So, that NOVA show last night was a good 'layman' look at quantum mechanics, and it was interesting to see an intro to string theory - who knows if that will all pan out to be true, it's pretty nutty science.
It's interesting to me that science, with this as a prime example, has become a commercial thing. This show almost made me feel like 'if we can sell this to the general public, it MUST be true!' It's an interesting twist on the pursuit of knowledge.
Speaking of examples, I forgot to mention the other example of mine for people relating things to physics. Here goes . . .
Example 2: My mom, about a year ago, started up a conversation with Mark and I about a class on organizational management that she was taking at the time. She was so excited to talk to us, because the subject that they were covering in the class at the time had related something to physics, and she was excited to learn more about what the physics could tell her.
Now, unlike yesterday's example, this use of physics was much less literal and much more metaphorical. See, in the study of how large groups or organizations work, someone made the inferrence that the forces acting on groups are much like the invisible forces of electricity and magnetism: they affect things without physically manifesting themselves.
Really, this was as far as the relation went. In other words, it was just a 'scientific' way of saying that you can't always pin down what's causing a group of people/co-workers or who-ever to do a certain thing.
I love my mom, but unfortunately, I find this 'relationship' less revealing than just an effort to make some business major sound intelligent.
No offense to business majors: you make the world run, kudos.
Anyway, I'd like to thank Jack for stalking me so efficiently. Your comments really do liven things up I think, bud.
Day after day, the man is relentless.
Posted by: Shane at October 31, 2003 12:22 AM