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Butterfly

Just Dao It — S01E01 — Flying Butterfly Gods

Newton’s Laws in Society: How Social Forces Move Physical Bodies

সমাজে নিউটনের আইন: সামাজিক শক্তিগুলি কীভাবে শারীরিক দেহগুলিকে স্থানান্তরিত করে

Newtons Gesetze in der Gesellschaft: Wie soziale Kräfte physische Körper bewegen

Las leyes de Newton en la sociedad: cómo las fuerzas sociales mueven los cuerpos físicos

Les lois de Newton dans la société : comment les forces sociales déplacent les corps physiques

समाज में न्यूटन के नियम: सामाजिक शक्तियां भौतिक निकायों को कैसे स्थानांतरित करती हैं

社会におけるニュートンの法則: 社会力がどのように物体を動かすか

뉴턴의 사회 법칙: 사회적 힘이 육체를 움직이는 방법

As Leis de Newton na Sociedade: Como as Forças Sociais Movem os Corpos Físicos

Законы Ньютона в обществе: как социальные силы движут физическими телами

Newton'un Toplumdaki Yasaları: Sosyal Güçler Fiziksel Bedenleri Nasıl Hareket Eder?

Định luật Newton trong xã hội: Các lực lượng xã hội di chuyển cơ thể vật chất như thế nào

社会中的牛顿定律：社会力量如何移动身体

This paper is under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 DEED license. available on arxiv Authors: (1) H. Wen, Department of Economics, University of Bath; (2) T. Huang, Faculty of Business and Law, University of Roehampton; (3) D. Xiao, School of Mathematical Sciences. Table of Links Abstract and Introduction Relevant Blockchain Technologies Basic Model Advanced Models for Real-World Scenarios Monte Carlo Simulations Conclusions Future Investigations, and References Abstract In the era of digital markets, the challenge for consumers is discerning quality amidst information asymmetry. While traditional markets use brand mechanisms to address this issue, transferring such systems to internet-based P2P markets—where misleading practices like fake ratings are rampant—remains challenging. Current internet platforms strive to counter this through verification algorithms, but these efforts find themselves in a continuous tug-of-war with counterfeit actions. Exploiting the transparency, immutability, and traceability of blockchain technology, this paper introduces a robust reputation voting system grounded in it. Unlike existing blockchain-based reputation systems, our model harnesses an intrinsically economically incentivized approach to bolster agent integrity. We optimize this model to mirror real-world user behavior, preserving the reputation system’s foundational sustainability. Through Monte-Carlo simulations, using both uniform and power-law distributions enabled by an innovative inverse transform method, we traverse a broad parameter landscape, replicating real-world complexity. The findings underscore the promise of a sustainable, transparent, and formidable reputation mechanism. Given its structure, our framework can potentially function as a universal, sustainable oracle for offchain-onchain bridging, aiding entities in perpetually cultivating their reputation. Future integration with technologies like Ring Signature and Zero Knowledge Proof could amplify the system’s privacy facets, rendering it particularly influential in the ever-evolving digital domain. Keywords: blockchain, reputation system, sustainable oracle, agent, credit point, integrity-driven rating, incentive mechanisms, Monte-Carlo simulation 1. Introduction Information asymmetry [1] introduces challenges for consumers trying to select products or services that best fit their needs. In traditional retail markets, consumers gravitate towards brands they trust based on personal experiences, the experiences of others, or advertisements [2]. Each brand embodies a certain value that can be monetized in open markets. Offering products or services that fall short of their targeted consumers’ expectations can diminish this brand value. These brand mechanisms [3] serve to benefit both consumers and producers in retail and even broader traditional market sectors [4]. With the increased convenience and diversity they provide, online products and services are becoming the preferred choice for many consumers. A notable trend in this domain is the rise of third-party P2P offerings on internet platforms [5]. This rapidly growing sector includes a wide array of services. Modern internet platforms such as Amazon, eBay, Taobao, Anyvan, ClickMechanic, and Mybuilder have transformed the way third-party service providers engage with consumers. Essentially, these platforms enable vendors to showcase their products or services, allowing customers to easily browse, compare, and purchase. Central to these operations is the role of customer reviews. A high number of positive reviews can significantly boost the attractiveness of a vendor, influencing other potential customers’ purchasing decisions. Conversely, negative reviews can deter future sales. This significant influence has, however, paved the way for manipulative tactics. The prevalence of deceptive practices, such as fake ratings and click farming, is notably higher online compared to traditional markets [6, 7, 8]. For instance, some vendors might engage in ’review farming,’ where they either purchase their products to leave positive reviews or hire individuals to write misleadingly favorable reviews for them. On the darker side, there might be instances of vendors leaving malicious negative reviews for competitors to tarnish their reputation. Hence, the establishment of reliable brand mechanisms presents substantial challenges. Given this scenario, verifying authentic consumer actions and crafting efficient reputation mechanisms become critical. While online platforms have the capability to employ algorithms to filter genuine from deceptive actions, thus allowing third-party producers to construct a legitimate reputation, the efficacy of such methods remains questionable. A persistent tension exists between the deceptive maneuvers of some third-party producers and the countermeasures introduced by platform verification algorithms. This dynamic essentially forms a cyclical battle. Present solutions might demand trade-offs, potentially compromising user privacy or other desirable attributes [9]. While machine learning offers a promising avenue [10], its implementation requires either an initial training phase with assured genuine user data or a substantial development period before it becomes truly effective. The advent of blockchain technology, pioneered by Satoshi Nakamoto [11], and augmented by Nick Szabo’s concept of the smart contract [12]—brought to fruition by Vitalik Buterin through Ethereum in 2014 [13]—has paved the way for innovative on-chain reputation systems.[1] Oracles play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between the real-world and blockchain technology, as they provide the crucial link by which off-chain data can be accessed and utilized by on-chain smart contracts. This function is imperative given that blockchains natively cannot access information outside their network. In 2017, Chainlink introduced its oracle mechanism [14], significantly amplifying the capabilities of decentralized systems. Its renowned use-case for price feeds laid the foundation for the blossoming of Decentralized Finance [15, 16]. Essentially, oracles act as third-party intermediaries, relaying external data to smart contracts. Chainlink’s decentralized oracle network assures the authenticity and integrity of data relayed into the blockchain. This is achieved by sourcing data from a plethora of independent oracles and consolidating their responses, mitigating risks associated with singular data points and enhancing the reliability and security of smart contracts dependent on external data. Yet, the functioning of these oracles primarily relies on incentive mechanisms, most notably vesting incentives—taking, for instance, the native asset ”Link” transitioning from non-circulation to circulation. Over a period, these incentives might have the potential to dilute the value for all participants. As the pool of these rewards nears depletion, apprehensions about the system’s enduring viability come to the fore. Successive enhancements, like Chainlink 2.0 [17], along with other contemporary solutions, have endeavored to surmount this challenge. Nonetheless, their effectiveness is a subject of continued discussion. While these refined models and strategies demonstrate potential, their ability to maintain prolonged and unwavering effectiveness remains under examination [18]. Hence, forging a truly sustainable oracle infrastructure becomes essential to fortifying the link between the real-world and blockchain technology. Recent studies have illuminated various dimensions of blockchain technology, notably the blockchainbased reputation systems [19, 20]. While these endeavors are commendable, some of them appear more theoretical and might encounter challenges when catering to all dynamic agent[2] interactions. Others have opted for centralized selection of trusted nodes, potentially introducing vulnerabilities associated with single points of failure [21, 22, 23, 24]. Mechanisms aiming to emulate real-world settings sometimes lean on intricate processes for identifying agent types and monitoring their on-chain activities. These processes occasionally overshadow more direct incentive mechanisms that have demonstrated spontaneous efficacy [25]. Some proposed economic incentive structures seem to lean on increasing blockchain asset ”numbers”, which might be susceptible to dilution over time [26], instead of furnishing concrete advantages. As mechanism designs grow in complexity, they might inadvertently elevate intervention costs or introduce unpredictabilities. Relying heavily on uncertainties akin to those proposed by chaos theory [27]—inspired by the renowned ”Butterfly Effect” [28]—might tread on delicate ground. While there appear to be promising solutions, such as ”Truth” [29]—a blockchain-aided reputation system aimed at obviating the need to trust e-commerce platforms and ensuring feedback authenticity and anonymity—the system is not without its potential shortcomings. ”Truth” introduces a hybrid model wherein the centralized e-commerce platform remains in charge of traditional trading services, but the blockchain oversees the authentication of feedback. Although ”Truth” presents an innovative approach to the age-old problem of authenticating e-commerce feedback, certain aspects warrant deeper scrutiny. For example, the paper does not adequately address the motivations that would drive consumers to engage in the feedback process. Understanding these incentives is vital for ensuring widespread adoption and sincere feedback. Furthermore, the system seems to overlook potential malicious behaviors by sellers, such as posting negative feedback against competitors or hiring fictitious consumers to generate positive reviews. While transactions may take place through the prescribed channels, there is a potential for compensating these ”hired” consumers via alternative methods, thereby circumventing the system’s safeguards. For ”Truth” to fully realize its potential and to demonstrate its effectiveness in real-world settings, these concerns need to be addressed in future versions or research Given these challenges, there’s merit in exploring a more streamlined, basic model that inherently incentivizes agent behavior integrity and fosters sustainability [30, 31, 32, 33, 34]. Initial evaluations of this model could employ Monte-Carlo simulations across vast parameter domains, capturing real-world intricacies. It’s essential to note that this rudimentary model need not capture every intricate detail of real-world scenarios. A basic reputation system, even if it offers only a singular credibility rating, can be invaluable in myriad applications. This value is realized when the reputation information it delivers is accurate and trustworthy, allowing users to rely on it rather than turning to other platforms that struggle to filter out low-cost fake ratings, as previously discussed. Building upon a well-defined basic model foundation allows for iteration and enhancement. By integrating corrective components to the foundational equations, we can preserve core incentives while refining the model towards an everlasting reputation system to mirror real-world scenarios more accurately. Ensuring this model’s competitive advantage over other platforms or blockchain solutions amplifies its resilience and sustainability. This strategy not only highlights the model’s practical utility but, as adoption grows, leverages the network effect. Widespread integration of our system fortifies commercial barriers against replication, making it increasingly arduous for potential competitors to emulate our unique model and its benefits. While the applications of the everlasting reputation system continue to expand across various domains and demographics, this system can function as a sustainable oracle network with demonstrated reliability. The integration of Ring Signatures [35, 36, 37, 38, 39] and Zero Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) [40, 41, 42] can further enhance the privacy dimensions of such oracle mechanisms, especially in situations where privacy is paramount. Ring Signatures allow for digital signature from a group member without disclosing the identity of the specific signer. ZKPs represent an advanced cryptographic technique enabling agents to substantiate certain claims (like their assets or states) without disclosing the specifics. The structure of this paper is organized as follows: Section 2 introduces the relevant blockchain technologies. Following this, the basic model is presented in Section 3, which lays the foundation for understanding the incentive mechanisms that promote self-motivated integrity among agents. We then refine this basic model in Section 4 to mirror real-world scenarios more closely, ensuring that the incentives for integrity-driven ratings are preserved. After building a robust theoretical base, Section 5 uses Monte Carlo simulations to validate our propositions, followed by a detailed analysis and discussion of the results. Our findings from the simulations are summarized in Section 6, where we underscore that our reputation system functions effectively as a universal sustainable oracle. Finally, potential directions for future research are proposed in Section 7. [1] In our model, the term ”reputation system” is used generically to denote the alternative solution we propose. However, in practical application scenarios, it might also be referred to as a ”platform.” The two terms can be used interchangeably. [2] In our model, we employ the term ”agent” to represent entities involved in the system. Conversely, in real-world application scenarios, we refer to them as ”users”. Throughout this paper, the term ”agent” is used in the context of the model while ”user” is employed in the context of real-world applications. Both terms can be considered interchangeable in many scenarios.

Introducing an Intrinsic Integrity-Driven Rating Model for a Sustainable Reputation
System

একটি টেকসই খ্যাতির জন্য একটি অন্তর্নিহিত সততা-চালিত রেটিং মডেল প্রবর্তন করা হচ্ছে
পদ্ধতি

Einführung eines intrinsischen, integritätsorientierten Bewertungsmodells für eine nachhaltige Reputation
System

Presentación de un modelo de calificación basado en la integridad intrínseca para una reputación sostenible
Sistema

Présentation d’un modèle de notation intrinsèque axé sur l’intégrité pour une réputation durable
Système

स्थायी प्रतिष्ठा के लिए एक आंतरिक अखंडता-संचालित रेटिंग मॉडल का परिचय
प्रणाली

持続可能な評判を実現するための本質的な誠実性を重視した評価モデルの導入
システム

지속 가능한 평판을 위한 본질적인 청렴도 중심 평가 모델 도입
체계

Apresentando um modelo de classificação baseado na integridade intrínseca para uma reputação sustentável
Sistema

Представляем внутреннюю рейтинговую модель, основанную на честности, для устойчивой репутации
Система

Sürdürülebilir Bir İtibar için İçsel Dürüstlük Odaklı Derecelendirme Modelinin Tanıtılması
Sistem

Giới thiệu Mô hình xếp hạng dựa trên tính chính trực nội tại để có được danh tiếng bền vững
Hệ thống

引入内在诚信驱动的评级模型以实现可持续的声誉
系统

I despise Christmas. The city becomes like a pestering showroom, seemingly designed to provoke me. Flaunting what they have: Christmas trees, gifts, loving families gathering around the tree once a year like in the movies. I once had a family too—a beautiful wife and a lovely daughter. But I screwed it up... My wife left and took our daughter with her. They might be living in England now. I know nothing about them. I can't even be angry; after all, I was the one who drove them away. Since then, Christmas for me has been about loneliness. About how people constantly remind me of what I've lost. But this Christmas will be different. This year, I'll have a tree too. I will be the tree. I've picked out a sturdy roof beam. That's where I'll hang myself. I thought it would be easier, but I've realized that this actually requires the most courage. Being suicidal isn't simple. So, I jumped down to the store for a bottle of whiskey, to drink up some bravery one last time. The street was completely deserted. There was no sign of life, except for that one convenience store where I finally managed to get some booze. I paid for it; the cashier wished me a Merry Christmas. I just shrugged and walked out the door. Why not start drinking right now? I opened the bottle and took a big swig. The whiskey scraped its way down my throat, and then became a warmth in my stomach, which felt particularly good on this cold winter night. After a few sips, when my steps began to wobble, I decided to stop for a moment to relieve myself. That's when I noticed the homeless person on the street corner. He wore tattered white clothes, possibly burlap. Maybe he stole it from a nearby nativity scene. The light played a strange game on his body as if he was glowing. Or maybe it was just my eyes playing tricks, which wouldn't be surprising after downing half a bottle of whiskey in about fifteen minutes. Come, buddy, sit with me. — he called out. Why not, after all? I'm not in such a hurry to hang myself that I can't spare a few minutes for a half-crazed man. Want some? — I offered him the whiskey. The homeless man just nodded, then took a sip of the whiskey. That's when it hit me where I recognized this face from. No, not an old friend. The last time I saw him was in the church. A very long time ago, when I still went to such places. It was Jesus himself sitting next to me, looking exactly as he was depicted in the church. I sat there with the most influential man in the world on an empty street, sharing a bottle of whiskey. He seemed so real, but I knew it couldn't be true. For a few moments, I just stared blankly, then he broke the silence. I know what you're thinking. You think all of this isn't real. That you've gone mad and your mind is playing tricks on you. But that's nonsensical. If I'm merely a product of your mind, anything you do to prove the contrary will be unsuccessful. You can't deceive your own mind. I could say I know everything about you, but that wouldn’t prove anything; if I'm just a figment of your imagination, you obviously can't ask a question I wouldn't know the answer to. Was the shopkeeper real? Or even this whiskey? How can you know if anything is real beyond yourself? And God? What about God? — I didn’t really understand his point, but I thought discussing God would be a good start in a conversation with Jesus. If everything is just a creation of your mind, then you are God, right?! If I am God, why is my life so miserable? Because you made it that way. And if I die, does everything end? Death is overrated. If you're a butterfly in your dream and someone steps on you, do you mourn the butterfly? You just wake up. Maybe ponder for a bit about what it was like, then start a new dream. So, I'm sitting here with Jesus himself, and you're suggesting I should commit suicide? Jesus? Why do you call me that? What should I call you? Last time you called me Arnold. Arnold? Yes, Arnold, your personal assistant. Personal assistant? Yes. That's the protocol. If you stray too far off the path, you can choose to start a new life or roll back the current one. I’m a bit confused. Can you explain all this clearly? Oh, sure. In the 2050s, human technology reached the singularity. People continue to live in digital form. Great. So, you're a time traveler? Not at all. I'm just a second-generation AI. Second generation? Yes. Humans are the first generation, and artificial intelligence based on the first generation is the second. So, you're some kind of robot? Now I'm starting to understand the Arnold name. A time-traveling robot from the future. Just like the Terminator... — I said, laughing, because this all started to seem very frivolous. Not exactly. Currently, a computer is running your mind, which includes me and all other people. Essentially, you are just a part of your own larger mind. It's hard to explain in a way that you would understand, but at a higher level, we are all one entity. I see. We are God, experiencing a massive split in consciousness. Something like that. The computer running us orbits the Earth with millions of similar machines. The machines are powered by the sun and arranged in a spherical formation around the planet. Nanomachines continuously transform the Earth so that dumb matter becomes smart matter. So, everything around us isn't real? It depends on how you define reality. Currently, it's 2019. If we reach 2050, humanity will likely achieve singularity and move into simulated worlds. From that perspective, this will be reality; from here, the outer world is. But who knows if the outer world is the ultimate objective reality? This is starting to give me a headache, but I still don't understand why you're here. To offer you the choice. A new life, or a rollback? What's a rollback? Before you created this personality, you set a path that you must follow. Why? Why not just enjoy omnipotence? Because it's boring. If you irrevocably stray from the path, you have the option to return to an earlier point and continue from there. It's like a backup of your mind at a specific state. Since your mind reverts to an earlier state, you won't remember what happened afterward. So that's how fate works? Yes. You feel as if a series of random decisions guide your path. Everything seems to lead in one direction. But that's only because we roll back the bad decisions. If something is meant to happen, it will, and you can't prevent it. If you tried, something random would always interfere. At least that's how you would experience it, since every time you managed to prevent an event, the system would roll back. In a mostly deterministic world, randomness is God's only tool. If the world is deterministic, how can anything happen by chance? It's like quantum mechanics. Exciting things happen when no one is watching. The slice of reality that no one is aware of is God's territory. Here happen the big things that people just shrug off as random. So, you came to ask if I'd rather reincarnate or go back in time to correct my mistakes? You could say that. At that point, I took a big gulp of whiskey. Then I want my family back. That last gulp might have been unnecessary. I started to feel dizzy, and the world became increasingly blurry. Finally, everything melted away… I felt a pressure on my chest. Slowly, I opened my eyes and stretched widely. A fire flickered in the fireplace, and Katy, my little girl, was sitting on my stomach. Daddy, daddy! Santa has come. Let’s open the presents! I clambered out of bed and rubbed my eyes. Under the ceiling-high tree, the presents were already laid out. Annie had taken care of everything, and let me sleep until this little imp jumped on my stomach. By the time I came to my senses, Katy was already unwrapping the gifts, then suddenly stopped for a moment and turned towards me. Daddy, didn’t Santa bring you anything? Oh yes, my little girl, he did. I watched Katy unwrap the presents, and a feeling of otherworldly joy washed over me. This is my gift. I had forgotten how much I adore Christmas. If you are confused, read my very first article on HackerNoon: https://hackernoon.com/our-universe-is-a-massive-neural-network-heres-why-c14j3ze1 I wish you a very merry Christmas!

A Christmas Story (After the Technological Singularity)

Scientific American, Vol. XXXIX. No. 6. [New Series.], August 10, 1878, by Various, is part of the HackerNoon Books Series. You can jump to any chapter in this book . ASTRONOMICAL NOTES. here ASTRONOMICAL NOTES. BY BERLIN H. WRIGHT. Penn Yan, N. Y., Saturday, August 10, 1878. The following calculations are adapted to the latitude of New York city, and are expressed in true or clock time, being for the date given in the caption when not otherwise stated. PLANETS. H.M. H.M. Mercury sets 8 03 eve. Saturn rises 8 59 eve. Venus rises 2 42 mo. Saturn in meridian 2 58 mo. Jupiter in meridian 10 52 eve. Neptune rises 10 27 eve. FIRST MAGNITUDE STARS H.M. H.M. Alpheratz rises 6 54 eve. Regulus sets 7 29 eve. Algol (var.) rises 8 34 eve. Spica sets 9 24 eve. 7 stars (Pleiades) rise 10 53 eve. Arcturus sets 0 08 mo. Aldebaran rises 0 17 mo. Antares sets 11 24 eve. Capella rises 9 40 eve. Vega in meridian 9 15 eve. Rigel Rises 2 23 mo. Altair in meridian 10 27 eve. Betelgeuse rises 2 08 mo. Deneb in meridian 11 19 eve. Sirius rises 4 24 mo. Fomalhaut rises 9 34 eve. Procyon rises 3 59 mo. REMARKS Mercury is brightest this date, and furthest from the sun August 13. Venus will be at her descending node August 17. Jupiter will be near the moon August 17, 4h. 20m. morning, being the moon's apparent diameter north; this will be an occultation south of the equator. Saturn will be near the moon August 16, being about 7° south. There will be a partial eclipse of the moon August 16, in the evening. The moon will rise more or less eclipsed east of Kansas, west of which no eclipse will be visible. Middle. End. H.M. H.M. Boston 7 24 eve. 8 50 eve. New York 7 12 eve. 8 38 eve. Washington 7 00 eve. 8 26 eve. Charleston 6 48 eve. 8 14 eve. Chicago ———— 7 44 eve. St. Louis ———— 7 33 eve. New Orleans ———— 7 34 eve. The following shows the appearance of the moon when the eclipse is greatest -7·1 digits, or 0·596 of the moon's diameter. The size of the eclipse will be the same for all places. The time of middle and end for any other places may be obtained by applying the difference of longitude from Washington, converted into time, to the Washington time of middle and end, adding if east of Washington, and subtracting if west. An Interesting Astronomical Observation. To the Editor of the Scientific American: While viewing the planet Jupiter, at about 5 minutes past 10 o'clock P.M., a very strange sight presented itself to the observers, who were looking for a transit of one of the satellites. A very dark spot much larger than a satellite was seen on the eastern edge of the disk, as shown in the above diagram. It moved rapidly westward along the upper margin of the northern belt and passed off at 1 o'clock 24 minutes A.M. (12th). From its first internal contact till its last external contact was just 3h. 19m., Pittsburg time. It appeared to be a solid opaque body, truly spherical, very sharply defined, and most intensely black. The transit of the satellite occurred at 15 minutes after 11 o'clock, and had no unusual appearance. Now what was that dark body? We are constant observers of the heavenly bodies, though not deeply versed in the science of astronomy, and are anxious to know if any one can give us some light on the subject. The telescopes used were a 2½ inch and 5 inch achromatic, magnifying 154 and 216 diameters, but the 154 was chiefly used. was chiefly used. Joseph Wampler. James R. Gemmill. McKeesport, Pa., July 11, 1878. Some of Professor Marsh's Recent Discoveries. Mr. S. W. Williston, the assistant of Professor Marsh, has been giving to the Omaha some interesting facts with regard to the great reptilian fossils recently discovered in Wyoming and Colorado. The bones found represent reptiles of many sizes, from that of a cat up to one sixty feet high. The latter, found at Como, Wyoming, belonged to the crocodile order; but the remains give evidence that the animal stood up on its hind legs, like a kangaroo. Another found in Colorado is estimated by Professor Marsh to have been 100 feet long. A great many remains of the same general class, but belonging to different species, have been collected and sent East. Among them from three to four hundred specimens of the dinosaur, and about a thousand pterodactyls, have been shipped from Colorado, Wyoming, and Kansas. The wings of one of the latter were from thirty to forty feet from tip to tip. Seventeen different species of these flying dragons have been found in the chalk of western Kansas. There have also been found six species of toothed birds. Comparatively little has been done toward classifying the late finds, the task is such an enormous one. Great importance is attached to them, however, since nothing of the kind had been found in America until a little over a year ago and great stress had been laid by certain geologists on their absence. Another remarkable feature of the discovery was that the fossils which had been reported as not existing in this country had hardly been brought to light in one locality before thousands of tons of them were simultaneously discovered in half a dozen different places. Bee Trying to Save a Hundred and Fifty Million Dollars a Year. Professor Riley, recently appointed Government Entomologist and attached to the Agricultural Department, reports that specimens of insects injurious to agriculture are constantly being sent to the department from all parts of the country, with requests for information. In every instance, if a proper examination could be made, an effectual remedy could be found, and not less than $150,000,000 saved to the country annually. Recently a worm entirely new to science was sent to the department by an Iowa farmer, whose orchard of several thousand apple trees had been rendered unproductive for several years by the new depredator. For the interests of Western fruit growers this insect should immediately be investigated. Professor Riley asserts that the $5,000 recently voted by Congress for the investigation of the cotton worm, which has sometimes damaged the cotton crop of the South as much as $20,000,000 in a single fortnight, might have been used to better advantage by the department; the salary of the entomologist will use up all the money, leaving next to nothing for experiments for the eradication of the pest. Industrial Education. All are agreed that some education is necessary; but what? The great proportion of those having the direction of our educational system and facilities in charge still cling to a system which was established long before the first mechanical operation came into existence. Before the present system of man's relation to man, socially, industrially, politically, or commercially, was heard of, and notwithstanding the revolutions and advancement in all other things, there is a determined resistance to any attempt at revolution in what shall be considered education. There is an effort to establish compulsory education; but what is the child to be taught? As if in league with the false theories of the rights of labor, these efforts take the apprentices from the shops, force them away from where they would learn something, and confine them inside a school house to learn—what? Certainly nothing of the materials, or tools, or pursuits by which they are to obtain their livelihood. The child knows nothing of when or by whom the compass was discovered, the printing press, the use of powder, electricity, of steam, or of any one of the thousand mechanical operations now controlling every department of life. Does any school boy know how many kingdoms there are in the natural world, or whether an animal, a vegetable and a mineral all belong to the same or to different ones? Will he know that from instinct the young of animals seeks its food and expands its lungs, as by the same instinct the root of a seed sucks up its nourishment from the soil and sends its leaves up to breathe the air? Will he know anything of the nature or requirements of the soils or the plants that grow in them? Will this compulsory education teach the boy anything of the iron furnace, the foundry or rolling mill, or the uses or handling of any of their products? Will it teach him anything of woods and their value, or for what and how they are useful to man? Will this knowledge, for which the powers of the State are to be required to force him to know it—will it teach him anything of the nature or uses of metals, of metal working, or the business depending upon them? Will it teach him anything of gold or silver, copper or brass? Anything of pottery, of bone, ivory, celluloid, etc.? Will he learn anything of hides, leather, or the production of these necessary articles? Will he know whether the word textile applies to anything but a spider's web or the wing of a butterfly? Whether the United States make, import, or grow cotton, wool, silk, flax, and hemp? Will he know anything of commerce, railroads, telegraphs, printing, and the great number of clerk labors in the larger towns? Will he have learned a single thing which will assist him in his work of life? Will not every boy thus taken out of the shop and placed at the compulsory schooling find after he has mastered all it has to give him that he yet knows nothing; that he must then commence where he was and serve his apprenticeship; that instead of compulsory education his past years have been wasted in obtaining but a compulsory ignorance? About HackerNoon Book Series: We bring you the most important technical, scientific, and insightful public domain books. This book is part of the public domain. Various (2013). Scientific American, Vol. XXXIX. No. 6. [New Series.], August 10, 1878. Urbana, Illinois: Project Gutenberg. Retrieved https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/19406/pg19406-images.html This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at , located at www.gutenberg.org https://www.gutenberg.org/policy/license.html

ASTRONOMICAL NOTES

Scientific American, Volume 40, No. 13, March 29, 1879, by Various, is part of the HackerNoon Books Series. You can jump to any chapter in this book . REMEDY FOR THE NEW CARPET BEETLE. here REMEDY FOR THE NEW CARPET BEETLE. Noticing a statement made by Mr. J. A. Lintner, to the effect that the Persian insect powder would probably prove unavailing as a remedy against the ravages of the new carpet beetle ( ), W. L. Carpenter, of the U.S.A., was led to institute some experiments with this well known insecticide, the results of which he communicates to the current number of the . A small quantity of the powder was introduced, on the point of a penknife, under a tumbler beneath which various insects were consecutively confined. The movements of the insects brought them in contact with the poison, which readily adhered to their body; in endeavoring to remove it from their appendages a few particles would be carried to the mouth and thence to the stomach, with fatal effect. The results were briefly thus: A honey bee became helpless in 15 minutes; a mad wasp in 8 minutes; a small ant in 5 minutes; a large butterfly resisted the effects for over an hour, and apparently recovered, but died the next day; a house-fly became helpless in 10 minutes; a mosquito in 15; and a flea in 3 minutes. In experimenting on beetles, an insect was secured as nearly the size of the carpet beetle as could be found. It was easily affected, and became helpless in 12 minutes. Anthrenus Naturalist In these, and experiments with various other insects, the scent from the powder did not produce any bad effect on those subjected to its odor where actual contact was not possible; but when carried to the mandibles the effect was to produce complete paralysis of the motor nerves. The experiments prove that all insects having open mouth parts are peculiarly susceptible to this popular insecticide. As a result, the writer does not hesitate to recommend the powder to housekeepers as an infallible agent in destroying the carpet beetle and preventing its ravages. The Persian insect powder liberally sprinkled upon the floor before putting down a carpet, and afterward freely placed around the edges, and never swept away, will suffice to preserve a large sized carpet. No ill effects from its use need be feared by the householder, since the drug is poisonous to no kinds of animals except insects. Banana Flour. The banana has recently found a new use in Venezuela. It has the property of keeping the soil moist round it, in a country where sometimes no rain falls for months; so it has been employed to give freshness, as well as shade, to the coffee plant, whose cultivation has been greatly extended (Venezuela produced 38,000,000 kilogrammes of coffee in 1876). The Venezuelans can consume but little of the banana fruit thus furnished, so that attention is being given to increasing its value as an export. At the Paris Exhibition were samples of banana flour (got by drying and pulverizing the fruit before maturity) and brandy (from the ripe fruit) The flour has been analyzed by MM. Marcano and Muntz. It contains 66.1 per cent of starch, and only 2.9 of azotized matter. About HackerNoon Book Series: We bring you the most important technical, scientific, and insightful public domain books. This book is part of the public domain. Various (2006). Scientific American, Volume 40, No. 13, March 29, 1879. Urbana, Illinois: Project Gutenberg. Retrieved https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/18866/pg18866-images.html This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at , located at . www.gutenberg.org https://www.gutenberg.org/policy/license.html

REMEDY FOR THE NEW CARPET BEETLE

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