3 ms·
an electron is not a thing, it is something that happens under the right conditions. just like everything else.
by MarkPNeyer 15y ago
an electron is not a thing, it is something that happens under the right conditions. just like everything else.
- _delirium 15y agoNow that's getting to be a more metaphysical than physical question. =] Primacy of events over objects is a possible metaphysical position, but I'm not sure it's the right one...
- MarkPNeyer 15y agoan object is seen as being distinct and different from other objects, with its own unique history. the best physical understanding of the universe that we have at the present moment says that all properties of all objects are entirely dependent on ... all properties of all objects. so the idea that an object is distinct doesn't make sense. consider: how large is an atom? quantum mechanics tells us that the wave functions of the atom's constituent particles extend throughout the entire universe, which means that every atom is the size of the entire universe. additionally, our understanding of the nervous system tells us that the only information we get about the world comes from the firing of all of our nerve cells - discrete events that happen or do not happen. because our understanding of reality is nothing more than than a lossy compression of all sensations humans have ever experienced, if you see reality as being the sum total of all human experience, it's fair to say that it's a stream of events, in which our minds are going for a swim.
- powertower 15y agohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cogito_ergo_sum http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cogito_ergo_sum We create the whole of our reality (the sum of our existance).
- siphr 15y agoBy that definition everything is nothing. Matter holds states in variable conditions. Bricks are in a state to allow houses to be built. Everything is nothing. It's all states on a timeline. :)
- MarkPNeyer 15y agonow you're getting it ;)
- Dylan16807 15y agoI don't see much use in redefining the word 'thing' into oblivion. An electron is a thing. Start with that to build your definition. If you think 'thing' has strange and wondrous properties then get to that separately.
- ldh 15y agoI think it's telling that the final sentence uses a word which contradicts his intent (emphasis mine): an electron is not a thing, it is something that happens under the right conditions. just like every_thing_ else.
- deleted 15y ago[deleted]