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How many times throughout history have we heard this? I think that this is probably the most important part in any huge discovery throughout history, people re

How many times throughout history have we heard this? I think that this is probably the most important part in any huge discovery throughout history, people refusing to believe or not knowing that it that it "can't be done". (Of course the trick is knowing when something really can't be done, ex. alchemy)

T-hawk 15y ago
Alchemy can be done. Gold has been synthesized on the nuclear level by way of neutron bombardment of other elements. It's just not economically practical since the process costs more in equipment and energy than the value of the gold. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synthesis_of_noble_metals#Gold http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synthesis_of_noble_metals#Gold
- derleth 15y ago
  > Alchemy can be done. Only by dishonestly redefining your terms. Alchemy was always focused on chemical methods. Converting lead to gold that way is impossible.
  - chc 15y ago
    I think "dishonestly" is a little strong (though yes, alchemy was an early branch of chemistry).
  - T-hawk 15y ago
    Right, and finding another way is how the "can do" person wins over the "can't" naysayers. It's like saying Jules Verne's cannon to the moon is impossible... which is true, but not really the point, since rocket travel to the moon has been proven.
    - derleth 15y ago
      My point is that you can make any prediction 'come true' if you redefine enough words in it. This is a dumb parlor trick and tells us nothing about how people of the past actually thought.
  - jerf 15y ago
    "Alchemy" predates meaningful definition of the word "chemical"! If you had presented them the modern solution, they would not have been so inclined to split hairs. They were looking for any way, regardless of whether it was "chemical" or "nuclear" or magic for all they cared.
zipdog 15y ago
And yet, without all the efforts that went into alchemy (including Newton) we might have been delayed getting chemistry among other fields. (I've been reading Gleick's bio on Newton, and it makes a point about the impact that the 'fruitless' alchemy had on modern science.. the real mistake of the alchemists was being secretive about methods and results)

T-hawk 15y ago

Alchemy can be done. Gold has been synthesized on the nuclear level by way of neutron bombardment of other elements. It's just not economically practical since the process costs more in equipment and energy than the value of the gold. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synthesis_of_noble_metals#Gold http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synthesis_of_noble_metals#Gold

derleth 15y ago
> Alchemy can be done. Only by dishonestly redefining your terms. Alchemy was always focused on chemical methods. Converting lead to gold that way is impossible.
- chc 15y ago
  I think "dishonestly" is a little strong (though yes, alchemy was an early branch of chemistry).
- T-hawk 15y ago
  Right, and finding another way is how the "can do" person wins over the "can't" naysayers. It's like saying Jules Verne's cannon to the moon is impossible... which is true, but not really the point, since rocket travel to the moon has been proven.
  - derleth 15y ago
    My point is that you can make any prediction 'come true' if you redefine enough words in it. This is a dumb parlor trick and tells us nothing about how people of the past actually thought.
- jerf 15y ago
  "Alchemy" predates meaningful definition of the word "chemical"! If you had presented them the modern solution, they would not have been so inclined to split hairs. They were looking for any way, regardless of whether it was "chemical" or "nuclear" or magic for all they cared.

zipdog 15y ago

And yet, without all the efforts that went into alchemy (including Newton) we might have been delayed getting chemistry among other fields. (I've been reading Gleick's bio on Newton, and it makes a point about the impact that the 'fruitless' alchemy had on modern science.. the real mistake of the alchemists was being secretive about methods and results)