Today’s strip reminds me of something that I learned recently. Einstein did not like the term Theory of Relativity. He preferred the term Invariance Theorem. Calvin would consider both terms to be dull.
Calvin does compare himself to Einstein. He once told Susie, “Remember what bad grades Einstein got? Well, mine are even worse!” As some readers pointed out, it’s a myth that Einstein got bad grades. He was considered a slow pupil though. Miss Wormwood, of course, realises that Calvin is a very intelligent and imaginative boy who could do much better than he actually does.
I guess he means, Up Quark, Down Quark, Strange Quark, Top Quark or Bottom Quark, and Charm Quark. Quarks are among the smallest particles in the Universe.
The term “Big Bang” to describe the beginning of the universe was a derogatory name coined by Fred Hoyle who thought the idea was preposterous. He kept pushing his idea of “steady state” until the day he died.
Dark Matter is bunk. Scientists are using Newtonian equations for gravity and, when the universe doesn’t fit their equations, they make up something ridiculous like Dark Matter because there is no way their equations could be wrong. Arrogance. They need to accept that gravity doesn’t fit Newtonian physics on the scale of the multiple galaxies the same way Newtonian physics doesn’t fit the very small on the scale of atoms, thus quantum physics.
People often underestimate the scientific sense of humor. F’rinstance after Rutherford determined that the atom was mostly empty space, physicist defined a “barn” as approximately the cross-sectional area of a uranium nucleus.
“Nomenclature” is a specialty field and most new names are very carefully considered, especially in botany and zoology, where there are many, many species. However, if you discover a new fundamental particle or property of matter – you can name it pretty much whatever you please. (Try not to use something already taken like “charm” or “color”, if you can.)
For years now business and product names appear to be the output of a randomizer. Prescription drug names are a good example. HP named its consulting services company Agilent. Frederik Pohl predicted this in the early ’60s in a story about AI run businesses that ran without human intervention. The product names became a bit odd. Consider Kleen Krack Boilerator. People were forced to consume in order to keep the economy going. The rich got to live modestly and have consumption free liesure.
Neil DeGrasse Tyson makes it clear that he’s proud that astrophysicists regard simplicity and clarity ( Big Bang, black hole, dark energy, etc.) as more important than creating jargon only those in the know will understand which many other scientific disciplines excel at.
BE THIS GUY over 1 year ago
The scientists will want their cut, Calvin.
codycab over 1 year ago
Dark matter isn’t really dull if it’s also the name of a boss in the Kirby series.
C over 1 year ago
Sciencey jobs
sirbadger over 1 year ago
The quick quark quietly quacked.
Bilan over 1 year ago
Here’s a free one for you, Hobbes. Instead of Quark Quark Quark Quark Quark . . .
We’ll name it PentaQuark!
Erse IS better over 1 year ago
Remember “Smock smock smock”?
su43dipta over 1 year ago
“Three quarks for Muster Mark!
Sure he has not got much of a bark
And sure any he has it’s all beside the mark."
VegaAlopex over 1 year ago
What about dark energy?
BigDaveGlass over 1 year ago
I think the business plan has gone into a black hole……..
johndifool over 1 year ago
Hobbes is trying to summon some Ferengi?
Calvinist1966 over 1 year ago
Today’s strip reminds me of something that I learned recently. Einstein did not like the term Theory of Relativity. He preferred the term Invariance Theorem. Calvin would consider both terms to be dull.
Calvin does compare himself to Einstein. He once told Susie, “Remember what bad grades Einstein got? Well, mine are even worse!” As some readers pointed out, it’s a myth that Einstein got bad grades. He was considered a slow pupil though. Miss Wormwood, of course, realises that Calvin is a very intelligent and imaginative boy who could do much better than he actually does.
akachman Premium Member over 1 year ago
Don’t forget medical disease named after the person who “discovered” it. Gets confusing and it’s not helpful.
Skeptical Meg over 1 year ago
Imagine a dark quark.
jagedlo over 1 year ago
Just make sure that the people over at NBC don’t hear you, Hobbes…https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077066/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
!!ǝlɐ⅁ Premium Member over 1 year ago
Hobbes, tell Calvin to go quark himself!!!
Forest Dweller 54 over 1 year ago
I guess he means, Up Quark, Down Quark, Strange Quark, Top Quark or Bottom Quark, and Charm Quark. Quarks are among the smallest particles in the Universe.
dwdl21 over 1 year ago
And I like to say smock. Smock smock smock…lol
Zebrastripes over 1 year ago
Everyday, the Pharmaceutical “scientists” come up with the dumbest names …..
dflak over 1 year ago
It’s called dark matter because, “We don’t know what it is.” was already taken.
txmystic over 1 year ago
Hobbes sounds like a quantum duck…
eolan59 over 1 year ago
Hobbes also likes the word “Smock”
Redd Panda over 1 year ago
Yesterday, I displayed my dreadful ignorance of Mr. Watterson and his work. I apologize.
I was unaware, he’d given up all drawing.
For those who are curious, I offer this.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Watterson
guenette.charlie(BozoKnows) over 1 year ago
Has Hobbes been watching Star Trek Deep Space Nine?
uniquename over 1 year ago
I think quark is a pretty cool name. You probably could improve on dark matter though, Calvin.
Lee26 Premium Member over 1 year ago
What a quarky cartoon this morn.
klapre over 1 year ago
The term “Big Bang” to describe the beginning of the universe was a derogatory name coined by Fred Hoyle who thought the idea was preposterous. He kept pushing his idea of “steady state” until the day he died.
mountainclimber over 1 year ago
I’m here, and I would love a better name for ignorance than “dark matter”.
NeedaChuckle Premium Member over 1 year ago
I didn’t know dark matter was proposed that early, the strip is 1993. Thought it was more recent.
rshive over 1 year ago
Generally speaking, quarks are a nuisance..
Will_Scarlet over 1 year ago
One of these days Calvin, you’ll learn the value of understatement.
Camiyami Premium Member over 1 year ago
Quark IS fun to say. It’s also fun to eat! Yum. Too bad you can’t find it in the US.
Saddenedby Premium Member over 1 year ago
IF I don’t care – it is a “dark matter” and ‘science’ should appreciate that. js ( ˘︹˘ )
offord over 1 year ago
Dark Matter is bunk. Scientists are using Newtonian equations for gravity and, when the universe doesn’t fit their equations, they make up something ridiculous like Dark Matter because there is no way their equations could be wrong. Arrogance. They need to accept that gravity doesn’t fit Newtonian physics on the scale of the multiple galaxies the same way Newtonian physics doesn’t fit the very small on the scale of atoms, thus quantum physics.
mindjob over 1 year ago
If Calvin needs some scientists, he could check Radio Shack. They all hang out there.
g04922 over 1 year ago
Quark, quark, quark…too funny. Gotta love Hobbes.
gregcomn over 1 year ago
Heard a lecture by Murray Gell-Mann when I was at Claremont (before the crazies took over!)
gregcomn over 1 year ago
In the ‘70s heard a lecture by Murray Gell-Mann when I was at Claremont (before the crazies took over!)
MEPace over 1 year ago
I like to say rutabaga. Rutabaga, rutabaga, rutabaga, rutabaga, rutabaga.
Spider-UK over 1 year ago
Where I come from, we call it “The Force.”
rentier over 1 year ago
Hobbes is the greatest scientist!
KEA over 1 year ago
People often underestimate the scientific sense of humor. F’rinstance after Rutherford determined that the atom was mostly empty space, physicist defined a “barn” as approximately the cross-sectional area of a uranium nucleus.
wiley207 over 1 year ago
One of Calvin’s funnier get-rich-quick schemes! And the last panel, that’s like my dad and the word “banana!”
johnec over 1 year ago
The prime target for your genius is the pharmaceutical market.
The names they give those drugs . . . anything would be an improvement!
And the consultants that come up with those stinkers get paid a whole lotta $$$$$$ – far more than your paltry $1!!!
minty_Joe over 1 year ago
The Swedish Chef would have fun with that word “quark”… Oh… Robot Chicken beat me to it. Okay, well how about, “Spam, spam, spam, spam…”
the habanero over 1 year ago
“Three quarks for Muster Mark!” — James Joyce, Finnegan’s Wake
mistercatworks over 1 year ago
“Nomenclature” is a specialty field and most new names are very carefully considered, especially in botany and zoology, where there are many, many species. However, if you discover a new fundamental particle or property of matter – you can name it pretty much whatever you please. (Try not to use something already taken like “charm” or “color”, if you can.)
willie_mctell over 1 year ago
For years now business and product names appear to be the output of a randomizer. Prescription drug names are a good example. HP named its consulting services company Agilent. Frederik Pohl predicted this in the early ’60s in a story about AI run businesses that ran without human intervention. The product names became a bit odd. Consider Kleen Krack Boilerator. People were forced to consume in order to keep the economy going. The rich got to live modestly and have consumption free liesure.
maverick.kaminski over 1 year ago
Neil DeGrasse Tyson makes it clear that he’s proud that astrophysicists regard simplicity and clarity ( Big Bang, black hole, dark energy, etc.) as more important than creating jargon only those in the know will understand which many other scientific disciplines excel at.
tomfromthe50s Premium Member over 1 year ago
How about “Ursus horribilis”, Iguana iguana", and “big bang”?
yarnm57 over 1 year ago
I think quark is pretty sexy as names go. And there’s the charmed quark. Charmed, I’m sure.
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] over 1 year ago
“Quark” the name of a space comedy tv series from the 1970’s.
StevePappas over 1 year ago
Quark, Quark, Quark.