The Atomic Elephant: August 2019

Thursday, August 15, 2019

Oversized aircon v. Inverter

We compare here the performance of an older high powered air conditioner(OHP), ceiling split type, with a newly installed replacement, an inexpensive ($US 450 installed) Mitsubishi inverter (MI) wall unit at about one third the power (ie BTU/hr) of the old one.

The MI wins, hands down.

Why?

Tuesday, August 13, 2019

Review by Paul Feyerabend, late 20th century philosopher of science and author of "Against method".

...a detailed, well presented, superbly argued and absolutely fascinating account of one episode in the continuing interaction between science, technology, the law and the public interest. It once and for all puts to rest the idea that science uses a well defined and unambiguous method and speaks with a single voice. It makes it clear that experts participating in and testifying before a public forum are often outside their domain of expertise and therefore speak as laypersons, not as experts.....it shows how even very abstract considerations are influenced by the character and the temperament of those producing them. Required reading for historians of science and technology, philosophers of science, regulatory commissions....

Thursday, August 15, 2019

Oversized aircon v. Inverter

Tuesday, August 13, 2019

The Xe Pian Lao dam failure of July 2018