Journal Entries
A thought on why
Posted Feb 9, 2004
Why ?
Why are all the questions why essentially unanswerable, even this one...
I have observed a child asking why, and when answered repeating the question. For example:
Child: Why is the sky blue ?
Teacher: Blue light gets scattered (spread) around much more than all the other colors from the sun, causing the sky to appear blue.
Child: Why is that ?
Teacher: (sigh)Sun light contains all the colors of the rainbow. The amount of light scattered for any given colour depends on the wavelength of that colour. Blue gets scattered must so it is most visable.
Child: Why ?
The teacher got interupted at this point, though I don't think they had an answer. But it got me thinking, and no matter how detailed an answer is you can the question "why is that" or some varient. I thought about this, and I have come to the conclusion that the most basic answer is, "because I have observed, either directly or indirectly that such is the case." or for more theoretical postulations being questioned "because the theory that gives a valid explanation of the relevent observed phenonema has consequences beyond those which can be observed". Maybe my answers aren't phrased well, but I'm sure you understand the idea I'm presenting.
Of course I might just be too stupid to understand the whys of reality, and therefore miss them when they do get explaned...
Math
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Latest reply: Feb 9, 2004
happy whatever
Posted Jan 1, 2004
happy whatever it is you may or may not be celebrating from a slightly drunk me
Math
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Latest reply: Jan 1, 2004
Mini rant
Posted Oct 15, 2003
I just read on the "Tell me a joke" thread that post of lots of anti-french jokes. Now I do find it amusing that anyone could view the French as cowardly for saying no to the worlds only superpower, and standing up for moral position. However I find it disparing that so many people take that position, it seems to me rather idiotic.
I choose not to put this on that thread because the thread is for humour, not political debate, and while they are not mutually exclusive this mix is inapropriate. Not only all that but the jokes weren't even original, not even a new trwist, just a new nation to pick upon.
I recently read Stupid white men and Dude where's my country, both by Michael Moore (the acclaimed director of Bowling for Columbine). And although he mentions this turn against the French for declining to join in Shrubs war with examples of restaurants renaming French fries to Freedom fries, and other similar acts, I didn't really believe that people, individuals, would be so stupid. As I believe Scot Adams (of Dilbert Fame) puts it "in-duh-viduals", but I find this a most discouraging thought, even when I agree with it more and more.
By the way if you're unfamilar with Michael Moore's books and films he's gfot a web site, http://www.michaelmoore.com which I think is pretty good also his books seem to me to be well researched, amusing and informative, in some ways depressing, but in all I would recomend them.
Math
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Latest reply: Oct 15, 2003
Hmm
Posted Sep 20, 2003
Tears pouring like rain,
Autum leaves fall again,
Time eases all pain.
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Latest reply: Sep 20, 2003
My 'puters been resurected
Posted Sep 13, 2003
Hail the second comming, from the ashes of the old 'puter has arisen a new 'puter, and low it did process... well actually I went and got a new one, but I got a very basic thing and put some of the old computer into it... and well anyway... thats all folks
Math
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Latest reply: Sep 13, 2003
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