There is a theory in structural engineering called “Relative Stiffness.” It is based on the fact that the more stiff an element is, the more load it will take.
It can be seen in the equation
KD=R
where k= stiffness, d= displacement, and r= force.
The theory can be seen from the global scale of the building all the way down to a simple shear tab connection. It is easy to see this relationship if we look at two shear walls on the same line, tied together by a rigid diaphragm. The stiffness of the diaphragm will force the displacements of these two shear walls to be the same. However if one shear wall is 4 feet long, while the other is 20 feet long, it takes more force to displace the 20 foot wall than it does the 4 foot wall. However, since displacement (D) remains constant between them, the force (R) will have to be higher in the stiffer wall to make the above equation true.
I find beauty in this theory in that it is also applicable to aspects of our lives. The more resistant we may be to a force the more force we will have to overcome. The same way the stiffer element is going to take more of the force in the building, the more resistant we are to change, the more stress we will have to overcome.
Just something interesting I’ve been thinking about lately.
On a sadder note. Congratulations to OKC. Hope you guys go all the way.
The Black Mamba showed us tonight why he is the greatest player in the NBA.
This mother’s day I decided to surprise my amazing mom by coming down from school and spending some time with her. She was surprised to see me and that smile made every second of the 4 hour drive worth it.
Our extended family has started this tradition with father’s day and mother’s day to spend the entire day with each other. That way the grandmas and aunts can be appreciated too. This time we went to my aunt’s house for some bbqing and controversial debating action.
My uncle started the conversation going by repeating Obama’s opinion on gay marriage from earlier this week. We all took turns going around the table and voicing our opinions. As expected, the grandparents took the more conservative side, while the college students took the liberal side. However something interesting happened in the middle there. The last time I spoke with my parents, they were against extending marriage to include two members of the same sex. But something happened between then (2 years ago) and now that changed their mind. I think it was the show Modern Family which depicts two gay guys who have adopted a vietnamese girl and live comfortable and ‘normal’ lifestyles. But anyways, it seemed that the people who have lived in the US the longest were more likely to have been pro gay marriage than those who have not. I won’t bore you with the details of the debate because you’ve probably heard everything that was said anyways. My favorite being, “What am i going to do when my kids come and ask me what marriage is? How am i going to have to answer that?” Which quickly reminded me of Louis CK’s argument back to this being “Two guys are in love shouldn’t be allowed to get married cuz you don’t want to talk to your shitty kid for 5 fucking minutes.” (Source- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtJ_sDRRVVI)
Then the argument came to should they be allowed to adopt kids?
Yes they should be allowed to adopt kids. Are you trying to make the arument that a child is better off in a foster home than in the hands of two people who are so incredibly in love that they broke barriers to solidify their marriage? In fact, I think the people who have to go through screening processes to insure their sanity and responsibility as human beings who can take care of a child are fare more qualified than the scum who can’t stop having unprotected sex to save their lives.
Which brings me to this idea that I had. People should have to go through screenings and/or IQ tests before having children. Let’s face it ladies and gentleman, we are overpopulating this world at an exponential rate and to be honest I feel that the collective stupidity of our species is rising at an even higher exponent. If you’ve seen the movie idiocracy you may have a glimpse of what this world may come to if something is not done. Now I know it may be a little harsh to deny people with low IQ’s the privilege of having children, but then again thats exactly what it is: a privilege. Now if you’re not totally for the idea of only intelects being able to reproduce, atleast agree with the “screening” idea. Do checks to see if they have a stable job, a means to provide for their children.
Think about the idea. I haven’t given much thought as to how you would control something like this but I do believe that the privilege of having children should be reserved to those who can provide for them.
If those two do that again… I’LL BREAK THEIR FUCKING LEGS… - JACK/PESCI
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CLUE 1:
“went to short dogs house,
they was watching Yo MTV
RAPS”
Yo MTV RAPS first aired:
Aug 6th 1988
CLUE 2:
Ice Cubes single “today was a good day” released on:
Feb 23 1993
CLUE 3:
”The Lakers beat the Super
Sonics”
Dates between Yo MTV Raps air date AUGUST 6 1988 and the release…
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Today I finally got around to doing and finishing my traffic school which took about 6 hours. On the bright side this means i got to finish an entire season of How I Met Your Mother. But anyways, Finishing the traffic school reminded me of something I learned a couple years ago. We’re always complaining about how tired we are from what we have done, when usually it’s everything that we’ve been putting off that truly exhausts us.
You might be thinking, “What the hell is this retard saying.” Or “How can I be tired from not doing something.” Well to you readers who are thinking that then let me give you examples that may let you see the light of my fantastic discovery. First example is when you finally finish a project that you’ve been procrastinating for so long. When you’re done you feel accomplished and energetic that you were productive instead of a lazy fuck sitting around the house watching the food network. NEXT example is going to the gym, after finally approaching that institution that you’ve been donating your money to for the last 3 months without actually using it, after you finish that work out and get out of the shower you feel like a new man (or woman).
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