[meteorite-list] RE: Southwest Impact Study photos

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From: Matson, Robert <ROBERT.D.MATSON_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 10:25:35 2004
Message-ID: <AF564D2B9D91D411B9FE00508BF1C86901B4E98E_at_US-Torrance.mail.saic.com>

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Hi Mark and List,

A comment on your reply to Steve Schoner:

> Your unsubstantiated skepticism without proof of alternate hypothesis is
unrecognized
> and counterproductive to science. The evidence of the photos is before
you. You must
> explain its existence contrary to my assertions, based on your
observations, before you
> may assert skepticism.

Actually, he doesn't have to do anything of the sort. Skepticism is not
only acceptable,
it is to be expected whenever extraordinary claims are made by a relative
newcomer
to an established field. A skeptic doesn't have to have the background
necessary
to debunk a claim or offer counter-explanations. The burden of proof is
entirely on
YOU to make your case. If the evidence is convincing, the experts will say
so.

> No scientist will ever trash a published theory without offering his/her
own
> counter theories.

I'm afraid history doesn't agree with you here.

A suggestion: good scientists tend to play devil's advocate and try to come
up
with all the alternatives they can to explain their observational data.
This is a
good exercise, because it is exactly what your critics are going to do. It
will
also point out any weaknesses in your hypothesis, perhaps suggesting tests
that would better differentiate between your theory and a more mainstream
explanation.

Cheers,
Rob

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<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=013403918-05052003>Hi
Mark and List,</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=013403918-05052003></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=013403918-05052003>A
comment on your reply to Steve Schoner:</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=013403918-05052003></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=013403918-05052003><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial
size=2>> </FONT></SPAN>Your unsubstantiated skepticism without proof of
alternate hypothesis is unrecognized<SPAN class=013403918-05052003><FONT
color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2> </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=013403918-05052003><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial
size=2>></FONT></SPAN> and counterproductive to science. The evidence of the
photos is before you. You must<SPAN class=013403918-05052003><FONT color=#0000ff
face=Arial size=2> </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=013403918-05052003><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial
size=2>></FONT></SPAN> explain its existence contrary to my assertions, based
on your observations, before you<SPAN class=013403918-05052003><FONT
color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2> </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=013403918-05052003><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial
size=2>></FONT></SPAN> may assert skepticism.<SPAN
class=013403918-05052003><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial
size=2> </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=013403918-05052003></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=013403918-05052003>Actually, he doesn't have to do anything of the
sort.  Skepticism is not only acceptable,</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=013403918-05052003>it is
to be expected whenever extraordinary claims are made by a relative
newcomer</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=013403918-05052003>to an
established field.  A skeptic doesn't have to have the background
necessary</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=013403918-05052003>to
debunk a claim or offer counter-explanations.  The burden of proof is
entirely on</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=013403918-05052003>YOU to
make your case.  If </SPAN></FONT><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial
size=2><SPAN class=013403918-05052003>the evidence is convincing, the experts
will say so.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=013403918-05052003></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=013403918-05052003>></SPAN></FONT> No scientist will ever trash a
published theory without offering his/her own<SPAN
class=013403918-05052003><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial
size=2> </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=013403918-05052003><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial
size=2>></FONT></SPAN> counter theories.<SPAN class=013403918-05052003><FONT
color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2> </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=013403918-05052003></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=013403918-05052003><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><FONT
face=Arial>I'm afraid history doesn't agree with you
here.</FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=013403918-05052003></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=013403918-05052003>A
suggestion:  good scientists tend to play devil's advocate and try to come
up</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=013403918-05052003>with
all the alternatives they can to explain their observational </SPAN></FONT><FONT
color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=013403918-05052003>data. 
</SPAN></FONT><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=013403918-05052003>This is a</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=013403918-05052003>good
exercise, because it is exactly what your critics are going to
</SPAN></FONT><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=013403918-05052003>do.  It will</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=013403918-05052003>also
point out any weaknesses in your hypothesis, perhaps suggesting
tests</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=013403918-05052003>that
would better differentiate between your theory and a more
mainstream</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=013403918-05052003>explanation.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=013403918-05052003></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=013403918-05052003>Cheers,</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=013403918-05052003>Rob</SPAN></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>

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Received on Mon 05 May 2003 03:05:48 PM PDT

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