It was once “settled science” that humans had the wrong number of chromosomes, because one scientist miscounted what he saw in the microscope and all the other scientists blindly took his word for it (including those who “independently replicated his findings”).
It was once “settled science” that it was theretically impossible to build an AM radio tuning coil smaller than about a foot long, until Bill “Learjet” Lear, who hadn’t ever been taught that by his betters, invented a revolutionary tuning coil small enough to make car radios possible.
It was once “settled science” that salt promoted high blood pressure. Then it was “settled science” that it didn’t. Then it was “settled science” again that it did. Then it was “settled science” that it actually REDUCED blood pressure. Currently, it’s “settled science” that it has no effect either way.
45 years ago, my professors were attempting to teach me that computers could never perform faster than thus-and-so because of speed of light limitations. I rejected the entire concept (on the final exam, no less) and cited the exxamples above as well as others. And I was proven right, as computers evolved to contain multiple cores and multiple processors which, wisely managed, easily break those suggested limits.
“You will never be able to” is a myth. “Settled science” is a myth. Man can achieve damn near anything, given the right incentives.
I remember reading about an "expert" who declared computers were limited because they would ultimately reach a point where they burned out tubes faster than they could be replaced.
It was once “settled science” that humans had the wrong number of chromosomes, because one scientist miscounted what he saw in the microscope and all the other scientists blindly took his word for it (including those who “independently replicated his findings”).
ReplyDeleteIt was once “settled science” that it was theretically impossible to build an AM radio tuning coil smaller than about a foot long, until Bill “Learjet” Lear, who hadn’t ever been taught that by his betters, invented a revolutionary tuning coil small enough to make car radios possible.
It was once “settled science” that salt promoted high blood pressure. Then it was “settled science” that it didn’t. Then it was “settled science” again that it did. Then it was “settled science” that it actually REDUCED blood pressure. Currently, it’s “settled science” that it has no effect either way.
45 years ago, my professors were attempting to teach me that computers could never perform faster than thus-and-so because of speed of light limitations. I rejected the entire concept (on the final exam, no less) and cited the exxamples above as well as others. And I was proven right, as computers evolved to contain multiple cores and multiple processors which, wisely managed, easily break those suggested limits.
“You will never be able to” is a myth. “Settled science” is a myth. Man can achieve damn near anything, given the right incentives.
I remember reading about an "expert" who declared computers were limited because they would ultimately reach a point where they burned out tubes faster than they could be replaced.
ReplyDelete