Freedom of Science

After writing to Perimeter Institute and Templeton Foundation here’s my proposal to National Science Foundation. In this case I am emphasizing experimental focus of Freedom of Science. Ninety per cent¹ of Doctors of Philosophy licensed to practice research physics² are paid by NSF. For instance, NSF paid Ed Witten to write about Magic, Mystery and Matrix. We don’t deal here with Magic or Mystery or puns so there will be no prospect of getting funds from NSF in that department of physical studies. Nevertheless it may be a good idea to ask Carl Brannen who sends occasional dispatches from the future about the prospects of Freedom of Science vis-a-vis funding by NSF.

NSF also funds Cavendish type experiments conducted by physicists to verify the known value of Newton’s constant G or to investigate how Newton’s Soul is doing in sub-millimeter regions. I can definitely use funding to replicate the original Cavendish experiment by using Cavendish’s specs. But I would propose a more ambitious program of continuous duplication of old experiments.

An experiment that is not duplicated over and over again by hostile parties will deteriorate into a miracle. Since professional physicists have nothing to gain from questioning old experiments NSF must fund independent researchers who are willing to question old experiments.

I found it extremely odd that in over 300 years of physics since Newton not one single experiment turned out to be a dud. This is a definite proof that academic physics is indistinguishable from religion.

NSF was established in the 1950s to sponsor military research under civilian guise. NSF makes sure that only government approved research gets done. Since physicists are paid by NSF they have no independence or freedom to act like scientists. They are bureaucrats working for the government finding what the government asks them to find.

Dear reader, please let me know if you could think of any military application for the good old Cavendish experiment to make NSF dole out some cash for a proper duplication of this classic experiment. The Cavendish experiment is as low tech as an experiment can get. It consists of a copper wire, a piece of lumber and some lead weights. I wonder if Cavendish experiment be rigged so that it can be used for time travel?

I have already proposed that Cavendish experiment can be defined to be the long-sought first experimental verification of String Theory. All that String Theorists need to do is nicely ask Ed Witten to deposit a paper to arxiv.org (funded by NSF of course) defining G to be the Official String Constant. Witten will choose a suitable action and potential, design the necessary mathematical formalism and also quote some generalities from Newton’s General Scholium predicting that his constant G was really meant as the String Constant (Witten Constant)³ and voila, you’ve got a definite experimental proof of String Theory, multiverse, brains, livers, kidneys and theories of everything ever graced the cover of New Scientist.

1. What is the actual number? [↩]
2. Research grade physics includes magic, occult, cosmogonic mythology, the mind of God, time travel, and such. [↩]
3. Can there be any doubt that Newton discovered String Theory? Here is solid evidence from Newton’s General Scholium that string theory was discovered by Newton. Newton wrote in his magisterial General Scholium about “a certain most subtle spirit which pervades and lies hid in all gross bodies . . . [and vibrates] . . . [in] solid filaments [with] elastic spirit . . .” Sounds like a good description of strings to me. [↩]

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