Shuttle launch seen from the ISS.
Posted on 09/19/2007 1:41:51 PM PDT by Paul Ross
Reminds me of a quote about asymptotic limits whereby a specialist keeps specializing until he knows everything about nothing while a generalist keeps generalizing until he knows nothing about everything.
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I also think there is the tendency for the specialist to make category errors. Basically, they think that “since this method of analyzing a problem works in my specialty, if I apply it in this other area, it will also work.” Since we are almost all specialists in some area (even if the area is being a housewife, or a writer, or whatever it is that we do to make our way in the world) category errors abound. Empirical evidence to test a hypothesis is not as available in the social “sciences” as it is in the physical sciences for example. Reasoning a priori, by analogy, historically, and within a conservative framework given unintended consequences and the difficulty of isolating variables would not do a research scientist much good in their profession; but for a legal scholar, a historian, a voter, a politician, there is much more value to a different style of reasoning. Similarly, the housewife that reasons that because familial love and family harmony is worth a sacrifice on the part of the family members, sacrificing a principle to maintain political harmony may also be worth it may be applying their “specialized” knowledge in the wrong way or in the wrong category. Reading my last sentence I realize that I’m babbling now . . . : )
This guy sounds like a turd, and just might be jealous he can’t go up in space. If he had his chance, there might be one or two “small errors.”
The second photo is my laptop’s wallpaper. Thanks for the beautiful images.
This article is about the British slang word for scientist. For other uses of the word, see boffin (disambiguation).
In the slang of the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, boffins are scientists, engineers, and other people who are stereotypically seen as engaged in technical or scientific research. The word conjures up a stereotype of mature men in thick spectacles and white lab coats, obsessively working with complicated apparatus. Alongside eccentric genius, portrayals of boffins usually highlight a naive ineptitude in social interaction. A classic English version of an eccentric and obsessed boffin is portrayed by Alec Guinness in the film The Man in the White Suit (1951).
I prefer “propeller heads”. ;’) Thanks.
I agree. We also have to stop giving away our technology advantage as if it is our duty to "mankind".
The Red Chinese will take all we give freely, steal the rest, and destroy us with it without ever saying "thank you."
Thanks for the launch photo...
Comes from posting too darn early in the A.M.!
It's come a long way.
Too bad it will never be like THIS:
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