From: gisle@ifi.uio.no (Gisle Hannemyr)
Subject: Re: PV equation (was Re: e-meter)
Organization: gisle@ifi.uio.no
	<GISLE.92Dec16161900@gyda.ifi.uio.no>
	<1992Dec17.023948.4656@memstvx1.memst.edu>
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1992 16:23:43 GMT
Originator: gisle@gyda.ifi.uio.no

In article <1992Dec17.023948.4656@memstvx1.memst.edu> isds11990012@memstvx1.memst.edu writes:
> In article <GISLE.92Dec16161900@gyda.ifi.uio.no>, gisle@ifi.uio.no (Gisle Hannemyr) writes:

>> I should think that a "clear defintion" should _at_least_ name the
>> units one should use to express "PV", "I", "D" and "x" quantatively,
>> and how these quantities should be measured/estimated.  Since that is
>> left out in the book, it is _not_ "fairly well explained right in the
>> book".  The way it explained in the book it doesn't make sense at all
>> (at least not within the framework of any accepted standard of algebra
>> or logic).

> It wasn't intended that way.  You aren't supposed to use the equation
> to come up with an answer like "4957 Survival Units".  Read it over again,
> and quit trying to force it into the wrong frame of reference.
  
>> The thread died when I offered Bill a bet (my $8888 against his $1)
>> if he could show, using standard algebra, that the equation was
>> computable.  Bill declined the bet, stating that he didn't have the
>> time to put together such a proof.  The bet is still open if you want
>> to have a go.

> No thanks.  I agree with you that to compute this equation you need
> some type of units, BUT thats not the purpose.
>
> The equation was written for an AUDITOR not a mathmetician.  An auditor
> listens and computes, he doesn't sit and do math problems.

So, what are your point?  Do you mean to say that when an "auditor"
computes, he uses a DIFFERENT sort of mathematics than a "mathematican"?
I'm familiar with Douglas Adam's concept of "bistromatics", but in all
honesty -- I think Mr. Adams' intented that to be taken as a joke.

> Maybe you should read DMSMH over and pay special attention to the
> first Chapter where LRH states very clearly that He is not using the
> terminology of other subjects, and that the book was written to
> communicate with regular people, not scientists.

If LRH wasn't interested in "scientists", but wanted to communicate
with "regular people" why did he stick an equation in his text?  When
I pick up "People" magazine or "New York Times" or whatever it is
"regular people" read, I don't see a bunch of equations!  On the other
hand -- if I read something written by and for scientists, there is
usually a few equations thrown in.

I think it is a rather peculiar idea to select algebra as your language
if you want to "communicate with regular people, not scientists".  Of
course, in His divine wisdom, He is entitled to do whatever He want,
but to this observer, it looks like He was pulling a fast one.


[[ Deleted to save bandwidth:  long  argument, concluding that Adolf
   Hitler must have been a pretty valuable guy for humanity if I
   should believe John's definition of human value.]]

> There is something wrong with your understanding.  I guess you just missed
> the part that answers that argument.  Its right under your nose.  Read it
> again.  PV can have a positive or negative vector depending on how it aligns
> with the other Dynamics (Which is why you have the x, its NOT an exponent)

PLEASE MAKE UP YOUR MIND!

At the beginning of your post, you explain that we're not supposed
to associate specific magnitutes with the terms in this "equation".
Now you`re telling me that what we're dealing with is a vector --
which is something that certainly has magnitude (and in several
dimensions too!).

So what is it?  Is it or isn't it a vector?  And if it is a vector:
Please name how many dimensions it extend in, and the units one should
use to express "PV", "I" and "D" quantatively, and how these
quantities should be measured/estimated.
--
Meta-disclaimer: A society that needs disclaimers has too many lawyers.
 
- gisle hannemyr  (Norsk Regnesentral)
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