I question the conclusions presented based on the data I've seen and the apparent assumptions. I think the whole article is poorly presented and possibly misleading (can't say for sure given the information).
I didn't know that they were physicists/engineers when I read it. The reductivist complaint may indeed apply here.
I agree with you that the title of the article and the way it is presented is a bit sensationalistic.
As for hobbiests in general... amateurs and hobbiests can, and have, contributed greatly to science and should continue to do so. Writing their work off *because* it is amateur or hobbiest work is overkill.
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Date: 2011-03-23 05:23 pm (UTC)I didn't know that they were physicists/engineers when I read it. The reductivist complaint may indeed apply here.
I agree with you that the title of the article and the way it is presented is a bit sensationalistic.
As for hobbiests in general... amateurs and hobbiests can, and have, contributed greatly to science and should continue to do so. Writing their work off *because* it is amateur or hobbiest work is overkill.