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On Dec 28, 2009, at 8:36 AM, Nick Pelling wrote:
Surely a reasonably complete scenario together with a hypothesis
that can be tested (and preferably which may be demonstrated false
by the same class of evidence, not just correlated) is perfectly OK
science circa 2009?
To which Kenneth Towe replied,
"You are quite correct. It should have read "reasonably complete".
The problem is that we do not know what the current Enterline
hypothesis is... the one that goes together with his reasonably
complete scenario. The reasonably complete scenario that he published
in 2002 has been shown to be awkward in several places. ..."
I am grateful for Ken sticking with the discussion and helping to
illuminate those places. However, his complaint that the scenario
changes as a result of those illuminations is not the proper
scientific attitude. We WANT to come up with the best scenario
before going to the trouble of experimenting on it. The subsequent
exchanges with Ken led to my modifying the scenario to allow for an
auto-separation of carbon from an originally carbon-containing ink
under the re-liquefying effect of bleaching. Ken referred to my 2002
scenario as "reasonably complete," so he should consider my 2010 similarly.
Those who care to read carefully the recent history of our exchanges
will see that I have avoided addressing Ken's sarcasms, innuendos and
twisting of what I have said, but have for the most part given
factual answers to his factual questions. I would appreciate knowing
any lapses therefrom. One that I know remains: "Where can one
actually see and study a medieval iron gall ink with added carbon
black written on parchment, not on paper?" I am not in a field where
I could come across such, but there are many readers who could. I
would hope one of them would come forward.
Finally, the characterization of exactly how the separated carbon
would behave can only be determined by experiment. Perhaps one
testable hypothesis would be that after some handling it behaves
exactly how the Vinland Map looks. A reasonable experimental goal
would be to find the parameter boundaries for achieving such results.
Kenneth Towe is not likely to volunteer for such duty, but perhaps
someone else with access to laboratories could volunteer. It is a
factual answer worth having. As time goes by I might myself
undertake it, but certainly at the risk of having Ken dismiss it as a
"kitchen table experiment." Meanwhile, a definitive conclusion of
this thread will have to wait. Even as I write I am planning to go
out and purchase a clean piece of vellum.
James Enterline
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