1

Just Chat! / Heat-Treating Rubber Bands...

« on: Today at 05:48:09 »

Interesting story. I had some rubber bands in my attic from some time back. And they were pretty old, several years at least. It gets pretty hot in my attic because I don't cool it. And the rubber bands were in perfect condition.

This seems odd to me, at least. Because it seems rubber bands deteriorate and warp almost immediately, or so it seems. This has happened to me more than once too. Heat seems to make my rubber bands last longer.

What gives?

2

Just Chat! / Why Does Latin Need A Vocative?

« on: 01/06/2023 05:11:30 »

The vocative case in Latin is the noun of direct address. Why does it need it?

According to Shakespeare, Julius Caesar's last words were Et tu, Brute? meaning "Even you Brutus?". Brutus is in the vocative case. But I just said it without using it. And you understood what I meant.

So why did the ancient Latins think they needed this special case?

3

Complementary Medicine / The Benefits of Air Baths...

« on: 25/05/2023 08:36:07 »

Are there any real benefits to "air baths"? Benjamin Franklin reportedly used to take them. He basically just sat around the house naked for a couple of hours. I assume he put a rob on if he had any guests. But is there any real medical benefit? Nudists are welcome to this discussion.

4

Just Chat! / The Linguistic Status Of 'Thrice'?

« on: 18/05/2023 09:19:48 »

What exactly is the linguistic status of the word "thrice" now? Words are acceptable. Then they become archaic. Then they are obsolete. It's obviously not obsolete yet. But is it archaic?

In the US, where I live, it's used more in an ironic or humorous sense. People rarely use it otherwise. What's it like in other English-speaking countries? Because I would argue it is archaic. But Webster's New World Dictionary claims it is not yet.

5

That CAN'T be true! / Spring-Heeled Jack.

« on: 11/05/2023 06:16:11 »

I think I've chosen the right forum for this. Who was Spring-Heeled Jack? Spring-Heeled Jack was a fantom that terrorized England from 1837 to 1904. The circumstances surrounding his appearances are interesting. Here is the Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring-heeled_Jack

So what exactly was he/she/it? There must be some rational explanation for him. What was it?

6

Just Chat! / The Detroit River Is Actually A Straight.

« on: 11/05/2023 06:10:08 »

It's really interesting. I live in Detroit. But the Detroit River is actually a straight. The word Detroit is actually a name that comes from the French word detroit meaning "strait". The flag or pendant of Detroit represents the three regimes that once ruled Detroit. The French, the British, the United States, and then the United States once again. The upper right quarter contains three couchant lions, representing Great Britain, which controlled the fort from 1760 to 1796.

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Physiology & Medicine / What's the Evolutionary Significance of Fashion?

« on: 04/05/2023 11:36:52 »

What is the evolutionary significance of fashion? The styles people wear and the make up women use. Because it is not related to things like fertility or health. So it seems important to attraction.

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Just Chat! / Re: If Religion Wants To Survive...

« on: 27/04/2023 11:37:36 »

When an African American finds religion, it can make them more open-minded, too.

That's pushing the boundaries of our policy on racial slur.

The implication is that that ethnic group is somehow not open minded until they find religion.

Was that what you meant, or did you just not think?

It's also implausible anyway.
A person would need to be open minded enough to consider religion in order to "find" it.
So it's not possible that religion makes them open minded.
On the other hand, religion frequently makes people closed minded.
Have a look on any flat earther page to find plenty of evidence.

Okay, I can't express myself as well as some people. And I certainly am not the type of person who would use a racial slur.

I will try to avoid the subject in general from now on. But since you brought it up, I have to ask you. Did I really use a racial slur? My post may have seemed a little indelicate, perhaps. Or perhaps you just misunderstood it. But read my posts carefully. I mean, "racial slur". That's rather strong of a discription anyways, don't you think? As I said, it was not my intent. I will try to be more careful in the future in any event. And apologize if I was misunderstood.

EDIT: And when I use terms like African American, I am only talking about cultural differences. I don't believe there are any racial differences.

9

Just Chat! / Re: If Religion Wants To Survive...

« on: 27/04/2023 05:30:54 »

Anyways, I hope I'm not taking this thread in a different direction. But I also I wanted to add. When an African American finds religion, it can make them more open-minded, too. And socially-conscious. A religious African American is less likely to support capital punishment, for example. And when white Southerners find religion? Let's not go there.

But in the North I think the white and black people tend to be more spiritual, not religious. I think there is an important distiction there.

10

Physiology & Medicine / Bullying And Groupthink.

« on: 27/04/2023 05:29:44 »

When I was a kid, there was this girl in grade school. Call her A. And she was so sweet. But the kids picked on her mercilessly, apparently because she was a little different.

We really didn't have a class president, because we were a small school. But one time we tried it. And she ran, probably because her therapist or someone told her to (I still don't know the details of her case).

Out of about 90 kids, only three people voted for her. She obviously voted for herself, and we later figured the teacher probably voted for her. So really only one kid voted for her, I still don't know who.

One or two kids picking on someone is bad enough. But why does everyone seem to do it then?

11

Just Chat! / Re: National Anthems and the Ode to Joy...

« on: 23/04/2023 18:10:52 »

Good point/s.

Anyways, just to answer bored chemist's question...

Well, I already knew the European Union. I thought Esperanto movement used it. But they don't.

I knew at least one African country used it. It is "Rise, O Voices of Rhodesia" (or "Voices of Rhodesia"), the national anthem of Rhodesia.

Also, this quote is interesting:

Over the years, Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" has remained a protest anthem and a celebration of music.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ode_to_Joy

So alancalverd I'm curious. Why did the european Union adopt it as their anthem?

12

Just Chat! / National Anthems and the Ode to Joy...

« on: 23/04/2023 17:09:47 »

I just wanted to ask this question, if anyone knows the answer. Why is the Ode to Joy the default melody for every new national anthem? There are a lot of classical melodies after all.

As I said on another message board, I was thinking "He Shall Feed His Flock" from Handel's Messiah. Or perhaps even another one.

Plus the Ode to Joy? It's kind of catchy. But I don't know if I like it that much.

13

Just Chat! / Re: If Religion Wants To Survive...

« on: 23/04/2023 07:48:34 »

Anyways, I just wanted to say one more thing in conclusion. Religion is probably nonsense, and we all know that. But where I live, if a young man or woman comes out as gay, like in the African American community, or in the South, their family rejects them. And they lose all there emotional and financial support. Religions have to become more accepting of gay people. Because sometimes, you just have to work with what you're given.

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Just Chat! / Re: How Human Morality 'Evolves'...

« on: 16/04/2023 08:05:35 »

Anyways, just to close out this thread, I just wanted to share these Star Trek quotes. From time to time, you'll hear me talking about, or perhaps just alluding to, the relativity of morality. No, I don't believe in the relativity of morality myself. Quite the contrary in fact. But I think it can be a motivating force in human life, to question the values that humans sometimes have and just take for granted.

Pursuant to that, I have collected the following quotes from Star Trek that deal with this issue, that I have also made into memes, and shared on the internet. Enjoy.

"The difference between generals and terrorists is only the difference between winners and losers. If you win you are called a general. If you lose…"
— Kyril Finn, The High Ground (episode), Star Trek: the Next Generation,
Stardate 43510.7.

"One world's butcher is another world's hero. Perhaps I am neither one."
- Jarok, to Picard, TNG episodes
The Defector (episode).

"She was right. But at the wrong time."
- Kirk and Spock, Star Trek: TOS,
The City on the Edge of Forever (episode).

"Why do you resist? We only wish to raise quality of life for all species."
—LOCUTUS OF BORG, ST: TNG, The Best of Both Worlds Part II
Stardate: 44001.4
Original Airdate: 24 Sep, 1990.

"Doctor, the sperm whale on Earth devours millions of cuttlefish as it roams the oceans. It is not evil. It is feeding."
- Picard, to Dr. Kila Marr, TNG episodes
Silicon Avatar (episode).

15

Physiology & Medicine / Re: Dealing With An Embarrassing Problem...

« on: 15/04/2023 03:15:41 »

Hi.

   I am not a doctor and this site is not meant to give professional medical advice.  If you have genuine health concerns then you must talk to a doctor or similar professional about it.   The content found here can be generated by an arbitrary member of the public and has no guarantee of reliability or accuracy.

Most people would be too embarrassed to even ask their doctor.

    That has to stop.  Doctors are meant to handle these issues, that is their job.  They won't be embarrassed or unwilling to discuss something like that.

- - - - - - - - - -
   Your advice about delaying a visit to the toilet is not generally recommended.   That is likely to cause constipation in most people.   However, your situation may be different, we just don't have the medical details.

   It is not clear (to me) if the problem you are discussing is constipation, diarrhoea, incontinence or something else.   Usually constipation and diarrhoea are considered as opposing symptoms but there are conditions where you could have both of those symptoms.   We don't have enough information to discuss your particular situation.

    Recently you seem to have started a number of threads and not returned to them.   There's already information about most things on the internet and at the moment it would be very difficult to discuss your topic in anything other than the broadest terms and end up just repeating that information.

What happens down the road? Is there anything they can do then?

    We are speaking in very general terms only.   If the only thing a doctor has suggested so far is taking some fibre, then you have a long way to go before modern medicine runs out of things that will help.  You should have a long and productive life ahead of you. Don't worry.

Best Wishes.

I am sorry if I broke any rule. That was not my intention, and please accept my sincerest apologies.

You people do seem to be a lot more serious on these boards, and I guess that is probably a good thing. Most other boards tend to take a more hands-off approach. But I will try to remember your advice in the future.

I guess part of my post was more like trivia. Maybe I should have put it in Chat. Although I did include a question.

"...Recently you seem to have started a number of threads and not returned to them...."
I am not sure what you mean by this. I check your boards everyday. Has someone asked me a question that I did not answer?

And BTW, as you probably know, I am a very reasonable man, and very approachable. I always have been. If there is any problem, please bring it to my attention immediately. And I will help you anyway I can.

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Physiology & Medicine / Dealing With An Embarrassing Problem...

« on: 14/04/2023 04:53:50 »

Well, I guess I have to include a question in this thread. Don't worry, it comes at the end.

But know, I think there is another good reason for including this information here. Because let me ask you, how else would some of you get this information? Most people would be too embarrassed to even ask their doctor.

Yeah, my father and I as we got older, were losing control of our number two function. Mine has improved lately for some reason.

Anyway, whether you go to your doctor or urgent care, they'll tell you the exact same thing. A tablespoon of Benefiber in a glass of water every day. Actually, I found out Benefiber is just actually Dextrin fiber. So if you get the generic, it'll probably be cheaper. I am just saying.

My father swore it helped him a lot. Me, perhaps the doctor didn't know I was already taking a couple of other fiber doses he recommended I take. So I really didn't need more.

Actually my father and I found out something interesting too. Strangely, when you're about to go, your body anticipates it. So if you fool your body by waiting few moments, that makes all the difference. Don't ask me to explain it. Think to yourself, was I going to go? No, I think I'll go to the kitchen to have a coffee first. Or perhaps a tea. As I said, it sounds strange, but it works. If my father and I were in a store or mall, he simply sat down and rested for a few moments. And it seemed to work for some reason. Then simply go when the urge is not as strong.

Anyways, my question is, why should you take fiber for this problem? That sound like putting out a fire with kerosene, to me at least. And are there any more stronger options. My father and I were in the early stages. What happens down the road? Is there anything they can do then?

17

Just Chat! / Respect For The Dead...

« on: 11/04/2023 19:01:29 »

You know, my view of death, much like my view of morality, has evolved over the years. Oh, I like to think there has always been a common thread, running through my life, on moral and political matters. But quite frankly, on a personal level, death used to really scare me when I was younger. Dead bodies in particular. Now, I see a dead body. And sometimes it bothers me, sometimes it doesn't.

Anyways, my view on respect for the dead, is not surprisingly, pragmatic, like I am, and like I've always been, I think. And it centers around respect for people's rights and final wishes. If a person wants to donate their body to science, why not? And in the United States, you'll get the ashes back in a year. Did you know that? And it's always free.

I remember an ethics class I took, when I was going to community college, in Fall of 1996. Our teacher pointed out the fact that some cultures eat their deceased. That's called necrophagy. I'd probably loose my lunch if I saw it too. But if that's what people want, what the heck? Our teacher even pointed out, people who observe this practice actually say how beautiful it is. Why put Grandma or Grandpa in the cold hard ground? If you eat Grandma, Grandpa or Great Aunt Beulah, they'll be a part of you always. That's true you know. Of course I think that's illegal in most parts of the US. So I guess you should probably check with the Sheriff's department, if you want to do it here.

And what about necrophilia? I agree that is usually wrong. But what if the person wills it that way? I was reading this interesting article, ironically in a porno magazine, when I was still in HS. This man had necrophilic fantasies, but he never acted upon them. But you know, his wife supported him. And she told him, listen, when I die, I'd love for you to do that to me. It would be my final gift to you in fact. What do you all think about that?

Anyways, respect for the dead is an evolving topic in the western world. In the not-to-distant past, using cadavers for medical research was very taboo. No one even talks about that anymore. As I said once on another message board, the ancient Pharoahs of Egypt thought embalming them would assure their entry into the afterlife. No, they were obviously wrong. But what do you think they'd think that King Tut is now in a museum? And in the 19th century, they had Mummy "undressing" parties, for goodness sake. Plus does anyone really care about old cemetaries? I find that last one even sad. Though really don't know why.

In Japan they are running out room for their dead. So respect for their dead is actually causing a serious problem there. And the rights of the living should always precede the rights of the dead. Don't you agree?

Thoughts?

18

Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology / Understanding Ancient Latin...

« on: 10/04/2023 15:30:42 »

Yeah, you know, those ancient Romans did lead interesting lives.

But people sometimes wonder why Latin seems to say so much, in so few words. But actually there is a simple explanation for that. Latin has no a, an or the. And they rarely use prepositions or pronouns. Their words, though, just tend to be longer than English words. And they pronounce every vowel, you know.

Also Latin speakers rarely ever used the verb to be. If two nouns were next to each other, the meaning was understood by most literate speakers of Latin. Yet when African Americans don't use the verb to be, it's considered nonstandard. That's interesting.

BTW you know Latin isn't even the most complex language there is. Now that's scary.

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Just Chat! / Re: Performing Gounod's Ave Maria A Capella...

« on: 07/04/2023 11:36:29 »

Also, on my FYE CD, 98° does sing the Ave a capella (it can be done).

20

Physiology & Medicine / The Minimum Daily Allowance...

« on: 06/04/2023 19:48:59 »

I've noticed a lot of people on these boards seem to be from the UK. But in the United States, we have what's called the %DV, or percentage Daily Value, of nutrition the average human is supposed to need.

Anyways, no one could possible get that much nutrition just from their food. You'd have to at least eat a bushel full of vegetables, I think. For some time now, I've been taking a multi-vitamin/mineral complex. My doctors used to tell me, oh, you should get enough from your diet. As I said, I know that's just not true.

Anyways, my question is, has anyone ever calculated the minimum amount of nutrition you need every day? %DV is the ideal, recommended daily amount. Because you know, I was thinking. Back in the Middle Ages, the peasants were much more healthy than the aristocracy. Their diet was high in fiber, they ate very little, and they got what we would call, a lot of exercise every day. But they probably got very little in the way of vitamins and mineral. But somehow they survived. And some of them even thrived.

So is there a minimum amount? I think there is. And is the information available, is my next question.

BTW, I also wanted ask. When you get certain minerals in your body, like iron and calcium, for example, doesn't your body hold onto it for some time? I know calcium remains in your bones. And your red corpuscles hold onto most of your iron, don't they? Just females lose a little blood every month. Isn't that correct?

Thank you in advance for your replies.