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

[Borg]

I read today that when the Nepal air crash occurred, one of the passengers was live-streaming on Facebook at the time.

 

[berkeman]

I read today that when the Nepal air crash occurred, one of the passengers was live-streaming on Facebook at the time.

Yeah, I think it was posted on the CNN website. I haven't watched it yet, and may decide not to. An aviation expert said that the video helped to confirm that the plane was turning too sharply and got into a nose-up stall too low to the ground to recover...

 

[Borg]

That's where I read it as well. I just didn't want to post a link to such a sad thing.

 

[WWGD]

Ok, consensus is in:
Shouting : " My wallet!, My wallet!" , as a jogger passes by you, is "not cool, not acceptable"

 

[Ivan Seeking]

I had a strange dream last night: I got a job in a building where nobody knew what they were supposed to be doing but would get random meaningless tasks assigned to them by random people at random times from the floor above. The pay was based on which floor you worked on. 10's of thousands -> 100's -> 200's ... Even though the floor above you was somehow in charge of determining your tasks, they also didn't know what the purpose was, and the tasks they delegated to you were based on tasks delegated to them similarly from above. I guessed in the dream that the top floor was occupied by an artificial intelligence, and that the whole enterprise, as well as each individual task, was purposeless, except as a sort of shell company and convoluted way to allow the AI to secretly operate financially.

You dreamed that you have a government job.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Ten years ago, I started working out again. Eight years ago, I was in fantastic physical condition. But slowly I started putting on a few pounds here and there. About five years ago I started falling away from my routines [both diet and exercise]. Then I had a major health crisis that set me back big time. In fact, I almost died. When Covid hit I tried to work out with a mask on, but that was impossible. And Grub Hub has been a disaster! LOL!!!

But I'm back on my program now and kicking butt! I'm back on keto, doing HIIT on the elliptical, weightlifting, and swimming; shedding the extra weight like crazy. I'm fit and tight and feel like a million bucks! There are days when I truly feel like I'm 25 again. HIIT is amazingly effective! It can change your life!

I keep running into a couple of fit, relatively young guys at the gym, lifting weights. I would guess they are mid twenties or so. One seems to be knowledgeable as a trainer but they both work out. And I've noticed that in spite of my 35 year or so age disadvantage, I seem to lift as much or more than they do. And I do about twice as many sets as they do in the same amount of time. We talk but I've of course never said anything about performance levels.

But last night, without provocation, they explained to me why this is happening - I have "old man strength"! Yes, apparently as we age, we naturally get stronger than young men in their prime. And all this time I thought it took lots of hard work to get in shape! Heck, by the time I reach 100 I'll be superman!

 

[Jarvis323]

You dreamed that you have a government job.

Well, would you rather have a job where you knew what you were supposed to be doing and why, but the answers were mundane, or a job where nothing makes sense but you can speculate about the possible meaning behind it?

I guess maybe it depends on what kind of speculation the evidence leads you to and how optimistic you are.

Maybe sometimes, as Creed from The Office once said, "You have more fun as a follower but you make more money as a leader."

 

[WWGD]

I keep running into a couple of fit, relatively young guys at the gym, lifting weights. I would guess they are mid twenties or so. One seems to be knowledgeable as a trainer but they both work out. And I've noticed that in spite of my 35 year or so age disadvantage, I seem to lift as much or more than they do. And I do about twice as many sets as they do in the same amount of time. We talk but I've of course never said anything about performance levels.

But last night, without provocation, they explained to me why this is happening - I have "old man strength"! Yes, apparently as we age, we naturally get stronger than young men in their prime. And all this time I thought it took lots of hard work to get in shape! Heck, by the time I reach 100 I'll be superman!

I was at my best shape as a one-year old. People would tell me: " You look like you're zero!"

 

[Astronuc]

Theranos blew up! Former CEO Elizabeth Holmes on trial for fraud.

https://news.yahoo.com/leaked-private-notes-elizabeth-holmes-220753173.html

Various media outlets report, "Elizabeth Holmes tried to ‘flee’ US with one-way Mexico ticket" according to prosecutors

 

[WWGD]

Various media outlets report, "Elizabeth Holmes tried to ‘flee’ US with one-way Mexico ticket" according to prosecutors

Ticket? Makes her look sheltered. I believe she was in California. How about renting a car and heading down the border?

 

[fresh_42]

I'm getting old. And since I quit smoking I am far more nervous and make a hell lotta more stupid mistakes than ever. At least the divisionals went my way.

 

[pinball1970]

I'm getting old. And since I quit smoking I am far more nervous and make a hell lotta more stupid mistakes than ever. At least the divisionals went my way.

Milestones can help with this sort of thing.

You may have seen something like this?

https://www.healthline.com/health/what-happens-when-you-quit-smoking#one-month
some of the language is a little messy but based on real changes.

How many weeks? Months?

 

[fresh_42]

How many weeks? Months?

April last year (eye surgery), but I had 11 in between, the last one on last year's last day. I don't want the addiction to winning, so I had a cigarette once in a while. However, that is not "smoking" in the sense that it used to be. I miss the "doping" effect.

 

[pinball1970]

April last year (eye surgery), but I had 11 in between, the last one on last year's last day. I don't want the addiction to winning, so I had a cigarette once in a while. However, that is not "smoking" in the sense that it used to be. I miss the "doping" effect.

That is better than better than smoking every day, just over one per month from April 2022.
You are on day 23 zero cigarettes now with only 9 months one per day behind that?

I take it you have tried gum/patches rather than a smoke to curb the cravings?

Get the hit without damaging your cells?

I will shut up now, I have been in your position and it is not easy, got through it but needed constant hassle off my Ex gf and son.

 

[Bystander]

I'm getting old. And since I quit smoking I am far more nervous and make a hell lotta more stupid mistakes than ever. At least the divisionals went my way.

not easy,

Try stroke...one scary "cold turkey"...October, 2015.

 

[Borg]

I quit over 25 years ago when I couldn't breathe in the morning. That gets your attention pretty quick.

 

[WWGD]

My friend takes his dog to the park weekly. He makes up a breed each time they ask. What type of dog is that?A Newtonian Kerkuffle.

 

[Astronuc]

An attention getting headline - Giant Wind Turbines Keep Mysteriously Falling Over. This Shouldn't Be Happening.
https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/giant-wind-turbines-keep-mysteriously-180400058.html

Wind turbine failures are on the uptick, from Oklahoma to Sweden and Colorado to Germany, with all three of the major manufacturers admitting that the race to create bigger turbines has invited manufacturing issues, according to a report from Bloomberg.

Multiple turbines that are taller than 750 feet are collapsing across the world, with the tallest—784 feet in stature—falling in Germany in September 2021. To put it in perspective, those turbines are taller than both the Space Needle in Seattle and the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. Even smaller turbines that recently took a tumble in Oklahoma, Wisconsin, England, and Colorado were about the height of the Statue of Liberty.

Skimping one the design/construction?

But right! It shouldn't be happening.

 

[fresh_42]

An attention getting headline - Giant Wind Turbines Keep Mysteriously Falling Over. This Shouldn't Be Happening.
https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/giant-wind-turbines-keep-mysteriously-180400058.html

Skimping one the design/construction?

But right! It shouldn't be happening.

I have just today seen a case where a blade has broken. There are carbon fibers and plastic all over the place. The place is several acres of farmland. The farmer has been told not to use his land until evidence of proof will have been secured. What was once meant to produce green energy factually produced hazardous waste that cannot be totally removed anymore. And you bet, the companies, e.g. GE, and public administrations involved play the well-known game "We are not responsible. They are!"

 

[Ivan Seeking]

I quit over 25 years ago when I couldn't breathe in the morning. That gets your attention pretty quick.

Why couldn't you smoke in the afternoon if you could breathe by then?

 

[Borg]

Why couldn't you smoke in the afternoon if you could breathe by then?

Because you can't smoke in the afternoon if you stop breathing in the morning?

 

[Bandersnatch]

Oi, help a foreigner here. The celebrated 'ad' for the turboencabulator includes a 'reciprocating dingle arm'. I've just realised I've no idea what dingle means. So, checking the dictionaries, it appears to be a small wooded vale.
Now, for the question: how would you explain the joke here? Is it just the complete absurdity of using a word that doesn't make any sense in the context, on the assumption that most people won't know it anyway and will themselves assume it to mean something technical?
Or is there some other meaning to 'dingle'?

 

[Bystander]

Is it just the complete absurdity of using a word that doesn't make any sense in the context,

Methinks you have smote the nail on its head...nonsense is nonsense is....

 

[BillTre]

I worked on a ship as a deckhand over summers when I was in college. When I first got on board, the othe deckhands had me running around looking for something like a "universal bearing".
It was completely made up and everyone had fun. They laughed. I did less work and learned my way around the ship.

That's what the "turboencabulator" and "reciprocating dingle arm" sound like to me.

Similar to the "oscillator overthruster" and the "flux capacitor".

 

[Ivan Seeking]

I worked on a ship as a deckhand over summers when I was in college. When I first got on board , the othe deckhands had me running around looking for something like a "universal bearing".
It was completely made up and everyone had fun. They laughed. I did less work and learned my way around the ship.

That's what the "turboencabulator" and "reciprocating dingle arm" sound like to me.

In the Boy Scouts, it was a bacon stretcher.

...and in Cub Scouts, tree snipes.

 

[Borg]

So, in physics that would be the Grand Unified Theory?

 

[Ivan Seeking]

So, in physics that would be the Grand Unified Theory?

Well, at least we know UFOs [er... UAPs] are real. That should offer some comfort.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

@collinsmark ie
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/weird-news-compilation.878428/post-6842555

 

[Ivan Seeking]

I hate the Lume commercials. I don't want to hear about her butt-crack odor!

Then she threatens to show how to apply it to her butt, and instead uses her face as her butt. Okay...

Very few commercials actually annoy me but that one does. I always want to cringe.

 

[hmmm27]

I hate the Lume commercials. I don't want to hear about her butt-crack odor!

Then she threatens to show how to apply it to her butt, and instead uses her face as her butt. Okay...

Very few commercials actually annoy me but that one does. I always want to cringe.

There's often posts which pique my curiousity enough to research the subject matter.

This wasn't one of them.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

There's often posts which pique my curiousity enough to research the subject matter.

This wasn't one of them.

cringeworthy

Some commercials are downright brilliant.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

When I broke up with my last GF, I banned myself from dating until I get back in shape. I still need to lose more weight, but I've hit my minimum goal. I'm down two pant sizes in 15 weeks of busting my butt and strict keto. I'll keep losing weight until I can get into my 34s again, but it's time to hit the dating sites.

I chase women who are far, far too young and beautiful for me. But with the internet, that can be reduced to a math problem. I may have to interact with between 200 to 500 women before I find my next GF, but there is always someone amazing out there who is into older men. I just have to look long enough, be smart enough, and try hard enough. But that game gets very long if I'm not in peak shape. Gotta be at the top of my game! That's why after ten years, for the first time I decided to take a break.

I sort of dread the search at first. But after a bit I start getting into it. It is a challenge and I've gotten good at this. And no woman can intimidate me anymore. I'll approach a 25 yo supermodel if I get a reasonable chance. And you wouldn't believe some of the women I've seen! Luck favors the bold.

Ten years ago, when my ex and I split, I challenged myself: If I'm so damn smart, then figure out how to find and spend time with the women of my dreams. And that's just what I've been doing. I made a science of dating.

PS. I have no intention of getting married again, and that is part of the key to my success. They have to know that I know I can't keep them. We just enjoy each other's company for as long as it lasts, and then we move on - no hard feelings. Just living in the moment.

 

[dlgoff]

I hate the Lume commercials. I don't want to hear about her butt-crack odor!

Then she threatens to show how to apply it to her butt, and instead uses her face as her butt. Okay...

Very few commercials actually annoy me but that one does. I always want to cringe.

I just heard that commercial and I agree.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

A funny little trick I learned. One night I was on my way to meet someone for a first date. But as I was driving there, I was stressing over work. I realized that I had to figure out how to shake the stress from the day before meeting someone. I have be upbeat, cheerful, witty, funny, charming, and whatever else it takes. :) But Donny Downer is a no go! Then I remembered something I had heard: While good feelings and humor can cause smiling and laughing, it goes both ways! Forcing yourself to smile and laugh will make you feel better! You can force yourself to cheer up! And that was the solution. Ever since then, while getting ready or driving to a date, I force myself to smile and laugh until I feel like smiling and laughing. It works every time!

Gotta go work out now.

 

[pinball1970]

A funny little trick I learned. One night I was on my way to meet someone for a first date. But as I was driving there, I was stressing over work. I realized that I had to figure out how to shake the stress from the day before meeting someone. I have be upbeat, cheerful, witty, funny, charming, and whatever else it takes. :) But Donny Downer is a no go! Then I remembered something I had heard: While good feelings and humor can cause smiling and laughing, it goes both ways! Forcing yourself to smile and laugh will make you feel better! You can force yourself to cheer up! And that was the solution. Ever since then, while getting ready or driving to a date, I force myself to smile and laugh until I feel like smiling and laughing. It works every time!

Gotta go work out now.

Your posts about working out are inspiring me to up my game. Some nasty chest infections around xmas messed up training. Drs have changed meds and actually told me to start training to keep the right side of BMI. Currently 26, best to get to 25.
Say about 7-10lbs off.

 

[WWGD]

Your posts about working out are inspiring me to up my game. Some nasty chest infections around xmas messed up training. Drs have changed meds and actually told me to start training to keep the right side of BMI. Currently 26, best to get to 25.
Say about 7-10lbs off.

Ive incentivized myself by using a step tracker app, which counts number of steps( obvious ), distance and time. Aiming for 6k steps a day, including stairs and hills. Maybe it can be an incentive for you too.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Your posts about working out are inspiring me to up my game. Some nasty chest infections around xmas messed up training. Drs have changed meds and actually told me to start training to keep the right side of BMI. Currently 26, best to get to 25.
Say about 7-10lbs off.

Excellent!

I was in great shape but then started sliding. Then a major health event, injuries, and Covid prevented me from doing much of anything for 4 years. I decided I have to get back in shape NOW! In fact, it may be now or never. The older we get, the harder it is to bounce back.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Getting fit is contagious! Three guys at work are back on their programs because I started back on mine.

We have great facilities where I live. But through work we get a free membership at the local YMCA, which has amazing equipment. You wear an RFID tag like a watch which each machine reads. The machine then automatically sets your weight, with one weight set while extending, and a different weight set while retracting! And it automatically increases your weights over time. How cool is that!!!!

I like using our gym because it's convenient and reasonably equipped. I just throw on my sweats and walk to the gym in 5 minutes. No driving or locker room or crowds. And I almost always have it all to myself. But I have to admit that the stuff at the Y is very cool!

I personally don't use BMI. It doesn't take into account people who work out and have increased muscle mass. I actually gained back all the weight I lost ten years ago. But I was two pant sizes smaller than before. The difference is the amount of muscle added the first round! But the BMI would suggest that there was no difference.

I don't own a scale either. My belt size tells me all I need to know.

 

[dlgoff]

Anyone watching the Chiefs vs Bengals football game? Now 3 to 0 KC.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Anyone watching the Chiefs vs Bengals football game? Now 3 to 0 KC.

Is that a croquet or a polo match?

 

[dlgoff]

Is that a croquet or a polo match?

Neither. It's going to be a butt kick match. Go Chiefs!

 

[fresh_42]

Neither. It's going to be a butt kick match. Go Chiefs!

Are you watching the same match? It is a rare event if games are decided by only FG.

 

[dlgoff]

Are you watching the same match? It is a rare event if games are decided by only FG.

Well. KC did get a touchdown w/ the extra point since my last post.

 

[dlgoff]

Mahomes is amazing.

 

[fresh_42]

Mahomes is amazing.

That was amazing, too. And hard to believe.

 

[fresh_42]

Looks as if FG do decide games.

 

[dlgoff]

Looks as if FG do decide games.

Indeed. Heck of a game. 45 yard FG. Dang.

 

[WWGD]

Getting fit is contagious! Three guys at work are back on their programs because I started back on mine.

We have great facilities where I live. But through work we get a free membership at the local YMCA, which has amazing equipment. You wear an RFID tag like a watch which each machine reads. The machine then automatically sets your weight, with one weight set while extending, and a different weight set while retracting! And it automatically increases your weights over time. How cool is that!!!!

I like using our gym because it's convenient and reasonably equipped. I just throw on my sweats and walk to the gym in 5 minutes. No driving or locker room or crowds. And I almost always have it all to myself. But I have to admit that the stuff at the Y is very cool!

I personally don't use BMI. It doesn't take into account people who work out and have increased muscle mass. I actually gained back all the weight I lost ten years ago. But I was two pant sizes smaller than before. The difference is the amount of muscle added the first round! But the BMI would suggest that there was no difference.

I don't own a scale either. My belt size tells me all I need to know.

You know, Russians used to have this thing , not sure the name, a device attached that would send electricity through your body, mimmicking, or at least trying to , the effects of exercise on muscles, without any actual movement .

 

[Tom.G]

There are similiar units available in the USA called TENS units (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation). They are sold for use as pain relief and seem to be a lower-power version of the muscle stimulators.

Here is an article at the Cleveland Clinic:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/heal...nscutaneous-electrical-nerve-stimulation-tens

(above, and seller links, found with:
https://www.google.com/search?q="TENS"+therapy)

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Today I was reminded of an experiment I witnessed when I was about age ten or even a bit younger. Color TVs were out but most people still had black and white sets. Ours was still black and white. A local TV station ran an experiment to see if they could produce color on black and white sets. It was only many years later that I realized what I had seen.

I don't know the proper name for the effect, but I've seen it demonstrated in a science museum. There was a wheel with black and white squares along the circumference. As the wheel begins the spin, the black and white squares begin to look green.

That is what the TV station had tried. They flickered the color of areas of the screen from black to white to black repeatedly and produced the color green. I think they were trying for other colors, but we only saw green. I never did understand what I had seen until about 30 years later when I was at the museum. I suddenly remembered that test and how cool it was. And then AHAH! THAT'S what they were doing.