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Re: entropy

On Mon, 25 Nov 1996, Leigh Palmer wrote:

Students hear it and quite justifiably think
that physicists believe in magic.

Much like telling students that the quantum state of a system depends on
our observation of it. ;-)

That is a good comparison. Strict construction of the Copenhagen
interpretation is the same sort of cognitive error, much like the
strict construction of the bible you lament in your entropy essay
(which is quite good in my opinion). Tell me, though: what is the
meaning of that emoticon ;-) you used above? I gather that you do
not believe in the Copenhagen interpretation any more than I do.

My belief or disbelief has little to do with whether it is actually
correct, especially as I'm a mere solid state experimentalist. If forced
to take sides though I would have a lot of trouble with strict
Copenhagen. The emoticon should probably have been something like an
ironic twisted smile with a wink - but emoticons are not an exact form of
communication either. I was simply pointing out another case where our
language if not our deep beliefs may lead a non-physicist to think we
"believe in magic" to use your words.

|++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++|
| Doug Craigen |
| |
| If you think Physics is no laughing matter, think again .... |
| http://cyberspc.mb.ca/~dcc/phys/humor.html |
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