Waterdale Researches; Fresh Light on Dynamics

Abstract

WHEN St. Paul tried to convince the Athenians that they were mistaken in their philosophy, he probably spoke to them in Greek instead of expecting them to learn Hebrew. “Waterdale” is trying to convince nineteenth century philosophers that it is possible to invent mechanism by which he can attain “the undoubted theoretical possibility of perpetual motion,” and he does not take the trouble of learning the language of those whom he desires to convince, but insists that they must learn his language, simply because he professes to have invented a possible explanation of gravity. He acknowledges that his work would require at least a month's hard work to comprehend, and taunts the scientific world for not gladly spending this time in refuting what most of them have already spent weeks on—namely, refuting the very ingenious inventions of cranks, who think to cheat nature in the dark by some roundabout way of doing what simple considerations show to be impossible. A good month's work to teach him! Let him pay somebody with a reputation whose time is probably worth twelve hundred a year, say a month's time, one hundred pounds, to explain and convince him of the impossibility of his mechanical arrangement. It would take more than a month, however. If human experience is worth much it proves that there is very little use in trying to convince people with missions whether they are right or whether they are wrong. And fortunately so; for, if they are right they will ultimately prevail, and if they are wrong after all they generally do more good than harm by interesting the world in something outside and better than the selfish interests of individuals.

Waterdale Researches; Fresh Light on Dynamics.

By “Waterdale.”. (London: Chapman and Hall, 1892.)