h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

May I join in punters?

Oetzi. All are welcome here. Please do.

toxx

OK thanks..take 1/2hr to catch backlog

*Inserts another Joycean game as the subject*
Toxx
"Abstruse" - I like that word. Is it even real?
I like the idea that you like the idea that I'm onto something, but if you could restate "Maybe we would need the laws of physics *not* to go there or for it *not* to exist", that'd be, um, *swell*.

There are two principal abstractions that I personally use...
the particle theory of matter and
the concept of energy and energy transfer
on this planet that's all I need...

Hi, Oetzi

toxx

Sure, logically they could be otherwise. But could they be so "otherwise" that they wouldn't function as laws *at all*?

And does what is logically possible constrain what the laws of nature can be?

Noggin

The problem with that approach is humanity.
That's the "knowledge of man" bit.
My theory here is that if it ain't sex, greed or ego then anything else just isn't on the menu.
Where am I going wrong?

Mal. Of course 'abstruse' is a real word. Perhaps you would prefer 'recondite' which has much the same meaning. May I recommend the dictionary mode of http://thesaurus.reference.com/ . It loads faster than most.

Well, the laws of physics tell us what can't exist as well as what can. Example: a liquid can't exist at a higher tempererature than the critical one at which it must remain a gas. OK, this is only a physical impossibility and not a logical one (depending on definitions). Hey, I'm fed up of adding that proviso.

toxx

Why not apply the same laws to society?

Absobloodylutely, Nogg! Indubitabubbly.

Sure. It's logically possible that there be no laws of nature. I can't see that it is unimaginable or implies a contradiction.

toxx

I agree with you, Empty, about priestly celibacy. Some people (Andrew Greeley, who's written about it) seem to be quite comfortable with it, but I am sure the majority aren't.
Greek Orthodox priests can marry,(but only before ordination) hence the saying "as precious as a Greek priest's wife".

Because the laws of nature are descriptive and the laws of society (as opposed to sociology) are prescriptive.

Perhaps that's the missing link..spiritual..soul etc.

Thankyou, Toxx. It is rare for me to come across a word I don't know.
Ah, yes, I understand now. A definition is marked as much by what it exludes as what it involves. But you don't have to add that proviso, at least on this thread, otherwise everyone'd have to add this at the end of each post.
Everything in this post may or may not be true or false, depending upon the disposition of the Universe and the reader, which may or may not exist.

And boy racers drive past, stopping at traffic lights, with 12000 watts/channel sound systems, pumping infrasound out into the intersection and making people sick to their stomach. (Infrasound has been used as a non-lethal weapon, I read in New Scientist...)

Alji, thanks for that link! (NB, if I had posted it, I'd have got into trouble, but that's just me...)

HS, I had no intention of minimising the importance of abuse where it has happened - even 10 cases/year would be 10 too many. My points were that (a) abuse is as likely to happen in other contexts, as in church (perhaps more so - boarding and other schools here, for instance.) and (b) That no doubt in reaction to past events, the church has become too likely to accept accusations as true and set about giving compensation etc, without even investigating! (Which is just as bad, especially for the mental state of the accuser, who feels his lie is vindicated - ultimately, he ends up in psychological, if not legal trouble...)

Do you mean the original Kinsey report? That was done in 1940 or so! I've read extracts of it while doing sociology/educational psychology in the 1980s.

I just had a quick glance, Roadkill, at your entry. I'll have a proper read later. So far, excellent!

I am a Catholic and I don't think all non-christans will burn in hell!! Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and beliefs aren't they and if someone is mean to someone else just because they don't agree with their religion - well thats just stupid!!!
luv
Yanntel