Before
I wrote 'The Dark Star' I spent some time listening to sceptical voices about
Planet X. I considered their arguments, and took them into account when
formulating my own theory. Some of those sceptics wrote on the 'Bad
Astronomy' bulletin board, of which I was a member. I debated them in a
civilised way and, to be fair to them, their responses were generally helpful,
if tinged with the usual negativity you often find in such company. All
the same, a useful experience.
'The Dark Star' is a better book for it, because it counters the scepticism and builds a framework for the Dark Star theory which sidesteps much of the prior criticism. This allows me to confidently claim that the sceptics are going to have a tough time debunking my book. People interested in whether a substantial Planet X body exists are therefore going to be able to read it, quote from it, and answer their critics fairly and squarely.
Having used this methodology to prepare the book, I considered it proper to go back to the 'Bad Astronomy' bulletin board and place this book before them, rather like a knight of old would place a gauntlet before his opponent. What I did not expect was that this open challenge would be seen by the moderator of the board simply as a marketing ploy.
He, or she, instantly banned me; for life!
Now, I'm pretty cross about this for a number of reasons. One of them is that the Bad Astronomy website is not exactly pure as driven snow when it comes to merchandising. It offers T-shirts for sale, as well as a book, and has advertising and sponsorship. The commercial merits of the site have not been lost on its owner.
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Does one smell a certain whiff of hypocrisy?
Well, that's the way of the world, isn't it? Perhaps what bothers me is this: now that I'm an 'author', I am judged to be solely in the market to sell books. Therefore, my opinion can be shunned. This is a complete nonsense. The reason why one writes a book about this subject is that it is such a complex matter that only a book will suffice to truly do it justice. The chances of making any money out of a book of such limited appeal to the general reader are remote. It's not what it's all about at all! One would be a fool to go into this field thinking it would lead to fame and fortune. I, for one, am no fool.
So the attitude of the 'Bad Astronomy' family of sceptics is absurd. They want to debate the issues on their terms. They're happy for their own website to market books and T-shirts. But, if an 'author' comes along who has written a book which is tailor-made to counter their very best objections to a subject such as Planet X, then the best way of debating that author seems to be to reject his challenge. And ban him.
Well, frankly, I'm less than impressed. I expected more of these people. Their snide, sanctimonious side-swipes are irritating, but you can live with that. However, this kind of one-sided approach to debating borders on censorship. It is not becoming of a body of individuals who claim to be fair-minded and beholding of a scientific education. Tell me: how can you actually debate the contents of a book without first mentioning its name?
It seems to me that by writing a book I have somehow disqualified myself from having a valid opinion...
Andy Lloyd 10th December 2005
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Since 10th December
2005
