August 09, 2004

quantonics.com is a large, thorough site devoted to a subject that is either absurd and schiz

Any perspectives on this would be appreciated. (Don't miss the art gallery.) One section of the site that does interest me is about William James Sidis, said to be one of the most intelligent people who ever lived. Beyond that claim to fame, I just felt for the guy.

posted by outrigger 20 years ago
  • Reading the quantronics stuff gave me a headache, so I may not have a full grasp on the seriousness of this subject. But, they seem to me to be positing that something or other in the English language doesn't support science. I unilaterally divided English in to vocabulary, spelling and grammar to think about this. I do believe that English has accepted a lot of new scientific words since William James wrote the quoted article in 1891 - quark, photon, uncertainty principle, DNA, etc. - to accomodate new discoveries. I didn't see any proposed changes to grammar (maybe didn't read far enough), so is it spelling that's the problem? I can't see where a crossed "h", or using the dipthong "ae". would improve scientific exploration. (But, you know this already, didn't you? Just wanted me to read all this and try to think that they might be sane in spite of the tin foil hat element?) Googling Sidis does provide some evidence theat he was brilliant but maybe autistic. And his essay on human rights seems to me to have some obsessive components. But I didn't see anything there that said he liked crossed "h"s. And, by the way, can you still get tin foil anywhere? All I've seen for years has been alumin(i)um foil. Does that work the same way? My guess is that tin is better.
  • This guy's money is on the Status Quo.
  • I'd like to know what this is all about but unfortunately I am educated stupid.
  • path: Just wanted me to read all this and try to think that they might be sane in spite of the tin foil hat element? I like the idea, but no, I guess I'm pretty open-minded about these things. Thanks for taking a stab at it. Wolof: hi! Chrid: you've one-upped me! I take it you haven't debunked the fellow and received his reward money?
  • Well, the real important issue is tin versus aluminum.
  • OK then... Tin: Cons - it's a heavier hat. Pros - it doesn't cause Alzheimer's.