Is it time for Random Thoughts - Part 4?

[zoobyshoe]

It says https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Младенец - so perhaps better translation would be "infant".

Sorry, neither my Russian nor English are perfect. Actually the same can be said about my Polish [PLAIN]http://www.bpp.com.pl/IMG/grumpy_borek.png[/QUOTE]
The reason I make a fuss is because "kid" is a very informal term, almost slang. Strictly speaking, a kid is a baby goat or sheep. Humans call their children "kids" colloquially. You'd never find it on an official document. It's much like the term "guy". It's only used in informal settings.

 

[Borek]

That's definitely not the case, младенец is not colloquial. I am going to correct the post.

 

[zoobyshoe]

Without even googling the statistics I think dying in a plane crash is very low down on the list of most common causes of death. However, without even googling the statistics I can think of several famous people who died in plane crashes:

Glenn Miller
Richie Vallens
Buddy Holly
Aaliyah
John Kennedy Jr.

It stands to reason the list would be much longer had the plane been invented further back in history. If it had, I'm pretty sure we could add William Byrd and Johann Nepomuk Hummel to the list, for example.

Now, something that was invented much earlier in history was death by lightning strike. Despite that being the case, I have never heard of any modern or historical famous person who was killed by lightning.

 

[DiracPool]

I have never heard of any modern or historical famous person who was killed by lightning.

What about Bill Murray's friend?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=gzYZOr8boh0

 

[WWGD]

Without even googling the statistics I think dying in a plane crash is very low down on the list of most common causes of death. However, without even googling the statistics I can think of several famous people who died in plane crashes:

Glenn Miller
Richie Vallens
Buddy Holly
Aaliyah
John Kennedy Jr.

It stands to reason the list would be much longer had the plane been invented further back in history. If it had, I'm pretty sure we could add William Byrd and Johann Nepomuk Hummel to the list, for example.

.

But there is another variable in play: the increase in safety; it is way safer to fly nowadays than it was back then. Assuming this trend continues, you will eventually be much less likely to remember of anyone dying in a plane crash : EDIT: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transportation_safety_in_the_United_States

 

[Evo]

A few more than might be recognizable

Glenn Miller
Patsy Cline
Phillipe Cousteau
Jim Croce
John Denver
Amelia Earhart
Ricky Nelson
Otis Redding
Stevie Ray Vaughn

The list of notables is quite long http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fatalities_from_aviation_accidents

 

[zoobyshoe]

But there is another variable in play: the increase in safety; it is way safer to fly nowadays than it was back then. Assuming this trend continues, you will eventually be much less likely to remember of anyone dying in a plane crash : EDIT: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transportation_safety_in_the_United_States

In the meantime, if you have a fear of being struck by lightning, your best prophylactic against it, statistically speaking, would be to become famous.

 

[lisab]

The reason I make a fuss is because "kid" is a very informal term, almost slang. Strictly speaking, a kid is a baby goat or sheep. Humans call their children "kids" colloquially. You'd never find it on an official document. It's much like the term "guy". It's only used in informal settings.

I would suggest "girl" or "child" (in English, "child" is curiously free of gender, but "kid" often means a school-aged child, usually a boy):

...they have shown us a girl, born in Wola on February 22nd (March 6th) this year at 10 p.m., from his legal wife Helena, born Leczkowska, 30 years from birth. The child was christened Janina Marcjanna...

In any case, the formality of the document is endearing; it gives a feeling of pride, joy, and significance. It's lovely.

 

[zoobyshoe]

I would suggest "girl" or "child" (in English, "child" is curiously free of gender, but "kid" often means a school-aged child, usually a boy):

"Girl" would make it: "...and they have shown us a girl of female sex..."

I think the only two choices are "baby" or "infant". Which is best depends on how formal or literary младенец is in Russian.

In any case, the formality of the document is endearing; it gives a feeling of pride, joy, and significance. It's lovely.

I agree. It's enthusiastically thorough, as if the author really enjoyed the act of officially recording a new person.

 

[DennisN]

Image enhanced to see super duper rainbow.

Nice!
With some further enhancements more details appear:

 

[AnTiFreeze3]

What about Bill Murray's friend?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=gzYZOr8boh0

Or his daughter's boyfriend?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=mAyV3fu5R1g

 

[jim hardy]

I'm not superstitious, but certainly the temptation to read into random phenomenah is strong.

...

A few years back we buried my kindly Aunt Polly, a most gracious and wise lady.. Her pastor gave a eulogy and mentioned how she'd always loved rainbows. As we left the funeral a huge double one graced the eastern afternoon sky.

 

[Borek]

In any case, the formality of the document is endearing; it gives a feeling of pride, joy, and significance. It's lovely.

I loved the wording, which is why I tried to translate it as closely as possible.

 

[Mr.maniac]

I love wii games on my pc by emulators.
I mean this supposed to be random thoughts thread isn't it.

 

[Mr.maniac]

What is the
STRING THEORY

 

[Char. Limit]

What is the
STRING THEORY

It's the theory concerning why feline animals seem to have such a fondness for string and string-like objects, e.g. yarn. It's complex, so I can understand if you don't understand it at first, but the basic idea behind the theory is that string is dangly, and cats like dangly things.

 

[lisab]

It's the theory concerning why feline animals seem to have such a fondness for string and string-like objects, e.g. yarn. It's complex, so I can understand if you don't understand it at first, but the basic idea behind the theory is that string is dangly, and cats like dangly things.

But why? Why do cats like dangly things? What is the fundamental cause of their attraction?

We have some ideas, of course. But cats won't participate in experiments. So, we can't prove our hypotheses. It's a waste of time.

 

[OmCheeto]

But why? Why do cats like dangly things? What is the fundamental cause of their attraction?

We have some ideas, of course. But cats won't participate in experiments. So, we can't prove our hypotheses. It's a waste of time.

Because they can't see the string!

from: How cats see the world​

All they see is something in the air, attached to the string. Things caught out of the air, taste like chicken.

And their love of big string, aka yarn? They are actually studying it, to seek a deeper knowledge of the invisible strings, that hold the chicken flavored flappy things in the air.

mystery solved

 

[zoobyshoe]

mystery solved

Ridiculous. This whole school of thought was thrown out years ago.

It is now understood that cats perceive string to be a form of tail. Cats communicate to each other, in part, with their tails. String, and other dangly stuff, is perceived by cats to be disembodied tails saying hilarious, provocative, and sometimes profound stuff.

String Theory is the attempt by physicists to decode string language. We sense cats have uncovered a deep insight that remains obscure to us.

 

[Enigman]

hmmm...From a cryptic mosaic of quotes to a single Newt quote.

 

[OmCheeto]

Ridiculous. This whole school of thought was thrown out years ago.

It is now understood that cats perceive string to be a form of tail. Cats communicate to each other, in part, with their tails. String, and other dangly stuff, is perceived by cats to be disembodied tails saying hilarious, provocative, and sometimes profound stuff.

String Theory is the attempt by physicists to decode string language. We sense cats have uncovered a deep insight that remains obscure to us.

Interesting alternative hypothesis. This would imply that cats believe in ghosts, or in the least, Lewis Carroll.

hmmm... The Cheshire Cat Tale...

I have a cat with opposing thumbs. I will get him started on the novel right away.

 

[zoobyshoe]

This would imply that cats believe in ghosts, or in the least, Lewis Carroll.

Overly speculative! Overly speculative!

Getting back to Earth here: String Theory merely posits that cats perceive string, and other dangly stuff, as disembodied cat tails. No explanation is offered for the origin of those disembodied tails. As predicted by Enigman, String Theorists merely say, "Hypothesis non fingere."

 

[AlephZero]

Never believe safety equipment is 100% reliable.

Stuart Broad, England vs India, today. Apart from that broken nose, India got pulverized.

 

[zoobyshoe]

Never believe safety equipment is 100% reliable.

Unless that ball had some impossible to predict super velocity due to freak circumstances, I'd say that equipment was a complete failure.

I wonder what specific safety claims the manufacturer makes, if any.

 

[dlgoff]

A few more than might be recognizable

Glenn Miller
Patsy Cline
Phillipe Cousteau
Jim Croce
John Denver
Amelia Earhart
Ricky Nelson
Otis Redding
Stevie Ray Vaughn

The list of notables is quite long http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fatalities_from_aviation_accidents

I had no idea that Glenn Miller was a MIA. Thanks.

 

[zoobyshoe]

I had no idea that Glenn Miller was a MIA. Thanks.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/trave...mystery-history-detectives-norseman/12268729/

 

[edward]

I had no idea that Glenn Miller was a MIA. Thanks.

The PBS video makes it appear highly probable that Miller's plane flew under a British bomber group that was dumping their bombs in the English Channel.

http://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/video/2365284626//

 

[AlephZero]

Unless that ball had some impossible to predict super velocity due to freak circumstances, I'd say that equipment was a complete failure.

It was a bit freakish. He hit the ball with the top edge of the bat (intending to do something different) and deflected it onto his nose. The ball was probably traveling at 80 - 90 mph when it hit him.

The problem with designing a face-shield is that you need to be able to see the ball clearly - not just the position of the fast-moving ball but also where the seam is, which way it is spinning, etc.

People used to play cricket at all levels from international down to the village green without much protective clothing at all, the logic being that if you can't either hit the ball or get out of the way, you get what you deserve. Deliberately bowling to aim at the ribs or throat is fair game, so long as the ball bounces off the ground before it reaches the batsman.

Even with modern equipment, broken fingers are just "part of the game", and occasionally cricket balls break arms. There was a freak accident a few years ago when the ball hit the wicket and one of the bails flew off and blinded the wicket-keeper in one eye - ending his playing career, of course.

There is a slow motion video here (but not from a very clear angle):
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...-the-face-by-varun-aaron-bouncer-9659084.html

 

[dlgoff]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/trave...mystery-history-detectives-norseman/12268729/

The PBS video makes it appear highly probable that Miller's plane flew under a British bomber group that was dumping their bombs in the English Channel.

http://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/video/2365284626//

I listened to his music way back as a kid and still have his CH₂CH (vinyl). Except for music, science was my focus. Thanks for sharing.

 

[zoobyshoe]

People used to play cricket at all levels from international down to the village green without much protective clothing at all, the logic being that if you can't either hit the ball or get out of the way, you get what you deserve. Deliberately bowling to aim at the ribs or throat is fair game, so long as the ball bounces off the ground before it reaches the batsman.

So, I guess it's something like hockey. I don't think you're considered a real hockey player unless you're missing a few teeth.

 

[zoobyshoe]

I listened to his music way back as a kid and still have his CH₂CH (vinyl). Except for music, science was my focus. Thanks for sharing.

Miller wrote some great, classic stuff. Still, I go with Benny Goodman as the master of the big band sound.

 

[AlephZero]

Maybe. But hockey players aren't required to catch missiles traveling at 90 mph with their bare hands.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPkwe3mivxQ

 

[zoobyshoe]

Maybe. But hockey players aren't required to catch missiles traveling at 90 mph with their bare hands.

True.

The term "google" is originally a cricket term, isn't it?

 

[AlephZero]

The term "google" is originally a cricket term, isn't it?

Close, but no cigar. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Googly

 

[zoobyshoe]

Close, but no cigar. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Googly

Ahem:

As will have been perceived from the foregoing Googly is a noun. The related verb is to google, which has several meanings. Firstly, in the strict technical world of cricket it can mean to put such a spin on the ball as to cause it to google, i.e. to move in the fashion described above, and thereby produce a googly. It past participle may be used to mean caught out. You are googled when, as a batsman, you have been caught out by the action of a googly. In general use the word comes to mean to catch your opponents out (in a non-confrontational and lighthearted way) by unexpected and surprising behaviours.

 

[collinsmark]

Been re-watching the Star Trek: Voyager series.

Season 4, episode 10, is titled, "Random Thoughts"

 

[DiracPool]

Been re-watching the Star Trek: Voyager series.

Season 4, episode 10, is titled, "Random Thoughts"

Do they have that on Netflix? I finally took the plunge and cut the cord. Got rid of cable (well, Directv). It was hard to do, but I justified it by buying a new 40-inch 120hz motion corrected 1080p 3D TV (Samsung of course) and a chromecast dongle. And I'll probably add a Roku 2. I also bought a centurylink c1000 modem so I didn't have to rent anymore, and it gives me 40 meg throughput. Now my entire entertainment bill monthly is down to $29.95 + 8.99 for Netflix. I got a Plex account so I can stream youtube videos all day long for free.

Best thing is, NO commercials, and instead of watching Survivorman on the science channel and naked dating on MTV, I'm watching opencourseware lectures from MIT all day

 

[Enigman]

I am

 

[collinsmark]

Me too, presently.

 

[AlephZero]

The related verb is to google, which has several meanings.

Hmm... I've never heard the verb or the past participle used in the context of cricket, and I've been playing and watching it since I was a kid. I don't see any references for those assertions on the wikipedia page.

Googly and the related term Chinaman are not much used these days. The modern terms are "wrong 'un" (since the ball spins the opposite way to what you expect), "nip-backer" (with the same significance) or "Doosra" (which AFAIK is Hindi for "the other one").

"Chinaman" might have been killed by political correctness, but "Chinese cut" survives as a description of a batting stroke that was effective but not in the way the player intended.

 

[dlgoff]

Miller wrote some great, classic stuff. Still, I go with Benny Goodman as the master of the big band sound.

Oh yea. I agree. I have his vinyl also.

 

[OmCheeto]

I'm kinda at the moment. My kitchen has not been this clean and uncluttered since I bought my house 25 years ago.

Though, the weather forecast for tomorrow says that we will break our high temperature record set back in 1965. It's supposed to be 109°F tomorrow.

I may be by the end of the day.

109°F in Oregon is equivalent to about 600°F on the Texas temperature scale.

 

[zoobyshoe]

Hmm... I've never heard the verb or the past participle used in the context of cricket, and I've been playing and watching it since I was a kid. I don't see any references for those assertions on the wikipedia page.

I encountered it used that way back in the 1970's. I first heard the word "google" in a play by British playwright, Harold Pinter called "No Man's Land," which was written in 1974. It is used in a short speech full of cricket terms (none of which I, as an American, understood), by a character called Spooner, who is described as being in his sixties. Spooner's cricket days would have been in the 1930's. Maybe the term was already archaic when Pinter wrote the play.

Forward to 16:42

[YouTube]Wd6iKPkXMqY[/Youtube]

 

[martix]

Random thought #986
What if the scientific community collectively conspired on a report saying there are vast reserves of oil on Mars. We would there in a year flat! :)

 

[AlephZero]

Spooner's cricket days would have been in the 1930's. Maybe the term was already archaic when Pinter wrote the play.

I guessed it might have been used (possibly humorously) in the era of Jeeves and Wooster, which seems fairly consistent with the Spooner.

 

[Borg]

Random thought #986
What if the scientific community collectively conspired on a report saying there are vast reserves of oil on Mars. We would there in a year flat! :)

Then why aren't we headed for Titan and its vast hydrocarbon lakes on the surface?

 

[DennisN]

The shortest-known abstract for a serious scientific paper? Only 2 words:

Original link: http://twitter.com/pickover/status/461178350321430530/photo/1

 

[zoobyshoe]

I guessed it might have been used (possibly humorously) in the era of Jeeves and Wooster, which seems fairly consistent with the Spooner.

This makes sense. I can imagine someone inventing the verb "to google," meaning 'to effect a googly' in cricket, to be funny. It is definitely the sort of thing Spooner would do.

Still have to wonder about whomever wrote the Wiki article, though.

 

[edward]

This makes sense. I can imagine someone inventing the verb "to google," meaning 'to effect a googly' in cricket, to be funny. It is definitely the sort of thing Spooner would do.

Still have to wonder about whomever wrote the Wiki article, though.

I always thought Google was named after Barney Google.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L92shk1aTu8

 

[zoobyshoe]

I always thought Google was named after Barney Google.

I thought it was named after Brother Hieronymous O'Google, the famous medieval scribe and researcher.