Jones Beene <[email protected]> wrote:
> Other details stand out as a bit fishy, even to supporters of LENR but in > the demo – the half-liter+ per minute of water turning into steam is the > most troubling. And it is not so much from the lack of visual evidence of > steam, as from the lack of sound. > Yes, that does seem odd. Here is what I think these objections point out. They point out the difference between a demonstration and a test, and they show that you need a test to establish deep credibility. A test would be something like what Levi et al. recently did. A group of scientists spends a week at Defkalion. They use their own instruments; they measure different parameters; they use their own video camera to make a long duration recording. They go home, think about it, and come back, improving the test. They take their time and do it thoroughly. This group would probably address the questions we have raised. They would probably sparge the steam to measure total enthalpy. (If they were to consult with me I would recommend this. They might consult with me!) These questions we have raised are not triggered by distrust of Defkalion. Not on my part, anyway. I have raised similar questions about Mizuno's recent experiment, even though he is a close friend and I have worked with him for years. Axil wrote what I assume is a joke: "You are beginning to sound like Mary Yugo, such mistrust of your fellow LENR enthusiasts does not become you. Faith, faith, you need faith." As we all know, you never need faith in science. On the contrary, you need to be skeptical. Trust no one. Demand rigorous proof of everything. Quoting the web site for the Royal Society: "The Royal Society's motto 'Nullius in verba' roughly translates as 'take nobody's word for it'. It is an expression of the determination of Fellows to withstand the domination of authority and to verify all statements by an appeal to facts determined by experiment." (They do not live up to those standards, but they darn well should.) A demonstration of this nature cannot provide rigorous proof. It is too short and it is not independent enough. You have to "take their word" for too many things. A demonstration can be a good learning experience. It can be impressive and helpful. What it cannot do is establish credibility. This is not a matter of good will, or trusting people. This is how science works. If you want credibility you *must* have an independent test. It would be best to perform this test a laboratory outside of Defkalion. The Levi test of Rossi's device would also be enhanced if it were taken to another lab where Rossi is not present. - Jed
