I'm aware, looking at the postings, that I appear to be posting definitive, authorititive and perhaps even arrogant answers to many threads. In the interests of clarity I would like to state that :-
a) I am NOT a scientist in any proper sense of the word. My degree and other qualifications are in IT, education and computer science. I am an amateur in science and, though interested and (I hope) fairly well read, this should be remembered when reading my posts.
b) My professional background is not in science either. I am/was a lecturer in computing and latterly a network systems manager.
c) I always both accept and welcome correction, elaboration and even refutation from scientists who are more qualified and knowledgable on these matters than I. I have respect for professional competences and would not wish to appear an authority myself, since I am categorically not. One of the things I find most sad and depressing about many messageboards is the willingness, even insistence, of the ignorant that they be allowed to present their views as though they were equally valid to those of professionals in the field. Boards are full of postings from those who 'deny' current theory or have some crackpot theory of their own that they are trying to push.
Science is not a democracy. Expertise and qualifications DO give added authority to a person's postings, and mean that they are deserving of more respect and should be treated as a greater authority in the thread/debate. If more people would accept this then I personally would be much happier.
d) If I appear arrogant then I assure readers that it is down to the pedagogue (teacher) in me and not some superiority complex.
e) There is a hell of a lot that I don't know, a bit I know a bit about and a small amount that I know az lot about.
Chris.
a) I am NOT a scientist in any proper sense of the word. My degree and other qualifications are in IT, education and computer science. I am an amateur in science and, though interested and (I hope) fairly well read, this should be remembered when reading my posts.
b) My professional background is not in science either. I am/was a lecturer in computing and latterly a network systems manager.
c) I always both accept and welcome correction, elaboration and even refutation from scientists who are more qualified and knowledgable on these matters than I. I have respect for professional competences and would not wish to appear an authority myself, since I am categorically not. One of the things I find most sad and depressing about many messageboards is the willingness, even insistence, of the ignorant that they be allowed to present their views as though they were equally valid to those of professionals in the field. Boards are full of postings from those who 'deny' current theory or have some crackpot theory of their own that they are trying to push.
Science is not a democracy. Expertise and qualifications DO give added authority to a person's postings, and mean that they are deserving of more respect and should be treated as a greater authority in the thread/debate. If more people would accept this then I personally would be much happier.
d) If I appear arrogant then I assure readers that it is down to the pedagogue (teacher) in me and not some superiority complex.
e) There is a hell of a lot that I don't know, a bit I know a bit about and a small amount that I know az lot about.
Chris.
