The Lounge

Has any good come to European/Western society through experiencing World War I and World War II? If World War I and World War II had not occurred, would the world be a better place now? How has experiencing these wars impacted upon the society in which we have built? Did humanity learn anything from these wars or did it just heighten the demand for nuclear weapons? What's your opinion?

So about 6 years ago Blike started a SFN Yearbook thread, but since it is a year book, and that thread is filled with pictures that no longer exist I figure it maybe time for a SFN Yearbook Vol. 2! So post your pictures!

I've heard of a wake-up call specifically for autistic people who have a hard time waking up because their brain needs to be warmed up first. An automatic system with a voice speech calls the person over phone to his set time and asks the persons several mathematical questions, this warms the brain up, thus the autistic person will wake up. I'd like to use such a service myself, anyone know where I can find that?

I'm not sure what the conventions pertaining to such a post are or even if this is the correct place to post this ,so please pardon any deviance from normal convention. Does anyone know of a science (physics?,math) based project that we could participate in.If there are none could we start our known i.e. anybody have any ideas as to what to look at.I thought the the idea of completing a project purely through a web-collaborative structure is quite an interesting one.

Is Google a porn distributor ?

If so, when? And is it the responsibility of the developed countries to make sure this happens?

This morning, a safety manager passed by the office and started commenting on my book shelves. I have to clean them up. I must rearrange the books, and a book cannot be on top of another book. The books (which have been on that shelf for the last couple of years, in pretty much the same arrangement) could fall off, and injure someone, according to the safety guy. An official report was filed, and it's in our computer system now. I think it's utterly ridiculous (no book ever fell, but even if it would, an injury is extremely unlikely), and I am contemplating how I can avoid rearranging the shelves. I'm feeling a little rebelious, and despite the fact that cleaning up …

hey do u people think dat we shud carry coins instead of notes as per recommended by baba ramdev?he says --1000 rupee note shud be banned

A year ago I was in coma and I lost a good portion of my IQ, I used to be at highly intelligent between 120-130. The doctor said I'm still going to be intelligent and bright, but at the same time I'm going to have a less interest to deal with topics, it also may take me longer to understand systems than it used to. I can only confirm that, by my argumentation and behavior I'm still considered intelligent, yet at the same time I have no problem with just "chilling", before the coma I simply could not just "chill" I had to keep myself busy all the time and I never could understand why other people would waste their time with so called "chilling" - well, now I know both side…

It belongs to the top 10 least corrupt countries, which I find extremely good. I agree with their politics, for example they have very rigid regulations for immigrants like being able to finance yourself and speak English fluently. It is overall a nice looking country with beaches and a comforting lifestyle. It also has more or less the same temperature throughout the year - which is a negative for many people I speak with but for me it is a big plus, I hate the winter and always dreamed about living in a country with the same temperature throughout the year. I think I really may move to Australia. The only thing which takes getting used to is that they drive on the …

What does everyone think is the best science related job out there? Anybody got any ideas?

Can someone explain what gel electrophoresis is and the process? Thanks in advance!

Which country does everybody think is the most dangerous for foreign workers to go to for work? I specifically interested in hearing peoples opinions particularly in regards to countries which are wanting foreign workers to come to their country and have many jobs specifically for foreigners. What does everyone think?

Hi everybody! I am wondering whether anybody here knows whether the places where Aurora Australis/Borealis occurs are popular tourist attraction sites? Anybody know? Thanks!

AWESOME movie. I am going to be a pirate when i grow up.

That's very simple. I am not looking for any recognition or patent. The poor countries are those affected by too hot weather. Too hot weather means too harsh conditions and no water. Harsh conditions and lack of water means poverty. So the solution is to cool down the hot areas with giant space mirrors. This will bring to them the same amount of water and richness you see in the western world. Yes, giant space mirrors is the solution, what are they waiting for??

This is what is IMO, a very well done economic video. These actors have done several videos. What do you all think of it?

Our very own Swansont's blog called Swans on Tea is featured in this months Physics World, the magazine of the Institute of Physics. Well done Tom.

If life was 100% fair would it make this world a better place? In what ways would attaining fairness be desirable and in what ways would it not?

My nephew brought to my attention that he gets electric shocks when climbs off his trampoline. This is new knowledge to me as I would have thought the metal frame and metal springs would automatically discharge the static to the ground as it was created by him slightly rubbing his feet against the fabric with each jump. Is it wearing shoes that causes the static around his built up around his body to be isolated from the trampoline preventing it being discharged through it...would bare feet negate it? I'm interested in the physics and also by what method/equipment it can be avoided or reduced.

Which is more radioactive: A nuclear plant or a coal plant? Interesting little article on the little know health risks of coal power pollution, perhaps germany should take a look at this.

The past fifty years have seen many remarkable advances in medicine, physics, biology, and chemistry. What advances would you like to see in the coming half-century? Here's my list: Psychiatry. The rise of psychiatric medications seemed miraculous at the time, but it's now clear they're not as powerful as one might hope, and alternative treatments still have not gained widespread traction or huge success. I'd like to see a society in fifty years where far fewer people struggle with chronic mental illness, and where those with problems can get effective treatment. Medicine. Now that we're not all dying of bacterial infections, I hope we can develop new tools t…

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/offbeat/9712735/ufo-mothership-visits-london/

If you were offered citizenship of any one country in the world, which would you pick?

I am almost done with my first year at college, and I was wondering what do most college students do in the summer? It is a 4 months long, which is a long period of time. I have thought about entering a gym for sports activities rather than taking the beach and spending all my time with my friends"Like I used to do" - also taking some summer classes that keeps my mind active - reading a book my professor adviced regarding my major is interesting - I'm also also thinking of getting a driving license. Actually, What do most students do during the summer ?