The problem is finiter ... it really is that simple ... reach down and pull on your feet why can't you pull them up into the air.

If gravity is just striaght line motion as you suggest I can pull myself up into the air I am exerting a force and I can put spring gauges on to a string tied to my feet and show you I am pulling.

So why don't my feet come up off the ground?

So in your alternative view what is happening here ... explain away.

BTW this is exactly what newton did ... he graded leather tethers as needing a certain force to stretch a known distance. So he could compare the force needed to lift a rock to that of dragging something along or horses pulling etc. It was actually Hook who answered the question why one can not lift oneself into the air because he had been working with stored energy in springs.

Last edited by Orac; 09/06/11 01:51 PM.
I believe in "Evil, Bad, Ungodly fantasy science and maths", so I am undoubtedly wrong to you.