From: rrllff@yahoo.com   
      
   On Wednesday, August 21, 2013 10:45:40 AM UTC-4, Phil Hobbs wrote:   
   > On 08/21/2013 08:21 AM, Helpful person wrote:   
   >   
   > > A more interesting aspect (for me) is to speculate which mechanism   
   > > sets the permeability and permittivity of free space.  It is these   
   > > values that set the speed of light.  If they are constant (which we   
   > > assume in all the astronomical calculations of which I am aware) then   
   > > our present extrapolations may be correct.  However, if their values   
   > > can be changed (even controlled), then then we are back to square 1.   
   > >   
   > > I've often wondered about the effect of assuming that the "constants"   
   > > are not truly constant.   
   >   
   >   
   > Over the years, various people have looked at theories like that, iirc   
   > usually trying to explain quasars and their redshifts by letting G vary   
   > very slowly with time, but so far it's all epicycles and no Newton.   
   >   
   > The problem is that unless there's a plausible mechanism, to do that is   
   > to undercut the principle of uniformity (physical laws are the same   
   > everywhere), which is the essential philosophical basis of science.   
   >   
   > Cheers   
   >   
   > Phil Hobbs   
   >   
   Maybe we need some dark science!   
      
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