The quote is actually from Lord Kelvin, a century or so after Newton: "In physical science the first essential step in the direction of learning any subject is to find principles of numerical reckoning and practicable methods for measuring some quality connected with it. I often say that when you can measure what you are speaking about, and express it in numbers, you know something about it; but when you cannot measure it, when you cannot express it in numbers, your knowledge is of a meagre and unsatisfactory kind; it may be the beginning of knowledge, but you have scarcely in your thoughts advanced to the state of Science, whatever the matter may be." [PLA, vol. 1, "Electrical Units of Measurement", 1883-05-03] Desmond Gayler BEng(Hons) MIET QA Manager - Timeguard Ltd Logo Image This e-mail and any files attached are strictly confidential, may be legally privileged and are intended solely for the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient, note that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the contents of this message and attachments is strictly prohibited. Please notify the sender by return e-mail and delete the e-mail and any attachments immediately. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Timeguard Ltd. Although Timeguard operates automated anti-virus programes, it does not accept responsibility for any damage that is caused by viruses. -----Original Message----- From: EnviroNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of MA/NY DDave Sent: 19 July 2006 07:59 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [EN] Earth's Temperature Is Hottest in Centuries Hi Joe, Chuck, Brian, <Interesting notions. Some sage observed that if you can't express a concept in numbers you can't know all there is to know about it.> Right! I think it was Newton or at least someone in his life time span and Issac gets the credit. It would be fun to create or see the Global Warming equation. I don't even think it has that many elements in it for a first order approximation. <The bill eventually comes due and someone must ultimately pay. Sort of like the deficit spending that we see in government. The problem gets passed forward in time apparently in the hope that something magical (or maybe the presumption of something totally devastating) will happen that causes the ctrl-alt-del key sequence to be hit for a reboot.> deficit spending I understand; although the Japaneese Central Bank having 0% for a long time was a bit confusing. 3.5% long term GDP growth is one objective of USA monetary policy. The Chineese are in for a tumble someday since they are expanding too fast. The Global Warming Bill will be paid, yet most will not know it is being paid. It is just Too dam difficult for most humans to understand this stuff and the politicans get to have fun, and win votes, in the turmoil process. <Nature cannot loose the game, no matter what the outcome. A planet with life or without, nature will persist.> Like Brian, I am hopeful on that point. As we get closer to, or beyond the point in the equation that we need to take real action stuff will get done even by the politicans. Most of life has an operating temperature point with some organisms or plants being able to accomodate extremely wide ranges. Yet not all can accomodate wide ranges, or environments. As a political case in point is my own good old ugly running for president GOP "give them death" boy called Mitt the Romney, Governator, Celebrity of Mass. With a recent Big Dig ceiling collapse that could embarrass him, or that he can use to furthur his career, he all of a sudden knows about epoxy, bolts, cleaning of holes etc. The same thing will happen as Global Warming comes to a REAL, not an Al Gore, important point. Yet as the population expands, and industrialization expands with it we are in for a ride with an expanding numerator, and a diminishing demoninator. Even the Amazon Rain Forest is getting burned. Back when you and I were kids 2.5 Billion people were in the world and only about 200M in the USA, and China was striving for an agrarian culture. Yours in Engineering, Dave YiEngr, MA/NY DDave