I am primarily a student of literature, history, religion and suchlike -- the narratives we construct about ourselves and the world. I love my field(s). And the STEM fields are not among them.

But that does not mean they do not interest me.

We have talked occasionally about the extended ideal of Bildung, one in which the educated person, regardless of speciality, should know not only the basics of literature, history and social sciences, but also be able to talk sensibly about (and perhaps more importantly, be able to critically interact with claims about) the sciences.

Part of the reason for this is that I absolutely cannot abide calculations, anything that looks like maths, be it physics or formal logic. Thankfully I do not have to: I married a physicist, and it is now his job to explain the world to me by translating calculations into sensible language.

I have therefore made a List of Things that Tor should Explain. And what better forum than Calcuttagutta?

I expect to add to it as time goes by. If anyone else has questions, feel free to contribute in the comments section.

Why is the speed of light the speed of light?
I know that the speed of