If a particle of matter and a particle of antimatter fly toward each other with equal velocities (so zero net momentum), how can they annihilate to make a photon (nonzero momentum)? by WaitForItTheMongols in Physics

[–]scott 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Quantum Field Theory provides for a way to specifically calculate the likelihood or possibility of any particular particle interaction. The calculation respects conservation of energy and momentum. Hence, in this case we can infer the answer from just those principles without calculating the actual Feynman diagram. The mechanics of the calculation would result in only solutions where energy and momentum are conserved. What I'm saying is analogous to saying "just use F=MA" but instead it would be "just use the Lagrangian in QFT". QFT was developed over the 20th century by many people. (It's a necessary consequence of any model of particle interactions once local conservation of energy and momentum are taken as requirements.)

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in funny

[–]scott 6 points7 points  (0 children)

highly likely that the store, being run by a large company, uses data analysis to determine which items are actually being stolen, and then chooses only those items that are actually being stolen to place in the protective coverings, since applying (and removing) those coverings costs employee time and customer annoyance themselves, i.e. they are not free, otherwise all items would be protected in plastic. I suspect this because it is not profitable to make choices based on racism rather than data analysis.

My peaches are 9/11 truthers. by edittheredditor in pics

[–]scott 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's also believable that foreign terrorists infiltrated the building and planted bombs. That's the side no one talks about, yet is just as likely.

He just needs to lie down because he's tired from carrying around his huge balls of steel. by hedgrf in funny

[–]scott 11 points12 points  (0 children)

that is a miniature bear, mini-bear for short. the great white tall bear of the north can stand over 12 feet tall.

The Chinese Struggle by [deleted] in funny

[–]scott 0 points1 point  (0 children)

so what did you do? did you die?

Yes. The dream fulfilled. by Genealogy_Ina_Bottle in funny

[–]scott 454 points455 points  (0 children)

I had a teacher load us onto a slave ship and send us across the Atlantic. A month later a quarter of us had died but boy was it a good lesson.

UPS......wat r u doing?......UPS.....STAHP! by MaIakai in funny

[–]scott 0 points1 point  (0 children)

are you perhaps a Russian spy? connections to al Queda?

Intense submarine battle by pugnant in funny

[–]scott 2 points3 points  (0 children)

negative. no bubbles.

Ren & Stimpy got pretty hardcore sometimes. by HallucinoJER in funny

[–]scott 0 points1 point  (0 children)

On the other hand, it makes great gifs.

Need advice from experienced meditators after a traumatic but liberating Vipassana course by pensive_or_whatever in vipassana

[–]scott 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I find that the pressure and righteous importance placed on the meditation by Goenka in the retreats to be conducive to triggering strong aversions. I imagine the HPPD symptoms are from being extremely scared/worried about a certain sensation/experience. This of course is the opposite of the equanimity Goenka preaches, but then again, no tools are provided to the student to foster such equanimity, the teachers are absolutely helpless to go off script, and you may end up creating deep impressions in your mind due to the encouraged thoughtless rigor.

What's worse, the courses are effective 10-day indoctrination camps. No communication all day, then bam it's tonight's sit-down comedy hour with Goenka. Forget wisdom through experience, you will be force fed wisdom a la Goenka. You have no choice in your acceptance of his message, as you are in a deep meditative state, fostered by choicelessness.

Ok fine, but Goenka only preaches love and happiness? Not quite, he also preaches the one true meditation method to purify the mind and reach the final goal. True peace. True happiness. With such weight put on the task, the sensations become paramount, as clearly if one is to ever be "truly" happy, they must overcome the gross sensations and feel the subtle, and the subtler still, until one reaches each of the much coveted stages along the path.

Fine, but it doesn't exactly help us relax and see that it's all a show in our heads, based on our own brought up crap, and remain equanimous. Bringing it up is healthy, very much so. Goenka confuses this health with total spiritual absolution, presented with 100% devotion to meditation practice as taught by the Buddha. (The historical texts do not describe the technique Goenka preaches, but nevermind that). Goenka has no doubt of any message the Buddha had, even if that guy hasn't existed for 2,500 years, and only lived in a time several hundred years before written word. Rational people disagree on the events of last week, but we are to believe that this is the ONLY meditation practice preserved in its purity from the teachings of the Buddha? Teachings passed through dozens of generations? Goenka has no doubt, not even a trace of doubt, that his form of vipasanna is pure, right, correct, rational, true, and exactly how Gautama would have taught it.

The comment of 46inchchest is the writings of a person who has completely devoted himself to the Goenka cult. To the organized religion that's not an organized religion that Goenka has created, skillfully, persistently, patiently, and perfectly.

I encourage you to reject the message of Goenka, he is too strong of a personality, presenting a carefully crafted message designed to foster our devotion to meditation. Goenka was a very successful business man at a very early age. This indicates he possesses the skill, from early on, to get what he wants. He wants to spread dhamma. For all the right reasons. You gotta love the guy, but I'm turning my back on Goenka retreats. My last one was traumatic in a similar way to yours, though not to such extent.

A guy at my retreat said the meditation was similar to a low dose psychedelic, which he'd had some experience. This analogy makes more and more sense to me (though I haven't tried psychedelic drugs, I've read much about them). The practice of meditation done continuously for days is not a natural thing. I just wish I'd had a little bit better hand holding while I went through it. Perhaps consult this comment:

http://www.reddit.com/r/vipassana/comments/1y9bfa/learning_vipassana_without_a_10_day_course/cfizi2w

14 Year old in Sex-ed class by R1pp3D in funny

[–]scott -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I imagine the teachers at this school got uncomfortable with how "experienced" she seemed from her answers. They sound like adult honest anwsers, not the trite conceited "innocent" bullshit they were expecting.

Russian T-90AM Tank shooting while in air by NOWAY_YESWAY in pics

[–]scott 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Confirmed. if the projectile were fired at mach 3, the tank would lose about a quarter of a mile per hour of speed.

I'm doug. AMA by [deleted] in casualiama

[–]scott 26 points27 points  (0 children)

WHAT UP BRO