philosophy and religion: October 2007 Archives

A delightfully geeky article on the calculus involved in determining the right time to say "I Love You:"

The Engineer, delightful and rational fellow that he is, made it clear that he would not be saying “I love you” until he was sure. Otherwise, he might waste this very important statement by saying it too early in the relationship, when his love was still growing rapidly, thereby taking away the significance in later weeks/months when his love was much, much greater.

Judy, obviously disappointed by this response, pressed and asked WHEN exactly that would be. His response: when dLove/dt = zero.

The article goes on to analyse his statement in humour akin to the brilliant XKCD. Thanks for the link, Clarke.

An animated map showing religious conflict over the last 5000 years.

I found the natural and more artificial means of growth of the different religions interesting.