| I'll try to explain what I meant about magic. Your piece was interesting on how building mental models is an important part of science which opened my eyes a bit. However, in terms of this discussion I was thinking there might be lower-hanging fruit that makes dark matter appear farther-fetched. For example, we have calculated the mass of a galaxy, but it doesn't spin right at that mass. So, instead of: 1. Assuming our calculations are wrong, or 2. There is more interstellar dust/gas/solar-wind mass than we realize, or 3. Heavier Black hole at center, or spinning speed/time dilation occurring? 4. Effects of gravity are weaker at very long distances a different theory is presented instead.... that 2/3 of the universe is made of a brand-new undetectable substance. As you mentioned it may or may not be true, and I've learned a lot about why it is convincing in this larger thread. Still, as Sagan said, "extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." It's probably a flaw of the layman that ideas that have yet to be confirmed tend to appear magical. |
That's what this is. We checked the math 20 times over and we know the model is wrong.
> 2. There is more interstellar dust/gas/solar-wind mass than we realize
We checked.
> 3. Heavier Black hole at center, or spinning speed/time dilation occurring?
Doesn't fit.
> 4. Effects of gravity are weaker at very long distances
Also an extraordinary claim, has not been ruled out.
Plus we already have confirmed 'undetectable' substances, so it's not very strange to suggest a new one.