Re: Computational Physics

[Leigh Palmer <palmer@sfu.ca>]

> We SHOULD stick to critical conceptual language issues like work, force,
> heat and energy in their appropriate contexts, and not alienate
> nonmembers of the physics community by picking egregious and patently
> unwinnable battles.  We have enough image problems in society without
> exacerbating the situation with trifles in this fashion.

Scientists who are aware of correct meanings should not gratuitously
subvert scientific terminology. They may be misunderstood by other
scientists. What I advocated was not calling the class a "lab" since
it is to be designated as something by the physics teacher. Calling
it "physics shop" would be better in my view, though I'm sure that a
better name could emerge if some thought were put into the thing.

Leigh