Hi Walter,
So nice to hear more from you.
I was wrong. Your tone (hard as it is to read over these inanimate ones and
zeros) was not hostile. It was a bit rude, but more impatient than anything
else. If its purpose was to attract attention, it worked.
Your message also demonstrates that you've taken the initiative that
disingenuous skeptics have not - you have made a serious effort to learn
about this subject.
I don't know to what extent your question/assertion is tied to the wondrous
Randi or not.
If so, let me first dispense with that matter.
I could care less what Randi might think or say about cold fusion, pro or
even con, because I do not recognize him as someone with expertise in the
field of CMNS.
On to your own personal inquiry in this matter.
What will it take? What sort of demonstration?
Yes, I agree that a demonstration will help, but it won't be just that.
History (the Wright brothers) gives us clear precedent. Between Jed, Ed and
myself we probably have heard more reasons for not accepting the claims of
cold fusion than anyone else in the world. They are endless and boundless.
I predict the acceptance of cold fusion will occur as a result of a
confluence of a demonstrable achievement, as well as an increased awareness
and understanding. Acceptance, I predict, will not come from one without
the other.
Will that demo come from a commercial entity or a government entity? I
cannot predict that at this time.
Your comment: "This sort of problem will not be solved without the
involvement of the entire worldwide physics community" strikes me as
somewhat peculiar. To me it sounds a little like "the problem of the
horseless carriage will not be solved without the involvement of the buggy
manufacturers." At this point in time, the most important skillset for
making cold fusion work appears to be materials science knowledge, not physics.
Skeptics? Using ridicule? Their time is up. Their tricks of using logical
fallacies are over. The mass media is up on this. The science media is soon
to follow. Now I don't mean to imply that they are all malicious - I
believe many of them feel they have good intentions.
If you find any knowledgeable skeptics, please send them my way. I'd love
to talk with them. I'm engaged in a lengthy, detailed conversation with
Shanahan at the moment, but I don't know anyone else who fits into this
category.
For more of my thoughts go here:
http://newenergytimes.com/Reports/ColdFusionProblem.htm
P.S. I'm a former bit-head too.
s
