Physics

I've a confession to make.
I managed to graduate both high school AND college, without ever taking a physics class.
Which is a shame, because at this point in my life, I'm pretty clear on how my brain works, what it focuses on, and I think it would have really enjoyed physics classes.


I was feeling the physics ignorance awhile back, so picked up a book that highlights and briefly explains 50 laws of physics.

Cool.

Same people also published similar books dealing with philosophy and other fields of study.

Smart Stuff for Dummies, in other words.

Perfect for me.



Besides the fact that it seems like a bunch of guys became famous in their fields for stating the obvious, I've found a lot of what I've read to be very interesting.

I came across a little bit of physics in-fighting the other day.
A genius version of Biggie vs. Tupac, Elton vs. Madonna, Axl Rose vs.... everyone.

Only.... for nerds.
Historical nerds.

Law # 1:

Copenhagen Interpretation:

Neils Bohr was hanging out in Denmark, partying with a bunch of scientists in a mansion donated by the Carslberg brewery folks; thinking deep thoughts and staying away from Nazis. He came up with the notion that an object is not fully formed, until you observe it, and that by observing it, you dictate the form it will take.

Light's both a particle AND a wave, for instance, but will adapt it's form to how the observer wishes to measure it.
If that's not enough, the ACT of observing alters what is being observed, because the act of observation "involves the transfer of some energy and momentum."


In coming up with this, he introduced a bit of philosophy into physics, which really cheesed off some of the other scientists.

(This happened decades before folks realized that you CAN mix chocolate and peanut butter, for the betterment of mankind.)


This theory caused a guy named Schrodinger to go all east coast vs. west coast on Bohr's ass.

In part to mock Bohr's Copenhagen Interpretation, which he thought was ridiculous, he came up with own.

A cat, in a closed box, may or may not have been poisoned, and may or may not be dead...

(Sidebar: Schrodinger had some serious issues...)

Schrodinger's Cat indicates that the only way to determine if the cat's alive or dead, is to open the box; but that the cat's obviously not both alive AND dead at the same time, waiting for us to peek inside and determine it's fate.

(Did I mention that it seems like a bunch of guys became famous in their fields for stating the obvious?)

He equates a possibly poisoned, possibly dead cat with light waves/particles.


This is what happens when brilliant nerds get bitchy.

Schrodinger, when not talking about torturing pets, left a trail of illegitimate children across europe and the UK.

Yep, this physics stuff is pretty fascinating.....