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

[Orodruin]

100%, if you're hungry, et al.

"When a person is hungry, angry, loney, or tired, the percentage rockets up to 100% of the time." [ref]​

Why I try to never shop on an empty stomach. Ehr mehr gerd.

A reason as good as any for some world leaders to keep their peoply hungry, angry, lonely, and tired ... Why try to convince people logically when you can play at their emotions?

 

[Psinter]

I saw an MPPT charge controller extract 101W of a 100W rated monocrystaline solar panel. Either an error from the controller or the panel was sold as 100W when it could actually provide just a little bit more.

 

[Tom.G]

If somebody writes a book about the science of irrational thoughts, beliefs, and behavior, I'll buy it.

Here are excerpts from a quite informative book associated with the subject; as a free download.
<Moderator's note: link to copyrighted material removed>

[EDIT:]
It's from the book "The Authoritarian Specter" by Bob Altemeyer.
B. Altemeyer, The Authoritarian Specter (Harvard University Press, 1996)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0674053052/?tag=pfamazon01-20
or
http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674053052
(Pricey but you can probably find excerpts using the title in a search engine.)
[end EDIT]

I haven't read this one yet, but here is a later book by the same author, Bob Altemeyer; complete free download.
http://theauthoritarians.org/Downloads/TheAuthoritarians.pdf

 

[DrClaude]

Here are excerpts from a quite informative book associated with the subject; as a free download.
<Moderator's note: link to copyrighted material removed>

I haven't read this one yet, but here is a later book by the same author, Bob Altemeyer; complete free download.
http://theauthoritarians.org/Downloads/TheAuthoritarians.pdf

Unfortunately, the first link you gave appears to be copyrighted material. Maybe you can give a reference instead?

 

[Tom.G]

Maybe you can give a reference instead?

Edit to my previous post to replace a link to possibly copyrighted material. Thanks to @DrClaude for pointing this out.

 

[Borg]

Imagine living here and trying to explain where you live.

Yes, those are real street names.

 

[Psinter]

The water ritual: https://imgur.com/gallery/5oik4

Birds are cute and funny, aren't they? It almost gives the impression that they have social behaviors. In this case, dance.

 

[fresh_42]

Birds are cute and funny, aren't they?

And as always in life, it heavily depends on the point of view:
http://www.sciencealert.com/birds-i...e-rewriting-history-fire-use-firehawk-raptors

 

[Borg]

And as always in life, it heavily depends on the point of view:
http://www.sciencealert.com/birds-i...e-rewriting-history-fire-use-firehawk-raptors

I guess having some of the most poisonous animals on the face of the Earth wasn't enough.

 

[Psinter]

And as always in life, it heavily depends on the point of view:
http://www.sciencealert.com/birds-i...e-rewriting-history-fire-use-firehawk-raptors

Oh my! Oh my! Oh my!

They are the fallen Maiar! Get it?

I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the Flame of Anor. The dark fire will not avail you, Flame of Udûn!

Flame Imperishable is the Secret Fire. Flame of Anor is still an obscure reference. Flame of Udûn refers to the fallen Maiar (Balrogs).

Udûn is sindarin for Utumno (Morgoth's dark fortress). Gandalf is pretty much calling the Balrog: Flame of Utumno as they gathered there at first to serve Morgoth. I suppose he tells it: "The dark fire will not avail you" because the fallen Maiar covered themselves with shadows and flames.

Sources:
http://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Balrogs
http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/u/udun.html

When I saw the birds all of that came to mind. The dark fire will not avail you! I got the LOTR hype now.
___________________________________________________

All of which at the same time randomly reminds me that at my country, adults (mostly females) call misbehaving small kids: "Spawns from hell." or "Spawns of the devil!" They say: "Hey! Get back here you spawn from the devil!" or "Get back here you hellish spawn!"

 

[fresh_42]

I guess having some of the most poisonous animals on the face of the Earth wasn't enough.

Too bad we can't figure out who taught whom some 40,000 years ago!

 

[WWGD]

Imagine living here and trying to explain where you live.

View attachment 218283

Yes, those are real street names.

No need to explain where they live. It is actually a store that sells 'Dese and Dose'
I actually once went to an Office Depot, and this guy was asking to buy batteries. He asks the clerk for batteries. The clerk replies: D's ( D batteries)? . The guy replies: No, Dose ( These, Those).

 

[OmCheeto]

I saw an MPPT charge controller extract 101W of a 100W rated monocrystaline solar panel. Either an error from the controller or the panel was sold as 100W when it could actually provide just a little bit more.

I've heard rumour that all solar panels can generate more power, when new, than they are rated for. I believe it has to do with the warranty.

Also, power ratings are sometimes "funny", as they can be hacked.

He ended the paper with some research he had performed where he was able to take a 3.5hp engine, modify it somehow, and generate ~45 hp, at which point it blew up.

[ref]

 

[BillTre]

I've heard rumour that all solar panels can generate more power, when new, than they are rated for. I believe it has to do with the warranty.

I don't know about solar panels, but I do know that professionally rated fluorescent bulbs used in UV sterilizers for fish water systems are often rated in Watts a lower value than their initial brightness.
Over their 6 to 12 month lifespan, their UV drops quite a bit, but they are wanted to meet their specs at the end of their lifespan before they are replaced (periodically).

 

[Evo]

OMG, I just looked out of my window as two squirrels started, uhm, "making love". At least I am hoping it was consensual. Gasp, now there are two squirrels chasing the one that was being humped. And it's snowing. I guess that's one way of warming up.

 

[Orodruin]

OMG, I just looked out of my window as two squirrels started, uhm, "making love". At least I am hoping it was consensual. Gasp, now there are two squirrels chasing the one that was being humped. And it's snowing. I guess that's one way of warming up.

I once saw two brown bears ”getting busy” at the zoo with tens of kids around - and the other female in the next enclosure taking care of her cubs by the same father! A lot of parents were teying their best to answer the inevitible question ”mommy, daddy, what are they doing?”

 

[Evo]

I once saw two brown bears ”getting busy” at the zoo with tens of kids around - and the other female in the next enclosure taking care of her cubs by the same father! A lot of parents were trying their best to answer the inevitible question ”mommy, daddy, what are they doing?”

Oh dear.
I had a really bad day I'll never forget, it started that morning with birds mating, and I did actually go to the zoo that day and witnessed two giant tortoises mating, all animals were mating. There weren't two animals that weren't.

 

[WWGD]

Oh dear.
I had a really bad day I'll never forget, it started that morning with birds mating, and I did actually go to the zoo that day and witnessed two giant tortoises mating, all animals were mating. There weren't two animals that weren't.

Did they have Barry White music piped in the background? Marvin Gaye? ;).

 

[Orodruin]

Oh dear.

You mean "Oh! Bear!"

There weren't two animals that weren't.

Maybe they had learned that the world was ending and made the best of it?

 

[WWGD]

You mean "Oh! Bear!" Maybe they had learned that the world was ending and made the best of it?

They're getting vibes from Kim Jong Un, and Trump pissing him off? Maybe we should all get in on it?;). I think I will wait till I get home, tho.

 

[fresh_42]

OMG, I just looked out of my window as two squirrels started, uhm, "making love". At least I am hoping it was consensual. Gasp, now there are two squirrels chasing the one that was being humped. And it's snowing. I guess that's one way of warming up.

LOL, that reminds me on an occasion with my then-five-year-old-temporary daughter, as she watched two sparrows on the porch in spring and said: "Look, fresh, one sparrow is sitting on the other one!" I have been lucky, she thought this was a kind of game and didn't ask why.

 

[OmCheeto]

... There weren't two animals that weren't.

That kind of implies that you were the only one who wasn't "getting any".
I can relate.

 

[WWGD]

LOL, that reminds me on an occasion with my then-five-year-old-temporary daughter, as she watched two sparrows on the porch in spring and said: "Look, fresh, one sparrow is sitting on the other one!" I have been lucky, she thought this was a kind of game and didn't ask why.

But, are the animals nowadays then disoriented, thinking it is Spring already ( when this happens more often)? What is a temporary daughter?

 

[WWGD]

Rant: Some companies have these automatic renewals built into their practices. " Since you did not tell us, we automatically renewed the charges". I will head towards the CEO, punch them in the face, and, if they get upset, I will just say: " You never explicitly stated you did not want to be punched in the face, so I thought it would be Ok with you"?

 

[fresh_42]

What is a temporary daughter?

I'm at an age for a while now, when potential girlfriends have already children on their own, meanwhile grown up children, then little children. If I summarize, I've had temporary children of age 4-21 of both genders. Modern times.

 

[jim hardy]

A lot of parents were teying their best to answer the inevitible question ”mommy, daddy, what are they doing?”

 

[fresh_42]

Did they have Barry White music piped in the background? Marvin Gaye? ;).

D***, I'm old, I associated Bo Derek and Ravel's Bolero.

 

[WWGD]

D***, I'm old, I associated Bo Derek and Ravel's Bolero.

I was ripping off a Simpson's episode.

 

[jim hardy]

D***, I'm old, I associated Bo Derek and Ravel's Bolero.

Ever try 1812 Overture ?

 

[WWGD]

Strange pricing at breakfast place: Bacon Egg and Cheese sandwich: $5.95

Platter with : Bacon, Eggs, Cheese + Potatoes + Buttered Toast+ Coffee: $5.50 .

??

 

[OmCheeto]

1950?
(google google google)

Yup. That's around the time my mom started popping out babies like popcorn.

 

[Psinter]

What the heck did I just read. I would like Evo's post, but I don't want anyone thinking I'm a pervert. They would get the wrong idea as I am not a pervert... I'm a Suuuuuuuper Pervert!

Just kidding. I joke.

I've heard rumour that all solar panels can generate more power, when new, than they are rated for. I believe it has to do with the warranty.

Also, power ratings are sometimes "funny", as they can be hacked.

[ref]

Is that a 2007 thread? Since when have you been here?

I know none of the members in that thread. Except for russ and probably only because he is a mentor.

 

[WWGD]

I have been cutting down costs by eating street foods ( reasonably-healthy: lamb, rice , lettuce, tomatos) and some reasonable dumpster-diving. Still using lame joke: " Lamb over Ice, or Over Rice"?

 

[Posty McPostface]

Here are excerpts from a quite informative book associated with the subject; as a free download.
<Moderator's note: link to copyrighted material removed>

[EDIT:]
It's from the book "The Authoritarian Specter" by Bob Altemeyer.
B. Altemeyer, The Authoritarian Specter (Harvard University Press, 1996)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0674053052/?tag=pfamazon01-20
or
http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674053052
(Pricey but you can probably find excerpts using the title in a search engine.)
[end EDIT]

I haven't read this one yet, but here is a later book by the same author, Bob Altemeyer; complete free download.
http://theauthoritarians.org/Downloads/TheAuthoritarians.pdf

I'm currently slowly reading The Authoritarians that you provided and have to say that it's somewhat mind-expanding. Thank you for the book!

 

[OmCheeto]

...Since when have you been here?
...

That thread was started the day after I joined the forum.

 

[Posty McPostface]

This place is like a university.

And it's practically free!

Something about that feels wrong.

 

[lekh2003]

This place is like a university.

And it's practically free!

Something about that feels wrong.

Don't give them any ideas.

 

[Posty McPostface]

I never felt so low and to some extent ashamed as an American over what my president has said today. Not in a democracy...

 

[lekh2003]

I never felt so low and to some extent ashamed as an American over what my president has said today. Not in a democracy...

Just yesterday, I watched Kingsman: The Golden Circle. It involved a president getting rid of his problems by letting everyone die. For the first time ever, I feel that an actual president in the real world is capable of doing something like that.

 

[Orodruin]

This place is like a university.

And it's practically free!

Something about that feels wrong.

Why wouldn’t university be free? I would say there is something wrong if it isn’t.

 

[lekh2003]

Why wouldn’t university be free? I would say there is something wrong if it isn’t.

If it's free then the big guys don't make any money. Capitalism runs todays education.

 

[Orodruin]

If it's free then the big guys don't make any money. Capitalism runs todays education.

You are generalising the US situation to the world. Many European countries have free or essentially free university education.

 

[lekh2003]

You are generalising the US situation to the world. Many European countries have free or essentially free university education.

I am aware of that, which is why I hope to study in Europe, not in the cash heavy country of capitalism. My statement was specifically referring to the stupidity of the US education system.

 

[Orodruin]

I am aware of that, which is why I hope to study in Europe, not in the cash heavy country of capitalism. My statement was specifically referring to the stupidity of the US education system.

You should be aware that many European states will not pay for non-Europeans. For EU citizens, all have to be treated equally so if nationals get free university all Europeans get it. However, at least in Sweden, a few years back there was a decision not to offer non-Europeans free education and people from outside now neef to pay tuition.

However, if you are entitled to the benefits of the Swedish system university is paid by the state, the state will even give you a small monthly payment with the additional option of an additional very beneficial monthly loan to cover your living expenses. That to me seems more reasonable and equal opportunity.

 

[lekh2003]

You should be aware that many European states will not pay for non-Europeans. For EU citizens, all have to be treated equally so if nationals get free university all Europeans get it. However, at least in Sweden, a few years back there was a decision not to offer non-Europeans free education and people from outside now neef to pay tuition.

However, if you are entitled to the benefits of the Swedish system university is paid by the state, the state will even give you a small monthly payment with the additional option of an additional very beneficial monthly loan to cover your living expenses. That to me seems more reasonable and equal opportunity.

I actually hope to study in Switzerland (ETH Zurich), where the tuition costs are minimal, at least lesser than even my home country's education. The only issue is that French or German is a prerequisite for undergrad courses, which I don't think I can learn in a span of 3-4 years fluently along with all of school work. English is only accepted for Masters courses and PhDs.

 

[Posty McPostface]

Why wouldn’t university be free? I would say there is something wrong if it isn’t.

I agree with that, and wholeheartedly believe that education is a basic right to self-determination and enrichment both financial and "spiritual" status as well as the prosperity and success of a nation. However, there's no free lunch and this place is no exception. So, to preserve this forum or what I referred to as a type of self-guided knowledge database based on the goodwill of the many mentors and other academic minded members, then some funding is necessary.

I understand that advertising and other means fulfills that goal; but, well, I wish there were some PF mutual fund/trust or some other charitable means of organizing funds, which could be organized to help sustain, promote, and expand PF's activities.

 

[lekh2003]

I agree with that, and wholeheartedly believe that education is a basic right to self-determination and enrichment both financial and "spiritual" status as well as the prosperity and success of a nation.

I think that some countries have designed exorbitantly high minimum wages such that if you work part time, you should be able to study part time at the same time without generating debt, of course this only a viable option for citizens since the university tuition cost is lower for citizens. I think this is also why Australia has such a large minimum wage.

 

[Orodruin]

I agree with that, and wholeheartedly believe that education is a basic right to self-determination and enrichment both financial and "spiritual" status as well as the prosperity and success of a nation.

Apart from that, I think it is actually a good economic decision for the nation as a whole. Not only in terms of personal values, but also in economical terms. If education is not freely available you will lose a chance for educating a productive highly educated workforce. In the future job market, qualified jobs are likely to show a great deficit in available workers. Furthermore, I believe that state-paid education overall is cheaper than having a system where universities are privatised and you have to pay enormous tuition fees because they are run like for-profit companies. The same of course goes for health care. So what if you have to pay a bit more taxes? (And it is generally not that much.) The benefits that you get from paying those extra taxes far outweigh the money that you pay. My taxes are probably my best investment ever.

 

[Posty McPostface]

Yeah, the science is sound about education and future prospects of... well every domain of a persons life, since we're talking about human capital here.

Military gets so much in funding that, for example, by doing nuke for the NAVY you can just spend 2 years at a college that accepts credit from your technical school and graduate with two degrees in ME and EE. It's the German model of education, and it works! I just don't understand why more colleges don't accept technical school credits from the military in the United States; but, that's redundant given the Montgomery GI Bill, but that's a waste to the taxpayer if you can transfer the credits over and get the whole thing done in half the time.

 

[WWGD]

Why wouldn’t university be free? I would say there is something wrong if it isn’t.

I sort of agree, but there is a downside. Many times you end up with unmotivated students wasting their time and taxpayer money who would not likely be there if it was not free. I know by experience.