Re: [ATM] There seems to be a reoccurring motif among this list.

[Mike Lockwood <melockwo@uiuc.edu>]

Hi,

Bob May wrote:
> Fighting for your idea isn't bad but you do
> need to modify or throw it away, if necessary, when better ideas
> happen from somebody else.  This is the way to advance the
> knowledge of how to do things in the world.

Exactly.  The ATM list is a vehicle that conveys experience and knowledge.

I have made or modified 30+ telescopes, and I am currently figuring 
mirror #29.  Therefore, I answer questions that are relevant to my 
experiences in those areas.  I try very hard not to speculate on 
things I don't know about.  That's just wasted bandwidth.

If you read my posts, you will see phrases like "In my experience", or 
"I have seen" or "at least that is what I have found".  These wordings 
are chosen carefully to indicate that whatever I am saying is rooted 
in my personal experiences (many of which were gained during 
late-night figuring sessions).  Also, I try to avoid sweeping 
generalizations, because there is almost always a special case.  Many 
people both excel at and enjoy pointing those out!

The list could be more tolerant, innovative, efficient, and helpful 
for new (and possibly controversial) ideas if members would restrict 
their responses to topics that they have direct personal experience with.

Before proposing a new idea, it is wise to CHECK THE ARCHIVES to see 
if it is indeed new (the topic of metal mirrors keeps being 
"rediscovered", it seems), or if in fact there has been a serious 
discussion of the idea in the past.  For those who are new or have 
forgotten where they are, the archives can be found at:
   http://astro.umsystem.edu/atm/

Sergeant Pinback wrote:
 > The atm list doesn't know Jack...

That's an interesting theory - where is your proof?  Without proof it 
is merely an insult.

	Mike Lockwood

_______________________________________________
ATM mailing list http://www.atmlist.net/