For readers unfamiliar with Dr. Ratcliffe, in 2008 he published
The Virtue of Heresy - Confessions of a Dissident Astronomer. In his dedication he wrote,
This work is for all those who fearlessly declare their heresy against prevailing scientific doctrine and especially for three of them: Dr. Halton Arp, Prof. Paul Marmot, and Sir Fred Hoyle."
In Chapter 3, Dr. Ratcliffe is enumerating counter-theories to the Big Bang cosmology, noting that, "Good scientists don't just criticise, they offer alternatives." He says,
There is also the Plasma Model, first proposed by Nobel Prize-winner Dr. Hannes Alfven in 1965. It is rapidly gaining wide international support from the scientific community, due in no small measure to its rock-solid empirical base and the weight of observational evidence on its side. The predictions of plasma cosmology The predictions of Plasma Cosmology have passed every single test that has come from empirical evidence over a period of over forty years. Makes you think, doesn't it?"
Dr. Ratcliffe is less sanguine about the "offshoot of Plasma Cosmology", observing that it is a vibrant hybrid known exclusively by its adherents as ELectric Universe (EU). He goes on to chide EU because
they propose that electrical engineers alone understand the true nature of the cosmos and that astrophysicists are idiots, generally little more than half-blind misconstruction of the physical evidence. Despite being gravely insulted by some of their utterances, I am nevertheless drawn to look beyond their Velikovskian roots to seek out the true role of electrical interactions in celestial objects."
That observation at once stings, and it shows his immense objectivity and ability to get on with the dialog. It stings because I have observed some of the attacks, and admit to having written here about being put off by a lot of the press releases from scientific agencies and institutions whose interpretations differ markedly from mine. I do not believe that we want to be insufferably arrogant or to make scientists feel that EU adherents think that they are idiots. I have written about those attitudes, and take pains to try to make personal contacts with anybody who will take science seriously and discuss alternate ideas.
I personally do not have any Velikovskian background other than having read his works once, when very much younger, finding them more than a little confusing and implausible. Many here like his ideas. Personally, I just let them go and focus on the "how things work" parts and press on. I see Plasma Cosmology and EU ideas as pretty much intertwined, because I do not bother with parts that either are not personal interests, or that I feel are not pertinent to my exploration here, whether or not they may or may not be related in the larger context.
Make no mistake, though. I also see PC and EU as simply an acceptance of the presence of forces at work in addition to gravity only, forces which under the right circumstances play a much larger role than consensus thinking accepts or allows, and that, oddly enough, we are all in this together. Do not demonize the opposition in the same way that a few of them treat dissidents such as themselves. If we do not act like gentlemen (and ladies) in these discussions, people will understandably get their backs up and close their minds. That is hardly the effect we want.
And note well (never stop at half a quote!) Dr. Ratcliffe concludes with this on the Electric Universe:
There's a lot of good in it, so let's put our differences before personalities, friends. That is why Chapter 9 is devoted to cosmic electricity."
Thank you for addressing your observations to us, Dr. R. We're all honored to be in the company of heretics concerning the plausibility and ultimate incorporation of the tenets of the electric model of the universe.
To our readers, I bought the soft-cover book for a very reasonable price, and am currently enjoying my second read. Five stars for its clear thinking, readable presentation of theories and counter-theories, logical rebuttals to current cosmology and science in astronomy, and a great sense of fun as well as serious purpose.
Highly recommended.
Jim Johnson
I've no problems with mathematics involved in science, it's very useful tool, however you are hitting the nail on the head with mathematically 
LOL,