's Eye View". I am just checking with CSIRO again to give you the opportunity to at least provide some sort of usefull criticism/feedback, or to utilize these facts in your (quality) educational efforts.
To Whom it may Concern,
Aust. Museum, On a slightly different
tack -- if someone there would like to know, how, by an elementary process
of logic and observation, I think we can be all but definite that humans
have inhabited Australia no more than 2,000 years and probably much less,
please ask. It has to do with counting the number of artefacts actually
discovered here, and examining that number in the light of the likely
population density. Responses? The Helix has been known to respond, and who knows what an innovative editor might achieve? However to date the very few responses have been the standard, bureaucratic type -- 'your input has been noted with thanks' -- one can almost visualise the administration of the defence of Singapore, W.W. II, responding to advice in a similar vein. 'Your information has been filed, and will be consulted at our leisure' ... including, one suspects, standard textbook military procedure, which, if pulled out of the files and not only consulted but acted on at the appropriate time, may even have tipped the balances... . 'There is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune. Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat and we must take the current when it serves or lose our ventures' - [Julius Caesar, Act IV] Shakespeare was switched on...History waits for no man. Extract from a message to the Australian Sceptics Society. This part of the letter is an attempt to get people thinking about alternative approaches to a big problem - the perplexing surge of cancer in the modern era. The Challenge mentioned at the end of the extract is the Australian Sceptics' monetary reward for proof of the paranormal. To: 'contact@skeptics.com.au'; Cc: 'nsw@skeptics.com.au'; Subject: Can you get me a sceptic? Information malfunction diseases, radio, magnetism, and electromagnetic signalling of information. The background, as mentioned above, is on www.creationtheory.com . This very important matter appears to rank a passing note in the Bible itself -- confirmation of its rationality and relevance. We probably know even less of this topic than of the electro-biology behind water "divining". Several points may be noteworthy. a). The Scriptures link the sun (all wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation), the moon (planetary magnetic fields), information failure, and sickness. Cancer-type diseases fit. Of course, one can never plumb the full depth of meaning of any part of God's Word. We shall make an attempt. b). Consider cancer - an intelligence malfunction involving mutation combined with failure of the autoimmune system to identify the mutated cells as dangerous. Where is the intelligence failure, exactly? c). Does the intelligence failure cause the cells to mutate, or does the intelligence failure cause the autoimmune system not to identify the cells as defective? Or both? d). Knowing nothing, let us try a stab in the dark. Magnetic Resonance Imaging is a 'mechanical' process by which the information carried by protons within living organisms is altered. It involves radio and magnetism. It is therefore possible to alter the information status of living cells. Is it possible to so alter the information being carried within a mutated cell, utilizing radio and magnetism, so that the immune system can recognize the defective cell as an enemy?Obviously, this is not clear-cut. I invite you to put your Challenge into a real challenge and invest it in this area of public health. Or in rational science education, origins included.Sincerely, P.H.. The Australian Sceptics' never replied. Extract from a letter sent to major childrens' educational publishers and their editors. Dear .... Environment feeds back an
influence on DNA (via RNA, etc.) which, to use an analogy, opens an information-receival
"seive" which allows receival of information pertinent to the
conditions. Hence, we observe specialist adaptation to environment ...
even in different Classes. The ... species-transforming information was
provided courtesy of a pre-programmed, natural, "super-computer".
Details of the ... procedures ... are perforce conjectural at this early
stage .... but, undeniably, we have a real mechanism. Because of the torpidity
of various bodies and publications, both religious and secular, I have
been obliged to paint scientists as outdated, anachronistic, obscure,
and mystical. It would be pleasing to be enabled to change that portrait. One slightly useful reply was forthcoming. Extract from one of a series of letters to various leading science journals such as New Scientist, Scientific American, Science, Nature and National Geographic. Similar letters have also been sent to a range of universities and technical institutes - mostly Australia, U.K., and U.S.. Dear ..... . SOLAR SYSTEM MOON ORIGIN BIOLOGIC DEGENERATIVE
INFLUENCES SPECIES ORIGIN/EXTINCTION Some at least of these questions are non-trivial. People out there can think. I look forward to an intelligent evaluation of matters of public interest. Yours sincerely, etc.. Response? One scholarly gentleman - a world leader in his field - found time to put pen to paper to suggest we didn't have enough information to nail down the moon just yet. Otherwise, nix. Observe, many of these publications and organizations have a record of attacks against "Creation Science". Some of these attacks arguably are necessary. In these attacks, these organizations often display bias. When invited to set the record straight, they can't find space even in the Letters To The Editor, merely to allow the possibility of the Bible being a technically relevant document. Not only so, but the possibility of a reliable Bible seems quite unnerving. Why? Is it because of the "correct" social engineering hogswallow that has emanated from many such institutions and publications attacking humanity and the laws of God? Have our academic institutions lost their moorings? These are publications and organizations that claim to be in the tradition of men such as Sir Isaac Newton - who, coincidentally, composed a commentary on part of the Scriptures, and who regarded these writings as more important than his technical works. Extract from a letter sent to the National Centre for Science Education.(NCSE). The NCSE is one of a suite of organizations - such as the American Civil Liberties Union, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Australian Sceptics Society, TalkOrigins, etc., dedicated to separating fact from fiction. It seems that they, like the remainder of us, are idealogically motivated in their discernment between fact and fiction. TalkReason, an idealistic Internet Publisher mentioned in this letter, seems to be having difficulty measuring up to the high ideals its name implies. TalkOrigins is even more obscure, being better titled, TalkOstriches. The author did hold out hopes that the NCSE was a moderate and professional body dedicated to excellence in education. Unfortunately, bodies fitting that description are almost as rare as teeth in Adinfiniticus Croweii. Some of our educators and their advizors seem to have lost the pathway. Perhaps the best solution is to tackle the sacred cow and hand the money and education back to the parents? Is it time for western Culture to step back and take a long, critical view of itself? Hello at NCSE. From P. Heywood,
c/o www.creationtheory.com , currently the world's only(?) major, mainstream
science, bible-based, educational website. 1st with species origin, 1st
with moon origin, etc.. That is, if I haven't made grave errors, which
NCSE as yet has been unwilling to weed out. I had been led to believe
that organizations such as yours are not religiously affiliated either
in theory or in practice, so you accept the teaching of evolution provided
it is non-sectarian and factual. I have yet to see your policy in practice.
You are invited to put it into practice. I need expert evaluation - as
do the educators who view the materials. Said evaluation will not be forthcoming
from "Creation Science". The philosophy espoused in my materials
is only (in general terms) that of Galileo, Newton, Joule, Dalton, Pasteur,
Maxwell, Thompson, Faraday, and in some measure, of Einstein, Planck,
etc., etc.. What's yours? For your entertainment. I once visited TalkReason.
Their machine must have placed me on their e-mailing list. Dashed inconvenient
for a computorially illiterate individual such as I. In trying to get
off it I accidentally read parts of their latest blast, a deeply-thought-out
and literate expression by some educated types from a university somewhere.
The gist of this product of excited grey-matter was that, since processes
in Biology are not perfect, Intelligent Design is a wives' tale. (Sorry,
Response. Successfull removal of E-mail address! (And, although not related to this letter, the Queensland Science Teachers' Assoc,. a non- sectarian, mainstream organization, advertized these materials, which, along with a few other publications, places them in a class of their own.)
Dear .... . Response? One Gentleman replied, and apologised for not assisting.
My experience of good men - the salt of the earth - leads me nevertheless
to the conclusion, Let me die the death of the righteous; and let my
last end be like his!
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