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Author Topic:   Does the universe have total net energy of zero?
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Message 2 of 404 (643672)
12-09-2011 5:02 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by designtheorist
12-09-2011 9:45 AM


Hi DesignTheorist,
I think a debate about whether the universe has zero net energy that is based upon evidence would be great. I could consider promoting the thread if you can eliminate the parts of the proposal that might drag the thread into a discussion of whose quote means what, such as this:
designtheorist writes:
Someone is wrong here. Either it is Hawking, Krauss and Davies or it is me.

--Percy
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Message 5 of 404 (643675)
12-09-2011 7:04 PM
Reply to: Message 4 by designtheorist
12-09-2011 6:34 PM


Re: Does the universe have zero total net energy?
Hi DesignTheorist,
I don't think you understand what I'm trying achieve. I'd like to avoid having discussion threads that turn into arguments about what someone thinks or what their quotes mean. My goal is discussions of the evidence.
This means that for purposes of discussion I don't care what Hawking or Davies or Silk or Krauss think the data means. I want people to discuss the data and render their own interpretations of what it means.
Your proposal in Message 1 did a good of doing that, except that it left the door wide open to arguments about quotes. If you can close that door I can consider promoting the thread.

--Percy
EvC Forum Director

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Message 7 of 404 (643677)
12-09-2011 7:57 PM
Reply to: Message 6 by designtheorist
12-09-2011 7:23 PM


Re: Does the universe have zero total net energy?
There's nothing wrong with quotes. Frequently the words of our best minds are the best way to make a point or explain something complex.
But I fear you're making quotes the central focus of discussion when they should play only a supporting role. This fear springs from when you present some quotes and then say something like, "I want to know who's wrong here, Krauss, Davies, Silk or Hawking." Presentation and interpretation of the evidence should be the main focus.

--Percy
EvC Forum Director

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Message 9 of 404 (643679)
12-10-2011 8:30 AM
Reply to: Message 8 by designtheorist
12-09-2011 10:10 PM


Re: Does the universe have zero total net energy?
Hi DesignTheorist,
You're right, I misunderstood. I thought you had arrived at interpretations of Hawking, Davies, Krauss and Silk that had them at odds with each other. It doesn't actually matter to me whether they agree or not, I just didn't want to open a thread arguing about the meaning of quotes from famous physicists.
I see where you're going now and think it would make a great thread. If you give me the okay I'll make a few edits to your opening post just to make sure no one arrives at the same misinterpretation I did.

--Percy
EvC Forum Director

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Message 12 of 404 (643683)
12-10-2011 10:36 AM


Thread Copied from Proposed New Topics Forum
Thread copied here from the Does the universe have total net energy of zero? thread in the Proposed New Topics forum.

  
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Message 114 of 404 (643912)
12-12-2011 9:26 PM


Moderator Request
I believe it is incumbent upon the person claiming someone else is wrong to explain why they are wrong.

--Percy
EvC Forum Director

  
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Message 167 of 404 (644660)
12-19-2011 8:53 PM


Moderator Request
To all participants:
Please keep the focus on the topic. If you feel someone is wrong then it is incumbent upon you to explain how they are wrong.

--Percy
EvC Forum Director

  
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Message 174 of 404 (644705)
12-20-2011 7:25 AM


Closing this thread for 4 hours
Please do not post messages with no on-topic content.
Please keep your focus on the position and not on the perceived foibles of the person holding the position.
Please explain and clarify your position as many times as necessary without becoming frustrated.
Please explain how someone is wrong if you think they are wrong.
Please don't complain if you ignore the above and get suspended after this thread is reopened.

--Percy
EvC Forum Director

  
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Message 175 of 404 (644737)
12-20-2011 11:28 AM


This thread now open
Please follow the moderator requests in the previous message. Thanks.

--Percy
EvC Forum Director

  
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(1)
Message 248 of 404 (645579)
12-28-2011 6:50 AM
Reply to: Message 240 by designtheorist
12-27-2011 4:15 PM


Re: Discussing physics, not parables...
I'm bumping the limit up to 400 messages. Also, when threads do reach their limit and are closed, a continuation thread is often appropriate as it can serve to refocus the discussion on the important points.

--Percy
EvC Forum Director

This message is a reply to:
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