4 ms·
The odds that you could perfectly pull off such a stunt are very low, approaching zero asymptotically as time passes and scrutiny grows. For the thing to work e
by scottie_m 9y ago
The odds that you could perfectly pull off such a stunt are very low, approaching zero asymptotically as time passes and scrutiny grows. For the thing to work everyone involved would need to be perfectly able to keep a secret and consistent with their stories. All of the forensic evidence down to carbon dating of dust particles would need to be consistent, and you’d need to foresee decades of developments in archeological techniques which might uncover your plot. The moment your scam is uncovered your reputation is irreparably destroyed, you become a pariah and your professional life ends. Given that it seems wildly unlikely to be an outright scam, although anything is possible.
- braythwayt 9y agoYou would think that kind of thing would be such a strong disincentive that nobody would try it, but then again... Andrew Wakefield: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MMR_vaccine_controversy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MMR_vaccine_controversy That being said, it is extremely improbable.
- scottie_m 9y agoOoh, good point with Wakefield, what a piece of work! The harm he did will almost certainly outlive him, so I guess that’s a legacy?!
- Steko 9y agoAnother example from archaeology: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_Paleolithic_hoax https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_Paleolithic_hoax
- provost 9y agoAnother example: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piltdown_Man https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piltdown_Man