The SKDB 300
When I started this blog, I hoped to counter the knee-jerk negativity surrounding Steorn with some independent and informed positivity. I have never been interested in the free-energy movement and, apart from a fleeting juvenile dally with a book called Chariot of the Gods, my base-line approach to unsubstantiated claims has always been scepticism. For reasons stated in earlier posts, I jumped on board the Steorn train until I could no longer suspend my disbelief. At that point, I became a born-again sceptic. As a member of the SKDB, I was under an NDA and could not write as freely as I would otherwise like and it seemed pointless to write about nothing. The following is a rare update to repay those interested enough to visit this
site.
A little context is useful. A graduate in physics, I have a little experience in engineering. However, for reasons that become apparent by visiting my main site, I am in no position to build spinny things and so I resign myself to 'watching' others' engineering efforts in the SKDB. As a sceptic, I will not fall from the fence until I see this thing fly for myself. The following is an honest appraisal of where I stand, told within the limitations of the NDA.
McCarthy and co are clever people. They are also experienced and enthusiastic engineers. They live for building cool stuff, are rigorous in their methodology and know what they are doing. Some of their grand scientific conclusions fly in my face, but they are not scientists and that does not preclude them having what they say they have. I also recognise that, if the practical outcome matches their claim, new science will likely follow. After reading countless hours of detailed engineering talk, I find it as impossible as ever to reconcile my scepticism with what my heart tells me. As a word of caution, I should say that I have visited Dublin twice and as at the London demo, meeting and drinking with Sean and co each time. I think of the Steorn guys akin to distant friends. Could this be colouring my judgement? I don't think so, but cannot rule it out.
The bottom line is this:
Would I recommend a suitably qualified engineer or organisation join the 300? Yes, I would. Keep an open mind. You will not be asked to ditch your disbelief at the door. That will depend on you, on what you see and what you build yourself. If I had the resources, the time and the experience, I would love to be in your shoes. You have little to lose but time and everything to gain if this goes the way many (including me) hope it does. The stakes are so high, that the slimmest chance of success has to be worth the free ticket on offer.
Please note, that I am once more heading off to Croatia for an extended writing retreat. Forgive me in advance if I don't answer some question you post. I do not have constant Net access out there. Anyway, there is little that is worth saying that I am able to say in a public forum and so you are unlikely to miss anything. I will post again, only when I think I have something worth writing about.
Cheers for now.
Paul
site.
A little context is useful. A graduate in physics, I have a little experience in engineering. However, for reasons that become apparent by visiting my main site, I am in no position to build spinny things and so I resign myself to 'watching' others' engineering efforts in the SKDB. As a sceptic, I will not fall from the fence until I see this thing fly for myself. The following is an honest appraisal of where I stand, told within the limitations of the NDA.
McCarthy and co are clever people. They are also experienced and enthusiastic engineers. They live for building cool stuff, are rigorous in their methodology and know what they are doing. Some of their grand scientific conclusions fly in my face, but they are not scientists and that does not preclude them having what they say they have. I also recognise that, if the practical outcome matches their claim, new science will likely follow. After reading countless hours of detailed engineering talk, I find it as impossible as ever to reconcile my scepticism with what my heart tells me. As a word of caution, I should say that I have visited Dublin twice and as at the London demo, meeting and drinking with Sean and co each time. I think of the Steorn guys akin to distant friends. Could this be colouring my judgement? I don't think so, but cannot rule it out.
The bottom line is this:
Would I recommend a suitably qualified engineer or organisation join the 300? Yes, I would. Keep an open mind. You will not be asked to ditch your disbelief at the door. That will depend on you, on what you see and what you build yourself. If I had the resources, the time and the experience, I would love to be in your shoes. You have little to lose but time and everything to gain if this goes the way many (including me) hope it does. The stakes are so high, that the slimmest chance of success has to be worth the free ticket on offer.
Please note, that I am once more heading off to Croatia for an extended writing retreat. Forgive me in advance if I don't answer some question you post. I do not have constant Net access out there. Anyway, there is little that is worth saying that I am able to say in a public forum and so you are unlikely to miss anything. I will post again, only when I think I have something worth writing about.
Cheers for now.
Paul
posted by Paul Story at
14:36
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