Skip to main content

And the Answer Is...


The greatest contribution of the USA.  The USA has produced remarkably to the world over the past century or two.  Include construction, metals production, electronics, machinery, nuclear energy sources, aviation, medicine, and more.  Which is the greatest? 
And the answer is … 

Agriculture.  American scientists have developed the disease resistant crops, fertilizers, and farming methods currently feeding the world.  Without all this chow there would be no now – as we know it.  
----------------
Today’s math problem.  Let’s say the prime interest rate is 5%, and it goes up to 5.5%. Clearly the interest rate is up by 0.5%.  But, in going from 5% to 5.5% the increase is really 10%.  So which is it? Up by 0.5% or up by 10%? 
And the answer is…

Both.  It depends on what and how you’re counting.  In the 0.5% increase we are discussing the net increase in the borrowing percentage.  But in the 10% increase we are discussing the percentage increase of the percentage.  The confusion is with the double use of the symbol “%”, one to be the units of the quantity and the other to measure its relative change. 
--------------
How dark is dark?  For cosmologists to explain their current observations of the universe, they have required at least 96% of its substance to be called “dark,” meaning we can’t see it but only detect its gravitational effects.  What is this stuff?
And the answer is…

Nobody knows.  Indeed, you don’t know and really can’t know if there is dark matter in your morning cup of coffee.

A little humor... I'm not really overweight. I'm just overburdened by dark matter. 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Please Comment.

Popular posts from this blog

UNCERTAINTY IS CERTAIN

  Uncertainty is Certain G. Donald Allen 12/12/2024 1.       Introduction . This short essay is about uncertainty in people from both secular and nonsecular viewpoints. One point that will emerge is that randomly based uncertainty can be a driver for religious structure. Many groups facing uncertainty about their future are deeply religious or rely on faith as a source of comfort, resilience, and guidance. The intersection of uncertainty and religiosity often stems from the human need to find meaning, hope, and stability in the face of unpredictable or challenging circumstances. We first take up the connections of uncertainty to religion for the first real profession, farming, noting that hunting has many similar uncertainties. Below are groups that commonly lean on religious beliefs amidst uncertainty.   This short essay is a follow-up to a previous piece on certainty (https://used-ideas.blogspot.com/2024/12/certainty-is-also-emotion.html). U...
Post a Comment
Read more

CERTAINTY IS ALSO AN EMOTION

  Certainty is also a Feeling Certainty is often viewed as a mental state tied to knowledge and confidence, but it also functions as a feeling with distinct emotional and physiological components. While it arises from cognitive processes, certainty also has a subjective and emotional quality that makes it more than just a rational judgment. It provides a sense of assurance and security that shapes human experience in profound ways. Emotional Dimension . At its core, certainty evokes emotions that influence how we perceive and interact with the world. When someone feels certain, they often experience relief, comfort, or empowerment. These emotions are particularly strong when uncertainty or doubt is resolved, offering a sense of closure. For example, solving a complex problem or having a belief validated by evidence brings not just intellectual satisfaction but also emotional reassurance. Subjectivity. Certainty is inherently personal and subjective. It depends on individual...
Post a Comment
Read more

Lies, Deceit, and the National Agenda

The world you grew up in is no more.  The world of reasonable honesty and reasonable lies has been replaced by abject dishonesty and blatant lies. Lies.  Yes. People have always told them.  You have told them; so have I.   We need lies; they are a foundational structure of social living.  They both deceive and protect.  Children tell them to their parents to avoid consequences, like punishment.  Adults tell them to their bosses, to enhance their position and/or avoid consequences of poor performance.  Our bosses tell them to their boards to suggest business is good, the project is on target, or the detractors are wrong.  The boards tell them to shareholders to protect their own credibility and most importantly, stock values.   Our politicians tell lies to their constituents, though sometimes innocently with them not actually knowing much more than they've been told.  They enhance their positio...
2 comments
Read more