Philosophy Wire: Reactions. Touching. Knowledge.

Levitation has long been a staple of magic tricks and movies. But in the lab, it's no trick. Scientists can levitate droplets of liquid, though mixing them and observing the reactions has been challenging. The pay-off, however, could be big as it would allow researchers to conduct contact-free experiments without containers or handling that might affect the outcome. Now researchers have developed a method to do just that. [1] Trying to make the perfect reaction. Trying to examine the cosmos without touching it. At the end we will succeed. And while looking at the perfect laboratory apparatus, allowing touchless chemical reactions totally isolated from the environment, we will notice out hands. (I do not touch anything) And the cosmos will not explode. And the reaction will not happen after all. And the universe will just whisper... "How can you know anything without touching it?"...

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Philosophy Wire: A delicate touch…

Photo by Spiros Kakos

If robots are to help out in places like hospitals and phone repair shops, they’re going to need a light touch. And what’s lighter than not touching at all? Researchers have created a gripper that uses ultrasonics to suspend an object in midair, potentially making it suitable for the most delicate tasks. [1] Touch. Without touching anything. It sounds like a paradox or a weird Zen quote. Yet, it is the only way possible. The moment you actually touch something you destroy it. The moment you touch something it becomes part of you. And it is then that you need something more than touching to feel it. Search for the things that feel the same. It is there were you will find all the reasons why they are not. Extend your hand. Touch yourself. Isn’t it weird that you can feel me?

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Philosophy Wire: Sensing.

Scientists have developed an ultra-light glove - weighing less than 8 grams per finger - that enables users to feel and manipulate virtual objects. Their system provides extremely realistic haptic feedback and could run on a battery, allowing for unparalleled freedom of movement. [1] Always amazed we are. Finding that the impossible can be possible. That the fake can become real. But we should not trust anything which can stop existing. Or anything which does not exist in the first place. The truth and, thus, the cosmos cannot be related to anything which Is NOT. Touch that plastic flower. It smells nothing. Can you sense the world crumbling down to ruins? Fresh made bagels. Smelling beautiful in the dusk…

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Philosophy Wire: Telling lies…

It is not easy to tell when someone is lying. This is even more difficult when potential liars speak in a language other than their native tongue. Psychologists investigated why that is so. [1] Words conveying messages. Messages conveying love. In the dead of the night, a gentle touch. The lighthouse shining into the void. I cannot understand a thing you say. And yet I know you are lying…

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