7 replies to this topic

[chubtoad]

Suggestion: add a subforum to the physics section that includes all the threads relating to specific advances (e.g. new materials, energy sources, quantum computing/crytography, lasers, super conductors).

[Infernity]

There is no much need in such subforum, I think we're pretty fine with the current condition when the name of the topic simply tells us what's the topic about and there's no much need in the confusion of where to put it... Physics and space, that's enough.

However, anything to make it here more organized is ok with me.
If we'll find it to make it easier and clear, then let it be...

Yours
~Infernity

[Lazarus Long]

Chubtoad you and a few others have contributed a lot to the Physics and Space forum. Aren't you the formal navigator for that specific area?

If so you can merge and move threads as well as help to clean up the forum so long as you advise the general leadership of your actions. Censorship deserves some prior notice but general organization is a part of your job description as I understand it.

But mine is only one vote so if any of the other leaders disagree with me they should speak up.

We do have specific threads that can be added to already that focus on the question you raise and frankly so much is happening so fast that I understand your concern and interest in creating such a sub forum. But where does it stop?

Astrophysics/Cosmology versus Relativity, Quantum Mechanics/String or mTheory?

Do we want to merge Physical Chemistry into this along with molecular informational structuring, which is also a part of nanotech or even genetics?

What about material science, mechanics, and general engineering?

Do you see my dilemma?

I am not sure we need to have one type sub-forum or many and which other categories actually belong there as well?

Occasionally we already (you and me in particular ) ) have found ourselves almost simultaneously making the same posts on the same subject or reference, in different yet related fora.

Frankly while this creates a clerical problem I am not overly concerned that we have duplicated one another's efforts as the ideas and events are receiving even greater exposure and later as the discussions die down we can merge them into one topic thread or send the duplicates to the catcher.

Could you clarify your concerns a bit more please?

Edited by Lazarus Long, 17 May 2005 - 02:13 AM.

[chubtoad]

Astrophysics/Cosmology versus Quantum Mechanics/String or mTheory?

Do we want to merge Physical Chemistry into this along with molecular informational structuring, which is also a part of nanotech or even genetics?

What about material science, mechanics, and general engineering?

Do you see my dilemma?

Thank you for your points Lazarus, they help clarify what the problem is. The physics forum has two very different types of threads, the more theoretical and phillisophical ones (e.g. http://www.imminst.o...T&f=9&t=5988&s= http://www.imminst.o...T&f=9&t=6139&s= http://www.imminst.o...T&f=9&t=5854&s= http://www.imminst.o...ST&f=9&t=321&s= http://www.imminst.o...&f=9&t=5301&s=) and the ones relating to specific technological advances like those mentioned in the first post (both kinds have their place). I suspect that most of the people viewing the physics forum are only looking for one type or the other. For now I will just pin the major technology threads but in the future I think it may be useful to separate the actual advances from the more general commentary.

[Infernity]

I think you can tell the differences between the theoretical threads and the philosophical ones already by the name of the topic.

However, yeah it would be possible to do that, will you remove some to make it arranged well?

Yours
~Infernity

[Lazarus Long]

I suggest that we break off a sub-forum somewhere specifically for Evolution.

We might consider it being in politics the way may act about it lately but while the discussions are often philosophical, evolution is not a philosophy even if some of the theoretical discussions reflect individual philosophy IMHO.

The fact is that there are two types of Evolution to discuss, the evolution of life and the evolution of the universe. They overlap as the cosmological does lead to the biological but they are separate theories, separate conditions, separate types of evidence, and separate types of testing.

The cosmological arguments about the evolution of stars, planets, moons, matter/energy, life cycles of galaxies, Big Bang and so do deserve a place in the Physic & Space forum but the focus needs to address the evidence and the theories proposed need to be prepared at least to cope with the math.

At some point in the grand scheme of cosmological analysis we land on this little blue orb, at some point we move from the basics of quantum mechanics to the beginnings of informational theory and genetics. The real question is just where in the analysis does this occur?

Obviously when we look at biology and cosmology we should be having very different discussions about evolution but when we look at the *idea* of evolution it is less precise to determine where the first begins and the latter ends.

Yes it should be understood that at this moment our level of knowledge risks many an absurd discussion because we are still so lacking in data but it also needs to be placed into discussion that the evolution of biology out of inert matter must inevitably be recognized as a *cosmological* process. (Fermi's Paradox)

For these reasons I defer to the suggestion that these two categories of evolution must be analyzed in their own categories so I recommend that we leave some discussions here about the evolution of the material universe and move the ones such as you have noted to a study of evolution in their own category. How about in Open Discussion?

Since the whole idea of Evolution from politics to religion, from biology to transhumanism is such a hot button issue that it is like belly buttons ) perhaps we should anticipate this social interaction and open a sub-forum to collect these discussions where they can be sifted and organized effectively.

I should add that there are some discussion for abiogenesis, and genetic support for evolution which should stay in biotech, just as there are some threads about the Big Bang or Unified Field Theory that should stay in Physics and Space but these threads could be referenced in that Evolution (a talk origins model) Sub-Forum. Does this approach offer some advantages others can see?

For example I could see a few of the examples you have cited above getting moved to this sub-forum area very easily.

[Infernity]

Hmm, aye in my opinion, in the Physics and Space forum, there should be 3 sub-forums:

[>] The Quantum Mechanics - Which will include all the physics of the small elements theories and etc.

[>] The General Theory of Relativity - Which will include all the theories of the grand universe and etc.

[>] The Grand Unified Theory - Which will include topics whom have relation to both, heh the place for some genius to gather the other two (Oh well, or discuss it). Etc.

Yours truthfully
~Infernity