Dixitque Ornoth “Fiat lux!” et facta est lux

[ornoth]

I have a nightlight in the bathroom. It’s one of those jobbies with a little light detector, so it only comes on at night. It manages to avoid its own light confusing itself by directing the light down, while the light sensor is located on top of the unit.

What do you think would happen if you were to use two mirrors to redirect the nightlight’s output up and back and down onto the sensor?

Well, I can safely say that empirical testing shows that the damned thing will, in fact, go berserk. When it’s dark it lights up, which makes it light, so it shuts off, which makes it dark, so it lights up, which makes it light, so it shuts off, which makes it dark, so it lights up, which makes it light, so it shuts off, which makes it dark, so it lights up, which makes it light, so it shuts off, which makes it dark, so it lights up, which makes it light, so it shuts off, which makes it dark, so it lights up…

About six times per second, I’d estimate. If it was a little brighter, your bathroom could be transformed into strobe suitable for a 1970s disco lounge! But if it was a little brighter, it might also not exhibit such manifestly dim behavior.

Comments

[imperator-mei.livejournal.com]

Somewhere in here there's a metaphor for client management, but I'm not certain it's worth the effort.

Also, for the record, I'm taking a complete pass on bugging you about the phrase, "dim behavior."

[xinegirl.livejournal.com]

Dude...you need a hobby. :P

[ornoth.livejournal.com]

I've got electric light.
And I've got second sight.
Got amazing powers of observation...