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.

  • #8,251
fresh_42 said:
Mine is far too small.
Mine is not big enough for a single one of his dinners.
 
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Physics news on Phys.org
  • #8,252
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  • #8,253
Yeah, jet ski tow-ins (and rescues) are a game changer for big wave surfing. Crazy!
 
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  • #8,254
Big thing is now Zuckerberg's " Metaverse". Not sure ywt what it is about.
 
  • #8,255
The recent pronouncement from Zuckerberg brought the Chronicles of Riddick to mind and the hero’s fight against the dark forces of the Underverse.

The Chronicles of Ridzuck and his battle with the Metaverse.
 
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  • #8,256
Just wish this guy stopped calling me right after going up 5-6 flights of stairs. I was about to block him confusing him with a pervert deep breather.
 
  • #8,257
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  • #8,258
Last edited:
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  • #8,259
If you're not too hungry, just have a half a halvah.
 
  • #8,260
WWGD said:
Edit: Not sure why my Latex is not rendering correctly.
Replace "x" by "\times": ##5.977 \times 10^{24} \, \textrm{kg}##
 
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  • #8,261
DrGreg said:
Replace "x" by "\times": ##5.977 \times 10^{24} \, \textrm{kg}##
Thanks. I had done that initially but it did not render. Maybe it takes a few seconds?
 
  • #8,262
WWGD said:
Thanks. I had done that initially but it did not render. Maybe it takes a few seconds?
No. It takes a reload of the page.
 
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  • #8,263
fresh_42 said:
No. It takes a reload of the page.
Danke. Don't know how to do it from my Android. Will wait to get on my PC.

If your name was Sean, I would say Danke Sean~ Dankeshoen.
 
  • #8,264
WWGD said:
Danke. Don't know how to do it from my Android. Will wait to get on my PC.

If your name was Sean, I would say Danke Sean~ Dankeshoen.
Ouch!
 
  • #8,265
I've lost my sense of taste (and have some body aches and sniffles - could be the result of sprained neck and just common cold).

*wonders if there are any common "non-COVID" causes to be aware of for taste loss?*
 
  • #8,266
Tom.G said:
And that article does a segue to how the Earth was weighed, and to the invention of those Contour Lines on a map.
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20211007-how-a-scottish-mountain-weighed-the-planet
The summit of Schiehallion, March 2010:

js1024_DSC_2523.jpg
 
  • #8,267
Do we have a TIR (today I recognized/remembered) thread somewhere?

I remembered that I carry a silver dollar in my wallet with me around.

I recognized that Céline Dion sounds like a construction worker. Is that Québec slang? And why is it far less vulgar if she sings french?
 
  • #8,268
fresh_42 said:
Do we have a TIR (today I recognized/remembered) thread somewhere?

I remembered that I carry a silver dollar in my wallet with me around.

I recognized that Céline Dion sounds like a construction worker. Is that Québec slang? And why is it far less vulgar if she sings french?
Maybe Ctrl+F? I can't play Celine because for miles dogs start howling nonstop.
 
  • #8,269
WWGD said:
Maybe Ctrl+F? I can't play Celine because for miles dogs start howling nonstop.

Yeah, normally I prefer soprano over contralto. But I guess that Callas won't be any better considering the dogs.
 
  • #8,270
fresh_42 said:
Yeah, normally I prefer soprano over contralto. But I guess that Callas won't be any better considering the dogs.
I hear dogs were confined as they were being tested for Covid. They were cleared , after which WHO led the dogs out.
 
  • #8,271
Is there a law of diminishing returns associated with Blu-Ray discs and players vs. DVDs (and players)?

The picture quality is better on Blu-Rays just as the resolution is better on a DVD vs. a VHS tape. Yes, Blu-Rays usually cost more than DVDs (not always), but they are not as widely adopted. And that has a feedback loop into less content being printed on Blu-Rays, which means there is even less reason to buy them vs. DVDs.

But, what's the reason for this? Is it that the marginal improvement in picture quality is not worth the cost?
 
  • #8,272
Also, why do record stores still exist (even if rare), but not VHS tape stores? People still collect records in the age of CDs and digital copies of music. Why one medium and not others?
 
  • #8,273
I believe there are a few blockbusters stores still open. I think they rent vhs tapes, don't they?
 
  • #8,274
kyphysics said:
VHS tape
I had to fire up the VHS because someone wanted to watch an ancient tape of a school play. Took me quite a few minutes to remember how get it working. :redface:
 
  • #8,275
Every new thing introduced to the market goes through a period of being better than everything else and consumers deciding if it’s better enough. The VHS and Betamax wars for dominance bear out how one technology gets adopted over another..
 
  • #8,276
jedishrfu said:
Every new thing introduced to the market goes through a period of being better than everything else and consumers deciding if it’s better enough. The VHS and Betamax wars for dominance bear out how one technology gets adopted over another..
Isn't that what they call the product life cycle?
 
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  • #8,277
There's something rather therapeutic about watching people wrecking their bakes...

 
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  • #8,279
jedishrfu said:
@ergospherical Sadly your video playback has been blocked in the US based on copyright grounds.
If you're disappointed to miss The Great British Bake Off, then the TV schedules in the US must be worse than I imagined.
 
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