Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id DAA16031 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Sun, 17 Mar 2002 03:16:03 GMT X-Originating-IP: [209.240.222.132] From: "Scott Chase" <ecphoric@hotmail.com> To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk Subject: Re: FW: MD Dawkins on quantum/mysticism convergence Date: Sat, 16 Mar 2002 22:09:58 -0500 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed Message-ID: <F278Jqlbv7cojA365Pf00022424@hotmail.com> X-OriginalArrivalTime: 17 Mar 2002 03:09:58.0435 (UTC) FILETIME=[385EE730:01C1CD61] Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
>From: "Wade T.Smith" <wade_smith@harvard.edu>
>Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
>To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
>Subject: Re: FW: MD Dawkins on quantum/mysticism convergence
>Date: Sat, 16 Mar 2002 20:24:10 -0500
>
>On Saturday, March 16, 2002, at 07:19 , Lawrence DeBivort wrote:
>
>>Especially when one remembers that the meaning of the term quantum is
>>the
>>smallest discernible amount. new Age folks sometimes think it means the
>>opposite, as in 'a quantum leap.'
>
>But, AFAIK, that refers to the energy state of electrons, and it _is_ a
>vast leap across a gulf of immense energy, atomically speaking.
>
>But, some physicist will be coming along shortly to beat my ears with
>the facts....
>
>It also refers to a dreadful TV show, but, that's another matter.
>
>
Quantum leaps have something to do with discrete (versus continuous) changes
in energy levels or what not, at least when looking at atoms and their
electron shells.
Some fellow named Simpson had an idea about a "quantum evolution", but I'm
not too sure if this implied as much a discrete change as a saltational
event. There are IIRC discrete character state changes in evolution such as
the external cheek pouches of pocket gophers.
Along myelinated axons there's something called saltatory conduction between
nodes of Ranvier, but that's more of a dance step I guess.
Gradualism (ala Darwin) implies a continuous change, which could be
reflected given a perfect fossil record.
In genetics there are discrete and continuous traits. A trait strongly
infleunced by action of a single gene product might be one of those
either/or things, where a trait influenced by multiple gene products will
have more of a continuous range of possibilites.
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