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.

  • #10,921
WWGD said:
Strange setup in my friend's place. He uses keys to _ exit_ his apartment.
This has be used as an anti-theft strategy.
Thief needs a key to leave through the door with your stuff.
 
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  • #10,922
pinball1970 said:
Having to use a key for that is wrong. It should be as simple as possible.
How is turning a key - that is already in - more complicated than turning a deadbolt?
 
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  • #10,923
jack action said:
How is turning a key - that is already in - more complicated than turning a deadbolt?
Key can break off. Or it could be the wrong key... :wink:
 
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  • #10,924
Why doesn't someone come up with an app to find parking spots in mega parking lots in shopping centers? Maybe the cost of all the semdors, and relaying data, requiring WiFi?
 
  • #10,925
jack action said:
How is turning a key - that is already in - more complicated than turning a deadbolt?
Yes sounds simple enough but when the place is hot full of smoke, no vision, you do not want to be grasping for a small key.
 
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  • #10,926
WWGD said:
Why doesn't someone come up with an app to find parking spots in mega parking lots in shopping centers? Maybe the cost of all the semdors, and relaying data, requiring WiFi?
Exists. Not an app, but I know at least two parking lots with according traffic lights: green for available slots, and red for occupied sections.
 
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  • #10,927
fresh_42 said:
Exists. Not an app, but I know at least two parking lots with according traffic lights: green for available slots, and red for occupied sections.
It would be great if it could be applied city-wide. I'd heard one of the main sources of traffic in L.A was cars going about looking for parking spaces.

Wonder, though, if the law of " If you build it, they will come" applies to parking spaces, as it applies to road construction.
 
  • #10,928
fresh_42 said:
Exists. Not an app, but I know at least two parking lots with according traffic lights: green for available slots, and red for occupied sections.
Wonder if it uses some sensors or just basic counting. If you know you have n spots, you can subtract 1 for every ticket issued by the machine,and add 1 each time someone leaves. Then you get green when ##n\geq 1 ##, and red for ##n=0##.
 
  • #10,929
WWGD said:
Wonder if it uses some sensors or just basic counting. If you know you have n spots, you can subtract 1 for every ticket issued by the machine,and add 1 each time someone leaves. Then you get green when ##n\geq 1 ##, and red for ##n=0##.
Those I know use simple counting mechanisms, pre-AI, and pre-camera detection. E.g. the parking lot at the airport has a ticket machine with a boom gate for every 60 cars or so per parking section. It counts. You can see free and occupied sections on your way. I wonder how the one at the university hospital works. It has lights on every floor but only a single boom gate at the entrance. But I can't remember having seen cameras.
 
  • #10,930
We have something similar in my area. Sensor on the parking spot with an indicator light above. Just look for a green light.
 
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  • #10,931
Borg said:
We have something similar in my area. Sensor on the parking spot with an indicator light above. Just look for a green light.
Ah! Sensors that is!
 
  • #10,932
Borg said:
We have something similar in my area. Sensor on the parking spot with an indicator light above. Just look for a green light.
Thing is, if it's a parking lot giving tickets, if there's only one spot available, it may still allow two cars in, one will end up without a spot.
 
  • #10,933
WWGD said:
Why doesn't someone come up with an app to find parking spots in mega parking lots in shopping centers? Maybe the cost of all the semdors, and relaying data, requiring WiFi?
There is indeed an app for that. I don't know if it got past the Beta testing stage, but it has been worked on as a commercial application. I'll see if I can find it...
 
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  • #10,934
berkeman said:
There is indeed an app for that. I don't know if it got past the Beta testing stage, but it has been worked on as a commercial application. I'll see if I can find it...
Thank you. It brings to mind an old post about the difference between electric and electronic, the latter involving a control system, IIRC/IIUC.
 
  • #10,935
Hmm, after a quick search, I think the app I'm thinking of was just in development at the time. I think my company helped them with some networking issues, and they were using multiple cameras per parking area/garage to be able to recognize open spots. It looks like it was not commercialized. The closest thing I found was this, which I think is more for city street parking...

https://spothero.com/
 
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  • #10,936
Kind of weird, noticed how there are several last names around the animal " Wolf". I remember : Volpe, Lupo, Wolf itself, Wulf, Wolff, Lobo. Likely more in languages I don't speak.
 
  • #10,937
I joined this forum years ago at the beginning of my undergraduate program. Now, I am almost graduated. Sometimes, I think about where the other students and users who joined with me are (mainly, one genius boy that i can't renember the user, but people will know who i am talking about).
 
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  • #10,938
LCSphysicist said:
I joined this forum years ago at the beginning of my undergraduate program. Now, I am almost graduated. Sometimes, I think about where the other students and users who joined with me are (mainly, one genius boy that i can't renember the user, but people will know who i am talking about).
Nice you have been here the whole time.
 
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  • #10,939
LCSphysicist said:
I joined this forum years ago at the beginning of my undergraduate program. Now, I am almost graduated. Sometimes, I think about where the other students and users who joined with me are (mainly, one genius boy that i can't renember the user, but people will know who i am talking about).
You may be referring to @WannabeNewton
Or similar name. I miss @zoobyshoe. I checked his avatar and he last posted in 2017.
 
  • #10,940
WWGD said:
You may be referring to @WannabeNewton
Or similar name. I miss @zoobyshoe. I checked his avatar and he last posted in 2017.
Actually, I have remembered the username. Ethotepi? Something like that. The users you mentioned aren't near my age, but i do remember the first one.
 
  • #10,941
LCSphysicist said:
Actually, I have remembered the username. Ethotepi? Something like that. The users you mentioned aren't near my age, but i do remember the first one.
The ones I mentioned join in the 2000-2010 era, and were active through around 2018. Notice PF was started by Greg B in 2001.
 
  • #10,942
My friend complains his wife, who's around a foot shorter than him and some 100 lbs lighter, expects him to eat the same amount of food as her. I agree with him, though I can't think of the multiple by which his amount should be larger, but it certainly should be larger.
 
  • #10,943
LCSphysicist said:
Actually, I have remembered the username. Ethotepi? Something like that. The users you mentioned aren't near my age, but i do remember the first one.
Probably Etothepi (E to the pi)?
 
  • #10,944
I think it's @etotheipi
 
  • #10,945
LCSphysicist said:
Actually, I have remembered the username. Ethotepi? Something like that. The users you mentioned aren't near my age, but i do remember the first one.
It was @etotheipi, it is now @ergospherical and still active as of last month.
 
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  • #10,946
this reminds me, I have been wondering about @anorlunda , have not seen any posts from him in a while now. Checking, I see his last post was in February. Hope he's OK!
 
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  • #10,947
How about @zoobyshoe or @WannabeNewton?
They last posted in 2017, 2018 respectively. Any one know what happened to them?
 
  • #10,948
gmax137 said:
this reminds me, I have been wondering about @anorlunda , have not seen any posts from him in a while now. Checking, I see his last post was in February. Hope he's OK!
He replied to my e-mail and says he is doing fine and thanks for the concern. He has found a new passion at some specialized websites, hence the reduced participation here at PF.
 
  • #10,949
berkeman said:
found a new passion at some specialized websites
Interesting euphemism :wink:
 
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  • #10,950
Frabjous said:
Interesting euphemism :wink:
No, no, no. Not *that* kind of website... Sheesh! :wink:
 
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