Can non-experts make original contributions across fields?

[Astronuc]

yes---but the point is, how many experiments did Einstein do, himself, relating to his theories before he published his paper(s) , or to 'prove' his paper(s)?

Asking anyone who has a hypothesis/theory to prove 'by experiment' that theory isn't necessary. It just has to have merits (and still may not be 'right'--it's just got to be 'more right' than the existing ones) that may or can be proved later, as in string theory (which still may never be proved).

There was a period of 'years' between the hypothesis and the experiment for the starlight bending around the sun---and, still, Einstein did not do the experiment himself.

Please tell us. http://www.einstein-website.de/z_physics/wisspub-e.html

Zz's point is that the burden of proof is on the individual making a claim.

 

[Vanadium 50]

I think there's a difference between Einstein and harryjoon. Einstein didn't argue that the reason that previous experiments agreed with Newton was that they were done wrong and needed to be modified to get the correct result. He argued that Newtonian mechanics was a low-velocity limit of SR.

In this case, we have a claim that the experiments need to be modified to get the right answer. Given this, I think a fair question is "what is your background in experimental physics."

 

[ZapperZ]

OK, Z

Why don't you list ALL of the properly conducted experiments that Einstein did

He did none. But why is it relevant here?

Einstein did not claim that ALL of the previous experiments were "wrong". Einstein also did not claim to be a "laymen" with no training on physics BUT somehow was able to come with some amazing theory that is "correct". If he did that, I would ask him the SAME thing.

Zz.

 

[Evo]

This thread is now in violation of the guidelines against overly speculative posts. Closed.