HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: alden@netcom.com (Andrew L. Alden)
Subject: Re: Planet Earth
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest) 
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 1992 04:23:05 GMT

small@bcstec.ca.boeing.com (Peter Small) writes:

: When I see claims that science has a complete explanation of the universe,
: it calls to mind all that science has not touched.  A scientist may claim that
: anything that cannot be proven by scientific enquiry is not real, is a myth.

I see I should have used Emiliani's words:

[T]he spectacular advances that have been made in many fields of science
since World War II--in particle physics (quantum electrodynamics, the
quark theory), in cosmology (the Big Bang, element formation, quasars,
pulsars, black holes), in biology (the genetic code) and in geology
(plate tectonics)--now make it possible, for the first time in history,
to construct a model of the events from the Big Bang to today....Having
a model does not mean that we know the ultimate truth--it only means
that things =could be= that way, or =could have gone= that way....Our
model demonstrates the unity of science....

This book is an attempt to present a global picture of modern science
within the framework of the origin and evolution of the world in which
we live.  It provides the background necesary to understand why our
planet is at risk.  It also provides the background necessary for
devising ways to stabilize the planet....

To deal with the serious problems that the world is now facing, we
should follow the advice of Confucius--to expand knowledge as much as
possible.  From an informed citizenry new ideas can emerge that may
provide the solutions that are desperately needed....If the political
and religious philosophies that have made the twentieth century the
bloodiest in the long and troubled history of humankind should carry
over into the next, then the twenty-first century will be much, much
worse.  If, on the other hand, humans can succeed in burying the
tribalism of the twentieth century and helping each other through the
harsh times ahead, a new world should be waiting....

        --from the preface

The only thing I would add (besides "Buy This Book!") is that mystery is
not absent from science; instead, mystery and honest wonder at that
mystery is the driving force of science, and that force is steered by
relentless questioning: by doubt.  Pseudoscience, mysticism, astrology,
and much other unhelpful activity shows itself by its lack of doubt and
love of certainty.  Only a firm skepticism can allow you to let the
unknown be a mystery without filling the void with comforting notions.

--Andrew
From: carl@SOL1.GPS.CALTECH.EDU (Carl J Lydick)
Newsgroups: sci.geo.geology
Subject: Re: Planet Earth
Date: 27 Dec 1992 07:24:09 GMT
Organization: HST Wide Field/Planetary Camera
Distribution: world
Reply-To: carl@SOL1.GPS.CALTECH.EDU
NNTP-Posting-Host: sol1.gps.caltech.edu

In article <1992Dec26.155349.27561@mailer.cc.fsu.edu>, cain@geomag.gly.fsu.edu (Joe Cain) writes:
>	I want to learn more about historical geology and biology so
>my main question is whether there are any off the wall sections that
>might be better learned elsewhere. I find it hard to believe that one
>person can be expert in such a broad range of subjects to the detail
>presented.

I realize this is a bit off-topic, but I've got to comment on the last sentence
above.  There used to be a fellow by the name of Isaac Asimov who could do just
that.  How?  Well, he was known as a great populizer of science, and he also
happened to be reasonably intelligent (OK, so I'm understating things a bit).
When he was about to write an article, he'd either consult the most recent
published material or ask someone who was at the forefront of the field.  His
reputation tended to guarantee him access to those pushing the limits of their
fields.  So, yes, it *IS* posible for someone to write a book dealing with the
cutting edge of a number of fields.  Whether or not the book you're talking
about qualifies, I don't know.  But it *IS* possible.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carl J Lydick | INTERnet: CARL@SOL1.GPS.CALTECH.EDU | NSI/HEPnet: SOL1::CARL

Disclaimer:  Hey, I understand VAXen and VMS.  That's what I get paid for.  My
understanding of astronomy is purely at the amateur level (or below).  So
unless what I'm saying is directly related to VAX/VMS, don't hold me or my
organization responsible for it.  If it IS related to VAX/VMS, you can try to
hold me responsible for it, but my organization had nothing to do with it.
Xref: sparky sci.geo.geology:2650 ca.earthquakes:1520
From: guy@slustl.slu.edu (Guy Smith)
Subject: Re: where to get rock hammer?
Organization: Saint Louis University  Saint Louis, MO
Distribution: na
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 1992 19:52:08 GMT

In article <51723@seismo.CSS.GOV> stead@skadi.CSS.GOV (Richard Stead) writes:
>In article <1992Dec30.013955.1030@xyzoom.info.com>, rob@xyzoom.info.com (Rob Lingelbach) writes:
>> I'd like to purchase a rock hammer, but don't have the slightest idea
>
>You should probably get protective eyewear as well.

Yup. I've got a field geologist friend with a chunk of rock hammer in his
calf big enough to deflect a compass (the doctor decided not to take
it out). I leave you to imagine the effect on an unprotected eye.
From: carl@SOL1.GPS.CALTECH.EDU (Carl J Lydick)
Newsgroups: sci.geo.meteorology
Subject: Re: Cosmos Without Gravit
Date: 27 Dec 1992 10:31:16 GMT
Organization: HST Wide Field/Planetary Camera
Distribution: world
Reply-To: carl@SOL1.GPS.CALTECH.EDU
NNTP-Posting-Host: sol1.gps.caltech.edu

In article <35.875.uupcb@almac.co.uk>, david.carlson@almac.co.uk (David Carlson) writes:
>CJ>The moron
>
>CJ>Carl J Lydick
>
>CJ>Disclaimer:
>
>CJ>My understanding of astronomy is purely at the amateur level (or below).
>
>Perhaps someone reading this conference could direct Carl to a language
>development course (none at CALTECH?) or a flame-throwing conference.

One technical definition of "moron" currently in use:  An adult with the
mentality of an eight-year-old.  I claim that any adult who believes that just
because something was printed in a book (e.g., a book by Velikovsky) it must be
true meets that definition of moron.

Perhaps David Carlson should look for a course in basic English?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carl J Lydick | INTERnet: CARL@SOL1.GPS.CALTECH.EDU | NSI/HEPnet: SOL1::CARL

Disclaimer:  Hey, I understand VAXen and VMS.  That's what I get paid for.  My
understanding of astronomy is purely at the amateur level (or below).  So
unless what I'm saying is directly related to VAX/VMS, don't hold me or my
organization responsible for it.  If it IS related to VAX/VMS, you can try to
hold me responsible for it, but my organization had nothing to do with it.
From: gbarnet@uswnvg.com (Gary Barnette)
Newsgroups: sci.geo.meteorology
Subject: Severe weather reports
Date: 23 Dec 92 21:48:26 GMT
Organization: U S WEST NewVector Group, Inc.
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL5


I am a systems administator for US West NewVecotor.
We are a cellular phone provider in a 14 north-western state
region. I was asked by the operations manager for our
cellular phone network to find out if there is an information
service on the net that will provide him with severe weather
reports for areas that contain our cell sites. He would then
be able to warn certain personal and put plans into place that
might prevent or shorten cell site and/or phone network downtime.

I would appreciate it if anyone has information about possible 
solutions to this request. And who knows, if you are a US West
cellular phone customer, you may even benefit from your contribution.

Thank you,

Gary Barnette
E-mail: gbarnet@uswnvg.com
Newsgroups: sci.geo.meteorology
From: moonunit@meteor.wisc.edu (Chris Bovitz)
Newsgroups: sci.geo.meteorology
Subject: Re: porgram to compute time of sunrise,sunset
Date: 22 Dec 92 15:58:04 GMT
Organization: University of Wisconsin, Meteorology and Space Science

In article <1992Dec22.000853.16367@u.washington.edu> axel@apl.Washington.EDU (axel schweiger) writes:
>Does anybody have a program handy that computes sunset,sunrise times given 
latitude,longitude and time of the year. Please Email
>Thanks
>Axel

Axel - 

I don't know of any specific program, but you may be able to write your own
quite easily in a few easy steps.  Here are some equations that you may need:

The solar zenith angle as a function of latitude, solar declination, and
time of day:

   cos (Z) = sin (L) sin (D) - cos (L) cos(D) cos (H),

   where Z = solar zenith angle
	 L = latitude
	 D = solar declination (Careful! this is in degrees here!)
	     D = 23.27 sin (2 pi * DOY / 365)
		 DOY = day of year (Jan. 1 = 1).
		 you may wish to use 365.2425 (true length of year)
		 or 366 during leap years.
         H = hour of the day, in radians
	     H = (decimal time from local midnight) * 2 pi / 24
		 so 4:30 am = 4.5, 5:45 pm = 17.75.

      watch your units!

That's about all I can remember off the top of my head.  The trick
is that the solar zenith angle = 90 degrees at sunrise & sunset.
If you want more accuracy, there are ways of including longitude
(then H would be calculated from the clock time) and the equation
of time, which makes a difference of as much as 15 minutes.  One
problem I've had is taking into account the refraction of the sun's
image through the atmosphere, and I don't know if the sunrise-
sunset tables take that into account, but I've gotten to within
5 minutes, using all the equations.  I think these formulas blow 
up when & where the sun is up or down all the time.

One place I looked for these equations was in a solar energy book, 
especially dealing with rooftop collectors.


Chris

-- 
Chris Bovitz              |      
Department of Meteorology |     Weather weenie at large
Univ of Wisc - Madison    |  
moonunit@meteor.wisc.edu  |
Newsgroups: sci.geo.meteorology
From: jack@cloud3.met.fsu.edu (JACK)
Subject: Tropical Cyclone Weekly Summary #72 (December 13 - 20, 1992)
Keywords:  Tropical Cyclone, Tropical Storm, Hurricane, Typhoon
Reply-To: jack@cloud3.met.fsu.edu
Organization: FSU-Meteorology Department
Distribution:  world
Date: 22 DEC 92 00:29:49    

   This report is compiled from warnings issued by:
      National Hurricane Center
      Central Pacific Hurricane Center
      Naval Western Oceanography Center
      Fiji Meteorological Service
      New Zealand Meteorological Service
      Joint Typhoon Warning Center
      Japanese Meteorological Agency
      Royal Observatory of Hong Kong
      Indian Meteorological Department
      Reunion Meteorological Service
      Mauritius Meteorological Service
      (others may be added as they become available)


   Author's Note: I will continue putting out the weekly summary over the 
Christmas vacation, but it's appearence probably will be rather irregular 
for the next several weeks.


WEEKLY TROPICAL CYCLONE SUMMARY #72: DECEMBER 13 - 20, 1992

North Atlantic Basin: No tropical cyclones.

Eastern North Pacific Basin (E of 140 Deg. W): No tropical cyclones.

Central North Pacific Basin (180 Deg. W to 140 Deg. W): No tropical cyclones.

Western North Pacific Basin (W of 180 Deg. W): No tropical cyclones.

North Indian Ocean Basin:

   Tropical Cyclone 12A: Tropical Cyclone 12A formed near 5N 69E on 20 De-
cember. Moving west, the system reached tropical storm intensity later that
day. At the end of the summary period, TC-12A was moving west with 35 kt 
winds.

South Indian Ocean Basin (W of 135 Deg. E):

   Tropical Cyclone Ken (TC-05S): Tropical Cyclone Ken developed near 13S 
97E on 19 December near Cocos Island. Moving initially west-southwest, the
system reached a peak intensity to date of 45 kt. Ken turned toward the 
southwest on 20 December while weakening slightly. At the end of the sum-
mary period, Ken was moving southwest with 40 kt winds. There are no re-
ports of damage or casualties at this time.

South Pacific Ocean Basin (E of 135 Deg. E): No tropical cyclones.

   Special South Pacific Ocean Update: Some press reports have come in on
the effects of Tropical Cyclone Joni on Fiji.

   Tropical Cyclone Joni (TC-03P): Press reports indicate that one person 
was killed and seven missing as Joni hit the western Fiji Islands. Consid-
erable damage to property also occurred.

Disclaimer: While an effort has been made to make sure this information is 
accurate as possible, it was drawn from operational warnings that may not
always agree with the best track information published after the storm is
over. Please address any questions or comments by e-mail to Jack Beven at
Internet address:

                    jack@cloud3.met.fsu.edu.

Past copies of the Tropical Cyclone Weekly Summary can be obtained via e-
mail. Please send an e-mail message if you are interested.
Newsgroups: sci.geo.meteorology
From: axel@apl.Washington.EDU (axel schweiger)
Subject: porgram to compute time of sunrise,sunset 
Organization: Polar Science Center
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1992 00:08:53 GMT

Does anybody have a program handy that computes sunset,sunrise times given lati-
tude,longitude and time of the year. Please Email
Thanks
Axel

# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Axel Schweiger                                                Tel:206-543-1312
# University of Washington                                      Fax:206-543-3521
# Polar Science Center/Applied Physics #Laboratory
# 1013 NE 40th Street                                      
# Seattle, Wa 98105   
# axel@apl.washington.edu                                   Omnet: Polar.Science
# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: pmh2962@tamsun.tamu.edu (Pat Hayes)
Newsgroups: sci.geo.meteorology
Subject: AMS Meeting -- can we talk...?
Date: 3 Jan 1993 21:39:00 -0600
Organization: Meteorology, TAMU, CS, TX
Distribution: usa
NNTP-Posting-Host: tamsun.tamu.edu

Howdy!

Below is a repost of a message from the WX-TALK mail list.
Walter's suggestion might apply to regular readers of this
group also.  There should be some overlap in interests, no?
I'm a newbie at AMS stuff, and net-stuff, too -- I'd like
to put some faces to these sig's.
-----------------------------------------------------------
From:         Walter Sanford <wsanford@TJHSST.VAK12ED.EDU>
Subject:      AMS Annual Meeting
 
Hey WX-TALKers!
 
How many of you will be attending the AMS Annual Meeting in
Anaheim, CA, 17-22 January 1993??  Wouldn't it be nice to
organize an informal get-together for WX-TALKers to meet &
socialize??  It would be especially nice to set up a meeting
time that would also enable WX-TALKers to meet & interact
with the AMS Project Atmosphere AERAs (Atmospheric Education
Resource Agents) who will be attending the AMS Second
Symposium on Education, 17-19 January.  I might suggest the
reception scheduled for 18 January at 5:30 pm as a possible
meeting time & venue.  Sound like a good idea??  Any ideas
about how to proceed??
 
--
Walter Sanford                  wsanford@tjhsst.vak12ed.edu
AMS Project Atmosphere AERA     Home (voice/fax): 703-765-9392
West Springfield High School    Work (voice): 703-451-6403 x251

-- 
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Pat Hayes, Meteorology, Texas A&M University...<whoop!>...phayes@tamu.edu 
O&M 1008, TAMU, CS, TX 77843-3150....days:(409)845-1680 fax:(409)862-4466 
Newsgroups: sci.geo.meteorology
From: djthongs@hockney.Princeton.EDU (Dominique J. Thongs)
Subject: Re: Tornadoes around the world
Originator: news@nimaster
Keywords: trailer parks
Reply-To: djthongs@earth.Princeton.EDU
Organization: Princeton University -Water Resources Program 
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1992 13:50:11 GMT


        Is the relationship between trailer parks and tornadoes
        predatory, parasitic or symbiotic ... ?

        ( it could be symbiotic, Really... after all tornadoes just
          go out and remove the old and injured trailers keeping
          the park as a whole healthy. or is this too close to being predatory  ? )


Dominique Thongs

**********************************************************
* L'homme se decouvre quand il se mesure avec l'obstacle *
*                                    A. DE SAINT-EXUPERY *
* Water Resources Program, Princeton University          *
* Computer Graphics Staff / Geographer                   * 
* djthongs@phoenix.Princeton.EDU                         *
**********************************************************
* DISCLAIMER:                                            *
*   I can spell all of the Words right some of the Time, *
*      and some of the Words right all of the Time,      *
*         but no one should expect all of the Words right*
*            all of the Time.                            *
*             Only My Opinion has been represented here  *
**********************************************************
From: david.carlson@almac.co.uk (David Carlson)
Newsgroups: sci.geo.meteorology
Subject: Re: Cosmos Without Gravit
Date: 26 Dec 92 12:02:00 GMT
Reply-To: david.carlson@almac.co.uk (David Carlson)
Organization: Almac BBS Ltd. +44 (0)324 665371

Carl J Lydick writes

CJ>the moron

CJ>the moron

CJ>the moron

CJ>the moron

CJ>the moron

CJ>the moron's

CJ>The moron

CJ>Carl J Lydick

CJ>Disclaimer:

CJ>My understanding of astronomy is purely at the amateur level (or below).

Perhaps someone reading this conference could direct Carl to a language
development course (none at CALTECH?) or a flame-throwing conference.

            -<--David--N.Yorks--UK-->-
---
 . DeLuxe. 1.25 #12080 . 
                                                                   
Newsgroups: sci.geo.meteorology
From: ilana@kiowa.scd.ucar.edu (Ilana Stern)
Subject: More on Tornadoes
Organization: NCAR/UCAR
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1992 16:20:06 GMT

For those of you who thought I was being entirely facetious with my
earlier posting (well, admittedly I was, but that's not the point :-)
I direct your attention to the following article:

"Effect of vorticity pollution by motor vehicles on tornadoes," in
Nature, v. 253 January 24 1975, by J. D. Isaacs, et al.

-- 
/\    "I'm only a human girl person.  I ain't always perfect."--Rambling Rose
  \_][ <--NCAR Ilana Stern dod#009 r.b. cliff swallow ilana@ncar.ucar.edu    
      \______________________________________________________________________
From: gbarnet@uswnvg.com (Gary Barnette)
Newsgroups: sci.geo.meteorology
Subject: Automated warnings - Was: Severe weather reports
Date: 28 Dec 92 19:29:41 GMT
Organization: U S WEST NewVector Group, Inc.
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL5

First, thanks to all that were kind enough to send me suggestions about
obtaining severe weather reports.

Second, I have one more question concerning this subject.

Is there a service out there in in Cyberland that will automatically 
contact subcribers of severe weather warnings? I suppose that electronic 
mail would be the prefered medium. That way, programs on our end could
filter the output and send out electronic mail and/or pages without human 
intervention. 

Listening to weather broadcasts via radio or telneting into a system
every hour is too time comsuming and tedious.

Thanks,

Gary Barnette
US West NewVector, Inc.
E-mail: gbarnet@uswnvg.com
From: EAGUADO@SCIENCES.SDSU.EDU (Ed Aguado)
Newsgroups: sci.geo.meteorology
Subject: Tornado Watches and Warnings
Date: 31 Dec 92 00:33:19 GMT
Organization: San Diego State University
NNTP-Posting-Host: 130.191.118.44


Sorry if this information has already been posted here, but I don't
regularly look at this bulletin board.  Anyway, does anyone know the
average number of tornado watches issued each year and what percentage
of watch areas actually have a tornado?

Thanks

Ed Aguado
EAGUADO@SCIENCES.SDSU.EDU
Newsgroups: sci.econ
From: mg78@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu (Michel Gelobter)
Subject: Lorenz Curves: program for drawing them?
Reply-To: mg78@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu (Michel Gelobter)
Organization: Columbia University
Distribution: usa
Date: Sat, 2 Jan 1993 22:52:19 GMT

I am looking for a way to plot a Lorenz curve.

Does anyone know of a routine to do this in any software package?

If you recall, a Lorenz curve is the function F(x)=y for 0<x<1 and is 
used to graph income distributions for example (GINI distributions).

Thus as you go up the x-axis, expressed as percentage of the population, you
also rise on the y-axis, expressed as percentage of wealth controlled by
that percentage of the population.  The curve allows you to see the 
extent of the concentration of wealth, or other things, like rare events.

In any case, it is difficult to estimate, and I was wondering if anyone knew
of a package that does it.

I will post replies in a summary.  Thanks!
From: cmk@athena.mit.edu (Charles M Kozierok)
Newsgroups: sci.econ
Subject: Re: "Death of America"
Date: 27 Dec 92 18:56:52 GMT
Organization: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

In article <1992Dec21.171659.18729@ttinews.tti.com> kevin@drogges.tti.com (Kevin Carothers) writes:
>In article <1992Dec14.224955.7981@murdoch.acc.Virginia.EDU> spm2d@uvacs.cs.Virginia.EDU (Steven Miale) writes:
>%
>%Today I mourn the economic death of America.
>%
>%We're on a collision course with the national debt.  In a few years, on the
>%current course, 100% of tax payments would be required to pay the interest
>%on the debt alone.  When investors in US government bonds finally start
>%to panick (read: come to their senses about our political reality), we'll
>%finally face reality.  There really is no room to maneauver: whatever
>%parameter we change in order to get out of this, there will be some kind of
>%disaster.  Unlike the 1950's, the world market has fundamentally changed and
>%we can no longer grow our economy out of the debt.
>%
>
> Says who. You?

says a lot of people. read "Bankruptcy 1995" for starters.

> You think the national debt is bad? Look at the CONSUMER debt! It was
> something like 12 trillion in 1990.

there are some who say that this is the bigger problem. it doesn't change
anything though. it is like arguing about which disease will kill the patient
first. 

> Sure, the gov't is following a liberal spending policy. But I can guarantee
> that they won't arrive at the gates of  hell alone :-).

so what?

> Increasing tax receipts and decreasing spending was Perot's big picture. 
> Clinton tends to favor increasing receipts from a growing economy. 

it is the same voodoo Reagan promised us.

> The National debt is simply the difference between receipts and expenditures,
> and NOTHING else. ANY method can be used to reduce (or eventually elimiinate)
> it.
>
> Unless you show evidence that economic growth can't work to reduce the debt, 
> I can't give much creedence in what you say.

Reagan said he would do it that way. it didn't work at all. the "growth"
that Clinton is depending on is totally unrealistic and hasn't happened in
this country in 20 years (sustainably).

it's very simple. we have a major debt problem. i and others are calling
upon the government to undertake drastic reductions in spending to address
it. you and others are suggesting that we need not do this because we will
"grow" our way out of it. we are suggesting simple arithmetic. you are
suggesting speculation and wishful thinking. why don't *you* provide
some evidence for your position?

--
charles
From: louis@aupair.cs.athabascau.ca (Louis Schmittroth)
Newsgroups: sci.econ
Subject: Re: Japenese Industrial Policy (was "dumping")
Date: 21 Dec 92 17:41:00 GMT
Distribution: na

kevin@drogges.tti.com (Kevin Carothers) writes:

> BTW-
> This might just be paranoia (I don't want to get on a "those #$%&%$ Japanese"
> speeches a 'la Iacocca), but I firmly believe that the current Industrial 
> Policy of  Japan is rooted in a deep hatred of the U.S.  over the WW II 
> nuclear bombing. Has this been kicked around in this newsgroup before? 
> Any "proof" of this?

No, it is simpler than that.  Japanese industrial policy is based on the
history and culture of Japan.  They are *different*.  They really *have*
to show that Japan, the collective, is ichiban, number 1.  We should
understand that, and take protective measures without shooting ourselves
in the foot, as we have done so frequently in the past.  
--
Louis Schmittroth louis@cs.athabascau.ca
NW 1/4 18 67 21 W4 Alberta.