1

Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Re: Negative Space?

« on: 21/10/2022 18:48:07 »

Seems like one of those potholes one can fall into when one subscribes to the metaphysical notion that math is "real" or "the universe is made of math."  Number lines are elements of an abstract symbol system, and as such they aren't obligated to correspond to some physical reality (i.e. what is "out there" beyond my cranium).  Math describes some aspects of reality, especially consistent patterns we perceive, remarkably well (what Eugene Wigner called "the unreasonable efficiency of math") but can also create unicorns of thought.  Space, by its very meaning, is going to have positive extension, otherwise it wouldn't really be space.  In string theories, some dimensions can be curled up into tiny knots, but they are still would not have negative dimensional values.  And really, there is no meaningful distance or entity that can exist below the Planck length.  Anyway, watch out for what philosophers of science call "reification." 

2

New Theories / Re: ground breaking technology

« on: 21/10/2022 18:28:54 »

This perpetuum mobile is identical to the one I see he just posted over at scienceforums.net.  The attitude I gleaned from it was "I know about the second law of thermodynamics, but those silly laws are asking to be broken."  Also worth noting that superconducting tubes require energy input. 

OTOH, I've noticed that if I don't feed my cat, she becomes MORE active not less, so perhaps that is another avenue of exploration for our latter-day Tesla? 

3

Guest Book / Re: Introduce yourself and say hi.

« on: 19/10/2022 21:34:05 »

Hello, I am a biologist (former), social worker, and was admin at the now defunct sciencechatforum dot com.  Moved on to scienceforums dot net, which has been down several days, so am glad to discover this clean well-lit place.  And already spotted several familiar names (hello, Geordief and Janus) among the itinerant science junkies.  My interests range wildly around the domains of science and philosophy, but have particular interest in AI, cognitive science, climatology, atmospheric physics, ecology, and why cats put up with us.  I am generally supportive of the Oxford comma.