<HTML>No need to speculate, Jim. Let's examine the <i>evidence</i>...
Jim Lewandowski wrote:
>
> Since we know:
>
> - alternatives sell more books than orthodoxy
That's a function of publicity. This factors in later on.
>
> - alternatives use as many out-of-date references they can to
> support their cherry-picking case
Doesn't have to be out of date to be cherry picked... but it usually helps make the sentences longer in the quote.
>
> - alternatives themselves KNOW their theory is bogus and not
> supported by evidence
Not always true. Where you see malice, I often see belief-driven stupidity. I'll control myself on dropping any names here...
>
> - alternatives know how orthodoxy feels about them (and the
> disservice they are performing)
Maybe...but they're far more interested in TELLING people how the "orthodoxy" feels about them. Which is funny... because anybody who takes the time to look can see there IS no "Orthodoxy"... there is only an orthodox METHOD. Can you tell me how the "method" feels about them? Can a "method" even have feelings?
of course not.
>
>
> Then WHY would any of them come here and post? It's not
> going to help them sell more books since regardless of
> whether their theory is supported by no valid evidence or
> not, the reader will likely believe it.
Ahhh... but there you are wrong. To them, every time they post to a messageboard, they are hoping to pick up one or two more "true beleivers" who will then go out to other sites and preach the Holy Word of the Historical Revisionist. It's like a virus that spread via the internet. In doing so...they do generate more site hits that hopefully translate into book sales.
Ever wonder why Margaret Morris spends so much time discussing Geopolymers around the internet?
Take a look at her autobiography:
<blockquote><center>About Margaret Morris </center>
Margaret Morris has been involved with research on the Egyptian pyramids since 1984, when she started her historical research at the Institute For Applied Archaeological Sciences (IAPAS). The IAPAS was founded by Dr. Joseph Davidovits in 1984 at Barry University, in Miami Shores, Florida, to advance worthwhile ancient technology and clarify certain nebulous areas of ancient history. For a number of years, Margaret served as the Assistant Director of the IAPAS. When this institution did not obtain anticipated funding and had to close its doors on-campus, she supported projects it had initiated with her own resources.
Margaret has debated the premise of her book THE EGYPTIAN PYRAMID MYSTERY IS SOLVED! in scientific and technical journals, including 'The Journal of Geological Education' (her published papers are included among the many on this topic found on the on-line catalogue of the Geopolymer Library of the Geopolymer Institute). Over the years, she has engaged in Egyptological research and organized scientific research so that THE EGYPTIAN PYRAMID MYSTERY IS SOLVED! offers proof of the theory advanced within its pages.</blockquote>
The institute is no such thing... it's Davidovits' own organization designed to promote his own books and theories.
And if you're wondering about the "virus" effect... take a look at the picture on <a href="[
www.margaretmorrisbooks.com]; site</a>:
"Please come back often and invite your friends to visit this site".
What's most funny is when Davidovits got caught posting under multiple names on a messageboard, pretending to be several people who were all "completely convinced" by the Geopolymer theory. Laughable, really. Since he can't find REAL people who will believe him, he makes them up.
>
> They also know everyone here is NOT a pseudoscientist and is
> well versed in it, so they must know they're going to have
> their theories picked apart.
They also know there are 10,000 lurkers ... and not all of them are as practiced at critical thinking as some of the regular posters here. All they need is a few people to "invite their friends to visit their site"....
The bottom line is marketing. As the old saying goes... Free ink is good ink. Keep your name out there so people don't forget you.
Anthony</HTML>
