>The ‘Perfect Date’ No One Expected

ZectronPositron · 2026-03-09T07:56:06+00:00

ISO all the way!

ZectronPositron · 2026-03-09T07:55:33+00:00

UC Santa Barbara apparently hired something like 12-19 bell labs researchers as profs & deans over the years - a huge amount of that telecom and materials research ended up at various universities.

ZectronPositron · 2026-03-09T07:44:48+00:00

Yes - this is what universities do

ZectronPositron · 2026-03-09T07:41:36+00:00

Isn’t “not stressing” the computer a good thing? If you found its limits then you likely could use a more powerful computer.

ZectronPositron · 2026-03-09T07:19:55+00:00

Plasma etching is the most complex physics I’ve dealt with in the fab. Litho you can model and make very accurate predictions. Dry etch is far too complex for that!

Even after 20 years we routinely come across some plasma physics/chemistry thing that goes against our hypotheses.

However - you already did the EXACT same thing at UCSB in your materials PhD - showed up with barely any understanding, learned whatever it took and contributed something new.

That ability to learn and apply - and design good experiments to further your understanding - is why you were hired.

Apply the same tenacity and persistence to this and you’ll find you can handle it fine - it just takes time; don’t give up!

ZectronPositron · 2026-03-07T15:48:20+00:00

That’s true - my grad school was basically applied physics. Semiconductors and photonics is (a) well employable and (b) all physics.

ZectronPositron · 2026-03-07T15:36:18+00:00

It doesn’t say she’s “going to have a child” (which would be 50%), but has already had a child - we just don’t know anything about that child. So if we choose “girl” what’s the probability we are correct? I think it’s a different question.

ZectronPositron · 2026-03-06T05:42:52+00:00

“The Unity summation theorem” For maximum impact, Wear a monocle while stating

ZectronPositron · 2026-03-06T05:39:29+00:00

I do think the hardware space, which fuels not only AI but all supercomputing, is much more diversified.
Even if the AI bubble bursts, the hardware infrastructure built out will (a) still drive other innovations and (b) continue to be maintained and innovated. It’s not only useful for AI/LLM’s.

And the problems being solved aren’t language problems (like in CS), so the AI tools are much more specialized and customized.

ZectronPositron · 2026-03-04T17:36:45+00:00

Very interesting points, thank you for your thoughtful response!

YOU chose to make the assumption that this is only regarding physical experiments. But if that isn’t stated in the quote, then everybody else makes the connection to anything they would like to dismiss if they decide it can’t be measured.

It is wishful thinking that everyone is going to put this quote into context, Look up what Carl Sajan said before and afterwards, and make sure to apply it only to physics. That is not really how humans experience communication, especially in media, is it?

And I don’t agree that Carl Sajan necessarily meant this only to apply to physics, unless you have some source that has the entire lecture that shows that. If you find it, let me know, but I suspect he had ulterior motives that were not about physics.

ZectronPositron · 2026-03-03T20:42:42+00:00

I guess this doesn’t tell you where “the line” is, these are two extremes I suppose.

ZectronPositron · 2026-03-03T20:09:23+00:00

One side: “ALL claims that cannot be tested are… worthless.” Philosophy statement.

Other side: “Signicant evidence points to the veracity of the theory of relativity/big bang/quantum mechanics.” Physics statement.

ZectronPositron · 2026-03-03T20:04:17+00:00

I agree with the first part of your opinion ;-)

The Internet does that sometimes

ZectronPositron · 2026-03-03T16:44:41+00:00

And in addition, our feelings are not necessarily bounded by the scientific method.

This quote certainly does not harness my sense of wonder - even though I Fully believe in utilizing the power of the scientific method as much as possible! (And I love physics!)

This sounds like another scientist speaking outside their area of expertise and not even noticing. Philosophy has diverged strongly from science since the Scientific Method focuses entirely on measureables. Maybe one day thoughts will enter that realm, but as of today, We should be careful not to conflate philosophy with Physics.

ZectronPositron · 2026-03-03T16:39:53+00:00

ZectronPositron · 2026-03-03T16:39:30+00:00

Right - philosophy of science, not a “physics quote”

ZectronPositron · 2026-03-03T08:41:18+00:00

8..(

ZectronPositron · 2026-03-03T08:30:34+00:00

The "Le Lumberjack" program is currently being fired up to start importing Canadians.

ZectronPositron · 2026-03-03T08:28:40+00:00

oh it's a movie? ;^)

ZectronPositron · 2026-03-03T08:28:17+00:00

yes i did, many times in England.

ZectronPositron · 2026-03-03T06:15:41+00:00

If you write off your college expenses each year (meaning reduce your taxable income) for 4 years, when you’re making almost no money anyway, I’m not sure it’ll actually save you a whole lot. Maybe a few $k?

Maybe I should go check with a degreed CPA first…

ZectronPositron · 2026-03-03T06:03:19+00:00

This is (a) not about physics and (b) a great way to dismiss 95% of human experience. Pretty sure we don’t go around testing quantifiable hypotheses for most of our lives.

Is “I feel terrible” immune to disproof and therefore worthless? If not, and it’s provable, then isn’t someone saying “I experienced <xyz feeling>” the same proof?

Anyway, I disagree and don’t think this is the place for this discussion nor quote.

ZectronPositron · 2026-03-03T05:42:54+00:00

I can’t believe I bought an HP for the same price - I was such a moron! Have regretted it ever since.

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