The Ultimate Thread-Jacking Thread

[Tiberius Montgomery Pratt]

The Un-Reality of the Universe/Multi-Verse Parallel Universes

Just a bit of brain candy.

The Un-Reality of the Universe/Multi-Verse Parallel Universes

[D.Oakes]

Now you see, that is when science makes me smile.  I keep feeling like most science these days is all about crushing dreams and reminding everybody "memento mori."  That is hopeful, ever-expanding science.   

[proteus]

As cool as that is; there's a couple of errors there.

It's not true that it requires a conscious observer to collapse a quantum wave function. An "observer" in quantum physics/quantum mechanics is something that can interact with a particle. So when light reflects off a surface, for example, the surface is a quantum observer, and the wave function collapses into a photon with certain properties.

It's also an error to apply quantum mechanics to the atomic scale; atoms don't behave in quantum-mechanical ways, you have to get into sub-atomic particles for quantum physics to apply. Someday, maybe we'll figure out how quantum theory and classical physics relate. But until then, it's a mistake to extrapolate quantum behaviors to larger scales than sub-atomic particles.

These errors are understandable; quantum physics is young and poorly understood even by the leading experts. But Quantum Mysticism isn't accurate. There's plenty to be excited and hopeful about in what we are actually discovering without attempting to extrapolate quantum effects onto the classical scale.

For example, we're finding more and more planets in the Goldilocks Zones of various star systems -- these are planets that are candidates for extraterrestrial life. As they turn out to be surprisingly common, the chances that we'll someday find life to study elsewhere in the universe go up dramatically. Even if that life isn't sentient, it has the potential to exponentially increase our knowledge of biology.

[Xenos]

<SNIP>

For example, we're finding more and more planets in the Goldilocks Zones of various star systems -- these are planets that are candidates for extraterrestrial life. As they turn out to be surprisingly common, the chances that we'll someday find life to study elsewhere in the universe go up dramatically. Even if that life isn't sentient, it has the potential to exponentially increase our knowledge of biology.

AND they recently found an organism that can supposedly replace small amounts of phosphorus with arsenic.  The OFFICIAL results on that ARE pending, I just thought I'd point that out.

Basically my point is, ASSUMING that's possible, that would be a lifeform so dramatically different than our current definition of "life" that the chances of finding life outside our planet would go up even further. 

For the interested parties, the what'sit they found is called GFAJ-1.  It's a bacteria. 

...

And that's about all I really remember about it.

[Mercury Wells]

If you've never seen or even heard of:-

Morris Minor & the Majors

. enjoy  

[D.Oakes]

These errors are understandable; quantum physics is young and poorly understood even by the leading experts. But Quantum Mysticism isn't accurate. There's plenty to be excited and hopeful about in what we are actually discovering without attempting to extrapolate quantum effects onto the classical scale.

Careful, that is a slippery slope of criticism. 

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

("Mysticism" has religions connotations and saying that is it is not accurate is quite an inflammatory statement)

If was in the 14-1500s, I'd gladly face death to defend science, in 2012 I'd gladly face insult to defend "faith."  In fact one could quite easily argue that "faith" is the most important aspect of "civilized" existence.  I have faith that I am not suddenly going to lift out of this chair and go flying about the room.  That said as science is a human construct, I have faith that what is right now will be wrong a decade from now.  As I am not good with numbers, I shall just smile and nod politely. 

[walkthebassline]

So last night, while politely ignoring the fact that it was Valentine's Day, I realized that two tracks on Blind Guardian's most recent album At The Edge Of Time relate directly to A Song of Ice and Fire. Very awesome.

[proteus]

These errors are understandable; quantum physics is young and poorly understood even by the leading experts. But Quantum Mysticism isn't accurate. There's plenty to be excited and hopeful about in what we are actually discovering without attempting to extrapolate quantum effects onto the classical scale.

Careful, that is a slippery slope of criticism. 

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

("Mysticism" has religions connotations and saying that is it is not accurate is quite an inflammatory statement)

If was in the 14-1500s, I'd gladly face death to defend science, in 2012 I'd gladly face insult to defend "faith."  In fact one could quite easily argue that "faith" is the most important aspect of "civilized" existence.  I have faith that I am not suddenly going to lift out of this chair and go flying about the room.  That said as science is a human construct, I have faith that what is right now will be wrong a decade from now.  As I am not good with numbers, I shall just smile and nod politely.

I won't opine on the faith aspect, as it's off-topic here. However, "quantum mysticism" is a set of claims that quantum physics proves specific supernatural phenomenon; however, the claims made are based on factual errors about what quantum physics and quantum mechanics actually propose.

It is this error of understanding that is problematic and what I meant by "incorrect". Put another way, the factual claims of quantum mysticism do not agree with scientific understanding of quantum physics.

[Xenos]

So, apparently, there's this thing called Rhinovirus.  Most people know it as the common cold.  Yeah, so, given the right stuff, this thing can be a NASTY little bugger, causing high fever, even putting pressure on the brain causing confusion, forgetfulness, and other such lovely stuff.

At least that's one explanation they gave me in the ER last night as to why I didn't really know who I was or what was going on.

[walkthebassline]

Xenos, I didn't think you typically knew who you were!

Seriously though, I'm glad you're still with us.

[Xenos]

Depends on how many painkillers and/or alcohol I've ingested, to be honest.  Oh, THAT was a riot: 

"Do you smoke?" 
"Not since November." 
"Oh, well, that's nice.  Do you drink?" 
"Some." 
"How much?"
"Well, I don't typically remember parties." 
"That's bad." 
"If by bad you mean badass, then yes!" 
"Do you do any illegal drugs?" 
"Nah, quit the habit years ago." 
"But you still drink?" 
"Well, really only socially." 
"Oh, so, have you drank any today?"
"Nope.  Not really drank for a few days." 
"Well, I guess alcohol isn't the problem then, is it?" 
"Nah, it's normally my SOLUTION!" 
"/facepalm."

I felt a bit of a ponce last night.  In fact, laying back, kinda lounging, head throbbing, waiting on my Demerol, I felt like the ponciest ponce that ever ponced past a poncing parlour!

(PS:  The above exchange between the doctor and I may or may not be exaggerated for comedic effect. The actual conversation may or may not have been:

"Do you smoke?"
"No."
"Drink?"
"Yes."
"How much?"
"Enough."
"Fair enough.  Any illegal drugs?"
"No.")

[TVC15]

Depends on how many painkillers and/or alcohol I've ingested, to be honest.  Oh, THAT was a riot: 

"Do you smoke?" 
"Not since November." 
"Oh, well, that's nice.  Do you drink?" 
"Some." 
"How much?"
"Well, I don't typically remember parties." 
"That's bad." 
"If by bad you mean badass, then yes!" 
"Do you do any illegal drugs?" 
"Nah, quit the habit years ago." 
"But you still drink?" 
"Well, really only socially." 
"Oh, so, have you drank any today?"
"Nope.  Not really drank for a few days." 
"Well, I guess alcohol isn't the problem then, is it?" 
"Nah, it's normally my SOLUTION!" 
"/facepalm."

I felt a bit of a ponce last night.  In fact, laying back, kinda lounging, head throbbing, waiting on my Demerol, I felt like the ponciest ponce that ever ponced past a poncing parlour!

(PS:  The above exchange between the doctor and I may or may not be exaggerated for comedic effect. The actual conversation may or may not have been:

"Do you smoke?"
"No."
"Drink?"
"Yes."
"How much?"
"Enough."
"Fair enough.  Any illegal drugs?"
"No.")

You missed one:  Doctor: "Sex?"
                        You:     "Sorry, I'm married."

[SPBrewer]

You missed one:  Doctor: "Sex?"
                        You:     "Sorry, I'm married."

Speaking of Sex, who else found Caitlin Clarke's character, Valerian, was some kind of Sexy in "Dragonslayer" (1981)?

[greatestescaper]

You missed one:  Doctor: "Sex?"
                        You:     "Sorry, I'm married."

Speaking of Sex, who else found Caitlin Clarke's character, Valerian, was some kind of Sexy in "Dragonslayer" (1981)?

She was a right purdy lady in that.  It always amazes me how things come round like that.  I only just watched that recently and now folks are talking bout it.  Never heard of it till I looked for dragon movies and now folks are talking about it.  Great film by the way.

[Kieranfoy]

So, a thread for threadjacking. Would NOT  threadjacking, but rather talking ABOUT threadjacking count as threadjacking it, since it's the original topic?

[walkthebassline]

I'm not sure, but I think the answer is "fish".

On a related note, my waistcoat from Lady Ava arrived today and is beautiful. Pictures will follow at some point.

[Kieranfoy]

Pah. Fiddle your fish.

You filthy fracking fishie-fiddler.

[GarethG]

I say, funny weather today, what?

[walkthebassline]

Nah, looks nice and sunny to me. You seeing something else?

[Lady Ava]

On a related note, my waistcoat from Lady Ava arrived today and is beautiful. Pictures will follow at some point.

Pictures or it didn't happen!

[GarethG]

Nah, looks nice and sunny to me. You seeing something else?

Well obviously it's different, there's a big puddle between us 

Plus, you're in the past, the weather hasn't happened yet 

Gareth

[Banfili]

Actually, from here you're in the future!

[TVC15]

Sherman and Peabody aren't here...must set the controls for the 'Way-Back' machine...

[MWBailey]

  I have faith that I am not suddenly going to lift out of this chair and go flying about the room.  

Well, Darn. And there I was, getting my  hopes up...

[D.Oakes]

  I have faith that I am not suddenly going to lift out of this chair and go flying about the room.  

Well, Darn. And there I was, getting my  hopes up...

Would be awesome if it was possible....

On a related note I had a dream the other night where some giant silver and red flying serpent looking fish was trying to attack my fiance and our daughter.....it was the strangest thing.