quote:
As for moving to "0" there is also the possiblity that space is quantized. In which case there are not an infinite number of little steps between where you are and "zero".
If the following is considered off topic, then let this side thought die here.
I was wondering when I heard Crashfrog express the same idea (but was too busy then to post), is that the solution to Zeno's Paradoxes? For example, I have heard that Zeno (or someone influenced by Zeno) stated something along the following lines:
If someone is standing a short distance from you - say just 10 feet - and shoots an arrow directly at your heart, that you don't have to worry about moving. Why? Because before the arrow can reach you it has to first travel half way to you; and after doing that, before it can reach you it still has to go half of the remaining distance; and after that, before it can reach you it still has to go half of the remaining distance, and so on indefintely. Since division by 2 in the process of calculating the new remaining distance for any given step produces a non-zero number, the result of the following division will likewise produce a non-zero number. Consequently, the remaining distance will approach closer and closer to 0, but will never actually reach it. And since there will therefore always be some distance remaining between the arrow and you, it can never reach you.
Now, even with space being quantized, it seems that one still can't divide any non-zero distance by 2 and end up with 0...well, unless one rounds down to the nearest quantum (1 / 2 = 0.5 = 0). But Crashfrog brought up a point about quantum uncertainty (which exists independent of our human ability to measure something) and I think quatum foam (which exists at the smallest possible scales), such that the distinction between a distance of 0 and one of "nearly 0" can vanish. Is that the general idea?
PS: I realize that there is already an answer to the paradox that involves calculus, but I am looking for a less mathematical solution.
[This message has been edited by DNAunion, 11-09-2003]
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