In Social Dynamics Actions Often Have Unequal and Unopposite Reactions Fact
In physics things have equal and opposite reactions, but in social dynamics things often have “unequal and unopposite reactions”.
Systems
Systems are sets of interconnected properties, systems have a boundary and outside the boundary is the environment. Systems can be physical or conceptual. Generally systems can be understood with math, models, and rule-sets. We can reduce complex systems to their basic properties and interactions and compare systems to better understand the physical universe.
Factoids tagged with "Systems"
Athens had a Democracy Fact
Classical Athens had a type of Direct Democracy that included direct voting on laws and election by lottery, but participation was limited to adult male citizens who owned land.
Collectives are Comprised of Individuals, and Individuals Comprise Collectives Fact
All collectives are comprised of individuals, and all individuals comprise collectives; thus we can never fully consider collectives without considering individuals, or vice versa.
Politics Can be a Science Fact
Politics can be treated as a science (political science), but it must always seek data that can be confirmed by our senses (empirical evidence).
Liberty and Equality are Mutually Dependent Fact
We present an essay on the purpose of the laws and government to better understand how liberty, rights, equality, and justice are inseparable in nature and in civil society.
There are Different Types of Value and Capital Fact
There are different types of capital, value, commodities, and markets including natural, human, social, manufactured, and financial.
Everything That’s True Can Be Proven Myth
Everything is either true or not true, but not everything that is true can be proven true, and not everything false can be proven false.
A System is a Set of Properties Fact
A system is any “bound”, finite, set of physical and/or conceptual properties (elements) such as physical objects, rules, or space time coordinates.
The Standard Model Shows How Elementary Particles Interact Fact
The standard model of particle physics shows how the elementary particles interact via the four forces to create the physical universe.
Conway’s Game of Life Models Evolution Fact
Conway’s Game of Life is a simple rule-set that models the evolution of systems. It’s a “zero-player” computer program that demonstrates “cellular automata”.
Mushrooms are the Fruiting Bodies of Fungi Fact
All mushrooms are fungi, but not all fungi are mushrooms. Mushrooms are the fruiting body of fungi that typically grow above ground.
All Types of Systems are Generally Comparable Fact
General systems theory shows us there are commonalities between different types of physical and conceptual systems which we can study to better understand complex systems.
Theory, Experiment, and Application Apply to all Arts and Sciences Fact
We can apply the concepts of theory, experimentation, and application to all the arts and sciences. For instance we have theoretical physics, experimental physics, and applied physics.
Music Can Be Understood Through Intervals Fact
Music theory and the basics of playing music (especially on the piano) can be understood through music intervals. All scales, chords, and most songs are based on intervals.
Everything Depends on Frame of Reference Fact
Everything we perceive depends on our frame of reference. What we observe is relative to our point of view. In other words, “it is all a matter of perspective”.
There are Four Fundamental Forces Fact
There are four fundamental forces (interactions) in the universe: gravitational, electromagnetic, strong nuclear, and weak nuclear.
Physics is Different than Metaphysics Fact
Physics is a branch of physical science rooted in math that asks “how does it work?” Metaphysics is a broad branch of philosophy that asks, “What is its true nature?”
There are Best Practices for SEO Fact
Best practices for Search Engine Optimization (SEO) revolve around great content, proper structure, quality links, relevance, and user experience.
Cognitive AI is a Computer Program That Can Think and Learn Fact
Cognitive Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a computer program that can think, learn, and generally mimic human cognition.
E=mc^2 (Mass and Energy are Equivalent) Fact
Einstein’s mass-energy equivalence equation (E=mc2) shows that mass and energy are equivalent (but not “exactly the same”) properties of a physical system.
There are More than 8 Planets in Our Solar System Myth
There are 8 known planets in our solar system, indirect evidence of a 9th as of 2016, 5 major dwarf planets including Pluto, and many smaller dwarf planets.
Resetting Often Fixes Electronics Fact
Toggling the power (resetting / restarting) tends to fix electronic devices (hardware and software). It brings the device back to a “fresh state”. Most electronics are state-based machines.
Everything is Made of “Star Stuff” Fact
As Carl Sagan correctly stated, “we are made from star stuff”. The elements in our body, and everywhere else were transformed by nucleosynthesis in stars.
Our Brains Can Process More than Language Can Express Fact
The speed and complexity of our thoughts exceed our abilities of language and communication, specifically our ability to convey complex ideas.
We Learn Best by Being Taught Myth
The best way to learn isn’t “being taught”, its mixing self-directed learning with the roles of student, peer, and teacher in different social settings.
Humans are Hardwired to be Social Beings Fact
Humans are hardwired to be social beings. We naturally cooperate, care, and compete. From quarks, to cells, to plants, to animals, cooperation is in our DNA.
Money Can Buy Happiness Fact
Money can buy happiness in some ways, and cause unhappiness in others, studies have shown that different types of wealth and income affect happiness and unhappiness in a variety of ways.
Dungeons and Dragons Was the First Game to Feature EXP and Leveling Up Myth
David Arneson invented “the experience points system” and “leveling up” (common features in role playing games) while working on a precursor to Dungeons and Dragons called Blackmoor with Gary Gygax.
The Internet of Things is a Network of “Smart” Objects Fact
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of connecting electronic objects which can collect and exchange data.
Humans Have About 86 Billion Neurons Fact
Studies show the average human has about 86 billion neurons and roughly as many glial cells, however the exact number of neurons and glial cells remains unknown.
Light Can Affect Mood Fact
Exposure to light in moderation, especially natural sunlight, can have an uplifting effect on mood, while excessive darkness can have the opposite effect.
Language is a System of Communication that Uses Symbolism Fact
Language can be thought of as a system of communication that uses symbols to convey deep meaning. Symbols can be words, images, body language, sounds, etc.
Past Outcomes of Random Events Affect Future Outcomes Myth
Past results of random independent events, like a coin flip, don’t affect future results. The mistaken belief that past results affect future results is known as “the Gambler’s Fallacy” (AKA the Fallacy of the Maturity of Chances, or the Monte Carlo Fallacy).
Quantum Computers Aren’t Limited to Binary Fact
Quantum computers, unlike classic computers, aren’t limited to binary bits (which are always 0 or 1), they use qubits (which can be 0 and 1 at the same time).
Cryptography is Writing and Solving Codes Fact
Cryptography is the practice and study of writing and solving codes, or rather, the art of encrypting and decrypting data.
Bitcoin is an Actual Coin Myth
Bitcoin isn’t a literal coin; it’s a list of transactions recorded on a shared digital public ledger called a “block chain”.
The U.S. is Connected By One Power Grid Fact
The U.S. is connected by one power grid consisting of three interconnected grids: the Eastern Grid, the Western Grid, and the Texas (ERCOT) Grid.
Energy is Neither Created or Destroyed Fact
Energy can’t be created or destroyed and neither can mass. Although energy can change forms, all energy in a closed system must remain constant.
America Has Always Had an Income Tax Myth
The first income tax in the U.S. was part of the Revenue Act of 1861, the first permanent income tax was in 1913 as part of the 16th Amendment.
Time is Relative Fact
Time is relative to speed and gravity (time dilation), and so is space (length contraction). Light speed is constant for all observers, so time and space can’t be.
Apple Macs Can’t Get Viruses or Malware Myth
Apple Macintosh computers (Macs) are vulnerable to malware, including viruses, but infection is less common then on Microsoft Windows computers.
A U.S. Submarine Day is 18 hours long, Not 24 Myth
At sea, a typical U.S. submarine day is 18 hours long, not 24. Crews are separated into 3 different watch sections with 6 hours on watch and 12 off.
The Konami Code Ends in Start or Select Start Myth
The “Konami code” (a cheat code first popularized by the NES version of Contra) doesn’t end in start or select start, it’s simply ‘↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → B A’.
There Are More Than 50 States in America Myth
The United States of America consists of 50 states, 1 federal district, 1 incorporated territory, and 15 unincorporated territories.
René Descartes Slept in an Oven Myth
René Descartes didn’t sleep in an oven, but he did invent analytical geometry while sleeping in a room with an oven (likely a masonry heater).
Americans Commonly Stay With the Religion They Were Raised With Myth
While the majority of Americans don’t switch religions, but it is common to switch religions. As many as 42% of U.S. adults have assumed a different religious identity from the one in which they were raised, according to a 2014 Pew Research Center study.
Blog Posts tagged with "Systems"
Analysis and Synthesis Explained
In simple terms, analysis examines a system by dividing a whole into its parts, and synthesis examines a system by combining and comparing parts.
Types of Conflict Theories
We explain Marx’s conflict theory and other conflict theories to show how tension between social, political, material, and other forces manifest.
A System of Categories of Being and Knowledge
We present a system of “logical, epistemological, and ontological categories of being and knowledge” (categories to place all empirical and rational concepts into).
The Basics of a Theory of Knowledge
We present a basic theory of human knowledge to help illustrate some essentials of “what we can know” and “how we can know it.”
Giving Names to Concepts
We discuss “giving names to concepts” (defining terms), identifying with terms, be identified by terms, and the implications of this.
The 2007 – 2009 Financial Crisis Explained
We explain the Financial Crisis / Great Recession of 2007 – 2009 that began with the 2006 housing bubble, led to a recession in the U.S. by December 2007, and became a global crisis by 2009.
The Paradox Principle
In practice, human action often has paradoxical or unintended effects. Sometimes effects or side effects even have the exact opposite effect as intended.
The Caste System Explained
India’s caste system is a class system based on birth. These classes, or “Varnas”, are: Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (ruling and military), Vaishyas (merchants and farmers), Shudras (peasants), Dalits (untouchables).
Naturally Occurring Social Systems
Naturally occurring social systems are systems that naturally arise when societies form, such as politics, economics, mathematics, and language.
Types of Governments
We explain and list the types of governments. We cover the basic classical forms of government, the many types of governments that can be derived from the classical forms, and the actual forms of governments in practice.
Blog Posts tagged with "Systems"
The Philosophy Behind the Types of Governments
The Philosophy of Governments It can be very attractive to have a list of government types, but yet that list may teach a person very little. Here instead is a look at the philosophy behind the government types that create that list. For a simpler list and look, see our page on “the types of . . . read more