this post was submitted on 23 Jul 2025
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Was discussing about physics, relativity, quantum, etc... with a colleague after a few beer and he told me "a model is just a model, it's not the reality." Mind blowing moment. I've always considered the physics we learned at school was a description of reality, but no. It will always be just an approximation.
Well yes. A model is just describes reality, the tools used in the description govern how accurate the model is.
e.g. the speedo in your car, is a model of reality. Obviously it only models a very tiny part, but depending on the quality of the tool; it is more or less describing reality covered by the model.
No way this wasn't intentional.
Speedo, Very tiny part, quality of the tool...
I'll accept it
this. that's why a model is as good as its known margin of error and limits
and it's important to remember models work well outside of edge cases ; in your speedometer example, if you brake on ice and your car drifts out of control, the speedometer will show no speed, when you'll probably have one ... but in most cases, it's a good enough model