I read a bit of your paper regarding parsimony.
What follows is something along these lines on what is good information
from a layperson perspective.
Researcher William Bartley offers a checklist of four overlapping
criteria that can be used to assay a given viewpoint. They
are: using basic logic to check for inconsistencies in the theory;
checking personal experiences against the theory; checking
one's own biased logic and sense observation by seeing if the theory
contradicts any generally accepted scientific
hypothesis; and most importantly, determining if the problem the theory
is supposed to deal with is being successfully
solved. The last one is particularly useful for judging extremely
complex situations, such as the relationship of mainstream
economic theory with modern society.
Philosophy is an important component in the search for truth, since
science and math alone cannot even prove it is wrong to
needlessly inflict pain. Rabbi Nahman provides a bedrock analysis when
he states "falsehood imitates truth and it seems
impossible to know which is which. What, therefore is the difference
between the upholders of truth and the champions of
falsehood? This is the unfailing sign: people of truth are especially
dedicated to the task of redeeming captives. They hate
slavery. This is the test by which you can tell the difference." In
short, anyone who forcefully discourages people from
thinking their own thoughts is either deluded or dishonest.
Nahman's advice is related to an information source that has been much
maligned by those who consider science to be the
final arbiter of truth. Listening to the heart, as well as the head, is
a very valuable verification procedure. Nature has
bestowed humans with a conscience that constitutes a rich lode of
subconscious knowledge. However, one must also be
aware that cultural institutions can detract as well as add to a persons
innate sense of right and wrong.
Hope I learn more from your project, although I think a reusable paper
and ink printer is needed to comfortably and economically persue such
online endeavours.
Cheers
Dan Parker