Re: [Pen-l] The Science Arrow of Time

[Michael Perelman <michael@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

People can jump higher and run faster, in part because of better technique, 
better training, and chemicals. But we just count the height or the speed.

Mathematics gets better in the sense that knowledge is accumulated & math 
can supposedly be segmented from everything else. Once we allow for 
interactions, everything can change.

Suppose that recourse to computer generated proofs makes math better, but 
at the same time recource to computers makes matheticians less capable. The 
long run effect could be negative because now our metric has a more complex 
scale.

Economics is better, in the sense that we have higher level tools, but 
training for such skills does indeed make for worse economists.

Computer chips may be faster, but perhaps they require more energy to do 
the same work or create more pollution in their production.

So what does better really mean?


-- 
Michael Perelman
Economics Department
California State University
Chico, CA 95929

Tel. 530-898-5321
E-Mail michael at ecst.csuchico.edu
michaelperelman.wordpress.com
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