The Double Slit Experiment and we need an aspirin.

Ok, we're about to get all scientific on your asses. Let's discuss the double slit experiment. You know the one we mean. Where scientists fire a laser or bright light at a flat surface with two slits cut into it. The resulting pattern on the sensor placed behind the flat slitted surface (try saying that fast five times) registers the light and shows either an interference pattern (light and dark bands) or a solid light pattern, depending on how the result is measured. Apparently when we are watching, the light behaves as waves causing interference (resulting in light and dark bands) however when we are measuring it with a particle detector the light shows a solid pattern and appears as if it went through one of the slots (italics mine) What does this mean. We can think of only three things. One that our observation of the experiment causes a change to the outcome simply by viewing it. Two, that light itself changes when it knows it's being observed or measured. Or Three, the particles interfere with themselves and pass through both slits simultaneously. So what can we learn from all of this? Sadly not a lot. It appears as if our simply observing or measuring the location of the photons (or electrons in some experiments) alters their reality. If unobserved they act in a wave pattern, if observed they act in a particle pattern. This experiment is further confused by the fact that detectors placed at the slits will not change the nature of the observed light pattern and will act as if the particle passed through both slits simultaneously. So even though the detectors say the light passed through say the left slit. The resulting pattern will show that it in fact passed through both. Which should be a physical impossibility. What does it all mean? Are multiple dimensions at work here? Are we observing quantum proof that the universe is subjective to how we view it? If such is the case, can we alter reality at will? That would be interesting wouldn't it? Of course could you imagine the chaos resulting from billions of individuals each altering reality to suit their own needs? Scary though isn't it? Excuse us, we need an aspirin and a nap. Here is a photographic representation of the double slit experiment. Make of it what you will. Ciao for now.

What is time?

     The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines time as  " the measured or measurable period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues" or "the thing that is measured as seconds, minutes, hours, days, years, etc."  Both these definitions are true. Neither one is very helpful (or satisfying) when discussing time. Our definition of time could be stated as "the inexorable pull of nature toward the destruction of self" which sounds pretty negative (if not suicidal) to say the least. But it is true that each moment we live is one less moment we will continue to exist, (at least in a physical state, we can make no assumptions about what happens after the destruction of our psyche.) Is the fact that time is fleeting our reason for focus in life? If we keep our awareness of the passing of time sharply in our mind do we at least in some small way slow it's passing. Or does the juggernaut of time simply carry us along in a mad rush to the end of our existence? We at The Crazy have felt time crawling slowly (being made to watch reality television can be a particularly painful time slowing event) or whiz by (it seems when we are enjoying ourselves in any way time seems to fly by at hypersonic speed). Sadly we may never know. One thing is certain. Time cannot be altered at will. The arrow of time moves in only one direction. Or so all past history seems to show. And though we are all time travelers none of us will ever be able to travel to the past (except in our minds of course) and relive those events.  Just a quick note on time. Ciao for now.

The Arrow of time.

     It seems time is passing quickly here at The Crazy.  We have been running around trying to get things done, but apparently it's a big circle we live in. On the other hand we recently had some friends over for a football game. And every one of us mentioned how time seemed to be going slowly. We wondered... was time actually going slower? Were we all caught in a whirlpool of the flow of time? Is that what we are, the flotsam and jetsam of time? Struggling in a vain effort to reach the far shore, when no shore actually exists?

     Why is it that sometimes time seems to slowly crawl from then to now, and other times it spurts forward in leaps and jumps? If we look back on our lives in the context of time, are the moments you remember most in your life the slow moments or the fast jerks of the rough waters of time? We are going to be doing some research on the meaning of time in our lives. If anyone has any memories or stories about how time has affected you, please be sure to post them in the commentary. We are going to look at time. From a social, artistic, and scientific point of view through the next few posts. We hope you find it interesting, we know we will. Ciao for now.