Gravity is Just a Theory As Well

This letter is in response to Brett Miller’s letter in the Dec. 12 paper.

There are many things I find ironic in this letter. He proceeds to rant about Mike Argento’s lack of evidence on evolution, then uses the reasoning that Darwin said evolution should be discounted if not "proven" within a generation. With all due respect, I do not see the difference between your rationale and Mr. Argento’s, according to your stance. Also, just because Darwin said this does not mean it was true. For example, Mr. Einstein once said "God does not play dice with the cosmos" in regards to many theories such as quantum theory, which is shown to be true in many experiments.

I find it ironic that Mr. Miller states "it’s still (only) a theory." It saddens me how few people have learned what a theory is in science class, for it does not have the same meaning in science as it does in everyday conversation. Theories are the closest we as humans can come to proof through hard evidence. People also do not realize that theories are huge, and would take encyclopedias upon encyclopedias to write down all the ramifications and experiments done to "prove" them.

What also is key to note is that any theory has "holes." For example, Newton first proposed the "theory" of gravity. This idea of gravity was part of a much larger theory. What people do not realize is that our conception of gravity changed under Einstein. Does that mean that gravity is not believed anymore? Of course not; the main principle of gravity works, just some of the nuts and bolts have changed.

DUSTIN RHODES

SPRINGETTSBURY TOWNSHIP