[EM] Resonance

[Richard Fobes]

Michael Ossipoff, you don't seem to take the time to carefully read the 
messages posted here.

In this case it appears that you failed to notice my use of the word 
"component."

I have a degree in Physics, so I can assure you that I am not the one 
who is failing to understand the concept of resonance.  (FYI, Wikipedia 
has a great explanation of the topic.)

To all: In politics the resonant frequency can be issue-specific, and 
also depends on factors such as the time between elections, how long it 
takes to enact and enforce a change, how long it takes to notice 
effects, how long it takes for investigative journalism to call 
attention to undesired effects, and much more.

In local politics the resonant frequency might be as short as one cycle 
per four years (assuming two years between elections and quick changes 
with obvious consequences).  In large-scale politics, the frequency can 
be as long as one cycle per three generations.  The latter case amounts 
to a "period" (one divided by the frequency) of about about 100 years, 
which coincides with some boom-and-bust cycles, probably including the 
one we are in now.  (Often such cycles involve a "new" generation 
forgetting what an earlier generation learned the hard way.)

Getting back to the original concept, term limits would be like building 
barriers to limit the swing of a pendulum.  It does limit the swings. 
However, putting a "damper" on the pendulum also would reduce 
excessively "wild swings."

Making elections fairer would be like putting a damper on politics.  The 
momentum that can cause wild swings would be difficult to get started.

Richard Fobes



On 1/18/2013 1:51 PM, Michael Ossipoff wrote:
> Fobes says:
>
> Such over-runs are a component of the concept of "resonance" in Physics.
>    This over-extended "state" quickly lead to an ever-increasing push
> back to center.
>
> [endquote]
>
> Incorrect.
>
> Resonance, in physics, refers to a physical system's natural frequency
> of oscillation. The frequency at which it would oscillate without any
> outside influences.
>
> As for the "ever increasing push back towards center": For small
> displacements the restoring-force typically tends to be approximately
> proportional to the displacement from the center (toward which the
> restoring force acts). Motion under the influence of such a
> restoring-force is called "simple harmonic motion. For instance,
> clocks, whether with pendulum, balance wheel or quartz, are designed
> for simple harmonic oscillation, because one of its results is an
> oscillatory period that is independent of the amplitude.
>
> Galileo is said to have observed that independence, in the swinging of
> a chandelier
>
> But "resonance" only refers to natural frequency.
>
>
> Fobes continued:
>
>   Yet, overall, the result is an oscillation that
> averages out to be centered.
>
> [endquote]
>
> ???
>
> Meaning?
>
> Mike Ossipoff
> ----
> Election-Methods mailing list - see http://electorama.com/em for list info
>
>
>