Edmund Storms wrote: > But Jeff, artifacts do exist. They have been seen by people and > described in detail. Granted, you are not allowed to see them, but is > that required ...
Of course, in the realm of science, actually "seeing" something is not necessary to believe in it. However, in general, we must know that, in principle, we *could* see it -- that *possibility* is extremely important; I might even say *necessary*. For example, I have never seen the MM experiment performed, and never expect to; it's a rather delicate experiment which requires specialized apparatus. However, the knowledge that I *could* do so is vitally important in believing that it's not just a hoax by people trying to support Einstein. Here, let me make this more concrete: I have a perpetual motion machine in my basement. I can describe what it does, and how wonderfully it works. I'll explain to you how I've tied it into my house wiring, and how I no longer have to pay anything for my electricity. But, you are not allowed to see the machine -- I will not let you, even if you ask; even if you fly out here, you will not be allowed to see it! Will you believe me, though, that it really does exist? By the same token, alien artifacts which have been described in detail but which we, the common folk who are not in the inner circle, are "not allowed to see" are not convincing of *anything*.
