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September 17th, 2008
05:02 pm
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Not a flaw



One idea I take great exception to is the notion that understanding a bit about how something awesome works somehow destroys some special ability to appreciate the awesomeness of it. In my experience, it absolutely does not.

This is an example of thin film interference, where light reflecting from the top and bottom of a crack in a polished quartz pebble destructively interferes with itself. It's damn pretty, whether you care to follow the maths or not.

(Actually the most accessible explanation I could come up with was in the Wikipedia entry on soap bubbles. This includes the one I attempted to write myself.)

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From:[info]gumnut
Date:September 17th, 2008 12:00 pm (UTC)
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That is muchly of the pretty :D

And I agree with you. In fact, I often consider something more interesting if I do know how it works. For example, a plane taking off is always a marvel to me. I have a rough idea of how it is done, but that certainly doesn't make it any less amazing.

And anything from the natural world? Don't get me started :D

Nutty
(lover of beauty that has to be looked for)
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From:[info]dianavilliers
Date:September 18th, 2008 12:27 am (UTC)
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The coolest thing about planes for me? The way they scale up!
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From:[info]wcg
Date:September 17th, 2008 01:08 pm (UTC)
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You know you're preaching to the choir where I'm concerned. It's very pretty.
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From:[info]dianavilliers
Date:September 18th, 2008 12:15 am (UTC)
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I figured. I'd just like to find a gentle and effective way of showing people who think otherwise that it's not me who's missing out.
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From:[info]snobahr
Date:September 19th, 2008 05:05 pm (UTC)
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Came here via [info]theweaselking - mind if I link this to [info]wtf_nature? Or would you like the honours? That's freakin' gorgeous, by the bye...
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From:[info]dianavilliers
Date:September 19th, 2008 11:02 pm (UTC)
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Thank you - this phenomenon is not wtf to me so I wouldn't have thought to post it to [info]wtf_nature, but if it is to you then please go ahead and link.
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From:[info]fortysevenbteg
Date:September 19th, 2008 05:10 pm (UTC)
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Fantastic. :)
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From:[info]dianavilliers
Date:September 19th, 2008 11:02 pm (UTC)
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Thanks!
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