Mass-energy equivalence, conservation of matter (or, relativistically speaking, mass-energy)?
On Aug 4, 2008, at 4:58 PM, Olin Elliott wrote: > Acutally, quantum mechanics suggests that it is totally possible > that a purple ball could pop into existence in your kitchen at any > moment. It is, however, highly, highly improbable -- so improbable > that it is almost totally unlikely to occur in the life span of the > universe. I'm not sure where the "logical" fallacy against > something being created from nothing comes from -- physics allows > for particles to be created essentially out of nothing in a number > of circumstances, as long as certain balances, like the net charge > and so on are preserved. And is that really any more difficult to > swallow than an omnipotent, all powerful being who has existed for > all time (where did he -- she, it, etc. -- come from?). I don't > know that you, Wayne, are aguing for a religious position, or just > looking at the question from all angles, but it seems odd to me when > anyone with religious beliefs about creation, etc. starts dealing > in logic. > > Now my own suspicion is that the Universe is not only queerer than > we suppose, but queerer than we can suppose. -- J.B.S. Haldane > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Wayne Eddy<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: Killer Bs (David Brin et al) Discussion<mailto:[email protected] > > > Sent: Monday, August 04, 2008 2:43 PM > Subject: Re: The First Event > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "William T Goodall" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > >> > To: "Killer Bs (David Brin et al) Discussion" > <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected] > >> > Sent: Tuesday, August 05, 2008 7:07 AM > Subject: Re: The First Event > > >> >> On 4 Aug 2008, at 21:59, Wayne Eddy wrote: >>> Seems to me that something impossible happened at least once in the >>> history >>> of everything. >> >> >> If it happened it wasn't impossible. >> > > But logically, that means that it is possible something (Say a > purple ball) > could be created from nothing in your kitchen tomorrow. > > > >> Logic Maru > "Way I remember it, albatross was a ship's good luck, 'til some idiot killed it ... Yes, I've read a poem. Try not to faint." -- Capt. Mal Reynolds, "Serenity" _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
