Decline of E+WW

[John Woodgate]

I read in sci.electronics.design that Kryten <kryten_droid_obfusticator@

I'm reminded of an ancient philosopher who argued that we could learn
nothing from the stars because they were so far away and all we had was
the light.

Not very ancient: the statement was made around 1850. Isaac Asimov cites
it in one of his popular science books, and indeed says (roughly) that
'within 15 years, most of astronomy WAS astrophysics'. This was due to
the invention of spectroscopy by Bunsen and Kirchoff and of spectral
absorption by Fraunhofer.

Asimov. of course, meticulously cites the full name of the 'philosopher'
who made the statement, but I can't find the text at present.

 

[Pig Bladder]

I'm just hoping that whoever the American public have looking after
their mental well being do actually make a polite visit to Rich to see
if he is alright.

Yeah! Better call the thought police! Gotta stamp out that insanity before
you catch it!

Oops. Too late.

 

[Paul Burke]

Asimov. of course, meticulously cites the full name of the 'philosopher'
who made the statement, but I can't find the text at present.

Immanuel Kant it was, about 1800.

Paul Burke