uh, to convert matter to energy, you need an atomic reaction. Particles falling into the atmosphere will not create such a reaction. And if the death star did fall into the atmosphere, the sheer act of burning it would not make it less massive. Sure the matter would change form chemically, but it would still be the same amount of matter. It's difficult to say what the global impact of this matter might be, but it's conceivable that it would create enough of a blanket to cause a little global cooling (not warming).
If quantum theory is correct (and there is no reason for us to think it's not), then it is physically impossible to have infinites (because everything is quantified). There are many scientific fields that support this conclusion. Physics is a prime example: conservation of energy, mass, momentum, etc. There must be a finite amount of energy/mass/momentum in the universe, otherwise you could have a perpetual motion machine.
I infer that space and time operate in a similar manner, since space and time are defined with respect to the 'stuff' in the universe. Example: one cubic-foot would 'look' the same as one cubic-mile if there was nothing to reference it against. Since the reference, matter and energy, is quantized, the thing being referred must also be quantized.
Also, from physics and mathematics: every action has a unique reaction, and only one unique reaction for every action. From this I conclude that the past and even the future are finite, and indeed have only ONE possible outcome. There is only one past, hence there can be only one future. Individuals still have free will, but the CHOICES they make have already been determined from previous experiences.
Of course, anyone can do whatever they please to do; and be whatever they please to be. Is Einstein only a patent clerk? What "label" would you attach to Da Vinci? You don't need to have a title or get payed to have your work or thoughts affect humanity. Linux is a perfect example.
So yah, I would consider myself a philosopher, as long as I was contributing to the field of philosophy in any capacity.
At any rate, philosophy is the most fascinating field there is, it's also the most irrelevant.
Oh, I would say a lot of different animals have the ability to reason to some extent. Take my dog for instance. If my dog receives a treat every time she does something acceptable or good, she will continue to do things that are acceptable or good (from her perspective). I would definitely call that reason. You could make a case for animals having poor logic because of lesser intelligence, but that doesn't mean they don't have any logic. Heck, I know TONS of people who have poor logic and reasoning; I'm guilty of it sometimes as well. Also, no argument from a metaphysical viewpoint can be considered constructive or relevant, by the very nature of metaphysics: something that can not be physically observed.
Private corporations have always had the best minds and talent. Why? Because they pay BIG bucks to get them. There are some talented and intelligent government employees, but not nearly as many as there are in the private sector. If you pay them (lots o' cash), they will come.
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uh, to convert matter to energy, you need an atomic reaction. Particles falling into the atmosphere will not create such a reaction. And if the death star did fall into the atmosphere, the sheer act of burning it would not make it less massive. Sure the matter would change form chemically, but it would still be the same amount of matter. It's difficult to say what the global impact of this matter might be, but it's conceivable that it would create enough of a blanket to cause a little global cooling (not warming).
If quantum theory is correct (and there is no reason for us to think it's not), then it is physically impossible to have infinites (because everything is quantified). There are many scientific fields that support this conclusion. Physics is a prime example: conservation of energy, mass, momentum, etc. There must be a finite amount of energy/mass/momentum in the universe, otherwise you could have a perpetual motion machine.
I infer that space and time operate in a similar manner, since space and time are defined with respect to the 'stuff' in the universe. Example: one cubic-foot would 'look' the same as one cubic-mile if there was nothing to reference it against. Since the reference, matter and energy, is quantized, the thing being referred must also be quantized.
Also, from physics and mathematics: every action has a unique reaction, and only one unique reaction for every action. From this I conclude that the past and even the future are finite, and indeed have only ONE possible outcome. There is only one past, hence there can be only one future. Individuals still have free will, but the CHOICES they make have already been determined from previous experiences.
Of course, anyone can do whatever they please to do; and be whatever they please to be. Is Einstein only a patent clerk? What "label" would you attach to Da Vinci? You don't need to have a title or get payed to have your work or thoughts affect humanity. Linux is a perfect example.
So yah, I would consider myself a philosopher, as long as I was contributing to the field of philosophy in any capacity.
At any rate, philosophy is the most fascinating field there is, it's also the most irrelevant.
Oh, I would say a lot of different animals have the ability to reason to some extent. Take my dog for instance. If my dog receives a treat every time she does something acceptable or good, she will continue to do things that are acceptable or good (from her perspective). I would definitely call that reason. You could make a case for animals having poor logic because of lesser intelligence, but that doesn't mean they don't have any logic. Heck, I know TONS of people who have poor logic and reasoning; I'm guilty of it sometimes as well. Also, no argument from a metaphysical viewpoint can be considered constructive or relevant, by the very nature of metaphysics: something that can not be physically observed.
Private corporations have always had the best minds and talent. Why? Because they pay BIG bucks to get them. There are some talented and intelligent government employees, but not nearly as many as there are in the private sector. If you pay them (lots o' cash), they will come.