At 07:41 AM 11/11/98 -0700, Rick Romea wrote:

>I think there's a difference here. Excluding science fiction. I would say
>that the average person has far less 'real' experience with quantum theory
>and relativity than with evolution. Almost everyone has seen (and probably
>held in the hand) a fossil or a dinosaur skeleton. We have all watched
>those relentless nature videos showing the weak animals being torn apart;
>the concepts of natural selection and survival of the fittest are a part of
>our daily experience. How many folks have seen a quantum laser device used
>to accelerate single electrons to near light-speed?

Few, I admit. Most, though, have probably seen film of nuclear explosions
and realize that there's some physics involved. Quite a few (though in
this country, probably a low enough percentage that we'd be depressed if
we knew it) probably recognize that our being able to build such a bomb
resulted in advances in our knowledge of physics in the 50 or so years prior
to the first explosion.

> I bet there are few people who could give a single
>example of quantum mechanics or relativity at work in our daily lives.

That's true. Even I'll have to admit that I'm not sure I'd recognize
a tunnel diode if I saw one, though I know how they work. I'd have to
look at a parts catalogue :)

>'Removing' quantum theory and relativity would, of course, destroy modern
>physics, but I think it would have far less of an impact on everyday
>experience with the world than removing evolution.

Yeah, which perhaps is why it's not so controversial. The intellectual
luddites want to strike where it hurts the most.



- Don Baccus, Portland OR <dhogaza at pacifier.com>
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