Re: "GEDANKEN" experiments

Walter...

I've heard about, "GI - GO".  I didn't know about CHARIOT OF THE GODS.

Thanks !

Gordy

 

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From: Walter Simbirski <simbirsw@xxxxxxx>
To: Gordon Hill <hillshead@xxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: "GEDANKEN" experiments
Date: Sun, 31 Dec 2006 11:09:13 -0700

Gordy

 

http://jargon.net/jargonfile/g/gedanken.html

 

I don't know if Einstein came up with the term but it certainly applies to his work in relativity

when he came up with the idea that it's impossible to differentiate between being in a gravity

field or an accelerating frame of reference. In his case his experiment was to think about a

person who was in an elevator, wth no windows, that is accelerating through space. The person

inside the elevator has no way of telling if he/she is travelling through space or if they are

still on the surface of the earth.

 

I use the term von Danniken for my thought experiments as a tongue in cheek reference.

Von Danniken is the author of "Chariots of the Gods". Some of the conclusions for my thought

experiments, such as the latest one about casting without rod guides, certainly don't belong in

the same class as a true Gedanken experiment. 

 

We have another term we use in computing science - Garbage In, Garbage Out. This usually

happens when doing a thought experiment with a preconceived notion, such as the idea that

casting without guides would give you a free haul, and ignoring other issues such as

increased line slap/wrap.

 

Cheers

 

Walter

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Gordon Hill

To: simbirsw@xxxxxxx

Sent: Sunday, December 31, 2006 6:06 AM

Subject: "GEDANKEN" experiments

Walter....

As a matter of general interest.

Wasn't it Albert Einstein who came up with a term to explain his deductive reasoning experiments ?  I think the original term was in German, ie. "gedanken" experiments.  Must check that out.

Gordy