uhhm well you could use 50 4,000 lumen lights and still only have 4000 lumens or use 1 hps and get 50,000 lumens. more lights doesnt mean more lumens
Due to semantics you are almost correct...more lights don't = more lumens...because Lumens is a measure of output from the source...so no...adding more bulbs doesn't make 1 bulb put out any more light.
BUT, it does raise the lux, which is a measure of the amount of light striking a surface. (Figured I should explain this part more);
It doesn't matter how many lumens you put out...ever. What is important is Lux...because even if you have a million lumens being put out by your light source...if none of the light is striking the plant, then its just wasted energy. Since Lux measures how much of that light is actually striking the surface, that tells you what is actually available for use. (Though it might not all get used even then)
So...using 50 X 4000 lumen lights is giving you 4000 lumens per bulb still...because each one is still putting off 4000 lumens one way or the other. What comes into question is whether that light is actually being used. If you are running them all in a big line or something, you can see how some of the bulbs will block the light path of other bulbs, thereby reducing the Lux, because less of that light is hitting the leaves. (We could get freaky and delve into photon charging and stuff too, but for now I'll keep it simple.) (Also, it would be fair to mention that wiring 50 bulbs up will require the OP know at least something about electricity and/or have one hell of a power bar. Its safe to assume that a 4000 lumen cfl is in the 50-65 watt range, since the 23 watt models give out roughly 1600...so 50 of those bad boys will use quite a bit of power. It would be safer and more economical to use an HPS light than 50 of those.)
The idea behind "side lighting" is that a huge light from on top doesn't get light to a lot of the undergrowth. So...you put in a small bulb near the undergrowth to provide them with extra LUX, and promote lower growth. You can never go wrong with extra lighting unless you run into electrical issues or heat issues. Aside from that...crank it, up, put on some shades and suntan oil, and have a relaxing afternoon in your grow room sipping drinks and pretending you are at the beach...a beach on the sun.
Next time you are giving someone scientific or even pseudo scientific advice...at least make sure you are giving good advice and not spouting off at the mouth like a retard.