[MrB]

Also keep in mind, “steady decay rate” is only ONE of many assumptions one must make in order to “date” rocks radiometrically. Three others are assumption of “initial” state, contamination of the sample, or leaching out of the elements/atoms in question.

[Alamo-Girl]

Truly, steadiness is key in bases for scientific measurement, including decay rate, i.e. radiometric dating. And where there is a qualification to the measurement of an object, thing or phenomenon - for the sake of full disclosure and accuracy, that qualification should be included along with the measurement.

For instance, although general relativity and the inflationary model are widely accepted by scientists we rarely see age of the universe measurements supplemented by the phrase "from our present space/time coordinates."