29 May 2013

Defying the laws of physics and mathematics

Some universal laws are upheld quite regularly around here. Like gravity: We’re always dropping stuff. And the second law of thermodynamics: Yeah, entropy always increases. Always. Then too, we’ve got the fourth law of thermodynamics down pat. (Didn’t know there was a fourth law of thermodynamics? Wikipedia helpfully points out that “Murphy’s law” has been referred to as such. Heehee.)

But Newton’s third law of motion? Reach back into your high school physics memories and recite it with me now: for every reaction, there’s an equal and opposite reaction. That one, we’ve got beat. By which I mean, for every action in this house, I can nearly guarantee you that there will be multiple and disproportionate reactions. I guess that means my kids have some kind of superpower…

Also, the math problem: If there’s technically a 50% chance that a toddler will put her shoes on the wrong feet, why does it happen 89% of the time? (Mind you, I’m thrilled to have a toddler who can put on her own shoes and who does so cheerfully. But I’m just askin’.)

7 comments:

Untamed Shrew said...

I think this post is terrific. :D

Dawn said...

I think you've observed further compelling evidence for the existence of the multiverse.

Unknown said...

Um yes. And yes! I laughed so hard. True. So what's the probability of us hanging out?

Cathy said...

One of my girls put on unmatched sox 90% of the time, and I was just delighted that she put on her own sox and shoes. She was my eleventh. I was just tired, too.

Reb. Mary said...

And now mismatched socks are in, so maybe wrongfooted shoes are next.

LRJ, that's another one of those probabilities that seems bafflingly difficult :P Let's work on it.

Susan said...

My granddaughters say THE SHOES FEEL BETTER on the wrong feet. So that's why they do it...

Jerry said...

Can a brother join the sisters? I ran into your website some time ago, first comment.
What wonderful encouragement.

A thought on this post -- as soon as we had two children, I called them by the wrong names. They're not even the same gender, and there were only two of them. How could I use the wrong name?

The phenomenon was most profound with the last two. To this day, I generally call these sons (now men) first by the wrong name, then by their own name.

But I always put my shoes on the correct feet. So far.

May God bless you.

Jerry