> -----Original Message-----
> From: piclist-bounces@mit.edu On Behalf Of Gerhard Fiedler
> Sent: Monday, May 28, 2007 9:03 AM
>
> Tony Smith wrote:
>
> >>  So far, yes.
> >
> > And not likely to change anytime soon  :)
>
> One sure-tell sign of bad science is a prediction of the future. Usually

I could not disagree more strongly. The ability to make dependable
predictions of future results is an essential part of good science. Failure
to make testable predictions is a sign of bad science or pseudoscience. A
hypothesis that makes no predictions is not science and frankly, to me it is
useless.

A simple example, using the theory of gravity I can predict what will happen
if I hold my pen waist high and release it. If the predicted result matches
the theory then I have reinforced the validity of the theory with more
evidence. If the result falsifies the prediction then the theory must be
re-evaluated as to its validity.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Scientific_method for further
details.

Paul


> not much more than an attempt at marketing when it happens.
>
> Gerhard

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