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Thank you, Brian, for checking in depth. I did notice the author's
reference to his own version of relativity, but it was very subtle and I
didn't recognize any obvious signs that would have risen eyebrows further.
I should have checked further.

Is there a "bad physics" website
(http://www.ems.psu.edu/~fraser/BadScience.html) this could be referred to?

Better yet, are there sites teachers should use (animated or visual
presentations) instead, if they are located 400 miles from the nearest
science museum?

Pam

At 2004-09-09 12:45 PM -0400, you wrote:
>Subject: Re: [ISEN] A Surprisingly Easy Way to Become an Einstein
>To:           [log in to unmask]
>
>
>Dear Pam,
>Particularly since we are approaching the "Centennial of Physics," I feel
>compelled to comment on the web site recommended by your contacts in the
>note you posted below.
>
>The "Alice Law" site proposes an alternative to Einstein's theory of
>relativity, in which the velocity of light is not a constant, independent
>of reference frame.
>
>Few theories have recieved as much confirmation as Einstein's theory of
>special relativity, and the experimental evidence for the constancy of the
>speed of light is overwhelming.
>
>Although the graphics and cartoons are entertaining, the message of this
>site is apparently to suggest an alternative to Einstein's theory, which
>is not accepted in the scientific community. The later material on forces
>and general relativity are.....well, odd.
>
>At the risk of allowing an entry for psuedoscience, some of the most
>recent theories of the structure of the universe incorporate a speed of
>light that varies with energy. In this sense, the speed of light is not
>"constant." However, it is still independent of relative motion of the
>reference frames.
>
>I would not encourage the use of this material in any educational context.
>
>Happy "Einstein Centennial"!
>
>-Brian Tonner
>Orlando Science Center and
>Dept. of Physics, University of Central Florida

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