What is Stupid: Definition and 313 Discussions

Stupidity is a lack of intelligence, understanding, reason, or wit. It may be innate, assumed or reactive. The word stupid comes from the Latin word stupere. Stupid characters are often used for comedy in fictional stories. Walter B. Pitkin called stupidity "evil", but in a more Romantic spirit William Blake and Carl Jung believed stupidity can be the mother of wisdom.

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  1. K

    Earth's Mass: Does It Include People & Everything Else? | Simple Question

    This is a question that was brought up in class...we were jokingly talking about if everyone in the world was transported to North America, and if all those people jumped at the same time, how the force would impact our orbit. So we estimated the mass of about 6 billion people versus Earth's...
  2. M

    Understanding the Flaws in Induction: Exploring an Example with Natural Numbers

    This isn't homework, just an example in the book on how induction can easily be used wrong, but I am having trouble finding exactly what the problem is with what they did, I know it's obviously not true: Claim: If n belongs to N (the natural numbers), and p and q are natural numbers with...
  3. F

    One very very stupid question (dark matter)

    I think that universe don't do nothing without a purpose ..... http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs563.ash2/148510_1563425698473_1620271184_1302410_4431579_n.jpg Mmmmm ... It is not that the universe is taking around us? When a star do BOOOOMMMM it create matter and gas ...
  4. E

    Does Lagrange's Theorem Prove Every Element's Power Equals Group's Order?

    Homework Statement If G is a finite group with m elements. Show that a^m=1 for all a\in G. Homework Equations order of group equal order of elements. The Attempt at a Solution i know order of group equal order of elements, but how to give a detailed proof? Is G cyclic?
  5. J

    Can you verify if there is a error in the notes or i am just stupid.

    as uploaded. I think the example is very weird. Why we can use conservation of momentum? There is external force! thx.
  6. G

    Stupid Question about Python Learning Curve

    Stupid Question about Python Learning Curve :D Sooooo... I have to get some sort of menial minimum wage job in the near future, and I would be okay with this if it gave me the time to study books or think about philosophy (a night clerk/cashier or something, etc.) Regardless of what...
  7. S

    Can You Represent a Vector as a Linear Combination in Multiple Ways?

    Suppose we want to express the vector v = (1,-2,5) as a linear combination of the vectors u = (1,1,1) v = (1,2,3) w = (2,-1,1) We follow the method here: x \ \begin{bmatrix} 1 \\ 1 \\ 1 \end{bmatrix} \ + \ y \ \begin{bmatrix} 1 \\ 2 \\ 3 \end{bmatrix} \ + \ z...
  8. J

    Stupid questions of basic analysis

    Why \lim t_n >-\infty\Rightarrow inf\{t_n:n\in\mathbb N\} >-\infty?
  9. K

    Feel really stupid. Need help. Thermal switch design problem.

    Homework Statement There are two rigid plates on the ends. In between them are two steel plates and one aluminum plate. The aluminum one is in the center. When the temperature increases enough the aluminum will buckle and touch one of the steel plates to close the circuit. alpha(alum)...
  10. K

    Are Closed and Open Balls in Topology as Simple as They Seem?

    1. Is closed ball the derived set of open ball? 2. In discrete metric space, boundary of a set is always the empty set?
  11. C

    Is the Equation f(x)=(x^2-1)/(x+1) Continuous? A Stupid Continuity Question

    is the equation f(x)=(x^2-1)/(x+1) continuous? i know it can be reduced to f(x)=(x-1) but i remember that in doing so you divide by zero for x=-1 and thus it will be discontinuous at that point... i don't know I'm really tired tonight
  12. S

    Is dx/dv Equal to Time When Considering Small Changes in Velocity and Position?

    Does dx/dv = t ? Can you just manipulate equations like this? [ x is position and v is velocity, t time :P ] Stu
  13. P

    Very stupid question about Wigner's Theorem

    Wigner's representation theorem says that any invertible transformation between rays of a Hilbert space that preserves transition probabilities can be implemented by a transformation on the Hilbert space itself, which is either unitary or antiunitary, depending on the particular transformation...
  14. A

    Stupid me with a stupid question about Wireless internet

    I hope this is the right place to post this... I've been having trouble with Skype lately. I can't play online games (I've been struggling with League Of Legends lately) while I'm on skype. The problem is skype, and I assume this shouldn't be happening since I know people with less bandwith...
  15. turbo

    OK, how stupid are US consumers?

    Does this "product" satisfy a need? http://www.snazzynapper.com/
  16. D

    Stupid noob question about state vectors

    Homework Statement I got a Problem that says: In this Problem we consider the angular momentum, \hat{L}, which normed common eigenstates for \hat{L}^{2} and \hat{L}_{z} is described by \left|l,m\right\rangle, where l and m is the corresponding quantum numbers: \hat{L}^{2}\left|l,m\right\rangle...
  17. S

    A stupid question on norm and trace of fields

    so i came up with a proof that..well.. Let L/K be a field extension and we have defined the norm and trace of an element in L, call it a, to be the determinant (resp. trace) of the linear transformation L -> L given by x->ax. Now it's well known that the determinant and trace are the...
  18. L

    Unraveling the Mystery: Exploring the Role of Chromosomes in Mitosis"

    I don't know why I can't think of an answer to this, but it should be simple. Every human cell contains 46 chromosomes, right? Well why do they only show 2 chromosomes in the diagrams you see that depict mitosis?
  19. C

    Understanding Immunizations and Evolution: The Role of Mutations Explained

    Hello, I am new to this forum and signed up to ask this specific question. From what i understand of evolution(which i am not trying to discredited here btw :cool: ) mutations are caused by either chance or adaption which then through natural selection favorable mutations are basically breed...
  20. C

    A very stupid question, calculation problem

    0.10 mL of oil can spread over a surface of 40 m^2 of water in a film one molecule thick to prevent the water from evaporating as fast. If one nanometer is 1 x 10^-9 meters, what is the length of one oil molecule in nanometers? Ok so this is a really stupid question, but I got the correct...
  21. Z

    Very likely a stupid question =S Finding acceleration with formula V^2=u^2+2*a*d

    Homework Statement racing driver, David Purley, survived a deceleration from 173km/h to 0km/h in a distance of 66cm in a crash. body mass = 55kg Homework Equations V^2=u^2+2*a*d is what i have to work with at the moment, i was thinking of using a=Fnet/mass. but I am having trouble...
  22. F

    Solving the Velocity of an Object with Given Acceleration and Initial Conditions

    Homework Statement Okay I've basically solved this problem... but I need some clarification. The problem is "The acceleration of an object is given as a function of its position in feet by a=2*s^2 ft/s^2. When s=0, it's veloctiy is 1 ft/s. What is the velocity of the object when s=2 ft...
  23. F

    Can becoming a US citizen increase your chances of getting into grad school?

    Do you know anyone that wanted to get into a Grad School into the United States so bad that they became U.S. Citizen and then apply?? And they actually got accepted??
  24. D

    Understanding AlGaAs/GaAs Band Gap and Conduction Band Offset Variations

    how the conduction band offset varies with Al concentration?? what is the different?
  25. H

    Uncovering the Mystery: Inertial Energy and the Standard Model Explained

    How does the standard model reflect inertial energy ? The following puzzles me- I am reliably informed that the entire milky way is moving through space towards a nearby galaxy cluster at a heady speed of 1000 Klm per second. I assume this scenario is repeated all across the Universe with...
  26. L

    Exploring the Mystery of Blackbody Radiation: A Quantum Conundrum

    Why do we see a continuous spectrum of radiation for blackbodies when we know that energy in atoms are quantized thus only emitting discrete energy levels?
  27. B

    Understanding Peskin's QFT: Deriving Equations (2.35) and (2.54)

    Homework Statement Hi, I have two stupid questions about Peskin's QFT book. (1) P23, How to derive from (2.35) to (2.36) (2) P30, How to derive (2.54) Homework Equations (1) (2) The Attempt at a Solution (1) If I consider the dual-space vector, \langle \mathbf{q} | = \sqrt{2...
  28. D

    Tension in a pendulum (probably just me being stupid)

    Homework Statement A pendulum consisting of a small heavy ball of mass m at the end of a string of length l is released from a horizontal position. When the ball is at point P, the string forms an angle 30 degrees with the horizontal. a. Free body diagram (all set on that) b. Determine the...
  29. C

    Engineering How Do You Calculate Voltage and Power in a 12-Ohm Resistor Circuit?

    Homework Statement Find the voltage V and the power absorbed by the 12-ohm resistor. http://i.imgur.com/xCTEI.png Homework Equations p = vi v = ir KVL KCL The Attempt at a Solution Tried using KVL and KCL in various ways. This book gives horrid examples.
  30. L

    Understanding Induced Electric Fields in a Uniform Magnetic Field

    Suppose I have a perfectly constant, uniform magnetic field extending over space. Now I imagine a circle in this space. Now I imagine the circle is growing larger. The magnetic flux through this imaginary circle is, therefore, increasing. Therefore, there must be an induced electric field. But...
  31. OmCheeto

    Is the HAARP device actually a make people stupid weapon?

    I'm don't think these people were joking when they wrote this article: The article is filled with claims like this from all over: If it is a make people stupid weapon, it seems to be working quite well.
  32. I

    Calculating Average Speed: A Stupid Speed Question Homework Solution

    Homework Statement A car travels up the hill at a constant speed of 30 km/h, then returns down hill at the speed 66 km/h. Calculate the average speed round trip I can't believe I am stumped on such a kindergarten problem, I hate online homework and the garbage system they are designed on...
  33. A

    One stupid question about Weinberg's Volume 1

    When I read quantum field theory in Weinberg's Volume 1. In equation 2.6.22 : P{\Psi _{p,\sigma }} = {\eta _\sigma }\exp ( \mp i\pi \sigma ){\Psi _{{\cal P}p,{-\sigma} }} I don't agree with the -\sigma in the result of space reversal transformation. Can anyone explain it for me? Thanks
  34. I

    Convergence of a 2nd Order Perturbation Theory Sum

    Homework Statement This is a 2nd order perturbation theory question, but I've got it boiled down to the following sum, which I need to determine where (and if) it converges: E_n^{(2)}=\sum_{n\not=...
  35. Pengwuino

    Fix Slow Printing Issues: Troubleshooting Tips for a Frustrated User

    Slow, stupid computer/printer face! So I has a question to AXE. I swear, whenever I try to print a .pdf file that opens in firefox, it takes FOREVER. The printers are on a wireless network but I swear to all that is holy and good that it takes like 5-10 minutes to print. Oh and that's not time...
  36. P

    I have a stupid professor and need clarification on Newtons 2nd law

    So is it true that if you have a constant velocity therefore you have no change in acceleration so A=0 and if you have no acceleration then you have no Fnet? And is that the case in ANY force problem? Thanks!
  37. B

    Stupid question about Newton's third law

    OK, first of all, I wasn't really sure where to post this; it's not really homework because we covered the material weeks ago and moved on, leaving me totally in the dark. My physics teacher has this annoying habit of saying something is "ALWAYS true" or "NEVER true" and then beginning the next...
  38. P

    LaTeX I am stupid, tell me how to create documents with LaTeX.

    I want to create documents using LaTeX. I have: MiKTeX TeXnicCenter Ghostscript GSview Mathtype v. 5.0 I want to create documents, but I have no idea how to start, this all seems foreign to me. Assume I am a stupid High School Sophmore who doesn't know anything.
  39. H

    Understanding Propeller Speed: Explained for Beginners

    Hi, I have a question that has stumped me for a while, well its been a while since I have done any academic work and its annoying me that I just can't work it out. Here it is:- You have 3 propellers, we shall call them A, B and C Propeller A is a small propeller Propeller B is a...
  40. S

    Does Air in Ice Affect Mass? Learn How to Measure Mass of Ice and Air

    I think its so stupid, that it doesn't deserve to be in any of the other forum sections >.> If I have a block of ice with air in it and measures its mass... does the air bubbles get massed as well?
  41. Pengwuino

    Why Do Kids Have Funny Misconceptions About Adulthood?

    Follow my lead, let's make a list of things you thought as a kid or kids think about when they imagine being older that are sooooo not true. You'll get the hang of it. 100. Adults don't have bed times. 99. Being independent and on your own is awesome 98. Driving is fun 97. Turning 18 means...
  42. A

    I'm turning stupid because I have a boyfriend?

    Hi, I havn't been on these forums for years now probably, I googled something and this site came up. I see some people on here I remember. The title really states my problem, I was wondering if anyone else feels this way? It's strange, I used to be very focused on work, competitive...
  43. B

    Solve 3^{2010}+15^{2010} Divided by 13 | Help for Math Struggler

    So my mother mentioned to a co-worker, who is a "math guy," that I was interested in math. The co-worker subsequently gave her a piece of paper with the following written on it to give me to to "solve" or "prove" in my mother's words, yet I am unsure what to do. Here is what was on the paper...
  44. Saladsamurai

    Stupid Question About Finding the Angle of a Vector

    :smile: Okay then! Let's say we are ONLY working in the 1st Quadrant of the x-y plane. I have some vector in that region that makes some angle with the +x axis. I then rotate that vector through some angle. The initial points of the vector before and after are coincident, i.e. I only...
  45. F

    Hopefully not too stupid question about gravitational waves

    I've been trying to get my head around relativity etc and struggling :-( However there's one thing that I can't find much information about at an interested-layman level - gravitational waves. They're described as having a frequency etc (being waves) and traveling at light speed. But if they...
  46. K

    Removing grounding plug from cord - stupid, but illegal?

    Hi all. In the building I live in, some people I know have removed the ground plug from their three-pronged appliances in order to plug them into the house's older, two-wire setup. There is only a limited number of 3-conductor outlets in the house. I've urged them to stop doing this because...
  47. I

    Converting Units: Microvolts to Volts and Picoseconds to Seconds

    Homework Statement Would 85 uV (Micro) be 8.5 x 10^-5 V ? And would 600ps be 6x 10^-10 S ? Ehhh I haven't slept in weeks, I just can't focus. Homework Statement Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I used the fact that 1u = 1x 10 ^-6 and then I used 1V/1000000uV x (85 uV) and for...
  48. J

    Optimizing Group Registration Cost for Maximum Revenue

    Hi all, I am experiencing some problems in solving this simple problem regarding optimization. Here it is: A fitness center charges $500 for each registration per group of 20 people. The cost will diminish by $5 every time a new member registers. For example, if the group is now formed...
  49. A

    MATLAB Stupid question about multinomial theorem (and Matlab)

    I know that there is a theorem to calculate the coefficients for a multinomial expansion, but I'm having a hard time implementig the algorithm. What I need to know is if my procedure is correct: (A + B + C + D)^n = \sum_{i=0}^n \dbinom{n}{i} A^{n-i} (B + C + D)^i = \sum_{i=0}^n...
  50. Pengwuino

    Do Movie Previews Ruin the Experience?

    Stupid hollywood and previews! Ugh, I just got back from seeing Wolverine and i swear, I'm so sick of previews showing every good scene in the movie. It also seems like a full 1/2 of the good scenes in previews occur in the first few minutes of every movie! It's like the beginning of movies are...
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