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Order!

I once got into a big tussle on another blog over the idea that the theory of evolution ought to be a law. What the poor folks at that site didn't know is that I was fairly pissed off that week and was really just looking for a fight. Also, I think the admin of the site in question is a boozer ponce flotsam jerk-off. So anyway, while I sat back and argued a point I didn't really believe (that evolution should be a law, not a theory), I managed to rattle loose some novel thoughts. Skip to the end for the novel part, or keep reading to get the full train of thought.

One of the things I learned from the ponce was the difference between deductive and inductive reasoning. Which was nice, but don't get too caught up in that right now. I also noticed that all the good laws (the laws of conservation from which the laws of thermodynamics and motion sprout) can be expressed mathematically.

Now as every good biologist knows, the mechanics of evolution all follow the laws of thermodynamics, such that all living things are basically suspended within environment-specific equilibrium between the margins of a diamond (perfect order) and vaporized charcoal (perfect disorder) with lots of other contaminating elements.

(The nifty thing about crystals like a diamond is that its existing structure will create more of itself, when provided with the necessary food (diamonds get bigger when you add more carbon)).

I think the the laws of motion and thermodynamics are essentially just re-statements of the laws of conservation. So I got to thinking; in biology were are mostly concerned with how things are ordered, and how that order propagates itself (like dirty diamonds). We get to talking about "genetic information" alot. So, I wonder if the laws of evolution might be more accurately described as the "laws of informatics". I can generally (but not specifically) imagine how these laws might be expressed, and what's more, I can also see how they could be applied to all kinds of self-propagating information, from diamonds to digital data (excuse the alliteration). Since evolution really just describes a mechanism for the tranfer and preservation of information, this kind of universal applicability to all information is what would be needed to qualify it as a proper law. That, and a law of informatics just seems like a good idea.

So I googled "laws of informatics" and found this site. The guy seems to start on the right track and I like his laws as stated, but I think he goes way off track once he starts talking about Frederich Nietzsche, and he never tries to express his laws mathematically. So, I think I'm going to try and give that a shot in my spare time and I'll keep updates here. Any of you math whizzes have some good ideas?

Asleep yet?

America's Funniest Animals

Now go check out the rest of the Sun's top 25 viral emails of the week.

(Be careful though, some are NSFW)

Hepatitis A

The list of diseases I currently have vaccine-derived immunity against:

measles, mumps, rubella, polio, tetanus, diptheria, influenza, typhoid, hepatitis B, yellow fever, and as of today, hepatitis A.

The last ones on my list to collect are: smallpox, herpes type-2, and anthrax. I really wish I didn't miss out on that smallpox vaccine just because I was born too late.

Biodiesel (first of many)

Here's a post on biodiesel I got from Wired. Biodiesel is one of my biggest infatuations. This particular article goes into the uses of it for home heating oil. I have natural gas heat (but wish I had oil, with water-convection baseboards) so this isn't going to help me so much. No, my primary interest in biodiesel is for a transportaton fuel. My next car is going to be a diesel, just so I can make my own feul for it in the garage. Of course, I drive a 2001 Honda Civic now. The car gets awesome mileage and since I only work 5 minutes away, I don't put many miles on it, so I may be stuck with this car for many more years to come. In which case, I'll just need to be sure that the boat or motorcycle I've always wanted to buy are diesel-powered. I specifically want this bike, in case anyone was thinking about what they could get me for Christmas.

Amazing what a little information can do...

As most of you reading this right now know, I sent out a mass email to my freinds and family earlier today, alerting you all to the presence of this blog. Maybe I should have waited to do this on one of those days where I marvel about the tick I pulled off of my dogs neck, or about the nature of lint or something, rather than having people diving directly into the intelligent design debate. Apologies for that. Most of the time I expect this blog will be really shallow and self-absorbed, so please don't let this weighty, first-encountered issue prejudice you about what may come.

Intelligent Design

The very fact that this is even a debate in our country right now really annoys the crap out of me. As I ask around about it, many people who I formerly assumed were educated and thoughtful about the subject have professed support for teaching intelligent design as science. The first thing I realize about these folks is that A) they don't seem to understand the definition of the word "science" and B) they don't care. I want people to care.

This is serious shit people.

Everyone should know this cold...

You Passed 8th Grade Science

Congratulations, you got 8/8 correct!

Could You Pass 8th Grade Science?

Neuvo Ventanas

We're having all the windows in the house replaced today. Last night I had to remove all the fittings for the blinds from the casings and move all the furniture in the house to make space in front of each window. Now these two guys are making lots of smashing noises in my house. Its a party.

Post-Halloween

The party on Saturday went well, but I kept wishing that I had invited more people. All of my friends are either married on in long term relationships, so I felt bad for the few single people there. I was hoping I could have provided a better setting for singles. I guess I have to accept that I'm beyond that scene. The Halloween party at work was fun, but more short-lived than last year's. We did the traditional chili cook-off and the same people who made the best chili's in previous years won again this year. We didn't do a pumpkin-carving contest though (as we did last year), so all in all, the party only lasted an hour. That night, we got more trick-or-treaters than last year, 6 groups in all, for a total of maybe 15-20 kids. Not too shabby.