textbooks and other nonsense
So, i'm taking a course on HVAC systems through MIT's "Open Courseware" system (which is a fabulous idea). However, as I'm reading through topics that I have learned before and am trying to brush up on, I'm struck by the fact that this textbook was written by an imbecile. No, that's not the right word. Was written by someone with no communication skills. At All. (Not surprising in the engineering world, I know) Heat transfer does not need to be a difficult concept.
"From the second law considerations it can be demonstrated that there is always a net positive energy transfer from the body at a high temperature to a second body at a lower temperature."
What they mean is: Heat energy moves from higher temps to lower temps, through 3 possible ways: convection, conduction, and radiation. What I just told you in 2 lines, this book can't seem to get through in 3 pages. It's frustrating to me. After rereading each section it finally clicks what the heck they're talking about. And that's because I've learned it before! I can't wait to get to the stuff I don't know. Maybe the Ryan McDevitts of the world enjoy that painful, precise language, but I think the world in general would be better off if more people could understand it. AND if they didn't charge like $150 for that crap, but that's another story altogether.
Let's move on to something a little deeper:
First, Sudan (yes, the country) has successfully been found responsible for the bombing of the USS Cole, by means of a lawsuit filed by the dead sailors' families. How is it possible for American citizens to sue across governments? How can you possibly collect on that? Why in the world would another country bow to our judicial system? I'm confused.
Second, in a twist on that story, a GITMO bay detainee has confessed to masterminding the Cole bombing, as well as a few other notable terrorist attacks. This follows on the heels of the Pentagon releasing a few other notable confessions - the man who beheaded journalist Daniel Pearl and also masterminded 9/11.
This brings up more questions than anything. First, when did these confessions happen, and why were they just released now? (I'm sure there was quite a bit of politicking to it.) Second, under what circumstances were these confessions made? These men are now admitted terrorists - how could we possibly have made them confess? Does it go back to torture? You can't tell me one day they just woke up and said "Today I think I'll tell those American swine everything." It just seems fishy to me.
And then - why hasn't the news coverage been greater? These seem like (if true) small victories that should be celebrated. Apparently we have CAUGHT the man who put together the logistics for 9/11. This should be all over the place! My little anti-Bush papers haven't said anything... hmmmm.....
"From the second law considerations it can be demonstrated that there is always a net positive energy transfer from the body at a high temperature to a second body at a lower temperature."
What they mean is: Heat energy moves from higher temps to lower temps, through 3 possible ways: convection, conduction, and radiation. What I just told you in 2 lines, this book can't seem to get through in 3 pages. It's frustrating to me. After rereading each section it finally clicks what the heck they're talking about. And that's because I've learned it before! I can't wait to get to the stuff I don't know. Maybe the Ryan McDevitts of the world enjoy that painful, precise language, but I think the world in general would be better off if more people could understand it. AND if they didn't charge like $150 for that crap, but that's another story altogether.
Let's move on to something a little deeper:
First, Sudan (yes, the country) has successfully been found responsible for the bombing of the USS Cole, by means of a lawsuit filed by the dead sailors' families. How is it possible for American citizens to sue across governments? How can you possibly collect on that? Why in the world would another country bow to our judicial system? I'm confused.
Second, in a twist on that story, a GITMO bay detainee has confessed to masterminding the Cole bombing, as well as a few other notable terrorist attacks. This follows on the heels of the Pentagon releasing a few other notable confessions - the man who beheaded journalist Daniel Pearl and also masterminded 9/11.
This brings up more questions than anything. First, when did these confessions happen, and why were they just released now? (I'm sure there was quite a bit of politicking to it.) Second, under what circumstances were these confessions made? These men are now admitted terrorists - how could we possibly have made them confess? Does it go back to torture? You can't tell me one day they just woke up and said "Today I think I'll tell those American swine everything." It just seems fishy to me.
And then - why hasn't the news coverage been greater? These seem like (if true) small victories that should be celebrated. Apparently we have CAUGHT the man who put together the logistics for 9/11. This should be all over the place! My little anti-Bush papers haven't said anything... hmmmm.....
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