Random Thought Thread

Nathan the Machinist said:
random thought based on my limited understanding of theoretical physics....


One of the more mind bending and, on the surface of it clearly absurd and ridiculous, mind f*cks of modern physics is the Schrodinger's cat thought experiment.

.. Which was intended to point out how ridiculous Heisenberg's uncertainty principle is on a macro level


In reality(s?) the cat actually is both dead and alive at the same time. Measuring it collapses the uncertainty field rendering it one or the other (for you) but until you measure it, it is actually both. And the mind f*cky part about this is, even after you measure it, it is still both. Only, you have discovered which reality you exist in. The one with the cat alive or the one where it's dead. Both are mutually exclusive and simultaneously true.
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I don't know why they ever brought cats into it...
There are lots of interesting quantum effects, but it doesn't seem too mysterious once you get used to things like tunneling and interference. It is very satisfying to do a calculation that predicts an experimental measurement very precisely.
 
Jo the Machinist said:
Nathan the Machinist Nathan the Machinist , you should probably be working... Please
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Sounds like he may be one of those "quiet quitters" we've been hearing about...

meme-kermit-drinking-tea-but-thats-none-of-business.png
 
Richard338 said:
I don't know why they ever brought cats into it...
There are lots of interesting quantum effects, but it doesn't seem too mysterious once you get used to things like tunneling and interference. It is very satisfying to do a calculation that predicts an experimental measurement very precisely.
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Yeah, I would not even know where to start trying to do those calculations.


...I went to NC State. We're known for our agricultural programs....
 
Richard338 said:
It's easier than you would guess. For some problems you just set up and diagonalize a matrix (using software). I have classes of undergrads do it every year.
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Yeah. All you got to do is set up and diagonalize a matrix. Easy peasy

Uh huh.



The only reason I was even able to pass statistics was because my TI-81 would do matrix and the professor said it was fine to use a calculator. *Shrug*
 
bluemax_1 said:
We once joked with a gal about the name 'Chlamydia'. She said, "Oh, that sounds really pretty!", until another gal spoiled our fun 😝
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I've come across more than one whose name was pronounced "Fuh-Molly"

(Spelled "female". I guess the hospital named them.)

I'm partial to "Cottonelle". Some think it a shitty name.
 
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