Monday 14 March 2011

What makes the universe so hard to comprehend is that there's nothing to compare it with.

A couple of questions that have always bothered me...

What is the Universe expanding in to?
And
What exactly IS the universe?

I've got this far...

If the universe is infinitely big, then the answer is simply that it isn't expanding into anything; instead, what is happening is that every region of the universe, every distance between every pair of galaxies, is being "stretched", but the overall size of the universe was infinitely big to begin with and continues to remain infinitely big as time goes on, so the universe's size doesn't change, and therefore it doesn't expand into anything. If, on the other hand, the universe has a finite size, then it may be legitimate to claim that there is something "outside of the universe" that the universe is expanding into. However, because we are, by definition, stuck within the space that makes up our universe and have no way to observe anything outside of it, this ceases to be a question that can be answered scientifically. So the answer in that case is that we really don't know what, if anything, the universe is expanding into.

The universe is commonly defined as the totality of everything that exists including all physical matter and energy, the planets, stars, galaxies, and the contents of intergalactic space. More customarily, the universe is defined as everything that exists, has existed, and will exist. According to this definition and our present understanding, the universe consists of three elements: space and time, collectively known as space-time or the vacuum; matter and various forms of energy and momentum occupying space-time; and the physical laws that govern the first two. A related definition of the term universe is everything that exists at a single moment of cosmological time, such as the present, or 'now' as in the sentence "The universe is now bathed uniformly in microwave radiation".

When you attempt to comprehend all of this, it makes you feel quite small.

Sunday 13 March 2011

Better mad with the rest of the world than wise alone.

Here are 10 Signs The World Has Gone Mad:

1. Weak Government Leaders


The destruction of any organization begins with leaders who lack moral authority. Government leaders around the world are faltering. Riots, revolutions and civil war abound. This is the biggest sign the world has gone mad.

2. Global Financial Crises 

The constant cycle of overspending, overtaxing, and over exhausting resources has global markets and citizens of many countries nearing collapse. This is most certainly another sign the world has gone mad.

3. Lackadaisical Morals


Humans today are generally pretty lax in terms of morality and value systems. People across the globe have adopted an "anything goes" attitude where more restrictive, rigorous morals once stood testament to traditional behaviour. The trend to turn away from the proverbial moral high ground is running like wildfire across the media, political arenas, and even in personal relations. This only further proves the world has gone mad.

4. Education


Parents today are self absorbed, dumb, and getting dumber. Unfortunately, kids today can only be as good as their parents. Thanks to funding issues, lack of resources, and general lack of direction, many brilliant minds are neglected, literally laying to waste. Despite multiple attempts to harness education and provide a uniform standard of learning, kids today don't have access to or derive the knowledge necessary from schools to succeed in building solid educational foundations.

5. Debt/Fiscal Irresponsibility


The world's biggest, wealthiest countries contribute to the $4,40,730,237,181,082 dollars (and rising) of global public debt with the number increasing substantially every second. In recent years, debt across the globe has risen faster than the economic output. Economists predict higher taxes may assist in decreasing global public debt. The trickle down effects of troubled economies, unemployment, and other financial issues only add to the already over-extended denizens of Earth.

6. Aging Populations


People are living longer than ever but that doesn't mean they are living better. As people age, their financial resources dwindle and their bodies fall apart, taking a massive toll on employment options, health care, education, families, and technology in developed countries. Governments lack the medical and financial resources to care for the elderly. Increased longevity only adds to health care expenses, pension programs are largely unsustainable and inadequate, and often governmental educational expenditures are cut to compensate for deficit funding.

7. Waste


Waste is everywhere, polluting the earth, contaminating aquifers, and destroying life on Earth. The more things that people have, the more they throw away. Waste is the byproduct of technology and people's discarded consumerism. With construction, commercial, industrial, medical, radioactive and hazardous waste accumulating at perhaps rapid speed.

8. Failing International Relations


Global relations between countries have never been worse than they are today. Weakened economies and inept leaders only further the divide between countries who were once strongly aligned and united in alliance. International trade, globalization, international activities, and strategies to promote cooperation are fast dissolving as governments place national interests above foreign policy. The resulting havoc from failing international relations are most prevalent in industry, agriculture, and even the quality of life.

9. Rise Of Celebrities


Poll any typical teenager today and they can more easily identify Justin Bieber or Lady Gaga faster than they recognize Mother Theresa. The rise of tabloids, the paparazzi, and gossip columns across the globe have sucked in the masses at a tremendous profit and at the expense of privacy and intelligence. It seems the public prefers trivial information about the latest A-lister's footwear or arm candy, over the cold, hard truth of the happenings in the world...just another sign the world has gone mad.

10. Food Crisis


Population increases, decreased crop production, urbanization, natural disasters, and surging food prices threaten a looming food shortage. Global food distribution is uneven and based upon wealth with experts predicting 33 nations could potentially face conflict and social unrest with global fallout. Additionally, as population increases, uneven land distribution further contributes to the threat of a food crisis. And worst of all, the over-processed foods consumed by many people are not remotely healthy.

Tuesday 8 March 2011

Well clearly Graeme it all went according to plan, what was the plan exactly?



Finance in football is a sore point with many fans, journalists and broadcasters taking different stances on the subject.

" The Football League clubs are on a financial precipice"
Football League Chairman Greg Clarke.

No football fan takes any pleasure from seeing a fellow club going into 'administration' or in some cases actually ceasing to exist. Yet having faced administration all of the clubs creditors, within the sport and outside, are effectively short-changed. I couldn't go to the supermarket, not have enough money for my shopping, stop, get an administrator and pay 20p in the £1 for my shopping so why should thse clubs be allowed to?
Clubs in the past that have faced administration have, in general, left and prospered. Leeds United, Leicester City, Southampton, et al. These clubs left with nice, large, stadia, competent playing staff and in some cases a blank balance sheet in a higher league. How was this allowed to happen? Yes, they were penalised by 10 points but that is just a one-season punishment. After leaving administration, they were able to wipe their hands of their debts, spend on their squads and challenge for or gain promotion while other clubs in the same division attempted to live within thier means and balance the books while attempting to be competetive.
My club, Tranmere Rovers, recently visited Plymouth Argyle in a league match. It was revealed after the game (3-1 to Tranmere), that ONE Plymouth player was being paid more than our whole team. How was this allowed to happen? Then Plymouth went into administration. Yes they were docked 10 points but with a team no longer laden with debt, maybe in a lower league, able to build and move upwards again. Who's going to bet against a couple of back-to-back promotions earned with money that isn't theirs? What about the caterers? The programme printers? The window cleaners? Where is their money? Being paid to failing players and over-ambitious directors. That's where.
In no other industry would this be allowed to happen. With the exception of the twisted, top-heavy, publicly funded banking system.

What if Plymouth, Stockport, Wrexham and Portsmouth were allowed to go bust?

If would cause heartbreak for the supporters of the clubs involved. I personally don't know what I would do if my club went out of business. Chester FC were re-formed, Wimbledon carried on in a lower league when their club was stolen, Accrington Stanley re-formed and eventually won a place in the league again.
What if Tranmere Rovers went bust? I couldn't face following a 'new' club. I believe I'd, after a period of mourning, find somewhere else to get my football fix. Not the 'fake', 'plastic' pointless chase for 4th or the Europa league that perennially is happening across the Mersey with the Reds and Blues. I couldn't be a Sky supporter or just be able to go to the stadium once a season. I'd probably Visit Vauxhall Motors FC, Cammell Laird FC or Heswall FC. That's the knock-on effect of a supporter losing their club. Others benefit.

So either these clubs are allowed to prosper by cheating their creditors at present or their assets are sold and they are wound up.

For Wrexham fans... What about Cefn Druids?
Plymouth Argyle fans... Plymouth Parkway?
Stockport fans... Woodley Sports?
Portsmouth fans... Havant and Waterlooville?

It may be for the good of the game....