Today I Learned

  • Thread starter Thread starter Greg Bernhardt
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Today I learned that cleaning a white hat can be done with bleach cleaner, but it’s important to rinse it before wearing it again. I also discovered that "oyster veneering," a woodworking technique from the late 1600s, is experiencing a minor revival despite its labor-intensive nature. Additionally, I learned that the factorial of 23 (23!) equals 25,852,016,738,884,976,640,000, which interestingly has 23 digits, a unique coincidence among factorials. I found out that medical specialists often spend less than 10 minutes with patients, and that watching TV can contribute to weight gain. Other insights included the fact that a kiss can transfer around 80 million microbes, and that bureaucracy can sometimes hinder employment opportunities. The discussion also touched on various trivia, such as the emotional sensitivity of barn owls and the complexities of gravitational lensing around black holes.
  • #2,601
Conclusion from what I said before.

You can write Windows in Brainfuck - in principle. No one ever did it, it would be beyond what humans can do, but there is no question that you can in principle. Brainfuck is Turing complete. Windows is written in another Turing complete language. Similar thing.

Our motivation just arises from the arrangement of particles in us. No magic involved.
 
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  • #2,602
mfb said:
Humans are complicated arrangements of particles following the laws of physics which - to our best knowledge - can be described with equations. Computers are Turing-complete, they can simulate everything in the universe given enough computing power, space and time. The question is not if computers can in principle mimic humans, the question is just how and how much processing power they need. Assuming growth continues roughly at the same exponential rate supercomputers should get able to mirror all human neurons within the next ~20 years, and vastly exceed the corresponding processing power in 30-40. We don't know if it is sufficient to look at neurons, but including more cells or more details is just a quantitative problem, not a qualitative one. Scanning a human brain (as one option to get a template) is also a matter of engineering, not a physics problem.They can get it the same way humans have it.

There's no doubt that you could eventually replicate the human system and get something that was equivalent. Then you would have an artificial human. An open question is how much of the biological aspects would you have to replicate in order to get consciousness? You might end up needing to replicate all the biological processes insofar as they interact with the brain. Another big question is whether you would have to develop it from a childhood state? If it really thinks like a human, then it knows that the memories you've programmed in are not real. When it realizes it is artificial, how will it react? It may not be happy with the artificial stimuli you are providing. Who knows what an artificial human would do?

In any case, this is not generally the aim of AI: to replicate the human system, with all its flaws and the added psychological instability of being artificial. The questions remain: what sort of AI can you create without replicating all the human biology? Consciousness may be as much biology as processing power.
 
  • #2,603
PeroK said:
An open question is how much of the biological aspects would you have to replicate in order to get consciousness?
How do you test for consciousness? If there is no possible test for it then it is not a scientific question.

If we ever simulate a human brain it will hopefully be done with consent of the person - if nothing goes wrong they will know they agreed to it.
PeroK said:
In any case, this is not generally the aim of AI: to replicate the human system, with all its flaws and the added psychological instability of being artificial.
I know. I was just discussing the general ability to replicate "human" features in computers. Simulating a human brain is probably not the most efficient way (for many tasks we know there are more efficient ways already - playing chess and things like that).
 
  • #2,604
mfb said:
I was just discussing the general ability to replicate "human" features in computers. Simulating a human brain is probably not the most efficient way (for many tasks we know there are more efficient ways already - playing chess and things like that).
I agree with this. Proposing this kind of AI-by-brute-force isn't a research strategy. It's a way of laying bare the hidden assumption underlying "computers can't do X": you either have to accept that such a simulation would be indistinguishable from a human (and hence that computers can do X), or explicitly claim that there's something fundamentally non-physical about humans.
 
  • #2,605
TIL: In Old Norse hundrath meant 120.

... I wonder if that could be used to my advantage ...

And 10! seconds are 42 days! Strange ... 42 again ...
 
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  • #2,606
fresh_42 said:
Strange ... 42 again ...
That's my lotto pick, factors of 42 : 2, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 6

but I'm still poor .

old jim
 
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  • #2,607
fresh_42 said:
And 10! seconds are 42 days! Strange ... 42 again ...
Exactly 42.
42 days = 42*24*60*60 s = (6*7)*(4*2*3)*(12*5)*(3*20) s = 1*2*3*4*5*6*7*(12*3*20) s = 1*2*3*4*5*6*7*(4*3*3*2*10) s = 1*2*3*4*5*6*7*8*9*10 s = 10! s
 
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  • #2,608
I also learned, that you can build a regular German sentence, which contains 6 identical words in a row (up to a comma and caps)! Even Google translate managed it (up to a wrong preposition).
 
  • #2,609
fresh_42 said:
I also learned, that you can build a regular German sentence, which contains 6 identical words in a row (up to a comma and caps)! Even Google translate managed it (up to a wrong preposition).
Eleven in English (requires two sentences).
 
  • #2,610
I have a few things I learned recently in Kerbal Space Program during a mission to send a bunch of probes to Jool (Jupiter analog in-game). This one is too long to post here, but I made a post on the KSP reddit page here:
For Joules and Joules... the ups and downs of my adventure to Jool

Title is a reference to Alan Shepard saying his golf ball went "miles and miles and miles" on the Moon, it obviously rhymes with Jool, and it's a reference to the fact that rockets require energy to function. Triple play!
 
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  • #2,611
Drakkith said:
I have a few things I learned recently in Kerbal Space Program during a mission to send a bunch of probes to Jool (Jupiter analog in-game). This one is too long to post here, but I made a post on the KSP reddit page here:
For Joules and Joules... the ups and downs of my adventure to Jool

Title is a reference to Alan Shepard saying his golf ball went "miles and miles and miles" on the Moon, it obviously rhymes with Jool, and it's a reference to the fact that rockets require energy to function. Triple play!
Great story! :woot:
 
  • #2,612
Today I learned that the maximum time you can possibly survive after crossing the event horizon of a non-rotating uncharged black hole is about ##15M_{BH}/M_{Sun}## microseconds. (https://arxiv.org/abs/0705.1029, equation 18).
 
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  • #2,613
Ibix said:
Today I learned that the maximum time you can possibly survive after crossing the event horizon of a non-rotating uncharged black hole is about ##15M_{BH}/M_{Sun}## microseconds. (https://arxiv.org/abs/0705.1029, equation 18).
That's an entire minute in ours! And on whose clock?
 
  • #2,614
Ibix said:
Today I learned that the maximum time you can possibly survive after crossing the event horizon of a non-rotating uncharged black hole is about ##15M_{BH}/M_{Sun}## milliseconds. (https://arxiv.org/abs/0705.1029, equation 18).
Today (well, not exactly) I learned another rule of survival, the realistic one: Only 3 necessary "addiction elements" for all humans, and in the proper order of survival "approximate golden rule" to be followed (most of the time): "~3+ min without oxygen, ~3+ days without water, 30+ days without food ..."

[Sorry guys! This does not mention coffee, alcohol, smoking or any other addiction for that matter ... . Time to give up ... :-p:biggrin::nb)]
 
  • #2,615
Today I learned some things are just creepy...

 
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  • #2,616
fresh_42 said:
That's an entire minute in ours! And on whose clock?
Hours in the largest black holes we know.
On your clock, of course.
 
  • #2,617
fresh_42 said:
That's an entire minute in ours!
By "ours", I take it you mean Sagittarius A*? Yes. Although that has spin, so this isn't strictly applicable.
fresh_42 said:
And on whose clock?
That's your own time (your so-called proper time) as you fall in, timing from when you cross the event horizon. I'm not sure there's a non-ambiguous way to talk about this period on anyone else's clock, black holes being what they are.

As noted, it's a maximum limit, and neglects the fact that you'll be torn apart by tidal forces at some point before then, even with a supermassive black hole.
 
  • #2,618
TIL that the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, felt he had to deny that he was a human clone of himself.
There is a conspiracy theory that he had died last year and was replaced by a clone of himself (or another person from Sudan).
 
  • #2,619
CWatters said:
Today I learned some things are just creepy...



Now that is what I would call art!

When we get to a level of technology when we are able to upload consciousness, I would totally trust this artist with my 3d representation.
 
  • #2,620
Stavros Kiri said:
"~3+ min without oxygen, ~3+ days without water, 30+ days without food ..."
~3 hours without an internet connection.
 
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  • #2,621
DaveC426913 said:
~3 hours without an internet connection.
Why don't they just shoot us instead? ...
 
  • #2,622
Craftek_Ana said:
Now that is what I would call art!

When we get to a level of technology when we are able to upload consciousness, I would totally trust this artist with my 3d representation.
Android there we come! ...
 
  • #2,623
BillTre said:
TIL that the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, felt he had to deny that he was a human clone of himself.
There is a conspiracy theory that he had died last year and was replaced by a clone of himself (or another person from Sudan).
Just to quash the scurrilous rumors that have been circulating in certain quarters, I too deny that I am a clone of myself...
 
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  • #2,624
Mark44 said:
Just to quash the scurrilous rumors that have been circulating in certain quarters, I too deny that I am a clone of myself...
Now that you mention it, me too!
 
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  • #2,625
Mark44 said:
Just to quash the scurrilous rumors that have been circulating in certain quarters, I too deny that I am a clone of myself...
I can neither confirm nor deny that I am a clone of myself.
 
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  • #2,626
DrGreg said:
I can neither confirm nor deny that I am a clone of myself.
Neither can I.
 
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  • #2,627
DrGreg said:
I can neither confirm or deny that I am a clone of myself.
DrGreg said:
Neither can I.
Is that a double profile? Get him! ...
 
  • #2,628
Stavros Kiri said:
Is that a double profile?
No, single profile, with multiple personalities.
 
  • #2,629
Mark44 said:
No, single profile, with multiple personalities.
Or confused clones [using the same account] ...
 
  • #2,631
  • #2,632
Drakkith said:
for burn due to water-skis on fire.
Wood, or fiber glass?
 
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  • #2,633
Mark44 said:
Just to quash the scurrilous rumors that have been circulating in certain quarters, I too deny that I am a clone of myself...
The question is, what does Mark43 have to say about it?
 
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  • #2,634
Drakkith said:
Today I learned there is an ICD-10 code (International Statistical Classification of Diseases) for burn due to water-skis on fire.
https://www.icd10data.com/ICD10CM/Codes/V00-Y99/V90-V94/V91-/V91.07XA
See also http://www.icd10forpt.com/17-super-specific-super-bizarre-icd-10-codes/

Of note:

Z63.1 Problems with the in-laws
V97.33XD Sucked into jet engine, subsequent encounter
W56.22xA Struck by orca, initial encounter
V61.6XXD Passenger in heavy transport vehicle injured in collision with pedal cycle in traffic accident, subsequent encounter
R46.1 Bizarre personal appearance
 
  • #2,635
Bystander said:
Wood, or fiber glass?
And initial water temperature 20.435°C or 20.44°C ? These are the big issues that need to be categorized! How else one can sleep at night?
 
  • #2,636
Ibix said:
The question is, what does Mark43 have to say about it?
He's missing (broke loose)
 
  • #2,637
Ibix said:
See also http://www.icd10forpt.com/17-super-specific-super-bizarre-icd-10-codes/

Of note:

Z63.1 Problems with the in-laws
V97.33XD Sucked into jet engine, subsequent encounter
W56.22xA Struck by orca, initial encounter
V61.6XXD Passenger in heavy transport vehicle injured in collision with pedal cycle in traffic accident, subsequent encounter
R46.1 Bizarre personal appearance
BBT found an example for "We don't have a code for ..."
 
  • #2,638
fresh_42 said:
BBT found an example for "We don't have a code for ..."
Well, doesn't that have a code?
 
  • #2,639
TIL that Mars is about 3 light minutes away from us at its closest approach
 
  • #2,640
TIL what TIL means ...
 
  • #2,641
Bystander said:
Wood, or fiber glass?
At this point, fire.
 
  • #2,642
Stephenk53 said:
TIL that Mars is about 3 light minutes away from us at its closest approach
Imagine playing Marco Polo with that much delay...
 
  • #2,643
Stavros Kiri said:
TIL what TIL means ...
Wise-as* answer: Test Intelligence Longingly
Real answer: Today I Learned (the title of this thread)
:eek: :sorry:
 
  • #2,644
Today, Stavros learned:

What TIL stands for.
:woot:
 
  • #2,645
DaveC426913 said:
Today, Stavros learned:

What TIL stands for.
:woot:
Til later ...
Til now I didn't know, ... s till learning! ... :smile:
 
  • #2,646
Drakkith said:
burn due to water-skis on fire.

Wouldn't stop drop and sink summarily extinguish the flames?

BoB
 
  • #2,647
rbelli1 said:
Wouldn't stop drop and sink summarily extinguish the flames?

BoB

Not if you're skiing on lava!
 
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  • #2,648
Stephenk53 said:
TIL that Mars is about 3 light minutes away from us at its closest approach
I'd like to think of it as 0 min in the photons frame ...
[So, we are in Mars! (!?) ...]:wink::cool:
 
  • #2,649
Today I learned the widely used "10 other cells per human cell in a human body" is probably wrong. A 2016 study revisited the estimates with improved methods and its result is 1:1.

(It was always clear that most of the mass of a human body is in human cells - that is easier to measure. The human cells tend to have much more mass per cell than foreign cells).
 
  • #2,650
So a Bacteria masses 1/350 what a Human cell does. That is quite a dynamic range. All that extra DNA maybe?
I wonder how a Virus compares, maybe a common cold virus.
 

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