“But they are not.”
Murdoch interrupted. “How do you know?” he said flatly.
“I have—”
“Wait,” interrupted Murdoch again. “Please do not define X in terms of X. It isn’t done except in very cheap dictionaries. You see, Mr. Barden, you are very earnest in your belief—for which we commend you. However self-determination is not enough to produce a science. Give us a shred of proof.”
“Have you reviewed my mathematics?” demanded Barden.
“Naturally. And we find your mathematics unimpeachable. But an equation is not a flat statement of fact in spite of what they tell you. It is not even an instrument until you deduce from the equation certain postulates.”
“But—”
“I’ll give an example. The simplest form of electronic equation is Ohm’s Law. Resistance equals Voltage divided by Current. Or, si
