Re: R of S for Dummies
- From: Hayek <hayektt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:14:10 +0100
Uncle Ben wrote:
The Relativity of Simultaneity (RofS) has been
attacked by several quack posters in
science.physics.relativity, so I thought it would be useful to present the simplest possible argument for
it in terms so straightforward that no one of sound
mind can misunderstand it without trying hard to do
so.
The title is right : for dummies.
First : Einstein assumes that observers are hopelessly
naive. They sit like turtles on trains or rockets and
seem constantly to be lost in space and time (and
meaning, Rocky Horror Picture Show)
So lightning strikes the two poles. Me on the train,
having a slight hunch, that because I am moving, the
events as I see them, might not be simultaneous. So I take my cellphone, call the guy in the middle between the poles, and ask him.
Oh right, In Einstein's time they did not have cell
phones. So you go to the machinist, ask him to reverse
the train, to the middle guy, and then ask the middle
guy if the events were simultaneous.
The fact that we are more intelligent than turtles,
makes us able to predict the fact, and correct it.
Without these corrections the GPS satellites would not
work simultaneously, and GPS would not be usable.
Sometimes I think that AE did a little too much of
womanizing. And was afraid that he would meet some
mistresses simultaneously.
Simultaneity is difficult to define, but that does not
mean that we should mystify it for no real reason
whatsoever.
Uwe Hayek.
--
Als ik nu op dit moment geld transfereer [in België]
naar een
andere rekening staat dat een uur later daar gecrediteerd.
-- Boutros Gali, realiteitsdeskundige.
.
- References:
- R of S for Dummies
- From: Uncle Ben
- R of S for Dummies
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