Hello Bernard, Simon, and others,

Bernard wrote: "No. You like to wave the word "theory" as if it were a dirty word."

I think of it as grubby rather than dirty.

In all fairness to the scientists, it is the popular media that is at fault here (perish the thought that it is anything to do with me... ).

The majority of us mere mortals rely on the popular media (newspapers, radio, TV) for news and information from the world of science and medicine.

Time and again new theories are reported by the popular media as matters of fact.

Constantly changing theories is one thing. Constantly changing facts is something else.

The former I can handle. The latter confuses me and leaves me wondering if the scientists know what they are doing.

I hope that that makes some kind of sense.

Regards to all,

Alex