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Scientists Question Laws of Nature
mknewman writes "MSNBC is reporting that scientists are finding differences in many of the current scientific 'constants' including the speed of light, alpha (the fine structure constant of the magnetic force), the ratio of proton to electron mass and several others. These findings were made by observing quasars and comparing the results to tests here on the earth." From the article: "Time-varying constants of nature violate Einstein's equivalence principle, which says that any experiment testing nuclear or electromagnetic forces should give the same result no matter where or when it is performed. If this principle is broken, then two objects dropped in a gravitational field should fall at slightly different rates. Moreover, Einstein's gravitational theory -- general relativity -- would no longer be completely correct, Martins says."
FTA:the quasar observations are sometimes interpreted as indicating that light was faster in the past,
They just don't make photons like they use to...
"We are all geniuses when we dream"
- E.M. Cioran
No one expects the Science Inquisition!
*runs back out the door*
filthy law breaking unearthly quasars should be hunted down and expelled from the galaxy.
Old COBOL programmers never die. They just code in C.
For those wondering who "scientists" are, it's the Dharma crew.
I would recommend not flying/sailing for the next few months.
It doesn't take an Einstein to... aww crap.
In my days we had to wait for the light to travel 1,000,000 miles in the snow, uphill, both ways, to measure it - and we LIKED it.
I never spellcheck and I freely admit it. Save your karma for more worthwhile "lol erorrs" replies
Well.... yeah. That's their jeorb.
- For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism.
Hmm... nope. Still boring. ;)
Developers: We can use your help.
Q: "Easy: Change the gravitational constant of the universe."
Geordi: "What?"
Q: "Change the gravitational constant of the universe, thereby altering the asteroid's orbit."
Geordi: "How do you do that?"
Q: "You just DO it, that's all..."
Data: "What Geordi is saying is that we do not have the ability to change the gravitational constant of the universe."
Q: "Well, then, you obviously never read slashdot."
Yet more evidence that the universe is just a gigantic computer simulation.
Old programmer's adage: Variables won't. Constants aren't.
Even the ones you think lead to a gaping abyss. You never know when there'll be an ore field on the way.
I'm tired of hearing people tell my friend from Georgia Tech that he can't develope a free energy device. The quantum model is far from perfect. It is entirely possible we could extract the [theories, now] ZPE (our gravitational like-force experienced in the casimir-effect) from empty space. Who are these people to comdemn him? How many of them went to Georgia Tech? Do they have the schematics and plans for a device for free energy? No. How would they know anything about it? Are they willing to fund him so he can build his? Even though that might prove them right, they're too busy running after their quantum smoke. They're no better than the Catholic Church railing on Galileo.
I'm guessing that we can still count on Murphy's Law?
Wow- that's how legal laws work too. Just substitute "campaign contributions" for "wider range of circumstances" and you'll see it. Spooky...
(Yes, I'm a lawyer. I'll prove it: any of y'all responding to this post (hereafter "YOU") will be billed at a rate of $200/hr (in six minute increments) if such replies might be reasonably construed as soliciting a further reply...)
I came, I saw, I left. It looked better in the brochure.
No he meant Filota, the delicious Greek pastry. Yes, the universe is built out of pastry and is in fact donut shaped.
- None can love freedom heartily, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license. -- John Milton
Osborn's Law:
Variables won't; constants aren't.
Thank the BSD fortune file on my machine at home.
This is not a sig. this is a duck. quack.
2.) Apparently, you are not (or have never been around) an Electrical Engineer
3.) You definately got laid before you turned 30.
Cliff Claven
K.E.G. Party Chairman
Founding Leader of: Koncerned for Egalitarin Governance
Oops. Dvorkin's law -- "Every /. post of reasonable length will contain at least one typo, no matter how many times you use the Preview button." That should be "... calculations using it ..." above, of course.
The correlation between ignorance of statistics and using "correlation is not causation" as an argument is close to 1.
Simple explanation:
::head explodes::
The string constants in the article also change over time.
One man's constant is another man's variable.
I've never heard of P. How does it compare to emacs?
Only three things are certain; death, taxes, and apocryphal quotations - Ben Franklin.