Brian Matthew Pursley
Brian Matthew Pursley | |
|---|---|
| Residence | Ramona, CA, United States |
| Known for | History of Science, Prisca Sapientia, Science in Cryptomnesia, Dissident and Heretical Natural Philosophy, Abiotic Hydrocarbon Origin, Infinite Oil, The Cold Mantle, Expansion Tectonics, Pacific Bioge |
Brian Matthew Pursley is an American independent researcher and self-described natural philosopher known for writing the weblog Oil Is Mastery, which promotes dissident and heretical positions in the natural sciences. He is a proponent of the abiotic (abiogenic) origin of petroleum, the concept of an expanding Earth, and the study of the history of science and ancient wisdom traditions.
Biography
Pursley resides in Ramona, California. He describes himself as a Pythagorean and Platonist and identifies his primary interest as "Natural Philosophy aka Scientific Heresy," citing inspiration from thinkers ranging from ancient philosophers to Isaac Newton and G. K. Chesterton. Beginning in the late 2000s he authored the blogs Oil Is Mastery and Science In Crisis, through which he published commentary on geology, petroleum origin, ancient history, and the philosophy of science.
Work
Pursley's writing advances several heterodox scientific positions. He supports the theory of an abiotic origin of hydrocarbons, the view that petroleum is generated by deep, inorganic geological processes rather than from decayed biological matter, and the related idea of abundant or continuously replenished oil. He is a supporter of expanding Earth theory as an alternative to conventional plate tectonics, and discusses topics such as a cold Earth mantle and Pacific biogeography.
Beyond geology, Pursley writes on the History of Science and on Prisca Sapientia, the notion of an ancient primal wisdom, as well as cryptomnesia in science, the argument that modern discoveries were anticipated by earlier thinkers. His broader project falls within Dissident and Heretical Natural Philosophy.