Random Thought #124

Isomorphism. That's that new word I learned this week. Actually, I've been noticing new concepts in books and articles I read that explain habits I have which I was aware of but didn't really know that there was a word or concept for it. Let me provide an example. Let's define isomorphism. Isomorphism is basically being able to represent something in two different ways without changing the content via some form of mapping axiom. For example, abc and 123. These say the exact same thing assuming you have a mapping in place that says a=1, b=2, and c=3. I've basically said the same thing but two different ways. How does this relate to a habit of mine? Well without really knowing it, whenever I'm driving, I look at people's license plates as I go by them or pull up behind them. Most traditional license plates have a grouping of 3 numbers or letters followed by another grouping of 3 numbers or letters. I would simply compare the first grouping to the second grouping by developing some sort of mapping axiom. It was a fun game to play. Since that time, license plates have gotten a little more complicated. The first grouping could have a combination of letters and numbers as could the second grouping. I've even seen some license plates that have a grouping of 3 and a grouping of 4, both mixing letters and numbers and so I start trying to solve algebraic equations. For example, if I setup a certain mapping axiom such that letters have certain numerical volumes, what would the extra letter have to be in the grouping of 4 to make both sides equal. Its how I'm able to remember a multitide of license plates so well. That actually brings me to another point. Isomorphism is how we assign meaning to things. We take a known formal system (alphabet or whole number system) and try to take an unfamiliar system or pattern and map it to our known system. When we are able to do this, we make that unfamiliar system familiar to us via the linkage of the developed mapping axiom. Its quite amazing and a core fundamental of how we solve problems and recognize patterns, which partially leads to intelligence. Anyways, I know it may seem weird but I found it quite fascinating and hope you at least learned a little something too

Random Thought #123

Have you ever sat in a library or bookstore quietly reading to yourself? If you're not reading aloud, how do you know what's going on? Where are the words coming from? Have you ever taken the time to consciously listen to the voice in your head? Yeah, its actually there. Try it. The next time you're in a quiet place, try reading something quietly to yourself and listen for the voice that you "hear" reading the words aloud so that you can experience the story. It kind of caught me by surprise but I stopped and started trying to listen to the voice to see if I could make out what the voice sounded like. Was it my voice? I know I could control it because I would just stop reading and the voice went away so whether it was my voice or not, I'm not sure, but I was in control of it. It kind of relates to my thought on dreams and what goes on in dreams. Its like there is this internal "me" world that I only tap into occasionally but its definitely there. Weird.

Random Thought #122

I saw a cleaning truck today that had the catch phrase "Clean as a whistle". I thought about that phrase. How could that possibly have come into being? A whistle has got to be one of the dirtiest things in the world. Any guesses as to the dirtiest place on the human body? You may have some interesting guesses, but the answer is the mouth. That isn't just metaphorical either. It really is the dirtiest place on your body. That being said, how can something that is stuck in someone's mouth and had spit and saliva blown threw it multiple times be thought of as clean? Anyways, if anyone knows where this saying comes from, I'd be interested to know. Please comment and let me know if you find out. It intrigues me.

Random Thought #121

Have you ever wondered how babies dream? Do they speak baby language in those dreams? Does everyone speak the same language? Are the characters all 2 feet tall and wear diapers? What kinds of things happen? I think it would be quite interesting to crash a baby's dream. Also kind of makes you wonder how people who speak a different language dream. I bet they dream in their own language and the characters look different. Makes you wonder what dreams are made of. I also found a funny comic that expresses how we seem to take the concept of dreaming in stride despite its awkwardness. Since I've been told I should include a picture of two, I hope you enjoy this one.

Random Thought # 120

Have you ever wondered why your hands and feet get all wrinkly when you leave them in water too long? Well I was caught wondering that the other day so I deceided to check it out. Apparently the outer layer of your skin (epidermis) and yes, your skin has multiple layers, is filled with dead keratin. That's the same stuff as what your fingernails and toenails are made of. This outer layer is also covered by an oily substance called sebum which is what leaves fingerprints. Sebum is hydrophobic (doesn't like water) so it helps keep water from getting in all the time. Well, after awhile of soaking, the sebum washes off and underneath is this keratin. Well despite being "dead", keratin is quite hydrophilic. (it likes water). As you soak in the water, the keratin is having a field day filling up on all the water it can causing that outer layer of skin to enlarge and bulge out causing rolls in your skin. You may ask, why would you blow up all over? Why does it bulge? Well the epidermis is tied down to the under layer (the dermis) at certain spots, and so where its not tied down, it bulges out causing wrinkles. After you get out, two things happen, you feel like your skin is dry (cause you got no sebum) and you start to deflate. The water is evaporating and you are shrinking back down. That's why a lot of people apply lotion after a bath or shower, because they feel dry. Eventually your body produces more sebum and you're back to normal. Cool huh? Oh, by the way, that's also why your nails are so soft after soaking. The keratin in there absorbed water too. Just thought you'd like to know :)

Random Thought #119

This is quite an interesting video and although I think some of the questions and assumptions are a bit of a stretch, he does bring up a number of interesting points http://www.ted.com/talks/john_lloyd_an_animated_tour_of_the_invisible.html