Klarinet Archive - Posting 000389.txt from 2002/11

From: alevin@-----. Levin)
Subj: [kl] Understanding the concept of error
Date: Fri, 8 Nov 2002 11:05:45 -0500

I've been out of circulation for a month caring for a father with
Parkinson's and Alzheimers. It has given me time to think. I'll do a
longer post in a few days; but I want to recommend a new book entitled "The
Measure of all Things", by Ken Alder. Mr. Alder uses a history of the
attempt to fix the physical measurement of the defined meter (during the
chaotic period following the French Revolution) to explain the concept of
"error". I first read it to relieve boredom. I've been rereading it in
fascination. It may help us to focus some of the topics which take up so
much disc space.

Allen

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