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Hate to be that guy when it comes to being pedantic about headlines, but wouldn't a `quantum leap` in accuracy be rather un-noteworthy?

by thearn4 13y ago

derefr 13y ago
Or it could mean, in this case, a leap in what is considered to the smallest discernible difference (the quantum) of the measurement. ;)
prateekj 13y ago
Quantum leap refers to a sudden increase in something. Given that this clock is 50% more precise than the previous record holder, I think it qualifies to be called a 'quantum leap'. So even if you are pedantic about headlines, it should still make sense. Don't you think so?
- sczkid 13y ago
  This might clarify what he meant: http://www.smbc-comics.com/?id=2628 http://www.smbc-comics.com/?id=2628
musicaldope 13y ago
You'll never walk alone down the road of headline-aimed pedantry, friend
Oculus 13y ago
I can here to make that exact comment. It always irks me that a lot of people don't realize 'quantum' == 'small'.
- bmm6o 13y ago
  It depends heavily on the exact usage: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/quantum?s=t http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/quantum?s=t The salient feature here is that quanta are discrete and a transition from one to another is a jump rather than a smooth or continuous shift.
- sabbatic13 13y ago
  It's a Latin noun, derived from an adjective, that literally means "a something of some size." That's it. The first meaning in English is "some quantity." Uses which denote or connote 'large' or 'small' are secondary extensions which depend on context. "Quantum leap" connotes an unpredictability in the magnitude of the change in common usage. Over time, the understanding has drifted a bit to include, usually, the idea of significant magnitude.
ghayes 13y ago
Not to be that guy, but Merriam-Webster is pretty clear on the definition: `a sudden large change, development, or improvement`[1] http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quantum%20leap http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quantum%20leap
dmd 13y ago
You (and everyone else who is commented in reply to you so far) didn't read the article. In this particular case it is a perfect use of the phrase, as the advance in accuracy is based on measurements of the atomic electron transitions, also known as quantum leaps.

Hate to be that guy when it comes to being pedantic about headlines, but wouldn't a `quantum leap` in accuracy be rather un-noteworthy?

by thearn4 13y ago

Hate to be that guy when it comes to being pedantic about headlines, but wouldn't a `quantum leap` in accuracy be rather un-noteworthy?

derefr 13y ago

Or it could mean, in this case, a leap in what is considered to the smallest discernible difference (the quantum) of the measurement. ;)

prateekj 13y ago

Quantum leap refers to a sudden increase in something. Given that this clock is 50% more precise than the previous record holder, I think it qualifies to be called a 'quantum leap'. So even if you are pedantic about headlines, it should still make sense. Don't you think so?

sczkid 13y ago
This might clarify what he meant: http://www.smbc-comics.com/?id=2628 http://www.smbc-comics.com/?id=2628

musicaldope 13y ago

You'll never walk alone down the road of headline-aimed pedantry, friend

Oculus 13y ago

I can here to make that exact comment. It always irks me that a lot of people don't realize 'quantum' == 'small'.

bmm6o 13y ago
It depends heavily on the exact usage: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/quantum?s=t http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/quantum?s=t The salient feature here is that quanta are discrete and a transition from one to another is a jump rather than a smooth or continuous shift.
sabbatic13 13y ago
It's a Latin noun, derived from an adjective, that literally means "a something of some size." That's it. The first meaning in English is "some quantity." Uses which denote or connote 'large' or 'small' are secondary extensions which depend on context. "Quantum leap" connotes an unpredictability in the magnitude of the change in common usage. Over time, the understanding has drifted a bit to include, usually, the idea of significant magnitude.

ghayes 13y ago

Not to be that guy, but Merriam-Webster is pretty clear on the definition: `a sudden large change, development, or improvement`[1] http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quantum%20leap http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quantum%20leap

dmd 13y ago

You (and everyone else who is commented in reply to you so far) didn't read the article. In this particular case it is a perfect use of the phrase, as the advance in accuracy is based on measurements of the atomic electron transitions, also known as quantum leaps.