Evidence of Swimming Dinosaur Found

AP - Science ^ | 2005-10-18 | BOB MOEN

[Junior]

D'oh! You're right. I meant "dentition." Blood sugar's low. Yeah, that's it.

[kjam22]

Name two.

Why... will it change your mind?

[Junior]

You don't think it's been proven that a spaceship can orbit the earth? You don't think that was once a theory???

Okay, now you're showing your ignorance of science. No, theories are never proven. There is always the possibility that new data will render the theory moot. However, researchers can have high degrees of confidence in a theory because it has enormous amounts of supporting data and its ability to allow predictions to be made.

[ClearCase_guy]

Well, how would you explain that the tracks become less deep and in the end only claw marks.

Since you ask how the tracks might otherwise be explained, I will scratch my head and see if I can come up with some alternative explanation.

How about: Over 165 million year period, some degree of erosion occurred so that some footprints are less perfect than others?

I make no claim that this assertion is accurate or that the original claim could not be accurate. But scientists have gotten into the business of seeing half a footprint and coming up with multiple conclusions based upon it. And if anyone says "That's conjecture", then the scientists start jumping up and down shouting "No it isn't!"

[Junior]

Self-esteem is earned.

[kjam22]

Let me ask you two simple questions. 1) Was it at some time a theory that a rocket could orbit the earth? And 2) Is it now a proven fact that a rocket can orbit the earth?

I'm completely serious... if you can't get past this understanding..... then you do need to study more... and you need to study more than just science.

[kjam22]

Self-esteem is earned.

LOL.... now I know you're kidding.

[Junior]

I think the orbit thingy was basically mathematics, not theory. However, let's put together some definitions. Evolution is a fact, for example. We know that organisms change from generation to generation. Nothing special there. Evolution, the theory, attempts to explain why evolution, the fact, occurs. In your rocket example the rocket orbits (fact); if there is a rocket-orbit theory it attempts to explain why the rocket orbits.

[Junior]

How else do you get it? It can't be bestowed by another.

[kjam22]

I think the orbit thingy was basically mathematics, not theory.

Wait... you're not saying that math doesn't have theory in it are you?????

[KeepUSfree]

Ah, Junior,
see you are making the classic mistake of trying to talk rationally with an irrational person.
Can't be done...

[kjam22]

I ask you this.....1) Was it at some time a theory that a rocket could orbit the earth? And 2) Is it now a proven fact that a rocket can orbit the earth?

And your answer is that the orbit was about math... and not theory? And you're claiming to be smarter than everybody else here?? Now I know why you were pinging for help earlier.

[Junior]

Math has theories. However, not all math is theoretical.

[mississippi red-neck]

Darn.

I thought that they had spotted it's wake.

[kjam22]

Sure it can... because he's so much smarter than us "ya'll sitting around the pot belly stove" type of people. And besides that.... he stayed at holiday inn last night.

[tumblindice]

I'm no scientist but isn't a scientific theory called a "hypothesis"? And by definition, a theory or hypothesis is something that may be proven using scientific methodology?
I thought a scientist formed a hypothesis, then tested it, then possibly came to a conclusion, then presented his findings to other scientists in order to see whether or not the findings were replicable.
If the methodology is correct and the findings are replicable, isn't the theory then promoted from theory to fact, and the scientist then awarded by his peers a Nobel prize and lap dance from a buxom lass named `Treasure Chest'?

[ClearCase_guy]

Junior has outdone himself on this thread. All of us irrational people stand in awe of him. An unbelievable performance, to be sure.

[Junior]

Orbital Mechanics

Methinks you're just attempting to be difficult now. You kind of remind me of some of the posters that used to be on these threads...

[kjam22]

So let's go back to the question... 1) was it once a theory that a space ship could orbit the earth... and 2) is it now a proven fact that a space ship can orbit the earth?

I'm not budging until you answer yes or no on each of these.

[Junior]

I'm beginning to think you're right. I'm tempted to invoke Virtual Ignore. Besides, it's lunch time.