Quotes About Measurement

The wavefunction tells us where we might potentially find an electron when we look; but what we do find in any given experiment is random, and we can't meaningfully say why we find it here rather than there.

We know that measurements of a quantum system seem to collapse the wavefunction. We most certainly don't know how, or why, or indeed if that actually happens.

T]he wavefunction of the electron in [a] box can penetrate into the walls. If the walls aren't too thick, the wavefunction can actually extend right through them, so that it still has a non-zero value on the outside. What this tells you is that there is a small chance – equal to the amplitude of the wavefunction squared in that part of space – that if you make a measurement of where the electron is, you might find it within the wall, or even outside the wall.

I have been struck by how important measurement is to improving the human condition," Bill Gates wrote. "You can achieve incredible progress if you set a clear goal and find a measure that will drive progress toward that goal….

Not until the twentieth century did the idea of randomized trial experiments, careful measurement, and statistical power take hold. "Is the application of the numerical method to the subject-matter of medicine a trivial and time-wasting ingenuity as some hold, or is it an important stage in the development of our art, as others proclaim it," the Lancet asked in 1921. The

If we are serious about measuring and improving, this won't do. Forecasts must have clearly defined terms and timelines. They must use numbers. And one more thing is essential: we must have lots of forecasts.

Einstein himself is reported to have said: When a man sits with a pretty girl for an hour, it seems like a minute. But let him sit on a hot stove for a minute and it's longer than any hour. That's relativity.

statisticians sleeping with their feet in an oven and their head in a freezer because the average temperature is comfortable.

More often forecasts are made and then…nothing. Accuracy is seldom determined after the fact and is almost never done with sufficient regularity and rigor that conclusions can be drawn. The reason? Mostly it's a demand-side problem: The consumers of forecasting—governments, business, and the public—don't demand evidence of accuracy. So there is no measurement. Which means no revision. And without revision, there can be no improvement.

we are serious about measuring and improving, this won't do. Forecasts must have clearly defined terms and timelines. They must use numbers. And one more thing is essential: we must have lots of forecasts.

I have been struck by how important measurement is to improving the human condition," Bill Gates wrote. "You can achieve incredible progress if you set a clear goal and find a measure that will drive progress toward that goal. … This may seem basic, but it is amazing how often it is not done and how hard it is to get right.

The preferred measure of the wealth of nations is per capita gross domestic product (per capita GDP). Why should we focus on this dry statistic rather than on more literal measures, such as indexes of well-being, consumption, or happiness?

It's pretty hard to measure influence of written or visual material.

A good kitchen scale is an absolute must-have for every kitchen. Although nothing can substitute for skilled intuition - add a dash of this and a handful of that, cook until golden brown and delicious - there are times when the precision a scale can provide is vital.

I am an athlete first and foremost, and it is vital for my competitiveness, my well being, and for my preparations for events during the European summer that I measure my performance against other athletes.

You can measure a programmer's perspective by noting his attitude on the continuing vitality of FORTRAN.

Volume can vary a ton when you're cooking, depending on how you measure. Do you carefully spoon the flour into a measuring cup, or do you scoop with the cup? Are you using chunky Morton kosher salt, or finer Diamond Crystal? There can be a 40 percent difference in volume depending on the brand.

Actually, I'm 5-8 and change without shoes. With shoes, 5-9.

You can't really measure your game. You can shoot seven under and lose and you can shoot even and win.

I didn't really know my wingspan was that short until it got measured. Either way, I was good with whatever my arm length is.

If youre serious about cooking, baking, or life in general, then you need a scale.

he enclosed pieces of string that he used to measure out his body--his head, thigh, forearm, finger, neck, everything. He wanted me to sleep with them under my pillow. He said that when he came back, we would remeasure his body against the string as proof that he hadn't changed.

The important measurement is not the distance from unattainable perfection, but from unforgivable inaction.

Antropocentrisme: de mens staat bovenaan in de evolutie, we zijn een geschikte maatstaf om het leven van andere dieren tegen af te zetten en de rechtmatige bezitter van al wat leeft.