Josh is on Desolation Row

So basically I've been given the following question in a maths assignment and I'm not too sure what to do with it. Any help (especially with explanation of working out) would be much appreciated.

y = 0.6549x + 1.5616

The above equation is of the form: y = mx + c. It should however, be considered as being of the form: ln y = mx + ln A. Rearrange the equation using log and exponential laws, to make it in the form of an exponential function.

Thanks.

Two point charges A and B each have charge +Q coulombs and are separated by a distance 'r' metres. If the force acting between them is 6x10^-4 N:

a) What is the force if distance 'r' is doubled;

b) What is the force if charge Q on both A and B is doubled;

c) What is the force if charge Q on both is halved, but so is the distance between them?

I know this probably isn't the most difficult question, but I'm studying for a physics exam and I came across this question and I can't for the life of me seem to be able to figure it out. It would be great if you guys could help explain it to me.

Thanks.

It'd be great if you could help me with this question. I'm just not really sure what to do, to be honest.

Solve the following for n (n > 0):

(n^3 - 3)/n^3 + (n^3 - 4)/n^3 + (n^3 - 5)/n^3 + (n^3 - 6)/n^3 + ... + 5/n^3 + 4/n^3 + 3/n^3 = 169

Thanks.

By clever arrangement of the following numbers into an arithmetic progression, determine its value (I think it must just mean sum).

1992^2 - 1991^2 + 1990^2 - 1989^2 + ... + 4^2 - 3^2 + 2^2 - 1^2

Thanks.

What would you classify the bonding between two carbon atoms by a double bond as? If it were a single bond it would be a primary bond, but is there a specific way to express the bond between two carbon atoms sharing a double bond?

Thanks.

Are there any gases that, on their own, considerably block out or absorb radiation, either considerably or completely?

I am competing in a space design competition and I am wondering whether any gases would be suitable for use in blocking out radiation?

Thanks.

I have always been a big fan of prog rock and have listened to a fair few of the newer prog bands (not prog metal though) but have always overlooked The Mars Volta.

I am wondering which of their albums would I like best? Pink Floyd are my favourite prog band but I also like Jethro Tull, Yes, Genesis and newer bands like Radiohead (I think they're prog), so which album would be best suited for me to start off with?

I was thinking either De-Loused In The Comatorium or The Bedlam in Goliath. Which one would be better to get considering my prog tastes?

By 'underrated and generally unknown' I mean a song that commercially isn't necessarily well known, so none of his singles or popular songs (Like a Rolling Stone, Blowin' in the Wind, Hurricane etc).

For me, after listening to Highway 61 Revisited twice over this morning and then Blonde on Blonde my pick would be between Desolation Row and Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues.

Post yours.

BQ: Favourite Dylan album that isn't Highway 61 Revisited, Blonde on Blonde, Blood on the Tracks, The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, Desire or Bringing It All Back Home?

I thought I would get this off my chest and see what some of you guys think and have to say.

It has come to my attention that many Americans simply deny their nation's wrongdoings both from past and present.

This happens in a lot of countries, I know, but it seems prevalent in the US.

It is well known that the US had and to many degrees, still has a racist outlook in many cases, however many Americans refuse to admit this as if they have done no wrong and are saints. Also, the US, let's face it, has been a cause of many of the world's problems in the modern age. From the economic crisis to increasing tensions in the Middle East, it seems as though America has caused a lot of problems in recent times. I am not necessarily fully critical in the case of the economic crisis, as it is to be expected due to the countries size and power, although many problems could have been avoided. Yet, many Americans deny their nation's wrongdoing and instead 'pass the buck' or shift blame to other parties, such as the war in Iraq. Even though the US initiated this war without provocation (there were no weapons of mass destruction so don't try to argue) and without adequate reasoning people are still stubborn (or deluded) enough to believe they had to do so for their nation's welfare. I am only 14 years old but I can plainly recognise the wrongdoing. Sure, everyone makes mistakes, but that doesn't mean you have to cover them up and pretend they aren't your fault. I live in Australia so I don't get a first hand view of the situations in America but I make informed judgements that tell me that the blame can only be laid on poor decisions on the government's part.

I find this quite frightening in the sense that the US alone holds a majority of economic, political and military power in the world but is unable in many cases to recognise wrongdoing. Thus, I do not believe that they will necessarily make decisions for the best of the rest of the world, instead blaming others when taking detrimental actions, such as starting a war over the other side of the world for no reason, at least no reason that would warrant such a senseless loss of lives.

I know that I am not talking about all Americans, but obviously a fair percentage must have this opinion of the US not being to blame.

What are your opinions on the US and its lack of accountability and its actions without thought?

Do you think that I am misinformed? If so explain, as I am not going to be easily swayed.

What are your opinons on the USA's approach to issues and actions?

I know this is a long question but I would like to get a first hand response.

After reading through an article on the Classic Rock Magazine website, detailing a book that is soon to be released by ex-NME journalist, Johnny Sharp, on the worst rock lyrics of all time I thought I would ask your opinion.

You know, those cringe-inducing moments that beg the question, "What the hell were they on."

Those pointless lines that serve no purpose or don't make sense. Or even just sound stupid.

Post some of your favourite examples. Remember, they don't necessarily have to be from bands you dislike. I admit, many bands I listen to have some strange lyrics.

Anyway, no better way to get the ball rolling than with one of Fred Durst's shining (ahem) moments:

"I did it all for the nookie

C'mon

The nookie

C'mon

So you can take that cookie

And stick it up your, yeah!!

Stick it up your, yeah!!

Stick it up your, yeah!!"

- The Nookie, Limp Bizkit

I'm going to the shops today and they have a sale on Metallica, so I kind of want to buy two of their albums, but I'm trying to decide which.

I am sort of leaning towards Master of Puppets and Metallica, although I like what I have heard from ...And Justice For All.

I know everyone says Master of Puppets is the best thing since sliced bread, but I'm not really into thrash metal. Is it alright for someone not so accustomed to thrash metal and instead listens to prog rock and classic rock :P

Thanks.

BQ: Bob Dylan's best two albums? (I have already decided that I am going to buy Highway 61 Revisited and Blood on the Tracks, but I want to know some of your guy's opinions). Any Metallica fans out there like Bob Dylan?

I figured that I would post a Dylan question, seeing as I haven't done so yet (I'm assuming you Dylan fans out there would have picked that up based on the title).

So here goes:

Favourite Dylan Album?

Favourite Dylan Song?

Favourite Dylan Era? (Electric/acoustic/modern)

Favourite Dylan Lyric?

Hallelujah has to be one of the most remade songs ever. Obviously Leonard Cohen wrote it, but who do you think delivered the best version of the song? Whose do you 'feel' the best?

Leonard's version, Jeff Buckley's, Rufus Wainwright's, or another person's?

For me I have to say I like Leonard Cohen's version best, but I also really like Rufus Wainwright's. I do like the Jeff Buckley version as well, but, personally I don't really think it has the emotion that the Leonard Cohen version did. He wrote the song and so I really think he is the only person who has been fully been able to convey the emotion behind the lyrics.

Post your thoughts.

You need to decide out of the following, which are the better debut albums. I have covered a wide variety of genres approved by me, all you have to do is decide out of them which is better and why.

Note: I have listed albums as they come to mind, so some of my favourite albums have been further down as I remember them, I am not listing them in order of personal preference and I have tried to group similar albums, instead of having albums from two completely opposite genres:

David Bowie (for those of you who have heard it, otherwise Space Oddity vs. Piper at the Gates of Dawn (Pink Floyd)

Ten (Pearl Jam) vs. Bleach (Nirvana)

Pablo Honey (Radiohead) vs. Parachutes (Coldplay)

Led Zeppelin I (Led Zeppelin) vs. The Rolling Stones (The Rolling Stones)

Appetite for Destruction (GNR) vs. Aerosmith (Aerosmith, obviously)

Iron Maiden (Iron Maiden) vs. Kill 'Em All (Metallica)

Fresh Cream (Cream) vs. Are You Experienced? (Jimi Hendrix Experience)

Rush (Rush) vs. From Genesis to Revelation (Genesis)

Permission to Land (The Darkness) vs. Contraband (Velvet Revolver) Note: This one is a pushover to be honest

Ramones (The Ramones) vs. The Clash (The Clash)

Talking Heads (Talking Heads) vs. Blondie (Blondie)

Murmur (REM) vs. Surfer Rosa (The Pixies, they did have an earlier EP but I am only doing whole albums)

There are stacks more albums I could list, but I thought I would leave it there for now, but I might to a follow-up.

Bonus Question: What, in your opinion, is the worst debut album of all time (as in, a band who had a bad debut album, but picked up for the remainder of their career).

I am a huge fan of classic rock, even though I am 14.

Many people criticise classic rock fans of being close-minded on non accepting of the popular music of the modern days. They go on and on about us always criticising their musical tastes and talk about M.I.A's album Kala being amazing (this happened in my most recent question) and then they accuse us of being narrow minded.

As far as I'm concerned we are elitist but with good reason, the musicianship was better, the songs were better, everything adds up to the perfect formula with classic rock.

A person who recently answered one of my questions claimed the M.I.A album was in no way generic pop, that she focussed on political matters.

Wow, political matters?!? That hasn't been done before...

Bob Dylan was singing about political and social issues 40 years ago, so what is the big deal with someone like M.I.A doing the same 40 years later?

Classic rock, and I know a lot of people are going to disagree with me and flame me, but I honestly don't care, was groundbreaking music, that defined a generation and has contained some of the best instances of musical genius seen to date.

So I ask all you people who complain about us classic rock fans being elitist - have you ever listened to and realised the talent and impact behind these songs.

Post your opinions on classic rock as a genre and talk a bit about some of your favourite artists.

Recently I have been reading through some of Robert Christgau's reviews of albums. He 'specialises' (that term must have been thrown around a lot and used loosely back in those days) in rock and pop, but his reviews are inacurate and he rates some of the worst albums with some of the best marks and some of the best with the worst.

For example, Pink Floyd's The Wall was rated B, whereas M.I.A's album Kala an A+... A blatant pop album that sounds like everything else being produced these days. Is he deaf?

For those of you who don't know about him there is a link to his website here: http://www.robertchristgau.com/

What do you think of Robert Christgau, do you agree with his views on music, or are you like me and believe that he simply hands out whatever mark he feels like to quality albums and finds merit in albums that have none?

Are there any other critics who you believe do not give proper insight into their reviews?

It has recently come to my attention that Genesis is really one of those bands that have absolutely brilliant songs and are great musicians but are completely overlooked in place of other bands.

What are your thoughts on Genesis? Do you like them? Any other similar bands that you like?

Share your thoughts.

Personally I think that the magazine Rolling Stone has lost what little merit it had left. It used to be a magazine that focussed on rock music and truly talented bands, nowadays you see Britney Spears gracing the cover.

Now I don't even bother flicking through Rolling Stone when I'm at the newsagents, as I know I am only going to be greeted with news of Kanye West's latest single and an interview with Lady GaGa. Now I read music magazines that acknowledge true talent, like Classic Rock and Uncut.

Even their lists of greatest album of the year, 100 immortal acts etc are completely misguided. Their lists used to be definitive, but now they are just lists that might as well be compiled by a group of 10 year old girls.

I understand that Rolling Stone wants to 'appeal to a diverse range of genres', but all I see this as is a sell-out.

They used to be a rock magazine, now they might as well collaborate with Hip Hop Weekly or whatever it's called.

What are your thoughts on Rolling Stone? What music magazines do you like to read?

Who do you believe are the most commercially successful band that have been shunned by the rock community (it can be from the present day or past)?

Do you agree with people's criticisms or do you like the band?

I would be interested to hear people's opinions.

What would it be and why?