Monthly Archives: April 2015

California Water Usage in Crops, and the Water Value of Almonds

Posted on April 21, 2015 by Dennis SILVERMAN

Breakdown of California Water Usage The total California water use in 2010 was about 70 million acre feet per year.  50% of that was environmental usage, 40% was agriculture (28 million AF/year), and 10% was urban (7 million AF/year).  Environmental … Continue reading →

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Water: Size of an Acre-foot of Water

Posted on April 21, 2015 by Dennis SILVERMAN

I am embarking on a short series of articles to answer questions that I have about California water.  It is in no way a comprehensive treatment of the vast system of California water.  I also am in no way an … Continue reading →

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The Basis of Mathematics in Biology and Evolution

Posted on April 17, 2015 by Dennis SILVERMAN

The discovery of genetics by Gregor Mendel relied on experiment, and the discovery of evolution by Charles Darwin was based on reasonable arguments, until the discovery of a true mathematical or chemical basis for both in the discoveries of the … Continue reading →

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Symmetries in the Mathematical Description of Nature

Posted on April 17, 2015 by Dennis SILVERMAN

Part of the consideration of the question of the connection of mathematics to the understanding of nature is the discovery of symmetries in nature, and the formulation of this symmetry in mathematics.  Symmetry was established in this connection when Emily … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmology, Particle Physics, Philosophy of Science | Leave a comment

The Effectiveness of Mathematics in Describing the Universe

Posted on April 17, 2015 by Dennis SILVERMAN

NOVA just had a show on this question.  But besides the original question is that of what type of answer are you looking for, or what answer will you accept?  Otherwise the question is largely undefined. There are several simple … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmology, Particle Physics, Philosophy of Science | Leave a comment