A simple simultaneous observation
Why do two people have the same idea or spark of creativity, independently and at the same time? Complicated scientific discoveries build on previous knowledge. It really isn’t so surprising when two people/labs/groups get to the same point at the same time. That isn’t really very interesting. What about observations that make you slap your head and wonder “Why didn’t I think of that?” The simultaneous independent discovery of the Mobius Strip by Mobius and Listing is one example. Take a strip of paper. It has two sides. Twist one end 180 degrees and tape it to the other end. You’ve created a unique endless piece of paper with one side-not two. Why didn’t someone think of it sooner? Galileo, da Vinci, Archimedes. Simple. Hell, I might of thought of that if it hadn’t already been done. I’m not saying I would have but I could have. Why was this simple yet profound observation/discovery never made until the 19th century when it was made twice?
Posted on Wednesday, November 8th, 2006 at 10:45 pm Categorized as:General You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
November 9th, 2006 at 4:46 pm
Man, what the heck are you talking about? Did you drink before you wrote that?
November 9th, 2006 at 6:17 pm
I wish I knew.