Edward Willett

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Measurement

[podcast]http://edwardwillett.com/wp-content/upLoads//2009/11/Measurement.mp3[/podcast] “Inch-worm, inch-worm, measuring the marigolds...” Despite that line from a popular song, the fact is, inch-worms don’t measure anything. Neither to cockroaches, bulldogs, llamas or horned toads...because measurement is the process of counting how much of a sensory signal exists, and so far as we know, no other animals can count. Simply counting things wouldn’t itself count for much if we couldn’t communicate, though. Through language, we’re able to tell others what we have measured, which enables us to describe things we’ve seen, contract with others for trade or exchange, and control various processes. Just think about all the things you rely on measurement for. Your clothes were measured to fit your body. Your food is stored in a refrigerator whose temperature is ...

Posted by Edward Willett at 15:22, November 27th, 2009 under Blog, Columns, Science Columns | Comment now »