Re: (Tears) Fads and Fallacies by Martin Gardner

In article <uvn43j5d83bs39ijos65f10a597ofhtaet@4ax.com>,
 Paul S Person <psperson@old.netcom.invalid> wrote:

On Tue, 30 Apr 2024 22:09:49 -0000 (UTC), Christian Weisgerber
<naddy@mips.inka.de> wrote:
 

On 2024-04-28, James Nicoll <jdnicoll@panix.com> wrote:
>

Fads and Fallacies in the Name of Science by Martin Gardner
https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/all-the-madmen

>
| To quote its subtitle, Martin Gardner�s 1957 Fads and Fallacies in the
| Name of Science studies �the curious theories of modern
| pseudoscientists and the strange, amusing, and alarming cults that
| surround them.�
>

<snip>

(I accidentally hit return on my first attempt at this replay, I don't
know if it posted)

 
The strongest actual argument against "parapsychology" (telepathy,
telekinesis, etc) was that, since none of the Four Fundamental Forces
(gravitational, electromagnetic, strong, and weak) can explain them,
those who promote their reality must first come up with a Fifth
Fundamental Force. Which they have yet to even attempt, preferring
instead to wave their arms about and yell a lot.
 

I believe that Julian May used rather advanced handwaving for her
_Galactic Milieu_ series (but I can't remember if a 5th force was
involved).

--
"We have advanced to new and surprising levels of bafflement."
Imperial Auditor Miles Vorkosigan describes progress in _Komarr_.
�-----------------------------------------------------
Robert Woodward robertaw@drizzle.com