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What Time Is Not

We can not measure time. We can only measure how fast a clock moves or ticks. And then it is only measured in units of another reference clock.

Whereas with distance or a physical object, we can measure aspects of the object - again with a reference ruler for a standard.

But there is nothing to measure about time itself.

Time does not exist as a thing to be measured. And therefore it is questionable if it really exists at all. All we have is our experience and that is limited to our real time experience of the world and our real time experience of our memory and of our imagination.

The idea of time travel is based on our idea of the past or future being a real thing. But we have no evidence that the past or future exists and our only reason for considering them to be real is our memory and our imagination - which exist in the present.

Now, this is not the way most physicists approach time. They almost always treat time as a real thing since it works so well in their equations. However, it is a big leap, and perhaps one that is not justified, to say that time exists in the same way that distance or physical length exists.

Physics depends on time as a concept and it works in the equations to make predictions that can be measured. But to extend that to the idea of time travel is not supported by anything but math. And math can show relationships, but it can not prove its own theorems unless you make some initial assumptions. So although time appears to work in the physics of the universe, it is a mathematical thing and not an experiential thing.

We do not sense time. We sense movement. Of the clock or of our own internal clock. So time does not exist in the sense of a physical thing like distance. But it exists as a useful concept for ordering our experience. Something that goes on in our head, but not out here in the world.

What Time Is

Time in the practical sense is all about the speed of relative movement rather than about the passage of time. The river of time does not exist. The present is the only thing that exists.

And in this present moment we can remember something, or imagine something but there is no reason to think these are places to go. Hence the past and the future do not exist now in any real sense. If they do exist then human existence is immediately reduced to the equivalent of a strip of movie film, where each frame of the film represents one instant of time and inside that one frame, nothing moves or lives. Maybe you have to use this as some sort of "alternative" view, since it is an idea that only a few people embrace. Most want to believe in time travel and the reality of their past and future. Although they don't like the idea of a fixed future, but for some reason they want a fixed past.

Suzann Kale is a technical writer and copy editor with a Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern University. She writes for the site Scintillating Science.

posted by qhishjq  # 8:58 PM 0 comments

In spite of its small size, Costa Rica features greater biodiversity than Europe or North America. This is due to a number of factors, including the country's location between North and South America, enabling plants and animals from both continents and the Caribbean islands to establish themselves there, and the nation's ecological policy, which has protected a significant percentage of its natural territory.

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is located in Puntarenas Province, and is one of the most popular areas for wildlife viewing in the country. Mist shrouded trees laden with vines and mosses stretch into a thick forest canopy covering thousands of acres, perpetually blanketed by clouds. The area is home to more than 100 species of mammals, 120 species of reptiles and amphibians, and over 2500 species of plants. Flower lovers will find over 420 different kinds of orchids, and exotic creatures roam the lush forest, including jaguars, pumas, monkeys, ocelots, and the rare resplendent quetzal.

One of the best ways to really explore the forest is to take a skywalk or canopy tour, where visitors can view the forest and its inhabitants from a series of bridges and cables that offer a bird's eye view of the reserve below. This activity is not for the weak at heart, but is well worth it, and definitely an experience to remember. A bird lover's paradise, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is a wonderful place for bird watching, especially between the months of February and May, when many birds nest and migrate to the reserve. Home of the ornate quetzals, plus a number of hummingbird species, early mornings and late afternoons are the best times to see these beautiful creatures. The quetzal is one of the most prized species for bird watchers who come to Costa Rica, with tail plumes up to 24 inches long. The bird's coloring is truly amazing, a vivid green that bursts into flame in direct sunlight, changing from emerald, to golden, to iridescent green.

Of course Monteverde is not the only place in Costa Rica to experience the wonders of the wild. The country is blessed with numerous national parks, wildlife reserves, and protected areas, all very welcoming to visitors and full of incredible wildlife. Tortuguero National Park is located 82 km west of Puerto Limon, and has many coastal beaches for nesting turtles, and is a great place to spot manatees. Canals through the rain forest support vast numbers of birds and butterflies, and monkeys, sloths, anteaters, and over 60 species of amphibians can be seen here.

Just slightly to the north, Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge lies between Tortuguero and the Nicaraguan border, and covers over 92,000 hectares. Largely formed by the San Juan River, the refuge is home to a wide range of birds, monkeys and sloths, and offers excellent sport-fishing.

Across to the west, 36 km north of Liberia, is Guanacaste National Park. The park was created in 1989 to connect neighboring Santa Rosa National Park with the high elevation cloud forest of the Orosi and Cacao volcanoes, and across the continental divide to the Caribbean rainforest of Northern Costa Rica. The hope is that together these two parks protect enough land to ensure sufficiently large habitats for wide-ranging species such as jaguars and mountain lions, while simultaneously creating a biological corridor for birds and insects to make local seasonal migrations between the dry forest and the evergreen cloud and rain forests. Visitors can see over 300 different bird species, 5000 types of butterflies and moths, and 3000 species of epiphytes, and take advantage of three biological stations that offer trails.

Meanwhile Corcovado National Park is located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, on the southwest side of the Osa Peninsula. Corcovado is the last significant virgin rain forest in Central America, and is home to a wide range of endangered species such as the jaguar, tapir, poison dart frogs and puma. It also boasts a magnificent collection of birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles and butterflies.

For any nature lover fortunate enough to visit Costa Rica, there is a huge variety of animal and plant life to be found within each and every national park, wildlife refuge or protected area. Regardless of the region, visitors will be amazed and delighted with the staggering variety of incredible wildlife that can be photographed and appreciated. Viewing wildlife is such a large part of Costa Rica's appeal, that it can either be incorporated into a beach or family vacation, or enjoyed independently. Either way, this fascinating aspect of the country of Costa Rica should not be missed.

Ellie Cominos is a travel expert and a content associate and travel guide writer for BookIt.com - the online travel company offering discounted hotels and vacations wherever you are FROM! Visit the BookIt.com Travel Guides for additional travel information including articles, reviews and helpful travel tips.

posted by qhishjq  # 2:37 PM 0 comments

Anyone looking for a new pet wants a pet that is clean, socialized and well trained. Most people don't know that these are all qualities of pet rats!

There are many misconceptions about rats. People think that rats are unclean and carry disease. In fact, rats are quite clean and groom themselves several times a day. These aren't sewer rats we're talking about. These pet rats, or fancy rats as they're called, have been domesticated and bred in captivity for at least 150 years. Pet rats are quite tame after living with humans for so many generations and you'll find that they are nothing like their stereotypes.

Rats are very intelligent animals. Some consider rats to have intelligence close or equal to that of dogs. Rats are capable of learning to come when their names are called. They can even be litter trained just as easily as training a cat.

If you have any experience with other rodents such as hamsters, mice or gerbils you may be afraid of biting. Although biting is common with other rodents, it is almost unheard of with domesticated rats. Unlike their rodent cousins, rats are generally docile creatures. Most of the time rats just like to lay around, especially males. Rats can easily be trained to be good lap or shoulder pets.

In the wild, rats live together in colonies and have a complex social structure. These social instincts carry over to pet rats. Pet rats tend to develop strong bonds with humans and with their cage mates. So much so that it is common for rats to become very depressed when a cage mate passes away.

There are many apartments that won't allow dogs or cats, and it may simply not be practical to have larger pets in some houses. In those situations a pet rat is the perfect solution. Cages for pet rats usually don't consume much room at all, usually just a two foot by two foot space, which makes pet rats great for small apartments.

Rats are friendly and intelligent animals and make great first pets for children. Being clean and easy to care for makes them great companions for the elderly. Go out and get your pet rat today!

Scott McHenry and his wife have had a large number of pets of many different species. They have several years experience with rats and together run http://www.ratanswers.com a rat informational web site.

posted by qhishjq  # 8:14 AM 0 comments

Published in Reptile Care Magazine, Volume 3, Issue 4.

The first rush of crocodile hunters began in 1945. It is estimated in their first year alone, they killed around 80000 crocodiles in the Northern Territory. This carried on right through to 1971, when a ban on the export of crocodile products was put in place. It is hard to judge exactly how many crocodiles were killed, but Estuarine (Saltwater) Crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) were thought to be on the brink of extinction, with only a handful of animals left.

In 1971 they were moved to Appendix I of CITES (Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species); the same category as animals such as Pandas and Tigers. This lasted until 1986, when they moved down to Appendix II and could therefore be exported again. This time though; there were rules. Only farmed animals could be used for commercial purposes. This opened up a huge door to make way for a number of crocodile farms.

The Northern Territory has 8 Crocodile Farms, housing a total of around 100000 crocodiles. Some of these are bred in captivity; most of the others are collected from aboriginal owned land. Crocodile farmers will pay the aboriginal people up to $20 per egg collected, giving them a substantial income. Due to this, native Australians have learnt to respect the crocodiles and live harmoniously with them, allowing the wild population to grow in numbers.

To this day crocodiles are not allowed to be hunted in Australia, and because of the legalised Crocodile Farming, there is virtually no black market. The wild population is now estimated to be over 100000. There are several hundred Australians employed in the crocodile industry and many more Aboriginal communities who earn a living out of the farms, and in turn keep the wild populations alive.

Dr Grahame Webb, Director of Crocodylus Park has dedicated his life to the successful management and sustainable use of crocodiles. He is considered the worlds leading authority on crocodiles. Crocodylus Park continues to put thousands of dollars every year into educating the public and allowing for a better understanding of this wonderful species. Without these people, Crocodylus porosus would most like be extinct today.

By Chris Jones

Director of Pet Club UK Ltd.

http://www.petclubuk.com

For more information on crocodiles and farming methods, please visit http://www.petclubuk.com

posted by qhishjq  # 1:53 AM 0 comments