Energy of the Future - General Discussion Forum

Novice Joined: Sep 15, 2005 Posts: 9

I was just thinking about the best hoax I've ever heard of:
Alan Sokal wrote a paper in Social Text called
"Transgressing the Boundaries: Toward a Transformative Hermeneutics of Quantum Gravity"
http://www.physics.nyu.edu/faculty/sokal/transgress_v2/transgress_v2_singlefile.html
in whish he took some of the leading physics ideas of the day and drew some really crazy social and political conclusions. It was meant as a hoax to see whether it would actual get publshed. It did, and remains famous as one of the greatest academic hoaxes of all time.

His explanation, "Transgressing the Boundaries: An Afterword", can be found here:
http://www.physics.nyu.edu/faculty/sokal/afterword_v1a/afterword_v1a_singlefile.html

With the ever increasing use of the web, hoaxes are becoming much easier. What are the best ya'll have seen?

Addict Joined: Aug 04, 2005 Posts: 69

http://weblog.physorg.com/news2973.html

I thought this was absolutely hillarious. As soon as I read it I knew what people down toward the bottom later pointed out. I've had 30,000 volts passing through my arm before, and didn't even get a tingle. Heck I've had 50,000 volts applied to the nape of my neck and only felt a slight tingle (stupid kid in high school.)

As many point out it would take a strong current to create scorch marks.

Addict Joined: Aug 04, 2005 Posts: 69

http://weblog.physorg.com/news2954.html

I certainly hope this is a hoax.

Addict Joined: Aug 04, 2005 Posts: 69

Oh yah, and let's not forget back in late July the

Mars will appear as big as the moon in August.

headlines.

BTW. Tonight, Oct. 6th 10pm, mars is spectacular about 30 degrees above the eastern horizon.

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