Newsgroup sci.physics 195324

Directory

Subject: Re: QM question -- From: root@barbarian.tamu.edu (root)
Subject: Re: Cosmology: Little Bangs and Big Bangs -- From: Lawrence Foard
Subject: induction compass ques -- From: cb61@aol.com (Cb61)
Subject: Re: Quantization of time? -- From: meron@cars3.uchicago.edu
Subject: Re: WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE THEORY OF RELATIVITY? -- From: Jim Kelly
Subject: Re: Replies to - I just don't get it ... -- From: wetboy@shore.net (wetboy)
Subject: Re: IMPACT OROGENY ON EARTH -- From: "Robert D. Brown"
Subject: Lorentz contraction? -- From: James Maynard
Subject: Re: Triple Order Collisions Roger Penrose -- From: Jim Kelly
Subject: Re: Replies to - I just don't get it ... -- From: candy@mildred.ph.utexas.edu (Jeff Candy)
Subject: A medium. Was Re: SR Unproved, Unproveable but not Inconsistent -- From: glird@gnn.com (glird)
Subject: minimun energy of a photon -- From: sdevetz@hol.gr (s Devetzoglou)
Subject: Re: faster than light travel -- From: Keith Stein
Subject: Re: Physics & Astronomy Say God Likely Exists -- From: "J. Ross"
Subject: Re: The Concept of TIME -- From: glird@gnn.com (glird)
Subject: Comments. Was Re: Einstein Quotes v.5 -- From: glird@gnn.com (glird)
Subject: Re: Creation VS Evolution (or science Vs religion) -- From: "J. Ross"
Subject: Re: Creation VS Evolution (or science Vs religion) -- From: "J. Ross"
Subject: Re: Why does anything exist II -- From: jsand@walrus.megabaud.fi (Jan Sand)
Subject: Re: Stream of speculation -- From: "Gary S. Bekkum"
Subject: Re: QM question -- From: candy@mildred.ph.utexas.edu (Jeff Candy)
Subject: Re: Physics & Astronomy Say God Likely Exists -- From: "J. Ross"
Subject: Re: Physics & Astronomy Say God Likely Exists -- From: "J. Ross"
Subject: Re: IS MAN AS OLD AS COAL? -- From: Lawrence Foard
Subject: Re: Time Travel -- From: Jim Kelly

Articles

Subject: Re: QM question
From: root@barbarian.tamu.edu (root)
Date: 15 Sep 1996 02:43:31 GMT
On 13 Sep 1996 21:25:24 GMT, Jeff Candy  wrote:
>Johan Braennlund wrote:
>
>|> I'm having a disagreement with my QM teacher over a result he derived. He
>|> ...... He claims that =  -i\hbar \delta(x'-x'') \nabla . 
>|> I don't see how this could be right - this
>|> is supposed to be a "matrix element" of the momentum operator in the
>|> position representation, and according to my intuition it should only be a
>|> function of x' and x'', not an operator. 
>
>Your intuition is correct. 
> [good derivation snipped]
>
>The general formula is
>
>        = -i \hbar \nabla 
But now you can carry it out a step further can't you?
Since  is \delta(x-x'), the result is the derivative
of a delta function.  Integrated by parts, becomes delta function
times derivative.
  Looks to me like the QM prof was right after all.
Return to Top
Subject: Re: Cosmology: Little Bangs and Big Bangs
From: Lawrence Foard
Date: Sat, 14 Sep 1996 20:05:36 -0700
Steve Zink wrote:
>Secondary Little Bangs of Accelerating Black Holes.
> 
> The large black holes, upon accelerating to the point where their
> mass reached the instability point, or when the ratio of m/r
> reached c^2/2G, also exploded.
Actually this doesn't work this way. The foundation of special
relativity is the non existance of any "special" reference frames.
Some of our more rash readers would simply say "of course it doesn't
happen, relativistic mass isn't gravitational mass." this is also
wrong, the real answer is more complex.
To start with, take the case of two electric charges, one + and
one -. An observer in the reference frame (moving at the same speed
of) the charges will always see it take a time t for them to collide
is seperated by a distance l.
However we know that another observer will not see them take time
t to collide, it will always appear to take longer. To an observer
watching moving charges attract it almost appears as though there
is a force holding them apart. This force happens to be magnetism,
which is really just another aspect of the electric force.
We can look at the same problem two different ways, 
1) Figure out what the observer moving with the charges sees, and
   translate that into our reference frame.
2) Calculate the combined effect of the electric and magnetic fields
   in our own reference frame.
Both will give you the same answer. 
The same thing happens with gravity. If we tried to throw an
object into one of these passing black holes, using the event
horizon calculated from its relativistic mass, the following would
happen. The object would be accelerated toward the "black hole", but
in the process would end up being "pulled along" with it, so as soon
as the object started to fall in it would be approximately in the 
reference frame of your hoped for black hole. Looking at it from the
outside you would see some weird repulsive force (gravitomagnetism)
protect your object from doom. But in the objects reference frame it 
sees a black hole some distance away, and if not thrown to intersect 
its event horizon it won't go in, instead it will orbit, or escape. 
Unfortunitly you can't shield gravity like you can the electric force,
so you can't get pure gravito magnetism. You can however get "pure"
relativistic mass increase. Make two counter rotating disks, one
inside the other the gravito magnetism will cancel leaving only the 
mass increase.
-- 
The virgin birth of Pythagoras via Apollo. The martyrdom of 
St. Socrates. The Gospel according to Iamblichus. 
--  Have an 18.9cents/minute 6 second billed calling card tomorrow --
                  http://www.vwis.com/cards.html
Return to Top
Subject: induction compass ques
From: cb61@aol.com (Cb61)
Date: 14 Sep 1996 23:12:24 -0400
Anyone have a good explanation of how an induction compass works?
Thanks
Return to Top
Subject: Re: Quantization of time?
From: meron@cars3.uchicago.edu
Date: Sun, 15 Sep 1996 03:17:05 GMT
In article <323B25FB.27C3@ucflink.com>, John Covington  writes:
	... snip ...
>Question 1)  Is time 'quantized'?
>
>I've heard people argue there is no such thing as time, but let's make the assumption that time does exist.
>The reason for this question is this:
>1) Energy determines space time
>2) Energy itself is 'quantized'
>3) Would time itself then be quantized?
Energy of specific systems may be quantized, this doesn't mean that 
energy overall is quantized (in terms of having a minimal possible 
unit of energy).  But, to answer you question, the answer is "maybe".
It is possible but so far we've no evidence for it.
>
>Question 2) Is there a fundamental unit (wavelength) size that limits the universe? (related to Planck's 
>constant).  Perhaps the 'leaps' of quantization?  
Again, it is possible that space is quantized and there is a 
fundamental length unit, but so far we've no evidence for this.
>Question 3)  If it is possible to get a 'wave function of the universe'.  
Would the 'wave' function represent >infinite universes (perhaps parallel), 
and the measurement of our current universe become a 'particle'.
Now, that's really ambitious.  There are really two questions here, 
3a)  Is there a wave fund\ction of the universe.
3b)  Can we find it, meaning generate an expression, model or 
something of the sort which eables us to use it to get answers.
I think that it is again "maybe" on (3a).  On (3b), I doubt it.  Such 
expression or model would've information content equal to this of the 
whole universe and I doubt that anything smaller then the universe 
could contain it.  In other words, it would mean that you've a proper 
subset of the universe containing all the information aboutthe 
universe (including itself, since it is a part of the universe too).  
See the problem?
Mati Meron			| "When you argue with a fool,
meron@cars.uchicago.edu		|  chances are he is doing just the same"
Return to Top
Subject: Re: WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE THEORY OF RELATIVITY?
From: Jim Kelly
Date: Sat, 14 Sep 1996 22:50:59 -0500
Rollin C. Thomas wrote:
> 
> Alexander Abian (abian@iastate.edu) wrote:
>
> :        Rollin Thomas:    Equivalence of 0 and Abian's IQ (1996)
> Abian, your word is your observation and reasoning?  Makes sense coming
> from an ivy-towered tenured old piece of crap like yourself.  You make
> me puke.  The feeling is mutual.  Only I have my own teeth.
Here we have it. The humble v the arrogant. I choose
my sides accordingly.
Mr. Abians contributions may be a bit vague
but I've yet to see a contribution from
you, Mr. Rollins. It's easy to criticize
when one's ox is safe at home. Eh?
> Rollin
Return to Top
Subject: Re: Replies to - I just don't get it ...
From: wetboy@shore.net (wetboy)
Date: 15 Sep 1996 03:18:38 GMT
I missed the original post of your theory also, and would
appreciate your re-posting it.  Regarding "vacillate":  use of 
synonyms for variety may be good in literature, but it is not
good in technical writing.  Once you have the right word, stick
with it, no matter how many times you have to repeat it.
--Wetboy
Return to Top
Subject: Re: IMPACT OROGENY ON EARTH
From: "Robert D. Brown"
Date: 15 Sep 1996 03:21:19 GMT
Thank you so much for your assistance, Tom.  The continuing saga can now be
found under "Theory of Land and Life", in the sci.geo.geology, and
talk.origins newsgroups. RDB
A man ceases to be a beginner in any given science and becomes a master in
that science when he has learned that . . . he is going to be a beginner
all his life.
R. G. Collingwood (1889–1943), British philosopher. The New Leviathan, pt.
1, ch. 1, aph. 46 (1942).
Return to Top
Subject: Lorentz contraction?
From: James Maynard
Date: Sat, 14 Sep 1996 23:34:30 -0400
	Could someone please e-mail me the formula for the Lorentz 
contraction? Thanks; I can't seem to find it.
						Jim
"Those who are not shocked
by quantum theory have failed to 
understand it." Niels Bohr
Return to Top
Subject: Re: Triple Order Collisions Roger Penrose
From: Jim Kelly
Date: Sat, 14 Sep 1996 22:41:21 -0500
Binesh Bannerjee wrote:
> 
> Hi...
>    In The Emperor's New Mind, Roger Penrose says that triple order
> collisions are indeterministic. Is this a known physical fact, or is
> it simply Roger Penrose' idea? If it is a known physical fact, could
> someone explain in ... a little more detail why it is indeterministic?
Two's company, three's _chaos_.
Return to Top
Subject: Re: Replies to - I just don't get it ...
From: candy@mildred.ph.utexas.edu (Jeff Candy)
Date: 15 Sep 1996 03:47:40 GMT
Paul Stowe wrote:
|>  ... after being a professional
|>  technical consultant for over 15 years I have grown
|>  accustom to a certain level of "professionalism" for want of
|>  a better word, when communicating technical ideas and or
|>  information.  Maybe it is a "nineties thing" to be only be
|>  "professional" when one is paid or is on the clock but I
|>  don't think or act that way.   I believe that if one is trying
|>  to convey a serious idea or concept that such protocols are a
|>  defacto standard.  One can of course deliberately take the
|>  other extreme and purposely be obnoxious to grab the
|>  reader's attention.
I think the "nineties thing" in this case is the "internet 
personality shift" that affects a portion of people on usenet 
or the web.  Certain individuals who wouldn't normally be 
either confrontational or rude seem to flip out when confronted 
with a medium that lets them interact nonphysically with others.  
No face, no voice, no threat of physical reprocution = nobody!
I think its related to the impersonal mindset that affects 
Southern California drivers :)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Jeff Candy                        The University of Texas at Austin
Institute for Fusion Studies      Austin, Texas
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Return to Top
Subject: A medium. Was Re: SR Unproved, Unproveable but not Inconsistent
From: glird@gnn.com (glird)
Date: Sun, 15 Sep 1996 00:02:26
In article  Keith Stein 
wrote:
>In reality there is always some material medium (e.g. air, water, 
>glass, OR very low pressure hydrogen), and as per Maxwell's 
>Equations the e-m wave must propagate RELATIVE TO THAT MEDIUM IN 
>WHICH THEY TRAVEL.  The null result of the Michelson Moreley 
>experiment then becomes merely a consequence of the velocity of 
>light being with respect to the air in the laboratory.
   How much deeper have you taken this thesis, Keith. Or, as with 
me, did it emerge from a far more basic level of constructions?
   Have you ever read my 1965 book, The Nature of Matter and 
Energy?  If not, would you like a slightly mildewed copy?  Have you 
ever glanced at my web page?  If not, take a gander.
   Glird     http://members.gnn.com/glird/reality.htm
     "Complexity is but the many faces of simplicity.
The road to complexity consists of just a bunch of simple steps.
   They only look enormous if you skip the littlest ones."
Return to Top
Subject: minimun energy of a photon
From: sdevetz@hol.gr (s Devetzoglou)
Date: 14 Sep 1996 23:49:56 GMT
The energy of a photon is E=h*v
What is the minimum energy that can a photon have.
Is this the zero ?
If we can really have near zero energy photon then
what influence can have on uncertainty principle ?
Stelios
Return to Top
Subject: Re: faster than light travel
From: Keith Stein
Date: Sat, 14 Sep 1996 21:16:20 +0100
In article <323AE1FD.749C@ix.netcom.com>, tsar@ix.netcom.com writes
>David L Evens wrote:
>
>> Which is, of course, something that can only happen when the rate of time
>> flow changes.
>> 
>
>Really? So if you take a pendulum clock into a spacecraft and use it to time
>your journey, whatever readings you get from the pendulum clock are indicative
>of the flow of time locally?
Pendulum clocks are a rather special case tsar, and were specifically
excluded in Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity.
> The premise that what clocks do time must do is
>not only unconfirmed, but ridiculously wrong for obvious cases.
But if atoms and atomic processes do really slow down, in a way in which
we could not detect from within,as predicted in SR, then it would not be
unreasonable to say  with David Evans"the rate of flow of time changes",
but i don't really beleive that myself tsar. Sure i could be wrong !,
but i don't think i am,and i have studied the evidence more than most:-)
-- 
Keith Stein
Return to Top
Subject: Re: Physics & Astronomy Say God Likely Exists
From: "J. Ross"
Date: Sat, 14 Sep 1996 23:10:56 -0700
Carmen Toledo wrote:
> 
> In  david ford
>  writes:
> >
> >On 11 Sep 1996, Ralph Boerke wrote:
> >
> >> Physics and Astronomy do not say God exists or doesn't exist.
> >> These are sciences which like all other sciences try to get FACTS
> >> about the real world through assumption, experimentation,
> >> observation and finally validation/verification.
> >>
> >> If it can't be verified, then it is not a FACT.
> 
>     How do you verify the existence of a supernatural being like God?
> 
> >> God is by definition a creation of FAITH which has NOTHING to do
> >> with FACTS.
> 
>     If God told everyone how to communicate with Him (John 3:1-21),
> then is God a creation of FAITH?
> 
> 
> >> I have a BSc in Physics and love Astronomy and have a keen interest
> >> in both.  That is why I couldn't let ths Title go unanswered.
> >
> >You make an excellent point.  Science is about answering the question
> >"how?"  Science doesn't say anything.  It is the job of philosophy to
> >ask the question "why?"
> >
> 
> >> Cosmology and the ultimate beginnings of the universe currently
> >> describe the big bang as a quantum fluxuation which expanded into
> >> space and time started 'at this time' (I know its a hard concept).
> >
> >Quantum mechanics requires space, and space is very different than
> >nothing.  It makes no sense for something that requires space to
> >expand into space, as is suggested above.  The universe was created
> >out of absolutely nothing in the big bang.
> 
>     How do you know that the universe was created out of absolutely
> nothing?  Were you there at the beginning?  Perhaps, it was created out
> of invisible particles or strings in higher dimensions.
> 
> >> 'Before' this there was no time and therefore no before and
> >> 'outside' this there was/is no space and therefore no outside.
> 
>     How do you know that there was 'no time' ever?  Is time linear?
> What does eternity mean?
> 
> >> If the Universe were random we can only be happy we are here to
> >> observe it and take part in it as if any of the random elements were
> >> not set as they are we would not be here.  ie. Gravitaional
> >> constant, speed of light, mass of an electron,....  if any of these
> >> were different the universe would not work as it does.
> >
> >You are here referring to the anthropic principle, which was discussed
> >in my essay.  The anthropic principle is basically a design argument
> >for God's existence.
> >
> 
>     You mean that there is a designer behind the design?
> 
> >> The universe evolved and we can into being after BILLIONS of years
> >> of stellar, planetary, and biological evolution.
> >> So Physics and Astronomy DO NOT SAY GOD EXISTS!  In fact God had no
> >> part in any of it; from all of my studies there was no 'hand of god'
> >> in any of it.
> 
>     Does 'all of your studies' include the supernatural?  Have you ever
> had an out-of-body experience?  Do you know everything, including that
> which is invisible to the eyes of men (e.g., 2 Kings 6:8-23)?
> 
> >
> >Q:  Did the universe, or did it not, come into existence in the _ex
> >nihilo_ creation event called the big bang?
> >
> 
> >> A believer could say its all part of God's plan.
> >> But I torment you to prove it.
> >> Prove that God did something that was not a random event in the
> >> universe!!!
> 
>     A prophecy of Isaiah starts as: "The virgin will be with child and
> will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel, which means 'God
> with us' (Isaiah 7:14).
>     Centuries later, Matthew records the birth of Jesus Christ:  "All
> this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
> 'The virgin will be with child ...' (Matthew 1:22-23).
     I don't understand why people keep quoting the bible as an arguement 
for the existence of god. If the bible had any unique properties about it 
that could not be defined by science, or if it defied all attempts and 
definition, then it would make more sense. But it doesn't. It is a book, 
like any other of the millions of books that people have written. PEOPLE 
have written, I stress. God didn't even bother to sign it. By citing a 
work wholly without remarkability within the scientific world and that 
can be easily and obviously identified as a very ordinary and human 
creation (thoughts conveyed in a written language), you are really 
discrediting your own beliefs. There is nothing any less human or 
scientific about the bible than there is any other book, so there seems 
to be no theological connection to it, and therefore no reason to use it 
as an arguement for the existence of God.
-J Ross
-- 
http://www.angelfire.com/pg1/Nivejworld/index.html
Return to Top
Subject: Re: The Concept of TIME
From: glird@gnn.com (glird)
Date: Sun, 15 Sep 1996 00:04:48
In article <1996Sep14.011711.11131@msi.com> Jan Bielawski wrote:
>
>I agree. 
  Einstein: "[We will] introduce another postulate ... namely, that
 light is always propagated in empty space with a definite velocity
 c which is independent of the state of motion of the emitting
 body."
>"Clock synchronisation" and "relative simultaneity" are defined 
>notions -- they do not in fact form a part of SR per se and are 
>not needed to define it.
  Einstein: "The following relexions are based on the principle of
 relativity [postulate 1] and on the constancy of the velocity of
 light [postulate 2]. These two principles we now define as
 follows:--    ...
  "2. Any ray of light moves in the 'stationary' [i.e. moving]
 system of co-ordinates with the    DETERMINED!!!   velocity c,
 whether the ray be emitted by a stationary [meaning stationary,
 without quotation marks] or by a moving body. Hence
            velocity = (light path)/(time interval)
              WHERE TIME INTERVAL IS TO BE TAKEN 
             IN THE SENSE OF THE DEFINITION IN #1."
In #1 he presented his method of using light signals to set clocks 
of a given system. IF they measure the one way relative speed of 
light as c, they are "synchronous". If they do NOT, we adjust 
clocks B accordingly. Once THAT has been done, his second light 
principle kicks in. IT (the offset "synchronous" clocks is the sine
qui non not only of relativity, but of ALL relativistic equations.
  Unless, as Jan seems to imply, the premises, definitions and 
principles of the theory "do not in fact form a part of SR per se 
and are not needed to define it".  I find that rather wierd. 
>
>  Thus no amount of complaining about these two *definitions* can 
>ever "hurt" SR.
  Einstein and anyone else has a right to define his terms. We have 
the option of adopting the defined methods or adopting Newton's 
classical measuring tools: constant units of length in all 
directions and all systems, constant units of time everywhere, and 
clocks with identical settings everywhere. That we have no way to 
set real clocks that way is no different from the fact that it is 
physically impossible to set an infinite number of real clocks to 
obey Einstein's defined method.
  The Painted Pony not only accepts every postulate, definition and 
assumption Einstein set forth, it USES them and measures their 
results, in order for the single system to internally calculate its 
own "absolute velocity" in empty space.
  The issue isn't that the "definitions" are "wrong". It's that the 
Minkyites don't understand, or don't wish to admit that they do 
understand, the underlying PHYSical requirements that permit the 
definitions to apply.
  In the case of "synchronism" and thus his light "principle" 
(which is NOT the same as his light "postulate"), both of them 
require real and physical local offsets of -vx/c² seconds per 
successive clock of the given "stationary" system, in which v is 
the absolute velocity of the system in empty space, x is the 
distance between any two such clocks as measured by this system 
itself, and c is the speed of light in empty space, independently 
of the state of motion of its source.
  We are not rejecting the definition (even tho such clocks aren't 
truly synchronous), we are trying to get the Minky fraternity 
(which evidently includes everyone taught relativity in present 
colleges) to understand what their own equations actually mean, 
what they rest on and what makes them work.
glird
Return to Top
Subject: Comments. Was Re: Einstein Quotes v.5
From: glird@gnn.com (glird)
Date: Sun, 15 Sep 1996 00:05:45
In article <51eina$c2t@orm.southern.co.nz> Colin Douthwaite wrote:
>"The really valuable thing is the Intuition.  The intellect has 
>little to do on the road to discovery.  There comes a leap in 
>consciousness, call it Intuition or what you will, and the 
>solution comes to you and you don't know how or why." 
>                                            --  Albert Einstein
  I call it a "bimp" (Peter Sellers for bump.) One analyzes a 
problem and starts to construct a logical explanation or equation 
that solves the problem. Knowing the result he wishes to reach and 
the place from which to start, he begins from the start and moves 
toward the desired conclusion. There comes a time when he gets 
blocked. The "next step" doesn't logically follow. So he starts 
from the desired conclusion (perhaps an equation) and works 
backward, logical step by step. Just before he reaches the stopping 
point, he gets stopped again. By an act of "intuition" he "bridges" 
the gap. (What he really did is splice the two pieces together.)
  Another analyst comes along and examines the logical proof. He 
gets to the stopping point and continues to the end. A vague sense 
of discomfort remains, however. He goes back and forth over the 
logical steps and there comes a time when he "feels" the invisible 
bimp. And almost always, when he studies down fine enough, he 
discovers that the two pieces don't accurately fit each other, they 
were soldered.  Under very close scrutiny, the solder melts and the 
pieces spring away from one another as tho snakebit.
  An intuitive flash of discovery is a joy and a wonder. It solves 
many problems. It opens new ways for others to think. It is almost 
ALways wrong!!  It has happened to me many times. That's why I'm 
forever reviewing and feeling the woven strands of my own 
logical-constructions, searching for possible bimps. That's why I'm 
grateful to anyone that can find one I left in; so it can be 
corrected and the overall theory thereby improved.
>Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age 18.
  Relativity is the collection of misconceptions acquired later.
>What does a fish know about the water in which he swims all his 
>life ?
  Unlike a physicist, it knows that water really exists and 
completely fills the space through which it swims.
>The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. 
  The most joyful thing we can experience is solving it. {The joy 
is for the sake of Mankind, so to speak.}
>The most beautiful thing we can have is the mysterious.
  A *little* knowlege is a dangerous thing! {As Physics has 
demonstrated.}
>" I want to know God's thought,..... the rest are details.."
           "Jerry! Let matter be compressible."
The rest IS details.  I call them "constructions".  there are a lot 
of details.  the hard part is getting the Devil out of them.
>When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the 
>conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than any 
>talent for abstract, positive thinking .- Albert Einstein
  Well, he sure was right about that. One would have thought that 
by now Physics would have come out of his fantasy land, tho.
>As far as the laws of mathematics refer to reality, they are not 
>certain, and as far as they are certain, they do not refer to 
>reality.  -- Albert Einstein 
  He WAS an expert on Relativity, after all.
>The whole of science is nothing more than a refinement of everyday 
>thinking.  
  Relativistic physics says common sense and human logic cannot be 
trusted.
>The aim of science is, on the one hand, to achieve a complete as 
>possible comprehension of the connections between sense experience 
>and reality, and, on the other hand, the attainment of this aim by 
>the use of a minimum number of primary concepts and relations 
>(Seeking, as far as possible, logical unity in the world picture, 
>i.e., paucity of logical elements).  
  THAT subject is Metaphysics. Modern physics rejects it. It is now 
claimed that "reality" is a product of our measurements and how we 
perform them.
>Of two theoretical systems, both of which are in agreement with 
>experience, the one to be preferred is the one which, from the 
>point of view of differential calculus, is the simpler and more 
>transparent.  
  The one to be preferred is the one that fits common sense and 
human logic, independently of any mathematics at all. Even 
mathematicians and physicists often don't understand what their own 
equations are saying. {"Calculating" and "understanding" are two 
entirely different things.}
>The most incomprehensible thing about the universe is that it is 
>comprehensible.  
  The most incomprehensible thing about Physics is that it still 
can't understand the universe. {It never rethinks its roots.}
>"Great spirits have always found violent opposition from 
>mediocrities.  The latter cannot understand it when a man does not 
>thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and 
>courageously uses his intelligence." 
   There is no such thing as a human "genius". Some of us are just 
more persistent than others. Some of us refuse to accept "mystery" 
as an answer.
>A table, a chair, a bowl of fruit and a violin; what else does a 
>man need to be happy.  
  The Internet.   ;-}
> Never lose a holy curiosity.  
   Never lose a holy skepticism re the basic theories of Physics.
>... learn to know the liberating influence of beauty in the realm 
>of the spirit for your own personal joy and to the profit of the 
>community to which your later work belongs.  
  The latter IS the reason for the intense "joy" mentioned above.
>If you are out to describe the truth, leave elegance to the 
>tailor.
  If you are out to describe the truth, leave elegance to the 
mathematical physicists.
>Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, 
>and I'm not sure about the former.  
  Nor I, the latter.
>The human mind is not capable of grasping the Universe. 
  Wrong again, Albert.
>"The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a 
>faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the 
>servant and has forgotten the gift." 
 We have created Physics, the insubordinate servant of Metaphysics.
>"It is, in fact, nothing short of a miracle that the modern 
>methods of instruction have not yet entirely strangled the holy 
>curiosity of inquiry;" 
  Alas, under the influence of you and Minkowski, the miracle has 
ended.     {Not quite! ;}
>When the solution is simple, God is answering.
  oh well
   Glird     http://members.gnn.com/glird/reality.htm
     "Complexity is but the many faces of simplicity.
The road to complexity consists of just a bunch of simple steps.
   They only look enormous if you skip the littlest ones."
Return to Top
Subject: Re: Creation VS Evolution (or science Vs religion)
From: "J. Ross"
Date: Sat, 14 Sep 1996 23:00:50 -0700
Edward L. Mincher wrote:
> 
> soliver@capecod.net (Suzane Oliver) wrote:
> 
> >I am sorry, but I find this a total non-sequitur. I have read the bible, I
> >find it full of nonsense, and frequently full of viciousness and stupidity as
> >well. The bible is not the proof I require. The god of your bible clearly does
> >not care about everyone in this world. He is either non-existent, too weak to
> >protect his creations from things like ebola and hurricanes, or indifferent.
> 
> He is able. Have you ask?
> Eddy
  How the hell do you know he is able? Did he tell you? I agree with the 
former opinion. When you read the bible, if you keep in mind the mindset 
of society at the time, and the social and philisophical standards of the 
period, it makes perfect sense-- as a work of fiction. The bible was 
written by several different people who opted to include their two cents 
on what they thought God ought to be and how man ought to live. It is 
impossible to disprove that, and it seems a very simple conclusion to 
draw and is by far the most obvious. Since then, because of their 
inherent need to explain what they cannot understand, humans have taken 
to interpreting the bible not as a man-made thing but as work of divinity 
by an all-powerful, infinite being who simply thought we ought to know 
what the deal was before we died and spent eternity in burning flames. I 
can see why, in an age where science was infantile and understanding of 
the world was very limited, it would be possible to logically lend some 
credence to this notion. But that was 2000 years ago, and we no longer 
think the world is flat. So why do we hold on to our security blanket? 
Because man has a basic need to believe that everything will turn out 
okay. The bible provides man with a step-by-step guide to assure that 
such will be the case. Seems simple enough...
> 
> Jesus said, "I myself shall lead her in order to make her male, so
> that she too may become a living spirit resembling you males. For
> every woman who will make herself male will enter the Kingdom of
> Heaven."  (Didymos Judas Thomas)
 Did you intend for that to be an example of biblical sexism?
-J Ross
-- 
http://www.angelfire.com/pg1/Nivejworld/index.html
Return to Top
Subject: Re: Creation VS Evolution (or science Vs religion)
From: "J. Ross"
Date: Sat, 14 Sep 1996 23:00:16 -0700
Edward L. Mincher wrote:
> 
> soliver@capecod.net (Suzane Oliver) wrote:
> 
> >I am sorry, but I find this a total non-sequitur. I have read the bible, I
> >find it full of nonsense, and frequently full of viciousness and stupidity as
> >well. The bible is not the proof I require. The god of your bible clearly does
> >not care about everyone in this world. He is either non-existent, too weak to
> >protect his creations from things like ebola and hurricanes, or indifferent.
> 
> He is able. Have you ask?
> Eddy
  How the hell do you know he is able? Did he tell you? I agree with the 
former opinion. When you read the bible, if you keep in mind the mindset 
of society at the time, and the social and philisophical standards of the 
period, it makes perfect sense-- as a work of fiction. The bible was 
written by several different people who opted to include their two cents 
on what they thought God ought to be and how man ought to live. It is 
impossible to disprove that, and it seems a very simple conclusion to 
draw and is by far the most obvious. Since then, because of their 
inherent need to explain what they cannot understand, humans have taken 
to interpreting the bible not as a man-made thing but as work of divinity 
by an all-powerful, infinite being who simply thought we ought to know 
what the deal was before we died and spent eternity in burning flames. I 
can see why, in an age where science was infantile and understanding of 
the world was very limited, it would be possible to logically lend some 
credence to this notion. But that was 2000 years ago, and we no longer 
think the world is flat. So why do we hold on to our security blanket? 
Because man has a basic need to believe that everything will turn out 
okay. The bible provides man with a step-by-step guide to assure that 
such will be the case. Seems simple enough...
> 
> Jesus said, "I myself shall lead her in order to make her male, so
> that she too may become a living spirit resembling you males. For
> every woman who will make herself male will enter the Kingdom of
> Heaven."  (Didymos Judas Thomas)
 Did you intend for that to be an example of biblical sexism?
-J Ross
-- 
http://www.angelfire.com/pg1/Nivejworld/index.html
Return to Top
Subject: Re: Why does anything exist II
From: jsand@walrus.megabaud.fi (Jan Sand)
Date: 15 Sep 1996 07:09:39 +0300
In article <842641348snz@chigtow.demon.co.uk>,
stephen roberts  wrote:
#In article <51ahfb$k0n@walrus.megabaud.fi#
#           jsand@walrus.megabaud.fi "Jan Sand" writes:
#
## In article <842483043snz@chigtow.demon.co.uk#,
## stephen roberts 
Return to Top
Subject: Re: Stream of speculation
From: "Gary S. Bekkum"
Date: Sat, 14 Sep 1996 23:08:24 -0700
Jack Sarfatti wrote:
> > 2. Raw consciousness, which you are presenting one unproven conception of, is
> > one thing. Do these speculations have anything to do with intuition? Intuition
> > is something else entirely - but most involved in the Intuition network (and
> > most people, I believe, period) consider it a *bridge* to understandings of
> > reality - NOT only the innumerable MECHANISMS (which include sense experience,
> > emotion, memory, abstract reasoning and tons more) of understanding reality but
> > humans' ABILITY TO GRASP the QUALITY and VALIDITY of their perceptions. And the
> > quality and validity issue is higher than science can take us. Or thought of
> > differently: How can "back-action quantum mechanics" (if you prefer to "reduce"
> > to this level) explain my intuitive belief in G-d?
> 
> Intuition is simply precognitive remote viewing in the sense of the
> CIA/DOD supported experiments of Puthoff and Targ e.g.,
> http://www.hia.com/hia/pcr/psiwars.html
> 
> The theoretical explanation is back-action from brain-beable to mind
> quantum pilot wave. It is the consequent distortion in the statistical
> predictions of orthodox quantum theory which over-rides Eberhard's "no
> FTL signal" theorem and permits local decoding of messages from the
> future state of the mind to a past state of the same mind without the
> need to correlate. Intuition is simply time-reversed memory from the
> future. It happens with less reliability than ordinary memory because of
> the arrow of time-- but it happens. Precognition is the dynamo of all
> human creativity.
Jack,
Could you clarify something for me here?  Are you saying that this local
decoding of messages from the future state of the SAME mind is the only
mechanism involved [in other words there is no communication from
past/present/future states of OTHER minds]?
Or is there interaction with other minds as well?  If so, to what extent
is this information transfer affected by distance in time/space/mental
structure etc.?
Finally, what possible physical effects could be manifested by this type
of communication?  
Thanks!
Gary B.
P.S.  Do you mind if I quote excerpts from what you have written iin
other Newsgroups?
Return to Top
Subject: Re: QM question
From: candy@mildred.ph.utexas.edu (Jeff Candy)
Date: 15 Sep 1996 04:22:05 GMT
root@barbarian.tamu.edu (root) wrote:
|> On 13 Sep 1996 21:25:24 GMT, Jeff Candy  wrote:
|> >The general formula is
|> >
|> >        = -i \hbar \nabla 
|> But now you can carry it out a step further can't you?
|> Since  is \delta(x-x'), the result is the derivative
|> of a delta function.  Integrated by parts, becomes delta function
|> times derivative.
|> 
|> Looks to me like the QM prof was right after all.
I'm not sure why you want to integrate by parts; that is, why you 
would consider  as a functional.  If your calculus teacher 
derived the formula:
                   df/dx = -f d/dx
you'd be a little suspect, wouldn't you?  The identity above 
applies only to the space of bounded functionals.  In any case, 
the student was right in thinking that this expectation value 
is not an operator in the sense that p is.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Jeff Candy                        The University of Texas at Austin
Institute for Fusion Studies      Austin, Texas
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Return to Top
Subject: Re: Physics & Astronomy Say God Likely Exists
From: "J. Ross"
Date: Sat, 14 Sep 1996 23:10:43 -0700
Carmen Toledo wrote:
> 
> In  david ford
>  writes:
> >
> >On 11 Sep 1996, Ralph Boerke wrote:
> >
> >> Physics and Astronomy do not say God exists or doesn't exist.
> >> These are sciences which like all other sciences try to get FACTS
> >> about the real world through assumption, experimentation,
> >> observation and finally validation/verification.
> >>
> >> If it can't be verified, then it is not a FACT.
> 
>     How do you verify the existence of a supernatural being like God?
> 
> >> God is by definition a creation of FAITH which has NOTHING to do
> >> with FACTS.
> 
>     If God told everyone how to communicate with Him (John 3:1-21),
> then is God a creation of FAITH?
> 
> 
> >> I have a BSc in Physics and love Astronomy and have a keen interest
> >> in both.  That is why I couldn't let ths Title go unanswered.
> >
> >You make an excellent point.  Science is about answering the question
> >"how?"  Science doesn't say anything.  It is the job of philosophy to
> >ask the question "why?"
> >
> 
> >> Cosmology and the ultimate beginnings of the universe currently
> >> describe the big bang as a quantum fluxuation which expanded into
> >> space and time started 'at this time' (I know its a hard concept).
> >
> >Quantum mechanics requires space, and space is very different than
> >nothing.  It makes no sense for something that requires space to
> >expand into space, as is suggested above.  The universe was created
> >out of absolutely nothing in the big bang.
> 
>     How do you know that the universe was created out of absolutely
> nothing?  Were you there at the beginning?  Perhaps, it was created out
> of invisible particles or strings in higher dimensions.
> 
> >> 'Before' this there was no time and therefore no before and
> >> 'outside' this there was/is no space and therefore no outside.
> 
>     How do you know that there was 'no time' ever?  Is time linear?
> What does eternity mean?
> 
> >> If the Universe were random we can only be happy we are here to
> >> observe it and take part in it as if any of the random elements were
> >> not set as they are we would not be here.  ie. Gravitaional
> >> constant, speed of light, mass of an electron,....  if any of these
> >> were different the universe would not work as it does.
> >
> >You are here referring to the anthropic principle, which was discussed
> >in my essay.  The anthropic principle is basically a design argument
> >for God's existence.
> >
> 
>     You mean that there is a designer behind the design?
> 
> >> The universe evolved and we can into being after BILLIONS of years
> >> of stellar, planetary, and biological evolution.
> >> So Physics and Astronomy DO NOT SAY GOD EXISTS!  In fact God had no
> >> part in any of it; from all of my studies there was no 'hand of god'
> >> in any of it.
> 
>     Does 'all of your studies' include the supernatural?  Have you ever
> had an out-of-body experience?  Do you know everything, including that
> which is invisible to the eyes of men (e.g., 2 Kings 6:8-23)?
> 
> >
> >Q:  Did the universe, or did it not, come into existence in the _ex
> >nihilo_ creation event called the big bang?
> >
> 
> >> A believer could say its all part of God's plan.
> >> But I torment you to prove it.
> >> Prove that God did something that was not a random event in the
> >> universe!!!
> 
>     A prophecy of Isaiah starts as: "The virgin will be with child and
> will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel, which means 'God
> with us' (Isaiah 7:14).
>     Centuries later, Matthew records the birth of Jesus Christ:  "All
> this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
> 'The virgin will be with child ...' (Matthew 1:22-23).
     I don't understand why people keep quoting the bible as an arguement 
for the existence of god. If the bible had any unique properties about it 
that could not be defined by science, or if it defied all attempts and 
definition, then it would make more sense. But it doesn't. It is a book, 
like any other of the millions of books that people have written. PEOPLE 
have written, I stress. God didn't even bother to sign it. By citing a 
work wholly without remarkability within the scientific world and that 
can be easily and obviously identified as a very ordinary and human 
creation (thoughts conveyed in a written language), you are really 
discrediting your own beliefs. There is nothing any less human or 
scientific about the bible than there is any other book, so there seems 
to be no theological connection to it, and therefore no reason to use it 
as an arguement for the existence of God.
-J Ross
-- 
http://www.angelfire.com/pg1/Nivejworld/index.html
Return to Top
Subject: Re: Physics & Astronomy Say God Likely Exists
From: "J. Ross"
Date: Sat, 14 Sep 1996 23:10:34 -0700
Carmen Toledo wrote:
> 
> In  david ford
>  writes:
> >
> >On 11 Sep 1996, Ralph Boerke wrote:
> >
> >> Physics and Astronomy do not say God exists or doesn't exist.
> >> These are sciences which like all other sciences try to get FACTS
> >> about the real world through assumption, experimentation,
> >> observation and finally validation/verification.
> >>
> >> If it can't be verified, then it is not a FACT.
> 
>     How do you verify the existence of a supernatural being like God?
> 
> >> God is by definition a creation of FAITH which has NOTHING to do
> >> with FACTS.
> 
>     If God told everyone how to communicate with Him (John 3:1-21),
> then is God a creation of FAITH?
> 
> 
> >> I have a BSc in Physics and love Astronomy and have a keen interest
> >> in both.  That is why I couldn't let ths Title go unanswered.
> >
> >You make an excellent point.  Science is about answering the question
> >"how?"  Science doesn't say anything.  It is the job of philosophy to
> >ask the question "why?"
> >
> 
> >> Cosmology and the ultimate beginnings of the universe currently
> >> describe the big bang as a quantum fluxuation which expanded into
> >> space and time started 'at this time' (I know its a hard concept).
> >
> >Quantum mechanics requires space, and space is very different than
> >nothing.  It makes no sense for something that requires space to
> >expand into space, as is suggested above.  The universe was created
> >out of absolutely nothing in the big bang.
> 
>     How do you know that the universe was created out of absolutely
> nothing?  Were you there at the beginning?  Perhaps, it was created out
> of invisible particles or strings in higher dimensions.
> 
> >> 'Before' this there was no time and therefore no before and
> >> 'outside' this there was/is no space and therefore no outside.
> 
>     How do you know that there was 'no time' ever?  Is time linear?
> What does eternity mean?
> 
> >> If the Universe were random we can only be happy we are here to
> >> observe it and take part in it as if any of the random elements were
> >> not set as they are we would not be here.  ie. Gravitaional
> >> constant, speed of light, mass of an electron,....  if any of these
> >> were different the universe would not work as it does.
> >
> >You are here referring to the anthropic principle, which was discussed
> >in my essay.  The anthropic principle is basically a design argument
> >for God's existence.
> >
> 
>     You mean that there is a designer behind the design?
> 
> >> The universe evolved and we can into being after BILLIONS of years
> >> of stellar, planetary, and biological evolution.
> >> So Physics and Astronomy DO NOT SAY GOD EXISTS!  In fact God had no
> >> part in any of it; from all of my studies there was no 'hand of god'
> >> in any of it.
> 
>     Does 'all of your studies' include the supernatural?  Have you ever
> had an out-of-body experience?  Do you know everything, including that
> which is invisible to the eyes of men (e.g., 2 Kings 6:8-23)?
> 
> >
> >Q:  Did the universe, or did it not, come into existence in the _ex
> >nihilo_ creation event called the big bang?
> >
> 
> >> A believer could say its all part of God's plan.
> >> But I torment you to prove it.
> >> Prove that God did something that was not a random event in the
> >> universe!!!
> 
>     A prophecy of Isaiah starts as: "The virgin will be with child and
> will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel, which means 'God
> with us' (Isaiah 7:14).
>     Centuries later, Matthew records the birth of Jesus Christ:  "All
> this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
> 'The virgin will be with child ...' (Matthew 1:22-23).
     I don't understand why people keep quoting the bible as an arguement 
for the existence of god. If the bible had any unique properties about it 
that could not be defined by science, or if it defied all attempts and 
definition, then it would make more sense. But it doesn't. It is a book, 
like any other of the millions of books that people have written. PEOPLE 
have written, I stress. God didn't even bother to sign it. By citing a 
work wholly without remarkability within the scientific world and that 
can be easily and obviously identified as a very ordinary and human 
creation (thoughts conveyed in a written language), you are really 
discrediting your own beliefs. There is nothing any less human or 
scientific about the bible than there is any other book, so there seems 
to be no theological connection to it, and therefore no reason to use it 
as an arguement for the existence of God.
-J Ross
-- 
http://www.angelfire.com/pg1/Nivejworld/index.html
Return to Top
Subject: Re: IS MAN AS OLD AS COAL?
From: Lawrence Foard
Date: Sat, 14 Sep 1996 21:03:22 -0700
Ed Conrad wrote:
> Claims are being made that petrified human bones have been discovered
> in Carboniferous strata between anthracite veins in Pennsylvania.
> The scientific establishment, well aware of the dire consequences, is
> going all out to deny and dismiss the evidence.
> Open-minded individuals can form their own opinion by calling up:
> > http://www.access.digex.net/~medved/conrad/conmain.htm
If these are really human bones you might want to check on murders
in the area. Might even be Jimmy Hoffa :-)
-- 
The virgin birth of Pythagoras via Apollo. The martyrdom of 
St. Socrates. The Gospel according to Iamblichus. 
--  Have an 18.9cents/minute 6 second billed calling card tomorrow --
                  http://www.vwis.com/cards.html
Return to Top
Subject: Re: Time Travel
From: Jim Kelly
Date: Sat, 14 Sep 1996 23:36:39 -0500
Jason Kodish wrote:
> 
> In article <557827538wnr@briar.demon.co.uk> george@briar.demon.co.uk writes:
> >
> >Nope (he said, trying to get some physics into the thread :)  :
> >a) When you leave this universe, you violate conservation of energy.
> 
> Not neccessarily. I can see say a Tipler cylinder losing precicely enough
> rotational energy to compensate for your mass energy leaving.
> Throw enough matter at a time machine and it no longer becomes one.
> 
> >b) When you arrive in the next universe, you violate conservation of energy.
> 
> Haven't thought this one out, yet. But I imagine a similar effect to the
> above. Again, the time machine might lose energy somewhere along the line.
> But then energy, I believe is not globally conserved in GR.
> (Am I right?)
> 
> >--
> >George Dishman
> >Give me a small laser and I'll move the sun.
> >
Time is an illusion evolution created
for us to help us along while we were
still evolving. People will believe
what they want. Evolution can only
exists in our minds now. 
  How much time do we have?
I say leave the games to the kids.  
> 
> --
> Jason Kodish
> Thirring Institute for Applied Gravitational Research
> -----------------------------------------------------
> I don't need your civil war! Feeds the rich and it
> burys the poor!-Guns n' Roses
> 
>
Return to Top

Downloaded by WWW Programs
Byron Palmer