Talk:Brian David Josephson

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An individual covered by or significantly related to this article, Brian David Josephson, has edited Wikipedia as
Brian Josephson (talk · contribs)

[edit] The famous advice to scientists

I was about to edit this item but could not, since I don't know whether Josephson used the exact phrase "Take nobody's word for it" or whether that is just a gloss by someone else of the Latin "Nullius in verba". This should be checked; and, certainly, it should be pointed out that "Nullius in verba" is the motto of the Royal Society. Axel 05:03, 3 July 2007 (UTC)

I do use that phrase on my home page. I am aware of the connection with the RS motto. At the time I was pretty certain of what that was but had some problem finding an explicit reference so just called it the 'scientists' motto' instead. I had a lengthy discussion with someone once as to what exactly the original (by Cicero) was and the appropriate translation, but the version I used, valid translation or not, was the title of a TV science series.

Changing the subject, inclusion of Randi's attack is pretty bizarre (what kind of authority on quantum mechanics is he?), but I thought that instead of merely deleting it I'd include what Humphrey, who is by no means a supporter of the paranormal, thought of it. The program, which you can find on my home page, was introduced with a recording of Randi's Rant (he was not there at the time) and consisted of a discussion involving Humphrey and myself. Brian Josephson 12:19, 17 September 2007 (UTC)

While I do agree with Randi on the fact that suggesting Subatomic physics may permit paranormal phenomena in the conventional sense, I don't agree that name calling is constructive. However concerning the mention itself, I think that 1. It needs a source. 2. It's relevant as Randi is very notable in such contexts as that and he has a lot of experience debunking people who support such things. I'm sure there is more criticism out there from Randi and from others, so that section could be expanded. Also the basic biography itself could be expanded, I'd expect much more info out there on a Nobel prize winner. If you are indeed Mr. Josephson, Please put a list of sources on yourself out here and I'll expand the article. Wikidudeman ^(talk) 15:35, 17 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] WikiProject class rating

This article was automatically assessed because at least one WikiProject had rated the article as stub, and the rating on other projects was brought up to Stub class. BetacommandBot 09:45, 10 November 2007 (UTC)

Yeah it's very short. I just added a brief publication section. I'll reformat it to the correct style later (if no one else does) i'm too tired to do it now. Xhacker —Preceding unsigned comment added by 78.149.134.54 (talk) 00:37, 4 June 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Paranormal section

This heading and its contents misled me into thinking Josephson applies 'Take nobody's word for it' only to parapsychology. But then I find "Meetings of Nobel Laureates in Lindau: Pathological Disbelief" http://www.lindau-nobel.de/content/view/19/32/ and see that he applies it to other things as well. Section needs to be retitled and expanded. This guy seems to be some kind of critic of the scientific method!! (irony intended).SmithBlue (talk) 03:56, 1 January 2008 (UTC)