Schrödinger’s Catapult

[Uncle Gizmo]

Is reality a game of quantum mirrors? A new theory suggests it might be

‘Reality, including ourselves, is nothing but a thin and fragile veil’: a new interpretation of quantum physics says objects have no independent existence.

theconversation.com

Does this mean that if schrodinger's cat wrote an SQL Statement, all the tables, queries, forms reports would appear out of nothing?

 

[The_Doc_Man]

Actually, considering that consciousness isn't obviously physical, anything you create that is based an intellectual component really DID appear out of nothing physical.

I'm more interested in the catapult. Do you use it to throw out new ideas? When you prepare it for launching, do you have to twist some threads of logic to create torsion? If so, does that mean that Congress (home of the most twisted logic I've ever observed) is launching stuff whenever they are in session?

 

[Uncle Gizmo]

does that mean that Congress (home of the most twisted logic I've ever observed) is launching stuff whenever they are in session?

That sounds about right, and with catastrophic results!

 

[kevlray]

Basically we work with states of matter that we can not put our hands on. So are we creating something out of nothing?

 

[The_Doc_Man]

Whereas the U.S. Congress absorbs their salaries, endlessly deliberates, and yet fails to pass anything major. Does that mean they are creating nothing out of something?

 

[Uncle Gizmo]

Whereas the U.S. Congress absorbs their salaries, endlessly deliberates, and yet fails to pass anything major.

Rant mode on
On a serious note, and as a Brit with practically zero knowledge of how your government works, I note that Elon Musk has reduced the cost of space launches by what, a factor of 10? Is in my opinion the best bet for getting USA citizens (anyone) to Mars.

NASA wants to support musk, but the appropriations (is that how you term it) are being controlled by someone in government, and not allowed to be released to musk (the best bet, probably the only bet) and being squandered on basically no hopers, no chance of getting anything to Mars, all in the name of political shenanigans and backhanders, you scratch my back type of politics.

Rant mode off

 

[The_Doc_Man]

Right now, the people in power in the USA want to redistribute wealth by giving money away to people who are too irresponsible to know what to do with it other than buy drugs, tobacco, alcohol, or (pick your favorite other vice). The Democrats are really big on making people dependent on them so that they will stay in office despite their total lack of appreciation for the future.

 

[Isaac]

What Doc said sums it up, sadly. People in the United States used to be SO proud of being personally responsible for their destiny.
And in modern times, the opportunities to succeed are endless, and equally available to all.

Yet, in the modern era of Big Government, it has the predictable effect on human nature: Dependence on government, laziness, etc.

@Uncle Gizmo , what you are saying is probably true. As in most governments, there is far more corruption than almost any of us would like to face up to. Money, power corrupt.

A depressing, sad quote from John Adams, which I often ponder when wondering about the future:

Remember Democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes exhausts and murders itself. There never was a Democracy Yet, that did not commit suicide. It is in vain to Say that Democracy is less vain, less proud, less selfish, less ambitious or less avaricious than Aristocracy or Monarchy. It is not true in Fact and no where appears in history. Those Passions are the same in all Men under all forms of Simple Government, and when unchecked, produce the same Effects of Fraud Violence and Cruelty. When clear Prospects are opened before Vanity, Pride, Avarice or Ambition, for their easy gratification, it is hard for the most considerate Phylosophers and the most conscientious Moralists to resist the temptation. Individuals have conquered themselves, Nations and large Bodies of Men, never.

 

[pbaldy]

Coincidentally, I got this email forward yesterday, I haven't vetted it.

The Food Stamp Program, administered by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, is proud to be distributing the greatest amount of free meals and food stamps ever - to 46 million people.

Meanwhile, the National Park Service, administered by the U.S. Dept. of the Interior, asks us to "Please Do Not Feed the Animals." Their stated reason for the policy is because "the animals will grow dependent on handouts and will not learn to take care of themselves."