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Green Ink Letters
Probably every scientist has encountered the green ink handwriting which signals the arrival of
the latest letter from an inventor of an idea which will save mankind.
In my career, I have received and had to answer many such letters
often about a non-polluting source of energy.
Such inventors fall into a number of different groups:
- some think they have discovered a new source of energy (e.g. cold fusion1);
- some believe they have discovered how to access a source of energy hitherto thought untappable
(e.g. zero point energy2 or thunderstorms3);
- some have invented a Perpetual Motion Machine4
(a machine which breaks the Laws of Thermodynamics5).
Of course, such inventors are entitle to question the known laws of science.
Atomic energy appeared to break the Laws of Thermodynamics until Einstein6
explained that matter is a form of energy and introduced his famous equation E=mc2 .
But even Einstein thought his new form of energy (matter) was untappable as an energy source and said
"There is not the slightest indication that [nuclear energy] will ever be obtainable"7.
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The most common version of a Perpetual Motion Machine4
(because it is both easily conceived and surprisingly difficult to disprove by analysis of its internal mechanics)
is an arrangement of levers and weights around a wheel.
The levers are cunningly hinged to lie outwards to the right of the wheel but downwards to the left
(See the sketch at the right for a typical design).
This, says the inventor, is sure to make the wheel rotate without any external energy
source if only it could be built with sufficient precision.
Those (like me) who accept the First Law of Thermodynamics ("Energy can neither be created nor destroyed") instantly recognise the characteristics of a Perpetual
Motion Machine, and reject the invention, however clever its structure, without even bothering to study its details.
Understandably, the lone inventor - not accepting or understanding the First Law of Thermodynamics - is appalled by this attitude.
With the potential benefits, it is not surprising that we see the lone inventors
continuing to come forward with their ideas.
They do so with a persistence which puts to shame many of us who claim to have a religious faith.
After all, like the lone inventor, I believe I know something which:
- would produce incalculable benefits to all of mankind;
- would revolutionise the world in which we live.
and moreover what I believe would, if adopted widely, avoid millions being condemned to an eternity of anguish.
Perhaps I should follow the example of the lone inventor!
So get ready for a flood of green ink letters as I get more persistent in telling people that
God loves them and Jesus died for them.
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