Speed of Light Inconstant?

DHR writes "Australian scientists have discovered that light isn't quite as fast as it used to be." We've done previous stories on these findings. Those of you with subscriptions to Nature can read the actual paper, the rest of us will just have to suffer.

Comments

ObTrek Reference

[Amazing Quantum Man]

So, does that explain the ever changing warp scale in Star Trek?

Hmmm..

[Anonvmous Coward]

I've noticed it takes a while for flourescent lightbulbs to turn on. I guess all of the technology bloat has finally taken a noticable performance hit on light.

Australian scientists

[Jonny Ringo]

eh their mate, thats not a light.

Now that's a light.

I think I've found proof using empirical research

[jukal]

> "That's illegal. It would be like a cup of coffee sitting on your desk getting hotter," Lineweaver says

Placing a coffee cup on top of my laptop and running Microsoft Outlook provides the exactly same effect. Where can I get my Nobel prize?

An old poke at physicists.

[DarkHelmet]

I'm reminded of an old joke one of my math professors used to tell me.

There were a group of people in a room of different professions, and a theorem was put forth onto the board that stated that all Odd Numbers Are Prime. Each person was supposed to disprove this.

The mathematician started off by looking at each number.

1, 3, 5, 7, 9.... 9 is not prime, the theorem is false.

The social worker turned in a long sheet of paper going "2 is prime, 4 is prime, 6 is prime..." etc.

The physicist turned in the following:

1... 3... 5... 7... 9 (Experimental Error), 11, 13.....

Nothing's like it used to be

[wrinkledshirt]

Back in my day, light was blimblamming all over the place! We had GOOD light in those days. Yessiree, you couldn't go outside with your onion strapped to your belt (as was the fashion at the time) without getting knocked over by rays of light all the time! Not like today's LAZY light, mind you.

Re:Makes no sense.

[merlyn]

I knew this performer once. Her stage name was "Infinity". I always wanted to take her out to dinner, just so when they said "how many in your party?", I could say "infinity plus one".