Seeing Stars
2008 Understatement of the Year Finalist
Stephen Hawking, “A Briefer History of Time”, p.106:
“The first indication that the laws of physics might really allow people to travel backward in time came in 1949 when Kurt Gödel discovered a new solution to Einstein’s equations; that is, a new space-time allowed by the theory of general relativity. Many different mathematical models of the universe satisfy Einstein’s equations, but that doesn’t mean they correspond to the universe we live in. They differ, for instance, in their initial or boundary conditions.
Gödel’s space-time had the curious property that the whole universe was rotating. To rotate means to turn around and around, but doesn’t that imply the existence of a stationary point of reference? So you might ask, ‘Rotating with respect to what?’
The answer is a bit technical…”
Thanks for the heads-up, Stever.
August 25th, 2008 at 6:34 pm e
This is clearly begging for a contest.
Fill in the blank - “The universe rotates with respect to ________.”
My vote? “1208 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, FL.”
August 26th, 2008 at 9:19 am e
I’m not sure how I should feel about the fact that I recognized that address instantly, but I couldn’t tell you my brother’s address - three blocks from my own, mind you - to save my life. I think you’re on to something.
August 26th, 2008 at 9:48 am e
I can even tell you that to get to the above address, you need to take the Armenia Ave exit from the expressway. Meanwhile, my brother lives. . .um. . .somewhere in Orlando.
August 26th, 2008 at 11:46 am e
See, who says science is hard?