Learning Relativity

I have borrowed my friend Jonathan's textbook on general relativity. Jonathan just finished his master's in Physics, and I am anxious to understand this most critical of physical theories. I got started in this because I've been reading "The Trouble with Physics" by Lee Smolin, which describes some of the conflicts between particle and cosmological physics, and their current unresolved state.

Now I know this definitely makes me a nerd, but I am already loving it. It's really so elegantly simple when you understand two basic facts: the principle of relativity, which basically says that there is no way to determine absolute velocity through observation, and the fact that observed speed of light never changes, no matter what speed you're traveling. This is the hardest part of relatively, I think, since it's definitely counterintuitive. I mean, we all know that if we ride a train, cars look like their moving only a little faster than us: like ten to 15 miles an hour. But if we're stopped, we observe them moving at the same speed as the speedometer, i.e. 50 miles/hour. But with light, it does work that way. If we travel in the same direction as a light wave, we still observe it moving at 186,000 miles/second, even if we're going 100,000 miles/second. That's flipping weird, but its been experimentally confirmed more completely than almost any other prediction in science.

Once you know those two things, you don't even need calculus, just a graph, some algebra, and maybe a Einstein or two of brainpower (at least to discover the connection between the two principles). Once you know the connection exists, any math or physics major could probably special relativity given some time and creativity (maybe I'm being generous here, but still, it's so elemental).

Maybe there's a physics major or two out there who appreciate this. If there's not, go ahead and laugh. But now that I have officially established myself as a nerd of the first class, I'm off to the text book. Yippee!

Spiderman 3

Went to see Spiderman 3 on Saturday night, and I have to say, I definitely thought it was well worth the wait. Many of the critics didnt give it sky-high reviews, but I thought it was almost as good as the second one. In some ways, it was better. It had a more gritty, real-life feel to it (if possible for a superhero movie), and i thought the actors' performances in it were just awesome, definitely the best of the three movies. It succeeded in feeling completely different from both the movies before it, while at the same time carrying much of the history.

I do think that the critics were right, that it was too long. The were times in the middle of the movie where it felt a little plodding, a couple more scenes that could have been cut. I heard that Sam Raimi was really scrambling to get it cut on time, and so i think he coulda used another week or two to get it just perfect. As it is, I'd give it 3.5 stars.

Don't know if they'll make another one, but these movies definitely rank as the best superhero movies of all time, and one of the best trilogies, up there with Star Wars (the old ones) and LOTR.

Oh, and by the way, if you haven't experienced a blockbuster movie in an IMAX, you havent experienced it at all. period.

-James

Why Tea is Better

(Warning: The following is totally off the cuff, no offense is intended)

Everybody in the world, it seems, drinks coffee. Even my wife. I used to drink it, but now sparingly. I used to think coffee was great, that it was cool, that it somehow tasted good.

Then, a few years ago, i had a formal introduction to hot tea. And now, here's my definitive list of why tea beats coffee in every category.

1. Variety: tea can come in an infinite number of flavors, each as unique as the next. There are herbal teas, green teas, red teas, black teas, white teas, fruit teas, etc. No matter who you are, there's a flavor for you

2. Flavor: Simply put, tea tastes good. And it leaves no nasty aftertaste. No bad breath.

3. Teeth stain: Some teas can stain your teeth. But not like coffee. So nasty

4. Caffeine: Most tea has 1/4 to 1/3 the caffeine of coffee. I am sorry, but if you rely on coffee to get you through your day, you're not getting enough sleep and playing hell with your body. You need to take time to relax and rethink life. It's true, tea drinkers are happier people; they've got their priorities straight. And if you need to write that occasional all night paper, drink a soda. Your breath will be better at 4 am (marginally) , and soda tastes better anyway.

5. Health: Many teas, especially, green, white, and red, have powerful anti-oxidants and many other vitamins & minerals that can prevent cancer and promote a long, healthy life. Coffee, well, it's not really that bad for you, but not that great either. Some types of brews have been linked to prostate cancer. Besides, that goes back to number 4.

In short, coffee sucks
tea rocks.

My recommendations

Madagascar Red Vanilla: This Celestial Seasoning brand is made from an african seed and is the best tea of all, in my opinion.

White with honeysuckle or pear: many different brands make white tea, but pick one with one of these light sweetening flavors. It's great in the morning.

Mango Black: a great tropical classic, for those summer days and evenings.

- James