It is often not understood that science, due to the inherent speed-of-light delay when observing and measuring physical phenomena, is not able to 'prove' the reality of any phenomena in the immediate now-moment. This past-based process, in effect, backing our way into the future, is important to remember when creative solutions are sought and needed.

Covid-19, herd immunity and common sense

By Stephen on Thu, 25/Jun/2020 - 11:07am

There has been a LOT of talk in the media, various forums, twitter, etc, about "herd immunity" in regards to the corona virus pandemic.

The idea, basically, is that if enough people catch and subsequently become immune to the virus, the virus will "look around" for new hosts within the population, as some have suggested, and finding none available, recede and eventually die out.

That "looking around" suggests viruses are alive, seeking to reproduce like bacteria and fungi.

Scientists know that viruses aren't "alive" in a strict biological sense—they don't have active intelligence that "looks around", or reproduce themselves independently like bacteria. As Dr Kevin Stillwagon explains:

"A virus is not even a living thing. It's just a package of genetic material inside of a shell that's made of proteins and fats. It's not alive, it has no intelligence, nor the desire to attack you."

Analysis of herd immunity using the Sorites Paradox

By Stephen on Sat, 05/Nov/2016 - 5:40pm

[See supplemental article Covid-19, herd immunity and common sense]

TL;DR (Summary)

  • The concept of "Herd immunity" fails elementary rational analysis.
  • A "herd" cannot be scientifically defined. A "herd" remains an irreducibly vague concept.
  • Ipso facto, "herd immunity" is not an identifiable, measurably-valid phenomena.
  • Population percentage deaths and illnesses correlate with psycho-social-enviro factors, not with vague, made-up marketing terms.

When the subject of vaccination1 is discussed within a group (e.g. online forum), and there are some within that group who are pro-vaccination, almost invariably they will at some point raise the issue of herd immunity.

First let's clarify what is meant by "herd immunity".

  • 1. For the purposes of this article "vaccination" is used in the ideal case whereby each vaccination creates immunity. This equivalence is deliberate in order to avoid distractive arguments that are not relevant to the analysis of "herd immunity" using the Sorites Paradox.

Scratching the etch

By Stephen on Tue, 29/May/2012 - 7:57pm

I've previously written about the importance and power of letting go the past, relationships that are 'toxic' and behaviours that aren't aligned with, or heading us towards health, wellbeing and happiness.

No surprise then to find others extolling the same approach.

This from a Sydney Morning Herald Spectrum article in which American author Augusten Burroughs is interviewed.

From the article:

The art and discipline of happiness

By Stephen on Mon, 26/Dec/2011 - 6:06am

When chatting with a friend recently we discovered that we had (independently) come to a similar place in our lives — a wonderfully light, free and peaceful place.

We found that we each had arrived at this place by doing something exceedingly simple — we had finally "let go" blaming others, or blaming "out there" or "suffering" blame from others, or suffering or feeling lonely, or ...

The modern superstitions of science and religion

By Stephen on Wed, 27/Jul/2011 - 12:24pm

Background

Modern science is still almost entirely based on 17th century concepts that physical movement is perfectly smooth and continuous.

This continuity of movement implies continuity of operation (of the world we experience) which naturally induced the perception that our universe (and our bodies) operated like a clockwork machine. This machine-world view was the impetus for the Industrial Revolution which resulted in many beneficial technologies (aircraft, automobiles, etc).

Science is lagging

By Stephen on Mon, 23/May/2011 - 12:55am

simon-sinek-laggards.pngIn his entertaining TED presentation Simon Sinek explains what it means to be a laggard (they're the late late-adopters): "The only reason these people buy touch tone phones is because you can't buy rotary phones anymore."

A curious phenomenon is occurring. And it is quite fascinating to be in the middle of it, observing it live, as we speak! What's so fascinating is that the great bulk of scientific theory is now lagging well behind the advances in quantum fact. But for those who are lagging none of this is at all fascinating. Not in the least. Indeed, it's something else entirely.

the benefits of quantum mechanics - travelling with safety

By Stephen on Sun, 24/Apr/2011 - 9:47pm

speeding with safetyI was chatting to a photographer today who's quite 'spiritually aware'. He's up to speed, so to speak, with the intuitive, artistic dimensions to life. In fact he spoke in terms of waves, and how we can build them (but not strictly from a quantum mechanical perspective -- but I digress).

As we chatted he suggested that I need to make my work more digestible, not so technical for the masses.

The travesty of modern science

By Stephen on Mon, 12/Oct/2009 - 7:25pm

Overview

There are many who argue in various scientific circles and forums that mathematical theories based on unending, contiguous numerical continuity (infinite-series, calculus) are able to explain a series of perplexing theoretical dilemmas dating back nearly 2,500 years.

Those dilemmas, widely known as Zeno's Paradoxes raise issues relating to the apparent impossibility of everyday physical movement, which is assumed to occur continuously and smoothly.

The essential argument is that our space (and time) is able to be geometrically reduced down into "infinitely small" segments, thus enabling "perfectly" smooth and continuous movement.

So?

What's wrong with science, religion & new-age?

By Stephen on Mon, 12/Oct/2009 - 6:57pm

In the midst of the 'swine-flu' scare a while back it struck me ... how science, religion and various new-age philosophies are very similar.

The swine-flu scare has gained considerable media coverage, despite 30+ years of research confirming that physical things (bugs, bad genes, obesity, bad diet) account for a minority of the cause of disease, disability and premature death. We now know it is poor 'psycho-social eco-systems' that are the majority cause of early death and illness. But still the panic, or at least the media hype.