A Beginner's View of Our Electric Universe - New

important reason behind me writing this book is that, instead of being based solely on ideas and gymnastic
conjecture, it comes from a base of common sense science that has its foundations in proven working theory.
It is abundantly clear that Electric Universe theories have a far better chance of making sense to fair and openminded
members of the public. But again and of course, there will always be those who believe they already
know the truth and that discussion around other ideas is pointless. I have said it before but I’ll say it yet again;
I just want people to be interested enough to look deeper and to make up their own minds on these things. After
all, should we think for ourselves or just wait to be given our opinions?
Perhaps supporters of the Standard Model who have the capacity to accept that there may be something to
pay attention to in the Electric Universe model will see this as an intellectual challenge for them to take some
time over. After all, looking a little further should hold no fear for these people if they are confident of their
knowledge and their own open-mindedness. My appeal to them would be to start off by putting aside their
normal beliefs before they investigate, consider and discuss Electric Universe theories. Laying things out on the
table is always good to do. Nothing can stop public debate if we motivate ourselves to have it and those of us
who can should talk openly about areas of disagreement. I cannot be clearer when I say that it is wrong to wait
for change to come down from the ‘gods’ of astro-science's Mount Olympus; we should instead go straight to
the interested public who may well end up putting a fire to the toes of the antiques who populate that place by
making it obvious that the power of informed public opinion will likely help make them appear as dots in the
rear-view mirror of the bus that is headed towards reality.
Thinking about constructive dialogue in science reminds me of something I read in Stephen Hawking’s “The
Illustrated Brief History of Time” (p94). For me, one thing his words expose is the attitude to change that exists
in the upper echelons of astro-science … “It is very difficult to make a mark in experimental physics unless you
are already at the top!”
I have had the pleasure of being in the company of Wal Thornhill at two public events but I cannot remember
whether it was at one of these or somewhere else where he said the following … “The information I could give
to the world’s young folks would be just the thing to inspire them in science in ways that have disappeared from
current science.” This, for me, says a lot about the type of people who are involved with the Electric Universe
project and the motivations they have for doing what they do. It also highlights the unavoidable responsibility
that we as supposed grown-ups have for attending to the wider learning environment so that the minds of our
children can expand and develop appropriately into the future. I also liked Wal’s summary description of the
time when Electric Universe ideas will be seen as the truth of the matter; he referred to this as … “childhood’s
end” … the time when we surrender our arrogance and humbly start understanding the reality of our place in
the universe, how it operates, and how the human race should develop into the future. I do have faith that time
itself can change all these things. The antiquated old codgers will die off, worthy young brains will take over
and the public will feel more engaged with natural science.
173 | A final word