'There have been many theories during history that have been taken as gospel, without question.'
Yep. Like the theory that the Earth is flat, that insects spring up from dirt, and illness is caused by miasma. But none of these are scientific, and if you actually try to test them, you'll discover they don't work! They were all replaced by better, more proven theories.
I'm not saying the second law of thermodynamics is absolutely, 100% perfect and true. Neither's the theory of gravity, or of anything. There's always a chance someone might come up with a better explanation.
But a perpetual motion machine is impossible. Eventually, entropy will catch up with it, even if it takes 'til the heat death of the universe.
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Sat 6 Sep 2003, 17:23,
archived)
I'm not saying the second law of thermodynamics is absolutely, 100% perfect and true. Neither's the theory of gravity, or of anything. There's always a chance someone might come up with a better explanation.
But a perpetual motion machine is impossible. Eventually, entropy will catch up with it, even if it takes 'til the heat death of the universe.
I saw a blue postbox once. can't remember where - might have been on the Isle of White...
..if that helps
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Sat 6 Sep 2003, 19:38,
archived)
..if that helps
ah-HA
Case closed!
Now if I could just get the patent office to accept my application for perpetual motion machine, and avoid all the hitmen from the large oil companies, I'm on to a winner!
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Sat 6 Sep 2003, 20:03,
archived)
Now if I could just get the patent office to accept my application for perpetual motion machine, and avoid all the hitmen from the large oil companies, I'm on to a winner!
Guernsey
probably. All postboxes are blue, coz Guernsey Post went independant from Royal Mail in 1969 and wanted to be different.
I live there, and also work for Guernsey Post.
not that anyone reeeaally cares about all that - just thought I'd help.
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Sun 7 Sep 2003, 23:36,
archived)
I live there, and also work for Guernsey Post.
not that anyone reeeaally cares about all that - just thought I'd help.
I still hold that
the current theory of the universe is just part of, certainly not the end link, of a chain of theories.
The flat earth and centre of the universe theories were founded using the same scientific principles as todays theories. It's only the fact that we've now proven, due to more research and observation, that they were not only wrong, but quite nieve.
You can only prove that things cannot break the second law of thermodynamics if you use that law to prove it. It's a circular argument that has no answer.
I think we're arguing the same thing. I agree with you that the second law isn't likely to be broken by conventional means. I just don't like using theories as absolutes.
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Sat 6 Sep 2003, 20:54,
archived)
The flat earth and centre of the universe theories were founded using the same scientific principles as todays theories. It's only the fact that we've now proven, due to more research and observation, that they were not only wrong, but quite nieve.
You can only prove that things cannot break the second law of thermodynamics if you use that law to prove it. It's a circular argument that has no answer.
I think we're arguing the same thing. I agree with you that the second law isn't likely to be broken by conventional means. I just don't like using theories as absolutes.
there is a
field of philosophy (field= grass is greener) which portrays science as the modern religion - ie *100% of FACT* as seen through calculatable data - if you THEN perceive this data through several stella and an undisclosed alcoholic beverage there has been a noticable trend to piss in the metaphorical wardrobe...
so to speak
er... in short - perception - thank god for beer!!
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Sun 7 Sep 2003, 0:59,
archived)
so to speak
er... in short - perception - thank god for beer!!