In case you might think from the title that this content is related to any current political thought in any way, you might be disappointed.

This content is related to the linguistic meaning and origin of words such as "system", "constant", etc.

Here we look at the word "system" and "constant" in terms of mathematics, physics, computer science, linguistics and the Bible.

If one is not constant, or not standing still in a stable way, one is unstable.

Boldness can be considered a form of "standing together" is in the following verses, as translated by the KJV (King James Version).

The Greek uses a word for "presence" as in a bold type of presence.

In computer science, a constant is not just something that "does not change" (the answer often given by students and others).

A constant is a named literal

In computer science, a constant is a named literal.

Since literals do not change while a program is running, neither do constants. Change the literal (outside the running of the program) and the constant changes.

Here is an example in the C programming language with three constants and one variable. In reality, a C constant such as this is a variable with a value that cannot be changed (while the program is running)

Here is the C code [#1] #include <stdio.h> int main() { const int width1 = 2; const int height1 = 3; const int depth1 = 5; int volume1 = width1*height1*depth1; printf("\t%d width\n",width1); printf("\t%d height\n",height1); printf("\t%d depth\n",depth1); printf("\t--------\n"); printf("\t%d volume\n",volume1); return 0; }
Here is the output of the C code. 2 width 3 height 5 depth -------- 30 volume

What is a constant in mathematics?

What is a constant in physics?

What holds the universe together?

How does "constant" relate to "system"? We get a hint from the above verse.

The modern Greek word "συνεστήκεν" (see-neh-STEE-kehn) ≈ "consist" which is, literally, "together stands" as in a "system".

Before that, let us look at holding all things together.

Does Jesus really hold all things together, is Paul indicates in the above verse?

The Bohr model of the atom, in 1913, refining some previous models, has the electron orbiting the nucleus in quantum levels without losing energy.

As Feynman points out (in Quantum Electrodynamics), the Bohr model violates the second law of thermodynamics. Bohr's model works well in practice.
Why doesn't the electron lose energy as it orbits the nucleus?

In the late middle ages, the Catholic church opposed the idea of a vacuum because that meant that God could not be there.

Sound would not travel in a vacuum and mice could not survive in a vacuum.

An "absolute" vacuum does not exist. Today, the term bare vacuum is used.

At absolute zero, there is still energy in a vacuum. This energy is known as the ZPE (Zero Point Energy), which exists even in a physical vacuum.

Zero Point Energy -- vibrational energy that molecules retain even at the absolute zero of temperature. Temperature in physics has been found to be a measure of the intensity of random molecular motion, and it might be expected that, as temperature is reduced to absolute zero, all motion ceases and molecules come to rest. In fact, however, the motion corresponding to Zero Point Energy never vanishes. http://www.zpower.net/zpe.htm (as of 2004-09-19)

The Casimir force is named for the physicist Casimir who dissevered the force. Dates of discovery vary between experiments, submission of results, publication of results, etc.

The existence of the zero point electromagnetic energy was discovered in 1958 by the Dutch physicist M. J. Sparnaay. Mr Sparnaay continued the experiments carried out by Hendrick B. G. Casimir in 1948 which showed the existence of a force between two uncharged plates which arose from electromagnetic energy surrounding the plates in a vacuum. http://www.zpower.net/zpe.htm (as of 2004-09-19)

Researcher Harold Puthoff claims that the energy absorbed from the ZIP is what keeps the electron orbiting around the nucleus. That is, the energy the electron would lose is the amount of energy supplied by the ZPE - otherwise the universe would collapse.

Today the vacuum [of space] is not regarded as empty...It is a sea of dynamic energy...like the spray of foam near a turbulent waterfall. Dr Harold Puthoff, Physicist http://www.zpower.net/zpe.htm (as of 2004-09-19)

The ZPE is huge - estimated as the energy of millions of suns in one cubic centimeter. Whenever an electron "orbits" an atom, it should lose energy.

If it were not for the ZPE, every atom in the universe would undergo immediate radiative collapse. Is this a "heat death" or (lack of) "heat death"? Or something more?

Is the ZPE really holding the universe together? What could be holding the universe together? If the universe were created, maybe the creator is holding the universe together.

The ancient Greek word "στοιχεῖον" ≈ "one of a row or series or sequence" and is the origin of the English chemical term "stoichiometric". The Greek word had origins in the lines of soldiers. Combining such ordered sequences results in what is called a table.

More: Galatians 4:21-25 Another allegory sequence of tabular dimensions

The modern Greek word "στοιχεία" (stee-KHEE-a) ≈ "elements".

Let us return to how "constant" relates to "system".

The modern Greek word "σύστημα" (SEE-stee-ma) ≈ "organized whole of parts" and is the origin of the English word "system". Interestingly, it could mean a , musical scale or music as a combination of several tones.

The Greek word for "system" comes from two Greek words.

• The modern Greek prefix "συν" (seen) ≈ "together, with" as in the English word "synthesis" (placing together) and can also appear as the modern Greek prefix "συμ" (seem) ≈ "together, with" as in the English word "symphony" (making sound together)
• The modern Greek word "ίστημι" (EE-stee-mee) ≈ "to stand up" and is related via PIE (Proto Indo-European) roots to the English word "stand".

So, like the related Latin word "constant", the Greek word "σύστημα" means, literally, "standing together".

The "gathering together" in the KJV is the "systems" in the LXX.

The LXX (Septuagint) adds a part of the "system" or "standing together" of the Philistines who are guarding the will by the gate.

Today, a "system" is a collection of related parts that "work together" or "stand together" for some purpose.

Rear Admiral Grace Hopper was an early computer programmer and for years went around lecturing about computer technology and related topics.

• Life was simple before World War II. After that, we had systems. Grace Hopper.

• You manage things, you lead people. We went overboard on management and forgot about leadership. It might help if we ran the MBAs out of Washington. Grace Hopper.



• Humans are allergic to change. They love to say, "We've always done it this way." I try to fight that. That's why I have a clock on my wall that runs counter-clockwise. Grace Hopper.

• It's easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission. Grace Hopper.

Grace Hopper is known for the saying that it is easier to ask forgiveness than to ask for permission.

So, translating literally the source of the words in the title, the "Standing together for systemic constancy" is the "standing together for standing together of standing together". Interesting how words with the same origin somewhat diverge in their later meanings.

Now that we are "standing together" for something, a future topic is to see what it means to "stand under" or "understand"