Thursday, February 24, 2011
Do Plants Have DNA?
Yes; any living organism has DNA (wikipedia). Therefore, for those ultra-vegans out there willing to expand your core definitions, you and plants both have DNA. Consider this picture:
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Why Not "Earthian"?
While we all have varying degrees of experience with Martians, or at least with the word "Martian," the question remains: Why aren't we Earthians? In science fiction films dating back to the first extraterrestrial encounters, inhabitants of this planet are called Earthlings (ofttimes condescendingly), whereas those from other bodies use the -ian suffix (including those from Avatar's Pandora: Pandorians).
The following list presents common references to either individuals, items, or properties of other bodies in our solar system (note the suffixes, more complete list here):
To answer the question [finally], Earthlings are called Earthlings because it is a diminutive form (Wikipedia!).
Not satisfied? [And you shouldn't be.]
The definition to the suffixes -ling and -ian could be "one connect with," and "of, relating to, or resembling," respectively. Considering this, Earthian should be accepted, albeit not commonplace; therefore, perhaps the best answer to the question is "just because." Common use dictates that it is such.
And don't you forget it, Earthling!
The following list presents common references to either individuals, items, or properties of other bodies in our solar system (note the suffixes, more complete list here):
Mercury: Mercurian, Hermean
Venus: Venusian
Earth: Earthling
Mars: Martian
Jupiter: Jovian
Saturn: Saturnian
Uranus: Uranian
Neptune: Neptunian
Pluto: Plutonian [Yes; I included Pluto]
To answer the question [finally], Earthlings are called Earthlings because it is a diminutive form (Wikipedia!).
Not satisfied? [And you shouldn't be.]
The definition to the suffixes -ling and -ian could be "one connect with," and "of, relating to, or resembling," respectively. Considering this, Earthian should be accepted, albeit not commonplace; therefore, perhaps the best answer to the question is "just because." Common use dictates that it is such.
And don't you forget it, Earthling!
Friday, November 5, 2010
Antarctica...
...would be the world's 2nd largest country (14 mil sq km; after Russia but before Canada, US, and China).
...lies entirely within the UTC-03 time zone (1 hour east of Eastern US; same as Eastern Canada, Brazil, and Bermuda)
...has the internet extension .aq
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Disturbing the Peace
The Westboro Baptist Church, famous for its protests at military funerals, is involved with a decision placed upon the Supreme Court (article link). In a discussion on this situation, conversation turned to the apparent conflict between the concepts of Freedom of Speech and Disturbing the Peace.
Freedom of Speech (wiki) is granted by the First Amendment to the US Constitution (wiki) and protects many forms of speech, including those that are offensive, hateful, or just plain stupid. However, exception is made to speech that incites danger.
Disturbing the Peace (wiki) is a crime (misdemeanor) that seems to have more to do with loud noises and fighting (including challenging others to fights) than it does to the content of what is said. In fact, Disorderly Conduct (also a crime and related to disturbing the peace, wiki), includes "disturbing a lawful assembly of persons," but is, itself, subservient to the First Amendment. In other words, in considering charges of disturbing the peace, it seems that freedom of speech is given more weight than freedom of peace (not explicitly guaranteed, that I know of).
This all boils down to what appears to be, at present, a case-by-case basis, examined after the fact. Hence the Supreme Court hearing. Mid-next-year, after the Supreme Court decides on the case, we may have more guidance on the application of these seemingly at-odds provisions.
Freedom of Speech (wiki) is granted by the First Amendment to the US Constitution (wiki) and protects many forms of speech, including those that are offensive, hateful, or just plain stupid. However, exception is made to speech that incites danger.
Disturbing the Peace (wiki) is a crime (misdemeanor) that seems to have more to do with loud noises and fighting (including challenging others to fights) than it does to the content of what is said. In fact, Disorderly Conduct (also a crime and related to disturbing the peace, wiki), includes "disturbing a lawful assembly of persons," but is, itself, subservient to the First Amendment. In other words, in considering charges of disturbing the peace, it seems that freedom of speech is given more weight than freedom of peace (not explicitly guaranteed, that I know of).
This all boils down to what appears to be, at present, a case-by-case basis, examined after the fact. Hence the Supreme Court hearing. Mid-next-year, after the Supreme Court decides on the case, we may have more guidance on the application of these seemingly at-odds provisions.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
How much does a Cap Metro bus cost?
Tim guessed $80K, Clark $100K, Eric $122 million. Final answer...
$300,000 for a new natural gas bus.
-- personal communication with Capital Metro via GO Line, 9/30/2010.
Also, I will insert a Jump Break because I have no idea what a Jump Break is.
$300,000 for a new natural gas bus.
-- personal communication with Capital Metro via GO Line, 9/30/2010.
Also, I will insert a Jump Break because I have no idea what a Jump Break is.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Too sexy for your town?
In case you think one of these folks lives in your building and is peering in through your drapes in a creepy-fashion: http://www.familywatchdog.us/
Thursday, September 16, 2010
What is Red 40
Buzz of the day: Does someone own and manufacture Red 40? Or is it a specification of a certain hue, saturation, and lightness?
http://www.red40.com/ says that Red 40 is an FDA-certified color additive, and lists many foods that include it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allura_Red_AC says chemically it is 6-hydroxy-5-((2-methoxy-5-methyl-4-sulfophenyl)azo)-2-naphthalene-sulfonate, and that it is made mostly from petroleum.
Can anyone comment on who makes Red 40?
http://www.red40.com/ says that Red 40 is an FDA-certified color additive, and lists many foods that include it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allura_Red_AC says chemically it is 6-hydroxy-5-((2-methoxy-5-methyl-4-sulfophenyl)azo)-2-naphthalene-sulfonate, and that it is made mostly from petroleum.
Can anyone comment on who makes Red 40?
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