The first theory is that the universe consists of, not energy and matter, but energy and space.  The theory is that energy warps space, and the greater the energy at one location, the more it warps space.  Eventually the space warps enough to wrap around on itself, creating “matter”.  As more and more matter converges, space warps in another dimension, creating gravity, and eventually a black hole. Once the black hole gains enough mass, space “rips” apart and separates.  This split allows the new space to expand in a big bang, creating a new and separate universe that is a subset of the original.  While this article does not directly address this theory is does lend credence to the “living inside a black hole”.
http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-07/we-might-be-living-black-hole-scientist-says

The second theory, which I have briefly addressed in this blog is that of instantaneous time.  Essentially time is happening all at once, and we simply perceive it as linear.  In addition, our observation actually sets the events, meaning future actions can affect the past. I had started to write a short story not long ago that addresses this issue.  Below is the beginning.

I’m not sure how to explain this to you, the reader. The concepts are difficult to explain for those who are not aware. You have been in a bubble, a shadow of existence, and do not see what could have or will be. We see the, have beens, and will haves. We see the choices made, a thousand times over and pick and choose those which bring us into being. We shape that has come before us and those that are yet to come, and each one has a plan.

I will try to start at the “beginning”, though these terms: before, after, now, then, have little meaning, other than to make it easier to understand. I will do my best to portray this in linear terms you might understand.

Something you must know. Time is not as you perceive it. Time is in constant flux, as is the very universe. Quantum physics states that there are infinite universes that are made by our infinite choices. This is not quite true. There are a subset of infinite possibilities that produce sentient beings. These are the only realities that can become, since it is the conscious decision that roots the choices, and thus the quantum universe. Each choice affects not only the present and future, but the past as well. Time, is instantaneous. We set the path of all events by making our decision to do so. Each decision affects every other decision, causing the sum total of existence to solidify. But existence is not stationary. It is a moving target, affected by those who can perceive the very nature of it. And in order to perceive the nature, one usually makes decisions affecting the past to assure that they are able to perceive it in the present.

As I stated, this is very difficult to explain in a linear fashion, or to those who do not perceive. However, I am not alone. The universe fluxes and wanes as perception alters reality by participants. Some seek to recreate the universe in their image or design. Others seek to wipe it out, so the madness will stop. I am one of many who seek something else, but we will get to that later.

http://www.robertlanza.com/does-the-past-exist-yet-evidence-suggests-your-past-isnt-set-in-stone/

The SPCA was thankfully low on dogs, so we had to look at rescues.  Unfortunately rescues can charge and arm and a leg.  While I understand they they need the money to survive, paying $300 for an older dog when you can get a puppy for $150 from some stores may be why they are not that successful.  Regardless, we wanted to save a dog and discourage puppy mills.

We eventually found, what we thought was, a german shepherd mix at a local rescue (turns out she may well be an Australian Shepherd dog).  She was young and just taken into a foster home.  They found her in Kentucky as a stray.  The foster home was unusually far for this rescue, so we had to drive and hour and a half  just to see her.  She was a delight, though very energetic.  She was a bit more energetic than we had been looking for, but the kids fell in lover with her and she listened rather well, so we agreed to bring her home.  Her name is Stormy.

Now I’m no stranger to training dogs, so I knew we had some work ahead of us.  What I didn’t know is that when we met her, she was calm. This dog has enough energy to run a small country for days at a time.  This could be tricky training here since the kids don’t really follow through, so I begin to do some research into trainer her since I knew the normal methods would be very frustrating with a high energy dog.  What I ran across was a lot of conflicting information and the real reason for this post.

There seems to be a distinct split about how to train a dog.  There are a few schools but 3 basic ones.  The first is the “pack” mentality.  This is the type of training that Cesar Millan uses.  The idea is to use the basic instincts of the dog to help you train.  Ultimately dogs are pack animals, though many generations of breeding have greatly reduced this in many breeds.  By becoming the “alpha” dog, it is easier to get your dog to follow your rules.

The second school uses negative reinforcement to train a dog.  This is the type of training the training collars we purchases encourage.  Essentially you train the dog by giving it a small shock, or negative stimuli until they do what you asked, then release the stimuli.  As I stated, we do have a training collar, but I have never used it in such a way.

The third school does not believe in negative reinforcement.  This school teaches that treats and encouragement are enough to train your dog.  Ask you dog to do it, encourage the behavior and give a treat (food and/or affection) when they do.

I am probably closest to the third school, but each has its issues.   When training a dog as a pack dog, you are getting raw instinctual behavior.  This also means that you must constantly be the “alpha” or you don’t get any results.  While it is always good to make sure they know you are in charge, most dogs are capable to rising above that pack instinct and assimilating into our culture.

The idea of negative training really bothers me.  Purely negative training or mostly negative training is going to cause the dog to be fearful.  While they will still try to do what you ask, they fear of a negative stimuli will cause nervousness and fear, especially in situations where they are unsure of what you want.  This is also just plain mean.

The positive only school means well, but with no consequences for doing what is wrong, you get a dog that is only looking for a reward.  This means that if they find something that has a bigger reward, such as dumping the garbage, they will ignore your training.  There are no consequences to their actions.  This is the spoiled child syndrome.  The child never gets in trouble, so has no reason not to do whatever they want.

My approach is a mix of the three.  First, you set the “alpha” mentality in place.  While this is not the driving force behind the training, it does prevent the more aggressive behaviors some dogs may exhibit.  With Stormy, this was completely unneeded since she is quite submissive, and even submissive to the point of frustration. (More later)

Next you use a combination of positive and negative stimuli.  The positive is your most powerful tool,  Using treats and praise (the combination will depend on the dog itself) you can train basic commands like sit/stay.  However, you need to be aware of negative behaviors such as jumping, barking and anything that can get him/her hurt.  For these, you need to use a negative stimuli to discourage the behavior.  In many cases a firm, but crisp “no” can be effective.  They know you are upset.  In some case you can get away with this alone (congratulations).  In other cases, they may very well be too excited or have a previous history.  In these cases you may need to revert to a quick physical touch and a command.  In some cases you may even need to resort to something like the training collar, though I encourage trying all other methods before this one.

In the case of Stormy, she is such high energy she gets excited and will often not even hear us.  While she wants to please us, the inability to get here attention makes this difficult to work with, so I have had to resort to the collar at times.  The important concept behind using it (regardless of what the DVD that came with it says) is to simply get their attention so you can correct them.  This is NOT a punishment device.  The lowest possible setting should be used.  Once you get their attention, you should use other methods.  Oh, and with any energetic dog, making sure they get out an get exercise can make training much easier.

My biggest issue with Stormy is that she is smart and submissive.  When she feels like she is in trouble she will roll over and show her belly.  This can be an issue when you want her to go someplace or do an action such as sit/lay down.  Well, I’ll consult with a few experts and maybe even take a training refresher course.  Wish me luck.

I’ve had the new Android phone for about 45 days and I have to say I’m loving it.  Not only can it do everything the Iphone can do (yes, even sync with ITunes if I wanted) but so much more.  I love the talk to search feature, and even the star map app.  The market lists many more apps than Apples App store, and they are probably much higher quality than what I was seeing on the Iphone.  Of course not all of the are top-notch, but a vast majority of the ones I tried are.

I really wish there was a better way to search the market.  The market is HUGE!  They really need to add list by rating, cost, etc. to the searches.  If I am going to have 1000+ hits on a keyword, I might as well look at the highest rated ones first.

There is an app call Cloud List that has made out lives a bit easier.  It allows people to share their lists, such as groceries or to-do.  It also has voice entry.  This way we can update shopping lists and be in sync when we hot the store.  She can even update my to-do list when I’m in the field or with a customer.  I’m just waiting for an app that will sync my time with Quickbooks.

If only school was like this when I was young.

http://news.softpedia.com/news/The-First-Test-That-Proves-General-Theory-of-Relativity-Wrong-20259.shtml

Seems recent experiments may have proven Einsteins calculations are off by quite a bit, at least where gravimetric forces are concerned? What is a gavimetric field? Well it is very similar to a electromagnetic field, in that an electromagnetic field is produced when you move a magnet in a coil and a gravametric field is produced when you move any mass in a circle. This predicts that a moving mass, such as a top or a gravitron at the carnival will weigh more when moving that when stationary. Of course with such small relative masses, this change should be so small we can’t detect it, but they did! The difference is one hundred million times what Einstein’s theory predicted.  Of course there may be other forces at work here, so they have encouraged other scientists to try the experiment and report their results.  Could we be on the verge of remaking the laws of physics?

“As promised, Microsoft Corp. has started offering Windows 7 users an update to the company’s antipiracy software via Windows Update.

The update to Windows Activation Technologies (WAT), the anticounterfeit program formerly known as Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA), has been slammed by critics, including the Internet advocate who blasted Microsoft in 2006 over the daily “phone home” habits of WGA running on Windows XP.

Earlier this month, Lauren Weinstein, the co-founder of People For Internet Responsibility (PFIR), urged Windows 7 users to block the optional update, calling the revamped WAT unacceptable because it will examine consumers’ Windows 7 PCs every 90 days to make sure they’re running legitimate copies of the operating system.”

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9162019/Microsoft_launches_phone_home_antipiracy_update?source=CTWNLE_nlt_msft_2010-02-25

Add to this the job qualification inflation, where managers place any possible skill they can think of as required, and you get jobs requirements that no one person can possibly match.  In come the resume padders who litter the resume with any technology they have ever brushed against and the only ones who match are those who often have the least experience where you really need it.  This of course, encourages more people to pad resumes and more managers to inflate requirements.

Of course resume padding isn’t the only reason managers inflate requirements.  I have seen more than a few managers create an impossible mix of skills simply so they can claim there are no qualified Americans that can fill it.  This allows them to use a visa to hire a foreign worker at half the rate.

All of these factors make it very bleak for those who simply want to find the right job.

I have an iPhone.  I’m not proud of it these days.  I guess the hype got to me and I bought it expecting certain things.  I should have done my homework.  Not only does the iPhone not multitask, but you are severely limited on what apps you can install.  Apple decides what you can an cannot install by only allowing you to use the App store.  And of course, Apple controls what is in the App Store.

I guess that is well enough for some people, but I like to actually use my devices for things other than listening to music.  So, as most geeks tried, I unlocked the phone.  There are a wide variety of useful apps outside of the App Store.  This was great, until the next update came out, locking everyone out of their unlocked phones.  Now I can understand, though with much gritting of my teeth, the idea that Apple may not be willing to support the unlocked phones, but do they really have the right to tell me how I can use it?  I just plopped down $400 on this device to find out that I can’t ride my bike outside of the red square.

Of course Apple claims that if we tamper with the phones, it could jeopardize the cell network.  For one things, that is total crap.  Secondly, even if I did believe it, that is not my fault.  You and AT&T should design better equipment.  There are many other phones out that are unlocked, and the data cards for the PCs give you unlimited access to the data stream.  So, anything I could possibly do with a watered down device could be done with a laptop.

What about the strain on the network?  Simple, stop giving everyone with an iPhone unlimited Internet access.  Better yet, take the millions you are making from the sales and put it back into the network.  The projections were there to show that the wide acceptance of the IPhone would create issues with the data network, but they decided to simply push it under the rug and blame the users.  Because of this “issue” I still cannot tether my iPhone, which I was promised by the salesperson as a way to get me to buy the phone.  The salespeople and press releases kept saying it would be soon.  That was almost a year ago.  I’m still waiting.

My advice?  Get a Google Nexus, unlocked and pay the discounted rate with T-Mobile.  It’s a better phone and will only cost you $49 after the 2 year contract if you take into account the discount you get.  And it’s unlocked!

Since I first heard about the experiment that showed light acted as both a wave and a particle, I tried to wrap my head around the idea of how that was possible.  I first explained this theory to a friend at Pizza Hut, when I was 17, using a napkin and a fork.  He dubbed it the “fork theory.

Imagine a flat fabric, pulled taunt.  Now image a marble rolled across that fabric.  The marble will create a ripple in the fabric as it moves.  If you were to view this ripple from the viewpoint of being on the fabric, it would look like a waveform, but in reality the fabric, not the marble is moving.  Taking this further, as we apply more and more weight in a single spot, we create a larger and larger warping of the fabric.  This would occur until the weight is enough to pull the fabric down (assuming it doesn’t rip) and have the edged of the ripple touch, closing off the “mass” below.  This is how space becomes matter.  With enough energy in one location, space wraps around the energy, creating matter.

Since time-space is multi-dimensional, this can happen with, our now created, matter in other dimension.  Once enough “matter” is collected in an area, space warps in yet another dimension, creating a black hole.  This is why travel faster than the speed of light is not possible under the theory of relativity.  As you add energy to go faster, you warp space more, creating more “mass”.  The speed of light is essentially the “elasticity” of space.  That is not to say there are not other forms of space travel that allow us to move, or seemingly move, faster than the speed up light, but the brute force method of adding more energy simply does not work.