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Relativity free of Folklore #8
The Seduction of Pseudoknowledge
This e-book corresponds to the Epilogue for the printed book entitled "Galloping with Light - Einstein, Relativity, and Folklore", and is the last in the e-Series entitled "Relativity free of Folklore".
Because you deserve more than just folklore and because relativity and subjectivity are completely different animals, you will find in this e-book a list of warning signs to be aware of, so you can distinguish between science and pseudoscience. You will find as well the answers to the following intriguing questions:
1) Why are pseudoknowledge and in particular conspiracy theories so seductive to most of us?
2) What is the difference between Relativity and Subjectivity?
3) Why many renowned intellectuals in the last 50 years have defended the preposterous idea that the notions of reality and truth are mere linguistic and social constructs?
4) Why is knowledge so intimately related to language?
5) How can we distinguish Science from pseudoscience?
The fact that the reader may not have a scientific education does not mean that s/he does not have the intelligence to understand profound concepts -- as long as they are presented with semantic and epistemological clarity. After all, Einstein said that Science is simply the refinement of our intuition and everyday experiences.
Because you deserve more than just folklore and because relativity and subjectivity are completely different animals, you will find in this e-book a list of warning signs to be aware of, so you can distinguish between science and pseudoscience. You will find as well the answers to the following intriguing questions:
1) Why are pseudoknowledge and in particular conspiracy theories so seductive to most of us?
2) What is the difference between Relativity and Subjectivity?
3) Why many renowned intellectuals in the last 50 years have defended the preposterous idea that the notions of reality and truth are mere linguistic and social constructs?
4) Why is knowledge so intimately related to language?
5) How can we distinguish Science from pseudoscience?
The fact that the reader may not have a scientific education does not mean that s/he does not have the intelligence to understand profound concepts -- as long as they are presented with semantic and epistemological clarity. After all, Einstein said that Science is simply the refinement of our intuition and everyday experiences.
- GenresPhysics
52 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 3, 2011
4 people want to read
About the author
Felix Alba-Juez
13 books32 followersFelix was born in Burgos (Spain) in 1948. In 1949, his parents settled in Necochea (Argentina) where he completed his elementary and high school education. In 1966 he moved to Bahía Blanca (Argentina) where he graduated in Electrical Engineering at the 'Universidad Nacional del Sur' (UNS). In 1971, he started his academic life as Teaching Assistant of Mathematics at the UNS and, from 1974 until to 1983, he was Adjunct, Associate, and Full Professor at the 'Universidad Nacional de San Juan' in San Juan, Argentina.
In 1983, he moved to Salt Lake City, USA as Postdoctoral Fellow and soon after Research Associate for the Department of Metallurgy at the University of Utah, conducting basic Research and Development on Optimal Control of Mineral Grinding Operations.
In 1987, he left Academia and founded his own consulting company working over the years with private companies and governmental entities as DuPont, ALCOA, US Department of Transportation, NASA, and Dow Chemical. His first patent was granted in 1992 in USA, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Japan, protecting a technology based on ultrasonic spectroscopy for measuring particle size in industrial suspensions and emulsions.
In the period 1997-2001, Felix developed a fundamental theory for the generic mathematical modeling of multiple scattering of optical and acoustical waves interacting with highly-concentrated suspensions and emulsions.
During 2001-2007, he developed a particle size analyzer based on optical spectroscopy, and commercialized a generic simulation software tool connectable to acoustic and optical spectrometers, so as to convert them into particle size analyzers. The patent for this generic technology was granted in 2007.
In 2008, Felix sold all his intellectual property to Agilent Technologies, Inc, and currently is a scientific consultant, and writes Popular Science books on Epistemology and Philosophy of Science in English and Spanish. His first book in Spanish on the Theory of Relativity was published in 2009 by the 'Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, S.A.' in Valencia (Spain).
Since October 2013, Felix is back to Academia as a Research Professor for the Department of Metallurgical Engineering of the University of Utah. He is also working on the e-series 'Quantum Physics free of Folklore' of which 'Records of the Future' is its first volume published in January 2013.
Félix Alba-Juez Nació en Burgos (España) en 1948. En 1949, sus padres se establecieron en Necochea (Argentina) donde completó su educación primaria y secundaria. En 1966 se trasladó a Bahía Blanca donde se graduó en Ingeniería Eléctrica en la Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS) en 1974. Mientras fue estudiante, se desempeñó como Asistente de Docencia en el Departamento de Matemática de la UNS. Durante los años 1974 hasta 1983, fue Profesor Adjunto, Asociado, y Titular en la Universidad Nacional de San Juan, Argentina.
En 1983, se trasladó a USA donde se desempeñó como 'Post-Doctoral Fellow' y luego 'Research Associate' en el Departamento de Metalurgia de la Universidad de Utah, conduciendo investigación básica en teoría del control óptimo, y asesorando a estudiantes de doctorado en el control óptimo de la molienda de minerales.
En 1987, se estableció como consultor independiente trabajando para entidades como DuPont, ALCOA, Dow Chemical, 'US Department of Transportation', y NASA. Su primera patente fue otorgada en 1992 en USA, Inglaterra, Francia, Alemania y Japón, protegiendo una tecnología de medición de tamaño de partícula basada en espectroscopia de ultrasonido.
Durante 1997-2001, desarrolló una nueva teoría física para modelar genéricamente la reflexión, refracción, difracción, y absorción múltiple de ondas ópticas y ultrasónicas interactuando con suspensiones altamente concentradas.
En el período 2001-2007, desarrolló un analizador de tamaño de partícula basado en espectroscopia óptica, y comercializó una herramienta de simulación genérica para conectar a espectrómetros
In 1983, he moved to Salt Lake City, USA as Postdoctoral Fellow and soon after Research Associate for the Department of Metallurgy at the University of Utah, conducting basic Research and Development on Optimal Control of Mineral Grinding Operations.
In 1987, he left Academia and founded his own consulting company working over the years with private companies and governmental entities as DuPont, ALCOA, US Department of Transportation, NASA, and Dow Chemical. His first patent was granted in 1992 in USA, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Japan, protecting a technology based on ultrasonic spectroscopy for measuring particle size in industrial suspensions and emulsions.
In the period 1997-2001, Felix developed a fundamental theory for the generic mathematical modeling of multiple scattering of optical and acoustical waves interacting with highly-concentrated suspensions and emulsions.
During 2001-2007, he developed a particle size analyzer based on optical spectroscopy, and commercialized a generic simulation software tool connectable to acoustic and optical spectrometers, so as to convert them into particle size analyzers. The patent for this generic technology was granted in 2007.
In 2008, Felix sold all his intellectual property to Agilent Technologies, Inc, and currently is a scientific consultant, and writes Popular Science books on Epistemology and Philosophy of Science in English and Spanish. His first book in Spanish on the Theory of Relativity was published in 2009 by the 'Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, S.A.' in Valencia (Spain).
Since October 2013, Felix is back to Academia as a Research Professor for the Department of Metallurgical Engineering of the University of Utah. He is also working on the e-series 'Quantum Physics free of Folklore' of which 'Records of the Future' is its first volume published in January 2013.
Félix Alba-Juez Nació en Burgos (España) en 1948. En 1949, sus padres se establecieron en Necochea (Argentina) donde completó su educación primaria y secundaria. En 1966 se trasladó a Bahía Blanca donde se graduó en Ingeniería Eléctrica en la Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS) en 1974. Mientras fue estudiante, se desempeñó como Asistente de Docencia en el Departamento de Matemática de la UNS. Durante los años 1974 hasta 1983, fue Profesor Adjunto, Asociado, y Titular en la Universidad Nacional de San Juan, Argentina.
En 1983, se trasladó a USA donde se desempeñó como 'Post-Doctoral Fellow' y luego 'Research Associate' en el Departamento de Metalurgia de la Universidad de Utah, conduciendo investigación básica en teoría del control óptimo, y asesorando a estudiantes de doctorado en el control óptimo de la molienda de minerales.
En 1987, se estableció como consultor independiente trabajando para entidades como DuPont, ALCOA, Dow Chemical, 'US Department of Transportation', y NASA. Su primera patente fue otorgada en 1992 en USA, Inglaterra, Francia, Alemania y Japón, protegiendo una tecnología de medición de tamaño de partícula basada en espectroscopia de ultrasonido.
Durante 1997-2001, desarrolló una nueva teoría física para modelar genéricamente la reflexión, refracción, difracción, y absorción múltiple de ondas ópticas y ultrasónicas interactuando con suspensiones altamente concentradas.
En el período 2001-2007, desarrolló un analizador de tamaño de partícula basado en espectroscopia óptica, y comercializó una herramienta de simulación genérica para conectar a espectrómetros
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
November 13, 2012
Beyond my expectations!
I didn't expect too much from this Chapter. In fact, I bought it just to have the whole book. Now, I'm glad I did, and here is why:
The review of the conspiracy theories, including the Moon landing presumed hoax, is highly educative and gives food for thought.
The survey of pseudoscientific currents of thought and the Sokal affair/hoax is both entertaining and informative.
The guidelines how to identify pseudoknowledge and pseudoscience will certainly save me from wasting my brain cells on worthless stuff.
Updated on 13th November, 2012 (after rereading)
The section ‘Science and Language’ reminded me what a crucial role paying attention to clear semantics played in deepening my comprehension.
Overall, the e-Series 'Relativity free of Folkore' is a model example how books for the general reader with genuine interest in science should be written. If you are such a reader, do yourself a favour and read this e-Series of books. As a whole, it deserves an award.
I didn't expect too much from this Chapter. In fact, I bought it just to have the whole book. Now, I'm glad I did, and here is why:
The review of the conspiracy theories, including the Moon landing presumed hoax, is highly educative and gives food for thought.
The survey of pseudoscientific currents of thought and the Sokal affair/hoax is both entertaining and informative.
The guidelines how to identify pseudoknowledge and pseudoscience will certainly save me from wasting my brain cells on worthless stuff.
Updated on 13th November, 2012 (after rereading)
The section ‘Science and Language’ reminded me what a crucial role paying attention to clear semantics played in deepening my comprehension.
Overall, the e-Series 'Relativity free of Folkore' is a model example how books for the general reader with genuine interest in science should be written. If you are such a reader, do yourself a favour and read this e-Series of books. As a whole, it deserves an award.
Displaying 1 of 1 review