I'm more shallow than you gave me credit. I just consider that "wasting time" is pretty cool (especially when it's about time travel). Newton wrote twice as much about Alchemy than Physics. We can regret the fact that he wasted so much time on immortality and gold transmutation, or may be.. Newton would not have found anything in Physics if he wasn't so obsessed with Alchemy. So I guess, let's enjoy our video game and comics readings, it might bear fruits we wont reach otherwise
Nah, I just think too much. I think the counter argument you're trying to make, and what would actually be the counter argument to the article I shared, is that there are more "dead ends" in science than "discoveries" but we don't always know where paths will lead unless we decide to explore them. In regards to Alchemy in particular, I sometimes wonder if that's something we could consider re exploring, what with a more developed knowledge of math and physics and fusion and fission and such. I'm not saying we shouldn't, but I also think we should be more careful to the extent that we pursue these things and try to better understand how they can affect us.I'm more shallow than you gave me credit.
Newton wrote twice as much about Alchemy than Physics. We can regret the fact that he wasted so much time on immortality and gold transmutation, or may be.. Newton would not have found anything in Physics if he wasn't so obsessed with Alchemy.
So I guess, let's enjoy our video game and comics readings, it might bear fruits we wont reach otherwise
Alchemists contributed to science and I read somewhere that a lot of their mysticism or metaphorical language was a result of secrecy. But they operated under a flawed paradigm. Alchemy was big on the idea of using a small portion of something (usually gold) as a seed which would take surrounding matter and transform it into the desired material (usually gold :P). Like a seed turning air, water and soil into a plant because it's a seed and that's the end of that. With enough metaphor behind it, it's true. But it doesn't answer any "why?". Do you know about the tin pest? If not, it's the type of tin that comes to be from normal tin exposed to low temperatures. It possesses a fascinating property: if you put even a tiny bit of tin pest on a brick of white tin, all of it will slowly turn into the pest form. Also, heat could revert the process. It wasn't insane to think there could be such seeds for other materials. Alchemy had its time. Reimagining it with modern science isn't likely (or IMO possible), even though all the lingo physicists use could make you think they strive for the same secrecy alchemists wanted. ;)
Isaac Newton was an alchemist https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Newton%27s_occult_studies#Alchemical_research
Eh. I have to be already pissed off about something else to be really bothered by pseudoscience being close to mainstream at times. Also, while alchemy itself is basically dead, it's influence carried over in aspects of astrology, hermetic traditions (possibly including Wicca?), alternative medicine and various spiritualists things. Those already have a following, tend to stretch and misunderstand legit science. Face it, you can't eradicate something that offers easy answers and gives you an excuse to wear a cape or cloak.