Re: [Phys-l] pistol shrimp

[chuck britton <britton@ncssm.edu>]

Physics teacher rant mode ON.

On Dec 4, 2008, at Dec 4(Thu) 9:19 , Rick Tarara wrote:

> I think the answer to your questions is wrapped up in the  
> difference between
> temperature and thermal energy (usually called heat, although some
> physicists violently object to that terminology).


The only physicists that I know who object to the term 'heat' are  
those involved in pedagogy rather than the PRACTICE of physics.
The objectors may be involved in BOTH teaching and practice - but  
those who don't teach - don't object to the word at all.

(IMHO - and now is when I will proceed to really get some folks  
really irritated - if you get irritated - so be it, but lets keep it  
civil)

Just because most people don't have a basic understanding of a word  
does NOT mean that we should relegate that word to the dustbin.
Instead - let's see if we can 'educate' them gently about the 'real'  
meaning of that word.
Sure - the caloric theory won't die easily - but let's not throw out  
the baby with the bathwater.

And on THAT note I'll add:

Most people don't realized that there is more to Family Planning than  
abortion.
These people need to be educated.
Family Planning is WAY too important to be squashed by a group of  
radicals.

Same goes for 'heat'
A perfectly good four letter Anglo-Saxon word that most people use  
quite freely - but may not fully appreciate ;-)