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

[fresh_42]

My favorite G.B.Shaw quotation: "You should have read what I already dismissed out of politeness!" as his answer to someone who demanded him to be more polite.

 

[Fewmet]

How quickly things change fascinates me. ...

I recently went through part of the school archives with some high school students. I had to explain to them what the photographic negatives were.

 

[fresh_42]

I recently went through part of the school archives with some high school students. I had to explain to them what the photographic negatives were.

Wait until you find a slide rule!

 

[nuuskur]

Found one of my old tests, the assignment said "study the function so-and-so".
I wrote "I studied it" as an answer. Got full credit

 

[Ibix]

Ah - bad questions...

A chemistry teacher visiting my school commented on a GCSE (school exams taken at 16 in the UK) multiple choice question that asked "what colour is sulphur". The options were yellow, brown, blue, and green. The official correct answer was yellow. He got into trouble for also accepting brown and blue, because liquid sulphur cooled rapidly turns into a rubbery brown substance and colloidal sulphur is blue. It's a specific form of sulphur, flowers of sulphur, that's yellow, and the question did not specify that.

 

[WWGD]

We had qualifying exams, needed to be able to go on in the program : "What can you say about..."? Seriously? A live-or-die exam and they ask such vague question?

 

[OCR]

Thanks for sharing.

You're welcome...

Great tune!

It is a good a good tune...

Here's another cover version of "Despacito" I really like... .

.

 

[pinball1970]

Um... Is calling a random person you just met: "baby", normal for English speakers?

It's been happening too frequently. It hasn't bothered me at all. But, how odd. I am beginning to think it is actually pretty normal. Like saying 'bro'.

I would say that is a city/working class thing.Bar ladies in particular or women who serve food tend to call children and men, “love” “pet” depending on which part of the country you are fromMen in the same job do the same with children and women, “cock” is another one.So this is informal settings cafes, bars rather than restaurants.Sir, Madam and Miss are used more in formal settings, Hospital government departments and more formal eateries.

 

[fresh_42]

It is not allowed to send sausages (wrong word, but you don't have a better one) to the US. But here's my question: Would a dog searching for drugs bark at such a package by: "Forget the damn cocaine, open that package, I want the sausage!"

 

[Ibix]

It is not allowed to send sausages (wrong word, but you don't have a better one) to the US. But here's my question: Would a dog searching for drugs bark at such a package by: "Forget the damn cocaine, open that package, I want the sausage!"

Only if it's a wiener dog.

Edit: using one of those as a drug dog would be the wurst idea...

 

[Ibix]

I would say that is a city/working class thing.

I'd go much further. Acceptable informal address varies by region, social class, age and sex of both parties, and time, and probably a host of other things. That said, I've still not heard "baby" used outside of couples and actual babies.

Slang and unconventional language can be a total minefield. I recommend just accepting any informal address as long as the tone and body language are friendly, and sticking to "mate" if you have to use anything at all.

 

[WWGD]

Or you can do some verbal gymnastics and avoid pronouns or other references. Kind of awkward, but doable.

 

[skyshrimp]

I woke up thirsty and hungover in the middle of the night and went to the fridge. I had some of the juicy peaches chilling in there.

I went back for seconds.

 

[Ibix]

Or you can do some verbal gymnastics and avoid pronouns or other references. Kind of awkward, but doable.

You can usually drop the "mate" (or whatever) without a problem. "Excuse me mate, do you have the time?" or "thanks mate" work equally well without. Actually avoiding pronouns is clumsy, yes. I ended up having to do it at work when I had to advise someone to contact Ashley. Ashley and I had exchanged email a lot but had never actually spoken or met, and I realized mid-email that I had no clue whether to use him or her. Turned out to be a she in the end. The Ashley I work with at the moment is a bloke - I was careful to enquire before emailing.

 

[WWGD]

You can usually drop the "mate" (or whatever) without a problem. "Excuse me mate, do you have the time?" or "thanks mate" work equally well without. Actually avoiding pronouns is clumsy, yes. I ended up having to do it at work when I had to advise someone to contact Ashley. Ashley and I had exchanged email a lot but had never actually spoken or met, and I realized mid-email that I had no clue whether to use him or her. Turned out to be a she in the end. The Ashley I work with at the moment is a bloke - I was careful to enquire before emailing.

EDITWhatever happened to "Dear he/she/it or whatever the #$% you are:" (And why was I put in the corner cubicle so far away from everyone else?)

 

[Ibix]

Whatever happened to "Dear he/she/it or whatever the #$% you are:"

A gender-neutral pronoun that isn't horribly contrived (like using "they" feels to me) would be very useful. I mean, does it really matter whether she's a he or a she? Given the existence of gendered pronouns it seems rude to use the wrong one, but you're going to want to talk to the topic expert, and it wasn't a topic where what's between anyone's legs was relevant to anyone.

 

[WWGD]

A gender-neutral pronoun that isn't horribly contrived (like using "they" feels to me) would be very useful. I mean, does it really matter whether she's a he or a she? Given the existence of gendered pronouns it seems rude to use the wrong one, but you're going to want to talk to the topic expert, and it wasn't a topic where what's between anyone's legs was relevant to anyone.

But is there a singular (non-plural) version? S/he may work in writing but I don't know any spoken version.

 

[fresh_42]

A gender-neutral pronoun that isn't horribly contrived (like using "they" feels to me) would be very useful.

But is there a singular (non-plural) version? S/he may work in writing but I don't know any spoken version.

It.

 

[WWGD]

It.

I thought so, to, but after many years of horrible confusion (even while working in it), I found out it stands for " Information Technology"

 

[Ibix]

But is there a singular (non-plural) version? S/he may work in writing but I don't know any spoken version.

I've seen various attempts at engineering one (xhe for he/she, for example), but they don't seem to catch on. In my opinion, because made-up words sound made-up. I suspect that if it ever happens it'll be that he/she goes the way of "thou" and "they" becomes singular as well, as "you" has done.

 

[Bystander]

(xhe for he/she, for example), but they don't seem to catch on.

Perilously close to "politically incorrect" for the area of NA located between Canada and Mexico.

 

[fresh_42]

I thought so, to, but after many years of horrible confusion (even while working in it), I found out it stands for " Information Technology"

That's the exit strategy if it feels offended.

I've seen various attempts at engineering one (xhe for he/she, for example), but they don't seem to catch on. In my opinion, because made-up words sound made-up. I suspect that if it ever happens it'll be that he/she goes the way of "thou" and "they" becomes singular as well, as "you" has done.

We have a gender even on roles, aka professions, similar to the appendix "-ess" in English, but everywhere. The doctor-he-she jokes don't work in German, as it would be Arzt/Ärztin, Chirurg/Chirurgin, Doktor/Doktorin. To solve this gender dilemma, especially in job offer announcements, people write Chirurg(in) or ChirurgIn or Chirurg/-in, all of which are straight away ugly. Especially the capital "I" spelling looks odd. I haven't seen any satisfactory solution, yet. And "they" in English is equally strange.

 

[Ibix]

Perilously close to "politically incorrect" for the area of NA located between Canada and Mexico.

I don't think it's a bad idea. The circumstances under which I care what sex you are are fairly limited, so the effort needed to find out what sex you are solely so I can pick a pronoun seems disproportionate. I just don't like "xhe" for some reason.

One distinguishing feature of good fantasy/SF is that the names roll off the tongue even when they're made up names for members of an imaginary species or ethnic group. Some people seem to have a knack for it - they need to get someone with the knack to make up their new pronouns IMO.

 

[WWGD]

I don't think it's a bad idea. The circumstances under which I care what sex you are are fairly limited, so the effort needed to find out what sex you are solely so I can pick a pronoun seems disproportionate. I just don't like "xhe" for some reason.

One distinguishing feature of good fantasy/SF is that the names roll off the tongue even when they're made up names for members of an imaginary species or ethnic group. Some people seem to have a knack for it - they need to get someone with the knack to make up their new pronouns IMO.

I think that by " The ar

Perilously close to "politically incorrect" for the area of NA located between Canada and Mexico.

Is " The area of NA between Canada and Mexico" slang for what is between someone's legs? I am not hip to your slang ;).

 

[Ibix]

We have a gender even on roles, aka professions, similar to the appendix "-ess" in English, but everywhere. The doctor-he-she jokes don't work in German, as it would be Arzt/Ärztin, Chirurg/Chirurgin, Doktor/Doktorin. To solve this gender dilemma, especially in job offer announcements, people write Chirurg(in) or ChirurgIn or Chirurg/-in, all of which are straight away ugly. Especially the capital "I" spelling looks odd. I haven't seen any satisfactory solution, yet. And "they" in English is equally strange.

There's a similar issue in Spanish (doctor/doctora, usually solved by writing doctor/a, which I agree is ugly). Oddly, although there's a distinction between he/she/it there's no distinction between him/her/it.

 

[Ibix]

Is " The area of NA between Canada and Mexico" slang for what is between someone's legs? I am not hip to your slang ;).

You are not hip to slang about what's slung from your hips?

 

[Ibix]

Is " The area of NA between Canada and Mexico" slang for what is between someone's legs? I am not hip to your slang ;).

Also, I think you may just have implied that the USA is a [slang term of your choice for sexual organ of your choice]. Don't know if you meant to do that...

 

[WWGD]

Also, I think you may just have implied that the USA is a [slang term of your choice for sexual organ of your choice]. Don't know if you meant to do that...

Well, it is represented by an orange one depicted often in London recently...

 

[WWGD]

Another passenger on the crazy train. Lady telling me she is being hacked. But it is a waiter who hates her, who has a black-hat friend who is doing the hacking. She mentions how her computer keeps denying her access to her email, programs not functioning. Hey, lady, it is called Windows! If that was the conspiracy, Bill Gates is a terrorist.

 

[CWatters]

Forty years ago I was visiting a university trying to decide what engineering subject to study. In one lab they had a machine demonstrating the electronics and control theory required to balance a pencil on its tip by moving the platform it was balanced on.

Today had my first ride on a Segway. Surprisingly good fun riding around forest trails with my kids.

 

[skyshrimp]

I'd like to own a USB digital microscope with 4K resolution. I have one of those cheap Chinese USB microscopes that you can get on eBay, but the resolution isn't so great.

I was looking at some store bought strawberries I was eating with the microscope the other day and saw these tiny white spider looking things crawling around on them. They weren't visible to the naked eye. I also saw blood flowing through capillaries on my hand. I had to mod the microscope to see this by snapping off the one inch long plastic guard that protects the lens and LEDs, but that doubled the resolution. It was advertised as 200x but I doubt that.

I would love a set up that was powerful enough to view blood cells or sperm etc. I want to view it on my 55" 4K screen in 4K. I'd share the vids on YouTube. Not for profound research. Just for hobby procrastination :)

Just finished season one of Stranger Things. Not bad. I'll see what season two is like.

 

[WWGD]

I was looking at some store bought strawberries I was eating with the microscope the other day

I personally prefer something like whipped cream, but I have never tasted microscopes with it. May be my loss; a little "glassy" for me...

 

[fresh_42]

I personally prefer something like whipped cream, but I have never tasted microscopes with it. May be my loss; a little "glassy" for me...

Do you know his store? Maybe he needed the microscope to eat them.

 

[WWGD]

Do you know his store? Maybe he needed the microscope to eat them.

Possibly infinitesi-Strawberies from the Non-Standard Real Strawberry (Fields forever).

 

[fresh_42]

Possibly infinitesi-Strawberies from the Non-Standard Real Strawberry (Fields forever).

If straws will be banned, what happens to strawberries?
Is 'forever' in your quotation a hint to the characteristic of the field - zero?
And what if I refuse to let you take me down?
Do we need a Riemann-Strawberry to get strawberries forever from these infinitesi-strawberries?

Question after question ...

 

[WWGD]

If straws will be banned, what happens to strawberries?
Is 'forever' in your quotation a hint to the characteristic of the field - zero?
And what if I refuse to let you take me down?
Do we need a Riemann-Strawberry to get strawberries forever from these infinitesi-strawberries?

Question after question ...

No, we need Kraftwerk-berries.

 

[fresh_42]

No, we need Kraftwerk-berries.

This could help:
But I haven't checked the latest developments in Chernobyl.

 

[DrGreg]

I personally prefer something like whipped cream, but I have never tasted microscopes with it. May be my loss; a little "glassy" for me...

I was told the best way to prepare strawberries is to sprinkle with sugar and pile cream on top.

Don't try it! Pile cream tastes awful!

 

[WWGD]

Other people talk the bizarre talk. We ( at least three of us in this exchange) own it!

 

[pinball1970]

I'd go much further. Acceptable informal address varies by region, social class, age and sex of both parties, and time, and probably a host of other things. That said, I've still not heard "baby" used outside of couples and actual babies.

Slang and unconventional language can be a total minefield. I recommend just accepting any informal address as long as the tone and body language are friendly, and sticking to "mate" if you have to use anything at all.

[/QUOTE]

Mate is a common one in Manchester, I agree baby is not one I have heard. "Sweet" is another common one.

 

[pinball1970]

I woke up thirsty and hungover in the middle of the night and went to the fridge. I had some of the juicy peaches chilling in there.

I went back for seconds.

View attachment 229084

I prepared for such an event last week by leaving a pint of water next to my bed, unfortunately the hideously hot nights we have been having meant that by the time I came to grab it is was the wrong end of tepid. Horrible but I was desperate so drank it.

 

[skyshrimp]

That girl at work I mentioned the other week keeps asking me to go on smoke breaks with her everyday so we can chat. I usually don't have smokes on me as I want to quit, so she gives me one of hers. She chain smokes and smokes 2 in a row. Guys stop her in the street and try to get her number all the time. She's very tall and thin. Like a Portuguese model.

Last week Thursday we went for a smoke as per usual. I had a box of ciggies too that morning, so I took loads of cigarettes out of mine and tried to put them in her box because she was really low. I was going to buy her a box the following day as well. She kept refusing and I said, "Just take them". She said "Why don't you take me out for a drink instead so we can celebrate". "Celebrate what?"
She said, "Life" and she started smiling and playing with my collar. Our work colleagues think we're in a relationship. She told me earlier that her and this other guy are just friends now (and not 'friends friends') and she was going out for a coffee with him that day and was nervous. The next day I didn't push for that drink. I suspected she wasn't really single but she says she is. She asked me if I wanted to get a coffee with her after work. Then she said they went to an Italian restaurant instead of a coffee. After the meal, he hugged her in the street and leaned in for a kiss. She said she really liked that kiss.
The following day, I was friendly, but I cooled things down a bit. She found me, smiled and opened her arms for a hug and I gave her one. There's this other girl at work who's a friend of hers. She came up to me and said, "Don't say anything, but she asked me earlier if something is up with you as apparently you've been acting strange towards her? She also asked if I mentioned her bf to you".

I wasn't acting strange at all. I kept our conversations work related. You can't chat a woman up if she has a boyfriend. She's pretending she hasn't got one but obviously has. So then she said, "You should stay away from her or you might end up getting into a punch up with him". Apparently he's also 6'4" and my build.

This week, she asked me if I could help her decorate one of the rooms in her flat.
"My 'friend' has given me money to buy the tools and paint. I don't want to waste his money if you're no good..."
Unbelievable. She might have offered me money afterwards but I wouldn't have taken it.

"Why don't you get him to paint?"
"He can't until Sunday and it will take days to do as I need to paint blue walls white, so it will need several coats. I also have plastering that needs sanding down. I don't want you to mess it up if you can't do it properly as it's cost him money"
The next day I told her I was busy this week and couldn't help.

She's stopped talking to me now

 

[CWatters]

Hey you. Stand back from that girl. Back away slowly, turn and run.

 

[skyshrimp]

I prepared for such an event last week by leaving a pint of water next to my bed, unfortunately the hideously hot nights we have been having meant that by the time I came to grab it is was the wrong end of tepid. Horrible but I was desperate so drank it.

The hot nights have been dreadful! I'm glad the rain has come. I got through the summer by drinking copious amounts of frosty pints in the evenings

I forgot to mention. That woman walked in where I was working and told me her heart was beating fast. No one else was there. She took my wrist, cupped my hand and pushed it against her boob nd held it there. She said, "Can you feel that?". Or another time in the summer heat, I was standing by the sink in the lunch room and we were alone again. She walked up to the sink and started pulling her top up. I looked away as it looked like she was taking her top off. She said, "You can look". I looked around and she had pulled her top half way up and tied a knot. Then she was sort of gyrating seductively in her tight jeans., putting on a little show for me?

lol. Crazy girl I won't say anything further as this is isn't the place.

I don't mind these games. Brightens my day tbh.

 

[WWGD]

I keep making the " Flaw of Averages" mistake : Assuming things are going to happen as they do on Average. I see someone I know, think to myself: I will talk with him for 5 minutes, only to end up being unable to pull myself out of a 30+ minutes conversation.

 

[Psinter]

When I ask a question and I get a technical answer on the forum:

But you know; that's good. Because it prompts me to look and learn.

 

[nuuskur]

Something I really like about this community is that you can't just drop a statement here without backup. People immediately call you out on it and ask 'what's your proof?'. If only all communities worked as such

 

[WWGD]

Something I really like about this community is that you can't just drop a statement here without backup. People immediately call you out on it and ask 'what's your proof?'. If only all communities worked as such

Yes. They like ( You to) to...Prove it, Prove it.

 

[Psinter]

Here's another randomized thought...

You clean your teeth on the same room you poop.

 

[skyshrimp]

You wouldn't believe what I saw today in a supermarket. I was standing in the queue at self-checkout and a woman was standing in front of me on her phone with two items in her other hand. There was a staff member guiding customers in the queue to empty self-checkouts. He got to this woman and she carried on talking on her phone and gave her two items to him. He looked a bit puzzled and scanned them for her. Then he said, "It's £3,74", pointing to the LED display.

She carried on chatting on her phone, grabbed a handful of change out of her pocket and left her hand out for the guy to pick the £3.74 out of.

Really? o_0