François Pajot

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NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

Section 14 – Solar System and Distant Universe.

THE SECRETARY

François Pajot Institute of Space Astrophysics Tel. 01 69 85 85 67 Fax. 01 69 85 86 75

Orsay, March 15, 2000......................

Jean-Pierre PETIT......................... UMR Marseille.................................

Dear Colleague,

During its autumn 1999 session, Section 14 of the National Committee reviewed your scientific activities. To summarize its opinion on your case, the section asked your rapporteur to write a personal message which I now transmit to you.

Please accept, dear colleague, my best wishes.

François Pajot
Scientific Secretary

Address:**NATIONAL CENTER FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
**3, RUE MICHEL-ANGE 75794 PARIS CEDEX 16 TEL.01 44 96 40 00 - FAX 01 44 96 50 00

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Section 14 is concerned about the state of your research activities. It reminds you that peer evaluation remains the foundation for the validity of a theory. If your article proposals encounter difficulties in publication, or even rejections, there are probably good reasons for this. Challenging the value of these judgments by avoiding standard scientific evaluation channels will only lead to your complete marginalization. This marginalization may seem satisfying to you, if you think “I am right against the entire scientific community.” But it is certainly counterproductive if you wish for your theories to be recognized one day. Now, if these discussions show that your theories have flaws, it is your duty to accept them without adopting a victim mentality. The development of science has occurred through the formulation of countless theories—many of which would make a master’s student laugh today, such as the ether theory. Nevertheless, these theories enabled progress because their authors agreed to discuss them and acknowledge their limits. Conversely, marginalization and refusal to engage in discussion doom a proposal to stagnation, or worse, to nonscientific nonsense like Mr. Charon’s pseudo-theories about the soul of the electron. It is up to you to decide what logic you wish to follow in your future work. Section 14 can only encourage you to follow a scientific logic and to engage in discussions with your peers.

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