Author Archive
Wednesday, January 20th, 2010
Holographic space-time
You’ve heard of Einstein’s attempts to formulate a Grand Unified Theory, you’ve probably heard of String Theory and perhaps even Quantum Gravity. But have you heard of Holographic Space-Time? http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20126911.300-our-world-may-be-a-giant-hologram.html?full=true
Comments Off on Holographic space-time - Posted in Science by Happy
Tuesday, January 19th, 2010
What do you keep in your pockets (or handbag)?
I like to be equipped for any eventuality. I normally carry roughly one small handbag’s worth of stuff in pockets. Keys, money, penknife, phone (with full load of contacts and calendar), plastic cards, business cards, small notebook, pens, rubber (eraser to you!), name badge (surprisingly useful for getting into places!), handkerchief (cloth). Depending on the […]
Comments Off on What do you keep in your pockets (or handbag)? - Posted in Social by Happy
Sunday, January 10th, 2010
Duplication in the Infinite Multiverse
Scientific American recently published an article by Max Tegmark, which provides calculations for a particular kind of infinite universe. http://space.mit.edu/home/tegmark/PDF/multiverse_sciam.pdf Although I think his use of the word “infinite” is a bit loose, he is careful to define exactly what he means, and his logic is scientifically valid. His argument is as follows:
Comments Off on Duplication in the Infinite Multiverse - Posted in Philosophy,Physics,Science by Happy
Monday, December 14th, 2009
Personal energy usage
How much energy do you use? Do you have any idea? Here in Melbourne we have been subjected to an unrelenting campaign of messages and restrictions aimed at reducing speeding and drink driving. No-one can have missed the message, and anyone who gets caught must not have been paying attention. Anyone driving here will know […]
Comments Off on Personal energy usage - Posted in Climate change,Science,Social by Happy
Sunday, December 13th, 2009
What we all need to do about climate change
The events in Copenhagen have made me do some thinking about what individuals are going to have to do to have an impact on climate change. I can identify roughly 4 broad categories.
Comments Off on What we all need to do about climate change - Posted in Climate change,Politics by Happy
Thursday, November 26th, 2009
The “How Many Animals” puzzle
Tom just bought 100 animals for a total of $100. The 100 animals consists of sheep, pigs and hens. The sheep cost $10 each. The pigs cost $2 each. The hens cost 50c. How many of each animal did he buy? It’s not too hard to solve by trial and error, but we are looking […]
Comments Off on The “How Many Animals” puzzle - Posted in puzzle by Happy
Monday, November 23rd, 2009
What do people really think when they bet on games of chance?
Why do people play games of chance, like roulette, where the odds are known and you are bound to lose in the long term? I am sure some of them play purely for entertainment. At a cheap table your minimum bet is less than $500 per hour and your losses are around 3% of that. […]
Comments Off on What do people really think when they bet on games of chance? - Posted in Gambling by Happy
Thursday, October 1st, 2009
The universe is a simulation
Imagine that the universe is a simulation. What kind of computer would it take to run that simulation? Just to be clear, imagine that every human intelligence on the planet is actually a piece of software running in a cosmic supercomputer, and that nothing else really exists. Everything you see, every sensory impression of any […]
Comments Off on The universe is a simulation - Posted in Philosophy,Science by Happy
Tuesday, September 29th, 2009
Boomershoot
If you don’t know what a boomershoot is, take a few seconds to speculate on what you might get if you put boomer and shoot together, in a US context. http://boomershoot.org/ Be sure to check out the video. There is a link on how to make the stuff too. The things some people get up […]
Comments Off on Boomershoot - Posted in Fun,Social by Happy
Monday, August 31st, 2009
Maths/science jokes
Have you heard this one? An infinite number of mathematicians walk into a bar. The first one orders a beer. The second one orders half a beer. The third one orders a quarter of a beer. The bartender interrupts the fourth: “How about I just give you 2 beers and let you all work the […]