Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2006 September 20

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Condoms

Wow do u use a condom? (question mark added by  freshofftheufoΓΛĿЌ )

You should, condoms encourage safe-sex. Jamesino 00:42, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Wow, yes.  freshofftheufoΓΛĿЌ  01:11, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

See our article on Condom. --Lambiam^Talk 01:27, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Make sure you use it correctly, too. The consequences for an error are pretty high. Durova 01:48, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Citation needed 惑乱 分からん 09:34, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Or be on welfare for the rest of your life. ;) Wooty 05:03, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Please remember that the reference desk is not for religious indoctrination. We answer questions (even malformed ones, like this), we don't act as a moral compass. Rockpocket 07:46, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

you answer the question your way, I'll answer it mine.

But your moralist preaching is POV and (from my POV) not realistical and quite annoying. 惑乱 分からん 14:31, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

unfortunately, it's a double-edged sword wak. I find many of your answers and "facts" POV, and also rather annoying. Jasbutal

Point taken, and this is more of a discussion page, not an article. Perhaps it'd still work better with some bickering and disagreement on the talk page. 惑乱 分からん 12:03, 23 September 2006 (UTC)

I think he meant to ask, "HOW do u use a condom?"

Isn't the article illustrated with an instruction? Otherwise, I guess practise makes perfect! ;) 惑乱 分からん 14:31, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Jasbutal, what if this wisely chosen partner has a disease which can be sexually transmitted? —Daniel (‽) 19:48, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Zing! Pacific Coast Highway ^{{blah • Spinach crisis '06! • WP:NYCS}} 21:14, 24 September 2006 (UTC)

There are other ways to get aids then sex, so its not because your partner didn't had sex (because whe will only do with one person like you) that you will not get aids.

Why are we conscious?

Why does the human mind make such an effort to keep itself in consciouness, when it can very well survive in the subconscious level? Jamesino 00:41, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

There is no such thing as the subconcious. The subconcious was invented by Freud. Little to no evidence of the subconcious exists. The subconcious is just part of Freud's physchoanalytical theory, which itself has very little scientfic material to back it.100110100 15:41, 25 September 2006 (UTC)

We would die if we were without consciousness.--Light current 00:44, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Coma patients are not conscious, but yet, they still survive. Jamesino 00:53, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

They only survive because of conscious people tending to their survival needs. If we were all unconscious, we wouldn't last too long as a species. As for being subconscious, well, that state is subjective. Those on a higher plane of consciousness (or those who indulge occasionally) might well say the rest of us are existing in our subconcious. Who is to say they are wrong? Rockpocket 07:43, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Do you want to live like that?--Light current 00:55, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

I really hope not, but regardless, what is the point for our minds or brain to keep us conscious? Jamesino 00:59, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

To survive!! How dya eat if your not conscious!--Light current 01:06, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

You can't carry on the species (or protect it) as an unconcious blob, so conciousness is a basic necessity of survival and evolution.  freshofftheufoΓΛĿЌ  01:14, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Can you carry on the species as a concious blob? --Lambiam^Talk 01:30, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Sadly, females who are in a vegetative state have been impregnated by rapacious caretakers in institutions. No data on males similarly abused, except "Garp."Edison 05:24, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Only if you find another concious blob of the opposite sex. (OK she could be unconcious!)--Light current 01:33, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Lots of eatin' propagatin' creepy crawlies aren't conscious, for example plankton. Clarityfiend 03:50, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Basically us homo sapiens succeeded at infesting the entire planet because we're smarter than everything else. We've got tiny teeth, useless "claws," we're five times weaker in muscle strength than our nearest relatives the chimpanzee and bonabo. About all we've got going for us is opposable thumbs, language, and brain power. Durova 01:53, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

You forgot WP! 8-)--Light current 01:57, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

I think, therefore I am. --AstoVidatu 01:56, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

There's a little about this question at Consciousness#Functions_of_consciousness, although I'm surprised at how little. I'm pretty sure there's been enough written about this subject to warrant at least one separate Wikipedia article. --Allen 04:17, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Which is logically incorrect by the way. Descartes should have come up with "I think" because it doesn't necessarily follow that "I am". --Froth 05:49, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

I think I think therefore I think I am. --Fastfission 15:22, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

I am what I am and that's all what I am (less'n I can't gets me spinach - then I am not). Clarityfiend 07:19, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Durova, you probably meant bonobo. Lukas 07:33, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

voudoun

Would spitting rum into one's eyes make them go blind? It seems to be a voudoun tradition in their rituals... but how dangerous is something like that? 71.56.107.20 01:45, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Check out the article on saliva. Based on saliva's composition, spitting in someone elses eyes will probably not have long term affects. HOWEVER, as noted in the spitting article, diseases can be transimtted through saliva. To sum it up, let your friends spit in your eyes at your own risk. --AstoVidatu 01:55, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

The rum would hurt (a burning feeling) which would cause the victim to shut their eyes tightly, but would not permanently damage the eyes. --Lambiam^Talk 02:05, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Oh! Voodoo. IC now--Light current 05:44, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Life Straw

Dear Sir or Madam:

My name is Indigita Manapatelshiri I do live in a local village in the city of Bandgararlon in the state of Kerala. and my peoople have suffered from a case of what I believe to be a bacterium which is water-derived .The state of Kerala and the bureaucratic systems in Delhi are not cooperating us at all, I wish to purchase Life Straws for my community how might you advise such a purchase from the interface corporations? Please do email me the solution. <e-mail removed>

Many thanks and may god-bless you and the communities in which you live.

Follow this link to find contact information for the India office of the LifeStraw company. --Allen 04:52, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

I also suggest you tell everyone to boil water before they drink it, and preferably before they bathe in it, too. This will kill any bacteria in the water. StuRat 09:03, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

this is quite impossible. We don't live in a land where electricity reaches everywhere on a grid and other sources of fuel are cheap and abundant.

Excuse my possible ignorance. But how can you possibly be using the internet if you do not have electricity? I fail to understand how you can possibly have enough power to power a computer and access the internet if you don't have any power to boil water? Yaksha 13:57, 22 September 2006 (UTC)

I don't understand, you must have some way to cook food, even if it's just a pot over an open fire. So, fill the pot with water and bring it to a boil. I can see why it might be too expensive to boil bathing water this way, but I would think you could afford to boil drinking water, at least. StuRat 01:58, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

Make sure you let the water cool before bathing in it --Froth 15:03, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

To ref desk editors: Also make sure you do not drink the water after bathing in it and do not put beans up your nose. WP:Beans--Light current 16:16, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

do not mock me, sir.

He wasn't mocking you, it's an inside joke :) --Froth 05:17, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

What a world we live in when the world's largest democracy can provide local village access to the internet but not to clean drinking water.

I like one idea I saw, it's a well with a hand pump, powered by a kid's merry-go-round, which pumps water into a water tower. The kids, just by playing, guaranteee the water tower is always full. StuRat 01:52, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

I'm not sure I'd like that idea if I was the kid.. that would make it considerably harder to turn the merry-go-round --Froth 05:20, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

sir, what does a democracy have to do with any of this? Democracies are not infallible.

Sorry about the comments, they aren't mocking you, though, just being silly. StuRat 01:54, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

Democracies have very much to do with it- America pioneered the internet and internationalized it, and remains the authority on standards and protocol. Yet america can't provide drinking water. He was saying that democracies ARE fallible. --Froth 05:23, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

Of course they are. Any social system is fallible. But what does pioneering the Internet have to do with that? That transports information, not water. And what makes you think 'america' internationalised the Internet? If you mean 'popularise', that was mainly a result of the world wide web, which came from Europe. DirkvdM 07:27, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

The point is to point out the vast gulf between america and wherever this guy is posting from. more than 2/3 of americans have personal computers while this fellow is trying to find some clean water. And by internationalize, I mean the work that american universities did to develop and popularize usenet and other early internet architectures, which demonstrated the usefulness and practicality of the internet --Froth 16:05, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

Funny use of the word 'internationalise'. Anyway, the point was that India provides it's people with internet access but not clean water. To which I'd like to comment that one (second hand) computer connected to the internet (meaning a telephone line) for one village can cost just a fraction of what it would cost to constantly provide proper drinking water. DirkvdM 06:23, 22 September 2006 (UTC)

About blaming democracy, that is actually something that is supposed to promote solidarity and hence equality. But it only works to some extent (the US, for example, has a very limited democracy and hence a lot of inequality). I am more inclined to think that a central problem here is overpopulation, something India especially has a lot of. I suppose the lack of fuel to boil the water is a result of there not being any firewood left. Am I right? (StuRat, fuel isn't as plentiful a resource as USians might think.) Filtering could indeed be a good solution, but you'd need to identify the source of the disease first before you spend too much money on it. And one big communal filtering installation (instead of loads of tiny ones like those lifestraws) might be cheaper per person in the long run. Although half a eurocent per litre sounds affordable and is at least a faster solution. But you need to think about the future too. I suggest you start reading at water purification. Finding affordable solutions might be difficult, though, because most effort is put in things that bring in money and providing cheap solutions for the third world is not the most profitable of things. So don't think so much in terms of products you can buy but more in terms of solutions in the form of ideas you can realise yourself with what you have at hand. What about catching water in the rainy season and preserving it? Just a thought. If you don't have money you need to use wit. DirkvdM 07:27, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

Dirk, you are mistaken when you say the US has a "very limited democarcy" and if you think economic equality is a universal goal of democracy. That's a stated goal of communism, but not in reality a goal even there. India does have a high degree of inequality, with some rich states known for their high education levels and other poor states with high rates of illiteracy. Even in Kerala, some coastal tourist areas are likely much better off economically than some non-tourist areas. While economic inequality may be considered to be a cause of such water contamination issues, it isn't a good idea to wait for economic equality (which may never come), assuming that will bring with it a safe water supply. A more immediate solution is needed. StuRat 11:00, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

I spoke of 'promoting equality', not 'achieving total equality'. The former is certainly a goal of democracy afaic. However, the total wealth of a nation or state is of course also important, although I think more financial equality will also help there if that means that people are healthier and thus more productive - which is quite relevant here. But I suppose you pointed that out too. DirkvdM 06:23, 22 September 2006 (UTC)

I still think water can be boiled economically, especially if done on a communal scale. If you compare the amount of fuel used to boil water with that needed to bake bread or cook meat, for example, it should be less to boil the same weight of water, because it doesn't need to be boiled for long, while bread does need to be baked for a long time or meat cooked for a long time. StuRat 10:27, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

Boiling water might actually solve the problem permanently, too. If this is the typical case, where people get infected from the water supply, and the bacteria from the people reinfects the water supply, then you only need to break the cycle. If everyone in the area only drinks boiled water for a period, they will then stop reinfecting the water supply, which will then eventually clear of bacteria. Other actions should also be taken, such as preventing people from bathing in the water supply (this can be especially difficult to enforce on kids) and making sure that sewers, cesspools, and outhouses are located far enough from the water supply to prevent contamination. This can be a particular problem during periods of flooding. Adding a disinfection chemical, like chlorine, to the water supply is also an option to break the cycle, but that may not be available or affordable in your area. This advice applies mainly to wells and springs. If your water comes from a river, unfortunately, the contamination likely comes from others upstream from you, so you have less control. What type of water supply do you have ? StuRat 10:46, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

""The worlds largest democracy means India not the US. He was criticising the government of India not the US. They are providing internet access in every village. He was saying they should provide fresh water first. Jameswilson 23:42, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

I suppose you're talking to Froth, but just in case you're talking to me, I was talking to Froth. :) DirkvdM 06:23, 22 September 2006 (UTC)

Um, just a general suggestion - can the regulars on this desk please be a little bit more careful how they reply to people from different cultural backgrounds. Humor does not travel well through cultural differences and language difficulties. --Robert Merkel 05:16, 22 September 2006 (UTC)

One other thing with water filtration; there are very low-cost, low-tech filtration systems that can be constructed locally (the construction of which might even be a profitable business for the community). See, for instance, the clay pot filter, or the Filtron [1]. --Robert Merkel 06:01, 22 September 2006 (UTC)

Boiling all the water would require a lot of fuel. Oxfam has good manuals on water filtration using appropriate technology for developing countries: http://www.oxfam.org.uk/what_we_do/emergencies/how_we_work/water_sanitation.htm Edison 23:32, 25 September 2006 (UTC)

Most attended exposition (related to electronics/games/Sci-Fi/whatnot)

Well? Oh and I tried to look for wikicharts or something like that, couldn't find it. The velociraptor 05:12, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

I'm not entirely sure what you are looking for. For games there's E3 (even though next year it's going to be significantly smaller) and the Tokyo Game Show (going on right now), for electronics there's CES, and for Sci-Fi there is any number of big conventions. If you could perhaps clarify what it is you were looking for, I could help you more Oskar 05:57, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Comic con? Worldcon? See List_of_science_fiction_conventions for an exhaustive list --Froth 05:08, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

idiots

How do you deal with stupid people who think they're right when they're not? --Froth 05:48, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

I take a pool-cue to their knees, that usually shuts them up! Oskar 05:52, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Sorry it's not an option.. any other thoughts? --Froth 06:05, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Somebody once said "Don't argue with idiots, they'll bring you down to their level and beat you with experience". It's pointless task to try and convince someone that doesn't want to be convinced. It doesn't matter how good your arguments get, they'll never change their mind. The best thing you can do is make sure that you're not such a person; accept arguments on their merits, not on personal prejudice. Sorry, but that's all the help I can give you (well, that and pool-cues). Maybe if you described the specific predicament you are in, you might get a better response. Oskar 06:13, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Also 'arguing with an idiot is like wrestling a pig - the pig likes it and you get dirty'. Also a recently asked question on suffering fools (I paraphrase) 'You suffer fools gladly because you are wise.' Rentwa 14:01, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

I answer their questions politely on the Reference desk. I hope that is helpful. DJ Clayworth 15:46, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

I would say you need to present evidence proving your case. Some evidence can't be denied (like video showing cops beating people), while other evidence is iffy at best ("I once saw..."). StuRat 06:55, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Whatever you do to them, they might pick it up, decide that you are the idiot and do it to you. DirkvdM 07:27, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

In that case, don't forget the Golden Rule: "Do unto others...before other can do unto you." :-) StuRat 09:09, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Seriously though, you won't even begin to deal with the person until you stop judging them as an idiot, or as stupid. Start by trying to understand where they are coming from, respect that, then go on from there. JackofOz 09:12, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Some people are just way smarter than others, how should we deal with the less intelligent :/ --Froth 15:14, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

THe proper thing to do (not saying I always do it) is to state your case clearly and simply with evidence. Then leave it. No piont in arguing furthe if the other person doesnt wantr to listen. We ve had a few of these people on WP> It may turn out tho', that in the discourse, he turns out to be right and you turn out to be the fool! Hence, dont call the other one, even when youre sure he is. THis sounds like Wikiquette!--Light current 15:41, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

I'll assume good faith and suppose that this questioner is very young. Nobody likes to be called stupid or to be talked down to. The quickest way to create a gang of enemies who devote themselves to making your life miserable is when people start whispering that you think you're better than them. People are very shrewd at picking up on that sort of hint even if you aren't sending out a deliberate message. This puts people who genuinely are brilliant in a delicate position. Rent the film Amadeus: it's a drama about how that dynamic tore Mozart's life apart. If you really are exceptional - if you score in the top percentile on all the standardized tests and you earn As in school without much effort - remember that's only one part of life. Other people have feelings that are just as important as yours. Look for something to value in each person. Sometimes it's better to walk away and let someone else's mistake stand uncorrected. People will come to you with questions if they respect you. Durova 16:11, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

The questioner is an undergrad in college ... As a student of philosophy (though my major is actually computer science) I'm constantly blown away by the saddening ignorance of my fellow students. I admit it's hard to argue with people because faults in their logic or weakness of their arguments are so apparent to me that I guess I come across as that guy who thinks he's perfect.. I don't mind being wrong myself (and I often am) but I can't stand people spreading incorrect information or philosophy and I must speak up! --Froth 20:55, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Pretty much any field gets like that, once you know it well enough. My advice is to pick your battles. Durova 21:11, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

OH Lord its hard to be humble, when youre perfect in every way!(song?) --Light current 16:14, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Oh Lord it's hard to be humble

when you're perfect in every way.

I can't wait to look in the mirror

'cos I get better looking each day

to know me is to love me

I must be a hell of a man.

O Lord it's hard to be humble

but I'm doing the best that I can. -- Arwel (talk) 17:54, 22 September 2006 (UTC)

I've tried many things, but the fact remains that nobody likes to be wrong, to be told they are wrong, or to be thought of as inferior. That means that you can't tell them they're wrong, act like they're wrong, or attempt to teach them or correct their ways. Observe how they respond to your sparks of wisdom and apply the same response to their stupid speeches and you should make them feel more comfortable by giving the impression of some sort of equal level. In general, this creates conversations like:

Idiot: Yeah mean, Pluto's gone. I bet all those psychics are rolling in their graves!

You: Mmmm.

Ambient noise: sssss.

 freshofftheufoΓΛĿЌ  03:55, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

I've heard a lot of people talking about pluto in that exact way. One guy even asked "so is it gone, or what?" x_x --Froth 05:03, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

Do I need a spoiler for my new car?

I'm looking into buying a new car and one option available is a spoiler. Should I take it? Do I really need one? --Blue387 06:32, 20 September 2006 (UTC) {{spoiler-blank|Automotive and/or technical details follow.}}

Probably not. The idea behind a spoiler is that it reduces lift (and the similar "reverse wing" actual creates downforce), to better hold the rear wheels down on the ground. This would be advantageous on a rear wheel drive car at high acceleration and speed, like, say, a formula one car, to keep the drive wheels from slipping. However, if your car is front wheel drive, and/or you don't typically drive it at 200 mph, then the spoiler is "just for looks", and may even increase drag and thus cost you mileage. They also add weight, but not typically enough to have a noticeable effect on fuel economy. StuRat 06:39, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

It also adds to the rear profile of your car, which can visually improve the balance, or make it look like a dinky car with a big wing on the end. The "spoiler" you're probably going to get with your Corolla (if you're getting it from the dealer) is nothing more than an ugly asthetic blob of plastic stuck on the trunk, which is not only visually unappealing, but it's so pathetically small that it will only serve to make people who really know about cars to snicker at you. I vote don't do it!.  freshofftheufoΓΛĿЌ  07:03, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Perhaps increased traction on the rear wheels are a good thing even with front wheel drive. On television, I have seen people speeding away from the police and having to switch lanes to get past traffic. Sometimes they don't handle the car smoothly enough, or are simply forced to turn too sharply and so their rear end swings out and makes them crash. You might also want to finish braking, if you need to, before you turn your steering wheel since braking transfers wheight to your front wheels and makes it easier for your rear wheels to loose their grip. But then again, I hope you won't be driving like this anyway, at least not in traffic. —Bromskloss 10:10, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Until the cops decide they need spoilers on their cars, I'd say don't bother. (Of course these guys need to go one better, don't they.)--Shantavira 11:59, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

O_O --Froth 15:00, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

I'm not sure that small spoilers on cars are intended to provide extra downforce. Those on open-wheel racers certainly are, but my understanding is that the little spoilers on road cars are intended to force the airflow to separate from the car body at the back, rather than have it try to follow the body shape down, thus reducing the drag. No idea if it works though. The effect on a Corolla is almost certainly tiny. DJ Clayworth 15:45, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

It makes the car look better for a relatively small cost. GO FOR IT! Downunda 23:22, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Just for yourself. Do you really think this looks better?  freshofftheufoΓΛĿЌ  03:45, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

This is even worse. There's not even any gap between the spoiler and the car! --Froth 05:01, 21 September 2006 (UTC]

Come on, guys! There's nothing cooler than a car with a spoiler. --ByeByeBaby 13:57, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

{{endspoiler}}

I think they look very cool. People think I am uncool. Make your own conclusion. Edison 14:56, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

Spoiler warning? I think I may have to award a barnstar for that.. --Froth 16:09, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

No just points. 500 points = 1 Barnstar--Light current 23:57, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

Can't take it back now! Besides if everyone went on points, all your 1-point groaners would accumulate to the point that any browser that trys to load your talk page would crash :) --froth^{T C} 05:21, 22 September 2006 (UTC)

Does Caffine Disentergrate?

Does caffine disentergrate in the container, after the container is opened? And also before? Thanks.100110100 07:40, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

USP grade (pure) caffeine

I think you mean deteriorate. Are you talking about coffee. People don't usually have pure caffeine in a container. - Mgm|^(talk) 11:31, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Yes, I'm talking about coffee. Thanks.100110100 15:26, 25 September 2006 (UTC)

It is meaningful to ask to what extent the caffeine in the coffee in your coffee jar is subject to degradation. Since the caffeine survived the coffee roasting, it apparently has high thermal stability. It also seems to have very low sensitivity to light. I did not find information about possible oxidation when the coffee is kept dry. The reason coffee is vacuum-packed seems to be to prevent oxidation of the fat molecules (which would cause rancidity). You should keep the container closed to counter the evaporation of volatile compounds contributing to the flavour. Both are about the taste, not the caffeine. --Lambiam^Talk 12:57, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

WOW O_O' Just out of curiosity, would that much caffeine kill you if you wet it a little or something and ate it all in one day? --Froth 04:59, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

How much? It's hard to judge the size of the heap. But if you keep on eating pure caffeine that will probably kill you before the day is through. Whether something is a poison depends a lot on how much and in what concentration it comes. Chewing coca leafs may not be too healthy, but the chewing process is too arduous to let you consume too much cocaine. Purify the cocaine and the story changes. Also, weed in the Netherlands is now cultivated into something so potent that some claim it's now a harddrug. It's not the substance that counts, it's the concentration it comes in. Hence the alternative terms 'hard use' and 'soft use'. Another example is beer. In the middle ages it was a life saver because it contained distilled water plus preservatives. Sailors drank it all the time. But it contained only a tiny bit of alcohol. Spirits are a completely differrent story. Concentrate caffeine enough and you've got a hard drug. Or rather something that makes hard use too easy. DirkvdM 07:37, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

I don't believe that there are any good studies on the toxicity of caffeine in humans. But the toxicity of caffeine for rats has been well-tested. The Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory at Oxford reports that oral consumption of 192mg of caffeine per kilogram of rat weight killed half the rats tested. (ORL-RAT LD50 = 192mg/kg). 65.203.61.56 21:38, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

Bloody hell, just 1/5 of a gram. I was even more right than I thought. :) How does that translate to humans? Is that linear? Assuming rats weigh 300 grams, the lethal dose for humans would then be about 200 times bigger, so 40 grams. That should give it hard drug status. DirkvdM 06:31, 22 September 2006 (UTC)

I understand that, although there have been no actual experiments on caffeine toxicity in humans, there have been several hypothetical conjectures about the possible effects of caffeine overdose. 64.90.198.6 00:14, 23 November 2006 (UTC)

the practice

i wnted to know whether in the program the practice bobby n laura flyn boyle actually have an affair n in which episode.give me a link

I would guess the Bobby4Helen forum is the one you need.--Shantavira 11:47, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Old Woman and the China

There is an old lady who designs china, dinnerware, or both. She's about 80 or 90 years old and her style is similar to Villeroy and Boch; clean, round lines with (I think) no designs. I have been looking on the internet for her name but I cannot find it. She was once featured on the Sunday Morning show on CBS; they couldn't help me either.Maggie4mae 12:52, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Mother Earth'nware ? -- DLL ^{.. T} 18:31, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Do you perhaps know her nationality? It would help a lot with searching, mostly by getting rid of all the sources from China.  freshofftheufoΓΛĿЌ  03:35, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

She doesn't look Asian. She also has a Slovik or Baltic name.

What does the panel suggest

What does the panel suggest I do when:

• all the pages Im interested in are in a reasonable state
• Im getting a bit bored answering questions on the ref desks
• I do not want to become an administrator.

--Light current 19:22, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Wikibreak? It could be useful finding a life outside the Internet... =S 惑乱 分からん 20:45, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Yeah that what I was thinking. an extended one! 8-)--Light current 21:03, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

I have a life, but no one to run it for me! 8-(--Light current 21:48, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

• You can always try to get new interests. Try looking for articles that haven't been written at WP:RA and WP:AFC and see if any of them sound interesting or work like Violetriga and write articles about unusual subjects. - Mgm|^(talk) 22:06, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Write book about Wikipedia. Write article about book. Sue self for copyright infringement. Clarityfiend 00:13, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

Who is Sue Self? Never heard of her!--Light current 00:17, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

Write book about Wikipedia. Get it published. Use it as a legitimate (no self references) source in the Wikipedia article. Rmhermen 00:25, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

Er.. yeah... that seems to have been suggested already!--Light current 00:27, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

There are other Wikis you could explore, like Wiktionary, Wikibooks, Wikiquote, Wikisource, Wikinews, Unpedia, etc. StuRat 01:20, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

Yeah but are they as exciting as here?--Light current 02:20, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

No, presumably because you're not there. It is your duty to go now and let them see the light.  freshofftheufoΓΛĿЌ  03:34, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

It takes a different spirit to work on one of the other wikis I think. It's like the frontier! --Froth 04:57, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

I worked on Wikinews, and found it to be too contentious, even for me. In particular, the anti-government anarchists seemed too powerful. Think of the character Hyde on That Seventies Show..."It's all a government conspiracy, man, they've got a car that runs on water, dude, but they're keeping it secret so the big oil companies can make more profit". StuRat 06:45, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

There's never a dull moment at the Wikipedia:Counter-Vandalism Unit. --Shantavira 06:48, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

Take a look at the Community portal, especially the open tasks. There is plenty to do, take it as an encouragement to learn about a new subject you didn't know about! — QuantumEleven 09:27, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

Take a look at AfD. Find every day one article which is up for deletion, and improve it to the point that it is kept. Edison 14:59, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

THanks to everyone for your suggestions. I shall consider them carefully! 8-)--Light current 01:59, 22 September 2006 (UTC)

Jim Beatty World Records

I've found numerous citations, including on wikipedia, saying that Jim Beatty broke three track and field world records in 1962. However, I can only find official times to back up that claim for two events -- the indoor mile and the outdoor two mile. What other event record did he break, and what was his time? Is there some site that lists the progression of world records with every successive change that goes back that far? Thanks!

Hello?

Title of music during House M.D. episode Informed Consent

I was not terribly sure where to post it so I placed it here. I was wondering whether anyone knew the name of the classical music playing while Erza (the main patient) is testing his rats in the beginning. If this is the wrong place to ask, please tell me where to place it. Delta 20:56, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

I checked the forums on Televison Without Pity, which includes a House music forum ("From the Stones to Rickie Lee Jones: Music in House"), and your question had already been asked and answered; users heyjudes and bluepencil agreed: "It's Bach -- prelude to Suite for solo cello #1 in G major, probably best known among TV-watchers because Yo-Yo Ma performed it during a White House Christmas party on The West Wing ("Noel," 12/20/2000)." --ByeByeBaby 13:45, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

Wow, nice find! --Froth 16:20, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

Name

I believe its voltswagon that has been running commercials for a car that has been "pretuned by german engineers". I am curious to know if anyone out there knows the name of the hot blond chick in the commercials. 129.108.25.67 21:00, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

I wouldnt touch that car- you could get a nasty shock! 8-)--Light current 21:07, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Carmen Electra? Sorry, I couldn't resist the temptation. I should be grounded. Clarityfiend 23:36, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

So you want to be discharged ?--Light current 00:22, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

What a shocking suggestion. Have you no spark of decency? Clarityfiend 00:48, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

I note your reluctance to accept my charges, but your current actions may potentially cause differences between us. Your resistance to my suggestions and your lack of capacity to understand them may be the cause of excess heat energy. Perhaps you can transform your attitude in future?? 8-)---- Your turn!--Light current 02:04, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

I love the term "reluctance". I picture a rather whiny electron saying "Oh man, I don't wanna go all the way down that long wire, against that huge magnetic field. Do you have any idea how hard that is ? I'm not being paid enough for this, I quit !" StuRat 06:39, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

He should have gone to college to become an AC electron.. they have the easy jobs --Froth 16:25, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

Uncle! I give up, LOL. You are the master, Obi-wan. Clarityfiend 04:37, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

Please just answer the guy's question --Froth 04:54, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

It might be easier to find the info, knowing that the company is spelled Volkswagen. (German for folk/people-wagon). 惑乱 分からん 10:20, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

My desk is in a state of flux so I can't find the answer.Edison 15:01, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

Anyone else think this should be put on Bad Jokes and Other Deleted Nonsense? I haven't laughed so hard for such a long time... -80.229.152.246 16:04, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

What a sad life you must lead 8-)--Light current 23:59, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

There you go again, trying to induce a poor soul into giving up his insulated existence. No! Must stop...must resis... Clarityfiend 04:46, 22 September 2006 (UTC)

Be bold! --Froth 16:13, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

Willie Mays

In 1971, Willie Mays hit 18 home runs for the San Francisco Giants. How many of these were hit on Saturday? On Sunday?

Bakuten Shoot:Beyblade Daichi

What exactly is this story about?I've seen it in the beyblade manga before but i dont really understand it.Can someone please write an article on this or atleast tell me what it is?Please and thank you very much

this is stupid....!!!!!

How come do east asians look similar?

It sounds stupid, but every time I assume that a person is Japanese/Chinese/Korean/Vietnamese, they turn out to be NOT what I assumed. For example, I've met people before who I thought were Chinese but turned out to be Japanese or Vietnamese. Can someone explain? The velociraptor 23:50, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

Read Mongoloid race and Epicanthal fold for more info. (I couldn't find other articles more thoroughly discussing "Asian race", when I skimmed through Wikipedia...) 惑乱 分からん 00:41, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

But, generally, people are better at distinguishing between people they are more familiar with. So, I would assume you don't see Asians as often as other races ("gene pools" for the sticklers here). StuRat 01:05, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

Actually, I'm Filipino myself. I thought I could assume them, becuase Chinese have more slanted eyes, while Japanese and Korean are a bit leveled. 4.246.42.23 04:47, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

Well, Filipinos may have more variety than other Asians, due to interbreeding during periods of colonization by Spain, the US, and (briefly) by Japan. I believe there are also substantial immigrant populations there, as well. StuRat 06:36, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

Agreed. I do think there is also some logic in the claim though, partly as a result of the massive and brutal military (and genetic) Chinese expansion during the Han Dynasty.  freshofftheufoΓΛĿЌ  03:26, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

When I came back from Guam I was surprised at how everybody looked the same! All the white high school girls looked kind of the same. — [Mac Davis](talk) (SUPERDESK|Help me improve)06:01, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

All people of a particular races look rather alike. --Proficient 06:27, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

So do all Indians (for example) think that all English people look alike?--Shantavira 07:24, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

If they don't have any experience of interaction or acquaintanceship with many English people, it's likely... 惑乱 分からん 10:15, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

Please note that there is a big difference in "ethnicity" and "nationality". There are very significant Chinese populations all over south-east Asia, so the "Indonesian" or "Vietnamese" person you thought was Chinese might indeed be ethnically CHinese but not nationally. Make sure to ask the question specifically. -JAS

Why does it surprise you that you can't tell an East Asian's national background just by looking at him. Can you tell a Dane from a Finn or a Chilean from a Guatemalan just by looking at them?

I'm Swedish and I think Danes and Finns often look different, I'd say Finns often have more pale skin, and Danes more reddish. 惑乱 分からん 13:19, 24 September 2006 (UTC)