TRUTH wrote:
I do not have a physics/engineering degree, but do have a technical
background, and definitely have an abundance of common sense.

You may be able to test Jones' speculations in the comfort of your own
home. No need for any math or computer simulations. You'll need a set of
Dominos or other long skinny rectangular blocks. Construct a mini WTC or
WTC-7 along these lines:

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------------------ - Ground level

Using a finger, small ball, or other mechanism to knock out a support
Domino about 2/3rds the way up. Observe the collapse. Does the tower tip
over or does it collapse in a manner similar to the WTC collapse? It has
been 40-some years since I built toy buildings out of Dominos (more fun
than playing the game, IMHO) and haven't got any games pieces or blocks
handy, so it will be interesting to see what you or others report.
Clearly no explosives have been planted in the model (using fire crackers
should be left for advanced experiments under adult supervision).

As extra credit, if you can rig something to begin free falling next to
the model when the top of the building starts falling, you can get an
idea how much slower the top falls relative to free fall.

Let me know how the experiment goes.