My Battle with the Windy Rhode Island Coastline

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a video depicting a "ghost swing" in Rhode Island, with participants exploring potential explanations for its movement, particularly in relation to wind conditions. The conversation touches on personal experiences with wind in coastal areas and the implications of environmental factors on such phenomena.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the "ghost" swing's larger surface area allows it to catch more wind, potentially explaining its movement compared to the other swings.
  • Another participant expresses skepticism about the claim of "no wind" at the beach, noting the region's reputation for being very windy.
  • Personal anecdotes about battling the wind while biking along the coast are shared, highlighting the prevailing Southwest wind in the area.
  • A participant humorously proposes a comparison to a "ghost hosta" on their lawn, indicating that unusual movement can occur in plants as well.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express skepticism about the claim of no wind, with multiple viewpoints on the explanation of the swing's movement. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the exact cause of the phenomenon.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not provide specific wind speed data for the day of the video, which could influence interpretations of the swing's movement.

Davephaelon
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I got a laugh out of this video of a so-called ghost swing in Rhode Island. The explanation, almost certainly, is that the 'ghost' swing has a much larger surface area than the other two swings, and is just catching more of the wind. Notice that the middle swing is also moving, but the camera moves too fast to determine if the right most swing is also moving. In the video it's claimed that there is no wind, but the overcast sky suggests there is some amount of wind. If the date was known, the wind speed for that day and location could be determined.

http://turnto10.com/news/local/warwick-ghost-swing-video-goes-viral-07-11-2016

Having lived nearby on Cape Cod for decades, I know this region is very windy, in fact one of the windiest locations in the nation. Pedaling to work on my bike for many years, partly alongside the ocean, I constantly had to battle the prevailing Southwest wind, but got a nice boost on the way home.
 
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Davephaelon said:
Having lived nearby on Cape Cod for decades, I know this region is very windy, in fact one of the windiest locations in the nation. Pedaling to work on my bike for many years, partly alongside the ocean, I constantly had to battle the prevailing Southwest wind, but got a nice boost on the way home.
Oh man! that would be the first ocean front beach in the world to have "no wind" for more than a few moments, just goes to show what people will claim eh? I'd rate that one as a hunt for "fb likes or views. This would be one for somewhere between Russ's "News fails" thread and the "lame jokes" thread. :smile: I think maybe the guy was reading a lot of Stephen King.
 
Davephaelon said:
The explanation, almost certainly, is that the 'ghost' swing has a much larger surface area than the other two swings, and is just catching more of the wind.
If I were there, I wouldn't even have remarked it, it's so obvious what is happening. I think it was the kids who must have been baffled and gave the father the idea to make a "ghost" video.
 
I guess I should post a video of the 'ghost hosta' on my front lawn. One leaf, flopping like a flag, while the rest of the plant is still.
Mysssstery!