Stories with Tag sheep

• CERN scientists find evidence of quantum entanglement in sheep

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  Posted: 2025-04-01 11:08:34

  Verbose tl;dr

  The CERN article is a humorous April Fool's Day piece. It satirically reports the "discovery" of quantum entanglement between sheep, attributing their flocking behavior to this quantum phenomenon. The article uses pseudo-scientific jargon and fabricated quotes to maintain the joke, while subtly referencing real physics concepts like Bell's inequality and quantum superposition. Ultimately, the article's purpose is lighthearted entertainment, not a genuine scientific announcement.

  In a groundbreaking, albeit humorous, publication purportedly emanating from the esteemed halls of CERN, researchers claim to have observed evidence suggesting the existence of quantum entanglement in a population of Ovis aries, commonly known as sheep. The article, presented with a veneer of scientific rigor, details an experiment involving the meticulous observation of sheep grazing in a pasture adjacent to the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The researchers posit that fluctuations in the sheep's collective behavior, specifically synchronized head movements and seemingly coordinated changes in grazing patterns, cannot be adequately explained by classical physics. Instead, they propose the audacious hypothesis that these correlated actions are a manifestation of quantum entanglement, a phenomenon wherein two or more particles become linked in such a way that they share the same fate, regardless of the physical distance separating them.

  The purported experiment hinges on the alleged detection of "subtle correlations" between the sheep's movements, which the researchers meticulously documented using high-precision GPS trackers attached to each animal. The authors contend that the observed synchronization of the sheep's head movements, specifically the simultaneous raising and lowering of their heads while grazing, exceeded the statistical probabilities expected by random chance. Furthermore, they suggest that these correlated actions persisted even when individual sheep were separated by considerable distances, seemingly defying classical explanations based on visual or auditory cues.

  The researchers speculate that the strong magnetic fields generated by the LHC may play a role in inducing this purported entanglement. They hypothesize that the intense magnetic environment could influence the spin of the elementary particles within the sheep's brains, leading to the formation of entangled states across the flock. The authors admit that further research is necessary to fully understand the underlying mechanisms and solidify their claims. However, they emphasize the potential implications of their findings for our understanding of both quantum mechanics and animal behavior, suggesting that quantum entanglement could play a previously unrecognized role in the complex social dynamics of herd animals. Despite the article's scientific presentation, it is crucial to recognize its humorous nature and to approach its conclusions with appropriate skepticism.

  • Quantum Entanglement
  • quantum physics
  • CERN
  • sheep
  • animal behavior
  • Physics Research
  • Scientific Discovery
  • particle physics
  • subatomic particles
  • Quantum Biology

  Summary of Comments ( 15 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43545349

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News users expressed significant skepticism about the linked article claiming quantum entanglement in sheep. Several commenters pointed out that the study measured correlations in sheep physiology, which could easily be explained by classical physics, like shared environmental factors. They argued that the article misrepresents or misunderstands the concept of quantum entanglement, and there's no evidence presented to suggest anything beyond classical correlations. Some users criticized the sensationalist headline and the poor quality of science reporting in general. A few commenters questioned the journal's credibility and the peer review process. Overall, the consensus was that the claim of quantum entanglement in sheep is unsubstantiated.

  The Hacker News post titled "CERN scientists find evidence of quantum entanglement in sheep" (https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43545349) has elicited several comments expressing skepticism and amusement, with a general theme of disbelief and playful mockery of the premise. No one appears to be taking the linked article seriously.

  Several commenters immediately point out that the article is a joke, published on April 1st (April Fool's Day). They express a mixture of amusement and mild annoyance at having fallen for the prank, or at seeing it posted seriously.

  One commenter sarcastically questions the methodology of the "study," asking about the control group of sheep not entangled and how they determined the baseline for "sheepness." This further emphasizes the perceived absurdity of the premise.

  Another commenter humorously suggests a link to the concept of "sheeple," a derogatory term for people who are easily influenced and follow the crowd, implying that the article's joke plays on this existing concept.

  Some comments express disappointment at the article being a joke, indicating they were genuinely intrigued by the title's seemingly groundbreaking claim. This highlights the surprising nature of the headline and its potential to pique interest even if ultimately false.

  A few commenters engage in playful banter, continuing the joke by referencing other absurd hypothetical scenarios involving quantum mechanics and animals, such as Schrödinger's cat being entangled with a dog. This adds to the overall lighthearted and humorous tone of the comment section.

  In summary, the comments on the Hacker News post overwhelmingly recognize the linked article as an April Fool's Day prank. They respond with a mixture of amusement, skepticism, and playful mockery, highlighting the absurdity of the premise and engaging in lighthearted jokes related to the concept of quantum entanglement and animals.

• Where is London's most central sheep?

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  Posted: 2025-01-23 09:58:20

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  Diamond Geezer investigates the claim that the most central sheep in London resides at the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) grounds. He determines the geographic center of London using mean, median, and geometric center calculations based on the city's boundary. While the HAC sheep are remarkably central, lying very close to several calculated centers, they aren't definitively the most central. Further analysis using what he deems the "fairest" method—a center-of-mass calculation considering population density—places the likely "most central sheep" slightly east, near the Barbican. However, without precise sheep locations within the Barbican area and considering the inherent complexities of defining "London," the HAC sheep remain strong contenders for the title.

  Within the sprawling metropolis of London, a city more readily associated with bustling crowds and iconic landmarks than pastoral tranquility, resides a population of ovine inhabitants. The blog post "London's Most Central Sheep," penned by the esteemed Diamond Geezer, embarks upon a captivating cartographical quest to pinpoint the precise location of the sheep dwelling closest to the very heart of this urban jungle.

  The author commences this intriguing investigation by establishing the geographical center of London, electing to utilize the position of the original Charing Cross as the focal point. This historical landmark, laden with significance, serves as the metaphorical bullseye in the author's endeavor to locate the ovine resident holding the distinguished title of "London's Most Central Sheep."

  Employing the invaluable resource that is Google Maps, Diamond Geezer meticulously scours the vicinity surrounding Charing Cross, his digital gaze sweeping across parks and green spaces in search of evidence of sheep. The initial search yields promising results in the form of Buckingham Palace Gardens, a verdant oasis known to harbor a flock of these woolly creatures. However, the author, driven by a commitment to precision, seeks further confirmation and validation of their presence.

  Subsequent exploration reveals photographic evidence, captured by astute observers and shared online, definitively proving the existence of sheep within the confines of Buckingham Palace Gardens. This photographic documentation serves as irrefutable proof, cementing the claim that these particular sheep are indeed residents of the royal grounds.

  However, the quest does not conclude with this discovery. The author, with an unwavering dedication to thoroughness, meticulously measures the distance between Buckingham Palace Gardens and the original Charing Cross, employing digital mapping tools to achieve utmost accuracy. This rigorous process determines that the sheep of Buckingham Palace Gardens reside approximately 1 kilometer from the designated center of London.

  The author concludes the geographical investigation by acknowledging the possibility, however remote, that other sheep may exist closer to the true center. While the sheep of Buckingham Palace Gardens currently hold the prestigious title, the author remains open to the prospect of future discoveries that could potentially challenge their reign as London's most central sheep. This leaves a lingering air of possibility and encourages further exploration of London's hidden pastoral pockets.

  • London
  • sheep
  • central London
  • Geography
  • animals
  • urban animals
  • England
  • UK
  • blog
  • Diamond Geezer

  Summary of Comments ( 109 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42802498

  Verbose tl;dr

  HN users generally enjoyed the lighthearted puzzle presented in the linked blog post. Several commenters discussed different interpretations of "central," leading to suggestions of alternative locations and methods for calculating centrality. Some proposed using the centroid of London's shape, while others considered population density or accessibility via public transport. A few users pointed out the ambiguity of "London" itself, questioning whether it referred to the City of London, Greater London, or another definition. At least one commenter expressed appreciation for the blog author's clear writing style and engaging presentation of the problem. The overall tone is one of amusement and intellectual curiosity, with users enjoying the thought experiment.

  The Hacker News post titled "Where is London's most central sheep?" with the link to https://diamondgeezer.blogspot.com/2025/01/londons-most-central-sheep.html has several comments discussing the methodology and implications of finding the "most central" sheep.

  One commenter points out the ambiguity of "central" and suggests various ways to define it, such as minimizing the average distance to all other sheep, minimizing the maximum distance to any other sheep, or finding the sheep closest to the centroid of all sheep locations. They highlight how different definitions lead to different "most central" sheep.

  Another commenter discusses the practical challenges of tracking sheep movements, particularly in a bustling city like London, and how GPS data accuracy limitations could affect the precision of the "central" sheep determination.

  Another commenter questions the definition of "London" itself and how the chosen boundaries influence the results. Using different definitions of London (e.g., the City of London, Greater London, the Metropolitan Police District) would yield a different "most central" sheep. This comment also playfully notes that the definition of "sheep" might also be up for debate, jokingly referring to humans behaving like sheep.

  A further comment builds on the idea of different centrality measures by introducing the concept of network centrality, suggesting that if the sheep moved in predictable patterns, the most "central" sheep could be the one through whose location most other sheep pass.

  Some comments offer more humorous takes. One commenter suggests the most central sheep might be a stuffed animal or a statue, while another jokes about the existence of a secret society of urban sheep.

  Several commenters engage in a lighthearted debate about the relevance and usefulness of the entire exercise, questioning the practical value of knowing the location of the "most central" sheep while acknowledging its intellectual curiosity.

  Finally, a few comments express appreciation for the original blog post and the thought-provoking discussion it generated, highlighting the enjoyment of exploring such seemingly trivial yet intriguing questions.