29. oktober 2002

Universes: The More the Merrier I touched briefly on the idea of multiple universes in my article on the Anthropic Principle, and I am glad Mr George made me aware of a recent article about this topic in the science section of the New York Times. The NYT article, which is a good example of science journalism. discusses the possibility of multiple universes, which seems to follow from some theories about the origin and makeup of our universe. It also discusses the anthropic principle. I remain convinced that it is a silly idea, no matter what the evidence will show about multiple universes. My question is: Can these universes even theoretically be detected by us? If not, is this really science, or is it metaphysical speculation? 9:52:59 PM    comment []

Touching across the Internet CNN tells us about an experiement allowing scientists in the UK and US to literally shake hands across the Internet. The equipment transmits data allowing a remote user to feel the touch of objects over the Net. After describing a number of practical applications of the technology, the article states: "It would also have recreational uses, allowing people to touch and feel each other over the Internet." Now admit it folks, you were thinking the same as I. 9:03:37 PM    comment []

On Art and Porn The Turner Prize is back to show off contemporary British art, and as usual the audience will find many artworks inaccessible and controversial. The press being what they are, Fiona Banner's examination of the relationship between the sexually explicit and language will no doubt create the most headlines. But there are lots to see, ranging from Catherine Yass' blurred high-speed photos of buildings (picture) to beach towels. Look at BBC News' pictures, and wish you could be there. I do.  8:49:06 PM    comment []

Markets Down Again The rollecoaster continues in the stock markets. Seriously declining consumer confidence numbers in the US send European markets tumbling down today. 6:35:44 PM    comment []

More Soul There Rayne continues the soul debate, responding to Rob at Emphasis Added, who somewhat unwisely brought gender and y-chromosomes into it. Rob just responded again, bringing out what seems to be a difference of philosophical orientation towards reality. This interesting debate started with my article Does the Soul or Spirit Really Exist? 6:06:38 PM    comment []

Etna Awakes Mt Etna in Italy, Europe's most active volcano, is awakening amid tremors, and started spewing out lava this weekend. The local population fears a major outbreak, and helicopters and planes try to stop the lava flows by dropping water. The Sicilan volcano has caused widespread destruction in the past, and is now threatening the villages along the mountainside. So far no injuries, but hundreds are homeless, and local officials have not been able to easen the fears. Etna had its last major eruption in 1992. 5:44:21 PM    comment []

Opera Baby Laugh of the day is the short flash movie Opera Baby, a must for music lovers everywhere. It really requires sound, and the usual bizarre sense of humour required to laugh at the jokes I like. 7:27:12 AM    comment []

The United States of Europe A 105-member convention chairing former French president Valery Giscard d'Estaing (picture) has come up with a draft for what will effectively be a constitution for the European Union. The objective is to convert the complicated treaties and legal documents into one document that can be easily understood by the common European, but also to outline the future goals of the Union.   There are enough controversy in the document, especially for traditionally Euro-skeptical Brits. Dual citizenships, more harmonised foreign policies and a European super-congress. What really has the critics choke is the suggestion of a new name for the Union, either United Europe or... The United States of Europe. BBC quotes a 'senior British official' saying that this name "has not a cat in hell's chance of success." If for no other reason, it suffers from a tragic lack of originality. 6:55:48 AM    comment []

Soul Debate Continues Rob at Emphasis Added has read the soul debate between myself and Rayne at the Occoquan Inquirer, and added some thoughts well worth a read. Rob actually explained my own position a bit clearer than I had managed to do myself. I think this has been a very respectful and interesting debate between bloggers. If anyone else has thoughts to add to this question, I would love to read it and link it. I have promised to come back to the topic and add some more thoughts of my own. Later this week, I hope. 3:45:56 AM    comment []

What type of gas was it anyway? While the death toll of the tragic Moscow siege is increasing, the Russian authorities remain silent about what type of gas was used in the attack. Doctors were left with trial and error to find antidotes, which may have cost many of the hostages their lives. But what gas was it? The first reports said it was a 'knockout' gas. That was not very helpful. Speculation was mounting that the Russian military had used nerve gas, while others suggested a form of valium in gas form. The latest report is that US authorites think the gas used was an opiate, a heroin or morphine-based agent. If the latter is correct, it is even less understandable why this information was kept from the doctors. Antidotes to such agents are well-known, for example narcan, shown in the picture. My take is that this comes down, again, to the massively ineffective propagation of information in the Russian bureacracy. This is a leftover from the paranoid Soviet era. It was true about Chernobyl, and it was true during the Kurst disaster. No lessons have been learned. 3:29:03 AM    comment []

© Copyright 2002 Jan Haugland. Last update: 01.11.02; 00:17:40.