What is the newest installment of 'Random Thoughts' on Physics Forums?

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion revolves around the latest installment of the "Random Thoughts" thread on Physics Forums, highlighting various topics including critiques of documentary programming on the History Channel and National Geographic's recent ownership change. Participants express concerns about the quality of content in documentaries and share personal anecdotes, such as a humorous incident involving a clogged kitchen extractor fan. The conversation also touches on mathematical discussions regarding prime numbers and cultural observations about societal norms and language use.

PREREQUISITES
  • Familiarity with documentary programming and its impact on public knowledge.
  • Basic understanding of prime numbers and mathematical proofs.
  • Awareness of cultural commentary and societal norms.
  • Knowledge of language variations and their implications in communication.
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore the impact of media ownership on documentary content quality.
  • Research advanced mathematical concepts related to prime numbers.
  • Investigate cultural differences in language use and societal expectations.
  • Learn about the effects of solar irradiation in different geographical locations.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for media analysts, educators in mathematics, cultural commentators, and anyone interested in the intersection of media, society, and education.

  • #3,631
collinsmark said:
Caffeine intolerance is another topic that is easily looked up.
... if I were interested in.
 
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  • #3,632
fresh_42 said:
... if I were interested in.
But then you have studies and counterstudies, like I have seen with the allergy to peanuts which some swear by, yet many others claim is inexistant.
 
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  • #3,633
I am clearly not great at identifying accents. I was speaking (English, obviously) with this lady, and I asked her: " Are you from Sidney (Australia)"?.She replied, irritated: " No, I am from London(UK)". I then had to say: " Is that near Sidney"? She did not seem pleased; maybe thought to herself: " Dumb gringo". I thought it was pretty funny.
 
  • #3,634
WWGD said:
I am clearly not great at identifying accents. I was speaking (English, obviously) with this lady, and I asked her: " Are you from Sidney (Australia)".She replied, irritated: " No, I am from London". I then had to say: " Is that near Sidney"? She did not seem pleased; maybe thought to herself: " Dumb gringo".
I had a similar experience. I stood with my nephew and his girlfriend at a Kiosk near a castle to buy some sausages. In front of me two guys with which I chatted a bit. As I turned around to my guests, I said: "Look. People from all over the world here. Even Englishmen." - "Nope", said my nephew, "they're from Australia."

London and Australian accents are really a bit similar.
 
  • #3,635
fresh_42 said:
I had a similar experience. I stood with my nephew and his girlfriend at a Kiosk near a castle to buy some sausages. In front of me two guys with which I chatted a bit. As I turned around to my guests, I said: "Look. People from all over the world here. Even Englishmen." - "Nope, said my nephew, they're from Australia."

London and Australian accents are really a bit similar.
But I am pretty sure the Aussies were not irritated ( were they?); they have no problem with that, from what I have seen. The lady seemed upset I believed she was Australian. Though, of course there may have been other issues in play .
 
  • #3,636
WWGD said:
But I am pretty sure the Aussies were not irritated ( were they?); they have no problem with that, from what I have seen. The lady seemed upset I believed she was Australian. Though, of course there may have been other issues in play .
The Aussies seemed, that only one thing could have irritated them at all. If the Kiosk was running out of beer or sausages.
 
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  • #3,637
fresh_42 said:
The Aussies seemed, that only one thing could have irritated them at all. If the Kiosk was running out of beer or sausages.
I assume beer more so than sausages? Upset enough to waltz Matilde?
 
  • #3,638
WWGD said:
I assume beer more so than sausages? Upset enough to waltz Matilde?
Well, the sun was shining, the Kiosk open, and they were in a good mood ready to talk to everybody.
Aussies and Scots are always a good company!
 
  • #3,639
fresh_42 said:
Well, the sun was shining, the Kiosk open, and they were in a good mood ready to talk to everybody.
That's Englishme...er, Australians for you!
 
  • #3,640
Sausage rolls!
 
  • #3,641
Sausage rolls downhill or uphill?
 
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  • #3,642
WWGD said:
Sausage rolls downhill or uphill?
They have a cable car on that hill, no need to roll.
 
  • #3,643
Almost every morning before work - used to drop by a Caltex station. Grab a battery (a can of red bull) and two sausage rolls. Breakfast of champions! :D Only possible in Aussieland
 
  • #3,644
Hey, given the whole Syria, Korea deals, will just say : It was good knowing you all, in case we are all gone in the morning.
 
  • #3,646
Astronuc said:
Ignorance of the law is no excuse.

Download the entire US code (federal law). Read it. Test on Monday.

http://uscode.house.gov/download/download.shtml
I'm more afraid of the local absurdities :nb) , and of course the many cultural differences.
 
  • #3,647
fresh_42 said:
I'm more afraid of the local absurdities :nb) , and of course the many cultural differences.
How can something be "locally absurd"?
 
  • #3,648
WWGD said:
How can something be "locally absurd"?
Depends on whether you have a donkey in AZ
If you allow your donkey to sleep in a bathtub, you’re an ass. If you allow it while you’re in Arizona, you’re a criminal. According to a law made in 1924, it is illegal for donkeys to sleep in bathtubs. etc.
(https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/weird-laws-in-america_us_56a264abe4b0d8cc1099e1cd)

Edit: I like Idaho! But New Jersey can really get you!
 
  • #3,649
WWGD said:
How can something be "locally absurd"?
Presumably, surdity can be made to vanish at a point by an appropriate choice of coordinates, but not globally.
 
  • #3,650
Ibix said:
Presumably, surdity can be made to vanish at a point by an appropriate choice of coordinates, but not globally.
I can conceive of many absurdity maps that would preserve the properties.
 
  • #3,651
WWGD said:
I can conceive of many absurdity maps that would preserve the properties.
True, but by hypothesis local absurdity exists. Therefore my statement in #3649 holds, although other possibilities may exist if we discard the requirement of local absurdity.
 
  • #3,652
Ibix said:
True, but by hypothesis local absurdity exists. Therefore my statement in #3649 holds, although other possibilities may exist if we discard the requirement of local absurdity.
We may be violating Some Monty Python intellectual property in the process, though ;).
 
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  • #3,653
WWGD said:
We may be violating Some Monty Python intellectual property in the process, though ;).
The Ministry of Silly Theories? Schrödinger's Parrot?
 
  • #3,654
Ibix said:
The Ministry of Silly Theories? Schrödinger's Parrot?
I think it was one where they dressed like women --doesn't narrow it down much from what I remember.
 
  • #3,655
WWGD said:
We may be violating Some Monty Python intellectual property in the process, though ;).

Ibix said:
The Ministry of Silly Theories? Schrödinger's Parrot?
Are you guys suggesting to open a blackmail forum?
 
  • #3,656
fresh_42 said:
Are you guys suggesting to open a blackmail forum?
Just £500 to stop us publishing that personal theory you came up with when you were 12!
 
  • #3,657
Another classy move today: I was getting some work done in a coffee shop when the manager comes in and announces a band will start playing. Right then, he introduces it and I just blurt out a " Oh $%^& " ( I thought they would interrupt my work ) and a bunch of people turn to look my way. Inner voice and outer voice...
 
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  • #3,658
Oh $%^&", indeed. Do you get to keep your job, at least :oldsurprised:
 
  • #3,659
I just read the Intermediate math challenges, again. I remember problem 6 as an exercise in the course of black magic (read: complex analysis). The theory of residues really is..black magic.
 
  • #3,660
"Every minute counts". Hmmm... I saw a few minutes and I did not see them/ hear them counting.
 

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