G. K. Zipf (1902-1950), an American psychologist, proposed a Principle of Least Effort. It centers on an organism’s choices among possible actions, such as learning how to navigate a maze. Zipf suggests that, for example, a rat learning the maze will essentially “take what appears to be the easiest way” through the maze. That makes some sense. Why spend more energy than one has to to solve a problem? The principle could just as easily apply to predators on the hunt. If you spend too much energy acquiring food for energy, you won’t endure long. Calories in have to be equal to or greater than calories out. The path of least effort makes sense.
Physicists also have a “least” principle, one based upon the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian. It’s the principle of least action, probably best exemplified by the refraction of light passing through water and by the scenario of a lifeguard saving a drowning person down beach. Imagine which path of least energy the lifeguard should take to get to the drowning person. 1) Run perpendicularly into the water and then swim to the person or 2) Run along the beach and then enter the water farther down beach closer to the swimmer. In the principle of least action, the energy required to complete the task is the important control on the path taken. Far less energy is required in running through air along the beach and then entering the water for a short swim rather than in running to the water and then swimming the longer distance.
Kamala Harris, the Woman of Least Action and Least Effort
With regard to her stated duties as VP, which include stopping the unfettered immigration that on her watch allowed more than 10 million illegal immigrants into the country and the unaccounted for tens of thousands of minors the government can’t find, Harris has been the epitome of least action. In not going to the border’s worst sections, she has also been the epitome of least effort. She certainly has saved her energy, maybe spending it on holding up “sleepy Joe” for three years. Or, maybe she has put her energy into concocting word salads.
Physicists also have a “least” principle, one based upon the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian. It’s the principle of least action, probably best exemplified by the refraction of light passing through water and by the scenario of a lifeguard saving a drowning person down beach. Imagine which path of least energy the lifeguard should take to get to the drowning person. 1) Run perpendicularly into the water and then swim to the person or 2) Run along the beach and then enter the water farther down beach closer to the swimmer. In the principle of least action, the energy required to complete the task is the important control on the path taken. Far less energy is required in running through air along the beach and then entering the water for a short swim rather than in running to the water and then swimming the longer distance.
Kamala Harris, the Woman of Least Action and Least Effort
With regard to her stated duties as VP, which include stopping the unfettered immigration that on her watch allowed more than 10 million illegal immigrants into the country and the unaccounted for tens of thousands of minors the government can’t find, Harris has been the epitome of least action. In not going to the border’s worst sections, she has also been the epitome of least effort. She certainly has saved her energy, maybe spending it on holding up “sleepy Joe” for three years. Or, maybe she has put her energy into concocting word salads.
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