The North Texas Skeptics
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Transcript of The North Texas Skeptics
The North Texas Skeptics
Pathological Sciencehttp://www.ntskeptics.org
Pathological Science
What is pathological science? Irving Langmuir and pathological science Cold fusion The hafnium bomb Sonofusion The studies of Joseph B. Rhine Characteristics of pathological science Recent history of pathological science
What is Pathological Science?
Pathological Science is science done—the rules are violated.
The scientist takes ownership of a theory. Feeble or no attempts are made to refute the theory. Contrary evidence is ignored. Problems with the theory are explained away ad hoc. Detractors are defamed or ridiculed. The scientific consensus is viewed as a conspiracy of
orthodoxy. The theory becomes a field of cult science.
Irving Langmuir
General Electric researcher, Nobel in Chemistry A talk in 1953 related Langmuir’s experiences with
Pathological Science. The complete story was published in Physics Today,
October 1989. Langmuir’s talk involved the following:
The Davis-Barnes effect The incredible story of N-rays The studies of Joseph B. Rhine The Millikan oil drop experiment Characteristics of pathological science Recent history of pathological science
The Davis-Barnes Experiment
Alpha particles coming from the left are deflected down into the detector at Z. If they combine with electrons in the region of the tube labeled R, then they will not be deflected to Z.
Polonium Alpha Particle Source
Magnetic Field
Undeflected Particles
Deflected Particles
590 Volts (typical)
Alpha Particles Go 8000 to 9000 Miles Per Second.
N
N++
Alpha Particle: Charge is +2.
The Davis-Barnes Story
Langmuir was invited to observe the effect at Columbia University.
Adjustment by means of crude rheostat Claims made for very fine accuracy Measurement involved counting flashes at the edge of
visibility. Davis was quick to explain away questions about the method. Experimental technique was sloppy—time interval for
counting was uncontrolled. Counts claimed by experimenters could not be replicated by
Langmuir and C. W. Hewlett—Barnes explained the discrepancy was due to a contaminated view screen.
Langmuir debunked the results by making the test blinded.
Davis-Barnes (Continued)
Barnes excused the result as a gassy tube—the same tube that had been producing good results.
Researchers would not accept Langmuir’s evidence and presented a paper before the NAS.
Barnes excused inconsistent results from “counting bright flashes.”
Davis and Barnes later reported they were not able to reproduce their original data.
In their retraction they never mentioned a gassy tube.
Davis-Barnes Data Plot
The Rydberg Constant
René Blondlot and N-Rays
René Blondlot, French Academy of Sciences, University of Nancy
Blondlot researched x-rays and went on to discover N-rays.
N-rays have peculiar penetrating properties and are viewed in the dark on a calcium sulfide screen.
N-rays penetrate aluminum but not iron, and Blondlot used a large aluminum prism to do N-ray refraction. See the diagram.
Amazing precision was claimed for N-ray spectroscopy.
Measurement required great skill.
N-Rays
Iron TubeNernst Filament
Slit
Aluminum Prism
Calcium Sulfide Screen
N-Rays
Robert Wood and N-Rays
Robert W. Wood, physicist at Johns Hopkins University, researcher in infra-red and ultra-violet photography.
Wood went to France to observe the science of N-Rays.
In the dark Wood secretly removed the aluminum prism and put it in his pocket.
Blondlot continued to observe amazing precision. Wood published his findings in Nature, and N-
rays died a quick death. Blondlot’s reputation was shattered.
Mitogenetic Rays
The Allison Effect
Cold Fusion
Stanley Pons and Martin Fleischmann (University of Utah) Announced 23 March 1989 Production of available energy from nuclear fusion without
requiring high temperature, high pressure John Bokris, TAMU Now a field of cult science
Fusion Basics
+ +
In the real world atomic nuclei are positively charged and repel each other very strongly. Great force is required to bring them into close proximity to obtain fusion.
This is achieved by means of high temperatures and extreme pressures. Quantum tunneling can enable fusion at lower temperatures and pressures.
Tokamak Fusion
The UT Austin Center for Plasma Fusion embarked on this program to build a Tokamak in 1970. There was no plan to produce power from the experiment.
Artist Tony Bell produced this drawing from design plans.
Pathological Science Characteristics
The maximum effect that is observed is produced by a causative agent of barely detectable intensity, and the magnitude of the effect is substantially independent of the intensity of the cause.
Pathological Science Characteristics
The effect is of a magnitude that remains close to the limit of detectability, or many measurements are necessary bacause of the very low statistical significance of the results.
Pathological Science Characteristics
There are claims of great accuracy.
Pathological Science Characteristics
Fantastic theories contrary to experience are suggested.
Pathological Science Characteristics
Criticisms are met by ad hoc excuses thought up on the spur of the moment.
Pathological Science Characteristics
The ratio of supporters to critics rises up to somewhere near 50% and then falls gradually to oblivion.