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The Closing Address from Andrew Collins
There was no time for any kind of questions or panel debate after Emilio Spedicato’s lecture, which was a great shame. There simply had not been enough time in the day. I was also unable to deliver my closing address so it seems appropriate to give it here.
‘The lectures you have heard today have, I believe, demonstrate that theories expounded in popular books can have a relevance in the advancement of science.
What’s more, they can be researched and proposed outside the confines of a university setting and to the approval of more open-minded members of the scholarly community.
Surely, this must give encouragement to everyone who would like to begin investigating the mysteries of life but feel unable to do so because they do not possess any academic background or qualifications.
What is infinitely more important is a will to challenge the orthodox views of the past, couple with a scholarly approach which cannot be shot down or dismissed lightly by critics.
On the other hand, page after page of secondary reference sources, too much Indiana Jones-style commentary and wild unattested claims without basis in historical reality will not get you anywhere, and will do the subject of ancient mysteries little good whatsoever.
Even if, like myself, you have no scholarly background, and you want to begin you own research work make sure that to the best of your capability what you do equals, if not betters, a university dissertation.
Then you will be taken seriously, I promise you.
Goodnight, and thank for coming. See you at the Questing Conference in October.’
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