>>The "proof" of a theory depends on its usefulness in predicting the future. But, a response can only be judged "incredibly stupid" with the benefit of hindsight.
Sort of agree on the first- though a good theory can be used to change the future/prevent chaos, e.g. the recent near-collapse of the financial systems. The second seems wrong... you don't need to throw yourself off a cliff or poke a killer bees' nest with a stick to know it's stupid. Trying to prove that it's stupid would itself be stupid. ;-)
"... They ne'er cared for us
yet: suffer us to famish, and their store-houses
crammed with grain; make edicts for usury, to
support usurers; repeal daily any wholesome act
established against the rich, and provide more
piercing statutes daily, to chain up and restrain
the poor. If the wars eat us not up, they will; and
there's all the love they bear us."
-- Shakespeare: Coriolanus, Act 1, scene 1
