Philosophy Wire: Measure happiness? Hahaahahaha!

Photo by Spiros Kakos @ Pexels

Philosophy Wire by Spiros Kakos [2022-06-25]: Using innovative new methods researchers have built a new index that uses data from books and newspaper to track levels of national happiness from 1820. Their research could help governments to make better decisions about policy priorities. [1] How sad. We believe we can define and measure happiness. But being happy is something you can never comprehend. It is like loving a painting or feeling full by listening to a piece of music. You are happy when you are with your kid. You feel happy when sitting with your grandparents. But for no particular reason. Every data you have indicates that you shouldn’t. You will die anyway. Everyone will vanish from this cosmos. Why be happy for anything? And yet you are. No, it is not a problem that you do not know why. This is the reason why you are happy! And you know that very well...

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Philosophy Wire: Measuring with void… Understanding nothing…

Holes in the Universe sharpen cosmic measurements: Regions of the Universe containing very few or no galaxies -- known as voids -- can help measure cosmic expansion with much greater precision than before, according to new research. [1] Look into the void. It has all the answers. Not because it solves problems. But because it renders problems meaningless. Including life. The biggest problem of them all. For in this perfect world you should know. That everything which cannot be understood, should not…

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Philosophy Wire: Possible values… Actual values…

Researchers have implemented a prototype quantum device that can generate and analyze a quantum superposition of possible futures. Using a novel quantum algorithm, the possible outcomes of a decision process are encoded as a superposition of different photon locations. Using interferometry, the team show that it is possible to conduct a search through the set of possible futures without looking at each future individually. [1]

Possible values. Actual values.
For the cosmos, it matters not.
For the values are not the ones describing it.
Nor the potential of these values.

A circle drawn on the dirt.
Infinite. Finite. Indescribable.
The circle cannot be measured.

The wind has risen…

The circle is fading now… 

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

Philosophy Wire: Possible values… Actual values…

Researchers have implemented a prototype quantum device that can generate and analyze a quantum superposition of possible futures. Using a novel quantum algorithm, the possible outcomes of a decision process are encoded as a superposition of different photon locations. Using interferometry, the team show that it is possible to conduct a search through the set of possible futures without looking at each future individually. [1]

Possible values. Actual values.

For the cosmos, it matters not.
For the values are not the ones describing it.
Nor the potential of these values.

A circle drawn on the dirt.

Infinite. Finite. Indescribable.
The circle cannot be measured.

The wind has risen…
The circle is fading now…

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

Philosophy Wire: Measuring. Equilibrium. Science melting…

"Imagine you threw an iceberg into the sun and right before it's melted and gone, you wanted to know, 'How hot is that iceberg at that moment?' Would that be a meaningful question to ask?" says Charles Stafford, a professor in the Department of Physics in the UA's College of Science. "According to traditional physics, it wouldn't be". Put simply, traditional knowledge holds that properties such as temperature or voltage can only be measured as long as a system is in equilibrium. (Hint: an iceberg plunging into the sun is not) However now scientists have shown that actually any state of a system whatsoever, even far from equilibrium, can be characterized by a temperature. (with weird results whatsoever: e.g. the electrons inside a home laser pointer device get hotter than a temperature we call 'plus infinity’) [1] Ridiculous definitions used in order to define the undefined. Measurement is only possible when a system is in equilibrium. But every system is constantly changing. Measurement is the basis of all science. But how can we develop science when it’s very foundations are literally shifting? We like building castles on the sand. And naming the sand concrete just won’t do the trick. Nothing can be measured. And yet everything is here. The iceberg is cold. The Sun is hot. The iceberg is melting now. You can see it. You can talk about it. But you cannot measure it. So? Do not go and touch the iceberg. You know you will burn yourself.

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Philosophy Wire: Measurement. Non-measurement. Wisdom.

Philosophy Wire by Spiros Kakos [2014-07-11]: Physicists have overcome a major challenge in the science of measurement using quantum mechanics, thus developing ultra-precise measurement technologies. [1] Measure. Measure again. Measure again. Measure again with the greatest accuracy you wish. There will always be an old man sitting under a tree, wise in his ignorance, who will not know how to measure but will always know everything better than you. Now measure again. How stupid you are.

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300, 400, 500 light years? Who cares?!? If you are an astronomer everything goes… (or why Astronomy = Astrology)

Philosophy Wire by Spiros Kakos [2012-12-03]: New measurements of the Polar Star have revealed that the distance of the star from Earth is 323 light years, instead of 434 light years which was the last measurement known. [source: web news] Astronomy is the only science where measurements can change so drastically without anyone saying anything. What would your professor tell you if you had made a… “small” mistake of 100 light years in a distance measurement? Hahahaha!!! (Gr. Χαχαχαχαχα!!) And let’s not forget the infamous “discovery” that the visible matter which all astronomers thought was the total mass of the Universe, is only 5% of the total mass of the Universe (call me “Dark Energy” and “Dark Matter”). Small mistake. Just a 95% difference isn’t that important anyway! AHAHAHAHA!!!! And they accuse astrologists for inaccuracies… I just hope the next measurement of the distance of Polar Star is not 212 light years… But even if it is, who will dare question the modern priests of stupidity?

PS. Shestov has talked nice about astrologists, revealing the nudity of astronomers. There are relevant posts… Actually astrology is not equal (as the title implies) but much more noble than astronomy in many aspects.

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Philosophy Wire: Everest and the importance of important goals…

Philosophy Wire by Spiros Kakos [2012-02-28]: The government of Nepal is seeking foreign help (in money and expertise) in order to measure the height of mount Everest [source: BBC News]. A truly important goal to seek for something with a continuously changing height…

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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…

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