Quantum bogodynamics
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Quantum bogodynamics is a humorous theory arising within hacker culture that characterises the universe in terms of sources of fictional fundamental particles; bogons. There are bogon sources (such as politicians, used-car salesmen, TV evangelists, and suits in general), bogon sinks (such as taxpayers and computers), and bogosity potential fields. Bogon absorption causes human beings to behave mindlessly and machines to fail (and may also cause both to emit secondary bogons); however, the precise mechanics of bogon-computron interaction are not well-understood.
Bogosity is a humorous term used to describe the degree to which something is bogus. The unit of bogosity is the microlenat, named after Douglas Lenat. (The lenat is considered too large a unit for practical use.)
Quantum bogodynamics is most often invoked to explain the sharp increase in hardware and software failures in the presence of suits; the latter emit bogons, which the former absorb.
The bogon has an antiparticle, the cluon.
Quantum bogodynamics reflects the emphasis in hacker culture on rationality and distaste for empty form and authority.
Article based on quantum bogodynamics (etc) at FOLDOC, used with permission. Also featured in the Jargon File.
Contents |
[edit] Popular Culture
Kevin Warwick at Reading University has been jokingly referred to as Professor of Bogosity in an article at The Register. [1]
[edit] See also
- Bogon filtering - Computer networking
- Bogosort - Algorithm
- BogoMips - Measure of computer speed
[edit] External links
- Jinxed computer users might be sending out a bad vibe, researchers suggest - "The experiments appear to demonstrate a small, but statistically significant, anomaly: study subjects seem to be able to change the output of the machines merely by thinking about them."
- Original Jargon File
