"Fatal" mistake for flat earther

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Mad Mike Hughes, a self-proclaimed flat-Earther and daredevil, tragically died during a rocket launch intended to prove the Earth's shape. His rocket failed, and he ejected without a parachute, leading to a fatal fall. The discussion reflects on the absurdity of his endeavor, contrasting it with historical scientific evidence supporting a spherical Earth, such as the work of Eratosthenes and Thales. Some participants speculate that Hughes may not have genuinely believed in flat Earth theories but instead leveraged them for funding his rocket projects, raising ethical concerns about the role of media and sponsors in his fatal pursuit. The conversation also touches on the broader implications of belief in pseudoscience, the importance of critical thinking, and the challenges of engaging with those who reject established scientific facts. Ultimately, the thread critiques the intersection of skepticism, media sensationalism, and the tragic consequences of misguided beliefs.
  • #51
jbriggs444 said:
You are right, of course.

I was trying to point out that the incremental cost of the flu shot is zero for you and likely negative for the insurance company. In a rational society (*cough* *cough*), free vaccinations for everyone would be an obvious no brainer.
I agree.
 
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  • #52
jbriggs444 said:
I was trying to point out that the incremental cost of the flu shot is zero for you and likely negative for the insurance company.
I'm sure the costs for the alternative are some powers of ten higher for the insurance company!

As to SARS-2cov again. I've seen a doctor today who said that people must look at the label "partially anti viral" if they buy disinfectants, and added that those based on ethanol are best. Given the fact that the virus replicates on oral mucosa, gargling with alcohol is back on the table, isn't it? It won't cure an infection but reduce the reproduction rate, one might think. Why isn't this used e.g. for common flue, which is related to SARS-2cov?
 
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  • #53
fresh_42 said:
I'm sure the costs for the alternative are some powers of ten higher for the insurance company!

As to SARS-2cov again. I've seen a doctor today who said that people must look at the label "partially anti viral" if they buy disinfectants, and added that those based on ethanol are best. Given the fact that the virus replicates on oral mucosa, gargling with alcohol is back on the table, isn't it? It won't cure an infection but reduce the reproduction rate, one might think. Why isn't this used e.g. for common flue, which is related to SARS-2cov?
I can provide anecdotal information based on US history. Until recently, inexpensive ethanol was sold alongside isopropyl alcohol in drug stores and the health section of grocery stores. Ethyl alcohol was also a common ingredient in mouthwashes. I have not found ethyl alcohol for sale for medical use in over twenty years except in expensive hand wipes. Mouthwashes advertise as 'alcohol free'.

I keep a small bottle of cheap vodka for use during colds; still an expense due to taxes on drinkable alcohol. At this point I must state I rarely imbibe 'spirits'. Enjoy a glass of wine or beer with meals.

Federal alcohol prohibition ended officially in 1933 in the USA but prohibitive attitudes persist.
 
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  • #54
Klystron said:
At this point I must state I rarely imbibe 'spirits'. Enjoy a glass of wine or beer with meals.
Me, too. But it is indeed a cultural thing and here in Europe we are quite proud of good Scottish Whiskeys, excellent fruit brandies, and the Russians have even a few good Vodkas. A shot to a welcome, after lunch, or at celebrations had been the normal in my grandfather's generation.

Another interesting question would be, whether onions and garlic are helpful. I know they are antiseptic and work well against inflammations (to some extent). But are they - the sulfur compounds - antiviral, at least a bit?
 
  • #55
DaveC426913 said:
Really? I have not read anything about a personal parachute. I assumed he rode the rocket down. It gives me a tiny amount of comfort to think that he did not die trapped falling head first in that tin can. That would have been awful.
Yeah. Some rumours have it that he wasn't really a Flat Earther but a rocket enthusiast. He simply used the Flat-Earthers' money to build his rocket.

His rocket's parachute separated at lift off and stayed with the launch site. His entire flight was sans parachute.
 
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  • #56
Miles Behind said:
His rocket's parachute separated at lift off and stayed with the launch site. His entire flight was sans parachute.
Yes.

But someone speculated about a personal parachute i .e. strapped to him.
 
  • #57
The entire flight was only about 19 seconds. As a designer with previous flight experience he probably knew there wouldn't be enough time to properly eject with a required safety margin. If he took 10 seconds to peak, and 5 seconds to realize something was wrong, he would be dead even if he could release the canopy and climb out. Maybe he knew that and depended upon his main chute?
 
  • #58
Miles Behind said:
The entire flight was only about 19 seconds.
I had no idea it was that short.
 

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