September 16th, 2010, 03:38 PM | #141 | |
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-- David Hume |
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September 16th, 2010, 03:38 PM | #142 | |
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That material is the Big Bang. All that existed before the BB was a "nothing that contained potential" that ultimately erupted everything that is our universe. Um, it might help to imagine yourself being extremely small--say about ten times the size of an electron--and while wandering about you observe an electron and a positron (an "anti-electron" particle) spontaneously 'appear' or 'erupt' in front of you out of nothing. What you have just witnessed is an much smaller version of the initial Big Bang event where our universe spontaneously came into existence from and of nothing. Of course, what has happened since the BB and what types of matter and physical constants appeared when quickly becomes very complex and is the foundation of many a PhD thesis. For example, our electron and positron from above could re-crash together back into nothing, they could fly apart and enter some stable relationships with other particles in the universe, could crash into and obliterate other matter here, or could perhaps move on to telling their sordid stories on the Nuclear Springer Show and then slowly degenerating into a social heat-death after their 15 micro-minutes of celebrity ... ( I think I digressed a bit there.) Did that short explanation and the examples help at all? e.d. |
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September 16th, 2010, 03:53 PM | #143 | |
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e.d. |
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September 16th, 2010, 04:00 PM | #144 | |
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Don't know how factual that is, but sounded good enough too me when having a bottle of whiskey at the time
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September 16th, 2010, 04:25 PM | #145 |
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It is not a David Hume quote. It is my observation. David Hume is one of the brilliant philosophers who inspire me. -- David Hume is intended as a title for his image in case someone does not recognize him. I probably did not need to title his image as most people are able to recognize him. Thanks for the heads up. I will either title images without dashes or leave them untitled.
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September 16th, 2010, 04:32 PM | #146 | |
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Since Linus has been dead for some time, I'll try to address some of what you said but I would greatly appreciate some clarification from you afterward. Matter exists--you used your fingers (they are easily recognizable matter) or voice to transcribe your question into a computer (easily recognizable matter) and I suspect that you were sitting at the time, and you are perceiving some sort of monitor (easily recognizable matter) to read this answer. All of those things (including your bottom that you sat on) are matter. That you can physically experience these things proves that they are more than a metaphor. Also, people have shown that atoms make up that matter and that those atoms have real existence as discrete, quantifiable pieces. (Tap your keyboard again, is it still there?) Also, we know that the basic constituents of that matter--protons, neutrons, electrons--and their opposites exist. If for some reason "they" don't exist then there are other particles that do exist that are very, very much like our models and understanding. Etc., etc., ad absurdum. Another difficulty: Electro-magnetism is only one observable characteristic of matter and it is only observable in small percentage of interactions within all matter at any given moment. Other characteristics include (but are not limited to) energy, space-time, gravity, strong and weak nuclear forces, etc. Without matter as we understand it, these characteristics wouldn't exist either. (For example, if you did not exist your post on this thread would not exist ... ) The "metaphor(s)" you speak of is the biggest mystery to me. Are you refering to a philosophical or theological perspective, perhaps? Or some linguistic, psychological, social or cultural understanding maybe? Please reply soon! e.d. Last edited by electile disfunction; September 16th, 2010 at 11:47 PM.. |
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September 16th, 2010, 04:47 PM | #147 | |
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Whatever helps ... e.d. Last edited by electile disfunction; September 16th, 2010 at 11:48 PM.. |
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September 16th, 2010, 04:52 PM | #148 |
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A response that intelligently clarifies my positions will require some time.
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September 16th, 2010, 05:06 PM | #149 |
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Why did they call it Big Bang anyway? Subatomic particles having a gang bang party eh?
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September 16th, 2010, 06:20 PM | #150 | |
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Maybe this is just beyond my caveman-like brain. |
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