Article Abstracts from ESJ #46

"Tribute to Tom Van Flandern," ESJ Staff
Tom Van Flandern published several excellent articles refuting with experimental evidence claims that gravity traveled at the speed of light or some slower speed. Viewing mass elements as discrete and bounded particles, he remained unable to explain how momentum could be transferred across a vacuum. Following is an opinionated review of his work on the instantaneity of gravity published on his web site metaresearch.org. Van Flandern passed away January 9, 2009.

"39 Questionable Assumptions in Modern Physics," Greg Volk
The growing body of anomalies in new energy, low energy nuclear reactions, astrophysics, atomic physics, and entanglement, combined with the failure of the standard model and string theory to predict many of the most basic fundamental phenomena, all point to a need for major new paradigms - not Band-Aids, but revolutionary new ways of conceptualizing physics, in the spirit of Thomas Kuhn’s The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. This paper identifies a number of long-held, but unproven assumptions currently being challenged by an increasing number of alternative scientists. Two common themes, both with venerable histories, keep recurring in the many alternative theories being proposed: (1) Mach’s principle, and (2) toroidal-vortex particles. Matter-based Mach’s principle differs from both space-based universal frames and observer-based Einsteinian relativity. Toroidal particles, in addition to both explaining electron spin and the fundamental constants, satisfy the basic requirement of Gauss’ misunderstood B law that motion itself circulates. Though a comprehensive theory is beyond the scope of this paper, it will suggest alternatives to the long list of assumptions in context.

"Instantaneous Action at a Distance - Pro and Contra," ESJ Staff
Instantaneous Action at a Distance in Modern Physics is a collection of insightful articles supporting and refuting claims that momentum may be transmitted from one visible surface to another not in contact with it. Following is a commentary on viable arguments taken only from "Pro" articles.

"Oldies but Goodies - Classic Works Advocating IAAAD," ESJ Staff
Following are brief reviews of a hodgepodge of classical works from the literature. All hint that the universe is capable of carrying on certain transmissions without messenger particles.