Friday Physics

My new standing desk, with built in wrist cushion.

Nom Nom Paleo here.

No thank you, Rebecca Black.

I consider the phrase "I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy." pointless and moronic.  If something is so horrible that you would consider this phrase, it's probably the kind of thing you would want to happen to your worst enemy (assuming you are the kind of person who has enemies).  I could see saying, "I wouldn't wish that on my annoying cousin-in-law who has the awkward facial tic." or "I wouldn't wish that on my own clone who might have to replace me without my wife's knowledge."  My worst enemy will get what she deserves (equal opportunities exist for female nemesises).

Along the same vein..."I could care less."  If you could care less, then the thing probably is worth caring about.  If you couldn't care less, then it is probably so beneath your notice that you are defying the things purpose for existence.  

Does anyone else think that Julian Assange looks like he should be a Bond villain?

"Hi CNN...please don't tell Interpol where we are right now."

"Don't tell Sergey Brin, but I'm taking over."

Tonight's lesson on physics started with force vector math, covered the basics of derivatives, integration, SOHCAHTOA and an oversimplified telling of Big G (no, not that B.I.G.).  Electron shells and were discussed...the explanation for why the progression starting with 2 and moving to 8 was not enough to convince the class, but meager enough to explain why water exists and why water in a glass will appear to curve upwards at the meniscus.

Finally, here's a scrap of paper I keep in one of my notebooks from a really smart former professor I met in college.  Several of us were on a field trip to visit Roosevelt's museum in Hyde Park, NY.  After the tour, we went to a diner for dinner.  While waiting, an elderly looking bearded man sitting at the counter started talking to us.  We naive sophomores assumed he was simply an old friendly befuddled gentlemen.  We told him we are college students and I must have mentioned I was studying engineering.  At that point I would have been taking my third physics course.  He wrote the below equation on the back of the place mat and told me it was a very important equation.  He told me he used to be a professor at a college in the area (not sure where).  Still not thinking much of the interaction, I thanked him (I hope) and kept the paper.

Probably near the Eveready Diner, Hyde Park, NY, circa fall 2000.  Professor John is second from right.

At my next physics class, I showed the equation to my professor (mustache!), assuming he would not be impressed.  On the contrary, he told me the gentleman who wrote that must be very smart indeed.  I've kept that paper for 12 years.

If you know what this means, please help me.