Happy Atheist Forum

Getting To Know You => Introductions => Topic started by: Rift Zone on February 02, 2018, 02:17:34 PM

Title: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: Rift Zone on February 02, 2018, 02:17:34 PM
Hello everyone!   

I've been off line for years, but i missed you guys, so I'm back.    I see some familiar names around here...   regret that I cant place them in terms of our interactions.   Anyway, looking forward to getting to know you guys again.   Cheers!   
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: Dave on February 02, 2018, 03:15:17 PM
I'm a newbie to you then, RZ, so Hi there!
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: Magdalena on February 02, 2018, 04:01:41 PM
Hello, Rift Zone.  :computerwave:
Welcome back.
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: Rift Zone on February 02, 2018, 04:34:03 PM
Hi Dave!   Thanks Magdalena!    Pleasure to cross your paths.  =)
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: Recusant on February 02, 2018, 04:38:25 PM
There was a software update a couple of years ago that put a fair section of the database out of reach. I looked to see whether any of your previous posts were available, but no joy there, so you're returning to a clean slate. It's good to see you here again. Welcome!

:welcomeback:
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: Tank on February 02, 2018, 05:25:11 PM
Welcome back :D
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: Rift Zone on February 02, 2018, 05:52:31 PM
Quote from: Recusant on February 02, 2018, 04:38:25 PM
There was a software update a couple of years ago that put a fair section of the database out of reach. I looked to see whether any of your previous posts were available, but no joy there, so you're returning to a clean slate. It's good to see you here again. Welcome!

:welcomeback:
Buried in the sands of time huh?   That explains a lot; I looked for them myself.    Anyway, it's good to be back!   Then again, it's been so long it feels kinda new and unfamiliar...   Though I recognize your name, Recusant...  as well as Tank and xSilverPhinx...  Icarus seems familiar, as well as OldGit.   

...Here's to a longer future here than history, cheers.    :beer:
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: Rift Zone on February 02, 2018, 05:56:00 PM
Quote from: Tank on February 02, 2018, 05:25:11 PM
Welcome back :D
Thanks Tank.    Happy to be back.   :frolic:
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: joeactor on February 02, 2018, 09:13:13 PM
Hi RZ... welcome back!
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: hermes2015 on February 03, 2018, 03:24:48 AM
Welcome back. There are probably enough new members to warrant an introduction post from you to tell us more about yourself.
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: Dragonia on February 03, 2018, 03:41:11 AM
Hello Rift  Zone!  I'm glad you came back! I would also like to know kind of where you're coming from...as well as where you got your user name  ;D
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: Rift Zone on February 03, 2018, 04:23:37 AM
Thanks Joeactor.   Good point Hermes.

I'm a theoretical physicist working on an advanced plasma cosmology model that challenges black hole/singularity/BBT, Relativity, and the Standard Model of QM.   In other words, I'm rather scientifically blasphemous.    Guess I'm blasphemous in general because I've always been atheist, in spite of being raised in a west coast baptist environment, and I don't think religion is very good for the world so I'm writing a book to subvert indoctrination.   It covers a fair amount of new ground; it just might work: diminish religion's clout...   Guess we'll see about that. 

When I'm not geek'n out on something I like to spend time in the outdoors, hiking, biking, kayaking, whatever.   Some of those trips have been thousands of miles long.   I'm a fairly well accomplished adventure trekker, I'm proud to say. 

Hmm, what else.   I'm an American -much to my dismay.   I'm from Silicon Valley, and I love California, but the USA is fucked and I want out.   It will probably be NZ for me if California doesn't secede.    Anyway, "outdoorsy science geek" about does it, I don't have much of a life otherwise.   :spock: 

Oh, Hi Dragonia! 
I got my username while hiking the Appalachian Trail back in 2001.   It came about while I was reflecting on back home...   The "Castle Rock Ridge" quadrangle in the Santa Cruz Mountains were my training grounds, and "San Andreas Rift Zone" is clearly marked on it.   With the topographical map/outdoorsy component, and the plate tectonics/science geek component, it seemed like a perfect name for me.   Not to mention I more recently wrote a theory on continent formation that explains why we have such formations in the first place...   All things considered, I find "rift zone" to be rather suitable. 

Pleasure to cross paths with all of you! 
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: hermes2015 on February 03, 2018, 05:34:56 AM
Thanks for that, Rift  Zone. In a way we are "scientific cousins", in that my field (organic chemistry) is built on the foundations of physics. I started university with the dream of becoming a physicist, but, owing to my lack of brain power, became a chemist instead.
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: Magdalena on February 03, 2018, 05:39:08 AM
Quote from: Rift Zone on February 03, 2018, 04:23:37 AM
... I love California,
...
:far out:
Pleasure to cross paths with you as well.
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: Rift Zone on February 03, 2018, 05:59:23 AM
That's awesome Hermes!   Chemistry is cool...   wish I knew more about it.

Magdalena, Yea huh!   CA rocks.   The redwoods always have had my heart.    :notworthy:
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: Buddy on February 03, 2018, 06:07:20 AM
Don't believe we've ever met but welcome back.  :D
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: OldGit on February 03, 2018, 10:45:00 AM
I'm sorry to say I don't recall you, RZ, but welcome back anyway. :)
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: Tank on February 03, 2018, 10:48:13 AM
Quote from: OldGit on February 03, 2018, 10:45:00 AM
I'm sorry to say I don't recall you, RZ, but welcome back anyway. :)
It's your age.
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: Bluenose on February 03, 2018, 12:24:40 PM
I've been not very present the last couple of years, but I don't recall us crossing paths before, so G'day from the Land Downunder!   8)
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: joeactor on February 03, 2018, 02:32:54 PM
Quote from: Rift Zone on February 03, 2018, 05:59:23 AM
That's awesome Hermes!   Chemistry is cool...   wish I knew more about it.

Magdalena, Yea huh!   CA rocks.   The redwoods always have had my heart.    :notworthy:

I'm in the SoCal area. Got some friends who moved to NZ - they love it there.
Our escape plan is in Spain.
USA! USA! US Ahhhh whatever...
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: Rift Zone on February 03, 2018, 02:59:28 PM
Thanks OldGit!

Lol@Tank

G'Day to you Bluenose!

Joeactor, my sister is in so cal... studio city! She just bought a condo so that'll probably change soon.   NZ rules!  It's hard to find a better country.   And they have redwoods, so I lose nothing.  =)   Spain sounds nice.  Europe in general is doing pretty good for itself.
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: Icarus on February 03, 2018, 10:36:47 PM
Welcome RZ. 

Your profession is admirable even though you may be a maverick as you suggested.   I do believe that it is an essential  plan to explore different ways of thinking.

I am presently up to my eyebrows in a book written by a Physics./cosmology post doc named Stephon Alexander a prof at Brown Univ.  His book: Jazz of Physics tells us that within the string theory realm there is music.  Vibrations and all that.  Alexander is also a jazz musician and that part I understand.  The physics part is well beyond my paygrade.   Black holes emit musical sounds???? 

The author is most unique because he is a black man in a field of work that is not much populated by that particular minority.

I look forward to having you regale us with some physics lore.  We do have some smart folks here who are receptive to that kind of thing. We are, as you may know, also receptive to comedy, Trump hating, and lots of other stuff. 
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: Rift Zone on February 03, 2018, 11:06:43 PM
Hello Icarus!   

Thanks for the compliment.   =)

Ha!  -I was going to stay out of the science section...   My interest is more along the lines of discussing nuances within the softer sciences.   Having said that, I am a science geek, and I do love to geek out on physics.   I would be delighted to share the theory I'm working on, as well as why it holds that perspective(s) ...just be prepared for it not playing nice with modern science; it basically scraps what we think we know and starts over, which also means there's a lot of ground to cover even for a cursory introduction.   Still sound like fun?   Trump hating would probably go over better.  Lol
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: Rift Zone on February 03, 2018, 11:16:42 PM
Quote from: Icarus on February 03, 2018, 10:36:47 PM
a black man in a field of work that is not much populated by that particular minority.
yea, too bad too.    I had a physics professor who was darker than 2pac, great guy and physicist.   Sylvester James Gates came to mind when I read that.   But yea, it's sadly a rare thing to see.
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: Magdalena on February 03, 2018, 11:25:02 PM
I'm sorry for interrupting but I don't think Icarus knows who The great 2pac is, or was...Well, still is and always will be. :grin:
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: Rift Zone on February 03, 2018, 11:42:45 PM
😕   Sad.   Pac was down.   
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: Magdalena on February 04, 2018, 12:31:01 AM
He was.  :(

Icarus: Tupac Amaru Shakur, or  2Pac was an American rapper, poet and actor. He was one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
I would also add activist to that list.  :cryandrun:


(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSLM19jmFXvINKcdCikYTL6L4-LhTs9lFL9BUVLaEa9apHoa8SU)
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: Rift Zone on February 04, 2018, 01:03:30 AM
still picturing you rollin    ...thug life baby   :fistbump:
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: Icarus on February 04, 2018, 05:00:31 AM
Cut me some slack Mags.  I do know who Tupac is.  I also know who George Washington Carver was, and of course there is Morgan Freeman, one of my favorites, Poitier and Bellafonte too.  I can handle Oprah but Joy Reid is one of my most favored talking heads. Cory Booker....and plenty more talented people with darker pigmentation have my respect..  The unfair thing is that they are not proportionally represented in our celebrity ranks.  So when we get someone who is an outstanding individual of color then I feel free, and pleased, to express admiration. 

Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: Magdalena on February 04, 2018, 05:35:52 AM
Quote from: Icarus on February 04, 2018, 05:00:31 AM
Cut me some slack Mags.  I do know who Tupac is...
I'm surprised to hear you know Tupac. The reason I said it is because last time you said rap wasn't music, that it was...Well, we're not gonna go there, again.
Peace. ✌
California Love.
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: xSilverPhinx on February 04, 2018, 03:18:57 PM
Welcome back Rift Zone! Did I ever say that I really like your choice of username? I can't remember...
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: xSilverPhinx on February 04, 2018, 03:22:52 PM
Quote from: Rift Zone on February 03, 2018, 04:23:37 AM

I'm a theoretical physicist working on an advanced plasma cosmology model that challenges black hole/singularity/BBT, Relativity, and the Standard Model of QM.   In other words, I'm rather scientifically blasphemous.

That's really interesting. I have a challenge for you:  Can you explain your model to a layperson in a few sentences? :grin:
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: Dragonia on February 04, 2018, 05:31:11 PM
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on February 04, 2018, 03:22:52 PM
Quote from: Rift Zone on February 03, 2018, 04:23:37 AM

I'm a theoretical physicist working on an advanced plasma cosmology model that challenges black hole/singularity/BBT, Relativity, and the Standard Model of QM.   In other words, I'm rather scientifically blasphemous.

That's really interesting. I have a challenge for you:  Can you explain your model to a layperson in a few sentences? :grin:

Yes! I like that challenge! And I like blasphemy, so it sounds like a win-win!  ;D
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: Rift Zone on February 04, 2018, 05:52:17 PM
Nice...    I'm glad Tupac is not completely foreign to you Icarus.

Thanks xSilverPhinx!    Lol  no, not sure if you did before, but thanks for that too.  =)

Sorry Dragonia, xSilverPhinx,  I'm afraid I'm gonna fail that challenge.   Maybe if it only challenged Big Bang Theory, or just Relativity, or the Standard Model of quantum mechanic alone, then there might be a simple set of facets share.   But this theory challenges all three...   you can't read its implications through the context of modern theory, you have to build new context.   I can tell you this:

Theories are comprised of roughly 2 elements: observation, and human translation/interpretation of that data.  The theory that is more comprehensive and aligns with observation better is the more accurate theory.period.   ...and I'm working on that shit because it is both more comprehensive and it aligns with observation better.   So that's the good news!   The bad news is there's no short and sweet version of it...   we'll have dig deep if we want to go there at all.
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: Dragonia on February 04, 2018, 06:02:27 PM
It's ok, RZ, in all honesty, I probably wouldn't understand a word anyway.  I would try really hard, and say "Oh! Ah ha!" In a very enlightened tone, but I still would walk away scratching my head.
:eyebrow: :wtf: :headscratch:
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: Rift Zone on February 04, 2018, 06:10:37 PM
Pfft...   anyone who made their way here has more than enough sense to follow the whole thing.   The real problem is I'd bore all of you to death.   It probably sounds interesting and all but most have better things to do than consider the implications of arcane observations; whereas I have no life, and obsure bs makes me happy.   ;)
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: xSilverPhinx on February 04, 2018, 07:51:33 PM
Quote from: Dragonia on February 04, 2018, 06:02:27 PM
It's ok, RZ, in all honesty, I probably wouldn't understand a word anyway.  I would try really hard, and say "Oh! Ah ha!" In a very enlightened tone, but I still would walk away scratching my head.
:eyebrow: :wtf: :headscratch:

Me too. :lol:
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: Icarus on February 04, 2018, 11:58:26 PM
RZ your scientific line of reasoning fits the mold of we outrageously brazen heathens who dare to resort to observable evidences.... On the other hand theists like to say: "The absence of evidence is not evidence of absence".    :sidesmile:



Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: Rift Zone on February 05, 2018, 12:35:59 AM
Lol   Shh Icarus, everyone is about ready to leave it alone!   
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: Dave on February 05, 2018, 04:18:49 AM
RZ, if that theory needs lots of hard sums to explain I am lost! If I can't explain things using English words, and objects like the balls from roll-on deoderamts (which I always save, so useful), a syringe with a needle, hot melt glue, a long plastic bottle with the ends cut off, a straightened paper clip, a pair of magnets and 1ft rule(r)s in wood, plastic and steel (etc) I'm definitely lost.

Oh, for really advanced stuff things little flat magnets, a guitar pickup coil and my little oscilloscope (with frequency readout) come in useful...
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: Bluenose on February 05, 2018, 05:23:13 AM
I'm intrigued, RZ.  Does your work have any bearing on the proton radius problem?
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: Rift Zone on February 05, 2018, 10:12:46 AM
Dave:  Na, a lot of justice can be done for it in plain English.

Bluenose: Looks like you're channeling Feynman in your signature.   =)
No, I haven't found anything pertinent to shrinking protons in there. 
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: Bluenose on February 05, 2018, 10:56:39 AM
Quote from: Rift Zone on February 05, 2018, 10:12:46 AM
Bluenose: Looks like you're channeling Feynman in your signature.   =)
No, I haven't found anything pertinent to shrinking protons in there.

Possibly, although unconsciously.

Hmmm.  More interesting stuff then.  Tank will tell you that I have been of the opinion that we are on the cusp of a new revolution in physics, although just where that may come from I have no idea, it's just that all the anomalies suggest to me that we are missing something and we will find that current thinking is basically a special case of some more general theory.  Rather like Newtonian mechanics being a sort of special case (low mass, low velocity) of relativity.
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: Rift Zone on February 05, 2018, 11:00:39 AM
I think you're right about that revolution.   
Title: Re: Been So Long... Hello again!
Post by: Icarus on February 21, 2018, 12:21:50 AM
Some of our planets deviate slightly from the elliptical orbit that is calculated standard path.  There are a few astrophysicists who believe or at least suspect that there is another planet out there, somewhere within or more likely beyond the Kuyper belt.  That planet, if it is there, would account for the anomolies in the orbits.  The planet has no name so it is being called Planet Nine.  3.7 times more massive than Earth and has an orbit that is on average about twenty times as far from the sun as Neptune  Neptune has an orbit time of 165 years but planet Nine will need 15,000 years.

Bluenose is surely right that we may be on the cusp of discovering new things just like those old guys in the 16th,17th, 18th, 19th centuries.....Newton,  Brahe, Maxwell, Hooke, LeVerrier, Adams, Herschel, Hertz and all the rest.  The power of Newtons law of gravity to predict what we cannot see - to make a map of the invisible world- has continued to reap dividends.