> others have also called this uncalled for.
> As several have mentioned, I was
> indeed recalling the rejection of the
> "scientific work" by so-called
> "scientists" of Germany and Japan during WWII.
> These results were tossed out by the Western
> powers. The case here is not as serious, not as
We are way off topic here, but this has been
repeated several times and it isn't true.
One of the experiments Nazi scientists performed
was to immerse Russian prisoners of war in freezing
water to measure how long they would last before
dying. Data such as this is apparently still used
today, because it is the only source of such data,
and it may be helpful in planning rescues at sea,
designing protective gear, and saving lives.
But it's irresponsible to even hint at any analogy
between this and the current situation. If such
was not the intent, then what exactly was the point?
Introducing the word "Nazi" into any discussion,
whatever the context, is rarely helpful.
The idea of tossing out mathematical results is
not only premature (the facts of the case are
still in dispute and under investigation) but
silly. If Blosser had actually discovered
a prime, would we choose to somehow forget its
existence?
PS,
Someone else wrote:
> > the GIMPS server
> > machines, which [the FBI] would be entitled
> > to by many grounds, weren't confiscated.
The PrimeNet Server? I hope this was a joke in
poor taste. There are no such grounds for the
FBI to take any such action. They may be
heavy-handed at times, but they must operate
within the law.
