For decades, physicists, who view window glass at the molecular level, have pondered the question of whether or not glass is a solid or merely an extremely slow-moving liquid. An Emory University research team led by physicist Eric Weeks has yielded another clue in the glass puzzle, demonstrating that, unlike liquids, glasses aren’t comfortable in confined spaces.
Scientists fully understand the process of water turning to ice. As the temperature cools, the movement of the water molecules slows. At 32 F, the molecules form crystal lattices, solidifying into ice. In contrast, the molecules of glasses do not crystallize. The movement of the glass molecules slows as temperature cools, but they never lock into crystal patterns. Instead, they jumble up and gradually become glassier, or more viscous. No one understands exactly why.
Previous research has shown groups of particles in dense suspensions move cooperatively. “Our work suggests glasses are solid-like because these groups can’t move when the sample chamber is thinner than the typical size of these groups,” Weeks says.
Yes, my first thought was of Bob Shaw’s short story classic, “Light of Other Days” – about slow glass.
#55 – I’ll tell you what: If you stop lumping me in with Dumbya and Ted Haggard and Jerry Falwell and the Pope, I won’t lump you in with Stalin and Mao.
Comment by Mister Mustard — 8/15/2007 @ 5:58 am
Well, a careful study of history raises doubt that Stalin actually was an an atheist. It seems the former seminary student may have rediscovered his religion later in his life, although there is no doubt that he was heavily influenced by Darwin (who was not an atheist) and considered Origin of Species to be proof against God (which is faulty logic for sure).
Mao, it seems, was certainly an atheist, but unlike most atheists, turns out he was also an asshole.
>>but unlike most atheists, turns out he was also an asshole.
That remains to be proven, OFTLO.
As to Stalin, he may (if you say so) have rediscovered his religion later in life. However, the slaughter of believers took place during the period of his regime (as with his fellow Atheist Pol Pot), during the time of his most fervent belief in Atheism.
#64 – Once again, you twist reality to fit the definition you created of whole cloth. I know this helps you sleep at night, so I’ll just let you believe whatever you want…
But when I saw later in life, in mean during WWII… not after.
Most of Stalin’s mass killing occurred after the war. But it surely doesn’t rival Hitler’s killing, and he was a Catholic.
But the huge mistake you purposely make over and over is assuming the killings committed by these dictators had something to do with being atheists. That had nothing to do with it. These are the petty thug actions of all dictators… They kill their political enemies regardless of religion. They would kill if they were Christian (as as has happened far more often in history, and still does), Islamic (which is happening now as well), or whatever…
The rule of law and a non-secular state has subdues the murderous intent of Christianity by and large in the world, although there is no doubt that genocide has been committed by Christians in the name of God… while the far fewer examples of genocide at the hands of the few atheists ever to rule were done in the name of a political movement and not a religion or atheism.
Again… sorry about the splash damage.
In the future, don’t stand so close to the thumpers and you won’t get hit. Atheists don’t care what you believe. We care what fundies try to legislate. With us, it just plain isn’t about religion.
>>Atheists don’t care what you believe.
Your actions speak otherwise.
>>With us, it just plain isn’t about religion.
Of course it is. It’s just that it has to be YOUR religion.
Let’s cut the crap here, OFTLO. Most people who call themselve “Atheists” are every bit the anti-bible thumping, xenophobic, intolerant, hateful, closed-minded, ignorant fuckheads that they accuse “the other side” of being. Sometimes worse.
Prove me wrong. Leave me alone and let me revel in my beliefs, misguided, mistaken, ignorant, silly, and antithetical to your religion as you may consider them to be.
Thanks in advance.
#67 – You know what Mustard… I’ve never bothered you…
You are wrong and that’s all there is to it. You brought this on yourself, so fuck right off with your plea to be left alone. Keep your shit in the home or the church and we’ll all live happily together.
Try to inject your stupid superstition in public policy, and the gloves come back off.
>>and the gloves come back off.
Keep the gloves off, fuck nut. Don’t think I’m going to go easy on you because you’re crying in your unholy water.
…but I’m supposed to go easy on YOU when you tippytoe around bulletproof refutations of your “atheist religion” crapola. Riiiiight.
You’re free to answer any time, you know…
All scientific evidence that has ever existed comprehensively and thoroughly explains “God” as a ficticious creation of prescientific humans. Zero evidence suggests otherwise.
T or F?
I won’t hold my breath; you avoid facts like they were radioactive.
>>All scientific evidence that has ever existed comprehensively
>>and thoroughly explains “God” as a ficticious creation of
>>prescientific humans.
Links? Or more bullshit? You report. I’ll decide.
If you can show me a particle of evidence that supports any other theory, I’d sure like to see it. I’ll even bring my own electron microscope… 🙂
Mustard… what a fucking crybaby you are…
…are you really going to type here and expect me to believe that Christians are some sort of poor pick-on minority, subject to the persecution of the mean old atheists?
You started this fight and now you are getting pissy because its come to your door. I don’t understand why practicing Xians have to be such uptight twits, but as I said, keep your religion out of our laws, and you will be free of our scorn.
In other words… THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!
You got Holly water???
REALLY….???
HOw in the world did you make the holes??
ECA, Fusion’s bad puns are starting to rub off on you…
60. OhForTheLoveOf : “You realize it was a joke… right?”
Which part? The part about fried chicken, XBox, Bush, or you moving to France? ; )
>>Links? Or more bullshit? You report. I’ll decide.
Har. I win.
“Har. I win.”
Sure you do.