Brainiac Delight...
Proof of Heisenberg's error-disturbance relation?
"Encapsulating the strangeness of quantum mechanics is a single
mathematical expression. According to every undergraduate physics
textbook, the uncertainty principle states that it is impossible to
simultaneously know the exact position and momentum of a subatomic
particle — the more precisely one knows the particle's position at a
given moment, the less precisely one can know the value of its momentum.
But the original version of the principle, put forward by physicist
Werner Heisenberg in 1927, couches quantum indeterminism in a different
way — as a fundamental limit to how well a detector can measure quantum
properties. Heisenberg offered no direct proof for this version of his
principle. Now researchers say they have such a proof. (Pre-print available at the arXiv.)
If they're right, it would put the measurement aspect of the
uncertainty principle on solid ground — something that researchers had
started to question — but it would also suggest that quantum-encrypted
messages can be transmitted securely."
Healthy Skepticism...
"But it is precisely because science is so powerful that we need the
humanities now more than ever. In your science, mathematics and
engineering classes, you're given facts, answers, knowledge, truth. Your
professors say, 'This is how things are.' They give you certainty. The humanities, at least the way I teach them, give you uncertainty, doubt and skepticism.
The humanities are subversive. They undermine the claims of all
authorities, whether political, religious or scientific. This skepticism
is especially important when it comes to claims about humanity, about
what we are, where we came from, and even what we can be and should be.
Science has replaced religion as our main source of answers to these
questions. Science has told us a lot about ourselves, and we’re learning
more every day. But the humanities remind us that we have an enormous
capacity for deluding ourselves."
Interesting website
My wife and I saw the movie twice, once in 2d and once in 3d, it was that good
For my cat lover readers (works best on PC, Apple doesn't let you use the controller but you do get to see the cat snow)
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