Creative Speculation
In reply to the discussion: The Great Thermite Debate... [View all]OnTheOtherHand
(7,621 posts)It's true, of course, that we can't conclude that the model is correct just because it fits the data.
However, many people appear to be convinced that the collapse of WTC 7 is inexplicable without appealing to controlled demolition. To me, that is pretty much the same as asserting that NIST would be unable to fit a model to the observables without resort to implausible assumptions. In fact, some people appear to allege that -- but I can't say that I have seen anyone demonstrate it. Most don't seem willing to argue it in detail.
It might be a "given" that one can fit a model to the observables if one is allowed to alter the characteristics of steel, the value of g, and so forth. But I don't think that is a fair characterization of the modeling task.
ETA: I should have known that WS would say much the same thing in half the space once I started my reply. Sigh.