Leanne Davis
https://www.goodreads.com/cosmicslice
“The real thing that physics tell us about the universe is that it's big, rare event happens all the time — including life — and that doesn't mean it's special.”
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“A physicist, an engineer and a psychologist are called in as consultants to a dairy farm whose production has been below par. Each is given time to inspect the details of the operation before making a report.
The first to be called is the engineer, who states: "The size of the stalls for the cattle should be decreased. Efficiency could be improved if the cows were more closely packed, with a net allotment of 275 cubic feet per cow. Also, the diameter of the milking tubes should be increased by 4 percent to allow for a greater average flow rate during the milking periods."
The next to report is the psychologist, who proposes:
"The inside of the barn should be painted green. This is a more mellow color than brown and should help induce greater milk flow. Also, more trees should be planted in the fields to add diversity to the scenery for the cattle during grazing, to reduce boredom."
Finally, the physicist is called upon. He asks for a blackboard and then draws a circle. He begins: "Assume the cow is a sphere....”
― Fear of Physics: A Guide for the Perplexed
The first to be called is the engineer, who states: "The size of the stalls for the cattle should be decreased. Efficiency could be improved if the cows were more closely packed, with a net allotment of 275 cubic feet per cow. Also, the diameter of the milking tubes should be increased by 4 percent to allow for a greater average flow rate during the milking periods."
The next to report is the psychologist, who proposes:
"The inside of the barn should be painted green. This is a more mellow color than brown and should help induce greater milk flow. Also, more trees should be planted in the fields to add diversity to the scenery for the cattle during grazing, to reduce boredom."
Finally, the physicist is called upon. He asks for a blackboard and then draws a circle. He begins: "Assume the cow is a sphere....”
― Fear of Physics: A Guide for the Perplexed
“The problem with today’s world is that everyone believes they have the right to express their opinion AND have others listen to it.
The correct statement of individual rights is that everyone has the right to an opinion, but crucially, that opinion can be roundly ignored and even made fun of, particularly if it is demonstrably nonsense!”
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The correct statement of individual rights is that everyone has the right to an opinion, but crucially, that opinion can be roundly ignored and even made fun of, particularly if it is demonstrably nonsense!”
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“My own opinion is enough for me, and I claim the right to have it defended against any consensus, any majority, anywhere, any place, any time. And anyone who disagrees with this can pick a number, get in line, and kiss my ass.”
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“Smart people believe weird things because they are skilled at defending beliefs they arrived at for non-smart reasons.”
― Why People Believe Weird Things: Pseudoscience, Superstition, and Other Confusions of Our Time
― Why People Believe Weird Things: Pseudoscience, Superstition, and Other Confusions of Our Time
You Are Stardust Book Club
— 4 members
— last activity Jun 17, 2018 04:47PM
Book Club for the discussion of books by Lawrence M. Krauss and those who have been guests at his ASU Origins project. Origins books curated list - h ...more
Leanne’s 2025 Year in Books
Take a look at Leanne’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.
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