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The fundamental value of the "switch"...

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Avarice
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23 Mar 2010, 4:15 pm

iamnotaparakeet wrote:
Avarice wrote:
iamnotaparakeet wrote:
Actually, when comparing electronics to biological organisms, biological organisms are far more complex, operate on a near nano-robotic scale, have far greater efficiencies, and last a heck of a lot longer on average (at least for comparable size, I know bugs only live for a matter of days usually, except for the 17 year locust.) I like electronics better though, it is easier to understand how things like capacitors, inductors, LEDs, ICs &c work as compared to understanding how organelles work.


Far, far more complex. That's why we make circuits and not animals. And it's nice to read about a resistor and know that "it works this way and always will, provided it was manufactured correctly" rather than read about a cell and think of all the mutations that could happen, not to mention that cells are more complex anyway.

If I'm not making sense it's probably my illness, I've had 2 colds in three weeks and am quite delirious...


Resistors operate the same way qualitatively whether they are built to spec with proper levels of tolerance as indicated on them or not though. Quantitatively a defective resistor, or other component, will tend to cause malfunction or otherwise cause the circuit it is incorporated into to also be defective. The more complex a system, meaning more components, means more chance for the overall circuit to have defects.

I might not be making too much sense either, as I've stayed awake for most of the night cleaning my apartment and listening to This Week In Space. Hope you get past the colds soon, those are never fun... especially if you have an employer whose sole focus is the bottom line rather than people.


Don't worry, you make enough sense. And no, colds aren't fun. I didn't mind the days off for the first one but the fun wears off when you get two in three weeks, and when you feel terrible on your weekends.



pumibel
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23 Mar 2010, 5:36 pm

iamnotaparakeet wrote:
Avarice wrote:
Yes, nothing is quite as beautiful as the natural world. No matter how complex and well designed technology is. But there is a kind of beauty in technology, most visible when you look at something that you have made with pride.



Actually, when comparing electronics to biological organisms, biological organisms are far more complex, operate on a near nano-robotic scale, have far greater efficiencies, and last a heck of a lot longer on average (at least for comparable size, I know bugs only live for a matter of days usually, except for the 17 year locust.) I like electronics better though, it is easier to understand how things like capacitors, inductors, LEDs, ICs &c work as compared to understanding how organelles work.


The 17 year locust or cicada, known as Brood X, is fascinating. I don't get exactly how they can do that. I guess they slow sown all of their functions to a stasis, like suspended animation. I lived in MD when the last group of Brood X hatched. I am glad I am not afraid of them because there were millions! Thousands in my yard alone. I guess that was my special interest for several months- a couple months leading up to the hatch, during their stay, and a little while after. It was on the news all the time, but mostly they discussed recipes :eew: