The Lounge

Hello ladies and gentelmen, I'm new to the forum, and very unskilled in the ways of physics (at least in relation to someone who's well schooled in it.) I'm currently writing a science fiction novel that I'm attempting to base as realistically as possible on actual physics. Lately I've found in my research that this is more difficult than anticipated. I've discovered that currently, the world of physics (and science in general) is in quite a mess with differentiations between the theories at its core. Quantum mechanics, string theory and relativity to name a few are intrinsic to todays understanding of what and how everything works, and although Quantum mechanic…

Anyone know anthing about the Ionic Breeze from "Sharper Image"? We bought one once and didn't like it for some reason; apparently it cycled the air too slowly. So does it work (or any of Sharper Image products for that matter), or is it just another fad type thing?

You all knew it was coming eventually... Here's mine "Why shouldn't I rub blood all over my body and swim naked in shark infested waters?" "Sure, I'll get that supersized" "If the liquid is clear, that means it's safe to drink!"

What's your favorite animal and why? Just wondering... As for me, it's the red-eyed tree frog because of it's huge red eyes, and it just looks cool.

In my job I have the opportunity to do a lot of traveling. On the 20th of this month I will be heading out to one of our corporate offices in Sandwich, UK. I'll be going from the 20th to the 24th and should have a little bit of free time to see the area. I know we have a lot of members at the forums here from the United Kingdom, so if any of you know of any good places to get some food or to visit post them here with some details about how to get there. I fly from the East Coast here on Sunday and due to the travel time and time zone differences it will wind up taking up the entire day. But I do plan on seeing the area when I'm not working as this is my first trip ou…

I have noticed that when it come down to entertainment and art, making a good movie is pretty much based on what the majority of people want. I am not saying that it's a bad thing, but I find there are alot of interesting ideas that never get out there. Take the movie Matrix, to me that movie was medicore. The concept of simulated life could of been far more interesting if it didn't focus on the special effects. There are existing movies out there that do really bad popularity wise but I find really good. Like take for example "The Professional". It's mainly action but the relationship in it was very interesting. Lord of War I hear did pretty bad too, but I found…

Someone posted the "life number" poll not too long ago, and it seemed a lot like pseudo-science, but I am now wondering how we would all fit into the Meyers-Briggs type test, something that has more support in the psychologist community (whether or not psychology is pseudo-science is something I won't get in to...). If you don't know about it, there's an explanation and the test. There's only enough room for 15 poll options, and there are 16 types, so I combined ESFP and ESFJ because I thought that those would be the ones with the fewest people here . I'm INTJ. Only 2.1% of the population, yeah baby! I'm betting we will have a lot of 'T's and a lot of 'I's.

I found a sequince oif numbers/letters in the back of the book I just finished. If you have read this book and didn't notice this then check. It is crazy. At first thought, the fibbionci sequence, then I noticed the letters. 1 V 1 U and 2 L's

after reflecting over what i read about blind people. something suddenly popped in my mind. "HOW DO BLIND PEOPLE DREAM." its quite vague since they can't see anything, so how do they go about dreaming? i found an article on the reader's digest which says that they inherit their dreams from their parents who, if not like them, can see. this further lead me to another question: "Dreams come from the subconscious part of the mind right? so the subconsciousness of a person can be inherited? but stilll i'm not satisfied since its just me putting "facts" together. I'd like to hear your opinions and ideas about this.

I help run a weekly online radio show & podcast called 'This Week in Science'. We cover the latest news in science and technology in a format that's approachable enough for people with non-science backgrounds. We're trying to get the message out about the show and thought members here might be interested. The show is available for free on iTunes and through our website at http://www.twis.org/audio/'>http://www.twis.org/audio/ The people that put out the show are all volunteers - none of us make a dime off of our efforts. We hope you like it. Best, Marshall Clark Technical Director This Week in Science http://www.twis.org

The anti-science school board took some pretty nasty hits from last night's primaries. Pro-science incumbent Janet Waugh kept her seat, while Connie Morris and Iris Van Meter's replacement (son-in-law Brad Patzer) were both eliminated. 2 anti-science board members did make it to the November election, but I'm not sure they'll make it through the real election. Long story short, Pro-Science has a 6-4 majority on the Kansas Board of Education, and could possibly have an 8-2 majority after November.

SFN is back up again! Now my life can return to activity. Welcome back everyone!

Actually i am need of fundamentals that who an Hovercraft works? Also i need some solutions that how can i build those Hovercraft and controlled be remote control.........

How do you think human civilization will be in the future? Some people imagine a civilization that is very scientifically advanced. However, the web site http://www.dieoff.org has a different prediction of the future. Most of the pages on that site basically say that human civilization is at its peak, and all humans are either going to die or just go back to a very simple lifestyle. One of the most interesting pages on that site is http://dieoff.org/page137.htm. Here are some of the things said on that page: On that web site, there are hundreds of other articles written by different scientists that basically say the same thin…

There are certain post I'd like to edit/delete, I was wondering how come I can edit things I post more recently, but the things farther back I can't edit/delete. Also I was wondering if a mod could help me with that.

Take the quiz: http://www.transtopia.org/quiz.html I took the quiz and scored "perfect": "MEMETIC SHOCK LEVEL 04 (0-4): the pinnacle. Transtopian, or pretty close to it. Progressive and hardcore with very few taboos. Looks like we have a WINNER here (either that or a major CHEAT)!"

What famous leader are you? http://similarminds.com/leader.html

It's been my understand that dogs can hear higher frequencies than us, but what about lower ones? How about the bandwidth of our voice? When I'm training my dog, I use alot of body language with verbal commands and she's right on target with me. But when I stop moving and just give verbal commands she doesn't seem to pick up unless I say the word just right. Was wondering, to what capacity do dogs hear our words? How do they interpret this apparent "charlie brown" gibberish?

Hi all: I was wondering if any of you guys knew something about heat transfer and stuff... I've always tried to use summers to work on stuff that I'm interested in...computer stuff; level desgining, 3d ing, etc... But, I haven't been able to work on anything really because my room is sooo freaking hot!!!! Notice the giant window.... I'm thinking the problem is that I get the heat from the morning sun. We're planning on getting an awning to cover the window, but I'm wondering if that will do anything; will that be enough, or are there other things I can do to cool down my room? I guess the developers really didn't care a…

Hey people... I haven't posted in a while, and actually, I haven't been here much. Been busy with school and whatnot. Anyone remember me? Eh, anyway. Mesa Back!

Hey, all you people that live in Britain. Have you been to Old Sarum? I am using it in my novel and i need to know if it has any security at night. Also does Stonehenge have any security at night? i have seen both through google earth and tried ot do internet research but it does not mention security anyway. Can a person just drive up to these places in the middle of the night? And also, do British people still say stuff like bloke? Thanks in advance.

Almost..... A friend sent me this... http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/07/24/china.hydrogen.car.ap/index.html Bee

Lately I've been wondering if there's more than two ways to fly... I mean, we've gotten so used to prop/jet propulsion over the last few hundred years or so that I wonder if we've forgotten or never even though of revolutionary methods? I've heard on a couple of tv programs that scientists are finding out that airplanes and boats have a lot in common or something; I guess like lift and boyancy are similar somehow? Anyway, I've been thinking about magnetic propulsion systems. Really creative stuff I think; like electromagnets spinning props that generate lift, or using magnets to somehow ionize the air and create lift that way; basically what flying i…

Would anyone happen to know what material this is made of? It's a friends and he says it's from a juggling set. I looked online and it looks like they call them "devil sticks" or something. Anyway, I'm trying to make a short star wars fan film with my friend and I think if I could get a longer piece of this material (about a meter; 3 feet) it would make the perfect lightsaber blade. Lucasfilm used carbon tubes but those are out of our price range... Better yet, I think it would be even better if we could find a rubber tube with small enough diameter so that it would fit comfortably. Someone said on another forum that it was fiberglass...but too me i…

There are so many little options for everything from cars to refrigerators that sound great and supposedly add convenience but really only cost you money. And many gadgets that supposedly save time are just money-wasters too. I'll list some good and bad, feel free to add: BAD- 1. Hood bras for cars--what are you protecting the paint for if you never take them off? 2. Electric seat/mirror adjustments for cars--OK if the car has multiple users, but if you're the only driver, you set it once and then never need it again. Plus they're slower than adjusting it manually. 3. Ice-makers/water dispensers in the doors of refrigerators--savings in energy from not having to op…