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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."

13 of 314 comments (clear)

  1. Speed of Light by MECC · · Score: 5, Funny

    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
    1. Re:Speed of Light by ozbird · · Score: 4, Funny

      They just don't make photons like they use to...

      If you were travelling at the speed of light for billions of years, you'd get tired too.

  2. I declare a "War on Quasars" ... by supersnail · · Score: 5, Funny

    filthy law breaking unearthly quasars should be hunted down and expelled from the galaxy.

    --
    Old COBOL programmers never die. They just code in C.
  3. Dharma Initiative by OctoberSky · · Score: 3, Funny

    For those wondering who "scientists" are, it's the Dharma crew.

    I would recommend not flying/sailing for the next few months.

  4. honestly... by Digitus1337 · · Score: 5, Funny

    It doesn't take an Einstein to... aww crap.

  5. Damn yung'uns by BlackCobra43 · · Score: 5, Funny

    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
  6. "Scientists Question Laws of Nature" by KIFulgore · · Score: 3, Funny

    Well.... yeah. That's their jeorb.

    --
    - For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism.
  7. Re:Interesting Things Happen At Excessive Scales by truthsearch · · Score: 4, Funny

    Hmm... nope. Still boring. ;)

  8. Star Trek TNG for real? by imaginaryelf · · Score: 4, Funny

    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."

  9. Never close doors... by electrosoccertux · · Score: 3, Funny

    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.

  10. Sod's Law? by owlnation · · Score: 3, Funny

    I'm guessing that we can still count on Murphy's Law?

  11. Re:Interesting Things Happen At Excessive Scales by hcob$ · · Score: 5, Funny
    Never thought I'd see the day when "Ohm's Law" and "interesting" would be used in the same sentence.
    1.) Apparently, you are new here.
    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
  12. Re:Interesting Things Happen At Excessive Scales by Daniel+Dvorkin · · Score: 5, Funny

    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.