Humanities desk
< December 29	<< Nov \| December \| Jan >>	December 31 >

Welcome to the Wikipedia Humanities Reference Desk Archives
The page you are currently viewing is an archive page. While you can leave answers for any questions shown below, please ask new questions on one of the current reference desk pages.

December 30[edit]

Thought experiment[edit]

I allowed myself to indulge in a thought experiment (although instructed to make no changes permanent) by substituting the word "time" for the word "God" in a digital copy of the Holy Bible. Although I have not yet read the entire Bible through with this substitution in place I am wondering if anyone else may have or have done this with the Koran or other Holy works and if there are clearly any passages in which the substitution just does not fit? 71.100.6.70 (talk) 00:25, 30 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

"And time said, let there be light." I wouldn't count that as a fit. That's going to happen in every other holy work. God is talked about as an active entity who does thing. That won't fit with time. As a tangent, In the Baghavat Ghita, Shiva speaks the line "I am become time, shatterer of worlds" (alernatively translated by Oppenheimer as "I am become death"). risk (talk) 01:08, 30 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

The concepts of time in physics are quite complex. If you consider Einsteinian frames of reference or Eternalism / block time, you should gain some useful ideas. Consider also John 1:1, "In principio erat verbum" / "In the beginning was the Word" as per Latin Vulgate / KJV. It is a moot point to interpret the term "logos". --Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 13:03, 30 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I somehow think 'you shall have no other times before me' and 'You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the LORD your time am a jealous time, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me' doesn't fit either...Nil Einne (talk) 15:46, 31 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

There was Zurvanism... AnonMoos (talk) 05:19, 31 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Such as in the Grim reaper being an icon for time versus time being an interpretation of God? 71.100.3.166 (talk) 02:01, 1 January 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I reckon the more interesting search/replace would be 1. Delete "God", insert "the Invisible Pink Unicorn"; 2. Delete "Jesus", insert "the Flying Spaghetti Monster", and note that the whole thing still makes about as much sense. Tested and works both in the Christian Bible, and in conversation with the sort of people who use the words "God" and "Jesus" in conversation. (Although the image of Mary giving birth to a baby Flying Spaghetti Monster is rather odd, as is that of an FSM walking on water)--Psud (talk) 14:40, 1 January 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Is that supposed to show something? If you take Tacitus' Annals and systematically substitute Donald Fauntleroy Duck for Tiberius Claudius Nero and Duckburg for Rome, the whole thing "still makes about as much sense". --Lambiam 16:07, 1 January 2008 (UTC)[reply]

You know, if people indent their postings in such a manner as to tacitly indicate that their comments are in reply to my comments, then it would be nice if their comments actually were in reply to my comments... AnonMoos (talk) 12:20, 2 January 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Sonata in G Major (Haydn)[edit]

Hello. In Franz Joseph Haydn's Sonata in G Major, is there a deceptive cadence in bar 135-136? Thanks in advance. --Mayfare (talk) 05:28, 30 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Haydn wrote 7 sonatas in G major [1]. Which one of them were you enquiring about? -- JackofOz (talk) 07:19, 30 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I am enquiring about Sonata in G Major Hob. XVI:27 III: Finale. --Mayfare (talk) 17:01, 30 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

A score of an arrangement for bass recorder (!) of the Finale ("Theme and Variations") is online at the Werner Icking Music Archive.[2] —Preceding unsigned comment added by Lambiam (talk • contribs) 20:22, 30 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Men's Penis size[edit]

I often get spam which says in the subject "Make your's a 12 inch one". I am just wondering if any man's penis would penetrate fully into a women's body if its 12 inch. Does anyone here know what is the maximum size of penis which if had, would penetrate fully into a women's body? For example, you can say that "A women's penetratable space would be only 10 inches maximum for any women. If someone had 12 inches, two inches would be out" or you can say something else. Well, I agree that penetratable inches vary among women. But you could say in your answer for example that "90% of women have body that is not capable of accepting more than 9 inches" etc. Please help. I am afraid because of my small penis size. Well, at the same time, I don't plan to do anything to increase penis size even though mine is less than World average of 6 inches. Thanks. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 59.96.23.177 (talk) 15:43, 30 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

See Human penis size and Penis enlargement. --Drop Dead Ed (talk) 15:54, 30 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Depending on the expected answer, the above question should be directed to the:

Entertainment desk; when used for such purpose (including any tragical dysfunction of the equipment).
Humanities desk; when an increase of humanity is to be genetically achieved.
Mathematics desk; for any statistical data on the item.
Language desk; when applied in the context of oral tradition.
Science desk; in any quest for biological information.
Computing desk; when the question pertains to temporary hardware, software or nowhere problems (in the case of the female gender).
Archives; on the morning after the night before. --Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 17:15, 30 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

(I am the one who posted this question): Thanks "Drop Dead Ed" for your reply. But, those two articles dont say information I want. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 59.92.115.70 (talk) 17:50, 30 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Hi, 59.92. Without being a gynaecologist:

The vagina is a quite flexible organism. If you consider the uterus, you will be aware that normally it is the size of a fist, yet during pregnancy it can expand to accommodate a foetus (and, of course, twins, triplets, etc).

Similarly, the vagina during birth expands to allow the passage of the baby. Thus, under most circumstances, the female vagina is capable of accommodating itself to the required dimension.

The vagina, when the woman is not sexually excited has a length of some 3 inches / 7.5cm, but will lengthen to 4 inches / 10cm when aroused. This length further increases when the penis is inserted, reaching a length of approximately 6 to 9 / 15 to 22.5cm inches.

It becomes therefore understandable, that foreplay and gentle penetration is required. The numbers mentioned apply to females who have not as yet given birth. The enormous stretching of the muscular fibres during childbirth frequently results in some looseness of the vagina, which can be countered by exercises and tightening surgery.. --Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 19:17, 30 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

An interesting topic, and to Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM, I believe he meant this in a scientific manner rather than humanities and certainly not computing. Skin and muscle is surprisingly stretchable due to a protein called Fibrillin (which is also the protein responsible in Marfan Syndrome). Although theoretically everything must have a limit to how much it can stretch before it reaches its elastic limit, practically no penis could ever reach this size in the context of skin and muscle. I doubt it is feasible to carry out an investigation into the matter either, unless (as Cookatoo.Ergo.ZooM suggested) you collect statistic data on the matter. Cyclonenim (talk) 23:41, 30 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Then again, I realise I left the Scientific reference desk a few moments ago and this is posted in the Humanities desk, so perhaps he did mean it in that sense. I apologise. Cyclonenim (talk) 23:46, 30 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

However if you read human penis size, you will see there is no evidence that 6 inches is the world average size. You should also be aware from the article there is no clear evidence a somewhat below average penis size has a significant negative effect on most partner's pleasure (particularly given the location of the most sensitive areas) and that width may be more important then length anyway. Also, you may be interested in reading orgasm which suggests clitoral stimulation may be more important then vaginal simulation anyway. In conclusion, I wouldn't worry if you penis size is below 6 inches. Of course all this only applies if you are heterosexual. BTW in response to your earlier question well the article does in fact mention that many women find stimulation of the cervix uncomfortable and it also mentions some of the stuff cockatoo mentions such as the fact that the vagina is generally able to accomodate penises of any size with proper arousal. Nil Einne (talk) 15:01, 31 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Although the G spot and the Clit may be especially sensitive and indeed require stimulation for orgasm the larger the penis size the more surface area which is shared and sharing is probably the greatest basis for arousal; hence, greater awareness of sharing may be correlated with penis size. 71.100.3.166 (talk) 02:16, 1 January 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Um did you actually read what I said? (and also the article human penis size and orgasm which I hinted are good sources) Nil Einne (talk) 08:39, 1 January 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Undercover cops...[edit]

From some american TV and movies it appears that the producers think that if directly asked "Are you a cop?" a police officer must disclose this fact. Surely this can't be true. I can't remember any examples of this in tv or movies but I'm pretty sure there are some. Can anyone a) confim this is not true and b) give me a reason why someone might think this is true.Shniken1 (talk) 17:35, 30 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Defintly not, and most likely because there dumb. BonesBrigade 17:53, 30 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

It is not true at all, but it's a widely repeated urban legend that cops are somehow supposed to do their duty without ever lying. The justification for this belief seems to be that law officers are not allowed to "entrap" suspects; that is, essentially lead them to the crime and then bust them for it. The distinction between the two actions could be narrow sometimes, I guess. Matt Deres (talk) 19:25, 30 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

As sususal, Snopes has this one covered. [3] --Drop Dead Ed (talk) 19:49, 30 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

As an extension to this, does anyone know if the undercover policeman may expose himself to the hooker before any deal is struck? I have see fictional accounts where this is requested by the prostitute to prove the john isn't a cop. Rockpocket 05:36, 31 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Depends on the state, In State of Minnesota v. Morris, the defendant negotiated a price for oral sex with an undercover police officer, but before she agreed to the price, she insisted that the officer expose himself to her. The district court and the supreme court rejected the defendant's due process defense, concluding that the officer's conduct in exhibiting his penis to the defendant was neither unlawful nor sufficiently outrageous to bar defendant's conviction. Similarly, in State v. Crist, the supreme court held that a plainclothes police officer does not violate due process when, in order to gain evidence sufficient to arrest the defendant for prostitution, he accedes to the demand that he expose himself before the defendant will negotiate a price(Minn. 1979). Morris and Crist are consistent with holdings on due process challenges in other jurisdictions. See, e.g., Municipality of Anchorage v. Flanagan,(Alaska Ct. App. 1982) (holding no due process violation when undercover reserve officer allowed defendant to fondle him for several seconds but called in arrest team before defendant began to perform fellatio). Let's just say that wouldn't fly here in CA - Dureo (talk) 08:56, 5 January 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Postcodes in Upminster[edit]

Hey all, I need a list of all of the postcodes in Upminster so that I can distribute leaflets to everybody to promote my business, any thoughts? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.36.182.217 (talk) 22:11, 30 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I don't know how detailed the postcodes in Britain need to be, but it appears that Upminster is in the Romford postal district. Information about Romford codes is here: RM postcode area. Bielle (talk) 22:43, 30 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I need a full list of residential postcodes for the area --82.36.182.217 (talk) 23:49, 30 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

A full list of UK postal addresses, including post codes, is supplied commercially by the Royal Mail in the Postcode Address File. I don't think that postcodes alone will help you with leaflet distribution, because our article on UK postcodes says that on average each individual postcode is shared by 14 properties. I doubt that a letter addressed to "The Householder, AA99 9AA" could even be delivered, in most cases. Gandalf61 (talk) 23:56, 30 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Are there any free lists? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.36.182.217 (talk) 00:47, 31 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

You might ask the Royal Mail if they offer mass distribution in a given area, whereby you supply them with, say 20,000 copies of whatever, along with a cheque for say £10,000, and they provide addresses and delivery. If the Royal Mail can't do it, I'm sure that there's a marketing firm that can, in a mechanised way that would be much more efficient than doing it by hand. Marco polo (talk) 01:28, 31 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Are there Voters' Lists in England? You can get names and addresses from such lists in Canada. They used to be posted on telephone poles around election time. They are likely on-line now. Once you have the name and the address, Canadian post offices and libraries keep copies of Postal Code books where you can match your two lists. It is time consuming, but most of it will be otherwise free. Bielle (talk) 03:44, 31 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

You will find a list of all Upminster addresses, with postcodes, in your local postcode directory. This will be available at your local library, or you can purchase one from Royal Mail. (They used to be free.) If you have an old local Thomson's directory, all the local addresses with postcodes will be listed in the back, but sadly Thomson stopped doing this a few years ago.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 09:51, 31 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Androboros[edit]

Question concerning the play "Androboros": Book Google has a scanned work entitled "Androboros" link, but the contents are nothing like what the articel describes. Does anyone know if there were two Androboroses, or if the description on the page belongs to another play? Thanx, 68.39.174.238 (talk) 23:21, 30 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

The scanned version is a play by Robert Hunter, published 1719, and has as a summary: "This is the first printed American play. The two persons ridiculed were political enemies of Governor Hunter--Colonel Francis Nicholson and Dr. William Vesey, Rector of Trinity Church, New York." There can be little doubt that this is meant to be the subject of the article. Presumably "Adolphe Phillipse" is the same person as "Adolphe Philipse", who I find described as a New York City aristocrat.[4] I did not find online references to Thomas Smithfield. Wat is needed is a key revealing which dramatis persona corresponds to which 18th century NYC politician. The discrepancy between the plot as described and the scanned book is indeed curious, as is the lack of a mention of Francis Nicholson, who, after all, is the main person ridiculed. I don't have access to the references given, but it may be instructive to see what they have to say about the play. --Lambiam 17:34, 31 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]