The rhetoric of the other side: Ecosocialism or Barbarism | 62 comments (62 topical, editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: Ecosocialism (none / 0)

Interesting collection of metaphors - I'm not sure I can make use of it.

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Wed May 7th, 2008 at 01:42:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Ecosocialism (none / 1)

They are not metaphors, they are examples of of systems that tend to homeostasis. Admittedly it is not a mainstream view to consider boys meeting girls as tending to homeostasis. But a supply and demand system surely does. And when a cannonball falls to earth, is that not tending to homeostasis?

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Wed May 7th, 2008 at 02:17:33 PM EST
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Re: Ecosocialism (none / 1)

Surely the cannonball isn't an example of homeostasis, as it isn't trying to bring its internal systems to balance? Falling to ground and ending up in a steady state is unconnected.

Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out.

by ceebs (ceebs (at) eurotrib (dot) com) on Wed May 7th, 2008 at 02:21:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Systems, not discrete objects (none / 0)

It's not just the cannonball, of course. You have to think of the whole system - incuding gravitation. The cannonball's 'internal' systems are unconnected yes, but you are looking at the discrete object, not the system as a whole.

Can supply exist without demand?

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Wed May 7th, 2008 at 02:35:50 PM EST
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Re: Systems, not discrete objects (none / 0)

Well, in your gravitational analogy you're wrong. (Classical) gravitational can convert an infinite amount of gravitational energy into kinetic energy and so have a negative heat capacity which makes them unstable.

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Wed May 7th, 2008 at 04:49:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Systems, not discrete objects (none / 1)

So kissing, for you, is basically a delivery system for mononucleosis?

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Thu May 8th, 2008 at 09:50:41 AM EST
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Re: Systems, not discrete objects (none / 1)

Herpes simplex too.

Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out.

by ceebs (ceebs (at) eurotrib (dot) com) on Thu May 8th, 2008 at 10:19:49 AM EST
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Re: Systems, not discrete objects (none / 0)

Non-sequitur alert!

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Thu May 8th, 2008 at 10:27:40 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Systems, not discrete objects (none / 1)

See the forest, not just the trees,
Expand your mind. Let your thoughts drift.
You know it makes sense...

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Thu May 8th, 2008 at 10:54:43 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Systems, not discrete objects (none / 1)

Is it not a saying in science that 'You never understand a new theory, you just get used to it' ;-)

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Thu May 8th, 2008 at 02:26:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]