On Whether or Not Non-Gravitational Interaction Can Occur in the Absence of Gravity by Shawn Halayka

Hey ZOMG, you could even use something like this to point out self-plagiarism in physics AND music, because we all know that's utterly despicable, don't we?

Shawn,

At home there are a couple of music programmes that allow input of samples of music and the modification and combining of them in various ways. Sounds can be customised to personal preference but it is too easy. It does not give the pleasure and immersion of playing a musical instrument, though that takes dedication. We also recognise that kind of 'cut and paste' or generic 'cloned' music when we hear it, it is superficial, malnourishing.

Sometimes things are written in a particular way for a particular purpose and to tinker with it is to make it into something entirely different, not necessarily better, that it is not. The trouble with the written word or equation is that it does not change but that is also its strength. Papers have margins for a purpose, (that are missing in the electronic form).I like playing with ideas but I can't actually change someone else's work into my misunderstanding of what it should be. It has its own integrity, to be valued and respected, even if personally disliked as it is.

I think that there is a danger in a free for all where there is no respect for the integrity and value of the original, unique innovation or creative excellence, and instead endless pop rehashing of the old or 'formulaic' repetition by anyone talented or not. All of the paintings in the kindergarten are beautiful.

Oops, programs : )

Why do anonymous cowards think that they're clever, fishing for comments? I'm not going anonymous because I'm expecting privacy -- I'm doing it to mock you. Of course, if you we're paying attention, you'd already know that -- kind of like how you'd already know that I've been working on this project for years. Sorry that I've got other stuff to do too, but at least I've recognized the problem.

Perhaps you can prove your cleverness by formatting your comments in LaTeX; pretend that you're Don Knuth.

Apparently you're missing all the other comments from the actual kids?

Try not to misinterpret me too much, k?

Hi Georgina,

This is why the unit tests are important. I'm not suggesting a Wild West free-for-all, but entirely the opposite. Surely, as a professional teacher, you know that children learn best by tinkering and learning from mistakes that are clearly outlined -- in case you don't read the pop sci blogosphere, mistakes equal "mental deficiency", so clearly they're doing it wrong because they're doing it exactly oppositely from how it should be done.

Have you read Three Roads to Quantum Gravity? Look for Shannon in the index, then please re-state your comment about integrity and respect in a way that matches reality.

Apparently my comment re: Minute Physics got axed. The kids are not impressed; I couldn't possibly be making up such a bizarre disaster situation.

This is not about disrespecting the elderly, because I'm just as much to blame -- which is why I'm busting my rear to fix it, in many ways (this negative babble on FQXi barely scratches the surface of what I'm doing altogether about it).

I appreciate your calm demeanour, and I know that you're not intentionally trying to misinterpret my comments. That is deeply appreciated, even more so than the totally awesome links that you post. :)

- Shawn

Who is 'your':

"You're presumptuous to think that you just didn't prove my point."

If it is me, say so!

James

See 'Open Letter to the President: Physics Education' by Minute Physics.

Hi James,

I was replying to the anonymous comment when I said that. Apologies for the confusion. I do appreciate your input, unless you two are one and the same. :P

- Shawn

A teacher is one who makes himself progressively unnecessary. - Carruthers

The multitude of books is making us ignorant. - Voltaire

I'm not making this stuff up on the fly.

Oh noes, there's movement in the tall grass. Yawn.

Hi James,

Thank you for the link. I did a google search for your name and found some more writings on physics. If you're ever interested in discussing things, my email is darkessay@gmail.com. It's probably best that I refrain from visiting FQXi again, and I've disabled email notifications on this thread, so no offence meant to anyone who doesn't receive a reply to comments made here.

- Shawn

Hi Shawn,

Why you need to fail This short video makes me feel better about my 'practice'so far. The result of the study was very interesting to me too. I thought you and others might like it too.