The road to MOND--a novel perspective
  Accepting that galactic mass discrepancies are due to modified dynamics, I
show why it is specifically the MOND paradigm that is pointed to cogently. MOND
is thus discussed here as a special case of a larger class of modified dynamics
theories whereby galactic systems with large mass discrepancies are described
by scale-invariant dynamics. This is a novel presentation that uses more
recent, after-the-fact insights and data (largely predicted beforehand by
MOND). Starting from a purist set of tenets, I follow the path that leads
specifically to the MOND basic tenets. The main signposts are: (i) Space-time
scale invariance underlies the dynamics of systems with large mass
discrepancies. (ii) In these dynamics, $G$ must be replaced by a single
"scale-invariant" gravitational constant, Q0 (in MOND, Q0=A0=Ga0, where a0 is
MOND's acceleration constant). (iii) Universality of free fall points to the
constant q0=Q0/G as the boundary between the G-controlled, standard dynamics,
and the Q0-controlled, scale-invariant dynamics (in MOND, q0=a0). (iv) Data
clinches the case for q0 being an acceleration (MOND).
