> I wrote,
>
> > I'm a tax accountant. Suppose I handed you your 1995 return and it showed
> > taxable income of $30,000 and income tax of $50,000, You would certainly
> > question whether it was properly prepared.
> > And what right would I have to respond, "Go to hell - you've never read
> the
> > Internal Revenue Code."
> > That's right - none. Because the return didn't make sense, and you need
> not
> > be a tax accountant to see it. THAT'S my point.
>
> Tom responded,
>
> >>>Sure, your client could ask if something was wrong. But, on the other
> hand, if he asserts that it definately is wrong without looking what what
> was actually done, you'd have every right to kick him out of the office.<<<
>
>
> Sure, and you can do the same. But that's not the point. The point IS,
> it would be arrogant and question-begging for me to simply direct him to
> the Code And Regs. What's more, secondary literature would probably serve
> the purpose musch better.
It would be arrogant and question-begging if you never checked your work
or had others check your work, which is what science does (but often not
what secondary literature does, actually). If I want to publish
anything, I have to subject my work to many people to look at it. The
article reviewers are normally at least three people, and I prefer to add a
few more, and even requested in the past for the toughest reviewers
possible. Once it is published, all of science that's interested passes
it's judgement on the work. Now, given all that, someone doubting your
work or the work of others without a serious attempt to understand the
work is a waste of time.
Evidently, you have an interest in learning scientific issues. But I'm
still left wondering why it's such a problem for you to read primary
literature? You are simply not going to get scientists to spend the
hours typing in material when they can refer you to a place which is more
detailed and already written out. So, again, what is your problem? Why
is it you resist going to read the material? Many are willing to help
out when you give reading the stuff a try. High school kids can do it!
So, again, why can't you take the time to read it?
Tom