Quotation of the Moment

"Tanquem ex ungue leonem"

"As the lion is known by its claw"

Jean Bernoulli I, after Newton anonymously solved a difficult math problem in one afternoon.

Thanks

I would like to thank Carmine Gorga for his essay on nonlinear economics.  If you enjoyed his work, you can check out his website at www.carmine-gorga.us. 

Non-Newtonian Economics

A few weeks ago, I came across a book titled The Economic Process: An Instantaneous Non-Newtonian Picture by Carmine Gorga.  I had not heard of Newton's use outside the field of mechanics, so I contacted the author and asked him if he could share a definition of non-Newtonian behavior in economics.  Here is his essay.

Concordian Economics: A non-Newtonian Construct by Carmine Gorga, Ph.D.

Concordian economics is a non-Newtonian construct because it does not respect the law of incompenetrability of bodies. As known since the theory was formulated by classical economists, economics is composed of three major elements: production (A), distribution (B), and consumption (C) of wealth. The meaning of these terms has varied over time.

In Concordian economics, production means production of real, physical wealth as well as services; distribution means distribution of value of ownership of rights over real and monetary wealth; consumption means expenditure of monetary wealth. Consumption as destruction of wealth in real terms is absorbed into the notion of net production.

As it can be seen, in addition to intangible services there are two terms in Concordian economics, money and ownership rights, which are not physical. They intermingle with the physical conception of real wealth. Hence, Concordian economics is a non-Newtonian construct.

Generally, mainstream economics is not faced with this Newtonian issue of incompenetrability of bodies because the nature of such real wealth as tables and chairs is made homogeneous by transforming it into the corresponding monetary value of tables and chairs. Quite apart from necessarily using monetary values, Concordian economics resolves the issue of non-homogeneity of real wealth with the assistance of such intellectual tools as labor-units, energy-units, or value-units. The issue is important because, if the meter were as flexible a unit of measurement as the dollar, we would never have been able to reach the moon and return so safely and effectively as we did.

(Continues after the jump)

Link of the Moment: JS from RT gets interviewed

John Spevacek, proprietor of the Rheo Thing (that other rheology blog), is interviewed about polymer chemistry by Chemjobber.

Quotation of the Moment

"Knowledge is knowing that tomato is a fruit.  Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad."

Brian O'Driscoll, Irish rugby player

(Thanks to Eric Zorn's blog Change of Subject for the tip)

Housekeeping

More than 100 visitors stopped by last month.  This is the second time I've had that many people read the blog.  Thanks for your attention.

Link of the Moment: Someone's Job

Andrew Sullivan's Daily Dish is running a series of essays on different jobs: lawyers, teachers, etcetera.  Here is a reflection from the perspective of a research scientist.  I have no idea if his/her job is academic or industrial, but it is worth a few minutes of your time.

Jobs Report (September 2010)

A keyword search "rheolog*" on Monster.com performed on September 1 found 26 positions advertised.  Here is the trend for the number of positions found since September 2009.

This search did not find the Kraft position discussed here.  I found the position (1005766) still advertised at the Kraft career site.

Poll of the Month (September)

It's time to try a new poll.  Are you going to Santa Fe for the SOR meeting?  The meeting will be held during the last week of October.

Out of SORts

Sadly, I will not be able to attend this year's SOR meeting in Santa Fe.  I would really have liked to go, but my travel schedule has different priorities this year.
I lived near Santa Fe for 10 years, and I'll put up a few posts with tips on things to see and do.