What is Idea: Definition and 833 Discussions

In common usage and in philosophy, ideas are abstract concepts. Also in philosophy, ideas can also be mental representational images of some object. Many philosophers have considered ideas to be a fundamental ontological category of being. The capacity to create and understand the meaning of ideas is considered to be an essential and defining feature of human beings. In a popular sense, an idea arises in a reflexive, spontaneous manner, even without thinking or serious reflection, for example, when we talk about the idea of a person or a place. A new or an original idea can often lead to innovation.

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  1. J

    What are some interesting topics for a calculus paper?

    Help. i have to write a paper for my calc class and i have no idea what to write about. i was going to write it on fracture mechanics of different materials but that just got too boring. any ideas? it just has to use calc somehow. i know it should be really easy to pick a topic but i am just...
  2. S

    Could someone give me an idea for a proof of this

    Let f ( x ) = {0, if x = 1/n for some natural number n or 1, otherwise Note: Natural number would refer to the set of positive integers Z+ that is 1,2,3,... Prove that this function is integrable on [0,1] and it's integral is 1 Certainly there are an infinite number of dicontinuities...
  3. marcus

    Extended idea of diffeomorphism

    Rovelli has introduced an extended idea of diffeomorphism which is smooth except at a finite number of points. The group of extended (or 'almost smooth') diffeomorphisms plays a role in the Fairbairn/Rovelli paper that just came out and also in the key chapter 6 of the new book "Quantum...
  4. marcus

    Woit's idea of a Better Holy Grail

    -----quote from Woit, March 19 blog---- The Holy Grail of Physics It's pretty common these days for people to refer to successfully quantizing general relativity as "the Holy Grail of Physics", but it seems to me that there is a different problem that better deserves this name: "Why...
  5. Z

    Elemental half-life: novel idea?

    I was wondering if there were any known solid elements, natural or synthetic, which radioactively decay into a gas. It would be cool to watch a block of it become more and more sponge-like, and therefore less dense, as it decayed - structurally crumbling until finally no solid could be...
  6. D

    Am I Understanding the Basic Theory of Evolution Correctly?

    Don't know if this belongs in Social Sciences or here, so I apologize if it is in the wrong category. I need someone to tell me about the basic theory of evolution. I remember learning it during the 7th grade, and now I have a bunch of names and facts jumbled in my head. As far as I...
  7. T

    He wrote a book called Geons, Black Holes, and Quantum Foam: A Life in Physics

    Everyone keeps discussing some forms of the big bang models for the creation of the universe, however upon reading hawkings The theory of everything, he discussed many models for the creation of the universe. One, that i found particularlly interesting was the idea of the No-Boundary Universe...
  8. marcus

    Another idea for observing dark energy

    http://arxiv.org./abs/gr-qc/0402066 these people (at U British Columbia) study an idea for observing the effect of the cosmological constant (dark energy, negative pressure...) on the spectrum of Xrays coming from a black hole their conclusion is disappointing, the test they study...
  9. Ivan Seeking

    Seeding the atmosphere with aluminum oxide: A good idea?

    Let's assume for the moment that beyond any doubt, global warming is real. Does this offer a viable solution to reduce global warming? Could this create another environmental disaster by loading the biosphere with aluminum oxide [apparently the preferred choice to be used in jet fuel]. The...
  10. S

    Kissing Electric Shocks, No Idea Whats Causing It

    I just don't get it, I've noticed that over the last three days when my girlfriend and I kiss we both get a nasty electric shock, and a crack sound can be heard, its driving us crazy, I've tried wearing differnt clothes, differnt shoes, having a shower and bath, touching metal objects, nothing...
  11. T

    Idea concerning the direction of science.

    Imagine you are a computer programmer, and you have knowledge of the theory of everything and decide to put this equation into the computer to find out the most efficient way of living your life in opulent splendour. You plug in the equation and the compuet scans the surroundings and plots...
  12. S

    Here's an interesting idea on predestination.

    Here's an interesting idea I had today. Not trying to say it's true necessarily, just found it interesting and thought I should post it. It's adapted from an msn conversation (heh), so the style is probably a tad odd. :) We may be destined to live, but if we're stupid and make a choice...
  13. marcus

    Smolin contributes idea about testing String

    This just out: http://arxiv.org/hep-th/0401087 Joao Magueijo <j.magueijo@ic.ac.uk> Lee Smolin "String theories with deformed energy momentum relations, and a possible non-tachyonic bosonic string" Smolin is one of the inventors of Loop gravity but also has authored and co-authored a...
  14. G

    Stargazing Revolutionizing Telescope Technology: The Potential of Analog Nano-Tech Mirrors

    Some may be aware that 10 years ago or so, Texas Instruments began manufacturing a display device using nano-technology. It consists of a two dimensional array of mirrors. Each mirror can be actuated to lie at a different angle. It is strictly a binary device; a mirror is at one or the other...
  15. T

    What would be your idea of a DREAM vacation?

    My first choice, for pure relaxation and scenery, would be Tahiti. Otherwise, I would really like to tour England. Can't afford it though.
  16. T

    Is a Quantum Universe Computer Possible?

    Me and my other school friend have developed an idea for the perfect computer. It is not practical at this point in technology, and has some far fetched ideas. We were wondering if this could even be remotely possible. Plz Post comments. Ok, here is the computer. First, the computers mobo...
  17. C

    Einstein's E=mc2 'was Italian's idea'?

    Is this true? Einstein's E=mc2 'was Italian's idea' Rory Carroll in Rome Thursday November 11, 1999 The Guardian The mathematical equation that ushered in the atomic age was discovered by an unknown Italian dilettante two years before Albert Einstein used it in developing the theory of...
  18. A

    Opinions on the idea of rishons

    I would like some opinions on the idea of rishons (Harari and Seidberg) please. Am I correct that this idea groups all sub-atomic particles in bunches of three? If so, wouldn't this come into conflict with the idea of mesons?
  19. M

    Who came up with the term 'multiverse'?

    Anyone know just who (and when?) came up with the term 'multiverse' to describe the parallel or multiple universe theories? thanks.
  20. S

    An idea on dreams and their function (more)

    I know that this is a subject of much debate among the fields of metaphysics, general philosophy, neuroscience, psychology, etc. Today I came up with an idea, I'm really not sure if others have, unbeknownst to me, thought of the same previously, or if I have come up with a new possibility. In...
  21. D

    Waves - I just need to confirm an idea

    Hello everyone! I've got a question from the book "Fundamentals of Physics/Halliday, Resnick, Walker" - 6th ed, page 395, #23P. A uniform rope of mass m and length L hangs from a ceiling. (a) Show that the speed of a transverse wave on the rope is a function of y, the distance from the...
  22. Z

    Can a Pulsed Plasma Laser Be Created Using Existing Laser Components?

    if i used existing laser focusing tube, with lens and everything, and i drill two holes inside a tube, parallel to each other with conductors inside them so they make a spark gap, and discharge 320 kV inside it, would light that is emitted from air plasma be sufficient to make nice beam? few...
  23. STAii

    Weird Idea: Global Communication Without EM Waves

    A Weird Idea Greetings. I have this idea, i know it is not really good (i already realized some of its weakness), but i thought i will put it here, since i believe that as it gets discussed (if it will) i might learn sth new. Ok, my idea is like a new way to make world-wide communication...
  24. L

    Is Predicting the Future Possible and How Would it Affect Our Actions?

    Know what I figured out(?)... Since the old days man learned to consider his action...I'ts very evolutionary gaining... I can easily see how that would evolve into pre-sight already I can see some in myself...(small things like "what will happen today" "maybe this" "oh I was right"...) Now...
  25. Ivan Seeking

    What is the best Sci-Fi idea that you have encountered?

    From any source, what are the most intersting ideas that you have read or seen in Sci-Fi? Of course, not to give away the plot for those who may see or read what is referenced. I just saw one that was cool on Gattica [spelling?]. Genetically engineered piano players have 12 fingers. Music is...
  26. MathematicalPhysicist

    Uncovering the Origins of the Universe: Insights from the Big Bang Singularity

    just an idea... i thought about something today the information of the universe has been also in the singularity of the big bang from this we can deduct that we know what was in the singularity. what do you think?
  27. MathematicalPhysicist

    Are the people encountered in time travel the same as in the present?

    now let's say time is relative (which it is, from einstein), now that's implies the next thing: when someone is going back in time he's going through his own time frame while the others are in their own time frames are not affected by it (because if the other choice was correct that will assume...
  28. D

    Can a powerful capacitor be used to create a flying machine?

    A couple of days ago while i was thinking about several stuff an idea came to me. Here goes. Imagine you have a really powerfull capacitor that has enough power to accelerate an electron to the speed of light, when the electron is put to the negative plate. The electron would never reach the...
  29. M

    News What are the implications of lifting the sanctions on Iraq?

    What do you think of the UN's action in removing the sanctions from Iraq? For me it's a little like, what an intelligent move, giving money to people, to help people, who would'a thunk it? Can you imagine, you can help people! by giving them money! For all of the times I have seen the...
  30. G

    Creating a Low-Cost EMP Device: A School Project Idea

    This is Somewhat Physics and somewhat technology question but I thought I would ask anyways. I am thinking of making a small EMP device for a School project. However I have afew questions, first would have to be, has anyone else seen a project like this done or attempted before? Also I wanted to...
  31. M

    Exploring the Nature of the Mind: Lifegazer's Idea

    Most of us here are familiar with the Lifegazer's Mind idea, so I won't go into any real explanation - unless it becomes necessary; in which case, I think Lifegazer would do a better job than I would anyway. Lifegazer has said that all minds are products of the Mind (or of God; the terms are...
  32. C

    Crackpot perpetual energy generator idea

    Okay, this seems like it should work, but I know that it ought not too. Please tell me what you think. My idea is for a device which will be able to perpetually produce hydroelectric power. It works based on the ideas of cappilary action. Start with a large pool of water, and take a...
  33. C

    Can Magnetic Tape Be Used as an External Storage Device for PCs?

    what if you put ram chips in the hard drive itself to store information on it with the normal drive.what you could do is store windows and private files you don't want people to access when your on line there.and go between them on you computer.so if your hard drive crashes.you can boot windows...
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