mckeeman@wivax.UUCP (04/25/84)
I would be interested in a scientifically valid argument that the universe, with its complete geological record and your memories, was not created 10 seconds ago. You need a repeatable test to distinguish between your model of the universe, whatever it may be, and the one proposed above. /s/ Bill McKeeman
ntt@dciem.UUCP (Mark Brader) (04/27/84)
Bill McKeeman (wivax!mckeeman): I would be interested in a scientifically valid argument that the universe, with its complete geological record and your memories, was not created 10 seconds ago. Uh, is that 10 seconds before you posted it, or before I received it? To be serious, the Omphalos* theory is obviously possible, and indeed, there isn't any way to disprove it. But precisely because there isn't, it is outside the domain of science. For purposes of discussion, Occam's Razor (choose the simplest hypothesis that covers the facts) says we can ignore it. It's like asking for a proof that you are not the only person in existence and really do have two arms, eyes, etc. (what you seem to perceive could be totally wrong, after all). *Named after a book, late 19th century I think, that argued that God really would prefer to do this, on the analogy that Adam would have been imperfect without a navel (="omphalos" in Greek). Mark Brader "There are other ways of persuading besides killing and threatening to kill"