This is about the grama switch, which I can't post about on Gary's LJ since he's shunning me (I think "it's an Objectivist thing, you wouldn't understand", or something like that):
It's a setup where on one side there's a light source that emits a pulse of light every second or so, and on the other side there's a photosensitive receiver that will close the circuit when it's triggered, but in between there's an obstruction that stops the light from reaching the receiver. So long as the obstruction remains in place nothing will happen; once it is removed, the next time the light is emitted it will be received and the circuit will be closed.
The precedent on which this is based is the question of opening a window in front of a candle, thus allowing the wind to blow it out. The law is that if the wind is currently blowing then opening the window is tantamount to directly blowing the candle out, but if there is no wind blowing right now then it's OK to open the window, even if you are certain that there will be a wind later.
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Date: 2007-07-31 06:04 pm (UTC)It's a setup where on one side there's a light source that emits a pulse of light every second or so, and on the other side there's a photosensitive receiver that will close the circuit when it's triggered, but in between there's an obstruction that stops the light from reaching the receiver. So long as the obstruction remains in place nothing will happen; once it is removed, the next time the light is emitted it will be received and the circuit will be closed.
The precedent on which this is based is the question of opening a window in front of a candle, thus allowing the wind to blow it out. The law is that if the wind is currently blowing then opening the window is tantamount to directly blowing the candle out, but if there is no wind blowing right now then it's OK to open the window, even if you are certain that there will be a wind later.