The cold fusion horizon
aeon.co
The cold fusion horizon
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Re: The cold fusion horizon
#2It seems that philosophers are not immune to scam artists. I am surprised by this particular example, but only a little bit.
Re: The cold fusion horizon
#3It seems that philosophers are not immune to scam artists. I am surprised by this particular example, but only a little bit.
have you even read the article?
Re: The cold fusion horizon
#4I understand the argument about the sociological reputation trap, but a little more reading about Rossi's research turns up some very fishy evidence:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_Catalyzer
In particular, the copper supposedly generated by the fusion of hydrogen and nickel has an isotopic composition very similar to that of natural copper, rather than what one would expect from byproducts of nuclear reactions. As a result, it's much more likely that copper comes from a conventional source rather than actual nuclear fusion.
It also doesn't help that Rossi has been convicted of fraud for purportedly inventing dubious devices in the past. In particular, he "created" a system for turning toxic waste into oil, but this turned out to be just dumping the waste into the environment. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrea_Rossi_(entrepreneur)
I'm all for avoiding groupthink in scientific research, but this might not be the right story on which to base that argument.
Re: The cold fusion horizon
#5It seems that philosophers are not immune to scam artists. I am surprised by this particular example, but only a little bit.
have you even read the article?
Yes, and I have also read other sources, especially with regard to Rossi.
e.g:
http://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/1306/1306.6364.pdf
http://www.sott.net/article/241427-E-Cat-Cold-Fusion-Machine...
Re: The cold fusion horizon
#6A good documentary to watch is Fire from Water.
There has been a lot of work into LENR and a lot of it is positive. Toyota dedicated a two years research division to it.
The trouble is it's not consistent, and when excess heart is recorded, we're not sure why. I'm sure this is of those fields that needs a "eureka" moment where some group figures out what might be simple missing pieces.
Re: The cold fusion horizon
#7I understand the argument about the sociological reputation trap, but a little more reading about Rossi's research turns up some very fishy evidence: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_Catalyzer In particular, the copper supposedly generated by the fusion of hydrogen and nickel has an isotopic composition very similar to that of natural copper, rather than what one would expect from byproducts of nuclear reactions.…
It's somewhat ironic to say you want to avoid groupthink and then to cite Wikipedia as your source.
Re: The cold fusion horizon
#8I understand the argument about the sociological reputation trap, but a little more reading about Rossi's research turns up some very fishy evidence: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_Catalyzer In particular, the copper supposedly generated by the fusion of hydrogen and nickel has an isotopic composition very similar to that of natural copper, rather than what one would expect from byproducts of nuclear reactions.…
It's somewhat ironic to say you want to avoid groupthink and then to cite Wikipedia as your source.
Well, here's another source. Here's what the most prominent full-time pro-LENR advocate/journalist these days thinks of Rossi: http://newenergytimes.com/v2/sr/RossiECat/Andrea-Rossi-Energ...
Re: The cold fusion horizon
#9Reading this reminds me of the controversy with the Cannae Drive
Re: The cold fusion horizon
#10Earlier quoted context omitted.
have you even read the article?
Yes, and I have also read other sources, especially with regard to Rossi. e.g: http://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/1306/1306.6364.pdf http://www.sott.net/article/241427-E-Cat-Cold-Fusion-Machine...
Then I hope you see the irony in your comment, and why the first reply was a little incredulous.
I'm not defending Rossi, BTW. The odds are very, very, very good that it's another scam. But it's not impossible that he's on to something and that's exactly what the article's author points to, along with lamenting how tragic it would be if cold fusion turned out to be real and we wasted 20 years not pursuing it because of the reputation trap.