What is Stupid: Definition and 313 Discussions

Stupidity is a lack of intelligence, understanding, reason, or wit. It may be innate, assumed or reactive. The word stupid comes from the Latin word stupere. Stupid characters are often used for comedy in fictional stories. Walter B. Pitkin called stupidity "evil", but in a more Romantic spirit William Blake and Carl Jung believed stupidity can be the mother of wisdom.

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  1. Topher925

    Stupid question about fabric dye

    Dumb question, but I know nothing about fabrics. I want to dye my computer sleeve (organic cotton canvas) a different color but I don't want to do so if its going to look terrible. Its currently dyed a brownish color and I want to dye it dark black. Can I do this since its already been dyed a...
  2. Saladsamurai

    Discovering the Keq of a System: Understanding Pulleys and Springs

    So I am trying to follow along this example in the text to find keq of the system. I can follow everything up until the point that they say: "It follows that x=2(x1+x2) where: x = displacement of mass x1 =displacement of Pulley1cm x2 =displacement of Pulley2cm I am not...
  3. M

    What Constitutes a Well-Rounded Education and Stupid LibArts Majors

    So the current (and classical) opinion on education is that a well-rounded education is best for students. The definitions of well-rounded are a bit muddly and mean different things to different people, so I was curious; what subjects should a 'well-educated' person know or at least be competent...
  4. M

    Richard Dawkins Slams Pope as 'Stupid' for Views on Condoms and Aids in Africa

    Richard Dawkins says Pope is 'stupid' Whether correct or not, this seems like a very outspoken statement, even for Dawkins.
  5. N

    How Can a Deceased Person Be Transported Across State Lines?

    THe answer given is C: All of these Now, are A & C not equivalent?
  6. Saladsamurai

    Create B-shaped Array Using Nested Loops | C++ Program

    Okay, so the object of this program is to write my name using an m x n array so that it prints each letter made up of that letter. That is, the first letter is B and thus is made up of a bunch of B's. Here is my code...I do not know what the problem is? #include <iostream> #include...
  7. J

    Valid Methods for Solving Differential Equations: Common Misconceptions

    Hey all, i just lost a TON of points on a test for solving a problem in a way that is apparently invalid. The problem was verify that y(x) = x+1 is a solution for dy/dx = y*y-x*x-2x; y(0) = 1. i plugged y = x+1 into the right side of the second equation, got dy/dx = 1, integrated...
  8. R

    I know this is going to sound stupid since I'm in applied precalculus

    But right now all math feels like is, "Here is a bunch of numbers and funny looking symbols, now do this step, then this, now do that because it just works, no questions asked. Just do it this way, understood?" And then the word problems come at me and I'm clueless, unless it resembles the one...
  9. K

    Stupid question about invariance of maxwell equations

    Hi, as you all know one can write the Maxwell-equations in covariant form, namely: \partial_a F^{ab} = \frac{4\pi }{c} j^{b} and \partial_a G^{ab}=0 where \textbf{G} is the dual Tensor to \textbf{F}. Now the two simple questions. I can see that they are invariant, because I...
  10. N

    How Can I Express This Alternating Pattern Series as a Single Sum?

    Homework Statement I need a way to write the following series in a sum: \frac{1}{2} + \frac{1}{4} + \frac{1}{32} + \frac{1}{64} + \frac{1}{1024} + \frac{1}{2048} + ... If you look closely you can see a 2^n pattern in there: \frac{1}{2} + \frac{1}{4} + \frac{0}{8} + \frac{0}{16} +...
  11. Topher925

    Does Ruby Emit Red When Illuminated with Green Light?

    If you have a phosphor such as ruby (Cr:Al2O3) and you excite it with a light source near its main pump band (~556nm) then you should see emit light with a difference in color from the source light, correct? For example if I shined a green light onto this piece a ruby, it should appear red...
  12. A

    How to maintain authority without losing intelligence?

    Here is a question of practical philosophy (the best kind, in my opinion). How does one maintain a position of authority without becoming stupid in the process? When you are in a position of authority, you have to keep up the impression that you are wise--that your decisions, judgments, and...
  13. J

    How Does Dark Energy Influence Galactic Movements Despite Being Undetectable?

    rank amateur here - as i currently understand it, dark energy does not react with anything so we cannot detect it directly. DE is deduced from macro scale observations of the movements of distant galaxies, which arent behaving as they should given the amount of observed mass. (i hope all that...
  14. H

    Understanding Division by Zero: Exploring the Concept of Undefined

    Division by zero is undefined...but why doesn't somebody just define it? Like they did with root (-1).
  15. T

    STUPID Vector qusetion - dont understand dot product rule

    Homework Statement The points A and B have position vectors a = (2,2,1) and b (1,1,-4) respectively relative to an origin O. (im using column notation for shorthand) Prove that OA is perpendicular to AB Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution To be perpendicular the...
  16. Saladsamurai

    Can You Easily Upgrade the RAM in an Older Desktop PC?

    Okay; so here is a screenshot of my PCs (it is a desktop) info. Here is what I want to know: 1) 256 MB is pretty small isn't it? My Macbook has 4GB 2.) Where can I look to see if I can fit more RAM in my PC? I assume that is not the max I can fit? 3.) Assuming I am not 100%...
  17. L

    Vierbeins and spin connections kinetic terms (probably a stupid question)

    when we try to build the gauge theory of gravity we needs the vierbeins fields and spin connections fields. In the case we take them independent, which are the kinetic terms for two fields? or in other words, is the commutator of covariant derivatives the kinetic term for vierbeins and for spin...
  18. J

    Maybe stupid question - zero positive or negative ?

    Homework Statement Hi I have to say true or false, and then demonstrate my answer "if taking any 3 Real numbers (a, b, c), we have at least 2 of the same sign" For me its true, i was thinking of creating a triplet (x, y, z), where x=1 if "a" positive, x=0 if "a" negative, same for y...
  19. C

    Why Can't I Simplify This Derivative Correctly?

    Homework Statement I am trying to solve this basic calculus problem, but I can't figure out the last step. It doesn't make sense to me. I know I'm just being an idiot and not thinking of it. This actually has little to do with calculus and more to do with basic algebra. Doh...
  20. L

    Mastering Poker Combinations: How to Calculate Flushes and Full Houses

    1. In Poker: A) A flush is 5 cards of the same suit not in any order. How many flushes are possible? B) A full house is 3 of a kind plus a pair. How many full houses are possible? 2. n C r (That's all I can think of right now) 3. For A) (13 C 5) / (52 C 5) = 33 / 66640...
  21. C

    It’s about conscience, stupid; not consciousness

    It’s about conscience, stupid; not consciousness Why has the English language not coined a word that speaks to the concept of conscience without the confusion associated with the concept of consciousness? There must be a psychological aspect here. What would Freud say? Freud’s...
  22. L

    Simplifying Trig Homework Statement | Limit x-->0 for (secx-1)/x^2

    Homework Statement (secx-1)/x^2 limit x--->0 Homework Equations secx=1/cosx (1-cosx)/x=0 The Attempt at a Solution I have done obvious thing, solved to make secent cosine and got common denominators in the top portion of the fraction, then subtracted. Ended up with...
  23. O

    Why do girl play these stupid games? (kind of long)

    okay, ill try to explain this situation a best as i can. so, i started talking to this girl. I am not quite sure how it all started but i seemed cool so, i went with it. a cool thing (i thought so) was the fact that we hang out with a lot of the same crowd. so i got to see her often and see...
  24. P

    Stupid Stubborn Mule and his Kinetic/Static Friction

    SOLVED Homework Statement A stubborn, 120 kg mule sits down and refuses to move. To drag the mule to the barn, the exasperated farmer ties a rope around the mule and pulls with his maximum force of 770 N. The coefficients of friction between the mule and the ground are µs = 0.8 and µk =...
  25. K

    Is Flash's ActionScript Considered a Programming Language?

    Hello, I am really really new to programming, could someone tell me, is Flash's Action script counted as a programming language?
  26. D

    Proving Polynomial Properties: Existence of nxn Matrix in Field k

    How might one prove that for any degree n polynomial p(x) with coefficients lying in a field k, there exists any nxn matrix with entries in k with characteristic polynomial p?
  27. A

    How Do You Calculate Average Body Density Using Archimedes' Principle?

    Homework Statement A 60kg person floats vertically in a water pool with just her head, of volume 2.5L, exposed. What is the average density of her body?Homework Equations Archimedes: F = rho*V*g mass = rho*V The Attempt at a Solution I got this problem on my midterm and I'm pissed off that I...
  28. D

    This is probably a stupid question basic equation laws

    Okay, so say I have an equation that looks like this: 9y - 4x + 5 = 0 and I wan to move every thing but the y over to the right hand side. When it gets to the last step and looks like this: 9y = 4x - 5 When I move 9 over to the other side, does it's sign change? I know the other...
  29. A

    What Will the Clock Read at the Turnaround Point in the Twins Paradox?

    If we add a third observer to the twins paradox at the turnaround point (at rest with earth), and with a clock that was synched with the other two when the ship left earth, what will that clock read when this third observer sees the ship turn around? Assuming v= 0.8c, distance = 8 ly...
  30. D

    Velocity Change When Hitting a Wall

    if something is moving at a wall with a given velocity. and is in contact with the wall for say 0.2 seconds. the chance in velocity for those 0.2 seconds would be (-) the velocity it hit it win?
  31. V

    Bremstrahlung Radiation: Understanding the Three Vertex Feynman Diagram

    why is it that the feynman diagram illustrating Bremstrahlung radiation has three vertices; basically an electron decays into a)a photon which recoils the nucleus and b)a virtual electron WHICH THEN decays into another photon and an electron of lower energy. why can't the original electron...
  32. Gib Z

    Overthinking a Smile: My Crush on a Cute Girl at a Holiday Course

    Upset :( This is the post where I'm going to sound like a stupid immature typical teenager, so stop reading here if you don't want to hear it. So, I'm sitting in some week long holiday course that I just now finished, in the seat that looks straight out the door and into the corridor. I...
  33. L

    What Determines the Power Output of a Battery?

    I think I am a bit confused here. How does higher current output power supply differ from high voltage supply? Is it just the internal resistances of the supply? For example a Lithium Ion battery from an Alkaline battery. I am asking coz, I was reading about static. Your body can charge...
  34. G

    Extremely stupid question but i want to be 100% sure

    Homework Statement factorise x^2+3x=2 Homework Equations erm... The Attempt at a Solution (x+2)(x+1) book says (x+1)(x+2) aren't those answers the same? i know it's a stupid question but i want to make sure I'm getting this right
  35. O

    How did I miss this easy derivative question on my calc 2 exam?

    So in a calc 2 exam, you gloss over all the derivatives questions and get to integration and series. You get the really tough integrals, but you miss the grade-boosting derivative question (10%/100)?! So I've never gotten lower than 95% on a math midterm, but now I'm getting 85%~. Look at how...
  36. S

    Is this Differential Algebra Problem Correct? | Simple Identity Confirmation

    Homework Statement For the life of me, I can't decide whether the method below is correct and it's making me feel really stupid. Homework Equations Simple matter of an algebraic identity. Is: \frac{\partial L}{\partial(\frac{d\overline{A}}{dx_{\mu}})} = \frac{\partial L}{\partial...
  37. P

    Would it be stupid to switch to engineering at this point?

    I'm currently a 3rd year student majoring in physics and will probably end up with a minor in math. I'm having a major crisis tryin to decide what to do with my life. I'm currently taking upper-div mechanics, but the class is pretty boring. I'm thinking about leaving physics also because...
  38. malawi_glenn

    Understanding the Clebsch Gordan Coefficients: Explained and Solved

    [SOLVED] Stupid question about Clebsch Gordan I know that \sum _{m_1,m_2}|<j_1m_1,j_2m_2|jm>|^2 = 1 But is \sum _{m_1,m_2}|<j_1m_1,j_2-m_2|jm'>|^2 = 1 ? I have tried to justify this by using a CG calculator and so on, but I just can't figure out why :S I think that doesent...
  39. M

    Calculating Focal Length for Real and Inverted Image | Simple Optics

    [SOLVED] Simple Optics - being stupid?! Homework Statement There's an object 1.5m from a white screen. What is the focal length of a lens needed to form a real and inverted image on the screen with magnification of 4.0? How far from the object should the lens be placed?Homework Equations...
  40. Saladsamurai

    Stupid Question about Hetero/Homogeneous mixtures

    I was just asked "Are salt and sand heterogeneous or homogenous mixtures?" I can see that sand is heterogeneous, but why is salt heterogeous? Casey
  41. Saladsamurai

    Music HELP Stupid question about how to transfer music files

    So here is what I want to do: I have an Ipod synched to the Itunes Library on my PC I wish to synch it with my Macbook. To do this I need to erase it and replace its contents with the contents of my Macbook's Itunes Library. There is nothing in my Itunes Library so I wish to move all...
  42. Cyrus

    Has Television Lost Its Educational Value?

    Sorry, but this time I really must rant. I was watching the travel channel just now. This is the SECOND program I have seen on the travel channel like this. It’s a show called art attack. Sounds cool? I thought so...until I started watching. This bozo is literally screaming the entire show. It...
  43. Saladsamurai

    How Can You Simplify Engineering Units in Calculations?

    Homework Statement I am trying to get used to engineering prefixes and such. I would like to come up with a general way to reduce garbage composite units like Mg/ms into proper units. Anybody have a general way. I know that my end result is to have no prefixes in denominator (except kg)...
  44. L

    Mall Madness: Why Do They Stay Open During Hazardous Weather?

    On Thursday afternoon, we got heavy snow all afternoon and into the night. We got about 7 inches of snow, but the roads were completely snow covered. Cars on the highway were only going as fast as 18 mph and they were sliding all over the place. What does the mall do? Stay open despite there...
  45. S

    Set Elements of Array to Same Value in C#

    For some reason, I can't work out how to set every element of an array to the same value in a single line, in C#. For example, I can't do this: char[] array_of_chars = new char[limit]; array of chars[] = X or: char[] array_of_chars = new char[limit]; array of chars[0:limit] = X So...
  46. V

    How Do You Solve the Hamiltonian for a Two-Electron Ferromagnet?

    Homework Statement Okay, this would be easy if it hadn't been 15 years since undergrad quantum. Here goes. I'm finding the energy spectrum of a Heisenberg "two-electron ferromagnet", if you will, with a Hamiltonian described by H=-J\hat{S_1}\cdot\hat{S_2}-h(\hat{S_{z1}}+\hat{S_{z2}})...
  47. Jim Kata

    G2 Representation Theory: A Simple Question on Symmetry & Dual Groups

    I really don't know that much representation theory or group theory. I was looking at Garrett lisi's presentation, and I was looking at the 3d root system of g2. It struck me that it looked similar to a dodecahedron inscribed in a cube. Now, I do know that the dodecahedron group, and the...
  48. ZapperZ

    Top 10 Britain's Most Stupid Laws

    I find http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071106/od_afp/britainlawsoffbeat, especially about the clerk in a tropical fish store! I'm sure there are plenty of very silly laws here in the US as well. No civilization is immune to such stupidity. :) Zz.
  49. G

    Calculating Force of Gravity on an Alien Frog

    Homework Statement An alien form of frog with a mass of 1.5kg (on a planet with an unknown acceleration of gravity) jumps up from his lilly pad at a velocity of 4.0m/s. If the frog reaches a maximum height of 15m, what is the force of gravity on the frog on this planet? It's a stupid...
  50. S

    How Do Particles Form Atoms in Light of Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle?

    I'm kinda confused about atoms. Basically when particles came into existence, they were affecting other particles so they were being "seen", which would allow them to have a position so they could come together to form atoms, right? I'm so confused about atoms after learning about...
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