I figured you would take this tack, Jim, just as I did, but I didn't want to poison the field for responses.
It seems the Saganian, "Extraordinary claims demand extraordinary proof." is a maxim Jim and I function under. At the same time, absolute open mindedness is also a must. I feel about 80% of the "standard model" is crap and a doctoral making dreamland. When the pendulum swings back toward absolute empiricism, if ever, and the crap they dreamed up has to be reworked, many of the doctorals will be in the same boat as the vortex theory, zero point energy, cold fusion world crowd which they now often deride.
It would be equally amusing to see some of the derided stuff gain ascendency.
Still, extraordinary claims demand extraordinary proof, and I will listen to, weigh and consider, anything! All this based on the best, proved, and believable scientific background, coupled with some hope for proof, a repeatable experiment, and a little bit of good ole common sense.
The fusor has been a real winner in this regard for me, inspite of its non-thrifty operation.
Simple - put it on a tabletop - low cost - albeit inefficient fusion for the masses with some room for the amateur to contribute - possibly.
Richard Hull
Created on Tuesday, January 09, 2001 6:59 PM EDT by Richard Hull