No, I'm saying without actually checking we're just guessing based on what we can know so far. It isn't science in the sense there's no way to refute the null hypothesis. It's interesting, but no need to pretend we're certain. This is a major problem in all research but it is most obvious in things like astronomy or archaeology.
What is "actual checking"?
In my example about the 300' x 500' property nobody needs to actually check that it's 583' 1-1/8" from corner to diagonal corner. It can be calculated and is known to be correct. If someone came along and insisted that I get a tape measure and check, I would rightly just laugh at them and tell them to learn some geometry.
I already said a couple of replys back, there's a lot of assumptions that the measurements require. Just because the math works in theory doesn't mean there are as yet undicovered factors the equations don't take into account. Like I said before, there are tons of examples all through history of instances where the theories were logical, rigorous, and wrong. Assuming a constant speed of light through all of space is a big assumption considering we've never even left the solar system.
I already said a couple of replys back, there's a lot of assumptions that the measurements require.
Like what?
What you're missing here is that your conjecture is what is a guess. To even propose that something like a distance estimate is wrong requires you to have a superior method of measuring that distance. Otherwise you have no basis upon which to judge a measurement as incorrect.
If you tell me it's 100 yards from here to there. My responding, "That's not 100 yards. Other people who have measured things have been wrong before" isn't a contradiction of your statement. The only way to contradict your statement is for me to show that the distance from here to there is, in fact, greater or less than 100 yards. The only way to do that is by some measurement that is superior to yours.
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