RE: Microraptor hanqingi, new species from China.

[Jaime Headden <qi_leong@hotmail.com>]

I am delurking for the time being to make what I think is a fairly simple 
observation:

  The responses to this unlaudable series of papers, rife as they are with 
problematic assertions, will only serve to reinforce to the authors what might 
be termed as a persecution complex. Namely that one is like unto Galileo, in 
that despite these responses he (or she) will be eventually proven right. 
Pointing out facts typically does not dissuade people to believing the opposite 
of their assertion, but rather reinforces that belief. 

  If a person will not be persuaded, do not attempt to persuade them. Instead, 
release a report that simply and plainly argues opposite that point, and move 
on. Point to it when it is brought up, but do not stand and debate. Debating is 
more fun to those who compel by social or emotional appeal, rather than through 
reason and openness to contradictory statements, and in this I think there is 
no "win" for those who argue against the "ABSRD" and "MANIAC" positions of 
Burnham, Martin, Czercaks, Feduccia, et al..

  Further formal responses to Gong are the best, and I think only, way to 
contradict the data.

Cheers,

  Jaime A. Headden
  The Bite Stuff (site v2)
  http://qilong.wordpress.com/

"Innocent, unbiased observation is a myth." --- P.B. Medawar (1969)


"Ever since man first left his cave and met a stranger with a
different language and a new way of looking at things, the human race
has had a dream: to kill him, so we don't have to learn his language or
his new way of looking at things." --- Zapp Brannigan (Beast With a Billion 
Backs)