Food For Thought

[Steve Barclay]

Jock Scot wrote-

"Gosh you crossed swords with the L.S.K.E.(Weegie Division)! The most awful branch of the K.K.! They not only dress by example and most dangerous of all they have the accent to give weight to their opinions and no doubt about it, has passed out with flying colours from the G.G.B.S.D.! --------If only they knew!


Note:-

L.S.K.E. = Lowland Scots Kilt Expert.
K.K= Kilt Kops.
G.G.B.S.D.= Glasgow Gun Boat School of Diplomacy."


Ha ha they do have a certain "charm"! I wasn't too offended as I know what the weegies are like, and you can't take them too seriously as they don't take themselves too seriously! It's commonplace in Glesca to see two old guys in a pub effing and blinding at each other like they're about to start throwing punches, and a minute later it's all forgotten and it turns out they've been having the same kind of "discussions" regularly for the last fifty years! This chap was saying stuff like "where's the deer?" and "are you some kind of laird?" Oscar Wilde-esque rapier wit, I'm sure you'll agree

[ForresterModern]

I think perhaps you're referring to the Heisenberg effect: ‘All experimentation is invalidated by the very involvement of the experimenter.” (Werner Heisenberg, 1901-76, Nobel Physics ’32, Principal creator of Quantum Mechanics) He called this the “uncertainty principle” but it has generally been called by his name.

Very close Father Bill, and probably the best layman's description. Technically Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle is a fundamental principle of Quantum mechanics, or the study of the subatomic particles. It basically states that you can measure either of the two important properties of a moving particle, its position and its momentum (mass and direction and speed), but in doing so you instill energy into the system (in an unpredictable manner) and thereby perturb its previous equilibrium, i.e. you disturb its position and/or momentum so that your just acquired measurement is now no longer valid. Another basic portion of the theory is that you can measure one or the other, position or momentum, at any point in time, but not the other simultaneously.

Extended to the macorscopic "real world" I think AA's description of the Mead Effect is analogous to Heisenberg's Principle, that just inserting yourself into a social system to gather data inherently disturbs the normal equilibrium of that social system. I like to think about it in terms of all the "reality" shows on TV these days------They are only "entertaining" because they choose very contrived situations (not reality) and because the characters know that they are on camera, thereby acting like idiots for the sake of outrageousness in showing off for the camera to make themselves more memorable (valuable) to the show, thereby better insuring their continued involvement. Take away the cameras and they just become ridiculously "normal" people, seeking attention.

Jock, back on topic, I too look forward to the Part II questionaire and its response data, as well as a bit of the demographics of those being questioned. And I hope all enjoy the time together and outdoors.

[Steve Barclay]

To any Glaswegians here liable to take offence, I actually really like the people and their sense of humour (usually!), my family are from not too far away (Motherwell and nearby) Anyway, off topic- I'll shut up! ; )

[auld argonian]

Actually, I'd think that if the group being surveyed knew where the information being gathered was going to be shared, that could skew the results. If they thought that the results were going to be shared locally, it might elicit a slightly different set of answers than if they knew it was going to be shared with a bunch of kilt wearing foreigners.

...thus, discretion, please...

Best

AA

[Jock Scot]

Actually, I'd think that if the group being surveyed knew where the information being gathered was going to be shared, that could skew the results. If they thought that the results were going to be shared locally, it might elicit a slightly different set of answers than if they knew it was going to be shared with a bunch of kilt wearing foreigners.

...thus, discretion, please...

Best

AA

A fair point AA, and almost certainly there will be mischievous answers. Alcohol, young men, pretty girls, good music, happy time(I hope) is an almost dead cert for silliness from some. Assuming that anyone takes the trouble to even look at the questions, all that I can rely on is a certain amount of respect for their hosts, me to an extent , goodwill and even, perhaps, a certain amount of genuine interest. I have titled the questions as "Inquiring Minds Need To Know" and have explained, briefly, the reasons for wanting the answers which is purely for interest and nothing more. So let us hope that goodwill abounds.

In passing, I do know that there are one or two "foreigners" intending to wear the kilt for the occasion.

[Phil]

In passing, I do know that there are one or two "foreigners" intending to wear the kilt for the occasion.

Not the dreaded 'weegies' I trust.

[Jock Scot]

Not the dreaded 'weegies' I trust.

I expect that there may well be some, but I/we will have 'em surrounded!

[Phil]

I expect that there may well be some, but I/we will have 'em surrounded!

Slippery fellows those weegies so take care. In any case have a good New Year when it comes.

[Micric]

I look forward to the results, Jock.

Hope Christmas was Merry!

All best wishes for the New Year.

Richard.

[OC Richard]

1. Have you ever worn another, apart from a band, school, or military , tartan other than your own?
Yes: 0
No: 9

May I ask what tartans these nine men were wearing? Just wondering...

And many thanks for doing that most interesting survey! It's so nice to know that traditional kiltwearing is alive and well there.