Of course, no one with any sense will fall for it. But somehow I doubt they are targeting those with regard for common sense, or the laws of thermodynamics.

Reply 25

mipmapped

13

Of course, no one with any sense will fall for it. But somehow I doubt they are targeting those with regard for common sense, or the laws of thermodynamics.

No doubt.

Reply 26

mshar

1

Jonatan

http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/crackpot.html

# 50 points for claiming you have a revolutionary theory but giving no concrete testable predictions.

Pi is exactly three!

mipmapped

The public might be conned by it, but not professional investors.

Because investors have never fallen for crackpot schemes that haven't a hope in hell of working, have they? :rolleyes:

Reply 29

mipmapped

13

Because investors have never fallen for crackpot schemes that haven't a hope in hell of working, have they?

There's crackpot, as in .com bubble and there's crackpot as in inventions that defy the laws of physics.

Reply 30

ChemistBoy

16

mipmapped

There's crackpot, as in .com bubble and there's crackpot as in inventions that defy the laws of physics.

Have you looked at the 'alternative' health industry lately?

Reply 31

mipmapped

13

Have you looked at the 'alternative' health industry lately?

That's different. Investors go nuts for it because the public go nuts for it. There's a product there, whether it works or not is another matter. In this case, it's not possible for there to be a product. It's not even a gamble on a future product, because that product can't exist. I'd bet my house you know more than me about thermodynamics, and so far as I'm aware there's no way that the product could ever work.

It reminds me of Primordial M-Water, except in that case, you could actually buy it.

Reply 32

jpowell

15

The product here is people investing. No one is claiming they are targetting sensible professional investors, they are targeting people easily convinced by buzzwords and bravado.

Reply 33

ChemistBoy

16

mipmapped

That's different. Investors go nuts for it because the public go nuts for it. There's a product there, whether it works or not is another matter. In this case, it's not possible for there to be a product. It's not even a gamble on a future product, because that product can't exist. I'd bet my house you know more than me about thermodynamics, and so far as I'm aware there's no way that the product could ever work.

It reminds me of Primordial M-Water, except in that case, you could actually buy it.

It's all snake-oil just the same. Bad science is bad science where-ever it is applied and there will be mugs who will part with their cash for the hope that it might work.

Reply 34

mipmapped

13

It's all snake-oil just the same. Bad science is bad science where-ever it is applied and there will be mugs who will part with their cash for the hope that it might work.

I'll not dispute that - I was talking about professional investors (fund managers, say) keeping clear. Seeing as the readership of the Economist (I'd imagine) is made up of primarily professional financial-types, It's probably not the best place to advertise.

Perhaps I'm just naive.

Reply 35

captain_yesterday

if you enjoy reading about these crackpot schemes i recommend the "feedback" section (on the penultimate page) in New Scientist every week, there are some truly hilarious ones that get sent in by readers :biggrin:

Reply 36

Jaffaholic

All i can say is, what idiots. (if its serious)

Reply 37

LostRiot

14

ghost101

All i can say is, what idiots. (if its serious)

what so if they've created a machine which is 400% efficent, they're idiots?

yeah that makes perfect sense.

I think they're probably over looking something, or have their computer set up wrong or something, or that whole marketing company thing is a clever idea but too silly, anyone can get alot of publicity when they annouce a product that will change the world, if they can put a full page ad in the observer then they're certain not to fair.

I've spent most of today reading up on this (I have a boring job) the guardian's article is very good.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/story/0,,1858134,00.html

Reply 38

croissantfever

12

These guys have discovered the secret of perpetual motion?! SOMEONE HAND THEM A NOBEL PRIZE!!!!!!!!

Reply 39

LpLex

Hell... This is a bloody joke. Makes you kind of wish you believe in magic.

Someone tell them to get back to primary school.

"Our Technology and the Laws of Physics"... my god.

Has this 'mob' changed the laws of physics?

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