Quote Originally Posted by hazz View Post
The evolution of a theory:

1. You have an outrageous idea
2. Its then checked to see if it explains what we already know, if it does
3. Its used to predict something we don't know, but can measure, if its found
4. The inconsistencies between prediction and measurement are used to refine the theory or propose a new step 1.

And so we go around for ever, getting the science grants and a better understanding of how everything works. You don't think the microwave oven invented its self do you.

Pie in the sky theory is what drives experimental science. This is why we are looking for the higg's boson, gravity waves, inconsistencies in the cosmic microwave background etc because these measurements will tell us which theories are plain bollocks and which ones are the dogs bollocks.

As far as I am aware, the 'our religious book is 100% correct and contains all you should know' brigade have never made these step three predictions which would give their ideas some credibility. But then they demand blind faith; whilst scientists would simply like you to hear them out.

Carbon dating has limitations and assumptions. to date all erroneous carbon dating have been caused by the sample being outside the limitations or the assumptions being broken. I.E carbon dating only works for organism that get their carbon directly or indirectly from atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Exactamundo.

That is why I mentioned the Higgs Boson before. When first conceived it was just another pie in the sky thought that could not be proven at the time.

Now though we are actively looking for it and even if we never find it then we should still find other cool stuff that we had never even imagined. The probability of finding further dimensions is profound stuff and stuff that could change our whole understanding of the universe.

For years we have thought that Einstein had it nailed with the theory of relativity but as we have gone on we have found that he had it wrong. Close, but wrong. But without that theory, a flawed as it may be, we would never have developed high speed jets and put man into space, for example.

For those who discredit the value of such stuff just look around you, in all but the most rustic/natural of environments there will be SOMETHING that is there because years ago some whacky scientist had some nutty idea about something.