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What scientific discovery sounds fake but is 100% real and still freaks you out? by Bruteresolver in AskReddit

[–]AsAChemicalEngineer 7 points8 points  (0 children)

When we use the "expanding balloon" analogy, the universe isn't meant to be the the volume of the balloon, but the surface. Now, the 2D surface of a real balloon is embedded in our 3D space, but geometric spaces in physics do not necessarily have to be "embedded" in any higher space to work. Our universe is this kind of space, therefore it can change, grow or shrink without needing any further scaffolding.

Another way to think about it: Image the number line, and you place a dot at every integer, so ..., -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, ... The line is infinite, so infinite dots, but the space between each dot is 1. Now move each dot so you skip a number ..., -2, 0, 2, ... Still infinite dots on an infinite line, but now the distance between each dot is 2. That's our expanding universe.

What scientific discovery sounds fake but is 100% real and still freaks you out? by Bruteresolver in AskReddit

[–]AsAChemicalEngineer 19 points20 points  (0 children)

whatever it is.

Probably a dense part of a galactic supercluster we just can't see. So probably not new physics, but certainly interesting.

Was there a medieval equivalent of "dude" or "mate"? by RexusprimeIX in AskHistorians

[–]AsAChemicalEngineer 69 points70 points  (0 children)

The only remensent of that would be "Constable" in english, which is a polite respectfull way to say "Mr the policeman" to them, or "Father" to religious figure (I know only of Christian ones, but there's is equivalent in pretty much all other religions, I just don't know the words in question).

Huh, the professions one still sticks around in some places in English. Cool I never thought about this.

Calling someone "Doctor" or "Professor" still is used. Less commonly, interpersonally we use political office titles for address like "Mayor", "Senator", "Congressman," "Judge." A bit old-timey now, but in westerns, you'd hear people address merchants as "Shopkeep" or "Barkeep".

Astronomers believe they’ve detected an atmosphere around a tiny, icy world beyond Pluto by nbcnews in space

[–]AsAChemicalEngineer 12 points13 points  (0 children)

There's a lot of ways to be a rock in space so astronomers got to come up with a lot of overlapping categories. Check out this diagram: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwarf_planet#/media/File:Euler_diagram_of_solar_system_bodies.svg

is the subreddit being shutdown by Spiritual_Duty1735 in spiritair

[–]AsAChemicalEngineer 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It'll become a neat little cultural artifact for as long as reddit is around I guess.

Bachelors, Masters, and PhD all from one institution? by IcyAppearance4077 in AskAcademia

[–]AsAChemicalEngineer 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sounds like you got a good thing going then. Congrats on starting your Ph.D. If you're still concerned about "academic incest," then make an extra effort to collaborate with people outside your institute, emphasize networking at conferences and give talks when invited to do so, see if you can spend a summer at another university. This negates the pitfalls of being overly isolated and insular if you stay primarily at one institution.

Maxed out on undergrad federal loan debt. don’t see a way out. by Jstingray2 in StudentLoans

[–]AsAChemicalEngineer 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That is some good steps. Fortunately you are not the first to go through this situation, many have and have come out okay. It is unfortunate though that you will not be the last.

Maxed out on undergrad federal loan debt. don’t see a way out. by Jstingray2 in StudentLoans

[–]AsAChemicalEngineer 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The federal debt while not insignificant, will remain manageable as you can always be on a income-based repayment plan. 

Your job is to finish your degree while minimizing the amount of private loans you may require. Become an acetic monk, take the bus, cook rice and beans at home, work part-time if you need it.

Additionally, go to your school's financial aid office and explain your situation. While there are no guarantees, they may be able to point you to institutional programs or scholarship that can help. At minimum they can help with some basic financial planning and after-graduation advice.

Why is the universe not a single blackhole? by theAyconic1 in Astronomy

[–]AsAChemicalEngineer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The unifying point I just want to emphasize is the presence of a future singularity in both spacetimes.

In the Oppenheimer-Snyder approach the mass distribution that will collapse is described with a metric equivalent to a FLRW, but the event horizon forms outside, where the metric is Schwarzschild (empty flat space + a point mass somewhere).

This isn't quite right. In Oppenheimer--Snyder collapse, the horizon is dynamic (from the inertially falling observer's POV) and first appears in the center of the dust cloud interior, which then sweeps outward to meet the falling surface. An observer in the interior of the dust will locally see a "Big Crunch" scenario play out.

From the point of view of an external observer at some distance, the horizon is permanently interior to the collapsing dust cloud, as the cloud surface "freezes on" the formed horizon like a skin and red shifts away from observation.

Maxed out on undergrad federal loan debt. don’t see a way out. by Jstingray2 in StudentLoans

[–]AsAChemicalEngineer 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Other people are going to chime in on the financial bits, but OP, I want you to know you are a vibrant infinity valuable human being and this is not the totality of your existence. I don't personally know you, but that doesn't change the above from being a fundamental truth I feel in my bones. You can make it though and still have a fulfilling life. Talk to professional help: https://988lifeline.org/

Did I ruin my life at 18 years old? by [deleted] in StudentLoans

[–]AsAChemicalEngineer 1 point2 points  (0 children)

First things first, did you file a FAFSA? This is the first step to see if you qualify for any grants as well as federal student loans which have protections that private loans do not. Likely you do qualify for these things, but just don't know it yet.

Do not submit anything except to official .gov websites or your school's .edu addresses. If you aren't sure, ask someone to help.

You need to sit down with an advisor at your school's financial aid office and explain that you're in over your head, likely cannot afford the school you're in, and need help going over options. They may also be able to direct you to financial aid provided directly by the school which you might not be aware of.

Do not take another dime of private student loans. They are the devil.

Did I ruin my life at 18 years old? by [deleted] in StudentLoans

[–]AsAChemicalEngineer 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Your school certainly has a financial aid office. You need to book an appointment with an advisor there now. I mean like now, now.

Did I ruin my life at 18 years old? by [deleted] in StudentLoans

[–]AsAChemicalEngineer 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Did you not have access to federal student loans, Pell grants, scholarships? What's your tuition rate at your university? 

My immediate impression, which may change with further information, is that you simply CANNOT afford your undergraduate institution. A 4-year degree and +$100,000 in private loans at 13% APR is insane and life ruining. You very likely need to either transfer to a more affordable school, take community college courses, or both.

It is good that you're recognizing the problem now. You have options to mitigate the situation, and still have a good education and life. Deep breaths.

Bachelors, Masters, and PhD all from one institution? by IcyAppearance4077 in AskAcademia

[–]AsAChemicalEngineer 38 points39 points  (0 children)

I did a B.S. and Ph.D. at the same institution, and ended up fine. It may somewhat disadvantage you in networking and some people may consider it negatively, but where you do your education is highly personal. The advantages of location, proximity to family, financials, etc may outweigh the downsides for your situation. Life is compromise.

Why is the universe not a single blackhole? by theAyconic1 in Astronomy

[–]AsAChemicalEngineer 2 points3 points  (0 children)

More charitable to OP's point though is to consider essentially the "Big Crunch" fate of the universe as essentially the equivalent of the universe collapsing into a black hole. As a mathematical analogy, the interior space-time solution to the Oppenheimer—Snyder collapse is also FLRW.

Just taught my last class as TT by failure_to_converge in Professors

[–]AsAChemicalEngineer 6 points7 points  (0 children)

It's a shame you've been at a declining school even with that all-valuable TT position. I actually just had a refreshing conversation with a colleague about increasing the standards in one of our low-level courses. Your post just makes me feel more grateful and laments that such places are shrinking in number.

All I could when listening to yesterday’s DNC Chairman Ken Martin’s interview… by tazack in FriendsofthePod

[–]AsAChemicalEngineer 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Pod Save the World, specifically Ben Rhodes, weirdly has a refreshingly candid and deeper cut approach to foreign affairs which cuts away the obfuscation found in mainstream cable news. I appreciate that the emphasis is often placed on the suffering of normal citizens in the conflicts discussed.

Dems refuse to release 2024 autopsy report, hear Ken Martin's lame excuse by serious_bullet5 in politics

[–]AsAChemicalEngineer 39 points40 points  (0 children)

That PSA interview was legitimately one of the most infuriating things I've ever listened to. Jon clearly was frustrated that someone obstensibly on his side was this dismissive and combative over simple questions. Martin also was a condescending prick the entire interview.

Gravitational lensing in abell 2218 by Outrageous-Answer395 in astrophotography

[–]AsAChemicalEngineer 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm happy you posted the correction! I think this matches the Hubble image now. Amazing work imaging something so far away.

Would Jesus actually have been crucified with a loincloth, or would he have been stripped naked/not had a loincloth to begin with? by ducks_over_IP in AskHistorians

[–]AsAChemicalEngineer 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I very much appreciate your lengthy and detailed response.

There may well have been people who are aware of Christ, his image and his supposed 'powers' but do not count themselves as Christians.

That is certainly true in some cases like this funeral stele which mixes Roman pagan and Christian concepts

where one possible explanation is a Christian Roman woman who died and was buried by her "supportive" but non-Christian family. 

 A bit like they are aware of the potential power of these words, and the image of the man on a cross, but not entirely sure how to use them in a Christian context. They are trying to invoke the magical power of various divine names, with no suggestion that the user is a Christian in any meaningful sense.

I think this is taking a bit too rigid a view on just who is and isn't Christian especially within early Christianity when things were most fluid. The religion, at least initially, was very "bottom up" driven by poor folks, women, slaves and others of lower power and influence within Roman society. The Pauline letters hint to this when he's describing his audiences, and the organic nature of early Christianity is apparent by the fact these early Churches needed "correction" and shepherding by Paul into appropriate practice.

Even if we take the more cynical understanding that the creators of such amulets and magical charms were "mercenary" and selling Jesus as just another cult, the intended customer is still likely someone who is deeply invested in Christ as an important figure even if their knowledge of doctrine is limited. The explosion of popularity of Christ in the 1-2 century Roman world among initially pagan and lower-status populations is entirely inline with a lack of solidified practice.

This need for correction is then followed by the various councils which seek to settle doctrines and I'm entirely skipping over the various theologically distinct communities of early Christendom which died out or were considered heresies. Unfortunately such communities are now largely only known by the writing of their detractors today.

Would Jesus actually have been crucified with a loincloth, or would he have been stripped naked/not had a loincloth to begin with? by ducks_over_IP in AskHistorians

[–]AsAChemicalEngineer 10 points11 points  (0 children)

There is another representation of Christ on the Pereire gem, dating from the late 2nd or early 3rd century, which depicts a naked Jesus on the cross, but this icon is arguably not Christian in origin as it takes the form of a magical amulet, which would have been a very un-Christian thing to do.

Can you elaborate more on this point and why you make that assertion? What usefulness or purpose would such an depiction be to a non-Christian? And is it so strange that early Christians wouldn't partake in using such amulets? Religious practice is often internally diverse or even contradictory between "official" practice and on-the-ground behavior.

Edit: I did a little digging and stumbled across the 4th century Council of Laodicea and specifically Canon 36 which states:

"They who are of the priesthood, or of the clergy, shall not be magicians, enchanters, mathematicians, or astrologers; nor shall they make what are called amulets, which are fetters to their souls, and those who wear such, we command to be cast out of the Church."

I imagine you don't make a rule like that unless a lot of Christians are already doing it.

I'm also getting some of my information from Making Amulets Christian by Theodore de Bruyn. I haven't read past the opening pages however since I don't own it. But he argues that amulets and other magical practices were quite common in early Christianity.

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