What is the newest installment of 'Random Thoughts' on Physics Forums?

[Ibix]

I don't have a favourite rain. I always like listening to it. Although I'll admit a preference for "not too heavy" if I have to be out in it.

Rob McKenna and his numbering system.

 

[WWGD]

I don't have a favourite rain. I always like listening to it. Although I'll admit a preference for "not too heavy" if I have to be out in it.

Rob McKenna and his numbering system.

How about the colo(u)r: do you mind if it is, say,...Purple?

 

[Ibix]

How about the colo(u)r: do you mind if it is, say,...Purple?

Only if it makes Deep puddles.

 

[WWGD]

Only if it makes Deep puddles.

I assume it will, as doves will cry purple tears, -- from the way I stretch this analogy beyond reason.

 

[WWGD]

Wow, NFL (National Football League) player retires to pursue PHD degree in Mathematics at MIT. The guy was playing full time and going to school for his PHD full time: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Urschel

And he has co-written 6 peer-reviewed papers.

EDIT: And it seems he retired from the NFL because MIT did not allow him to work while studying full time, not because he could not handle both.

 

[fresh_42]

Wow, NFL (National Football League) player retires to pursue PHD degree in Mathematics at MIT. The guy was playing full time and going to school for his PHD full time: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Urschel

And he has co-written 6 peer-reviewed papers.

Yes, but the important thing is, that the Ravens got worse as he left.

 

[WWGD]

I never got into the game but I envy those who follow it with so much interest. For them, a party is just having some snacks, a beer and a TV at game time. Simple enjoyment, no fuss, nothing fancy needed.

 

[BillTre]

There may be some dumb guys in sports, but there are a lot of smart ones too!
The smarter ones often do well by exceeding their mere physical endowments.

 

[WWGD]

There may be some dumb guys in sports, but there are a lot of smart ones too!
The smarter ones often do well by exceeding their mere physical endowments.

I used t obe an academic snob until I listened to some of these guys ( baseball, basketball) analyzing their opponents. They were pretty sharp. Maybe not traditionally book-smart, but pretty smart n0netheless.

 

[BillTre]

I used t obe an academic snob until I listened to some of these guys ( baseball, basketball) analyzing their opponents. They were pretty sharp. Maybe not traditionally book-smart, but pretty smart n0netheless.

Check out Sabermetrics. Saber = Society for American Baseball Research. They do analysis.
Currently, there is a developmental (developing talent) approach which uses analysis plus high speed video, radar, and physics to determine how to best throw a pitch or hit a ball.
I believe the Astros are currently considered the best at this approach, but they have competition.
Here is a book I am currently reading on this.

Not all players like this approach, but those that do can make good use of it to further advance their careers.

 

[WWGD]

Check out Sabermetrics. Saber = Society for American Baseball Research. They do analysis.
Currently, there is a developmental (developing talent) approach which uses analysis plus high speed video, radar, and physics to determine how to best throw a pitch or hit a ball.
I believe the Astro are currently considered the best at this approach, but they have competition.
Here is a book I am currently reading on this.

Not all players like this approach, but those that do can make good use of it to further advance their careers.

Interesting links, thanks!Yes, raw talent alone is no guarantee anymore. But I hear the home run surge is a result of the use of saber-metrics. Pitchers know hitters too well , so the batter's best strategy, it seems, is to try to knock it out of the park. I don't know enough about it to vouch for it, but that is what I have read.

 

[BillTre]

Both the batters and pitchers are beneficiaries.
Its one of those arms races.

Pitchers are getting more ball movement and less arm strain among other things.
Batters are getting better swing mechanics for more contact and power.

 

[WWGD]

Both the batters and pitchers are beneficiaries.
Its one of those arms races.

Pitchers are getting more ball movement and less arm strain among other things.
Batters are getting better swing mechanics for more contact and power.

I am torn between feeling excited towards the new game and nostalgic for the old one. Nostalgia is not what it used to be...(sigh). Wonder if we will hit a sort of "Minimax" game, as in game theory.

 

[BillTre]

Now (having read about them) I am wanting an Edgertronic high speed video camera.
Much cheaper (~5.5 k$'s) then previous cams for high speed. Comparable products are 3-4x as much I think.
I have wanted to make high speed videos for quite a while.

Somebody start a Go-Fund-Me for me!

 

[WWGD]

Nerds in Paradise: World Almanac and Book of Facts 2020 is out.

 

[fresh_42]

Nerds in Paradise: World Almanac and Book of Facts 2020 is out.

You Americans are obsessed with sports statistics!

 

[WWGD]

You Americans are obsessed with sports statistics!

It's general world stats, not just sports. A fun book to browse, but getting to be expensive at $15.19 ( Around E13.50).

 

[WWGD]

You Americans are obsessed with sports statistics!

What's kind of absurd is some team names, like Santa Barbara Penguins, etc., a beach team named after penguins.

 

[fresh_42]

What's kind of absurd is some team names, like Santa Barbara Penguins, etc., a beach team named after penguins.

Dangerous territory this is. Some names not pc are.

 

[WWGD]

Dangerous territory this is. Some names not pc are.

Talking about PC, I almost got into a major argument because I referred to a female common acquaintance as a colleague and the other person heard instead "Collie", a dog, as if I was saying she is (ugly like) a dog. Surreal, let alone the fact that I could barely keep myself from laughing because of the absurdity of the situation. I sometimes laugh when I am both tired and stressed out. I guess my way of relieving stress.

 

[fresh_42]

I cannot see anything wrong if confused with a collie. They are gentle and good companions. Oh, I start to see the difference.

 

[WWGD]

I cannot see anything wrong if confused with a collie. They are gentle and good companions. Oh, I start to see the difference.

Some people don't like to be compared with dogs. Maybe because they would not come out looking favorable by comparison.

 

[WWGD]

Unusual compliment.

I am talking with my friend, having some coffee , a third person comes up, asks for directions. I oblige and give him directions. My friend compliments me effusively on the way I gave directions: " That was a great way you gave directions". What should I say: " You've been doing a great job of drinking coffee so far"?

 

[WWGD]

Windows has me hostage with its updates: Update now or Update in one hour. It won't give me any other option, certainly not, do not update, which is what I want. Same for last few hours

 

[BillTre]

Windows has me hostage with its updates: Update now or Update in one hour. It won't give me any other option, certainly not, do not update, which is what I want. Same for last few hours

Microsoft has authoritarian tendencies.

 

[dlgoff]

Windows has me hostage with its updates: Update now or Update in one hour. It won't give me any other option, certainly not, do not update, which is what I want. Same for last few hours

Windows 10 perhaps? That's why I'm still using Windows 7 with GWX Control Panel.

 

[WWGD]

Windows 10 perhaps? That's why I'm still using Windows 7 with GWX Control Panel.

Yes, right, Windows 10. Do you get Windows 7 for free?

 

[WWGD]

Minor annoyance: light switch from lamp by my bed not working. Went to sleep with a light bulb on in front of my eyes+ worrying about bulb overheating and catching fire. Unsurprisingly did not wake up feeling rested.

 

[dlgoff]

Do you get Windows 7 for free?

Yes. I think so. At least I did. Check here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/

 

[WWGD]

Yes. I think so. At least I did. Check here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/

Thanks. But I guess that would imply reinstalling all programs, maybe data files? While at it, wonder why minisoft does not "de-license" software from older versions so that one may have, e.g., Excel 2003 for free or at least for lower cost.