CASE STUDY - BETHER

Now to put my own theories through the Scientific Method. I've spent years pondering the forces of gravity and magnetism, and eventually created the theory of Bether, described here. Let's see how well it does..

Hypothesis: I theorize that Bether might exist

Our hypothesis appears to be acceptable in that it doesn't make any unsupported assumptions that do not extend from what is currently supported by the Scientific Method. So now that we have a qualifying hypothesis, we need to accumulate evidence to determine the validity of it.

Color Table:

Strong counter-evidence Weak counter-evidence Not useful Weak evidence Good evidence Strong evidence Not applicable

First-hand Evidence

Type of Evidence Our instincts consider this to be.. The Scientific Method considers this to be..

Tangibility
The way that Bether theory is described, it is meaningless to attempt to use our senses to directly detect it. We cannot see it because it is literally everywhere (like we can't see air), we can't feel it because we are composed of it, can't hear it, can't taste it, or otherwise. The senses Mother Nature gave us are useless for helping us here. How about with technology? No luck there; even our technology is completely composed of bether and cannot detect it directly. ..a sure sign it doesn't exist. It's ridiculous to think that everything is made of the same substance. ..beyond our ability to measure directly, because of its very nature. This will be a tough one to gather strong support.

Influence
Here we have the bulk of the evidence that suggests the existence of Bether. The hypothetical model of bether easily accommodates the effects of gravity and magnetism, and yet doesn't conflict with any historical observations of our universe. ..not related. How does everything being composed of a transparent substance, produce gravity and magnets? ..compelling evidence. The Bether model of the universe is a nice mathematically-congruent fit for our observations of the universe

Interpretation
Bether is a transparent, rubbery substance that can hypothetically produce the effects witnessed in the universe ..a long shot considering we can't 'prove' it exists. ..a nice fit, given the volume of data that this theory accommodates. Though, there are still many unanswered, and perhaps unanswerable questions about Bether. Much more experimentation and data is necessary.

Intuition
Bether theory has a really intuitive fit for the observations ..poppycock. How exactly does this fit whom? ..one of possibly hundreds of possibilites. Many alternative gravity theories exist that fit the observations.

Desire
Sure, it'd be wonderful to be the person that finally cracks one of the greatest mysteries of modern times (explaining gravity and magnetism), but I'm just as concerned about going down in the annals of history that contain phrenology and astrology. I'd rather get it right, than stick my neck out too far. ..the sign of a crackpot ..highly motivating to the theorist, but tempered with enough humility to avoid an exaggerated accuracy.

Second-Hand Information Credibility

Type of Information Our instincts consider this to be.. The Scientific Method considers this to be..

Distinguished Source
None. It's completely my new theory. Got to start somewhere.. ..a sign of a crackpot. ..not relevant, but not automatically dismissive either. The lack of a distinguished source is the starting point of everything new.

Agenda Source
Might be a lot of recognition if this theory gains traction, but it can also go the other direction and permanently label me a crackpot. ..denial. He's just trying to downplay it, but he truly believes that Bether is the undisputable answer. Crackpot. ..difficult to determine credibility given that the theorist has no formidable credentials in quantum physics and other such related disciplines, and he is also fully aware of the implications of Bether theory should it take hold. Yet, every theory that has ever become a staple of physics, began in similar fashion, with the developer fully aware of its potential. Perhaps this is an unavoidable consequence of discovery, the polluting motivation of the human ego. Let's examine this theory with both an open mind, and a grain of salt.

Mass Support
Those that understand it, see its potential, all 10 of them ..an example of how poor the theory is. If it's so 'perfect', why hasn't the idea taken off yet? ..a start. It's difficult to pass on very complex memes so the best we can do here is give it time. However, even if everyone supported this theory, it wouldn't count for much in the Scientific Method's assessment of it.

Hearsay, Rumor, or Opinion
Ok, I'm the one that started the rumor, and wrote a book about it. Got to start somehow. ..pathetic. Starting your own rumors and self-financing a publishing scheme is clear evidence that this is all about ego, and nothing about substance. ..a start. If the idea has true merit, it will catch on eventually. Though again, this doesn't count at all in the Scientific Method.

First-hand Evidence
Type of Evidence	Our instincts consider this to be..	The Scientific Method considers this to be..
Tangibility The way that Bether theory is described, it is meaningless to attempt to use our senses to directly detect it. We cannot see it because it is literally everywhere (like we can't see air), we can't feel it because we are composed of it, can't hear it, can't taste it, or otherwise. The senses Mother Nature gave us are useless for helping us here. How about with technology? No luck there; even our technology is completely composed of bether and cannot detect it directly.	..a sure sign it doesn't exist. It's ridiculous to think that everything is made of the same substance.	..beyond our ability to measure directly, because of its very nature. This will be a tough one to gather strong support.
Influence Here we have the bulk of the evidence that suggests the existence of Bether. The hypothetical model of bether easily accommodates the effects of gravity and magnetism, and yet doesn't conflict with any historical observations of our universe.	..not related. How does everything being composed of a transparent substance, produce gravity and magnets?	..compelling evidence. The Bether model of the universe is a nice mathematically-congruent fit for our observations of the universe
Interpretation Bether is a transparent, rubbery substance that can hypothetically produce the effects witnessed in the universe	..a long shot considering we can't 'prove' it exists.	..a nice fit, given the volume of data that this theory accommodates. Though, there are still many unanswered, and perhaps unanswerable questions about Bether. Much more experimentation and data is necessary.
Intuition Bether theory has a really intuitive fit for the observations	..poppycock. How exactly does this fit whom?	..one of possibly hundreds of possibilites. Many alternative gravity theories exist that fit the observations.
Desire Sure, it'd be wonderful to be the person that finally cracks one of the greatest mysteries of modern times (explaining gravity and magnetism), but I'm just as concerned about going down in the annals of history that contain phrenology and astrology. I'd rather get it right, than stick my neck out too far.	..the sign of a crackpot	..highly motivating to the theorist, but tempered with enough humility to avoid an exaggerated accuracy.

Second-Hand Information Credibility
Type of Information	Our instincts consider this to be..	The Scientific Method considers this to be..
Distinguished Source None. It's completely my new theory. Got to start somewhere..	..a sign of a crackpot.	..not relevant, but not automatically dismissive either. The lack of a distinguished source is the starting point of everything new.
Agenda Source Might be a lot of recognition if this theory gains traction, but it can also go the other direction and permanently label me a crackpot.	..denial. He's just trying to downplay it, but he truly believes that Bether is the undisputable answer. Crackpot.	..difficult to determine credibility given that the theorist has no formidable credentials in quantum physics and other such related disciplines, and he is also fully aware of the implications of Bether theory should it take hold. Yet, every theory that has ever become a staple of physics, began in similar fashion, with the developer fully aware of its potential. Perhaps this is an unavoidable consequence of discovery, the polluting motivation of the human ego. Let's examine this theory with both an open mind, and a grain of salt.
Mass Support Those that understand it, see its potential, all 10 of them	..an example of how poor the theory is. If it's so 'perfect', why hasn't the idea taken off yet?	..a start. It's difficult to pass on very complex memes so the best we can do here is give it time. However, even if everyone supported this theory, it wouldn't count for much in the Scientific Method's assessment of it.
Hearsay, Rumor, or Opinion Ok, I'm the one that started the rumor, and wrote a book about it. Got to start somehow.	..pathetic. Starting your own rumors and self-financing a publishing scheme is clear evidence that this is all about ego, and nothing about substance.	..a start. If the idea has true merit, it will catch on eventually. Though again, this doesn't count at all in the Scientific Method.

The Instincts have pretty much put their foot down and rejected this theory. Bether is such an abstract concept that there's absolutely nothing intuitive about it, making it difficult for the instincts to recognize. In fact, people without a strong inherent spatial intelligence will be unable to even comprehend this theory. The Scientific Method didn't like it much either, with both some support, and some resistance. The Scientific Method gives this theory an 'inconclusive' at best; definitely needing of more substance.

Instinctual Conclusion

Crackpot.

Scientific Method Conclusion

Inconclusive. Despite a compelling foundation, it needs much more substance, improvement, and meritable buy-in before it can be taken seriously.