I cannot take it anymore. I said I wasn't going to say anything for the longest time, but it is driving me crazy. Brother Dickens always ends his paragraphs with the initials QED. What does it mean? Thanks.

-- Anonymous, April 18, 2002

Answers

Brother Dickens is also a gifted intellect, with an earned doctorate. He is a professor of economics at Florida A&M, giving back of his learning and skills to our children.

Quod Erat Demonstrabatur is Latin for "That which was to be demonstrated". It is typically used by mathematicians at the conclusion of a formal proof of a theorem or axiom. Prof. Dickens has adopted it as his own for this board.

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2002

Thank you so much. I just learned something new. QED on Brother Dickens.

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2002

Sorry for my slow response but the resident sage J. Payne was not only faster on the keyboard trigger but much more skilled in responding to Mary's desperate plea for understanding :-). I studied mathematics (but majored in economics) at both the undergraduate and graduate level. In addition to deploying QED while covering formal proofs, I use it as a rhetorical technique. I attended a lecture in the mid-1980s where Charles Murray thoroughly decimated an opposing view and concluded his talk by stating, somewhat emphatically, QED. Although the talk had nothing to do with formal mathematics, the effect was quite impressionable on me. I do not use it to merely flaunt my rudimentary knowledge of Latin or impress young collegians but to merely make a literary statement much like the literary critic bell hooks whose unique writings is in lower-case letters. Oh, lest I forget, I'm not teaching economics @ FAMU this year nor is my Ph.D. conferred (committee squabbles)at the time of this writing. I currently serve as a member of the FL Governor's Council of Economic Advisors (first black appointee) and staff economist on FL network industries. I am also writing a book to be published later this year called, Economics for the 'Hood. The book demystifies economic concepts for young, savvy "Hip-Hop" consumers and entrepreneurs. One chapter, which may be interest to this BB, is called "Prophets & Profits-The Economics of Religion". QED

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2002

Having missed on:

1. The timing of the terminal degree;
2. the current work assignment;
3. the origins of Bill's adaptation of QED,

I hereby rescind any aspirations to sagehood that might otherwise be conferred by this august body. QED :-)

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2002

One of the great mysteries of life has been solved!! Thank you, Sister Brooks, for asking the question that has puzzled so many of us, and thank you, Brothers Payne and Dickens, for enlightening us. :)

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2002

My personal ramblings above unfortunately overlooked an important point,the exemplary behaviour of Sister Brooks for posing the question! Please forgive my dereliction in not recognizing that the Gospel saying is always true "Seek and ye shall find, ask and it shall be given unto you, knock and the door shall be opened". Regardless of what we might think about an issue, there is no "sin" in asking questions for clarification. Thanks to W.J. Richardson for pointing this out. I trust Jerryl's decision to abdicate from his sagehood status doesn't mean he wont be able to perform as guest organist for Church School Recognition Day at my church in July 2002. Also, if anyone is interested in hosting a book signing reception for my upcoming book let me know and I'll pass the information on to my publisher. Better still, when I visit the Windy City perhaps contributors like AJ can help me to appear on Oprah and maybe the Diva of Talk will endorse the book and allow me to retire real early :-) Sorry for the shameless promotion but I have two small kids under age 10 and their anticipated college expenses will consume a significant share of my savings. Despite their protests, they are on the SS track (Spelmon-BA/Stanford-MD) and MM track (Morehouse-BA/MIT-Ph.D.). QED

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2002

Brother Bill, If you are willing to venture 90 miles north of Chicago during your upcoming visit, I am sure you will discover the best kept secret of African American Economics. I speak of none other than the City of Milwaukee. Black enterprise is a way of life. I hope you will give this suggestion some thought.

Ray Allen

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2002

Brother Bill:

Thanks to Sis. Brooks for asking that question. I thought QED was just some typo that appeared by accident at the end of your postings. Now, as far as visiting the Windy City for Oprah tickets, you know Oprah isn't endorsing books anymore. Her book club has gone defunct due to her inability to devote time to locate "quality books" or something to that nature. However, I would be more than happy to "hook you up" with tickets to her show (I've been in the audience three times). Or would you like tickets to Jenny Jones or Jerry Springer??? They tape in the Windy City as well (SMILE).

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2002

QED also stands for quantum electrodynamics, a branch of physics which concerns itself with the interactions of sub-atomic particles. Richard Feynman was a major contributor to this subject.

-- Anonymous, November 29, 2003

Well, I'm certainly NO Einstein or any brilliant particle physicist but thanks for this latest contribution. You can truly learn something everyday. This actually is easier to pronounce than the Latin counterpart for QED. Nothing like having a scientist drop by and offer an interesting perspective :-) QED

-- Anonymous, November 29, 2003