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To: bondserv
Isn't using W. Von Braun as a model of a creationist scientist a rather blatant and obvious appeal to improper authority?

That would be like asking me my opinions on cosmology (or rocket science), since I am a nominally brilliant scientist in my own field. I may have a detailed opinion on cosmology, but it isn't worth much more than the opinion of Joe Moron down the street because I don't have any particular expertise in cosmology. Being smart isn't enough, you also have to have detailed technical knowledge in the field of question as well. Being scientifically smart doesn't seamlessly translate across fields. And history is replete with brilliant scientists and mathematicians who made fools of themselves by trying to cross over into fields in which they were technically incompetent (e.g. Penrose).

If W. Von Braun was a creationist, who cares? His specialty was rocket science, and he was completely clueless in many important fields. Being an expert in one area does not make you an expert in all areas. People so afflicted with Carl Sagan Syndrome eventually make asses of themselves sooner than later.

103 posted on 02/09/2004 10:10:10 AM PST by tortoise (All these moments lost in time, like tears in the rain.)
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To: tortoise
Nice homepage; now I feel I know a bit more about you...


Information and AI stuff.. Cool!! I know just enough to look really dumb when compared to someone who DOES know something :)

Let me tap into your expertise, if I may....


I'ver heard that the DNA structure is merely a chemical way to encode information.

Is that a pretty good layman's definition?

109 posted on 02/09/2004 12:08:00 PM PST by Elsie (When the avalanche starts... it's too late for the pebbles to vote....)
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To: tortoise; bondserv
RE brilliance in one field versus foolishness in another:

It's well-known that Einstein was a socialist.

143 posted on 02/09/2004 9:42:09 PM PST by Virginia-American
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