The comparison between general and special disciplines, though, is fraught because physics deals with more fundamental issues and thus with a more absolute starting point. There's no use in saying that something comes from absolutely nothing since that would be a miracle. Special disciplines like economics don't start from nothing since they build on other disciplines and take society, for instance, for granted.

No need to thank me for letting you say what you like. I'm not in control of that, but I wish you'd keep your comments a little briefer. I feel obliged to respond to all substantive comments on my work, but I have only so much time to write.