Science Friction
Love the title. DjSadhu Rockt's article about his new video and our recent conversation.
"Since I am not a scientist, my job and funding are not on the line, and I can make videos about whatever I want, even if that means mixing personal beliefs with scientific-looking stuff."
Yee-ess... though I'd add here another statement of mine from our conversation :
"When stuff like this goes viral, it undermines a lot of very hard work that has gone on in trying to understanding the Universe. Which is something we don't do for fame (unless you're Tyson or Cox, you won't get any) or money (even less chance of that), but because we think it's worth doing. It typically takes around 7 years of higher education before you start making meaningful contributions in astronomy, let alone coming up with ground-breaking results. Moreover, it's based on exactly the same proven physics that's led to things like rockets, radios, telecommunications, microwaves, radar, satellites, electrical power... pretty much the entire basis of the modern world really. So, if a non-scientist comes along and makes a fancy video with some rudimentary, but easily correctable errors, claiming to have overturned an extremely basic fact of a subject that tens of thousands of people choose as a career for the sole reason that they think knowledge is worth knowing.... well, you can imagine how we feel about that. Instead of communicating our latest hard-won discoveries to the tax-paying public, we have to spend time convincing them about things that were established beyond all doubt centuries ago."
I'd also have added that not only does astronomy not pay well, but it's still at least as competitive as any other sector. It's also pretty much as detached as it's possible to be from any real-world political influences; galaxy evolution doesn't care if you're left-wing, a fascist, or a small turtle. There are no campaigns to ban dangerous chemicals or decide people's rights based on the size of the Orion nebula. It is, as much as is humanly possible, seeking knowledge for knowledge's sake.
"The sun does not lead the planets! That may be the case. I’m open to the idea that it does, but I have yet to find absolute proof for it."
It is not the case. Even the old, pre-telescope geocentric models had everything in the same plane. The cone-shaped model is the equivalent of saying, "a wizard did it, because he'd lost his favourite purple feet". It doesn't make any sense at all.
That the Sun doesn't lead the planets is a fact. It cannot be disproved, ever.
"Regardless of my other opinions, this new “Solar System 2.0” image could easily be widely accepted. "
I'd actually go further. I'd say this "helical paths" business is also an indisputable fact. See my twirly-finger analogy.
"I believe aliens and UFO‘s exist, the moon landing was a hoax, most vaccines contain mercury and are bad for you..."
I simply cannot let that pass. Vaccines are not bad for you; this may not be a statement that's a certain as saying, "Owls exist", but it's pretty frickin' close. To say otherwise is to put lives at risk, and I can't tolerate that.
https://thenib.com/vaccines-work-here-are-the-facts-5de3d0f9ffd0
"But, like I said, my personal beliefs are not on trial here – the helical model is."
Quite right - as far as the video goes.
http://www.djsadhu.com/research/solar-system-2-0-science-friction
space is expanding constantly we are falling through the universe.
ReplyDeletenice dude... science is forever a work-in-progress. Just work on the +ve. So, do your thing.
ReplyDeleteRhys Taylor - So, can you create an animation that visualizes how the solar system really travels through the galaxy?
ReplyDeleteI still would love to see someone do a video of that caliber, but with the actual motions that exist. It could be a revolutionary learning tool to help people visual the motions.
ReplyDeleteFair point, I had not taken the time to read that yet. I was actually one of the first folks who sniffed out Sadhu's original video and helped to make it go viral the first time around. While I used to major in Astrophysics, I didn't have too much of a problem with it not being perfectly accurate. That being said, I was happy that some folks (you and Phil in particular) made an extra effort to correct the animator on the actual science, and am pretty stoked Sadhu has corrected it as much as he has. That shows some real character.
ReplyDelete