Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Fuel cells

["D. Blake" <dblake@bright.net>]

Hi fellow Submadmans:
Craig was apparently offering up his ideas for peer review.  Having already
arrived at the conclusion that his ideas were very impressive, he was
obviously confounded by unexpected criticism. To overcome the uncomfortable
physical effects (cognitive dissonance) of this incongruency, a
decision--albeit on an unconscious level--had to be made.
a) Perhaps my ideas are in fact flawed.   Though I have spent much time and
thought with this project,  my worst suspicions are being echoed.  I'll
return to the drawing board once again until I'am 100% satisfied.
NOTE:  Here the dissonance is resolved quickly.  But sadly, the foundation
on which the design idea rests will probably have to be eliminated which
confirms the age-old saying: "there's nothing new under the sun".

b) I have spent too much time and energy in deep thought about this project.
I've taken everything possible into consideration.  My design ideas are not
radical/dangerous, but instead unique/novel.  Criticism must therefor be the
result of ineptitude on the part of what I expected would be very impressed
peers.
NOTE: The dissonance is reduced, but still lingers not unlike the pain of a
half-removed splinter in the index finger.

In summary, I can empathize with Craig's frustration.  He has obviously done
his homework.  But I suspect those same nagging suspicions he has had all
along are coming back to haunt him.  The fact that he continues to defend
his position through personal attacks confirms he has made decision "b", and
will not experience relief any time soon.  In fact, he will not experience
relief even if he discontinues communicating with this discussion group.
No, relief will only be realized once he makes decision "b", or finally
proves his point by actuall building the craft he has in mind and it is
successful.
At this point  Craig I offer a decision "c" which would probably benefit all
concerned.  Lay to rest this idea of using propane for ballast at this forum
for the time being.  Instead, show your generousity by sharing valuable
technical information with we who may not be as knowledgeable.  I for one
would be extremely grateful.  In the meantime, continue to pursue your
ideas, and keep us informed in terms of your progress.
TTYL,
BigDave
-----Original Message-----
From: Jonathan Wallace <jon@zk3.dec.com>
To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org <personal_submersibles@psubs.org>
Date: Friday, November 10, 2000 2:15 PM
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Fuel cells


>Craig,
>
>You might consider that you aren't getting what you want out of this group
because
>you came into it with an attitude and ego.  Anytime someone raises an issue
with
>your design you get defensive and reply with a "Hey, don't you guys know
who
>you're talking to" response.  Well, no, we don't.  If you're some
fantastically
>intelligent genius that we ought to all be bowing to, back up your claims
with
>some hard evidence of where you've been and what you've done.  I don't know
about
>the others, but I'm not too impressed with an unconditionalized statement
such as,
>"I work for a group that designs advanced vehicle systems."   Does your
group
>design vehicles for toy companies or the space program?  What degrees do
you
>hold?  What universities did you attend?  What vehicles have you designed
that
>were actually produced?  What research papers have you had published?  What
>patents have you applied for?
>
>Except for your last message that had *some* detail, you've offered nothing
but
>very general concepts of a sub design that is not mainstream.  The first
time
>someone raised a safety issue you got defensive instead of providing a
clear,
>reasoned explanation of why you find the risk acceptable.  And then when
you find
>out the group doesn't blindly accept your non-traditional design you attack
the
>forum by suggesting we're all a bunch of lightweights and all the *smart*
guys are
>participating in this forum read-only but contacting you privately.  You
might
>want to check the credentials of those people because my experience reading
this
>forum is that the folks who can prove they have designed and constructed
>successful submersible vehicles are conservative and safety concious in
their
>approach, and quite suspect of
>radical new designs.
>
>You'll never learn anything when you already know it all.
>
>Jon
>
>