Merry Christmas from the Colorado Crum Family

A Question for My Brothers (No. 3)

From Peter Crum

Usain Bolt set the record for running 100 meters, completing the distance in 9.58 seconds.

The following graph shows the fastest 100 meter times from 1975 through Bolt's record in 2009.

As anyone can clearly see, there is a downward trend over the 34 year span.  With a little help from mathematics, I was able to generate the following graph:

Using a Gaussian approach, the noise (bumpiness) of the original graph is cleaned up, and a curve which approaches (but never crosses) zero is generated.  Using this method, I have established that someone should run the 100 meter dash in almost zero seconds by the year 2760. 

If I take a more conservative approach, basically drawing a straight line between the points of the original graph, I come up with this:

According to this data, running the 100 meter dash in exactly zero seconds will occur in June of 2986 – and the very next day someone should run it in slightly less than zero seconds.  Now I realize that none of us will be around to confirm my predictions, so here's my question for you all:

Do you believe in math?

A Question for My Brothers (No. 2)

I recently read a statement that claimed that "Everyone in the world secretly (or not so secretly) thinks they have the best taste in music." This certainly rings true. Peter cannot be convinced that the Beatles are anything other than the greatest band in history. Thomas will claim to the bitter end that Coldplay is where it's at and Nate may argue that Nickleback, despite all the vitriol, continue to reign as kings of Rock & Roll-ish-ness. However, there are certain artists that I don't like that I acknowledge are very talented, they're just not my flavor (Joni Mitchel for example). I would suggest that this is true not only in musical arts but in other areas of art and life.

I think as a family, or at least as siblings, we often make a statement of preference as if it is a statement of fact. If I like Radiohead better then other bands (and for good reason) I claim that they are "the best band" in "the entire universe" but aren't they just my personal favorite. So my question is this:

Today's Question

Are there objective ways to determine the quality of art, music, film, food etc?

I don't mean "objectively speaking, who is the best?" I mean are there measurements of what make music "good music" and what makes a movie "good film" and what makes a painter a "good painter". In other words "does Nickleback actually suck?"