User Comments - wennytao
wennytao
Posted on: Relativity
March 18, 2008 at 2:55 PM:) Nice job Bazza, you got it. The only thing is that for #2, I don't think the two ruler will have the same length. The one that's moving at light speed will actually be much shorter than the ruler that's sitting on my kitchen table. Of course, I'm assuming in both cases, the observer is in relative motion with the object. Check out the Lorentz contraction equation and you will see the one in light speed will be shorter: L' = L/√(1-v2/c2). The 2 here means squared. Anyhow, cool stuff. BTW, Changye, assuming the spaceship had an artificial gravity generator, how do you think that will change the answer for #1?
Posted on: Relativity
March 17, 2008 at 8:39 PMSound like we all love physics, so it's time for a pop quiz… drum roll… 1. Which ball will fall to the ground first. A ball dropped 2 meters above the ground on earth, or a ball dropped 2 meters above the spaceship floor inside a rocket spaceship that's traveling at 40,000 km/hr in space?? 2. Which ruler is longer. A 1m ruler sitting on my kitchen table, or a 1m ruler that's traveling at 3×108 m/s in space?? 3. Which watermelon is moving faster. The one threw by Super Mike, who was standing still, at a velocity of 60 km/hr, or the watermelon threw by Super Joe, who is standing on a speeding truck that's moving at 40 km/hr, with a velocity that is 60 km/hr in the same direction as the truck's velocity?? 4. Again, Super Joe and Super Mike decide to have another contest. This time, They want to know whose light ray is traveling faster?? Super Mike quickly turned on his flashlight pointing west while standing in a field, while Super Joe near by, also turned on his flashlight pointing east while standing on a run away train that's moving at 200 km/hr westward. 5. Finally who is going to have a faster time? I'm running a 1 km track at a constant speed of 4 km/hr, while my friend is running the same 1 km track also at a constant speed of 4 km/hr. The only difference is that I'm running my time trial inside the gravity well closer to the center of gravity, while my friend is running his time trial farther away from the center of gravity. Extra credit: I don't get it. Is light a particle or a wave? Please explain on an elementary level. :) Please help.
Posted on: 精神污染
March 13, 2008 at 2:41 PM纽约州长乱搞色情方面的东西，看看他现在到了什么样的地步。 他只能丢脸地下台。色情对我们没有什么好处。 可是，什么是艺术和什么是色情，那就难说了。 真的是一线之差。 另外，这次的对话做得好。一个人是中了色情的毒，而另外一个人是一个老古董。Ha ha ha...
Posted on: 河莉秀
March 3, 2008 at 5:20 PMXiaohu, 我觉得您说得太好了。 我很同意您的看法。变性人的问题是一个不容易结决的本题， 个人有个人的看法。 所以许多外国教育材料都怕谈这件事。
Posted on: 河莉秀
March 2, 2008 at 12:24 AMThanks John, for your insights. I understand how difficult it can be to create a lesson around potentially controversial topics such as this, and I commend ChinesePod for not being afraid to test new waters, sry for the idiom. I appreciated everyone's inputs, and it really show how diverse our global society really is. Anyway, let's get back to learning Chinese.
Posted on: 河莉秀
February 29, 2008 at 11:24 PMI just want to thank everyone for all the great inputs. I felt the whole discussion was quite enlightening. I think the big picture here is that for difficult issues such as trans-sexuality, abortion, human rights, homosexuality, and etc, it's paramount that the point of view is displayed in a comprehensive and objective manner, and let the audiences like us to decide for ourselves on which side we stand. Also, I think our discussion revealed that issues such as this have no miracle solutions. My biggest criticism is ChinesePod's representation of this lesson; acting in an educational role, it should present the issue in a fair and complete manner that gives fair representation of both sides of the story. In an ideal dialogue, one individual should speak from the "pro" side, while the other would speak from the opposing perspective. This allows a fair discussion of the issue. But in this case, ChinesePod is heavily slanted toward the "pro" side, with both individuals in the dialogue arguing that trans-sexuality is not a big deal and becoming more common, and applauding trans-gendered people for their bravery. ChinesePod should at least explain why there are people who oppose this movement other than just saying we are biased or conservative. I expected more professionalism from ChinesePod. I'm not sure how to contact ChinesePod, but one of us should let them know about this issue. It's better for them in the long run.
Posted on: 河莉秀
February 29, 2008 at 3:36 PMSorry guys, I know this is advanced Chinese, but I'm using my work laptop; so I can't type Chinese. Tvan, you raise an interesting point. The reasons why I believe trans-sexual practices are shameful are because it's wrong on a fundamental level and on a spiritual level. I'm a traditional Christian with Christian values, and this is what I adamantly believe. I'm very concerned that this lesson is so skewed to one side and lacking in objectivity. Because it only talks about one side of the debate of how brave and heroic trans-sexuals are. And it also mentions that it's becoming more and more acceptable; and therefore, we should accept it too. What about the other side of the debate; I confident that there are millions of people worldwide who oppose homosexual and trans-sexual practices. Why aren't their views equally represented in this lesson? I'm trying to represent the conservative side of a two sided debate. Finally, Tvan, I'm not saying we should treat trans-sexuals unfairly, but what I am saying is that whenever we talk about a subject such as this, we should be objective and not be so conspicuously skewed to one side in particular. Finally China should lead and not follow. Just because it's practiced in other nations doesn't necessarily mean that China should also do the same thing. For example, if everyone in school smokes and does drugs, then does that mean that our children should follow? The answer is no!
Posted on: 河莉秀
February 29, 2008 at 5:34 AM谢谢Paulc。我觉得我们大家都有自己的色眼镜。 如果每个人在这个世界上都没有色眼镜的话，那你难道不觉得人们生活的这个世界会变得很单调吗？ Perhaps you are just more liberal than I am, and I'm just fine with that; we all got our own core values, and a sense of what is right from wrong.
Posted on: 河莉秀
February 28, 2008 at 10:46 PM我不知道为什么现在的中国人这么维持像河莉秀这种变性人. 同性恋和变性是一种不自然的现象, 以后对中国社会会带来很大的不利. 另外河莉秀对中国的年青人也会带来不好的影响. 我觉得变性人和同性恋并没有什么勇气，而是丢脸. Good thing the Chinese governement is still conservative with strong traditional leaders; otherwise, the Chinese society would be ruied. I wonder what's next, people wanting to be married with animals? BTW, this is just my own opinion. Criticize if you like.
Posted on: Detroit
April 6, 2008 at 7:29 PMAlright, I'm even surprised by the lesson; out of all the cities in the world, Detroit get picked :) I currently work here at the Motor City, and I must say that the auto industry is facing a lot of pressure. Still, major players such as GM is starting to comeback. GM's latest car lines are quite robust and attractive. I love the new Cadillac CTS that was completely revised from the ground up. Still, I feel the manufacturing base will continue to leave, and in the end, only the R&D and corporate functions will stay in Detroit. Chinese worker is a lot cheaper than UAW workers, sadly but true. I tell ya, it's globalization at work.