View Full Version : Questions, Answers, Etc.
I hang out around here every now and then but probably won't recognize any of you by name for quite some time.
That being said, maybe you recognize me! For some reason. Perhaps it's the adorable lettuce munching. Regardless, you may have questions that need answers.
Well, you can ask them. I will answer them. It'll be awesome. Knowledge will be exchanged and my chronic unproductiveness may be partially validated. Good trade, that.
Ghastly Epigram
2009-05-16, 10:18 AM
How is it possible that something like a snail can be so freakin' cute? :smallbiggrin:
Dallas-Dakota
2009-05-16, 10:20 AM
How do you get perfect exam results without studying and without doing anything against the rules?
How is it possible that something like a snail can be so freakin' cute? :smallbiggrin:
Simple! It's my radiant charisma overshining your preconceived misconceptions that molluscs are not awesome.
I know, I know. Hard to believe, but it's truth! Invertebrates are best.
How do you get perfect exam results without studying and without doing anything against the rules?
By absolutely demolishing the Universe's random number generator.
What do the results of the delayed choice experiment (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheeler's_delayed_choice_experiment) mean?
It's conclusions don't make sense!:smalleek:
What do the results of the delayed choice experiment (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheeler's_delayed_choice_experiment) mean?
It's conclusions don't make sense!:smalleek:
Basically a hard proof of Schrodinger's Cat theory (of which I don't know the proper name, sorry?).
[ASIDE: Amusement abounds because, if I am remembering this anecdote correctly, Schrodinger actually originally proposed that idea trying to ridicule some theory that was being worked on. Then it turned out it actually DID work that way, or some such.
DOUBLE ASIDE: Hilarity ensues when Chrome's spellchecker accepts 'Schrodinger's' but not 'Schrodinger.' I suspect the lack of umlauts are to blame.]
So what's going on is the theory that observing a thing changes that thing. The potential is gone soon as you look.
Additionally, it is part of the really crazy hard question of 'what is light?' Because of this experiment we know it doesn't behave exactly like an energy wave should, and instead shows some properties of matter... Which it really, really shouldn't.
Can't believe I knew that. Natural 20 on a Knowledge check. I'm really not convinced that I DID know it, but hey, I remember reading about it from Irregular Webcomic!, so take my half-remembered ramblings for what you will.
But... but... the conclusion was (paraphrased):
Photon A decides to be a wave, goes through both slits and interferes with itself. It then "sees" that the detector plate is gone, changes the timeline so that it only went through one slit and changes into a particle!
We have time-traveling, shapeshifting particles with a will of their own!!!!!:smalleek:
But... but... the conclusion was (paraphrased):
Photon A decides to be a wave, goes through both slits and interferes with itself. It then "sees" that the detector plate is gone, changes the timeline so that it only went through one slit and changes into a particle!
We have time-traveling, shapeshifting particles with a will of their own!!!!!:smalleek:
And when dealing with quantum physics, you've got causes that come AFTER their effects.
Quantum physics doesn't follow the same laws of physics that work on a macro scale (ie: noticeable by us). It is this reason that it seems so utterly bizarre to us, as we have no life experience to work with these laws.
In short: they make perfect sense! We (as in you and I, some scientist out there could) just don't know what the sense they're making is.
And when dealing with quantum physics, you've got causes that come AFTER their effects.
But then what of the grandfather paradox?
GolemsVoice
2009-05-16, 11:08 AM
Where exactly can I study medieval metaphysics just like those people from Lovecraft's stories always do, without having to resort to his fictional university?
But then what of the grandfather paradox?
Never happen.
See, the second you go back in time and interact with ANYTHING you've doomed your current present.
As Shamus Young recently pointed out, the slightest of slight changes would irrevocably change anything related to reproduction. You've got a ton of chromosomes knocking around and different reproductory cells moving in and out of the optimal spot so many times a day that I really don't want to think about it too hard.
Start screwing with timing, and bam. Totally brand new person.
This totally brand new person will act in new ways (I don't buy 100% nature OR 100% nurture) and thus drag every one it ever interacts with into a new future of "changes happened."
Pretty soon you're looking at entire countries, entire continents, the entire world as a drastically different place, of which you were never born. And this is because you went back in time and bumped into your grandfather on his way home, let alone killed him.
HOWEVER!
Matter simply can't start to suddenly cease existing. You'd be fine. Just that the world you lived in doesn't exist any more, never will exist, etc. etc. etc.
Where exactly can I study medieval metaphysics just like those people from Lovecraft's stories always do, without having to resort to his fictional university?
Unfortunately, my friend, you're looking for a fictional branch of knowledge.
GOOD NEWS! That means you don't have to go anywhere to study it! You can just sit around in your basement and make stuff up!
Using proper trial and error, you might even theoretically wake up a theoretical Old One!
Mr. Mud
2009-05-16, 05:45 PM
Why not, and if so... when and how :smallamused:?
Never happen.
*snip*
Explain why it is impossible to set up the following experiment:
A detector will send a photon back in time one second if it didn't detect a photon one second in the past. Otherwise it will simply register the detection of a photon.
If it is possible then explain what the output of the experiment will be.
Explain why it is impossible to set up the following experiment:
A detector will send a photon back in time one second if it didn't detect a photon one second in the past. Otherwise it will simply register the detection of a photon.
If it is possible then explain what the output of the experiment will be.
Isn't that the thing you originally asked?
Well, anyways, from my understanding towards it if it's not; it is CURRENTLY impossible because of the following:
1) Where's the control? It can't be called an experiment without a control, and one where you always send the photon back in time / never send the photon back in time / both are likely to get the same result anyway?
2) We haven't figured out how to make photons go back in time at a moment's whim yet?
3) Why are you asking a guy who never even took Physics 20 about quantum physics? Ask me bionerd stuff, I have college courses on that and everything! :(
Why not, and if so... when and how :smallamused:?
Because it leads to mental dissonance, and thus you are left with the echoes of conflicting ideas immediately and forever more competing within your head for your next act.
Next thing you know? It happens.
Mr. Mud
2009-05-16, 07:27 PM
Because it leads to mental dissonance, and thus you are left with the echoes of conflicting ideas immediately and forever more competing within your head for your next act.
Next thing you know? It happens.
Uh huh. And what for?
(You can't win The Game here bud, :smallamused::smalltongue:.)
Rutskarn
2009-05-16, 07:34 PM
How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if he had the latest equipment and Captain Planet in temporal stasis?
Dogmantra
2009-05-16, 07:35 PM
How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if he had the latest equipment and Captain Planet in temporal stasis?
Furthermore, how much would could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could Chuck Norris?
Uh huh. And what for?
(You can't win The Game here bud, :smallamused::smalltongue:.)
For the pursuit of happiness, enlightenment, and scantily clad females.
(I am too awesome to fall to mere questionless questions!)
How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if he had the latest equipment and Captain Planet in temporal stasis?
4.
Furthermore, how much would could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could Chuck Norris?
Still 4. It's a scientific constant.
InaVegt
2009-05-16, 08:13 PM
Assuming for the moment that an RPG that will satisfy all people who play RPGs perfectly is possible, what would it need to contain?
Assuming for the moment that you will face the choice between happiness for everyone but yourself and your loved ones, or happiness for noboby but yourself and your loved ones, and that you would give this condition to your descendants, and this would remain true until all your descendants are killed, what would you choose?
Assuming for the moment that at least one of your great-great-grandfathers is dead, what would you like to find out about him/them.
Assuming for the moment that exactly one assumption in this post is true, which one is it?
Isn't that the thing you originally asked?
Indeed. Just checking it was properly understood.
Well, anyways, from my understanding towards it if it's not; it is CURRENTLY impossible because of the following:
1) Where's the control? It can't be called an experiment without a control, and one where you always send the photon back in time / never send the photon back in time / both are likely to get the same result anyway?
2) We haven't figured out how to make photons go back in time at a moment's whim yet?
3) Why are you asking a guy who never even took Physics 20 about quantum physics? Ask me bionerd stuff, I have college courses on that and everything! :(
1) It can be an experiment without a control. We merely observe and record the result and compare it with the predictions.
2) Not quite true. It's just that the time-traveling photon cannot go further backwards in time than the moment of it's last interaction. Just figured this out btw.
3) Because I don't do quantum physics til next term.:smalltongue:
Mr. Mud
2009-05-16, 08:33 PM
For the pursuit of happiness, enlightenment, and scantily clad females.
(I am too awesome to fall to mere questionless questions!)
I'm not so sure... This is a REAL question though.
011000110110000101101110 00100000011110010110111101110101 00100000011101000111001001100001011011100111001101 101100011000010111010001100101 001000000111010001101000011010010111001100111111.
:smallbiggrin:.
I'm not so sure... This is a REAL question though.
011000110110000101101110 00100000011110010110111101110101 00100000011101000111001001100001011011100111001101 101100011000010111010001100101 001000000111010001101000011010010111001100111111.
:smallbiggrin:.
A general rule is to always answer yes to these types of questions.:smalltongue:
Mr. Mud
2009-05-16, 09:14 PM
A general rule is to always answer yes to these types of questions.:smalltongue:
Ahhh... so you CAN translate this :smallbiggrin:.
(Original question in binary: "Can you translate this?")
Well done, fine sir.
Indeed. Just checking it was properly understood.
1) It can be an experiment without a control. We merely observe and record the result and compare it with the predictions.
2) Not quite true. It's just that the time-traveling photon cannot go further backwards in time than the moment of it's last interaction. Just figured this out btw.
3) Because I don't do quantum physics til next term.:smalltongue:
Well, maybe 1) applies to physics, but that's a bad way to do things in biology. Not really an experiment so much as a demonstration at that point, imo.
2) I suddenly wonder if that has anything to do with memory loss.
3) And you expect a random internet guy with a picture of a snail to be able to teach you? :smalltongue:
I'm not so sure... This is a REAL question though.
011000110110000101101110 00100000011110010110111101110101 00100000011101000111001001100001011011100111001101 101100011000010111010001100101 001000000111010001101000011010010111001100111111.
:smallbiggrin:.
I actually could, but then that guy went off and stole my thunder. Fistshaking ensues.
Mr. Mud
2009-05-16, 09:27 PM
What was Helen Keller's Middle name :smallbiggrin:?
Assuming for the moment that an RPG that will satisfy all people who play RPGs perfectly is possible, what would it need to contain?
Assuming for the moment that you will face the choice between happiness for everyone but yourself and your loved ones, or happiness for noboby but yourself and your loved ones, and that you would give this condition to your descendants, and this would remain true until all your descendants are killed, what would you choose?
Assuming for the moment that at least one of your great-great-grandfathers is dead, what would you like to find out about him/them.
Assuming for the moment that exactly one assumption in this post is true, which one is it?
Sorry, I somehow missed this! I will get on them immediately.
1) Swords, superheroes, plot twists, romance, lesbians, magic, space ships, aliens, wacky humour, teenaged wangst, zombies, pirates, ninjas, kittens, an 800 hour campaign, a 15 hour campaign, and political correctness.
2) The latter, easily. I'm not going to have any kids anyways, and it's not like I could hope to justify the happiness of a few people I know to every one else ever. If it gets really bad, I'd actually be justified ethically for suicide. Not a bad deal, knowing that you're responsible for a shining new era.
3) I'd really like to know more about my ancestor who was a police officer in I think Moscow.
4) That exactly one assumption is true!
What was Helen Keller's Middle name :smallbiggrin:?
Jeremiah.*
* Probably pronounced differently.
Mr. Mud
2009-05-16, 09:56 PM
Jeremiah.*
* Probably pronounced differently.
Pronounced as Adams? Very good! :smallamused:.
We know the answer to life, the universe and everything.
But we don't know the question. Do you know it? :smalleek:
We know the answer to life, the universe and everything.
But we don't know the question. Do you know it? :smalleek:
Nope, but I DO know that it has something to do with the delicious pasta at the Restaurant at the End of the Universe.
What does a woman want?
Truthful answer: No one knows. Nope, not even women.
Joke/jerk/bitter answer: Some one to be a jerk to them so that they don't feel like they deserve the person they're with. This makes them feel good about themselves as they're constantly vying to be 'worthy', a goal to aspire to, etc. Soon as they feel like they deserve it they'll try to move up, because why settle for what you should have when you can try to get what you shouldn't?
Possibly more correct answer: Shoes. All of them.
Or there's the Wife of Bath's answer...
GolemsVoice
2009-05-18, 08:25 PM
What can change the nature of a man?
Do you get the reference? And, men in this case can mean woman. Or more or less anything sentient.
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