The Very-Many-Questions-Not-Worth-Their-Own-Thread Thread XLIII

[Cutlass]

My landlord has been saying for years that he wants to replace my old fridge, but it hasn't happened and it's progressively getting uglier and uglier. Really, the entire door should be replaced, but I doubt there are any still laying about for the model, and for the price it would likely cost, I might be able to get an entirely new (used) fridge.

Anyway, the door has a lot of rust on the exterior. It's ugly. I know that it is possible to remove this rust and repaint the door, but the specifics of how to do that escape me. I get the general idea of sanding it down with sandpaper, but which grit? And how do I know if I've gone "too far"? And then when I paint it, what kind of paint? Surely not ordinary paint. Would it be better to just put some vinyl on top of it instead and call it a day? As cheap and as easy as possible are my goals here, as I doubt the fridge will live another couple years and I don't want to invest a lot of energy into this. I'm just tired of how ugly it looks.

There are products which kill rust. Sort of. One is called naval jelly. You could use some of that, and some 100 grit sandpaper to clean up the rust areas. And then just paint it with Rustoleum. Probably won't look great, but that's your low cost solution. Might look better if you did the roll on, not sure. But the spray on might be easier and cheaper.

 

[Synobun]

There are products which kill rust. Sort of. One is called naval jelly. You could use some of that, and some 100 grit sandpaper to clean up the rust areas. And then just paint it with Rustoleum. Probably won't look great, but that's your low cost solution. Might look better if you did the roll on, not sure. But the spray on might be easier and cheaper.

The naval jelly seems exorbitant here, but the rest seems doable for under $60. I might do this sometime in the next couple months. I can't imagine it would look any worse than the current get-up. Thank you!

 

[Bonyduck Campersang]

I'm reading the Wikipedia article on the serial killer John Wayne Gacy:

Investigators conducted a formal interview of Rossi on December 17. He informed them Gacy had sold him Szyc's vehicle, explaining that he had bought the car from Szyc because he needed money to move to California. A further examination of Gacy's Oldsmobile revealed a small cluster of fibers in the trunk, suspected to be human hair. That evening, three trained search dogs were used to determine whether Piest had been present in any of Gacy's vehicles. One laid on the passenger seat of Gacy's Oldsmobile in what the dog's handler informed investigators was a "death reaction", indicating Piest's body had been present.

Is this something search dogs do? I've never heard of it before (though admittedly I don't know much about police work)

 

[thetrooper]

What sport earbuds would you recommend? ANC is mandatory. Also nice if the earbuds stay in the ear during exercise without too much fumbling. Experience not Google, I can do that by myself.

 

[Samson]

Why are patent medicines called patent medicines when they are defined as being protected by "a trademark and trade name"? This is opposed to a prescription drug that is typically protected by a patent and that requires the composition to be openly disclosed, ie. NOT a patent medicine.

 

[Gori the Grey]

Wiki gives the origin of the term. False advertising by quacks, basically.

 

[dusters]

Has anyone heard of and/or studied pranalytical mathemathics?

I get this from Chatgpt:


The term "pranalytical" interpreted by ChatGPT:

Exploring "pranalytical mathematics" as a phase of mathematical thinking before formal analysis leads us to a fascinating concept: the intuitive, creative process that precedes the structured, rigorous methods of modern mathematics. Here are a few areas where this kind of pre-analytical thinking could be relevant:

1. Mathematical Intuition and Creativity

Mathematical breakthroughs often arise not from pure formalism, but from an intuitive understanding of patterns and relationships. Mathematicians like Ramanujan, for example, are famous for their almost mystical insights into complex mathematical relationships, many of which were later rigorously proven, but began in a highly intuitive and "pre-analytical" way.Pranalytical mathematics could refer to this raw, creative exploration—thinking without yet adhering to strict rules of logic.

2. Historical Development of Mathematics

Before modern analytical methods like calculus or formal set theory were developed, mathematicians worked with rough, approximate ideas.Ancient mathematics, from the Greeks and Babylonians, relied heavily on geometric and visual reasoning rather than the abstract symbolic methods we use today. Pranalytical mathematics could refer to these early forms of problem-solving and discovery that relied more on visual intuition or practical applications.

3. Philosophy of Mathematics

In philosophy, there is a debate about the origin of mathematical knowledge. Some argue that mathematical concepts are discovered, not invented, and that they exist independently of formal systems. In this view, pranalytical mathematics could be the cognitive or metaphysical exploration of these concepts—an attempt to tap into the inherent structures of the universe before codifying them into symbols and formulas.

For instance, imagine a mathematician contemplating the nature of infinity before rigorously defining it. Their early, pre-analytical thoughts might involve broad philosophical musings about endlessness, the universe, or the nature of existence—ideas that are later captured in formal concepts like cardinality and limits.

4. Exploratory Mathematical Play

Pranalytical thinking can also occur when someone is"playing" with mathematical ideas without specific rules in mind. This can be seen in puzzle-solving, where someone might tinker with an idea intuitively, trying different approaches, drawing diagrams, and experimenting before coming to a formal solution. This creative phase can often lead to insights that are later formalized into coherent systems of thought.

5. Learning and Cognitive Development

When we learn mathematics, particularly at an early age, we don't immediately jump into formal systems. Children,for example, develop an understanding of numbers through hands-on activities, visualizations, and intuitive grasping of concepts like"more" or "less" before they are able to manipulate symbols algebraically. Pranalytical mathematics could describe this early stage of learning, where abstract reasoning is not yet dominant, and insights are gained through sensory experiences and conceptual play.

6. Speculative Mathematical Exploration

There are areas of speculative mathematical research where the rigorous proof has not yet caught up with creative ideas. Mathematicians might propose bold conjectures or models (such as in string theory or the multiverse hypothesis) based on intuition,patterns, or partial insights. The speculative, imaginative phase where these ideas take shape but haven’t yet been proven rigorously could be considered "pranalytical."

7. A Bridge Between Art and Mathematics

In many ways, this pre-analytical phase resembles artistic creation. Just as a painter sketches rough forms before refining them into detailed works, mathematicians may sketch "rough" ideas or visual representations. For instance, mathematical models often begin as rough diagrams or intuitive sketches on a board before being fleshed out with precise logic and equations.

How Could This Influence the Study of Mathematics?

Emphasizing pranalytical mathematics in education or research could foster more creativity and innovation. Encouraging students or researchers to dwell in the intuitive, exploratory phase before focusing on strict formalism might lead to new and unconventional insights.

Education: Educators could create environments where students are encouraged to think creatively and explore concepts through experimentation before being taught the rigorous analytical methods. This might involve more emphasis on puzzles, visual reasoning, and open-ended questions.

Research:Mathematicians might benefit from deliberately spending time in a pre-analytical mode, using brainstorming sessions, visual models, and even philosophical reflection as tools to generate new ideas that can later be formalized.

In short, "pranalytical mathematics" could represent an essential but often under-appreciated phase of mathematical thinking—one that bridges the gap between raw intuition and the logical, formal processes that follow.

 

[Samson]

Has anyone heard of and/or studied pranalytical mathemathics?

I get this from Chatgpt:


The term "pranalytical" interpreted by ChatGPT:

Exploring "pranalytical mathematics" as a phase of mathematical thinking before formal analysis leads us to a fascinating concept: the intuitive, creative process that precedes the structured, rigorous methods of modern mathematics. Here are a few areas where this kind of pre-analytical thinking could be relevant:

1. Mathematical Intuition and Creativity

Mathematical breakthroughs often arise not from pure formalism, but from an intuitive understanding of patterns and relationships. Mathematicians like Ramanujan, for example, are famous for their almost mystical insights into complex mathematical relationships, many of which were later rigorously proven, but began in a highly intuitive and "pre-analytical" way.Pranalytical mathematics could refer to this raw, creative exploration—thinking without yet adhering to strict rules of logic.

2. Historical Development of Mathematics

Before modern analytical methods like calculus or formal set theory were developed, mathematicians worked with rough, approximate ideas.Ancient mathematics, from the Greeks and Babylonians, relied heavily on geometric and visual reasoning rather than the abstract symbolic methods we use today. Pranalytical mathematics could refer to these early forms of problem-solving and discovery that relied more on visual intuition or practical applications.

3. Philosophy of Mathematics

In philosophy, there is a debate about the origin of mathematical knowledge. Some argue that mathematical concepts are discovered, not invented, and that they exist independently of formal systems. In this view, pranalytical mathematics could be the cognitive or metaphysical exploration of these concepts—an attempt to tap into the inherent structures of the universe before codifying them into symbols and formulas.

For instance, imagine a mathematician contemplating the nature of infinity before rigorously defining it. Their early, pre-analytical thoughts might involve broad philosophical musings about endlessness, the universe, or the nature of existence—ideas that are later captured in formal concepts like cardinality and limits.

4. Exploratory Mathematical Play

Pranalytical thinking can also occur when someone is"playing" with mathematical ideas without specific rules in mind. This can be seen in puzzle-solving, where someone might tinker with an idea intuitively, trying different approaches, drawing diagrams, and experimenting before coming to a formal solution. This creative phase can often lead to insights that are later formalized into coherent systems of thought.

5. Learning and Cognitive Development

When we learn mathematics, particularly at an early age, we don't immediately jump into formal systems. Children,for example, develop an understanding of numbers through hands-on activities, visualizations, and intuitive grasping of concepts like"more" or "less" before they are able to manipulate symbols algebraically. Pranalytical mathematics could describe this early stage of learning, where abstract reasoning is not yet dominant, and insights are gained through sensory experiences and conceptual play.

6. Speculative Mathematical Exploration

There are areas of speculative mathematical research where the rigorous proof has not yet caught up with creative ideas. Mathematicians might propose bold conjectures or models (such as in string theory or the multiverse hypothesis) based on intuition,patterns, or partial insights. The speculative, imaginative phase where these ideas take shape but haven’t yet been proven rigorously could be considered "pranalytical."

7. A Bridge Between Art and Mathematics

In many ways, this pre-analytical phase resembles artistic creation. Just as a painter sketches rough forms before refining them into detailed works, mathematicians may sketch "rough" ideas or visual representations. For instance, mathematical models often begin as rough diagrams or intuitive sketches on a board before being fleshed out with precise logic and equations.

How Could This Influence the Study of Mathematics?

Emphasizing pranalytical mathematics in education or research could foster more creativity and innovation. Encouraging students or researchers to dwell in the intuitive, exploratory phase before focusing on strict formalism might lead to new and unconventional insights.

Education: Educators could create environments where students are encouraged to think creatively and explore concepts through experimentation before being taught the rigorous analytical methods. This might involve more emphasis on puzzles, visual reasoning, and open-ended questions.

Research:Mathematicians might benefit from deliberately spending time in a pre-analytical mode, using brainstorming sessions, visual models, and even philosophical reflection as tools to generate new ideas that can later be formalized.

In short, "pranalytical mathematics" could represent an essential but often under-appreciated phase of mathematical thinking—one that bridges the gap between raw intuition and the logical, formal processes that follow.

I do not know, but I think this is ChatGPT making stuff up. It is interesting that one of the hits from as google is something very similar, and it cames after these lines:

A: Consciousness of God for lack of a precise term.

Q: (Joe) Now Arky you have to ask the question: Where is consciousness of God - or anybody?

There is a term "pre-analytical" which I would call planning, where you do things like power calculations, health and saftey stuff, ethics board etc. It is more in the experimental sciences rather than maths though.

 

[dusters]

I do not know, but I think this is ChatGPT making stuff up. It is interesting that one of the hits from as google is something very similar, and it cames after these lines:

A: Consciousness of God for lack of a precise term.

Q: (Joe) Now Arky you have to ask the question: Where is consciousness of God - or anybody?

There is a term "pre-analytical" which I would call planning, where you do things like power calculations, health and saftey stuff, ethics board etc. It is more in the experimental sciences rather than maths though.

This is the exact reason I'm asking. I have studied math at BA level and I have not heard of such term so far. So I'm asking if anyone who has done math at Mg or PhD level can verify this is not made up by chat gpt. Could it be a typo? Not paranalytical, but pre-analytical? We have math analysis at university which is like method for determining in higher math if something makes sense or is made up.

 

[Gori the Grey]

The substance of the text almost certainly comes from the word "pre-analytical" (just based on the first sentence of the answer).

Somewhere on the internet, there is a post where someone, talking about "pre-analytical" mathematics has a typo "pranalytical."

Chat GPT treats that typo as indicating that that word is synonymous with "pre-analytical," and gives the substance of "pre-analytical" under the term "pranalytical."

My guess.

 

[Takhisis]

Why would you involve Chat-GPT in anything even remotely serious??

 

[Samez]

Especially in the field of mathematics generative AIs can be quite dangerous as they tend to make things up which is not how math works. LLM tend to categorize, average and equalize large quantities of data so there does not have to be any truth in the results, as they do not understand anything they generate.