Quasars: Near versus Far

All observed characteristics of quasars are customarily interpreted using the standard Big Bang model and the assumption that their redshifts are primarily due to the expansion of the universe. These same characteristics can also be interpreted using alternative models in which quasar redshifts are not cosmological. The quality of these two interpretations is compared. It is concluded that Occam's Razor cuts sharply in favor of the nearby quasar interpretation. The most recent data, suggesting quasar proper motions, apparent brightnesses not diminishing with increasing redshift, and superluminal jet motions without relativistic beaming, are especially telling against the standard model.