Too bad, an unknown substance would at least have had some potential. But a known substance and an incomplete mechanism or incomplete understanding of the science as exists now, hardly makes for a convincing case of 'extra dimensional' influence. THis is exactly what our forefathers resorted to when faced with something they could not understand, they assigned some mystical properties to it. Of course many years later we know better.
>> People should look at the evidence but Petersen's leap to 'extra dimensional' space needs some work.>>
Burgeson:
<<There are two claims here; I defend neither of them.
1. There is something highly unusual in the geological record around
Phoenix. The anomaly is such that "normal science cannot explain it.">>
I could live with the first part of the sentence. Many times we are faced with things we donot (initially) understand. It is however a giant leap to claim that 'science cannot explain it'. Perhaps the statement should be 'present science has yet to explain it'.
<<2. There is an extra-dimensional intrusion speculation that explains it
(and other things).>>
But if it is extra-dimensional and therefor unobservable and unexplainable through scientific method, how can one claim that there is an 'explanation for it' ?
Burgeson: <<Steve, Glenn and other geologists can focus on the first claim. Should
they agree with Petersen that it is true, THEN it might be time to
address the second claim. As you point out, however, if claim #1 is true,
it does not lead (necessarily) to claim #2. What it might lead to,
however, is some interesting new geological science projects!>>
It surely would. It would make for some great projects. If indeed there is something of interest.
Burgeson: <<Thanks for the additional dialog. Are you a geologist? Having spent most
of my 37 years after collejj in the business (high-tech but still business-related) world, I no longer claim to be more than casually acquainted with the physics business. Retired now for over four years, I
suspect that even my market research expertise is woefully out of date!>>
<g> Nope my background includes a master's in physics and a PhD in physical oceanography. And now I work in the linguistic research and development department of a software company.