Stringing Through Multi-universes

I'm no scientist. I do hold a B.S. in Mechanical Technology - Manufacturing Systems. It's kind of misleading. The majority of my course work was in mechanical engineering. I switched because it allowed me to graduate faster. I needed to get done with school and start earning a living.

My educational background has: physics III, calculus III, differential and partial differential equations and several mechanical engineering classes like statics, dynamics, thermodynamics, mechanical design, hydrodynamics and basic electronics.

I point out my educational background as a basis to my views in science.

Now to my real topic.

Physics breaks down into two theories: Newtonian or classical and quantum. Newtonian physics deals with molecules all the way up to large bodies in the cosmos. Common equations like force = mass * acceleration and measurements like pressure all fall under Newtonian physics. At the subatomic level, Newtonian physics breaks down and quantum physics takes over.

A big quest for physicist and science in general is to establish a theory that ties the two together.

One theory that tries is called M-theory. M-theory supposes that there are eleven dimensions. Four dimensions are the ones we can measure. Length, width, height and time. The other seven constantly oscillate. You cannot see, touch, feel or hear these new dimensions.

Then there is the theory of the multi-universes. This theory posits that several universes exist and each has its own unique set of laws of physics. Only those that can stabilize, like our own, can continue to exist. This Darwinian approach states that other universes that cannot stabilize fail to succeed.

I'll never forget what a physics professor at the University of Houston once told the class. He said physics is full of fudge factors. For example, everyone knows Einstein's equation of E=mc². E equals energy, m equals mass and c equals a constant. He explained that such constants usually mean scientists can't really figure out the bridge that ties the equation together neatly so they need to find a number that does it.

I'm not sure how right or wrong my professor was. When I see things science resorting to string theory and multiple universes I believe they may be fudge factors. Scientists are married to the idea of a one theory meets applies to all and might be grasping at straws. Instead of examining and modifying existing theories, they look for ways to wrap them up neatly in one package. Scientifically there might not be a way to test these theories. If scientists can't see other dimensions how do we know they really do exists. The same thing applies to multiple universes. How can alternate universes be observed in order to put the theory to test?

The multiple universe theory reminds of the DC Comics multiverses.

Fortunately there are scientists exploring alternate theories. Some are viewed as heretics while others are gaining support or at least getting some to question current practices.

Science is a constant quest for knowledge. Instead of trying to come up with more dimensions and universes, scientists need to examine what is in front of us and explore the visible and observable. I think one day a brilliant physicist, mathematician, philosopher or someone will make a drastic break through that will turn current ideas upside down.

Stringing

Stringing

Unkle Monkee's Product Reviews

A new Unkle Monkee feature - product reviews. I don't often buy stuff but when I do I'd like to offer my take on how good, bad or horrible it is.

I have three products to review today.

The first is the Diamond TVW USB650. The USB650 is a tuner for watching a TV signal through you computer. I ended up returning the product. Why? The software that came with it appears not set up for Windows 7. I couldn't get the software to ever get a signal on my desktop. I did on the laptop which runs on Vista. I uninstalled the software and tried again. This time it hung up and would never reinstall. I tried several times but the process never completed. I went to Diamond's website to look for solutions or driver updated for Windows 7. None were available. An online form to register and ask for technical assistance is available. I registered my product and sent them an email about my issue. That was a week ago. I never heard back from them. I really had no choice but to return the tuner.

The second product is InvisibleShield protector for my cell phone. My opinion is that it's complete garbage. First the package appears deceptive to me. I thought I was buying a protective case and I read the packaging over several times before buying. When I get home and open it, I discover that InvisibleShield is nothing but peal away stickers to cover my phone. I have no idea how many stickers it had but it was several for various parts of my phone. I thought I might as well give it a try. The first part was just for the display face. I carefully tried to put the sticker on. It stuck immediately and bubbled up. I tried to peal it back and smooth it out. To late. It stayed bubbled and then it stuck to itself when I tried again. I returned the remaining stickers to Best Buy. Stay away from InvisibleShield.

Finally, a positive review on the Wisecomm 2.4 GHz Wireless Security Camera. I have no clue why I bought it except that it seemed like a good idea at the time. I initially bought it to hook it up to the computer via the USB650. Since the 650 was a drastic failure, I hooked it up to the TV. It works fine. Just plug it into the TV, set what channel you want it on and you can be a voyeur. For whatever reason you want it for, I give it Unkle Monkee's Official Seal of a Banana.

Home Grown Terrorists

Many worry about the issue of home grown terrorists in the United States. The Jihad Jane brings the issue to the forefront again.

The media and others jump and holler that domestic terrorism will infect the nation or poses the greatest threat to American soil.

While they are right to some degree, I can't help but remind them that homegrown terrorism runs deep in the fabric of American society. The threat from Islamic terrorists may be newest threat but certainly not the first.

The attacks of Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols still sear my brain. Up to the Sept. 11th attacks, those two perpetrated the largest terrorist attack on American soil.

Ted Kaczinski aka the Unabomber also comes to mind. He carried out 18 attacks from 1978 to 1994 that took three lives and injured several people.

Before there were other were domestic terrorism groups like the Ku Klux Klan. They only intimidates, lynched and burned crosses and houses of blacks.

To a smaller degree the Symbionese Liberation Army qualifies as a domestic terrorist group.

Up in the woods and hills there are many Neo-Nazis or anti-government types running camps to dislodge the U.S. Government.

My point is that there will still be homegrown terrorist talent and we must be vigilant against it. Yes, Al-Qaida and radical Muslims want to attack the United States. We must continue to monitor those groups. However, remember that domestic attacks by the homegrown people aren't limited to Islamofacists. If you the historical data on U.S. soil attacks, Al-Qaida pulled of the largest more complex operation but there are still some homegrown plots brewing. Historically those attacks have been by American's own and haven't been religious based.

Customer Service Is Dead

I know customer service has been dead for a long time. Business small and large view the customer as a source of income and not a resource. They just want you in the door, make a sale and out the door. Most businesses do little encourage customers to return or spread word of mouth.

Years ago I worked for a chain restaurant as a waiter. Back then the philosophy was treat the customer well. They want repeat business and the customer to enjoy the dining experience. On top of that, they knew word of mouth could not only help but hurt business too. I can't remember the exact numbers but they did surveys and found that bad word of mouth is a multiple times worth of damage versus good word of mouth. In other words, don't piss the customer off because not only do you lose repeat business but chances are he will tell his friends and they won't come either. Smart thinking in my book. Not sure it really worked that way but it was a good assumption to work under.

So why my sudden focus on customer service? Simple. Two days and three bad experiences and another one a week ago.

AT&T Wireless Headaches
We all know about the Stalinesque tactics of cell phone companies. Iron clad two year contracts with high early termination fees or Mafia like fees to change the a clause and it will cost a two year extension.

The phone I have is an LG-Vu. I wasn't in my right mind when I bought it. I was helping out a friend by putting her on my account and it was a phone they offered. It's total garbage.

I went in December to remover her from the account and see my upgrade options. AT&T happily removed her from the account for $120 and blew me off on the upgrade. The customer service dork said I can't upgrade until March or there about.

The phone is garbage. I live in the middle of Houston. A few miles from downtown. I get full bars on my signal indicator. I have a hard time sending texts or talking on the phone. I have to stand outside on my patio or in a certain corner to get service.

I figure they could do something for me. I went to one store. He took one look at my account and offered me an iPhone for full price. I said no thanks, told him never mind and walked out the door. I went to a second store. The rep there offered me any phone I wanted for full price plus a $75 upgrade fee. I told him that was bullshit and walked out.

I call customer service and she just wants to trouble shoot my phone. I hung up. I called back and she told me to look online because there are deals there that are better than the store or phone. I looked. Nothing.

I decided enough was enough. I'm changing phone services. I looked up another service and decided to change. I call AT&T one more time to inquire about the early termination fee. The service rep asked me if she couldn't resolve my problem would I terminate. I said I don't know I'm just weighing my options. I explained to her what all happened.

This is what she did. In a heartbeat she sold me a $350 phone for $29...that's twenty nine dollars. And she didn't charge me an upgrade fee either. Just a two year extension of my current contract. Hell she even threw in free shipping for good measure. My grand total for an upgrade was $29 plus taxes and two hours of hitting my head against the wall.

I stayed with AT&T not because I'm happy with the service. I'm not. I stayed because someone finally pulled their ears and their head popped out of the companies ass long enough to make me a deal and used some actual customer service to keep me.

I have more complaints but maybe next time...I'll just say I hate the whole store concept of Ikea.

It Was Good By Us But Not By Them

No matter which way you cut it, the War on Terrorism is also a political game.

For those with short memory, under President George W. Bush, the goal was to hunt down and kill or capture terrorists. Bush took on the "you're either for us or against us." A simplistic black and white look at the world. So no one shed any tears when missiles and attack drones started taking out terrorists. Nor when soldiers on the ground killed insurgents and fighters bombed hold outs.

Now that a different administration is in power from a different party, all of a sudden killing terrorist might not be such a good idea. Funny thing is it's the party that's out of power that is making the claim. Some backers of Bush and Republicans are claiming killing terrorists is a bad idea.

They point out that intelligence and information may be gained by capturing and interrogating terrorists.

I concede that point. What I don't concede is the way they cry about it. It was never much of a policy toward the end of the Bush Regime to capture terrorists. The main goal is to get them before they get us. Now that it's President Barack Obama's turn and he's killing terrorists, they change their tune.

The article "U.S. emphasizes targeted killings over captures"gives an idea of what I'm talking about.