Light Intoxication for Enhanced Creativity in Math?

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The discussion revolves around the effects of light intoxication on creativity and problem-solving, particularly in academic contexts. Participants share anecdotes about attempting math or physics while under the influence of alcohol, noting mixed results. Some claim that mild intoxication can enhance creativity and focus, while others caution against the negative impacts on accuracy and comprehension. Experiences include humorous mishaps, such as dropping a slide rule in a toilet, and reflections on how alcohol can lead to overconfidence and mistakes in calculations. There are also mentions of alternative substances like cannabis and Ritalin, with varying opinions on their effects on cognitive performance. Overall, the conversation highlights a blend of humor and caution regarding the relationship between intoxication and academic work.
  • #31
dlgoff said:
Outstanding.

Yep. I love it too.
 
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  • #32
it would be somewhat funny at that moment because you mind could not process the questions.
 
  • #33
dlgoff said:
I still have it/them.

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/9627/14017584.jpg

It, the small one, worked fine but operators input was in question. Physics I Lab, trajectory, using springs with large constants to launch steel ball bearing projectiles (~1 inch diam.) off the lab bench. I think I hit the target once. Or was that my lab partner? :confused:



Yep. That why I bought the large one. It was like going from 8 bit to 32 bit arithmetic. :!)

The old ways are the best ways:

http://www.webanswers.com/post-images/5/5F/A3613644-6190-48A6-85B01FB71EA3D4DA.gif
 
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  • #34
I have 4 or 5 slide rules (including one that she inherited from her father) and two abaci (old school plural of abacus). I'm not sure, but I think that one of the ones I have I used in my physics classes, back well before the general availability of pocket calculators along about the mid-70s.

As a side note, the abacus is a sort of advanced version of a gizmo the ancients used to use, a piece of wood that had grooves scooped out for the 1's, 10's, etc. columns. They used small stones as counters, similar to the beads on an abacus. In Latin, a small stone was a calculus.

So now you know why it is that what a dentist removes from your teeth has the same name as the mathematical study of things that change in time.
 
  • #35
Borek said:
Alcohol and math don't mix. Don't drink and derive.

Since we're reviving a dead topic anyway, let me just say that I laughed out loud at that one.
 
  • #36
jim hardy said:
I do have one of each in my collection, and a 20" 4081. Still looking for a 5" Decilon..

20 inch! Pfft

I have an Otis King with a 10 foot scale!

oking1.jpg


You can make the scales a lot longer if you wrap them around a cylinder. Close it up and it fits in your pocket.

I think some actress or another once said, "Is that an Otis King slide rule in your pocket or you happy to see me?"
 
  • #37
Bahhhhhh... Math, Shmmmmmmm...ath.

Try makin' a mooofee, of this qualiddy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPrtQ9AdoM0​
 
  • #38
Being drunk while doing math or running a spaceship may not work, but it worked for the Kingsmen in 1963 when they recorded this hit song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RZJ4ESU52U
 
  • #39
SW VandeCarr said:
Being drunk while doing math or running a spaceship may not work, but it worked for the Kingsmen in 1963 when they recorded this hit song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RZJ4ESU52U

Had you posted this an hour ago, I'd have posted a live picture of the venue where this was recorded.

But, it's Friday, and I'm drunk, and I'm sure all the stories of "They recorded that song up there!", are make believe.

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2013/09/louie_louie_finds_another_plac.html

----------------------
[edit] hmmmm... It's true.
I always find it weird that people from across the country will mention something that is only a block away from where I'm sitting.
 
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  • #40
OmCheeto said:
Bahhhhhh... Math, Shmmmmmmm...ath.

Try makin' a mooofee, of this qualiddy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPrtQ9AdoM0​

I believe you should be drunk while watching this vid to appreciate it.

Luckily for me, I am not.
 
  • #41
I find that while many drugs inhibit computational abilities, they can be useful for forcing someone to look at a problem in different ways. There has to be a balance where they have some effect, but don't make the user a complete idiot at the same time.
 
  • #42
One could try hemp too. I had a math friend who said cannabis increased his memory ?
 
  • #43
jk22 said:
One could try hemp too. I had a math friend who said cannabis increased his memory ?

In all likelihood this is false, though you're sure to find exceptions. The short term and long term negative effects of cannabis on the memory have been well researched.
 
  • #44
i heard once, but maybe this is more for physicists, that having sex makes you in better harmony with nature (hence a good way to discover laws of nature :-) ?! Moore seems to mean that a woman 'helped' Schrodinger to discover the wave equation, as a mistress maybe the waves a couple make during love in a super position) however i couldn't find out if they were drunk on this ski holiday.
 
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  • #45
I am converting my salaries into units of beer coupled with petrol bills + taxi cost to get through one night.
 
  • #46
lendav_rott said:
I am converting my salaries into units of beer coupled with petrol bills + taxi cost to get through one night.
:biggrin: English people have beautiful pronunciation. I once was interviewed by a CEO from England, he asked me something I couldn't figure out, so I asked him to repeat and while he was explaining, I only paid attention to his lip movements (He is quite a guy but married) :biggrin: He is quite a "sanitary" person i.e driving a white car, wearing white trousers, drinking a white cup...
 
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  • #47
Im not anymore allowed to drink alcohol by the medical staff because i take risperdal but doing math under that drug is not easy neither, moreover surrounded with people with mental disease...
 
  • #48
jim hardy said:
Yes, some of us remember that Paul McCArtney was in a group before 'Wings'.

Some of us are so young we don't even know who wings are lol.

inotyce said:
:biggrin: English people have beautiful pronunciation. I once was interviewed by a CEO from England, he asked me something I couldn't figure out, so I asked him to repeat and while he was explaining, I only paid attention to his lip movements (He is quite a guy but married) :biggrin: He is quite a "sanitary" person i.e driving a white car, wearing white trousers, drinking a white cup...

Sure you weren't being interviewed by God?:-p
 
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  • #49
Superposed_Cat said:
Sure you weren't being interviewed by God?:-p

Does He speak English, then?
 
  • #50
if so he has no excuse for not answering our prayers :)
 

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