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Science of Battal
Scientific progress in Battal is broken into five stages, which are as follows.
Obvservation:
A person, be they adventurer, explorer or scientist, will notice something. This may be something never seen before, but more often it is something very obvious that was always missed due to Nose Blindness.
Ex. "That dragon has sharp claws."
Hypothesis
Given the observation, a scientist will now develop a theory to explain it. This theory will likely be the most obvious one to arise from the observation, in accordance with Okham's Razor.
Ex. "Those claws are probably used for slashing things."
Anti-Thesis
A second scientist, hoping to gain acclaim, will devise an alternate theory. Because the most obvious theory is taken, this second theory will represent an application not immediately obvious but nonetheless possible.
Ex. "They were actually used for running."
In-Fighting
The two theories will gain credence with various groups. These groups will split into "camps"; members of each camp will feverently follow camp dogma while simultaneously denying any new ideas (even if backed up with indisputable proof) that contradict it. Because the two camps cannot tolerate each others ideas, they fight endlessly. Flame wars are common, and it is not unheard of for arguments to erupt into outright violence. The Anti-Thesis typically attempts to get its views taught in all the prestigious Elemenstoring schools, despite the fact that they have little scientific backing.
Ex. "Stupid N00b. Every1 knows that clawz R 4 slashing."
Synthesis
Finally, the two groups will decide to resolve their differences through actual testing. Measurements are made, graphs designed, declarations signed in blood. A representative from each camp then ventures to the dragon to get it's opinion on the delicate slashing/running issue, at which point they are both devoured.
Following this, the two camps will decide that the best prevent more of their members from being eaten is to find a middle ground. The theory is thus revised to say that dragons used their claws for slashing and running. This consensus continues until an alternate theory is formed, and the whole thing starts over again.
Comments (3)
Anonymous said
at 3:45 am on Feb 21, 2006
shouldn't this be linked somewhere
Anonymous said
at 3:49 am on Feb 21, 2006
I honestly thought it was front-page linked... Lemme check that
Anonymous said
at 3:50 am on Feb 21, 2006
Front-page linked, in with Physiks and such.
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