From: strider@clotho.acm.rpi.edu (Greg Moore)
Subject: Greek Science (was Re: Justification for the Space Program
Organization: The Voice of Fate
Distribution: usa, world
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 1992 04:27:00 GMT

In article <1992Dec23.141408.1860@murdoch.acc.Virginia.EDU> rbw3q@rayleigh.mech.Virginia.EDU (Brad Whitehurst) writes:
>In article <_ft2g9b@rpi.edu> strider@clotho.acm.rpi.edu (Greg Moore) writes:
>>	Actually, before you start blaming the Greeks, keep in mind
>>that they had a good idea the earth was curved.  They even developed
>>a rough approximation of the diameter based on the shadow of the sun.
>>
>>	It was a Greek (the name escapes me) that described a
>>heliocentric solar system.  Unfortunately Plotemly had better press.
>>
>	I KNOW IT!!!!  Why do you think I made the allusion?  I'M NOT
>BLAMING GREEKS!!!  Alright, for the metaphorically impaired:  Greek
>mathematicians (don't remember name..started with "T") showed the
>Earth was round and estimated diameter using the relative positions of
>shadows at the bottoms of wells.  DESPITE this marvelous scientific
>work, the general belief that the world was round did NOT become
>accepted until some damn-fool sailors went out and PROVED it.  That
>was my whole point...that otherwise perfectly intelligent people hold
>to certain views until some daredevil goes out and DEMONSTRATES the
>contrary, usually by doing something that everyone tells him will get
>him killed!

	Sorry, I missed your metaphor.  It sounded to me like you
were saying that the Greeks were great at science but couldn't determing
that the earth was round.

	You are right, the general belief was that the earth was not
round. (And it's turtles all the way down. :-)  However, among the
educated, the truth was known.  Even most sailors at knew the earth was
at least curved (as islands and such dissapeared over the horizon).
	Even today a friend ran into someone who didn't know how we
could communicate with satellites near Saturn, "After all, space is a
vacumn, and how can you hear radio waves in a vacumn."  Or even
ask most people what an atom looks like.  They will describe a nice
looking atom that lokos like and behaves like the solar system.

	However, perfectly intelligent people know a little better.

It's interesting to listen to how people believe that Columbus proved
the world was round.  Actually, he and most people he argued with didn't debate that point.  His claim was that the earth was about 12,000 miles in diameter.
Most people believe he was way off and they were right.  Lucky for
Columbus Pangea had broken up millions of years before and provided
the America's for him to run into. 

>*Flame off*
	If you feel the need to flame for someome simply missing a
metaphor, have fun... Not taht I really think the above was a flame...
I've seen worse flames.  You at least stuck to the topic. :-)

>	Sorry, but sometimes I despair at getting a net.point across
>with any attempt at subtlety or metaphor.  Loosen up a little and
>avoid too much literalness! :-)

	As I teach people in the email class I teach for one of my
clients, ALWAYS be careful with attempts at subtlety in the spoken
word, especially in email.  It tends to get lost.
	And right now, I'm pretty loose. I got the one major project 
I had to do before the holiday done!

>	Anyway, time to pack the bags and the presents, go tune up the
>sleigh, and file some flight plans! :-)***
>	Peace on Earth (and off!), and goodwill to all men.
>
	Same to you.

>Merry Christmas! 
>
>-- 
>
>Brad Whitehurst    |   Aerospace Research Lab
>rbw3q@Virginia.EDU |   We like it hot...and fast.


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