>From Mr. Lawrence: ...
> 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? Can I get one installed in my basement...secretly? ;-) > 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*. I realize I risk sounding like an annoying broken record, but can we agree on what constitutes an authentic alien artifact? What makes it "alien"? Elements are elements across the universe...presumably so. There is a story, an advertisement (I think it came from IBM) that described how a 3rd world tribe found an appropriate use for one of their expedition's laptops - a nutcracker. At least it proved the artifact was constructed well. Regards Steven Vincent Johnson www.OrionWorks.com www.zazzle.com/orionworks
