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From: dubois@uwmacc.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.origins
Subject: The value 'c'
Message-ID: <240@uwmacc.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 28-Aug-84 17:15:49 EDT
Article-I.D.: uwmacc.240
Posted: Tue Aug 28 17:15:49 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 1-Sep-84 08:28:09 EDT
References: <1160@ihuxq.UUCP>
Organization: UWisconsin-Madison Academic Comp Center
Lines: 34


 
> [Ken Perlow]
> I've heard a real creationist with a real PhD (in something) say that
> the speed of light is changing, and used to be much higher, perhaps
> infinite.  His "research" is provably bogus, however.  And clearly,
> were the speed of light truly variable, *ALL* of post-Newtonian physics
> would have to be thrown out.  Gadzooks--more than that!  Do you know
> how many equations "c" figures into?

If his research was faked, I'm certainly not going to defend it.
That's reprehensible.  However, non-creationists occasionally are
discovered to have fudged, as well.  This sort of thing occurring
on either side of the question settles nothing, except that not
all scientists (or "scientists", perhaps) are engaged in science.

About the speed of light:  not to dispute whether it is variable or
not, but the sentiment expressed by Ken above may be characterized,
perhaps, as unnecessarily dogmatic.  Not because it affirms a well-
attested phenomenon or fact of the universe, but because it seems
to be based on the idea "if it is does turn out to be variable,
we have to rethink our physics?"  Is that unthinkable?  A while back,
the "Law of Parity" achieved rather widespread acceptance, didn't it?
Yet it turned out to be wrong.  Granted, that didn't involve
throwing out all of post-Newtonian physics.  But to refuse to
consider whether 'c' is wrong because that would mean changing our
thinking?  Really, now.  Surely that's not what you really mean,
is it, Ken?
-- 
Paul DuBois		{allegra,ihnp4,seismo}!uwvax!uwmacc!dubois

Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage forever: for they
are the rejoicing of my heart.
					Psalm 119:111