Hi Petra,

If we were talking about a better way to breed butterflies, I could agree with your stand on proprietary ideas. But this topic is about earthquakes and ultimately saving lives and reducing property damage. I'm rather put off by the selfishness shown by Charlotte King and verbalized by you in a recent post.

You speak about the need for sharing ideas, but who would want to share with you if you're only looking to build on your theories for your own personal gain? Fame and fortune really don't offer as much as people think they do. Those who pursue science for such worldly goals really have nothing to offer, especially if they clearly state their focus is to take what they believe is rightfully theirs.

If predicting earthquakes by ear tones is really important to you, you would be willing to share your ideas with no fear of having them attributed to someone else. But if personal satisfaction is more important to you, you will miss many opportunities to be truly helpful in the world.

I have invented a snow gun, now widely used in the ski industry for making snow. It is the most efficient design possible and I actually built the very first working model in the presence of ski industry personnel. One of these very selfish individuals immediately took my idea and filed a patent on it, with no concern for my welfare at all. This was witnessed by others including my boss. As much as I could have used $100,000 for my invention, I feel that I am far better off by practicing patience and continuing my good work for the benefit of all living things. There will come a day when I can cash in my patience and reap the rewards of inner fulfillment. That, to me, is better than any measure of fame or fortune that could be bestowed upon me.

Think about it. In this situation you probably don't have a chance of selling this idea particularly since tinitus is being studied in great detail as we speak and these researchers are actively looking into all the possible causes. You might actually be imposing on their work if you tried to publish something for profit.

Dave