group query

[Vincent J Varo]

On Tue, 12 Sep 1995, jporter wrote:

> 
> I find the angry flak which scientists like Tipler (right or wrong) have
> attracted from among their own ranks, by REcognizing what artists have been
> suggesting, pointing out, ironically denying, etc., for years, to be
> indicative of just how clueless the unconscious worshippers of science
> really are. (Note: not all scientists are likewise unconscious.)
> 

I just recently began reading Tipler's _Physics of Immortality_ and 
though, admittedly, I'm neither physicist nor mathematician I do consider 
myself to be a relatively intelligent layperson in these areas.

The Tipler book seems to be coming from out of left field and just struck 
me more as science fiction/speculation than science.  In fact, his thesis 
reminds me quit a bit of an Asimov short story entitled "The Last 
Question" (I think) wherein people over the eons repeatedly ask the most 
powerful computer available "Can entropy be reversed?"  The computer 
always answers "Insufficient data for meaningful reply" until we get to 
the end where all life has evolved into one humungous Universal 
Computer.  At this point the computer is all that exists and the universe 
is in darkness (heat death) and so the computer asks _itself_ "Can 
entropy be reversed?"  To which it answers itself: " 'Let there be light' 
and there was light...."

I queried sci.physics about Tipler and the responses I've gotten are all 
that regardless of Tipler's credentials, he's out on a limb with this one.

Joe
vjvaro at moose.erie.net