[willis936]

> we have to remember that once upon the time the mainstream physics people didn't think that heavier-than-air flying machines are possible while nowadays they have wasted countless billions on their fusion experiments and achieved close to nothing

Challenging authority gets you cool-guy points, but does nothing for actual understanding. “The experts don’t know what they’re talking about and are blinded by tribalism” is rhetoric of the 20th century. Physics has moved on.

[Chris2048]

  “The experts don’t know what they’re talking about and are blinded by tribalism” is rhetoric of the 20th century.

How would you describe the medical abuses of the last century? e.g. lobotomies to cure mental conditions, refusal of surgeons to wash hands etc.

Have scientists moved on from tribalism?

[willis936]

I said physics has moved on.

Also, if experimental surgeries were never attempted in the 20th century the quality and length of our lives, and potentially trillions of future human lives, would be nasty, brutish, and short. Not all attempts had a sound basis and I don’t defend them. I do say the good of the total if 20th century experimental surgeries far outweighs the bad. Importantly, we are able to learn from our mistakes quickly. It took centuries to stop using the breaking wheel. It took less than a lifetime to stop lobotomies.

I’m struggling to understand your point though. Do doctors still practice lobotomies and refuse to wash hands, or have they cast aside their tribalism and make decisions based on science?

[luovatek]

So you say. Though I don't see any evidence humanity as a whole has moved past groupthink. But yeah, I might be wrong about SAFIRE, as I haven't done any fusion experiments myself, just read a bit of research.

[willis936]

I work with fusion researchers. We regularly talk about non-mainstream designs and unexplored areas of physics. It’s a lot of fun. The mainstream is mainstream because it’s what works, not because that’s what our fathers built. The theoretical physicists are actively working on a dozen empirical models. They throw out what they need to. No one’s saying “don’t fund alternatives”. Fund alternatives. Show that they work. They haven’t in the past, but if one did the most excited people will be the mainstream fusion researchers.

[pontifier]

Hey, I'd really appreciate it if you were to bring up my design next time you're chatting about new and different designs.

This one is completely new, very simple, and in great need of more eyes

I have a website at http://www.ddprofusion.com