News Weird News Compilation

[fresh_42]

Ouch!​

Remi Lindholm says goodbye to the Beijing Winter Olympics with what is probably the strangest injury: the Finnish cross-country skier froze his penis during the last competition, as he told the Finnish media after the race. Lindholm had had the same mishap a few months ago at the competition in Ruka - now history was repeating itself.

 

[Keith_McClary]

Ouch!​

I think frostbite damages the circulation, making you more susceptible.

 

[strangerep]

I think frostbite damages the circulation, making you more susceptible.

There's a reason Nature arranged for the little guy to retreat back into his cave during inclement weather...

 

[Astronuc]

Half a Billion in Bitcoin, Lost in the Dump​

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/12/13/half-a-billion-in-bitcoin-lost-in-the-dump
For years, a Welshman who threw away the key to his cybercurrency stash has been fighting to excavate the local landfill.

In a cluttered desk drawer, he [the gentlemen in question] found two small hard drives. One, he knew, was blank. The other held files from an old Dell gaming laptop, including e-mails, music that he’d downloaded, and duplicates of family photographs. He’d removed the drive a few years earlier, after he’d spilled lemonade on the computer’s keyboard. Howells grabbed the unwanted hard drive and threw it into a black garbage bag.

His girlfriend took the garbage bag to the local landfill per his request.

He left for Cyprus and apparently started to realize what he had done.

A rather costly mistake.

 

[Keith_McClary]

Bitcoin, Lost

There are quite a few stories like that. If Bitcoin is lost, does that make the remaining bitcoin worth more?

 

[Astronuc]

There are quite a few stories like that. If Bitcoin is lost, does that make the remaining bitcoin worth more?

I don't understand bitcoin, but it has something to do with blockchain.

Bitcoin is a digital currency, a decentralized system that records transactions in a distributed ledger called a blockchain. ... Upon success, these blocks are added to the blockchain record, and the miners are rewarded with a small number of bitcoins.

or
https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industrie...intech/bitcoin-blockchain-cryptocurrency.html

I guess that fact that there is a demand and some rapid appreciation makes it desirable, until it doesn't. I suspect it works like real estate, which is in demand until it isn't, partly because the majority cannot afford it.

According to the article, "Illicit activity likely helped bitcoin appreciate in value, . . . " As I recall, for example, some malevolent actors using ransome malware required bitcoin funds to unlocked hijacked computers.

 

[nsaspook]

https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/georgia-toddler-lock-samples-rare-uncombable-hair-syndrome
Georgia toddler diagnosed with extremely rare uncombable hair syndrome

 

[nsaspook]

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02...haviour-by-removing-tracking-device/100851458

Magpies have outwitted scientists by helping each other remove tracking devices​

When we attached tiny, backpack-like tracking devices to five Australian magpies for a pilot study, we didn't expect to discover an entirely new social behaviour rarely seen in birds.

Our goal was to learn more about the movement and social dynamics of these highly intelligent birds, and to test these new, durable and reusable devices. Instead, the birds outsmarted us.

As our new research paper explains, the magpies began showing evidence of cooperative "rescue" behaviour to help each other remove the tracker.

 

[Keith_McClary]

https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/georgia-toddler-lock-samples-rare-uncombable-hair-syndrome
Georgia toddler diagnosed with extremely rare uncombable hair syndrome
View attachment 297476

They took sample locks of Lock Samples' hair.

 

[strangerep]

Georgia toddler diagnosed with extremely rare uncombable hair syndrome

On first glance, I thought that must be a toddler pic of Boris Johnson.

 

[Tom.G]

https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/georgia-toddler-lock-samples-rare-uncombable-hair-syndrome
Georgia toddler diagnosed with extremely rare uncombable hair syndrome
View attachment 297476

Are you sure there is not a Van de Graaff generator just out of the picture frame?

(My father and) I built one of those from scratch for a Science Fair when I was in high school... and got my younger sisters hair to stand out too!

 

[fresh_42]

Are you sure there is not a Van de Graaff generator just out of the picture frame?

View attachment 297479

(My father and) I built one of those from scratch for a Science Fair when I was in high school... and got my younger sisters hair to stand out too!

I thought the ball was one!

 

[berkeman]

I thought the ball was one!

It is the low-power manual VDG model...

 

[BillTre]

Dog house hit by meterorite in April 2019 sells at auction for $44,000:

 

[Ibix]

Dog house hit by meterorite sells in April 2019 at auction for $44,000:

Does anyone know if @davenn has a dog?

 

[berkeman]

Does anyone know if @davenn has a dog?

Well, he did. Sadly...

Dog house hit by meterorite in April 2019 sells at auction for $44,000:

View attachment 297523

Meteorite not included?

 

[BillTre]

No.
I don't think so.
Should have been mentioned if it was.

 

[davenn]

Does anyone know if @davenn has a dog?

not since living in Oz

Well, he did. Sadly...

yeah, sadly, died of tummy cancer back in 1999

 

[berkeman]

That's a good looking dog, Dave!

 

[Keith_McClary]

Dog house hit by meterorite in April 2019 sells at auction for $44,000:

Wanna buy a snow shovel hit by meterorite? How about ... uh ... a barbecue hit by meterorite?

 

[fresh_42]

Hmm, let's calculate ...

Iridium is currently 4,300$/oz. I could offer a meteorite for 44,000 which hit whatever you want to.

 

[Astronuc]

A personal trainer died after taking caffeine powder the equivalent of up to 200 cups of coffee, an inquest heard.

The gentleman miscalculated the amount of powder he was meant to use on kitchen scales.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-60570470

 

[berkeman]

The gentleman miscalculated the amount of powder he was meant to use on kitchen scales.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-60570470

So he's a Darwin Award nominee?

Him in high school: "When am I ever going to use this math in real life?!?"

 

[fresh_42]

Him in high school: "When am I ever going to use this math in real life?!?"

This reminds me of the necessity to pay attention in the physics class, chapter: classical mechanics. I call the phenomenon disco-accidents. The mixture "driver beginner" + "disco / bar" + "male" + "no idea about basic forces" is so deadly that it regularly makes it into Monday morning news, often with a female on board who causes massive swanking, and more frequently in autumn when leaves and rain add to the situation.

 

[berkeman]

Indy FireFighters Pluck Teen from Tree after Attempted Cat Rescue​

https://www.firehouse.com/rescue/ro...uck-teen-from-tree-after-attempted-cat-rescue

When a 17-year-old Indianapolis boy, identified only as Owen, spotted a tabby cat perched 35-feet up a towering tree at Holliday Park, he began climbing to the rescue, the fire department said in a Facebook post.

In his rush to help the cat, which may or may not have needed it, Owen suddenly realized he was stuck with no way down.

Firefighters were called and arrived at the park, on the city’s north side, around 4:37 p.m. Saturday, March 5.

“While Owen had no trouble climbing up the tree — his positioning did not allow the same ease for getting down,” the department said.

A fire engine showed up first, followed by a rope rescue team, according to the department. By the time Owen’s rescue was underway, well over a dozen rescuers were positioned around the tree, with throngs of onlookers gathered nearby, as he hugged a thick branch and waited, photos show.

After a rescue team arrived, it took roughly an hour to bring Owen back down to safety.

“Other than a few scrapes, he was perfectly fine,” according to fire officials.

The tabby watched the rescue of his failed would-be savior from above, interested but unmoving.

“The cat seemed to enjoy the commotion but literally made no effort to climb down the tree,” the fire department said.

Sounds like typical cat behavior, commenters on the department’s post said.

“Further proof that cats are jerks. Adorable, lovely undeniable jerks,” one comment read.

“A dog would have had the decency to be helped down after all the effort,” commented another.

 

[berkeman]

2 cheerleaders save the day when ball gets stuck during NCAA first-round game​

The ball got stuck between the backboard and the shot clock early in the second half.

If it weren't for Nathan Paris and Cassidy Cerny, the ball may still be stuck.
When the ball got stuck between the backboard and the shot clock early in the second half, the players tried with no success to get it free.

At first it appeared, Saint Mary's Matthias Tass would try standing on a folding chair to reach the ball.

But the plan turned into a ref standing on the chair to try and poke it free, to no avail.

Enter Indiana's resourceful cheer squad!

https://abc7news.com/march-madness-...eerleaders-save-the-day-saint-marys/11661307/

 

[fresh_42]

Balls must be very expensive in Indiana.

 

[berkeman]

Balls must be very expensive in Indiana.

LOL. Probably the bigger issue was that the ball was blocking the players' view of the shot clock. I guess they could have just poked it with a sharp stick to deflate it instead...

 

[fresh_42]

And now for something completely different:
Jenny passed away today. She was 26 and lost her battle against cancer.

Don’t Worry, It’s Just Jenny Taking Her Daily Walk

 

[Astronuc]

Former Yale administrator stole $40 million, pretending to buy computer equipment for the university. Instead, she bought a fleet of luxury cars, and four houses
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/f...t-of-luxury-cars-and-three-houses-11648578254

A former administrator at the Yale University School of Medicine has pleaded guilty to stealing $40 million from the school in a nearly decade-long computer and electronics purchasing fraud.

Federal prosecutors say Jamie Petrone, 42, used the money to buy a fleet of luxury cars including Mercedes, Land Rovers and Cadillac Escalades, numerous properties in several states and to pay for lavish trips.

She pleaded guilty on Monday to wire fraud and filing false tax returns and faces up to 30 years in prison when she is sentenced in June. Until then, she is free on a $1 million bond. Her attorney didn’t immediately return a message seeking comment.

“90% of her computer-related purchases were fraudulent.”
— Criminal complaint filed by the U.S. attorney for Connecticut.

 

[Hornbein]

Former Yale administrator stole $40 million, pretending to buy computer equipment for the university. Instead, she bought a fleet of luxury cars, and four houses
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/f...t-of-luxury-cars-and-three-houses-11648578254

So the "everybody does it" defense isn't yet accepted?

 

[Astronuc]

A pilot who lied about his flying experience to secure a job at British Airways was said to have been caught when he pressed a button 'no qualified pilot would'​

https://www.businessinsider.com/bri...esume-flying-experience-pressed-button-2022-4

• A source told The Times that suspicions arose after he pressed a button "no qualified pilot would."
• The ex-pilot faked training certificates and falsely claimed to have flown 1,610 hours as a captain.

Hey, take my word for it!

 

[berkeman]

I wonder which button it was...

 

[DrGreg]

I wonder which button it was...

 

[berkeman]

LOL @DrGreg

Yeah, on some of our EMS/Fire/Police radios, there is an orange "Emergency" button. Everybody is briefed to never push the button unless your life is in serious danger and you need everybody nearby to your location ASAP (Code-3, 10-99, Fire Mayday, etc.).

Still, it does get pushed accidentally on occasion, with pretty embarrassing results...

 

[Astronuc]

View attachment 299263

My youngest brother did something like that in an OR during his surgical residency.

He saw a button on a wall in an operating room. He wondered what it was for. So he pushed it. Nothing. He pushed it again. He wondered. Then the doors burst open and a team of doctors and nurses rushed in expecting to find a patient is cardiopulmonary distress (i.e., cardiac arrest). He received a lecture and strong admonition.

 

[Tom.G]

And there is the one where a General was touring a site. He was known to push buttons on a control panel just to see what happened.

Sure enough he started pushing buttons... and froze at one of them.
That particular button was a 'new addition' by persons unknown.

It was labelled "Push To Test."

It functioned by illuminating a a legend reading
"Release To Detonate."

Lesson: Know what you are testing for!

 

[berkeman]

He saw a button on a wall in an operating room. He wondered what it was for. So he pushed it. Nothing. He pushed it again. He wondered. Then the doors burst open and a team of doctors and nurses rushed in expecting to find a patient is cardiopulmonary distress (i.e., cardiac arrest). He received a lecture and strong admonition.

Was the button bright blue? Was it labeled "Code Blue"?

 

[DaveC426913]

Was the button bright blue? Was it labeled "Code Blue"?

I wondered about this.

Who installs a button of such importance - and doesn't bother labeling it?

Answer came to me before i finished:

Those who are trained and authorized don't need labels.
Those who need labels aren't trained or authorized..

 

[Astronuc]

Was the button bright blue? Was it labeled "Code Blue"?

I don't remember how it was resolved, but he was more careful going forward. I believe they labeled it. It's so long ago, I can remember if it was silver (i.e., chrome plated) or red, or some other color.

It was definitely for 'code blue', but I don't think it was blue.

 

[Ibix]

Hey, take my word for it!

I'm a professional forger, and I have the certificates to prove it.

 

[Klystron]

A pilot who lied about his flying experience to secure a job at British Airways was said to have been caught when he pressed a button 'no qualified pilot would'​

https://www.businessinsider.com/bri...esume-flying-experience-pressed-button-2022-4Hey, take my word for it!

Why I dislike "Business Insider". Bunch of titles without useful information.

I wonder which button it was...

My guess: He tried to engage reverse engine thrust to slow the aircraft while in the air?

Engage engine fire suppression system?

Had to be potentially catastrophic to warrant an investigation...

 

[DaveE]

Why I dislike "Business Insider". Bunch of titles without useful information.

You can mark me down as very skeptical about the reporting of this anywhere. The news media just isn't any good at reporting the technical side of aviation.

OK, sure, he lied and got caught. But what about type ratings, simulator training, check rides, etc. The big airlines just don't let anyone show up with some paper and fly. He must have appeared qualified to a few people during training; people whose job is to see if you're doing it right. Even experienced pilots have to do this during recurrent training.

 

[Astronuc]

My guess: He tried to engage reverse engine thrust to slow the aircraft while in the air?

I would hope he was tested on a simulator before being allowed to fly/operate an aircraft.

 

[Klystron]

I would hope he was tested on a simulator before being allowed to fly/operate an aircraft.

One may hope. Simulator time can be expensive and spotty even at major airlines. Imagine how often No-Name airlines can afford to put entire crews through motion simulations. Crews learn to coordinate decisions and actions. Amateur pilots lack this training.

When I wrote code for full-scale flight sims, we were encouraged to fly often. I became a fairly adept sim pilot with ATC operators giving the entire panoply of weather, traffic, equipment malfunctions, pre and post flight checklists, etc. I logged many sim hours flying out of SFO and Moffett NAS.

Even so, simulators remain as distinct from actual cockpits in jet transports loaded with passengers, crew, luggage and fuel as a child in a go-cart entering the Indy 500 or demolition derby.

The motions and cues are radically different even on '6-degrees of freedom' full motion sims. Real aircraft lack the dampers and feedback of hydraulically actuated motion. Real pilots know this and feel it through their skin, compensating for every move even as they perform the action.

Sims are tolerant and forgiving, like a good teacher. Actual moving atmosphere and weather staggers the imagination. I worked for years creating and improving ongoing software package with an ME and weather scientists to develop realistic weather maps and motions for advanced sims. The actual weather, say approaching DEN (Denver CO), or Bristol UK, if translated to full motion would destroy the sim. Even watered down within safety parameters, experienced flight crews left the sim shaking and unsteady from reaction.

 

[Astronuc]

Actual moving atmosphere and weather staggers the imagination.

I've been on some interesting flights. One in particular involved a 727 landing at a regional airport. There was a strong gusty crosswind, at least 20 mph. The place was landing to the NW, with a wind from the W or SW. We approached fast, and I thought, too high. We got to the end of the runway, still going fast, and were about 50 feet above the runway, when all of a sudden the plane jumped about 20 or 30 feet. The pilot brought the plane down, but we were then about half-way down the runway. Just as we passed the terminal, the pilot increased power to engines and we pulled up. We did 270° turn and landed to the SW, with a much smoother landing. The wind was still blowing strong with gusts as we walked to the terminal.

 

[Klystron]

The best 'live to talk about it' stories never make the news.

Dead heading on fully loaded L-1011 landing at ATL (Atlanta Airport GA) seconds before a hurricane closed all operations. The Captain and First Officer rode that beast like witches ride broomsticks on Walpurgis night. We danced with the weather.

That Lockheed model features three jet engines mounted in the tail. I sat in the rearmost seat next to flight attendants inside, engines right outside. Hit my head. Then my knees nearly smashed my face. Head again. Never experienced motion that extreme outside Vietnam War. Enormous α (pitch, angle of attack). Sideways rain. Hail pounded fuselage. Lightning provided illumination as interior lighting failed.

Hardest touchdown I ever felt in any transport. Flames shot from engines as Captain reversed thrust, FO speaking calmly and unhurriedly and unheard over intercom. Thought right engine would migrate through fuselage. Winds howled louder than engines, if believable. What a great flight!

 

[jack action]

Florida rejects 41% of new math textbooks, citing critical race theory among its reasons

 

[BillTre]

And they aren't saying which books are rejected or why!
To me it appears to be a possible opportunity for someone to make money by eliminating some of the books they don't publish.
(Trying to avoid politics by not naming names.)

 

[BillTre]

Florida rejects 41% of new math textbooks, citing critical race theory among its reasons

There are already some funny articles about this not so funny topic:
Milbank, www.washingtonpost.com/… Under the headline “X Saves Florida Kids From Being Indoctrinated by Math”.
A quote:

At a time when Floridians by law “don’t say gay,” much less “trans,” this banned book brazenly teaches about the “Transitive Property of Equality.” Not only are impressionable minds taught about the “transformation of functions,” but also they are even indoctrinated in “describing transformations” and — appallingly — “sketching transformations.”