- #1
Ophiolite
- 484
- 274
I have no idea if I am posting this in the correct thread, or should have started a new thread; the op is ammbiguous on this point.
Diamond Geezer opened a thread on the topic of the Expanding Earth with these stated intentions:
"In order to understand this phenomenon, I would like to ask the august members of PhysicsForum to provide links to resources on the Expanding Earth hypothesis especially on the evidence one way or the other."
The thread was promptly locked by Ivan Seeking on the grounds that 'the "expanding earth" topic is ... nonsense'.
Several points arise from this.
1. I fully acknowledge the right of the forum administration to lock any thread at any time for any reason without providing explantions.
2. That said, the administration appears to wish prohibit only certain well defined topics for moderately well defined reasons.
3. However, in this instance the reason given for the lock down appears highly questionable:
a) The cited closed topic is the work of former Batman artist Neal Adams. Serious proponents of expanding Earth theory would likely distance themselves from Adams. Arguably the closed topic is Adam's spin on the concept, not the concept itself.
b) This is my main objection: to describe the theory as nonsense is to display a substantial ignorance of the Earth sciences. There is nothing wrong with being ignorant on a subject, on many subjects, but to use that ignorance when acting in a position of authority is a highly suspect practice.
If this is nonsense, then substantial parts of Darwin's work and much of Newton's are also nonsense. If you wish to define nonsense as "a once viable explanation for phenomena that has since been superceded in the light of further evidence, or a superior explanation" then I would concede expanding Earth theory is nonsense. However, that is not how I, or the dictionary, or - I would hope - most scientists define nonsense.
Diamond Geezer's request for evidence, as part of a logical process of investigation and probable rejection, seems a wholly reasonable one and not at odds with the intent of the administration to exclude the truly wild. I therefore request that the locked thread be reopened. Failing that I urge you to amend the reason for closure to remove the word nonsense, or any equivalent.
Diamond Geezer opened a thread on the topic of the Expanding Earth with these stated intentions:
"In order to understand this phenomenon, I would like to ask the august members of PhysicsForum to provide links to resources on the Expanding Earth hypothesis especially on the evidence one way or the other."
The thread was promptly locked by Ivan Seeking on the grounds that 'the "expanding earth" topic is ... nonsense'.
Several points arise from this.
1. I fully acknowledge the right of the forum administration to lock any thread at any time for any reason without providing explantions.
2. That said, the administration appears to wish prohibit only certain well defined topics for moderately well defined reasons.
3. However, in this instance the reason given for the lock down appears highly questionable:
a) The cited closed topic is the work of former Batman artist Neal Adams. Serious proponents of expanding Earth theory would likely distance themselves from Adams. Arguably the closed topic is Adam's spin on the concept, not the concept itself.
b) This is my main objection: to describe the theory as nonsense is to display a substantial ignorance of the Earth sciences. There is nothing wrong with being ignorant on a subject, on many subjects, but to use that ignorance when acting in a position of authority is a highly suspect practice.
If this is nonsense, then substantial parts of Darwin's work and much of Newton's are also nonsense. If you wish to define nonsense as "a once viable explanation for phenomena that has since been superceded in the light of further evidence, or a superior explanation" then I would concede expanding Earth theory is nonsense. However, that is not how I, or the dictionary, or - I would hope - most scientists define nonsense.
Diamond Geezer's request for evidence, as part of a logical process of investigation and probable rejection, seems a wholly reasonable one and not at odds with the intent of the administration to exclude the truly wild. I therefore request that the locked thread be reopened. Failing that I urge you to amend the reason for closure to remove the word nonsense, or any equivalent.