In 1687 Isaac Newton published his Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica. This revolutionary work outlines a theory of gravitation capable of explaining the motion of apples falling from trees and planets moving around the sun.
Newton's theory has dominated the teaching of science in our schools and universities to such a degree, that alternate theories about mass and force are hardly given any consideration. Newtonists will admit that their theory isn't perfect. Yet few academics openly question or criticize Newtonism, as any dissent from the status quo is generally met with ridicule and worse. Try asking a Newtonist about some of the problems with Newton's theory, and you'll soon find yourself ... EXPELLED!
I've met several people who didn't particularly enjoy their high school physics experience. These creative souls just happened to see things a little differently. But were they given equal time to express their opinions? Sadly, no.
In fact these questioners suffered discrimination and humiliation. Their Newtonist classmates would receive comments on their homework like, "good job!" whereas the non-Newtonists would read statements like, "see me after class." The dissenters were warned that if they didn't start towing the Newtonist party line, they'd flunk out.
Hey Newtonists, what happened to free speech? What happened to America?
Very few faculty members at our leading institutions openly admit the problems with Newtonism. For example, Newtonism says nothing about where life came from, or what caused the Big Bang, or what happens when we die. With so many holes in their theory, it's surprising how arrogant and intolerant the Newtonists behave toward anyone who simply wants to hear other points of view.
Newtonists have been teaching our children that larger objects exert more force than smaller objects. A brief visit to any classroom in the US reveals what happens when these ideas are taught without criticism: the average child today weighs a lot more than the average child of a few decades past.
Yes, there's a terrible obesity epidemic in this country. Obesity is associated with diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, early death, and social stigma. Is this what we want for our kids?
Newtonists are forever going on about matter and energy as if nothing else existed. Ask a Newtonist about God or love or morality and you'll notice how quickly they try to change the subject. Many leading Newtonists even describe themselves as materialists! Shocking yes, but all too true.
Materialism and the culture of constant consumption are driving this obesity epidemic. I'm not saying Newtonism alone is making us fat. But I don't think we'd have this obesity problem today were it not for Newton's ideas of mass and inertia.
Anyone willing to question the Newtonist dogma can easily see the dangerous, slippery slope these people want us to walk: Newtonism leads to materialism leads to obesity leads to a whole lot of kids dying.
Hey, I don't have all the answers. But neither do the Newtonists. What right have they to call the rest of us ignorant fools? At least we care about the children.
1 hour ago
"Newtonists have been teaching our children that larger objects exert more force than smaller objects."
ReplyDeleteWhat's being avoided here is the fact that Newtonism is a scientific theory, arrived at through, and reinforced by, a rigorous process of rational inquiry and empirical research. It merely describes what can actually be demonstrated through observation, and is not in the least concerned with the social implications of what certain groups might do with the knowledge it provides. It's about facts, not moral philosophy.
Allow me to provide evidence. Newtonism (actually neo-Newtonism, to be precise) teaches that heavenly bodies of sufficient mass coalesce into a sphere. And what type of bodies do I consider heavenly? Well, take my wife. Slightly roundy, with bits of roundyness here and there, to which my eyes did, indeed, gravitate from the very first time we met. Bodies of insufficient mass do not have such an affect.
Further proof that such a body exerts a greater force:
1. I am attracted to the aforementioned heavenly body with a force that can only be described as an irresistible Law of Nature.
2. All arguments, regardless of length, end with my imposing the final word of, "yes, dear."
Of course, you'll just say I've fallen for the trap of Newtonism's dogmatically authoritarian hegemony. Well, if Newtonism is wrong, I don't wanna be right!
Down with Newton I say
ReplyDeleteNearly ALL physicists know he was wrong - they just dare not say it in the classroom.
Lee