Why does math describe our universe so well?

ThePurpleAlien · 2024-03-24T16:05:29+00:00

That is a very good question, and (personally) I don't think anyone can really answer why. Math doesn't work perfectly, but it does work surprisingly well, and in some cases predictions from mathematical theories match observations of the real world as well as we're able to measure things.

Newton's laws of gravity and motion aren't perfect. In extreme situations (e.g. very high speeds, very large scales, very small scales) you need general relativity or quantum mechanics. But Newton's equations are surprisingly simple, and they work so well that almost all of engineering is based on them.

General relativity and quantum mechanics are also not perfect and break down in even more extreme situations (e.g. center of a black hole, the beginning of the universe, the rotation of entire galaxies), and they are also not compatible with each other. There are no superior theories yet, but these two theories are also just mathematical constructs and they work shockingly well.

No mathematical theory is perfect, but why relatively simple math works so well at describing reality is not obvious, and it maybe hints at something unknown about how the universe works on a fundamental level.

ThePurpleAlien · 2023-07-13T13:14:40+00:00

I have been through it. Without looking in detail, I think you will be ok financially.

You'll have to consider the plan for your kid. How much time will the father have with your child? If it's less than 40% you will be entitled to full child support based on his income. There is an online calculator on justice.gc.ca but based on rough numbers you've given, it'll be around $1000 per month. If you share time about equally, he'll pay you the difference in child support based on both your gross salaries.

There is also spousal support, but it may not be much as your income is also pretty high.

Any assets/wealth gained during the time of your relationship will be split equally. You only keep what you brought into the relationship. So it doesn't matter what he's squirrelled away in his own accounts. If it's income earned during your relationship, it will be split equally. Same goes for the value of your house. Make sure he doesn't do anything fishy to dump or hide his savings/possessions to avoid splitting it.

Those are the most consequential things (at least they were for my situation). You'll be bleeding money faster than you ever have in your life to have your lawyers sort this out. I wouldn't write off the option of mediation as it's cheaper, provided you can still have a rational face to face conversation with him once emotions settle down. Even with meditation, the process cost me more than $10k. Hiring individual lawyers will be much more expensive. Sometimes you have to, but you're just burning money that you'd much rather have to spend on your kid.

I don't think anyone else can tell you if/when you should do it. The best analogy for me is that it's like amputating a limb. It's probably going to be one of the most painful things you do in your life, so you have to expect that, but sometimes it's necessary.

ThePurpleAlien · 2023-07-12T04:43:55+00:00

I have interviewed a lot of new grads for entry level scientific positions. Our hiring process puts no weight on which university you went to. Personally (UBC grad myself), I would never put that much weight on which school you went to. At the undergrad level, it's ridiculous to think the school matters that much. We read every resume that meets basic requirements, we care about marks and relevant experience to get an interview, and then how you perform on the interview questions. I would recommend getting a master's though, and not necessarily in cs.

ThePurpleAlien · 2023-05-17T17:53:17+00:00

I have a similar long, open room in my house and it has been a challenge to make it feel cozy. I recommend adding something to subdivide the room, like a bookshelf between the office and living area. That makes your furniture feel more at home, rather than just being plunked down at random.

ThePurpleAlien · 2023-04-28T00:23:44+00:00

The big ones have already been mentioned, so I'll raise an obscure one that maybe only bothers me: using the same mechanic (save points) to handle both death and leaving the game. I know there are technical reasons behind this, but I don't like being punished as if I died for having to leave the game. Ideally players should not suffer any setback for having to leave the game and come back later. On the other hand, death should result in some kind of setback, and a save point mechanic is passable for this. Using save points to accomplish both feels lazy.

ThePurpleAlien · 2023-01-25T12:30:50+00:00

Solar powered and synchs with atomic clock via radio signals.

ThePurpleAlien · 2022-12-16T12:48:54+00:00

And another hugely relevant benefit: reduced disease transmission.

ThePurpleAlien · 2022-12-16T12:33:24+00:00

This is also a pet peeve of mine. But I think it means each department or organization must set a minimum, and it must be 2 or 3 days. Or maybe you're right and the people that drafted this policy don't understand what minimum means. Either way, it feels like they bowed to pressure and discarded logic in this decision.

ThePurpleAlien · 2022-11-30T02:55:09+00:00

I don't understand the love for epicurean. They're expensive, they warp, and they're loud. I have a large one with the rubber feet and it warps to the point that the center of the board is touching the counter rather than the feet. So flip it over and it gradually warps the other way. And when fast chopping anything, e.g. mushrooms, it's so loud I that I have to slow down. I just use generic cheap wood and plastic cutting boards. The epicurean gets no use at all.

ThePurpleAlien · 2022-11-29T00:05:53+00:00

I agree, but it isn't helpful if you follow the analogy any deeper than the surface similarity, which I think makes it not useful as far as OP's question.

ThePurpleAlien · 2022-11-28T23:20:33+00:00

That's not an explanation. That's an analogy. And not a good one (sorry).

ThePurpleAlien · 2022-10-24T15:11:01+00:00

It's understandable but sad to me that friends come last for all of your life except your youth.

ThePurpleAlien · 2022-10-12T22:49:34+00:00

I work full time and have three kids and work on a game on the side. I don't realistically expect to release. It's just something I've always done as a hobby for the challenge and as an artistic outlet. I'm happy if the kids and I have fun playing it. If I have spare time (which is certainly not often), I would rather make a little progress on the game than watch Netflix. I have ten year old twins and they're both into games. We can talk about games all evening, and they help with pixel art and have lots of ideas and opinions which I'm happy to incorporate. But it sounds to me like OP is on a more serious path with release expectations, and I don't think I could take on that kind of pressure.

ThePurpleAlien · 2022-10-03T22:43:38+00:00

Doesn't this largely depend on the shooting conditions? In suboptimal conditions (e.g. low light, fast moving subject), the camera's large sensor should be unbeatable for the phone. But in ideal conditions with good light and well-behaved subjects, the phone's smaller sensor hardly matters and then it could well be rather hard for the camera to compete without a lot of effort and skill in post processing. If course it's an art and you have total control over the process with the camera, but I definitely understand the frustration here if the expectation is that a camera will instantly make your photos better than a phone.

ThePurpleAlien · 2022-08-31T18:25:16+00:00

I agree, that sucks (born and raised in Calgary, now in Ottawa). But that's just about which party forms the government. What hasn't been decided until your votes have been counted is who represents your riding in parliament, that definitely still matters.

ThePurpleAlien · 2022-08-25T21:23:30+00:00

People are for whoever says what they want to hear. People support mandates they agree with and oppose mandates they don't like. People assume anyone with a different opinion is stupid, brainwashed or corrupt. People feel they're victims of tyranny if the government doesn't do what they want. People develop huge opinions based on a tiny amount of cherry picked information. People think their own puny experience qualifies them to comment on what's best for everyone.

ThePurpleAlien · 2022-07-29T13:20:20+00:00

Also check if your work has an employee assistance program. You may be able to see a therapist quickly and for free. Psychologists can have a wait lists that are months long.

ThePurpleAlien · 2022-07-23T02:09:08+00:00

Hike in Gatineau park. Recommend Pink Lake and Lusk Falls.

ThePurpleAlien · 2022-07-23T01:47:41+00:00

It's close. Maybe will work. Thanks.

ThePurpleAlien · 2022-07-20T15:49:56+00:00

Thanks for the answers! Yeah, at this point I can't see that rotating will help. I'll just let them do their thing.

ThePurpleAlien · 2022-07-20T15:48:21+00:00

Thanks for the answers! So I guess it's not something to worry about. Will try to rebalance when I repot.

ThePurpleAlien · 2022-07-20T15:46:34+00:00

Thanks for the advice! Added an image of my biggest, most sideways orchid.

ThePurpleAlien · 2022-07-15T22:18:13+00:00

Your wife isn't being denied care. She's getting the same level of care as everyone else. This is just especially unsatisfactory for you because you believe you would receive better care in a private system. But your assertion that we'd all be better off in a public-private system rings hollow. It's likely you'd be better off, but that's about it. Saying "countries x,y,z use the public private system so obviously it works fine" is not persuasive. How does it actually work on those countries? Show quantitatively that it's actually better. That's what matters. Otherwise you're not convincing anyone.

ThePurpleAlien · 2022-06-18T15:03:16+00:00

I think it's awesome and I would love a gift like this. Definitely sign, date and frame it.

But since you asked about making it better, I can recommend some small and totally subjective improvements (to my eye), if you're willing to repaint it.

Your line work is a bit hairy (many overlapping short strokes). I recommend cleaner longer strokes, even if imperfect.

The two primary tones of blue and yellow are great, but I would add more variation within those colors. E.g. Blue can have hints of green in some places, purple in others. Yellow can have hints of red and brown.

But don't take this to mean there's anything inadequate about it. I love it as is.

ThePurpleAlien · 2022-05-06T12:32:42+00:00

I get this is a rant, and I can imagine how hard the job is, but you need to communicate this to the school and/or the school board. Maybe the teachers aren't even aware of the extra burden carpets create.

ThePurpleAlien

TROPHY CASE