Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2006 August 15

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Humanities Science Mathematics Computing/IT Language Miscellaneous 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 at one of the pages linked to above.

< August 14 Miscellaneous desk archive August 16 >


Military Artillery[edit]

I had seen a large white apparatus (looking like a very big telescope) in a vehicle (suv type of thing). Anyhow, about 3 months later I saw the same thing in a war movie. I thought it was called an uzi, but its not. I wondered if anyone with military experience would know what it is called. Thank you. Have a nice day.

If you mean a large white tube, I would guess that's a missile launch tube. Whether it's an anti-tank missile, a surface to air missile or some other type, I can't tell without a better description. An Uzi is a machine gun, so no, that doesn't sound like it at all. StuRat 02:14, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

It was a large white tube - a missile launch tube seems about correct. Thanks for the answer.

You're quite welcome. StuRat 21:11, 16 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Cricket[edit]

I recently attended my first cricket match. Had I not read the relevant Wikipedia article beforehand, I would have been lost. I do have a couple of questions, though:

  • What is the point of the rule that no bowler can bowl two consecutive overs?
  • Why would a team opt to do "declaration bowling?" -- Mwalcoff 02:11, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
I'm not sure why law 22 prohibits consecutive overs being bowled by the same bolwer. Some possible reasons - bowlers get tired, the wind/pitch conditions makw one end more suitable for one bowler than another, mixing up bowlers stresses the team aspect of the game (you can't just rely on one uber-spinner to bowl all afternoon). As to your second question I think declaration bowling only makes sense at a competition level - ie in some (rare) circumstances in may be in a team's interests to have the other team declare and possibly secure a result rather than letting the match end in a draw. Lisiate 03:27, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
PS here's a Cricinfo article on a 77 run over http://content-nz.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/146056.html - it almost backfired... Lisiate 03:30, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
I would have thought that one bowler being able to bowl consecutive overs would be a definate advantage for the bowler.
Not if he's a fast bowler on a hot day. Changing ends is also awkward for the bowler to get his Line and length right. --Dweller 10:37, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
I understand why teams would want to change bowlers. But what's the point of a rule forcing them to do so? Was there once a bowler so good, they changed the rules so he could only bowl half the time? -- Mwalcoff 23:34, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
It may have something to do with minimising the advantage to a team of having a superb bowler. Or there may be no point at all. The thing about cricket, is that many of its rules have little or no point - like playing a game for up to 5 days (!!) in the full knowledge that there may be no result at the end. Cricket makes pointlessness an art form, and that is its great and enduring legacy. Besides, it makes a great excuse for doing nothing for days on end and drinking lots of beer.  :--) JackofOz 23:59, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]


You see "declaration bowling" mostly in county cricket matches in England. The point system is so structured that a team gets a lot more points for a win than a draw (At the moment, team gets 14 points for a win but only 4 points if the match ends in draw (and obviously zero if they lose)[1].) So if the match is likely to end in a draw, teams often agree with each other to force a result.
The most common way of doing this is for the team batting third to score very fast (with help from the bowling team in the form of fulltosses and longhops - the so called "declaration bowling"), declare their innings and set a reasonable fourth innings target for the other team. Since all the teams play 16 matches in a season, an odd defeat here and there doesn't have too much impact.
The worst instance of "declaration bowling" this season happened in the Sussex v Middlesex match last month. Sussex scored 379 runs in the second innings in only 56.5 overs, with active help from Middlesex bowlers, Murray Goodwin reached 150 in only 47 balls. Middlesex barely managed to avoid defeat at the end. Tintin (talk) 06:30, 18 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Pipe Dream[edit]

I was impressed by the Pipe Dream Animusic CGI animation. My question is would it be possible to create something similar in reality? It seems that the balls would be too out-of-control, but surely the speed/direction/velocity/ricochet could be controlled? After seeing this animation, I want specifically a self-playing giant circular vibraphone for my living room. Hyenaste (tell) 02:41, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

  • I remember seeing this sort of thing on TechTV years ago... Yes, in reality, this is almost impossible - the bouncing would be just too impossible to predict. You might be able to make asome sort of approximation using piping and guiderails all over the place, however... humblefool®Deletion Reform 06:12, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Needs more cowbell.  :-) --LarryMac 13:51, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

interest rates[edit]

No question posted - delete thread? DirkvdM 07:42, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

  • Keep – it is NPOV, contains no OR, and all statements are properly sourced. --LambiamTalk 08:26, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Car purchase questions[edit]

I am looking for a new car to replace my old one. Since this is my first time buying a new car, what questions should I ask in purchasing a new car? --Blue387 03:43, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Also, research it online and decide exactly what you want and are willing to pay for before you go to the dealer. Then go to the dealer and TELL them what you want. [www.Edmonds.com] is one site for this. StuRat 09:45, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

24 May 2006 – Practice match: Rest of the World 3-7 Scotland legends (Craven Cottage Stadium, London)[edit]

Good morning,

Can you please give me the line-ups between this 2 teams.

Thanks

Bert from Holland145.53.80.118 05:30, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Here you go http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soccer_Aid Downunda 23:23, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

vegetable/kitchen waste recycling -reg.[edit]

Dear Sir/Madam, 

        My question is:

Bold textHow can we recycle and use vegetable/kitchen wastes?i would like to know some simple methods regarding the above as i am interested in doing some simple projects related to the above.

thank you, yours truly, Nagarajan.A(a college student)

  • Try Compost for starters. Compost piles are pretty easy and universal. humblefool®Deletion Reform 06:05, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • Also pigs are excellent recycling factories. I've noticed that people in the West throw away much food that can still be used to make excellent broths and stocks. These don't keep well unless you can freeze them, which takes energy, but they can be used in so many ways (as the basis for sauces and soups, for simmering veggies and meat in) that you can typically use them up before they spoil. Other left-over vegetable bits, including (washed) peels, can be added to dough and baked into bread or cakes, like carrots and squash. --LambiamTalk 08:20, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • I grind up almost all my kitchen scraps and feed them to my dog. Everything but coffee grounds, teabags and eggshells. As a result I have only 1 little shopping bag worth of garbage every two weeks and it doesn't smell! :-) Anchoress 08:24, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
    Beware. Next to coffee, tea and chocolate, also grapes (including raisins), walnuts, macadamia nuts, avocadoss, green parts of tomatos and potatoes, turkey skin, garlic and onions, and most of all mushrooms, are poisonous to dogs. It can kill them, or else cause irreversable liver or kiney damage. --LambiamTalk 06:02, 16 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Sources, please. I'm already familiar with the warnings about green potatoes, grapes/raisins and onions. Anchoress 01:03, 17 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
The article Dog health discusses foods which are harmful to them. It also provides a string of references, though I don't know if they support every claim. Road Wizard 07:36, 17 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
No offence, but I'm not wading through all the sources on that article to find what Lambiam should be using to back up his alarmist warnings. Also, the article only covers 5 or 6 of the foods s/he mentioned, and all but 1 are already on my banned list. --Anchoress 07:52, 17 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

""The council here provides every house with a food waste box which they collect every week. No idea what happens to it though. Jameswilson 23:14, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

24 May 2006 – Practice match: Rest of the World 3-7 Scotland legends (Craven Cottage Stadium, London)[edit]

—Good morning,

Can you please give me the line-ups between this 2 teams.

Thanks

Bert from Holland145.53.80.118 05:37, 15 August 2006 (UTC) (email removed)[reply]

We heard you the first time. - ulayiti (talk) 06:54, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

The answer is a few posts up the page, scroll up & look. AllanHainey 11:22, 17 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Writing on bodies in swimming competitions[edit]

Why do American people participating in swimming competitions write text on each other's bodies? I've seen from photographs on the Internet that at least girls and young women do so. Is it some cultural thing? JIP | Talk 08:09, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

From my experience at swim meets, it all started with the horrendously complicated heats. The kids started writing their heat numbers on their arms. Some kids could have a half-dozen or more numbers. After that, why not write decorations, slogans, school names, etc.? --Zeizmic 11:38, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
The above sounds like a general thing to do at sports events. So why does it seem to be limited to Americans, to swimming, and apparently also to girls? JIP | Talk 12:02, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
it's really sexy.

magic[edit]

why do ppl say if u believe in magic, there it will be; while if u don't it doesn't exist?

Such is the nature of a belief system. It works for god, magic, faeries, technology & may other things. Can I ask, do you have strenuous objections to typing out words in full? --Tagishsimon (talk)
Riting w's t n fl s jus a wst o spc n tm, ddn't u kno tht? JIP | Talk 11:10, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
No, not really. It does not save the reader's time, unless the reader is familiar with the abbreviations; indeed to the extent that it wastes their (my) time, it is a rude, inconsiderate and ultimately insulting thing to do (as in, you're saying "you must travel the distance to me because I cannot be bothered to travel the distance to you"). To be honest, I cannot be bothered with you if you cannot make the effort. --Tagishsimon (talk)
And coming from the official spokesperson of the reference desk, that's saying something. Skittle 14:57, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
"Rude" as in saying to another editor "Now that you've got that off your chest"? --LarryMac 15:06, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
I was being sarcastic, of course. I really can't stand people who try to be "clever" or "up to date" or "colloquial" or "down with da d00dz" by writing "u" and "ppl" and "2" and "w/" every single time. (Well, I did know one American woman who wrote otherwise perfectly grammatical English, but she kept writing "w/". That's OK with me.) JIP | Talk 17:39, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
They say that in order to make a non-falsifiable, non-scientific statement. Since "magic" (the ability to... uh... transform toads in princes by saying abracadabra and so?) does not exist (according to empirical evidence subjected to scientific reasoning), believers in magic try to "defend" themselves from intelligent beings by saying that magic exists ONLY if you believe it exists, kinda recursive, huh? For more details, see the link provided. Hope this helps. GTubio 10:10, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]


Thanks alot :)

Is it ok to live in one's own reality?Edison 18:01, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

We all do. — Michael J 14:03, 19 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Matchbox car[edit]

Hello. My sister needs to make a matchbox (Box for matches) car that runs on batteries by the end of today (maybe 2 hours). Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks all.Cuban Cigar 08:51, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Buy a small battery-operated car. Replace the body of it with that of a matchbox car. Russian F 16:27, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Wow Cuban Cigar 07:42, 16 August 2006 (UTC)bit late but thanks anyway turns out she doesnt actually need to make one.[reply]

The Da Vinci Code on PS2[edit]

Hi all, Ive recently bought The Da Vinci Code PS2 game CD,and must mention the begining was pretty good, but now I am stucked in the middle of the first level, where the french girl is trying to find a clue from the monalisa portrait by using the UV light, just wondering if anyone could help me out solving this mystery.FOZ

You can probably find a walkthrough at GameFAQs. If they don't have an acceptable one for this particular game, you might want to post this question on this game's message board there, as I'm sure more players of the game frequent that message board than the Reference Desk. -Elmer Clark 10:43, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Typists[edit]

I can type really fast. Which work positions require mindless (or close to) speed typing?

Stenographers, transcribers, data entry clerks, the list goes on and on. Welcome to the pink collar ghetto! --Anchoress 10:18, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Add court reporter. StuRat 23:32, 18 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
That's a stenographer. Anchoress 01:20, 19 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Your stenographer link seems to lead to shorthand, not typing. Is that a bad redirect ? StuRat 04:56, 20 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
It's just the way the article is organised. I was confused at first as well. You have to look down about 3/4 of the way to the 'mechanised stenography' section or something. I guess shorthand and court reporting all fall under the umbrella 'stenography' because they're both forms of speed writing, although I was surprised as I had only known court reporting as 'stenography'. Also, forgot to add that if you look at your link, to court reporter, it calls court reporters stenographers in the first sentence. Second addendum: Now I see what you mean, the article is actually called 'shorthand'. I don't know why that is. Maybe someone whose expertise is shorthand. Anchoress 05:02, 20 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
WP ADmins?--Light current 21:33, 19 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Parking a manual car[edit]

What is considered to be best practice when parking a manual car on a level (i.e. no slope) surface? Is it leaving the car in first, reverse or neutral gear? Being somewhat fussy, I'd prefer some kind of notable ref in answers, rather than personal opinions! Thanks in advance. --Dweller 10:28, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Neutral. According to Wikibooks:Transwiki:Manual transmission driving technique, "To park, the driver engages the parking brake with the transmission in neutral, then turns off the engine." -Elmer Clark 10:49, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
First or reverse. See How to Drive a Car with Manual Transmission which says to use a gear but not which one. Or Safe Driving at cybersteering.com which states "Use your parking brake and shift your cars gear into first, reverse or parking position." CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 10:54, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
In which 'parking position' is presumably neutral? I've always heard neutral for short term, a gear if you're going to leave the car for a long time (weeks). But no cite here. Skittle 11:48, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Surely "parking position" is only on automatic cars? Sam Korn (smoddy) 12:25, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

From [2] a site to help people pass their test in the UK: Q Should you change down the gears whilst slowing down in traffic or to stop at the side of the road?

A No, you don't have too. The simple rule is the gears are for going and the brakes are for slowing. Brake down to the speed you require, then go into a gear suitable for that speed. If you have stopped at the side of the road, the gear will be neutral, if in traffic with the prospect of moving almost immediately, it will be 1st gear.

Skittle 11:57, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Nice one... but it implies that you're still in the car, with the engine on? --Dweller 12:12, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
It does seem to, but in a 'of course, when you've stopped you'll go into neutral' kind of way? Flat-surface parking I was always told neutral, and I passed my test, but that isn't cited. On a slope, you of course use a gear, but you know that. Skittle 13:29, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

The UK Highway Code makes no mention of gears when parking (section 214) but does mention gears when parking on a hill (Section 226). All here. But given that gears provide a secondary system providing redundnacy in the event of a handbrake failure, it is surely sensible to consider their use. I've had a van with handbrake on roll down a very very very gentle inclined plane. The driver of the van hit by my van was not over impressed... --Tagishsimon (talk)

I'm not really sure it matters what gear it is in when parked. What is more important is checking you are in neutral when you restart the engine so you don't lurch forward or backwards. MeltBanana 16:05, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Putting the car in Gear is NOT a replacement for the parking break. On a slope the engine will still turn, albiet slowly, while in gear. This is because it will build up enough pressure to complete a stroke simply because of the weight of the car. At this point the engine will turn and the car will move a few inches. So you might return to a car which has moved a number of feet since you left it. --Darkfred Talk to me 16:14, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

When I took my driving test several decades ago, the correct answer was to leave the car in gear, since due to the gear ratio, the pressure of the gear train on the engine was not capable of causing the engine to move. This is a suppplement to the hand brake. Hand brakes have cables which can break. Children can easily release a handbrake. (They can also depress a clutch.) Another rule was to leave the wheels turned when parking on a slope, such that the car would roll against the curb if the brake failed, not out into the street. A car left in neutral on a hill with only the handbrake holding it has a good chance to go where you would not want it to go.Edison 18:09, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Leave it in gear so it can't roll. Edison's wheel turning tip is a good one!Downunda 23:26, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Fat limb problem.[edit]

Hi, this may sound strange and maybe in the wrong section but,

How to lose weight in leg limbs... cause I'm a guy, but my limbs are fatter like girl limbs...

Its probably because i've been sitting by computer alot... but now i wanna lose thos limbs... my other body is +/- normal...

Thanks for any answers...

Dieting The article also explains the importance of physical exercise. --Zeizmic 12:37, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Experts suggest there's no such thing as 'spot reduction'. If the rest of your body is 'normal', then you've just got muscular legs, and maybe doing some bodybuilding to beef up your upper body is in order (to even out your look). If you do have more body fat than you want, exercise is always a good way to make your flesh hang off your bones in a more attractive way, but apparently spot exercise will not make much of a difference to specific body parts if you're overweight. If it's any consolation, some women (like me) prefer men with meaty legs. Anchoress 12:44, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
If you want to lose limbs, there's always amputation. =) JIP | Talk 13:01, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Well accually yes, my limbs are pretty muscular not fat... but my upper body is a bit smaller so I overall look strange, and I have muscular hands too. Just look strange wearing a jeans... :)

And big thanks to you people for the fast reply, it is much appreciated.. thanks!!

It also may help to do more aerobic exercises if you like to work out. Cycling or running are good choices. If you train yourself to this end, you will hav less muscle mass, and you will be burning calories and building lean muscles with more endurance. Best of luck, AdamBiswanger1 15:15, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

swedish meatballs[edit]

What can I add to a swedish meatball tv dinner to make it more authentic?

Swede? --Dweller 13:39, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Eat it off self-assemble furniture? DJ Clayworth 13:40, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Lingonberry jelly. --LarryMac 13:43, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Little Swedish flags? -- THE GREAT GAVINI {T|C|#} 13:52, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Accompany the meal with Abba music punctuated with cowbells, while sitting in a Volvo with a foxy blonde companion wearing salopettes. --Dweller 14:04, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
The Finnish stereotype of Swedes is extremely unlike the Anglo-Saxon one. But I don't want to offend any Swedes here. I've never heard anyone in the Nordic countries eating meatballs with lingonberry jam. Now sauteed reindeer meat, it has to be eaten with mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam, it can't be eaten with anything else, but as for common-or-garden meatballs, we eat them the same way as everyone else. (Disclaimer: I'm Finnish, not Swedish). JIP | Talk 17:27, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Cowbells? Surely that's for Swiss meatballs? 205.211.164.226 17:14, 16 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • Ahh,they're so unkind! A few herbs should help,or try a dash of Wocestershire sauce for a taste boost-hotclaws**==(82.138.214.1 15:57, 15 August 2006 (UTC))[reply]
The question was how to make it authentic, not how to make it taste good. If it had been the latter, I'd surely have mentioned Texas Pete. --LarryMac 16:15, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
The only way to make a tv dinner more authentic is to watch tv whilst eating it. MeltBanana 15:59, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
That was funnier than all the Swedish gags put together. Excellent. --Dweller 16:01, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Ketchup heightens any tv-based meal. --Brandnewuser 18:53, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Meatball says the are "... traditionally served with gravy, boiled potatoes, lingonberry jam, and sometimes fresh pickled cucumber." CambridgeBayWeather (Talk) 20:01, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Also, I consider the best and most traditional meatballs be the ones seasoned with allspice. TERdON 09:33, 22 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Turn the thermostat down very low and make your house extremely boring.--Teutoberg 22:32, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
You could invite some friends around prepare it naked and, if you are a man grow a beard, if you are a woman go for one of these. Thats understanding of Sweden anyway... ;) Rockpocket 06:14, 16 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Is Brazilian waxing big in Sweden? AllanHainey 11:44, 17 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Moari royalty[edit]

Concerning the featured article on the death of the Moari Queen today, I was wondering if someone could write an article on how the position is transfered from one Queen to the next. as if you are to read the article after clicking on her name, it will tell you that it does not nessesarily go to the next person in line. I would write an article on it myself but i have no idea and thus would like to read it rather than write. Thanks dudes. and dedettes lolAnton 16:14, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

There's actually a place on wikipedia called Requested Articles where these types of issues are better dealt with, so I would recommend taking it there. Best of luck, AdamBiswanger1 17:00, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
There should be a section in Māori King Movement on the appointment procedure rather than a new article - I'll go add it now. To answer your question, the position is chosen by the tribal leaders associated with Kingitanga, although it is usually at least semi-hereditary (not Primogeniture necessarily). There is some debate over whether the position will continue. See this news article for more. Ziggurat 21:27, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

ebay auction: ad?[edit]

If you put up an item for auction on eBay, could is be considered an "ad" as in advertisement? Thanks! Reywas92 16:30, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

An advertisement in what context? In everyday conversation? In law? AdamBiswanger1 16:59, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
That would certainly seem to meet with the common definitions of advertisement, which is basically "a public notice or announcement" (Concise Oxford).--Shantavira 17:34, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Strictly speaking, I would consider the image, link, and description of your product to be an advertisement--the rest is either the product itself or the venue of sale. AdamBiswanger1 17:41, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
It should not be any different than a classified ad, though it is uncertain which advertising laws would apply, those of the sellers location, the buyers or the hosting company. Nowimnthing 20:33, 16 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

request for articles needing editing[edit]

is there any that anybody knows of that are easy to edit (don;t require much knowledge)? thanks

I'm sure you can always start out by experimenting with the Sandbox. I gave you the talk page, which explains what the sandbox is, and how to use it. There is a link on the talk page that you can click to start editing it. Have fun! P.S. Remember to sign your name by typing four tildes: ~~~~. --71.98.8.42 20:08, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
I would get you hence to Wikipedia:Cleanup, where there are more unfortunate articles in need of a subedit than you can shake a stick at. --Tagishsimon (talk)
Try looking for something not-too-technical on any of the pages under the green section of the Wikipedia:Community Portal. BenC7 04:55, 16 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Well I just added cleanup tags to Barbara Walters and The Cave (film). Babs needs copyediting (missing spaces and inaccurate punctuation), while The Cave needs an aggressive pruning/re-write for clarity of its detailed, rambling plot synopis. Neither needs knowledge, per se, although if you've seen The Cave it might help (I wasn't able to make headway editing because I couldn't understand what had already been written). Anchoress 04:59, 16 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Surely there is something you know something about for which there is no decent article yet. Scientific and technical stuff is fairly well covered on Wikipedia. It's the rest that is still largely lacking. Maybe where you live, if it's a small town. Or you could upload images for articles that need illustration. Maybe your car or some other product you have. Look it up and if there is no photo, take one and add it to the article. Or maybe notable buildings in your town. Is there a list of wanted photos? DirkvdM 08:58, 16 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Stereotyping[edit]

(moved from talk page) I have this problem. I keep stereotyping. I've been reading a lot about what stereotyping is and trying to fix my stereotypical remarks, but for some reason I can't find out how to fix my negative behavior. Are there any articles in this? I would like some help in this, because I am trying to be a positive person. Time: 4:43 P.M Tuesday August 15 2006 ~Hannah

Stereotypes are usually the result of outgroup homogeneity bias and trait ascription bias, basically, the (often incorrect) connection that someone does something *because* they are some way. That is, "I get angry because 1. I had a bad day, 2. they annoyed me, 3. I had too much to drink today" vs. "They get angry because 1. they're [insert 'angry' race here]". Correlation implies causation has more on this; just because two things occur together does not necessarily mean that they are in any way connected. Ziggurat 21:36, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • Richard Bandler has written a lot about this sort of "mind-lock" for want of a better word and how to fix it-hotclaws**==(82.138.214.1 00:28, 16 August 2006 (UTC))[reply]
I've been typing with two hands for years and never found it a problem. DirkvdM 08:59, 16 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
On a more serious note, stereotyping is unavoidable. It's the way the mind works. In order to make sense of the wild variety is sees in the world, it classifies things, lumping them together, despite individual differrences. If you don't do enough of that (like I try to) you're likely to go nuts. Oversimplifying things is a lot easier, which is why most people do that. And as long as they stay in their own little circle of likeminded people (such as a small vilage) that constitutes no problem. But as soon as they step out of that little world and possibly even get confronted with the people they stereotype about they often either ignore the problem, in which case they're prone to be labelled racists or such, or overcompensate, in which case they're being politically correct, which is not really good either. It's a fine line. Not really an answer, but solving a problem starts with recognising it for what it is. DirkvdM 09:22, 16 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Stereotyping is the external application of tribalism. I find it most prevalent in monoculture small towns (or the US!). It is usually cured by working and living with many cultures, as found in blended cities such as Toronto. I find that (for example) you have bad experiences with crazy Italian drivers, then you would assume all Italians are crazy drivers (when it's actually the shaved-head guys!). Only by being involved with a lot of Italians (like I am), would you realize that they are only slightly crazy (like me!). (I am aware that there might be some stereotyping here..) --Zeizmic 12:17, 16 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

If you avoid absolute words like "always", "all", and "never", you can turn pretty much any stereotype statement into a true one:
"All Italians love garlic."                   (FALSE)
"Italians always eat food with garlic."       (FALSE)
"Italians never eat meals without garlic."    (FALSE)

"Many Italians love garlic."                   (TRUE)
"Italians frequently eat food with garlic."    (TRUE)
"Italians sometimes eat meals without garlic." (TRUE)
StuRat 23:49, 17 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Wikiversity[edit]

When will we able to attend lectures at the wikiversity? Thanks.

I don't think you can attend a place that doesn't physically exist. BenC7 04:56, 16 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • I may be totally out of the loop of things, but I think Wikiversity will be creating learning materials in addition to the textbooks Wikibooks started. I've heard nothing about them actually giving any lectures. - Mgm|(talk) 08:55, 16 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
See further the Wikiversity Main Page. --LambiamTalk 09:16, 16 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Application of principle of explosion[edit]

I am too simple to comprehend the article on principle of explosion and thus I do not understand this statement from an above question:

<statement> According to the article Principle of explosion, and given that old Sam is dead, if Sam Walton was alive today, I would be the world's wealthiest person! --LambiamTalk 02:13, 15 August 2006 (UTC) <statement/>[reply]

could someone please explain? Thanks. Wjlkgnsfb 22:45, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I'll take a punt at it, though the Lord alone knows whaat goes on in the recesses of Lambiam's mind ;). The key is anything follows from a contradiction. Lambiam's saying that if you could revert the death of Walton, then anything is as likely to occur; under the principle, Lambiam is as likely to be the richest man as Walton is. The principle says "there's no model to follow in this post-walton-death situation, and so no way to predict what will occur". Something like that. --Tagishsimon (talk)
ok I get it. I don't like that principle though, and I don't like how it can be "proved". Wjlkgnsfb 06:02, 16 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
It's just saying that having an assumption both true and untrue at the same time cannot form any valid basis for logical deduction. There doesn't have to have any element of time. The details of the "proof" of this principle have always seemed pretty silly, to me. In English and using concrete statements:
We assume that Walton is dead and that he is not dead.
Thus, "Walton is dead" is a true statement.
Also, "Walton is not dead" is a true statement.
Therefore, the statement "Either 'Walton is dead' or 'I am the richest man on earth'" is true.
(The point being you can put ANYTHING after the "or" because the first part is true)
But, we said above that "Walton is not dead."
So if this "or" statement is true as we claimed, then "I am the richest man on earth" (or whatever else!) is true.
Does that make sense? That's an explication of the Principle of Explosion proof, but also relevant (and perhaps clearer?) is the notion of vacuous truth. -- 68.144.55.245 18:52, 16 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Chicago Golf Club member fees[edit]

How much does it cost to be a member of the Chicago Golf Club? Looking for both "initiation", "introductory" fees and monthly fees. Wjlkgnsfb 23:00, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Why don't you call them? 630-665-2988 (see their website) Dar-Ape 02:38, 16 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
i ain't calling. They'll laugh in my face. That's like going to a Bentley dealership and asking them how much a custom model's going for. If you have to ask, they're not going to give you a straight answer.
If they're the sort of people who'd laugh in your face, it's not the sort of organisation you'd want to be a member of anyway. No? JackofOz 01:43, 17 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
who said I wanted to join?? Look, I just want to catch someone lurking who's a member or knows a member and find otu the prices. Jeeeeees

Feminist interpretation of the Caryatid[edit]

Looking for a serious article from the "feminist revolution" which interprets the Caryatid

(I'm hoping to find one condemming it as the objectifying invention of an ancient male-chauvanist architect...but we can only be so lucky). Wjlkgnsfb 23:21, 15 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I feel sorry for straight guys. Chicks don't know how to take a compliment. Caryatids celebrate female beauty. Dames should appreciate that. --Nelson Ricardo 03:46, 16 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
This looks like a good possibility, but it's got restricted access. I didn't check the criteria, it's not paid as far as I can see. Maybe you have to be a student. Anchoress 04:13, 16 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Found a German link [3]referring to Die Akropolis von Athen by Ulrike Muss and Charlotte Schubert.
Louky Bersianik, Le Pique-nique sur Acropole:

They want to reerect the antiquated patriarchate it seems, says Xanthippe, raise again the primacy of the Erection, says Ancyl, restore the Caryatids so that they can continue to bear the unbearable, says Aphélie as she strikes some dissonant chords on her dancing-hall accordion. Haven't they had enough of this fare of colonized columns, supports for a system they know to be alien and hostile? It's understandable that the Atlases continue to carry the world on their shoulders since the world belongs to them, but the caryatids! What are they waiting for to slip away, the time is certainly right.

Though probably not what you mean by a serious article.EricR 22:17, 16 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Reference_desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2006_August_15&oldid=1136078676"