The physics department just had a talk by a researcher from Wilfred Laurier University, discussing the EPR (Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen) Paradox. This is a very counter-intuitive quantum effect which is very difficult to describe. The speaker this afternoon did an excellent job of describing it in regular language. I was very impressed. It really is true, you can only really explain something to someone else once you fully understand it yourself.

In short, Einstein, Podolsky and Rosen were bothered by the weirder conclusion from quantum mechanics. So they proposed an experiment that you could do which would show that the quantum model was incomplete. Unfortunately for them, the counter-intuitive results of the experiment actually did occur, proving that quantum mechanics actually is correct. This experiment was the beginning of quantum entanglement, and all of the wonderful weirdness which grew out of that.

Originally published at The Rational Druid. You can comment here or there.

Well, it’s official. Shawn Graham, our esteemed Premier, is a first-class, grade A, idiot. The current Liberal government is all set to sell off all of the most valuable parts of NBPower to HydroQuebec. And basically at a fire-sale rate. HydroQuebec is simply going to pay off the debts owing on these assets, and promise not to gouge us for the next 5 years. After that, the rates will be tied to the rate of inflation, and to “new developments”. What the hell are new developments? Also, Shawn Graham has alluded to the fact that there is a formula in this deal to calculate what future rates will be. What is this formula? I have degrees in physics and computer science. I’m pretty sure I won’ t be stumped by the math. So common Mr. Graham, show us the money. Also, I have not heard any mention about guaranteeing power supplies, or guaranteeing infrastructure. If it becomes more profitable for HydroQuebec to sell power generated here to the US, what will stop them? As far as I can see, we would be left quite literally in the dark. And as for transmission lines, what is to stop HydroQuebec from saying that it is too expensive to repair transmissions lines to smaller communities? I have not heard any talk around these subjects. If anyone else has, please let me know. I would really like to know.

Originally published at The Rational Druid. You can comment here or there.

Open Circuits provides a site full of ideas and circuits put into the open source community. Using their description:

Open Circuits is a wiki for sharing open source electronics knowledge, schematics, board layouts, ports and parts libraries. This include open hardware Music Players, atomic microscopes, PC, PDA and mobile phones, and batteries.

Visit, and add what you can.

Originally published at The Rational Druid. You can comment here or there.

I just saw this site this morning. I found the link in Make magazine (awesome magazine, by the way). There is far too much info here for me to go into. All I can say is that you need to go check this out if you have any interest in physics or science.

Originally published at The Rational Druid. You can comment here or there.

I’ve just realized that I’m starting to lose my chops for both programming and physics. Just like anything else, you need to practice to keep yourself up to snuff. So, I’m going to start working on my chops. There are going to be a series of pages that I’m going to start up this weekend. I’m thinking of a series of pages on Mythbusters for the science, and a series of pages on scientific computing. We’ll see if I can keep this up and actually get my edge back.

Originally published at The Rational Druid. You can comment here or there.

Well, I seem to be finding a really satisfying hobby, writing. I’ve worked out a mini-column deal with Linux Journal where I write a ~1000 word column for their UpFront section each month. It is really fun, since I get to explore really obtuse areas of the Linux command line. I’m posting it on the “Published Articles” page.

I’ve got ideas for columns for other magazines that I will be pitching. Right now I have more ideas pouring out of me then I can write down. I also have an idea for a book for atheist Druidry. I’m finding more and more people who are interested in it, but there are no real resources out there. I will probably post the introduction up here when it’s done, and I’m going to be pitching the idea to some publishers out there. Who knows, maybe I’ll actually be a formally published author.

Originally published at The Rational Druid. You can comment here or there.

It’s kind of funny that you need to go to an American newspaper to get some good information on Canadian health care. Rhonda Hackett has written on several myths surrounding our health care system, and the realities behind the myths.

Myth: Taxes in Canada are extremely high, mostly because of national health care.

In actuality, taxes are nearly equal on both sides of the border. Overall, Canada’s taxes are slightly higher than those in the U.S. However, Canadians are afforded many benefits for their tax dollars, even beyond health care (e.g., tax credits, family allowance, cheaper higher education), so the end result is a wash. At the end of the day, the average after-tax income of Canadian workers is equal to about 82 percent of their gross pay. In the U.S., that average is 81.9 percent.

You can read many more myths at here.

Originally published at The Rational Druid. You can comment here or there.

I seem to be reaching a tipping point in my personal beliefs/actions. I think I’m coming to the realization that my time here really is limited, and that I need to prioritize the actions I take in my life. Maybe, even start taking actions?

Listened to: The Geologic Podcast: Episode #120 from the album “Geologic Podcast” by George Hrab

Originally published at The Rational Druid. You can comment here or there.

I came across the site Chivalry Today. The legends around medieval knights have always interested me. The romantic legends surrounding King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table have always pointed to a code of behaviour that I think we would be well put to bringing back into use in our world. According to the above web sites, a modern version of the knightly virtues is

• Courage
• Justice
• Mercy
• Generosity
• Faith
• Nobility
• Hope

These virtues are all things that we should strive to acting out in our lives and our interactions with others.

Knighthood is not the only place where we can get virtues. The Druid group ADF has a concept called the nine Druidic virtues

• Wisdom
• Piety
• Vision
• Courage
• Integrity
• Perseverance
• Hospitality
• Moderation
• Fertility

Originally published at The Rational Druid. You can comment here or there.

You’ve likely heard of permaculture before. This is the philosophy of agriculture which is capable of being permanent. The idea is that you plant your crops and care for your soil so that it can be sustained indefinitely. I think that it is time for us to start thinking the same way about our technology. A kind of permatech.

The beginnings of a movement are starting to form. An example is the repair manifesto. The idea here is that we should look at the items that we purchase and use in our day-to-day life, and choose items that can be repaired. If an item cannot be repaired, we are effectively just renting the item. When it finally does break, or wear out, we have no choice but to dump it in the trash and get a new one. The manifesto itself is:

1. Make your products live longer!
   Repairing means taking the opportunity to give your product a second life. Don’t ditch it, stitch it! Don’t end it, mend it! Repairing is not anti-consumption. It is anti- needlessly throwing things away.
2. Things should be designed so that they can be repaired.
   Product designers: Make your products repairable. Share clear, understandable information about DIY repairs. Consumers: Buy things you know can be repaired, or else find out why they don’t exist. Be critical and inquisitive.
3. Repair is not replacement.
   Replacement is throwing away the broken bit. This is NOT the kind of repair that we’re talking about.
4. What doesn’t kill it makes it stronger.
   Every time we repair something, we add to its potential, its history, its soul and its inherent beauty.
5. Repairing is a creative challenge.
   Making repairs is good for the imagination. Using new techniques, tools and materials ushers in possibility rather than dead ends.
6. Repair survives fashion.
   Repair is not about styling or trends. There are no due-dates for repairable items.
7. To repair is to discover.
   As you fix objects, you’ll learn amazing things about how they actually work. Or don’t work.
8. Repair – even in good times!
   If you think this manifesto has to do with the recession, forget it. This isn’t about money, it’s about a mentality.
9. Repaired things are unique.
   Even fakes become originals when you repair them.
10. Repairing is about independence.
    Don’t be a slave to technology – be its master. If it’s broken, fix it and make it better. And if you’re a master, empower others.
11. You can repair anything, even a plastic bag.
    But we’d recommend getting a bag that will last longer, and then repairing it if necessary.

Stop Recycling. Start Repairing. www.platform21.nl

Instead of buying the cheapest item, I think that we need to start thinking about the actual quality of the items we are purchasing. And we also need to start thinking about the total value of an item. This includes its aesthetic value. Objects should look good, feel good, be sturdy, and be capable of being repaired. If they worked well, we would actually use the item. If it looked good, we would likely take better care of it, and feel good about having it. If it was easy to repair, we would feel more investment in it.

Originally published at The Rational Druid. You can comment here or there.