1

Just Chat! / Re: My History.

« on: 04/04/2024 12:26:41 »

Thanks, Zer0 . I just saw your post now.

I think this is probably the last I will post to this thread. But I was going to add about that boy from GS (who will remain nameless of course). I guess he was trying make an issue of the fact I was gay in the 8th grade as I said. It seems obvious I think. I had no problem being gay by the 8th grade. Neither did my mother. Our principal Sr. S seemed to have no problem with it. But this boy told us he was dating another girl from the GS, from the same grade of course, the year before. Before that too, IIRC. There's nothing wrong with being gay. But dating someone at age 11 or 12. That sounds kind of odd to me. Or maybe not. I just bring that up because where I live, everyone seems to think they're an armchair psychologist.

Also, even in the 8th grade, the teachers noticed I was attracted to men's legs. In English class once in the 8th, for example. I also liked this ancient Greek statue with an extended his leg. This was c. 6th grade, and I remember the teacher seemed to notice. Because a doctor told me a couple of years ago legs are usually a fertility thing. IOW, I subconsciously wanted to have their baby. And they would have know that even back then. How odd. As I said, they told me my problems were solely with passing notes, not sexual. But the gay thing obviously had something to do with it all.

2

General Science / Is Absolute Zero Possible?

« on: 04/04/2024 11:32:11 »

Absolute zero of course is when all molecular motion stops. Scientists say we will never reach it.

My HS chemistry teacher said it is because all molecular collisions are elastic. And when an atom hits another one, it always bounces off and starts moving again. Another message board said that absolute zero is impossible because there is no such thing as a perfect vacuum.

So is absolute zero possible to reach? Will we reach it someday? I think, like air flight and the Wright Brothers, we will.

3

Chemistry / Making Your Own Gas Mask.

« on: 29/02/2024 09:47:42 »

When I was in HS chemistry class, our teacher once told us a story. He fought in WWII and he often told us war stories. He said one time he and his fellow soldiers were in a battle. And their sergeant turned them and said, listen this is a gas attack. We don't have time to go back and get our gas masks. So urinate in to your hankies, cover your faces and run fast. Also, when I was still in HS, the Dow Chemical Bhopal gas tragedy occurred. I still remember, the government in India told people there, if your are still in an area with poisonous gas, saturate a large bath towel with water. Then lay on the floor and cover your whole head with it until it is safe.

Why is a cloth saturated with water considered a good filter and impromptu gas mask against some pretty dangerous airborne chemicals sometimes? Just water is involved, not even charcoal. Chemically, how would a gas mask like that even work?

4

Physiology & Medicine / Re: Why Does Saying 'Gesundheit' Change Things?

« on: 09/02/2024 16:51:20 »

It's impressive that your friends and neighbors can anticipate your sneeze, and that you know it is a sneeze even though it never happens.

Everyone I know says "gesundheit" or "bless you" after someone sneezes, so we know it doesn't work in real time.

My mouth opens and I go "Ah!.. Ah!!... Ah!!!..." LOL.

5

Physiology & Medicine / Why Does Saying 'Gesundheit' Change Things?

« on: 08/02/2024 17:18:54 »

I don't know. I definitely have this problem. When I am about to sneeze and people say gesundheit, I am unable to sneeze. It's obviously something psychological. But why does that happen? And people say when one person in the room yawns, everyone has to yawn Is that true? And again, why?

6

Just Chat! / Hans Holbein the Younger and His Paintings.

« on: 01/02/2024 05:02:58 »

How did Han Holbein the Younger (c. 1497-1543) get his paintings to look so realistic, like the attached one of Sir Thomas More? They look like photographs. That's amazing. I've seen no other painting that looks like that, so realistic.

7

Just Chat! / Moral Engagement.

« on: 18/01/2024 11:15:22 »

This is more of a statement than a question. But I'll put in in Chat. And I welcome your input.

We can't solve all the problems of the world, or even where we live. There may be thousands of homeless people in your city. And perhaps if you gave away your life savings, you could help them. But then you'd be homeless.

However, if a homeless person passes out on your front lawn you do have special obligations to that one homeless person. Even if it wasn't your fault, and even if he is just one homeless person out of the thousands.

That's called moral engagement

Moral engagement is interesting, because it goes against some systems. What if a poor man comes up to you on the street? And he asks for the last dollar in your wallet? And there's a rich man across the street?

Utilitarian: the rich man should do it.
Communist: the money should be evenly redistributed.
Democrat: the govt. should do it.
Republican: neither.

But if a homeless man asks you for your dollar. He asked you. So you should give him the dollar!

See how that works?

8

Guest Book / Re: I Still Can't Log In On My Smartphone.

« on: 13/01/2024 18:12:15 »

@Jim

Didn't work out?

Wanna discuss further?

ps - given up?

I don't check the posts here every day. Plus we got some snow where I live (SE MI). So I think I will just take it easy for the near future.

I'll try to solve the problem on my own. And if I need help, I won't hesitate to ask. As I said, I usually just check the Naked Science forum when I'm on the road anyways. I only post (and rarely reply) about once a week.

9

General Science / What Is Gray?

« on: 11/01/2024 08:33:21 »

Black absorbs all colors. White reflects them all. So what is gray?

IANAScientist. But what I described above seems to be opposites. And gray is black plus white.

So what is gray?

10

Guest Book / Why Are There So Few People On Thenakedscientist?

« on: 28/12/2023 17:38:23 »

Why do there seem to be so few people viewing the threads? I usually see like "2, 3, 4..." people viewing. This is an international message board. Shouldn't there be much more?

11

Just Chat! / Re: Facebook's MetaVerse?

« on: 20/12/2023 20:41:09 »

I just had to say. Wouldn't the meta-verse be great? You could be whoever or whatever you wanted. And in reality you could be blind, you could crippled, you could be horribly deformed. And no one would know. The possibilities with technology is sometimes endless. (Sorry to interrupt. Carry on. You were talking about porn or something.)

12

Physiology & Medicine / Re: Can You Overdose On Fiber?

« on: 21/08/2023 19:58:35 »

@Jimbee

Can you Please tell me a little more about Overdosing on Iron tabs?

You mean those RBC increasers, Right?

ps - no i ain't thinkin of actual lil iron balls.
(lol)

https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/injuries-and-poisoning/poisoning/iron-poisoning

13

Just Chat! / Re: Is There Any Evidence For God?

« on: 21/07/2023 01:45:22 »

Also I was going ask, what about philosophical terms like ultimate reality, transcendental absolute and unmoved mover? Are they still used in modern philosophy? How are they defined? I think unmoved mover is just a very old term from Aristotle.

14

General Science / 'Everyone Has An Accent But Me'...

« on: 06/07/2023 12:14:17 »

When I was a little kid, I thought British people all had thick accents. So did Australians, apparently. But you know, we all have accents. I have an American accent. People in Windsor, Canada near where I live have Canadian accents.

But what is that called when you think everyone has an accent, except you? I once heard the term ethnocentrism. That might apply. There's also the word culturocentrism.

And what is the explanation for this? Why does everyone seem to have an accent but you? Do the language centers of the brain have anything to do with it?

15

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.

16

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).

17

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.

18

Just Chat! / An Open Statement To Atheists...

« on: 07/03/2023 12:28:40 »

I feel compelled to say this at least once. Don't worry though, I think this is probably the last time I will post something like this.

But I like to think I believe in God now. But I am very skeptical, and I seem to become more agnostic the older I get. So atheists, I know where you're coming from, and tend to agree with you even. But no, you're not perfect either. Because no one is.
 
No, it's not your fault. It's just human nature really. But I do have to say one thing, has anyone ever noticed how obnoxious some atheists are getting? No not all, and I hope not most. But Christian's are at least still courteous and polite. Has anyone else ever noticed this?

As I said, I'm sorry I had to say that. But it's true.

19

Technology / My Views On First Contact...

« on: 07/03/2023 12:13:06 »

Well, I'd call this something related to technology. Decide for yourselves.

Anyways, I might as well tell you all, I believe that humans are now just basically waiting for first contact. Perhaps an advanced alien entity is just waiting for us to cross certain ethical and technological thresholds. And this topic is often best explored in the fictional sci-fi series Star Trek. You know, I like that sci-fi series. It's fictional, yes. But a lot of what they predict may come true. Some writers are just more perceptive to things like that. Think of Jules Verne. Plus it really doesn't sometimes take a genius to predict the future. We can make some educated guesses now. Can't we?

But, as in Star Trek, some believe that this advanced entity will share its technology with us, but when they think we're ready for it. Perhaps now, they are simply observing.

I am reminded of that ST: TNG episode First Contact (original air date, February 18, 1991). In it Malcor III is preparing to develop warp drive technology, and the Federation is beginning to observe them, in anticipation of this. But unlike other races, the Malcorians are more suspicious of the idea of being observed, and this creates unanticipated problems.

This story is interesting. Because in the end, they decide to delay first contact instead. But what I like about the episode, is Science Minister Mirasta Yale decides to stay behind on the episode, she essentially does experience first contact you could say. You know that idea does sound tantalizing, doesn't it? What if only one human could see how an advanced alien race lives, and stay on their home world? Because think of it. Then he or she to continue on as a kind of ambassador or liaison between and two races. I'd sign up for something like that. Wouldn't you?

Also, I wanted to tell you, last year I finally was able to get one of those 10-north glasses from ST: TNG on Ebay. I searched high and low, but I finally got it. (They were really just candle holders, in case you didn't know.) And of course I immediately made an Absinthe Martini, my second favorite drink (a Manhattan is my first BTW). And I immediately took a picture.

You know, if I ever was in the above situation, the first thing I would have to have is a synthehol Manhattan. Wouldn't that be nice? But the holodeck or simulated reality would be the first thing I would have to try (of course once you got a matter replicator first, you'd be all set—think about it). I'll attach the picture, along with a couple of links describing the episode (as a citation—as I said, I for one think they are accurate, in some of their predictions of the future).

And I've got to ask you all. If you were taken to the advanced alien home world like Science Minister Mirasta Yale, what's the first thing you'd have to try? Because it just fires the imagination, doesn't it?

Here are the links (read them, please ):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Contact_(Star_Trek:_The_Next_Generation)

https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/First_Contact_(episode)

20

Physiology & Medicine / Akathisia and the Rights of the Mentally Ill...

« on: 17/02/2023 16:46:12 »

I don't know if any of you are aware of the medication side effect of akathisia. It sounds so harmless, a simple side effect. And it certainly isn't deadly. But it can be quite painful.

My father had a nervous breakdown in 1996 and 1997 after my mother's death. But he was obviously already bipolar, and had been hospitalized as a young adult too. And that is when we found out quite a bit about the mental health system (esp. in Michigan, where we live).

Akathisia is a very common side effect associated with antipsychotic neuroleptics. It is often not associated with the the new class of atypical antipsychotics. And it can be quite painful.

Now no one is saying we should do away with psychiatric drugs or treatment. No one should take them who doesn't need them. But for those who need them, they can be a lifesaver.

And even doctors who work in the better mental health settings tend to be impatient with patients who complain about akathisia. We had good insurance, so we were always in the best places. But I can only imagine what it must be like for a mental patient dealing with akathisia in jail, or even worse prison, where I would imagine they'd be much less sympathetic.

As I said, no one is saying to do away with antipsychotic or antidepressant drugs. But dealing with akathisia can actually be quite simple. There are many drugs to eliminate or at least lessen this side effect, Cogentin is often used. Or something as simple as taking the medication at bedtime might be enough, because you can apparently sleep the side effect off.

My father was initially put on Haldol, the first drug of choice back then. But it is notorious for the side effect of akathisia. And he really didn't need, because as it turned out another medicine was more effective anyways.

I don't know how much people who advocate for prisoner or mental health rights are aware of akathisia. But if they aren't aware of it, they definitely should be.