Today I Learned

[dlgoff]

TIL that Sigmund Freud was a cocaine addict

I was taught in H.S. that Kekule was using cocaine when he came up with the structure of benzene. But it seems history has been changed since then, as I can't find any references on the internet about his cocaine use; which I was also taught was common place back then.

http://humantouchofchemistry.com/biting-ones-own-tail-the-history-of-benzene.htm]Friedrich[/PLAIN] August Kekule's structure
For Kekule, benzene was a great challenge. He spent many years trying to work out the structure. Once, while thinking about the problem, he nodded off and had a day-dream. In it he saw a snake coil up, and suddenly grab its own tail. It then struck him that benzene might be a 'ring'.

 

[Buzz Bloom]

TIL that it is impossible for me to have any intuitive understanding of physics.

 

[Hornbein]

Today I learned that George McGovern was a combat bomber pilot who had several narrow escapes.

 

[fresh_42]

... that Woodstock actually took place in Bethel.

 

[OCR]

TIL that it is impossible for me to have any intuitive understanding of physics.

Lol ... I also learned that you might only think (?) you can't. ..

... I do not believe I have the time to struggle with the math sufficiently to ever achieve the necessary comfort for intuition to follow.

I also learned that you are a person who is from 80 to 89 years old.....

 

[ProfuselyQuarky]

I was taught in H.S. that Kekule was using cocaine when he came up with the structure of benzene. But it seems history has been changed since then, as I can't find any references on the internet about his cocaine use; which I was also taught was common place back then.

Quite interesting, I daresay. There are more recognized people who play (or at the very least, played) with drugs than I thought...
http://www.famousscientists.org/14-famous-scientists-inventors-who-experimented-with-drugs/

 

[jim hardy]

depleted uranium might make good transistors

http://web.ead.anl.gov/uranium/pdf/WM01Semicond.pdf
ABSTRACT
Semiconductors that are based on uranium dioxide (or other actinide compounds) appear possible and
could offer significant improvements in performance as compared to conventional Si, Ge, and GaAs
materials. The energy band gap (forbidden band gap) for uranium dioxide (UO2) lies between Si and
GaAs at the optimum of the band gap vs efficiency curve (1), indicating that one should be able to use
uranium oxides to make very efficient solar cells, semiconductors, or other electronic device.

 

[Hornbein]

Today I learned that in January an Iranian mob burned down the Saudi embassy in Tehran.

 

[fresh_42]

depleted uranium might make good transistors

In addition it should be significantly cheaper than pure Si or Ge is.

 

[mfb]

In addition it should be significantly cheaper than pure Si or Ge is.

I guess the UO₂ has to be very pure as well.

In addition, oxides are much more resistive to radiation damage

Uh... SiO₂ layers are the typical failure mode in conventional silicon semiconductors. On the other hand, if UO₂ is the semiconductor instead of the insulating material, things can be different.

 

[Astronuc]

TIL that electrical circuits on boat docks do not necessarily have GFCIs. While many state governments do not require it, but it is just common sense to have GFCIs on any electrical circuit near water. It shouldn't be necessary for governments to mandate safety practices - but apparently it is.

Grieving Parents Warn Against the Dangers of Lake Electricity After Daughter Is Killed
https://gma.yahoo.com/grieving-parents-warn-against-dangers-lake-electricity-daughter-160804236--abc-news-topstories.html

 

[dlgoff]

TIL bald spots make good targets for Mockingbirds protecting their young.

 

[EnumaElish]

TIL that the recommended daily calorie intake for a male rower in an ocean-going solo rowboat is 4,000, although apparently one can get by with 2,700 in the form of 2 breakfasts + 2 dinners + grains, muesli, powdered drinks.

 

[ProfuselyQuarky]

TIL bald spots make good targets for Mockingbirds protecting their young.

lol...Is there a story to share?

 

[Hoophy]

Today I learned that a Twinkie has more energy pound for pound than TNT. Twinkies just do not release it as fast.

 

[1oldman2]

TIL that electrical circuits on boat docks do not necessarily have GFCIs. While many state governments do not require it, but it is just common sense to have GFCIs on any electrical circuit near water. It shouldn't be necessary for governments to mandate safety practices - but apparently it is.

Grieving Parents Warn Against the Dangers of Lake Electricity After Daughter Is Killed
https://gma.yahoo.com/grieving-parents-warn-against-dangers-lake-electricity-daughter-160804236--abc-news-topstories.html

This is so sad, I remember when "common sense" was more than just a John Prine album.

 

[Hornbein]

Today I learned that Julian Assange tricked the US gvt into forcing down the plane of the President of Bolivia in an attempt to capture Edward Snowden. Assange discussed the fake "plan" on an unsecure line.

 

[dlgoff]

lol...Is there a story to share?

No. Just a couple scratches.

 

[fresh_42]

No. Just a couple scratches.

Has it been like this?

 

[DocZaius]

TIL that electrical circuits on boat docks do not necessarily have GFCIs. While many state governments do not require it, but it is just common sense to have GFCIs on any electrical circuit near water. It shouldn't be necessary for governments to mandate safety practices - but apparently it is.

Grieving Parents Warn Against the Dangers of Lake Electricity After Daughter Is Killed
https://gma.yahoo.com/grieving-parents-warn-against-dangers-lake-electricity-daughter-160804236--abc-news-topstories.html

I wonder: how far across the water can disabling shocks go given whatever common power sources are found on boat docks? I would have thought just a few (less than 10) meters but the article seems to imply much more.

 

[WWGD]

Has it been like this?

Cool hair cut, Fresh.

 

[Hoophy]

Cool hair cut, Fresh.

Feather cuts seem to be in style.

 

[Hoophy]

Today I learned Kai-lan, Kohlrabi, Savoy, Collard Greens, Brussels Sprouts, Kale, Cauliflower, CABBAGE, and Broccoli are all the same species. I love domestication!

 

[Hornbein]

Today I learned that Jupiter's Red Spot has turned orange.

 

[1oldman2]

Today I learned that Jupiter's Red Spot has turned orange.

Where did you hear that? I missed it.
(never mind, found it) thanks by the way.

 

[ProfuselyQuarky]

Where did you hear that? I missed it.
(never mind, found it) thanks by the way.

https://www.theguardian.com/science...s-orange-as-storm-abates-hubble-images-reveal

 

[Hoophy]

Today I learned that during the Martian summer atmospheric concentrations of Methane increase and then fall during the Martian winter. All though many geological processes could produce this Methane, maybe there is a (very) remote chance it is from microbes. After all, microbes seem to generally have faster metabolisms in warmer environments.

 

[Astronuc]

TIL about Planes That Changed the World 2of3 Douglas DC3


and the SR-71

 

[fresh_42]

Today I learned Kai-lan, Kohlrabi, Savoy, Collard Greens, Brussels Sprouts, Kale, Cauliflower, CABBAGE, and Broccoli are all the same species. I love domestication!

Yep. The species called: open the window.

 

[JorisL]

I learned how to replace the backcover of a Huawei P6.

An "old" phone lying around the house had one of the corners "detached" from the main body after it was dropped.
So I got around fixing it.

I also learned that its normal that it heats up (a lot) when doing intensive stuff.
I don't get why they didn't fix it though, it's quite disconcerting with the occasional story of exploding batteries.