Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson for June 24, 2012

Tell Neil DeGrasse Tyson about it.

“Anyone informed that the universe is expanding and contracting in pulsations of 80 billion years has the right to ask, ’What’s in it for me?’ "— Peter De Vries, U.S. Author, The Glory of the Hummingbird

When Bill Watterson published this strip in 1992, some cosmologists began using the term “Horrendous Space Kablooie.” They got a big bang out of it.

Imagining Dr. Carl Sagan: "BIllions and billions of years ago, the Horrendous Space Kablooie… ".

Click here: Peanuts (October 10, 1957)

Originally “the Big Bang” was a term of derision by famed astronomer Fred Hoyle of Edward Lemaitre’s discovery – that if Albert Einstein’s characterizations of space, time and matter were correct, the universe had to be expanding over time from an original “primeval atom”. Even Einstein strongly disliked that idea and invoked a “cosmological constant” to get around it. When Edwin Hubble’s observations showed that the universe was indeed expanding, Einstein called his particular fudge factor the biggest mistake he ever made.Now, of course, “the Big Bang” has caught on but a much better description would be “The Lost Chord” or even “Harmonia Mundi” – the generation of all possible upper and lower harmonics from a single wave form. No bang, no horrendousness, no kablooie – only harmonic and interference patterns worthy of the implications of Genesis 1:1 and of the name Yehawweh itself.

@Nabuquduriuzhur: Cosmology isn’t exactly rocket science. But they are very closely related.by Sidney Harris:

Physicist use simple words to describe these things because it is hard enough developing any real understanding especially on the basis of mathematics of these extraordinary events. If we named it something really difficult for which physics students would have to remember on top of all the complex subject matter, then it may push them over the breaking point which they are constantly teetering.

How many 9 year-olds do you know use words like ‘evocative’ and ‘empiricists’?

It’s a good thing Calvin’s no scientist. Everything he discovered would have a rediculously long name.

Then Dr. Carl Sagan died. I hope he’s enjoying oblivion!POOF…!

by Sidney Harris:

Excellent name, Calvin.

xxx

I have been very interested in the continuing discovery of harmony in the universe. The bible text apparently was not being poetic when it mentioned “the music of the spheres.”

It is a wonder and I would let it be a wonder! Space is swinging, perhaps it dances with joy and praises god? And we shall continue this swinging, in singing, dancing and praising god! Everything is swinging, atoms also do!

Yes, I watch BBT, as often as i can. Great writing, great personalities. Just pure fun all around. To each his own, of course, but this one’s a hit around this house.

Music lasts for ever and when you don’t end it, it lasts for ever and ever it can always go on for ever without an end!

Perfect name Calvin!

Actually, the “Big Bang” was originally a derisive term given to the theory by one of it’s opponents, and mainstream science embraced it.

“Empiricists”? . . . Give me a break! Normal adults lack that level of vocabulary. What happened to Calvin the loveable, and Hobbes the smoochable? I’m going to Non Sequitur. At least I know the strange, unexpected language and circumstance can be expected.

“Some people will stop at nothing when trying to think of something.”

The clue’s in the name of the comic strip: Calvin & Hobbes? We should expect some intelligent commentary and big words.

Even though Einstein may be wrong, he’s attracted enough folks to look at all his other thoughts. He’s added to peoples’ thoughts and imagination (“which is greater than knowledge”!)

Can we say he’s, “kicked the can down the road?”

Calvin I think even Hobbes after trying a lot of deferant names will decide it does not matter much what you call these things.

B.C.E = Best Comic Ever!!!

Stars=“Goodness, Gracious, Great Balls of Fire”The Sun=Fire KingThe Moon=Earth’s Dirty Little BrotherVenus=Our EVIL twin sister.Can you imagine if we actually got scientists to start calling them that! What a riot! Gotta luv C&H. <3 :P

I love that title!

How about, In the beginning God created !

Have a good weekend. C&H and every one …

@Nabuquduriuzhur

So if YOU don’t understand it, it isn’t science?

If you can explain the kinds of things that draw out hypotheses like dark matter and dark energy, then by all means, enlighten us.

So, if the universe is expanding, what is it expanding into ?

The next panel.

If not a Big Bang then a momentous start, at least…