From: decot@cup.hp.com (Dave Decot)
Subject: Advanced Scientologists (was Re: <None>)
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1992 02:33:34 GMT
Organization: Hewlett-Packard
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1.8 PL6]

J Barbera (jerry@lds-az.loral.com) wrote:
: >I find it quite interesting that none of advanced scientologists that
: >posts in this group seems to be able to answer some very basic
: >questions about this equation (like: what are the units?).
: 
: There are no "advanced" Scientologists posting here.  The Scientologists
: posting here (gathering from previous introductions) have more admin
: training than tech training.  No one here (that I know of) has a lot of
: tech training.

I'm sorry, I am a counterexample.  I am a Class IV (Hubbard Advanced Auditor).
I received full, standard, auditor training in the Academy of Scientology
at the Stevens Creek Org, which was consistently among the top ten Class IV
orgs during the entire period in terms of overall stats.

I can reliably deliver a completely standard Scientology session on any
of the grades, from ARC Straightwire, up to and including Grade IV.

Now, I am not a Class XII C/S, nor even a Class VIII auditor.  But the
word "Advanced" appears in the name of my technical training level.

: As far as the equation debate: it was my impression when I first read it that
: it dealt more with abstract concept *relevancies* than plugging in numbers.
: That is, the relation between the parts of the equation to each other and
: the other overall.

I agree.  It appears to me that LRH was trying to explain a concept, not
doing very well, and resorted to an equation to make it look precise and
technical without having to explain what he was getting at.  There are no
units for this equation (nor any reference to the equation at all in any
other Scientology materials I am aware of).  It is not used in any
non-confidential Dianetics or Scientology processing (and I doubt it
is used in any confidential processing).

The basic ideas I think he was trying to communicate with "PV = ID^x"
are that:

 * Not only intelligence, but also dynamics have a role in determining the
   potential value of an individual.

 * Intelligence is not as big a factor in the potential value of
   individuals as is their dynamics.  (This presumes that x is some
   positive real number greater than 1.  I think we can safely assume
   that LRH does not mean to imply that the higher your dynamics the lower
   potential value you have.)
   
The fact that LRH does not mention this or any other characteristics of
"x" indicates that he is not used to dealing with mathematics higher than
High School Algebra and Geometry, and the wording used in the "Axioms of
Scientology" implies that he had basic misunderstandings of the purpose
of axioms, theorems, corollaries, and proofs.

I must agree that LRH's lack of understanding of even mainstream
scientific description is also evident in the failure to either specify
units for any of the quantities, or apologize that this formula is only
for the purpose of communicating a general idea.

Dave Decot

* Dianetics, Scientology, Class VIII, ARC Straightwire, and Hubbard are
  trademarks and servicemarks owned by RTC and are used with its permission.