Quote from: DannyHamilton on August 29, 2015, 01:02:54 PM

Quote from: teukon on August 28, 2015, 11:19:16 PM

I imagine BurtW was assuming the many worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics (look up "quantum tunnelling" for more). Under this interpretation, the conception of air as a collection of particles bumping into one another is only an approximation to the truth.

No, BurtW's analogy works fine under the conception of air as a collection of particles randomly bumping into one another, and I've used the same analogy many times.

Under the conception of air as a collection of particles bumping into one another, the molecules are effectively moving around randomly. At any given moment in time, ANY arrangement of those molecules in a given space in has equal probability. There are MANY such arrangements that involve enough air to be in the immediate proximity of the air holes in your face. There are very few such arrangements that involve insufficient air to be in the immediate proximity of the air holes in your face. Is there any thing magical about your face that forces enough air to move to that location? Or are you simply counting on the extremely high probability that the few random arrangements that could kill you will never happen?

Ah yes, good point. I missed that.

Damn. I'm suddenly very conscious of my breathing. If I don't sleep well tonight I'm blaming you.