Science: Boon or Curse

As far as we remember, science is something that we have always been learning, starting from preschool. Science stimulates the curiosity in anyone, and is the best method we have so far for distinguishing between what is true and what is false using experiments, observation, mathematics and logic. A lot of things that we take for granted are the result of hard working scientists and engineers, some of whom sacrificed their personal life just so the next generation doesn't have to worry about the problems that kept them up at night.

Science has obviously increased our chance of survival and the quality of life. Paleontologists have found the evidence of stone tools that made manual labor easier dating as far as 2.6 million years ago. Although it can be debated whether to consider this an invention of science or not, let's look at some modern advancements, dating back to not more than 400 years, when Sir Issac Newton was born. Before he turned 26, he turned the world around with his revolutionary book "Mathematical Principles for Natural Philosophy". It was revolutionary in a literal sense, as it resulted in the industrial revolution, which was the beginning of our modern lifestyle, and is considered the most important work in the history of science. Science has also given us inventions like penicillin and vaccines, without which one can argue that even most of us wouldn't be here today. It has not only given us life, but has also made it easier. Using vehicles like trains and airplanes, we can go to places that once took our ancestors months to reach. We can talk to people living literally on the other side of the world, some even orbiting it in the International Space Station 330 km above us at the speed of around 8 km/s right now. The computers we use without thinking twice can think better than us, performing complex calculations that takes us weeks within seconds without making mistakes. We can generate enough electricity to power a whole city using only a single power source. We are also getting closer in answering the age old philosophical question, "Why are we here?" Using the tools of modern physics and astronomy, we have managed to send an interplanetary space probe farther than the ex-planet Pluto, and is currently heading out of our solar system and still sending data about other Kuiper belt objects. Not even Newton himself could have imagined that we'd be able to accomplish something this extraordinary this soon. People have already dreamed of building an interplanetary civilization, and the more we think about it, the more plausible it seems. We can build a technology to gravitationally manipulate an asteroid heading towards the Earth, so that we won't have to suffer the same fate that dinosaurs did around 65 million years ago.

Every Yin has its Yang. With every good things happening right now in the world because of science, let's not forget the Holocaust, where Nazis committed genocide by using chemical weapons to systematically murder six million Jews, around two-thirds of European Jewish population at that time. Also, Little Boy and Fat Man, the nuclear bomb fueled by radioactive elements Uranium and Plutonium dropped into Hiroshima and Nagasaki that resulted in the death of more than 300,000 people. If these sound like old news to you, what about the concerns about climate change that the businessmen and politicians of powerful countries like US so slyly dismiss as a hoax? Even antibiotics designed to kill harmful bacteria have been misused or improperly used, creating bacteria like MRSA that are resistant to antibacterials. How will we fight germs if they start resisting medicine? If our species won't die off of medicine resistant germs or a killer asteroid smashing into our planet, we'll probably perish because two or more powerful countries couldn't resist firing the nukes they've been pointing at each other since Einstein came up with E=mc2. The nuclear weapons detonating in a totally different continent will surely be enough to start a nuclear winter causing an ice age that would last for around a decade. This makes global warming sound like a walk in the park during summer vacation.

With all that being said, the benefits of science clearly outweighs the risks. Science is a method, and one can't blame the method if someone chooses to misuse it. We have something that can build interstellar civilization, or completely wipe the civilization off the face of the Earth; the only civilization we know of, and probably the only one currently out there. How we choose to use it is up to us. Science doesn't come with a brain that can distinguish between what is right and what is wrong, we do. So let's put it to good use.

PrimeNumbers.cpp

int main(int argc, char *argv[])
{

    2, 3, 5 and 7;

    while only 1 of these are even;

    although all are unsigned prime;

    and i do know i’m bad with rhyme;

    using numbers may make me look smart;

    but these feelings break my heart;

    that i’m leaving this prime age;

    for some 1826 days;

    switch into composite phase;

    which i’m not a true fan of anyways;

    while i’ve lived some odd prime years;

    8 odd years to be precise;

    and an extra even 1;

    it’s nothing new, but does feel nice;

    for 5 long years, at least;

    my union with prime is shy;

    and then i’ll turn 29;

    if i manage not to die;

    year 24 to 27;

    may not register any effect;

    but i can guarantee you, my friend;

    year 28 will be perfect;

    signed, Russell;

    return 47;

}

No Reason

So there was this normal guy living a normal life. Let's call him John. John used to work in a normal office and had a normal hobby. He watched a normal news channel and enjoyed a normal telly. But soon, his normal life was going to take an abnormal turn, and he was about to make that happen.

The day he decided that he didn't want a normal life anymore, he went to an (ATF approved) gun store. He wanted to learn how to use firearms, but he knew nothing about guns. The difference between a pistol and a revolver for him was the same as the difference between Chinese and Korean for an American. For a man in his late thirties, learning something new might appear challenging, but he was up for it.

'Looking for something?', the store owner asked him as he was wondering aimlessly around the store. He didn't respond. 'Are you looking for something?', asked the store owner again. 'My name is John, John Smith,' he said, instead. 'Oh! Hello there, John. I'm Bernard. Nice to meet you,' said the owner, sounding rather irritated, 'either tell me what you're here for or get the hell outta here. I've reached my quotas of psychos for today.'

'Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable,' said John, 'I'm here to buy a gun but I know nothing about them. Could you, err... guide me or something?'

'Guide you!', exclaimed Bernard, 'where do you think you're in, a zoo?' He paused for a second, and asked, 'what did you say your name was again?'

'John Smith,' he said, 'I live just around the corner in case you need my address.'

'Uhuh! John Smith, right. You sure it's not a fake name or anything?'

'Absolutely.'

'And you live just around the corner.'

'You can visit me for a cup of coffee if you want.'

'Um... no thanks,' he said, looking at his computer screen and rapidly pressing some keys on his keyboard, 'can you give me your social security number?'

'Isn't that optional?' asked John.

'For a guy who knows nothing about a gun, he sure knows a lot about requirements,' Bernard muttered. 'You don't have any history of mental illness?' he asked.

'Not that I know of,' said John with a smile.

'Alright, Mr. John Smith, what kind of gun do you want?'

'I don't know! What kind of guns are you selling?'

'All kind. You name it and we've got it, as long as it's legal.'

'Okay, what kind do you think I should have?'

'If you ask me, you shouldn't have one at all,' said Bernard, 'but since you're my customer and you've cleared the background check, follow me. And put these on,' Bernard threw earmuffs at John, and they wore it.

After going through some doors, John shouted, 'ARE YOU GOING TO TRAIN ME?' Bernard shouted back, 'I'M NOT! BOOKS IS.' 'WHAT BOOK?', John asked. Bernard said, 'I CAN'T HEAR YOU! DON'T ASK QUESTIONS.'

When they entered the shooting range, he saw a man alone shooting at what looked like a large sheet of board that was maybe a hundred yards away. 'HEY BOOKS!' Bernard shouted when they got close. The man just kept shooting. 'BOOKS!' Bernard shouted again, this time tapping his shoulder. 'Oh, hey Bernard, I was just practicing,' said Books while removing the magazine from his pistol.

'Are those real bullets?' asked Bernard.

'No,' said Books, hiding the magazine in his pocket.

'Oh, come on! Don't waste the good stuff. Man, these are expensive. Why don't you use the baton round like everyone else?'

'It don't travel far enough. What am I to do?'

'Move the target closer, that's what you're to do,' replied Bernard, 'and don't tell me these don't go far enough. They're not made of cotton.'

'Yeah, I know. What you want?'

Bernard sighed, and said, 'Alright, I've got an idiot – hey, no offense', he addressed John and continued, '– for you to train. Get this, he knows nothing about guns and now he's here to buy one.' He looked at Books as if he was expecting him to laugh. 'Not after I'm done with him,' said Books confidently without a grin.

'Oh, good,' said Bernard, sounding almost disappointed that his humor wasn't acknowledged (as usual). 'Take care of him then. I've gotta take care of the store,' he said and left.

'So your name's Books?' asked John. 'Nope,' said Books. 'Then why did he call you Books?' John asked. 'Cause I teach!' Books replied. 'Oh,' John nodded. 'That's right mate,' Books added, 'and if you look up, you might even see “Gullible” written on the ceiling.'

Books took out the magazine from his pocket, filled it with rubber bullets, loaded his pistol and gave it to John. John took it and asked, 'so what do I do now?'

'Cock, aim and shoot,' Books instructed.

'Cock?' John asked, confused. 'Pull the hammer back. Here, let me show you,' Books took the gun, cocked it and gave it to John, 'Now, aim and shoot.'

John took the gun, aimed at the target and tried to pull the trigger. But it won't budge. He tried harder. The trigger didn't move, but his fingers started hurting. Eventually, he gave up and looked at Books for more instructions. To his surprise, Books was hardly controlling his laughter.

'Hey, I'm sorry mate, couldn't help it,' Books said, laughing out loud. After maintaining his composure (which took about a minute or so), he explained, 'see I turned the safety on when I gave it to you. Look where your thumb's at. You can slide it and then the trigger can be pulled.'

John slid the safety switch and aimed. 'WATCH OUT FOR THE RECOIL,' Books warned, but too late!

'May be you should go home and rest today,' Books said to John ten minutes later, while John pressed his right eye with ice packs, 'come back tomorrow, we'll start over.'

'Yeah, you're right, see ya,' John got up.

'Let me take that for you,' said Books and took his gun from John.

Every day after his normal office hours, he went to the gun range to practice shooting. He learned everything he needed to learn about gripping, keeping and posing while shooting a handgun. It took him four whole months to perfect his shooting skill. He was finally ready to get his own gun.

'Now don't go around shooting everyone, you hear?' said Bernard jokingly while handing him his pistol.

'I don't plan to,' said John and gave him an envelope.

'We don't receive cheque,' said Bernard.

'Oh, no. It's not that. It's for the next person who comes here with this gun,' John said. Bernard looked puzzled, but took it anyway. John paid for it, signed some papers and left. 'Don't open it,' he said loudly before exiting.

That night at around one, the neighborhood heard a loud but distinct gunfire. Bernard woke up, scared. When he realized that the gunshot was from at least three blocks away, he said to himself, 'I knew he was up to something,' and went back to sleep.

The next day, two detectives came into his store. 'What now?' Bernard exhaled. They approached him, flashed their badge and asked, 'Do you know any John Smith?'

'Yes, he's a customer,' Bernard replied.

'You recognize this gun?' the second detective asked, putting John's pistol on the table.

'Yes,' said Bernard, 'he just bought it yesterday. Why? What did he do?'

'He's dead,' said the first detective.

'He was found dead in his bedroom,' explained the second detective, 'with this gun next to him. It could be suicide, but we're not sure. He didn't leave a note.'

Bernard remembered the envelope that John gave him. 'I've got something for you guys,' he said and started looking for it.

'Found it,' he said, 'John gave it to me when he paid for this,' he pointed at the gun using his free hand, 'told me to give it to anyone who walks in with it.'

The two detectives looked at each other, reached for it almost at the same time. The first detective tore the envelope open, and took out a piece of paper inside it. He unfolded it and the three of them read what was written on it aloud simultaneously.

'No reason.'

35907 - Witness the Gnarly

The National flag of Nepal is the most unique and the most mathematical flag in the world. While other flags are rectangular with some pattern or the other, our flag has two pennants merged one above the other, with the Moon on the upper pennant and the Sun on the lower pennant. It has crimson background and blue border. Hard to picture? Here's the one I made, following the mathematics as far as I could. It might not be 100% accurate, but it's close enough. And if you really like a challenge, try making the same in MS-Paint.

 

 

This has been our National flag since December 16, 1962. Before that, there used to be two faces instead of the Sun and the Moon. This flag was derived from it's original design that had two separate pennants, the one that had been used for over 2000 years before 19th century. It's mathematical algorithm is written in our constitution's schedule 1 article 5. Even the rays coming out of the Sun and the Moon is geometrically defined.

 

So, what's with the number 35,907? Nepal is making an official attempt to Guinness World Record of the Largest Human National Flag, and these many people will be gathering at Tundikhel, Kathmandu to lift a colored placard for ten minutes. When everyone is lifting one placard each, we can see the flag of Nepal from above. This event will be happening on August 23, 2014 starting at 6:00 am local time. The previous record was made by Pakistan with 28,957 individuals on February 15, 2014. And before that, by Bangladesh with 27,117 individuals on December 16, 2013. Coincidentally, the same date when Nepal's National flag was officially declared.

 

For this event, more than 30,000 people from different cultures and backgrounds would be gathering at one place. This shows our love and dedication to the Nation, and gives the message of unity in diversity.

 

This event is being organized by Human Values of Peace and Prosperity. Check out their official website http://hvpp.org/ for details regarding this event. Also, check out their YouTube channel for promotional videos. I need to thank this organization for giving me the chance to be a part of this gnarly event.

 

HVPP's official YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTnd8x3_npr4hvX0N3riuvw

 

Also check out this video by Numberphile. It's awesome:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2Gne3UHKHs

How Germany Saved My Grades

As World Cup approaches, everyone seems to be into football. People seem to be wearing jersey of the country they're supporting. I've supporting Germany in World Cup and Euro Cup since 2007, I guess. The first German player I knew was Thomas Muller (not counting Oliver Kahn or those before 2007).

Well, I'm not the kind of supporter who buys and broadcasts their support through jerseys and flags. But I needed a T-shirt and I thought, 'hey, what the hell,' and bought one for myself before their match.

So I had a practical of 'Propagation and Antenna' that day. I'd been wearing that jersey to college as well. And due to World Cup and reasons, I hadn't completed my practical assignment that day. We were supposed to study the radiation pattern of long dipole antenna and folded dipole antenna, and compare their half power beam-width. The point isn't these nerdy details, the point is that I hadn't completed it.

I knew I was in trouble, but I didn't have enough time to complete it then, so I went to the lab with what I had, and I only had the radiation pattern. I had no idea on how to calculate the HPBW. I had to get my lab report checked, and so I kept it somewhere in between the stack of reports. And as expected, the teacher summoned me to hear my excuse. I told him that I didn't know how to calculate HPBW. He frowned at me, and explained to me how it's done. At last he added, 'well, you seem to be German supporter, so I'll excuse you this time,' and signed by lab report.

Cooking for a Day

So I had to live alone for a day, all by myself. Sounds fun, doesn't it? Except for one tiny detail: I had never cooked for myself.

Well, I never had to, I'm always with my parents. My mum does all the cooking, and when she wasn't around, my dad did it. So I never had to bother. But that day, both my parents had to go to my uncle's and I had the house all to myself. And there I was stuck, cooking my own meal.

I always thought working in the kitchen would be fun. I enjoyed cooking with friends, but I never realized how little I know about cooking. Maybe because they did all of it and I just kind of steered the spoon.

I was getting hungry, and I remembered telling my mum, 'I can take care of myself, can't you trust your son in the kitchen just for one day?' Now I had to either cook something, or eat my words. So I started to rinse a cup of rice, thinking that much would be enough. I had never cooked any gravy vegetables, but I was good at frying stuff. I'd done potatoes, chicken, scrambled eggs, lady's finger, that's all I can think of right now. But there were only potatoes. I took two and washed them, ready to cut.

You should have seen the amount of dirty dishes in the sink. I had to wash them all before cooking. So I did. The rice was being cooked at that time. Then I remembered, I had half a dozen bananas and milk. I didn't need any potato. 'Thank God,' I said to myself. I was done cooking.

So yeah, that's all there is to it. My first day of cooking alone and I only did rice. And it wasn't that bad. I happened to have used a little more water than I was supposed to, but all in all, it tasted good and I ate proud. Poor potatoes though, I guess they're still there.

Horoscope

Astrology, the study of position and movement of heavenly bodies and it's influence on human beings. To me it's fascinating and mysterious. Mainly because I don't understand how something so up there can affect anyone down here.

Still, predicting someone's nature, interest, likes and dislikes by just knowing their's Zodiac sign, now that's an ability even Sherlock can't imagine. And it usually works. But tell someone to predict your zodiac sign on the basis of your likes and dislikes, hobbies and nature. I think they'll be wrong 92% of the time. Yeah it's fascinating and everything, but I don't quite buy it.

Sure, every now and then I turn the newspaper just to take a look at my horoscope. But looking and following, there's a big lot of difference. I really don't think that my choices should be governed by the date, time and position of some random stars at some five thousand years before my birth. Except, it seems that it is. And it's spooky as hell.

You know the things they say about Aries, that's me. At least most of it. My favorite color is RED for starters. They say Aries are independent, and I'm quite a bit of a loner. But I'm a good friend, I think. Usually childish and a bit overexcited, but aggressive at times, mostly when I don't get what I really want. I like trying new and exciting things, but I get bored if it makes me wait. Aries are well known for not finishing what they've started, if the task is monotonous and success isn't immediate. And I'm no exception, maybe that's why I haven't completed any Pokémon games other that Pokémon RED. (It's just a coincidence... or is it?) I might lie at times to get my way, but I really am not good at it, you should know. And to top it all, I don't think before I talk or act.

And with all these similarities, all these coincidences, I still don't think horoscope defines people. Because like a typical Aries, I think what I know and perceive is correct. In other words, I'm stubborn. I have my fixed opinions, and they won't change for the world. And in my opinion, there's no way I'm the way I am just because I'm Aries, unless there's some sort of quantum entanglement between me and Mars.