tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313427464944392482.post4076308387033023042..comments2024-03-25T05:30:23.847+11:00Comments on HotWhopper: Is CO2 sentient? Ari Halperin and Anthony Watts claim the carbon cycle is "fraud"Souhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08818999735123752034noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313427464944392482.post-45277518226193890792016-03-20T15:34:11.845+11:002016-03-20T15:34:11.845+11:00The "participatory universe" is just an ...The "participatory universe" is just an idea for an idea by Wheeler and others I believe. Fair enough as a hypothesis, lets see if anyone can find evidence for it.<br /><br />A related idea I think is if our universe grew out of a singularity, then all quantum particles could be entangled in some way as they all existed in the same place. This idea is probably nonsense as it is possible no particles existed at the instant of the singularity, they were created later.<br /><br />I think the woo-woo sets in because of the use of English - eg a particle is said to have "decided" to be a wave or a particle, this sloppy use of language implies the particle has a consciousness to be able to "decide". In reality it doesn't "decide", the particle is actually undefined until it is measured.<br /><br />Personally I believe the universe fundamentally has no purpose.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11552461190113661645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313427464944392482.post-16297033575614532922016-03-20T15:07:56.545+11:002016-03-20T15:07:56.545+11:00Or to throws one's toys out of the pram.Or to throws one's toys out of the pram.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11552461190113661645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313427464944392482.post-32219930487825087342016-03-19T20:32:57.958+11:002016-03-19T20:32:57.958+11:00All your biological processes in cells and between...All your biological processes in cells and between cells rely on diffusion for transport. These motions are purely random yet we live to argue.<br /><br />It is only when the scaffold of the organising molecules fail to operate correctly do you die. These molecules control the movement of molecules into and out of cells. <br /><br />I do not have time to explain it all up to your vascular system etc as I do not understand it myself.<br /><br />If I had to define life I would say that it used the energy available in the Universe to increase order locally at the cost of increasing the Universe's Entropy. It is the equivalent of heat going from a cold body to a hot body.<br /><br />It can also be considered as a disorder to order as far as information is concerned. In other words we are just very complex large packets of information.<br /><br />Entropy is not our friend as we by merely existing create more of it.<br /><br />My kidneys get rid of waste soluble products still, after all these years. <br /><br />Unfortunately our Spaceship Earth needs time to rid itself of our waste. It does have mechanisms for this, but they are a lot slower than the rate we are polluting our environment.<br /><br />We ignore this simple fact at our own peril. Bert<br /><br />Bert from Elthamnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313427464944392482.post-83920070417890683832016-03-19T18:56:07.773+11:002016-03-19T18:56:07.773+11:00I should have been clearer on quantum consciousnes...I should have been clearer on quantum consciousness - you're right, I meant the woo idea that the whole universe is one interconnected conscious entity. I got stuck trying to follow Penrose's ideas on consciousness and quantum ideas many years ago. I will definite give your recommendation my best shot. <br /><br />I spent some time a couple of years ago arguing with a woo merchant about the consciousness of inanimate objects. I was told to read something by a name I've thankfully forgotten. When I looked deeper, the fake scientist had plucked a non-existent subatomic particle out of his imagination as a means of carrying consciousness around the Universe. No real explanation - it just had to be so because... Reminded me of all sorts of fake explanations for anything but carbon dioxide.<br /><br />Reading reviews of Stapp's book tells me he is the genuine article.Catmandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12313870265499015076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313427464944392482.post-74603744212798927412016-03-19T15:04:11.461+11:002016-03-19T15:04:11.461+11:00Interesting, isn't it? On Facebook there frequ...Interesting, isn't it? On Facebook there frequently arise posts about 'crazy British English no-one else understands', but as an Australian I invariably have not the slightest difficulty with any of them and usually use them regularly myself!<br /><br />Our American cousins have certainly drifted further linguistically from the mother country, though I understand may 'Americanisms' are actually older English anachronisms. <br /><br />There's also the amusing " '...ize' is an Americanism", while the Oxford dictionary will tell you otherwise, depending on whether the word has a Greek or Latin derivation! Surprized me!<br /><br />And the joke that ends 'Look pal, we invented this here contraption, and it's an Elevator!' 'Well, chum, we invented the language, and it's a Lift!'<br />billnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313427464944392482.post-83917856746608917702016-03-19T13:46:25.480+11:002016-03-19T13:46:25.480+11:00Magma's correct. The usual saying is "spa...Magma's correct. The usual saying is "spat the dummy". <br /><br />A not dissimilar saying is that someone "picked up their marbles/bat and ball and left/went home/ ..in a huff" meaning he started the game, got sick and tired of getting beaten at his own game, so he took back his toys and left. Souhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08818999735123752034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313427464944392482.post-75790074032672979632016-03-19T13:13:28.807+11:002016-03-19T13:13:28.807+11:00dummy (UK) = pacifier (U.S.)
Spitting out dummies...dummy (UK) = pacifier (U.S.)<br /><br />Spitting out dummies = throwing tantrumsMagmanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313427464944392482.post-41552473007493886822016-03-19T10:28:48.908+11:002016-03-19T10:28:48.908+11:00Good point. Entropy is not our friend on that sco...Good point. Entropy is not our friend on that score.Brandon R. Gateshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17031044715994785956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313427464944392482.post-89479876251028683282016-03-19T10:25:19.804+11:002016-03-19T10:25:19.804+11:00Thanks for that clarification. I agree that those...Thanks for that clarification. I agree that those who tend toward woo creatively interpret QM to mean that the universe itself is conscious. Stapp's work was too technical for me to completely follow, but he did explicitly make the argument that he thinks that neurobiology has tended to downplay quantum effects in brain structures and gave one specific example of how ion channels in our synapses must induce quantum uncertainty, and therefore cannot be considered a deterministic process. Fascinating work, I don't think you'd regret the purchase.Brandon R. Gateshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17031044715994785956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313427464944392482.post-51693188247057709622016-03-19T08:04:40.458+11:002016-03-19T08:04:40.458+11:00Brandon, I am quite content to accept the role of ...Brandon, I am quite content to accept the role of quantum effects in biological systems (Life On The Edge by Al-Khalili and McFadden is on my to read pile), I just think some people who overestimate their own ability take the quantum concept and stretch it to far. There is no need to hypothesise that a molecule has consciousness.<br /><br />By the way, your suggested reading does look interesting. I feel a purchase coming on.Catmandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12313870265499015076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313427464944392482.post-9098991226969787322016-03-19T07:17:59.481+11:002016-03-19T07:17:59.481+11:00Catmando, D.C. Petterson,
"I am convinced th...Catmando, D.C. Petterson,<br /><br /><i>"I am convinced the brain relies on quantum effects for its function."</i><br /><br />You might be interested in <a href="http://www.springer.com/us/book/9783642180750" rel="nofollow">Mindful Universe, Quantum Mechanics and the Participating Observer</a> by Henry P. Stapp, which makes that very argument.Brandon R. Gateshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17031044715994785956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313427464944392482.post-14513766672281950782016-03-19T05:27:17.772+11:002016-03-19T05:27:17.772+11:00In terms of simply giving up on scientific explana...In terms of simply giving up on scientific explanation and shrugging off curiosity, it's impossible to beat Insane Clown Posse...<br /><br />Quoth the ICP:<br /><br />"<br />...<br />Water, fire, air and dirt<br />Fucking magnets, how do they work?<br /><br />And I don't wanna talk to a scientist<br />Y'all m*therf*ckers lying,<br />and getting me pissed<br /><br />...<br />"<br /><br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-agl0pOQfsThe Very Reverend Jebediah Hypotenusenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313427464944392482.post-53193883760065792982016-03-19T04:02:31.947+11:002016-03-19T04:02:31.947+11:00Nuffin' knows nuffin' ...
I like it. Don&...<i>Nuffin' knows nuffin' ...</i><br /><br />I like it. Don't suppose you can get more reductionist than that.metzomagichttp://metzomagic.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313427464944392482.post-71039490103403088972016-03-19T03:29:11.668+11:002016-03-19T03:29:11.668+11:00My first thought on reading that line was that WUW...My first thought on reading that line was that WUWT had told people like Ari they were no longer welcome. I guess the equivalent to spitting out dummies is shooting blanks?Dan Andrewsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313427464944392482.post-44024637404227015822016-03-19T03:11:39.152+11:002016-03-19T03:11:39.152+11:00Sou,
re. residence time, a simple analogy that pr...Sou,<br /><br />re. residence time, a simple analogy that practically everyone should get is the following. Suppose the average residence time of a shopper in a shopping centre is half an hour (well that as much as I can usually take!) does that imply that an hour or two after opening the shopping centre will be empty for the rest of the day? AlanHnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313427464944392482.post-56829333561359369962016-03-19T02:09:51.454+11:002016-03-19T02:09:51.454+11:00Nuffin' knows nuffin' ...Nuffin' knows nuffin' ...cRR Kampenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07571285063752477448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313427464944392482.post-77707558631503990782016-03-18T14:59:46.199+11:002016-03-18T14:59:46.199+11:00It's funny about this stuff. I've always ...It's funny about this stuff. I've always regarded myself as a reasonably competent/knowledgeable amateur non-scientist. (Certainly not a "lady scientist" if there is such a thing.) <br /><br />But you live and learn. I've "read" this item on using olivine to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere several times. Obviously I miss something every time. It was only on the most recent reading last week that I actually _read_ one particular part properly (or at all). I've always presumed that the best effect/choice for distributing powdered silicon rocks would be near mangroves and coral reefs to get the most immediate impact directly on suffering marine organisms. I had already absorbed this message ...<br /><br />"It is widely supposed that one has to capture the CO2 from the flue gases of coal-fired power plants, cement factories or oil refineries. This is misconception. All molecules of CO2 are identical, so one should aim for the most economical way to capture as much CO2 as possible anywhere in the world, independent of location or origin. The atmosphere is a well mixed reservoir, so capture of CO2 around a dunite mine in a tropical country reduces the CO2 level of the entire atmosphere of Earth just as much as capturing the same amount of CO2 from the flue gases of a power plant in Western Europe." <br /><br />But I'd never thought of this, even though it's so devastatingly obvious once you read it. <br />"When the olivine grains are plowed under, the weathering rate is further enhanced, <br />***because the soil atmosphere is on average hundred times richer in CO2 than air*** <br />(Schachtschabel et al. 1982, Sumner, 2000).This is due to the fact that plant material is decaying, and soil fauna is breathing, both increasing the local CO2 content."<br /><br />My response was Well, der! when I eventually read it properly. <br />http://www.innovationconcepts.eu/res/literatuurSchuiling/olivineagainstclimatechange23.pdf adeladynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313427464944392482.post-68561266330494284862016-03-18T14:03:34.521+11:002016-03-18T14:03:34.521+11:00And my thermos bottle: it keeps hot things hot and...And my thermos bottle: it keeps hot things hot and cold things cold. How does it know???caerbannoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03896552738444745753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313427464944392482.post-10994699758798828602016-03-18T13:21:55.372+11:002016-03-18T13:21:55.372+11:00Brandon, thanks. It can also be used to show how d...Brandon, thanks. It can also be used to show how difficult it is to remove the food dye/CO2 after you've added it, short of geo/kitchen-engineering (tipping out all the water and starting over).Souhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08818999735123752034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313427464944392482.post-20123893570571325042016-03-18T12:13:48.363+11:002016-03-18T12:13:48.363+11:00Sou,
The jug experiment is about the most excelle...Sou,<br /><br />The jug experiment is about the most excellent everyday experience description I've read of how exponential rates of equilibration work.Brandon R. Gateshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17031044715994785956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313427464944392482.post-50500358336593113442016-03-18T11:28:05.540+11:002016-03-18T11:28:05.540+11:00Magma that is quite logical as the carbon atoms ca...Magma that is quite logical as the carbon atoms can bond with each other and others. A bit like footy players. Don't touch my wallet and/or my wife. Oxygen just bonds with anyone with free electrons so it is a bit promiscuous. The hydrogens are just hangers on. They have one lonely electron to share. No real prospects in other words.<br />Bert<br />Bert from Elthamnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313427464944392482.post-30334105035249376662016-03-18T10:39:12.377+11:002016-03-18T10:39:12.377+11:00The carbon atoms in my brain say that's comple...The carbon atoms in my brain say that's complete gibberish, but the oxygens aren't so sure.<br /><br />The hydrogens are keeping their opinions to themselves, as usual.Magmanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313427464944392482.post-9989181867349014592016-03-18T10:21:56.200+11:002016-03-18T10:21:56.200+11:00"never underestimate what can be achieved wit..."never underestimate what can be achieved with a glass of wine, a cigar, a free afternoon and google"<br /><br />I do most of my best google with a cigar and a glass of scotch. The wine must have been what he did wrong.D.C.Pettersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05078422582348328238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313427464944392482.post-109116850686492562016-03-18T10:20:20.042+11:002016-03-18T10:20:20.042+11:00"I am convinced the brain relies on quantum e..."I am convinced the brain relies on quantum effects for its function."<br /><br />My first novel was based on this idea. Sadly, it is now out of print.D.C.Pettersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05078422582348328238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2313427464944392482.post-40505172459707414882016-03-18T09:44:58.999+11:002016-03-18T09:44:58.999+11:00How does the bob on a pendulum know when to accele...How does the bob on a pendulum know when to accelerate/decelerate? Its a mystery fraudulently explained by consensus following fools who claim to solve it using Newton's laws of motion plus some strange thing called gravity. And gravity, as all gentlemen scientists know, relies on sentient apples for its existence.Millicentnoreply@blogger.com