Re the physicists cited as supporters of "The Secret" project, another example of a physicist whose profession is always mentioned as a supposed guarantor of intellectual authority is Evan Harris Walker in relation to his writings on the contention that Einstein's first wife, Mileva Maric, was co-author of, or a substantial contributor to, Einstein's epoch-making 1905 papers. Walker evidently had a successful early career in physics before setting off on new paths, one as a proponent of parapsychology: http://www.parapsych.org/members/e_h_walker.html
His second new career path was as founder of the Walker Cancer Research Institute (aka National Cancer Research Center), on the website of which for several years was posted the irresponsible statement: "Dr Evan Harris Walker and the Center's team of scientists are conducting promising research on time delay toxin activation, TDTA. A cure is imminent." He also made the outrageous claim that his cancer charity organization had "contributed significantly" to the small decline in cancer rates in the decade 1988-1998. These assertions were no doubt intended to encourage people to donate to his company's cancer charity, for several years labeled as dubious by organizations monitoring such charities: http://www.esterson.org/Evan_Harris_Walker.htm. In relation to the Mileva Maric contentions, the fact that he was a "physicist" is repeatedly cited, presumably implying that he has some authority on the matter in question. That this is most definitely not the case can be seen from the feeble calibre of his arguments cited here (especially in the Addendum, where absurd assertions posted on his website are quoted and refuted): http://www.esterson.org/Walker_Physics_Today.htm Moral: One should never be impressed by a person's academic credentials if they are not directly related to the subject in question, but only by the quality of his or her contentions specifically on that subject. Allen Esterson Former lecturer, Science Department Southwark College, London http://www.esterson.org --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([email protected])
