Philosophy Wire: DNA computer, monomania and wrongs paths

Philosophy Wire by Spiros Kakos [2011-06-03]: Scientists created a DNA computer which can perform calculations [source: BBC News]. Once more our monomania for “calculations” and “measurements” has made us convert the “unit of life” to a “calculative machine” for square roots… The whole is many times more than just the sum of its components…

(c) Philosophy WIRES - Commenting world news from philosophy's perspective...

Philosophy Wire: Elevated radiation, "understanding" and Shestov

Philosophy Wire by Spiros Kakos [2011-03-28]: Japanese regulators questioned the reading of radiation that TEPCO announced for the water at the Fukisima nuclear reactors, saying that they look "odd". According to the officials, there must be a fault in the sensors explaining these errors and the extremenly high radiation levels reported by the company which manages the reactors. Shestov always said that "understanding" is what destroys what "is". Each time we try to understand something, we try to cut it so as to fit it into the boxes we have into our brain. If it doesn't fit, we simply destroy it in that process... If something does not "compute", it must be wrong... If you add to all these the power of the nuclear lobby, then it is "certainly" wrong...

(c) Philosophy WIRES - Commenting world news from philosophy's perspective...

Philosophy Wire: iPhone application to measure happiness

Philosophy Wire: 2010-10-12 A new iPhone application that measures happiness is developed. Application may sound weird or even funny, but it shows some of the greatest doctrines of todays materialistic life: some people think that everything can be measured. How much do you "love" your iPhone? How much do you love your wife? 100? 105?

[Greek / Ελληνικά] Μια νέα εφαρμογή του iPhone μετράει την ευτυχία. Μπορεί να φαίνεται αστείο, αλλά υποδεικνύει ένα βασικό δόγμα στο οποίο πολλοί πιστεύουν: ότι όλα μπορούν να μετρηθούν. Πόσο "αγαπάς" το iPhone σου; Πόσο αγαπάς τη γυναίκα σου; 100; 105;

(c) Philosophy WIRES - Commenting world news from philosophy's perspective...