NationStates Jolt Archive

I have some weird questions that sort of accumulated over the past couple of months (or maybe even years, I can't remember), but that I haven't found answers for yet. So I thought maybe NS can enlighten me on the following:

What does lava smell like? Hot stone? Really hot stone? Brimstone?

How do machines harvest blackcurrants? Do they just strip everything of the bushes and sort out the berries afterwards? Or how does it work?

Why do humans think (generally) think the furry animals are cute and animals without fur are disgusting? And why doesn't the same apply to other humans?


I'd appreciate answers to those questions. Oh, and if you have weird questions of your own, this is the thread to post them in :D

How do hedgehogs have sex?!

I have some weird questions that sort of accumulated over the past couple of months (or maybe even years, I can't remember), but that I haven't found answers for yet. So I thought maybe NS can enlighten me on the following:

What does lava smell like? Hot stone? Really hot stone? Brimstone?

How do machines harvest blackcurrants? Do they just strip everything of the bushes and sort out the berries afterwards? Or how does it work?

Why do humans think (generally) think the furry animals are cute and animals without fur are disgusting? And why doesn't the same apply to other humans?


I'd appreciate answers to those questions. Oh, and if you have weird questions of your own, this is the thread to post them in :D

I could guess at 1 and 3...
1. Probably like burning nostril hair. I wouldn't imagine lava itself would have a smell, though there might be brimstone smells around it.
3. I'd guess that it's because nonfurry animals look more like us, in a twisted and disturbing way that we don't want nonhumans to look. Also, nonfurry nonhumans tend to be much wrinklier than the cute nonfurry humans.

As for lava, I heard it has a strong sulfur smell to it, but I have no firsthand experience to back that up.

I don't begin to know about the second one.

I personally think there are plenty of non-furry but very cute animals, such as many snakes and lizards, most frogs, and many fish. And people don't thing furry people are sexy because it would feel to much like you're doing Chewbacca.

As for hedgehogs... very carefully

How do hedgehogs have sex?!

"The Hedgehog can't never be buggered at all" -Nanny Ogg, from the discworld series

"The Hedgehog can't never be buggered at all" -Nanny Ogg, from the discworld series

Brilliant song, that. Almost as good as ""A Wizard's Staff has a Knob on the End"...

I have some weird questions that sort of accumulated over the past couple of months (or maybe even years, I can't remember), but that I haven't found answers for yet. So I thought maybe NS can enlighten me on the following:

What does lava smell like? Hot stone? Really hot stone? Brimstone?
Probably really bad and hot, like sulphur.

How do machines harvest blackcurrants? Do they just strip everything of the bushes and sort out the berries afterwards? Or how does it work?
Don't know.

Why do humans think (generally) think the furry animals are cute and animals without fur are disgusting? And why doesn't the same apply to other humans?
Because they are self-loathing and see themselves in the hairless animals.

No.

My real answer is that the furballs are soft and people like that.

1. http://volcano.und.edu/vwdocs/frequent_questions/grp1/question483.html

2. http://sfmt.co.uk/black_currents.htm

3. The Straight Dope had this to say:

"The final aspect, cuddliness, is partly a result of breeding. A mutant pet that is more cuddly and endearing than its predecessors is more likely to be used by its owner to breed more pets like it, if it's the sort of pet for which cuddliness is a relevant consideration. Pigs, for example, aren't particularly cuddly, despite centuries of breeding, because they haven't been bred as housepets. Dogs and cats, on the other hand, have been intensely bred, resulting in things like tiny little lap dogs (or fluffy cats) with big eyes and flat faces. Animals of this sort are perceived as cuddly due to their resemblance to human infants--they trigger our parental instincts. Few animals are capable of having that psychological effect, so it's no surprise that few have worked their way into our homes as completely (and parasitically, given how little practical purpose most of them serve) as cats and dogs."

I'd guess it's because we associate fur with softness and comfort and warmth, all pleasant things. Now scales, on the other hand...

And for Baratstan: According to some random MySpace page: "And when hedgehogs have sex the female flattens her quills, allowing the male to mount her unscathed."

OK...

"The Hedgehog can't never be buggered at all" -Nanny Ogg, from the discworld series

Yes, it's a very lazy animal the hedgehog. :)

I love the witches, particularly Granny Weatherwax.


Edit: What actually is brimstone & what does it smell like?

Yes, it's a very lazy animal the hedgehog. :)

I love the witches, particularly Granny Weatherwax.


Edit: What actually is brimstone & what does it smell like?

Sulfur, to both questions.

I have some weird questions that sort of accumulated over the past couple of months (or maybe even years, I can't remember), but that I haven't found answers for yet. So I thought maybe NS can enlighten me on the following:

What does lava smell like? Hot stone? Really hot stone? Brimstone?
If you got close enough, you wouldn't live long enough to care.

Why do humans think (generally) think the furry animals are cute and animals without fur are disgusting? And why doesn't the same apply to other humans?
Because people like to wear other animals, but not other humans (usually) because it's an inborn trait not to try to destroy the human populace.

I'd appreciate answers to those questions. Oh, and if you have weird questions of your own, this is the thread to post them in :D

The only questions I have at the moment I shall have to answer in due time.

1. http://volcano.und.edu/vwdocs/frequent_questions/grp1/question483.html

2. http://sfmt.co.uk/black_currents.htm

3. The Straight Dope had this to say:

"The final aspect, cuddliness, is partly a result of breeding. A mutant pet that is more cuddly and endearing than its predecessors is more likely to be used by its owner to breed more pets like it, if it's the sort of pet for which cuddliness is a relevant consideration. Pigs, for example, aren't particularly cuddly, despite centuries of breeding, because they haven't been bred as housepets. Dogs and cats, on the other hand, have been intensely bred, resulting in things like tiny little lap dogs (or fluffy cats) with big eyes and flat faces. Animals of this sort are perceived as cuddly due to their resemblance to human infants--they trigger our parental instincts. Few animals are capable of having that psychological effect, so it's no surprise that few have worked their way into our homes as completely (and parasitically, given how little practical purpose most of them serve) as cats and dogs."

I'd guess it's because we associate fur with softness and comfort and warmth, all pleasant things. Now scales, on the other hand...

And for Baratstan: According to some random MySpace page: "And when hedgehogs have sex the female flattens her quills, allowing the male to mount her unscathed."

OK...


Wow, thanks. I know that smell when you smash rocks... it's rather faint, acrid smell. I wouldn't have associated it with lava, though.

And thanks for the other explanations as well :D

Dogs and cats, on the other hand, have been intensely bred, resulting in things like tiny little lap dogs (or fluffy cats) with big eyes and flat faces. Animals of this sort are perceived as cuddly due to their resemblance to human infants--they trigger our parental instincts.

My question: so how come many more people go crazy over some little puppy someone is walking on the street (everybody will turn around to look, and coo, and smile) than over a tiny baby someone is carrying?

I know I certainly do. A cute puppy (for example) completely slays me, whereas a baby is just meh.

So if the "typical infant characteristics" (large eyes, big head, wobbly movements etc.; "Kindchenschema" in German, don't know if there is an English term) are designed to make us react positively to infants, making us want to protect them, and if those characteristics are modelled on what we react to positively in infants of our own species, then WHY would we react more positively to the "imitations" than to the originals of our own species?

Wow, thanks. I know that smell when you smash rocks... it's rather faint, acrid smell. I wouldn't have associated it with lava, though.

And thanks for the other explanations as well :D

Why not? How do you think they melt? Witchcraft?:p

How do hedgehogs have sex?!
Carefully, I suppose. Very, very carefully.

Carefully, I suppose. Very, very carefully.

I hear it's a good show, though.

I have some weird questions that sort of accumulated over the past couple of months (or maybe even years, I can't remember), but that I haven't found answers for yet. So I thought maybe NS can enlighten me on the following:

What does lava smell like? Hot stone? Really hot stone? Brimstone?

How do machines harvest blackcurrants? Do they just strip everything of the bushes and sort out the berries afterwards? Or how does it work?

Why do humans think (generally) think the furry animals are cute and animals without fur are disgusting? And why doesn't the same apply to other humans?


I'd appreciate answers to those questions. Oh, and if you have weird questions of your own, this is the thread to post them in :D

I always pictured lava having a sulfur smell. Comes from being born in a mining town where one of the 'sights' was molten slag pouring down a hill.

For the blackcurrants, I imagined a lot of shaking, even befroe I read Rhaomi's post.

As for furry animals.... must come with the 'petting' factor. Pets without fur might be seen as bizarre. Meanwhile, humans are more desireable for their silky-smooth unblemished skin, which too much 'fur' obscures.

Some of us develop a taste for fur regardless.


My Questions;

- Is cheese strictly a European thing? Is there such a thing as Chinese or African cheese? Or were Europeans the onlly people crazy enough to eat solidified, aged milk by-product?

- Why do women object to the term 'ladies'? I don't object to the term 'gentleman', so where's the fire?

- Who would win in a fight; Ghandi, or Mother Theresa?

Why do humans think (generally) think the furry animals are cute and animals without fur are disgusting?
Really, people find whales, dolphins, orcas, and porpoises disgusting? :confused: I never knew.

My Questions;

- Is cheese strictly a European thing? Is there such a thing as Chinese or African cheese? Or were Europeans the onlly people crazy enough to eat solidified, aged milk by-product?

- Why do women object to the term 'ladies'? I don't object to the term 'gentleman', so where's the fire?

- Who would win in a fight; Ghandi, or Mother Theresa?

1) I think Turkey (technically Asian) discovered Cheese. it just never caught on in the east.

2) never met a woman who objects to being called 'Ladies'.

3) who would win? Everyone.

My weird question:

If you were given a space ship, a time machine, and some spray paint, what message would you write on the surface of the moon for the astronauts to find?

My weird question:

If you were given a space ship, a time machine, and some spray paint, what message would you write on the surface of the moon for the astronauts to find?

"It was Laura Palmer's Dad. Sort of..."

Really, people find whales, dolphins, orcas, and porpoises disgusting? :confused: I never knew.


That's the thing: people only object to hairless mammals when they're wrinkly.

I always pictured lava having a sulfur smell. Comes from being born in a mining town where one of the 'sights' was molten slag pouring down a hill.

For the blackcurrants, I imagined a lot of shaking, even befroe I read Rhaomi's post.

As for furry animals.... must come with the 'petting' factor. Pets without fur might be seen as bizarre. Meanwhile, humans are more desireable for their silky-smooth unblemished skin, which too much 'fur' obscures.

Some of us develop a taste for fur regardless.


My Questions;

- Is cheese strictly a European thing? Is there such a thing as Chinese or African cheese? Or were Europeans the onlly people crazy enough to eat solidified, aged milk by-product?

- Why do women object to the term 'ladies'? I don't object to the term 'gentleman', so where's the fire?

- Who would win in a fight; Ghandi, or Mother Theresa?

Ghandi. Mother Theresa doesn't know badass yogic martial arts.:eek: :D

Really, people find whales, dolphins, orcas, and porpoises disgusting? :confused: I never knew.
Yes. They do. You're just socially inept.:p
2) never met a woman who objects to being called 'Ladies'.

I haven't either. Most of them seem to respond favorably...but then I generally address one as "m'lady" in such an instance, so maybe that's a little different...

My weird question:

If you were given a space ship, a time machine, and some spray paint, what message would you write on the surface of the moon for the astronauts to find?

"Killroy was here... and he was delicious"

"Smile, you're on Candid Camera"

"enjoy the view... for this is as far as you'll get."

"bah, only Star Trek is the only good thing on that planet."

"I hate this place... no atmosphere!"

"Please put Litter in it's place!"

"Wow... it worked..." (then the signature of Jules Vern)

"Never buy a cheep map" (then the signature of Amelia Earhart)

and the everpopular... " :) "

and the everpopular... " :) "

I'd rather carve a clown with pointy teeth on it...

My question: so how come many more people go crazy over some little puppy someone is walking on the street (everybody will turn around to look, and coo, and smile) than over a tiny baby someone is carrying?

I know I certainly do. A cute puppy (for example) completely slays me, whereas a baby is just meh.

So if the "typical infant characteristics" (large eyes, big head, wobbly movements etc.; "Kindchenschema" in German, don't know if there is an English term) are designed to make us react positively to infants, making us want to protect them, and if those characteristics are modelled on what we react to positively in infants of our own species, then WHY would we react more positively to the "imitations" than to the originals of our own species?

http://www.talaris.org/images/spotlight/right/goodnight-photo-2.jpg
http://www.puppypurebred.com/images/Happy%20puppy.jpg

Well, if pets were bred to be as cute-looking as possible, then eventually they would "out-cute" the babies they were being bred to resemble. So on the one hand you have this average-looking baby, and on the other you have this fuzzy wuzzy widdle thing with big baby eyes! Who's a cutie? Who?

Ahem.

My Questions;

- Is cheese strictly a European thing? Is there such a thing as Chinese or African cheese? Or were Europeans the onlly people crazy enough to eat solidified, aged milk by-product?

Historicallly cheese was eaten in Europe, the middle east, parts of Africa, India and central Asia. However, dairy products of any kind were rarely consumed in the far east and pre columbian America.

Lava usually smells like sulphur, yes brimstone.

We se mammals as cute, because we are closely related to them. I just so happens mamals are usually furry. This is especially true of baby-anythings (cuteness, not furriness). There was a very interesting paper on it in a very interesting magazine. I have forgotten both but it has to do with evolution.

Machines don't harvest black Currants, farmed human clones do (and break federal laws in the name of corporate greed in doing so).

Really, people find whales, dolphins, orcas, and porpoises disgusting? :confused: I never knew.

all mammals

- Is cheese strictly a European thing? Is there such a thing as Chinese or African cheese? Or were Europeans the onlly people crazy enough to eat solidified, aged milk by-product?
I have discussed this at great length when stoned a long time ago. We figured it out too. Only europe has done the dairy thing in a big way. Middle east too. The reason why is actually pretty obvious. Consider this; would you drink human breast milk? As in the milk from a pregnant woman's breast? It's disgusting, yes? Now, would you do the same thing but from an animal, say, a pig? No way. What about Dog milk? You get my point. We are desensitised to the idea of drinking cow milk, because we are taught to accept it by society. But apart from this, it is actually quite gross. It also can be unheathy (before pastuerisation). Finally it is a little obscure.

So why did europeans do it. I say chance. Dairy is one of those things that if you didn't discover it as a culture very early on, you probably won't later. You basically have to be freezing you arse off in the snow and look at the cow and say 'you know'. If you didn't do it when you needed it, you definitely won't do it when you don't.

So thats why Cheese, and dairy in general is more of a european thing. Well, according to a group of stoned teenagers.

- Is cheese strictly a European thing? Is there such a thing as Chinese or African cheese? Or were Europeans the onlly people crazy enough to eat solidified, aged milk by-product?
1) I think Turkey (technically Asian) discovered Cheese. it just never caught on in the east.

Close enough. Cheese is prehistoric, but is though to have been developed independently by both the Turkic tribes of Central Asia and early Arabs. The earlist acheological evidence has been found in Egypt.

Close enough. Cheese is prehistoric, but is though to have been developed independently by both the Turkic tribes of Central Asia and early Arabs. The earlist acheological evidence has been found in Egypt.

Ahh... but the real question...

Who was the first man to cut the cheese? :D

I have discussed this at great length when stoned a long time ago. We figured it out too. Only europe has done the dairy thing in a big way. Middle east too. The reason why is actually pretty obvious. Consider this; would you drink human breast milk? As in the milk from a pregnant woman's breast? It's disgusting, yes? Now, would you do the same thing but from an animal, say, a pig? No way. What about Dog milk? You get my point. We are desensitised to the idea of drinking cow milk, because we are taught to accept it by society. But apart from this, it is actually quite gross. It also can be unheathy (before pastuerisation). Finally it is a little obscure.

So why did europeans do it. I say chance. Dairy is one of those things that if you didn't discover it as a culture very early on, you probably won't later. You basically have to be freezing you arse off in the snow and look at the cow and say 'you know'. If you didn't do it when you needed it, you definitely won't do it when you don't.

So thats why Cheese, and dairy in general is more of a european thing. Well, according to a group of stoned teenagers.

Don't forget India. They eat all sorts of dairy products including cheese. Part of the reason the cow is considerd sacred among Hindus is because they provide an abundant high protien food source that doesn't involve killing the animal. That is no small thing to a primarily vegetarian society.

And the Maasai of Africa are heavily dependent on dairy for their very survival.

You know those stripey toothpastes, usually called something like mint stripe? How do they make it so it always comes out stripey?

You know those stripey toothpastes, usually called something like mint stripe? How do they make it so it always comes out stripey?

http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_173.html

Ahh... but the real question...

Who was the first man to cut the cheese?

I can tell you with great precision - the "cheese" was first "cut" by Atouk the Caveman at 7:45 am (GMT) on October 9th, 1 Million BC.

You know those stripey toothpastes, usually called something like mint stripe? How do they make it so it always comes out stripey?

Easy.

Striped toothpaste
How stripes are produced in toothpaste
Enlarge
How stripes are produced in toothpaste

Striping of toothpaste is solely for the purpose of an interesting appearance; it provides no functional benefit to the consumer.

Striped toothpaste can be produced by including two different colored toothpastes in an unusual type of packaging. The collapsible tube has two tanks, one filled with each color paste (see figure). Squeezing the tube pushes the two pastes out the opening. The tube nozzle layers the pastes to produce a striped pattern.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d5/Tooth-paste-stripes.jpg/180px-Tooth-paste-stripes.jpg

To keep the cost of packaging to a minimum, it is now common for tubes to be filled with striped paste (e.g. Aquafresh). As the tube is squeezed, the stripes flow parallel to each other and do not mix. The patterned paste that gets dipensed is simply a narrower version of what is in the tube. Filling is done using a multi-nozzle filling head that dispenses a different colored stripe in each direction. To keep the stripes parallel to the axis of the tube, the head starts at the bottom and retracts as it fills, staying just above the level of the paste. Tubes with two compartments are generally reserved for toothpastes containing two formulas intended to react together and therefore kept isolated until dispensed (e.g. Colgate Simply White).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toothpaste#Striped_toothpaste

Why do humans think (generally) think the furry animals are cute and animals without fur are disgusting? And why doesn't the same apply to other humans?
naked mole rat:
http://www.noah.org/pictures/slides/naked%20mole%20rat.jpg
vs
kitten:
http://www.animal-world.com/encyclo/featured_pets/Dog_Cat/madcat/kitten.jpg
yeah. It is weird that people think hairless things are ugly whilst furry ones are cute. Why ever would they think that?

My Questions;

- Is cheese strictly a European thing? Is there such a thing as Chinese or African cheese? Or were Europeans the onlly people crazy enough to eat solidified, aged milk by-product?

I remember reading a book by a Chinese woman once who described how she first tried cheese shortly after WW II in the USA and thought that her host was giving her food that was rotten. So I guess at least China didn't come up with cheese before, which is amazing considering what other foods hey came up with.
India, however, has Paneer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paneer), which is a rather mild cheese. It's non-aged, one of the reasons for that might be that cheese has to be stored in a cool place to age. I imagine that would have created some difficulties in Africa...


- Why do women object to the term 'ladies'? I don't object to the term 'gentleman', so where's the fire?

No idea... I never heard anybody objecting to the term "ladies"


- Who would win in a fight; Ghandi, or Mother Theresa?

Depends... who do you think would die of old age first? :p

I have discussed this at great length when stoned a long time ago. We figured it out too. Only europe has done the dairy thing in a big way. Middle east too. The reason why is actually pretty obvious. Consider this; would you drink human breast milk? As in the milk from a pregnant woman's breast? It's disgusting, yes? Now, would you do the same thing but from an animal, say, a pig? No way. What about Dog milk? You get my point. We are desensitised to the idea of drinking cow milk, because we are taught to accept it by society. But apart from this, it is actually quite gross. It also can be unheathy (before pastuerisation). Finally it is a little obscure.

So why did europeans do it. I say chance. Dairy is one of those things that if you didn't discover it as a culture very early on, you probably won't later. You basically have to be freezing you arse off in the snow and look at the cow and say 'you know'. If you didn't do it when you needed it, you definitely won't do it when you don't.

So thats why Cheese, and dairy in general is more of a european thing. Well, according to a group of stoned teenagers.


Well, while the general concept might be regarded as disgusting, there are plenty of cultures in Africa and Asia who do have a culture in dairy. The Massai in Kenia are traditinally cow herders, and so are many other societies and cultures. Arab nomads will milk their camels and use that milk in their diet, there are cultures with a tradition of goat herding, or of herding sheep, all throughout Africa and Asia. Mongolians will rely on horse milk.
So it can't be the absence of dairy that's responsible for the absence of cheese

Well, while the general concept might be regarded as disgusting, there are plenty of cultures in Africa and Asia who do have a culture in dairy. The Massai in Kenia are traditinally cow herders, and so are many other societies and cultures. Arab nomads will milk their camels and use that milk in their diet, there are cultures with a tradition of goat herding, or of herding sheep, all throughout Africa and Asia. Mongolians will rely on horse milk.
So it can't be the absence of dairy that's responsible for the absence of cheesenot really, but isn't curdling the first step for cheese making. at that point, most people would throw the milk away.

- Why do women object to the term 'ladies'? I don't object to the term 'gentleman', so where's the fire?

Probably due to one of two things:
Some might find it condenscending.
Back when we had 'ladies and gentlemen' in Victorian times etc, the man was viewed as the strong protector and decison-maker, whilst the woman who was enfeebled and liable to hysteria and fainting. Thus some women might take the term 'Ladies' to imply that they are weak and incapable of loking after themselves. Or I could be just talking out of my arse here. One or the other.

It now has negative connotations - "ladies of the night" for example. Not many women like being called a whore, I've found.

not really, but isn't curdling the first step for cheese making. at that point, most people would throw the milk away.

There are many puzzling concepts when it come to the discovery of "things that taste good" ... how did people discover that you can eat snails, but only after you prepared them correctly? Who found out which mushrooms you can eat and which are poisonous? Or which berries?

There are many puzzling concepts when it come to the discovery of "things that taste good" ... how did people discover that you can eat snails, but only after you prepared them correctly? Who found out which mushrooms you can eat and which are poisonous? Or which berries?
or the process that makes Olives edible... or


can you imagine what went through the head of the man who first discovered that Cow's milk was good? "hmmm... I think I'll suck on these for a while..." :D

or the process that makes Olives edible... or


can you imagine what went through the head of the man who first discovered that Cow's milk was good? "hmmm... I think I'll suck on these for a while..." :D

*roflmao I guess he must have been suffering from a severe oedipal complex ;)

*roflmao I guess he must have been suffering from a severe oedipal complex ;)

Starvation can make a person do some strange things...

Like one story on how the Sandwich was created... :D

not really, but isn't curdling the first step for cheese making. at that point, most people would throw the milk away.

Only in modern wealthy societies. For most of human history food was scarce and expensive and you ate anything that was available even if it had gone a bit off. At the very least you would taste it to make sure it was truly inedible before discarding it.

Who found out which mushrooms you can eat and which are poisonous? Or which berries?

To some degree you would do that by watching what other animals ate. If several kinds of animal eat a berry or fungus, it is proabably safe for you to eat too. And then there is always forcing people of lower status/slaves to taste foods to see if they are safe to eat. There was probably a good deal of that going on.

Starvation can make a person do some strange things...

Like one story on how the Sandwich was created... :D
That wasn't starvation, that was poker. ;)

That wasn't starvation, that was poker. ;)

true, but it was starvation vs Greed ;)

What does lava smell like? Hot stone? Really hot stone? Brimstone?
Probably sulfur. Other than that, most likely a weird smell that burns your nostrils because it's REALLY HOT.

How do machines harvest blackcurrants? Do they just strip everything of the bushes and sort out the berries afterwards? Or how does it work?
They kinda pull stuff off the bushes, and usually manage to get mostly the berries.

Why do humans think (generally) think the furry animals are cute and animals without fur are disgusting? And why doesn't the same apply to other humans?
Anthropomorphizing. We see more of ourselves in a panda than in an iguana (although that doesn't apply to Selma Bouvier!).

Really, people find whales, dolphins, orcas, and porpoises disgusting? :confused: I never knew.

Well, a whale got personality. Personality goes a long way.

How do hedgehogs have sex?!

With little pricks:eek:

What does lava smell like? Hot stone? Really hot stone? Brimstone?

Seriously, it smells like spent sulfur -- that smell in the air just after you put a match out. Most of the southern half of the Big Island of Hawaii smells like that because of Kilauea.

There are many puzzling concepts when it come to the discovery of "things that taste good" ... how did people discover that you can eat snails, but only after you prepared them correctly? Who found out which mushrooms you can eat and which are poisonous? Or which berries?
Probably through a lot of trial and error were they able to arrive at which fungi were non-poisonous.
On the plus side, if they hadn't done that, they'd probably be even more stupid people in the world today than there already are.

What about beans, that's what I want to know. Who saw someone eat some, get real sick (and possibly die) and thought to themselves, "Oh wow, eating those are bad. I know! I'll rinse them and cook them for a long time then eat them!"
I mean, generally when you see someone get sick from eating something, it's a good sign to stay the hell away. Not to cook the bloody stuff and try again.

Yes, it's a very lazy animal the hedgehog. :)

I love the witches, particularly Granny Weatherwax.


Edit: What actually is brimstone & what does it smell like?

*Kicks in the door*

"Blessings be on this house!"

Brimstone is sulphur.

Personally, I like insects of varying sorts more. It's not that I can relate to them as well, but they're just so mindless, everlasting, prolific, numerical, psychotic-looking (wasps and sawflys) and just sooooo god damn annoying at times. Insects really stay in mind on my behalf and I guess in that sense I favour them much more over the otherwise soft skinned creatures of the world.

http://www.talaris.org/images/spotlight/right/goodnight-photo-2.jpg
http://www.puppypurebred.com/images/Happy%20puppy.jpg

Well, if pets were bred to be as cute-looking as possible, then eventually they would "out-cute" the babies they were being bred to resemble. So on the one hand you have this average-looking baby, and on the other you have this fuzzy wuzzy widdle thing with big baby eyes! Who's a cutie? Who?

Ahem.
Personally, I think the baby's far far cuter, and I must be one of the odd ones out in WYTYG's scenario because I'm far more likely to start going crazy over a baby or toddler than any animal.


Some might find it condenscending.
Back when we had 'ladies and gentlemen' in Victorian times etc, the man was viewed as the strong protector and decison-maker, whilst the woman who was enfeebled and liable to hysteria and fainting. Thus some women might take the term 'Ladies' to imply that they are weak and incapable of loking after themselves. Or I could be just talking out of my arse here. One or the other.
Not to say that it is always used condescendingly, but if I imagine a guy saying "ladies" I find myself hearing it in situations where a guy is trying to exert his masculinity in a really patronising way (e.g. some women getting emotional and a guy standing up and saying "ladies, ladies, calm down now, I'll just go sort everything out...").
Or in a really arrogant way (e.g. "ladies, I'm here!").

Why do humans think (generally) think the furry animals are cute and animals without fur are disgusting? And why doesn't the same apply to other humans?

Among humans, "cuteness" is largely a set of hard-wired responses that make us have favorable feelings toward critters that appear young and helpless. Research suggests that we probably have these feelings because our own infants are extremely helpless (compared to most other species) and so we need to be wired to really like the cute little buggers.

Our "cuteness detector" has a very low threshold, and it tends to include pretty much anything that has some of the key traits of a human infant. Some of these traits are bright forward-facing eyes set low on a big round face, a pair of big round ears, floppy limbs, and a side-to-side, teeter-totter gait, among many others.

This broad range of "cuteness" ends up including the young of most mammals and fuzzy birds (like penguins). Reptiles, fish, and amphibians are less likely to have these traits, though some species (like certain frogs) still register pretty high on our cute-o-meters.

I'm far more likely to start going crazy over a baby or toddler than any animal.


...and you do, too :D (*remembers cute waving baby in the caravan opposite :)*)

...and you do, too :D (*remembers cute waving baby in the caravan opposite :)*)
hehe, yup.... :p (cute baby gave you a special wave just for you on the last day ;) :))

Well I'm glad my cheese question generated a lot of response. I was hoping that maybe there was some sort of mysytical Chinese-Cheese (Chi-cheese?) that I might try, but alas, not.

The 'ladies' thing is pretty much what I expected. Has a lot to do with the idea of what a 'lady' should be. There is yet no negative connotation for gentlemen (that I'm aware of.)

As for Ghandi vs. Mother Theresa; my money's on the tireless caretaker, and not the pacifist. I'm assuming that mother theresa must have boundless energy for all the work that she did, whereas Ghandi, noble pacifist that he was, did a lot of sitting around. Mother Theresa would float like a butterfly, sting like God's bee. Ghandi would take quite a beating before he went down though. He had a lot of practice taking beatings.

Some new Questions;

- Was Europe the only part of the world to develop musical notation? Did the Chinese or other cultures come up with a similar musical 'language' allowing orchestra?

- Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, the Wolfman, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, Michael Jackson, and the Bride of Frankenstein are in an empty room with a stereo. a) Do they fight, or do the Monster Mash? b) Who's the scariest? and c) Who hits on the Bride of Frankenstein first?

- Was Europe the only part of the world to develop musical notation? Did the Chinese or other cultures come up with a similar musical 'language' allowing orchestra?


Absolutely. And it's not just Chinese. Other Asian cultures devceloped notation systems, notably India, Japan, and Indonesia.

- Was Europe the only part of the world to develop musical notation? Did the Chinese or other cultures come up with a similar musical 'language' allowing orchestra?


Absolutely. And it's not just Chinese. Other Asian cultures devceloped notation systems, notably India, Japan, and Indonesia.

There are many puzzling concepts when it come to the discovery of "things that taste good" ... how did people discover that you can eat snails, but only after you prepared them correctly? Who found out which mushrooms you can eat and which are poisonous? Or which berries?
Lots of trial and error....
*roflmao I guess he must have been suffering from a severe oedipal complex ;)
Actually, a bard just had a little too much wine one night, one thing led to another (notably a farm just outside of the city walls), and...well, you get the idea....
To some degree you would do that by watching what other animals ate. If several kinds of animal eat a berry or fungus, it is proabably safe for you to eat too. And then there is always forcing people of lower status/slaves to taste foods to see if they are safe to eat. There was probably a good deal of that going on.
No, at that point it was more like "We're starving. Let's eat it." Then if some people died and others were just really sick, they knew not to eat that again.
Personally, I think the baby's far far cuter, and I must be one of the odd ones out in WYTYG's scenario because I'm far more likely to start going crazy over a baby or toddler than any animal.
I think that's because you're more maternal than WYTYG.
Not to say that it is always used condescendingly, but if I imagine a guy saying "ladies" I find myself hearing it in situations where a guy is trying to exert his masculinity in a really patronising way (e.g. some women getting emotional and a guy standing up and saying "ladies, ladies, calm down now, I'll just go sort everything out...").
Or in a really arrogant way (e.g. "ladies, I'm here!").

I thought you liked my arrogance.:(:p And I don't see the former case as necessarily condescending or exerting masculinity, but that may be because I would only use it to denote people with the particular sexual organs most commonly associated with the word, not at all inherently implying anything with it. Of course, I wouldn't offer to do something in such a manner anyway. Damnit, I'm debunking my own claim by placing myself in such a hypothetical situation. Being me never quite works out the way I want it to.:p

I think that's because you're more maternal than WYTYG.
Most probably... I do have large amounts of maternalness... :p

I thought you liked my arrogance.:(:p And I don't see the former case as necessarily condescending or exerting masculinity, but that may be because I would only use it to denote people with the particular sexual organs most commonly associated with the word, not at all inherently implying anything with it. Of course, I wouldn't offer to do something in such a manner anyway. Damnit, I'm debunking my own claim by placing myself in such a hypothetical situation. Being me never quite works out the way I want it to.:p
It's probably just the way the guy is saying it in my head... It's condescening, trust me, okay? :p

and yes, I know the feeling :p

Being me never quite works out the way I want it to.:p

That is so going on my gravestone. :D

This thread has made it my professional goal to smell lava. Just thought you'd like to know.

Most probably... I do have large amounts of maternalness... :p
Is that what they're calling it these days?;)
......
Oh, you meant!....nevermind...*blushes*

:p
It's probably just the way the guy is saying it in my head... It's condescening, trust me, okay? :p

and yes, I know the feeling :p

Oh, I can definitely hear a guy saying it like that. But not I.:)

I noticed from several of your previous posts in other threads.:p

That is so going on my gravestone. :D

This thread has made it my professional goal to smell lava. Just thought you'd like to know.

:eek: I hadn't thought of that! Why, yes, it would make an excellent epitaph, wouldn't it?:D Just make sure to credit it as a quote by me.;)

Is that what they're calling it these days?;)
......
Oh, you meant!....nevermind...*blushes*

:p
lol!! :p

Oh, I can definitely hear a guy saying it like that. But not I.:)
Good good.

I noticed from several of your previous posts in other threads.:p
As always with you, I don't know whether I'm supposed to be insulted or not....

:eek: I hadn't thought of that! Why, yes, it would make an excellent epitaph, wouldn't it?:D Just make sure to credit it as a quote by me.;)

Heh, consider it done.
*sticks head in volcano*

lol!! :p
I thought you'd laugh at that.;)
Good good.
Yes and no. I wish I didn't have to. I wish people weren't like that, but they are,so I must. But yes, it is good that I wouldn't. I would say it, just not in any condescending manner, m'lady.:p

As always with you, I don't know whether I'm supposed to be insulted or not....
I can't help you with that. I'm good at making statements that take no firm stance at all....
Heh, consider it done.
*sticks head in volcano*
I shall.;):p

I thought you'd laugh at that.;)
I probably should be offended, but laughing is so much more fun :p

I can't help you with that. I'm good at making statements that take no firm stance at all....
Yes. Yes you are. [/firm stance]

I probably should be offended, but laughing is so much more fun :p


Yes. Yes you are. [/firm stance]

Offended? A strong libido is a good thing, healthy thing!:D

Well, you could be on to something....:p

- Was Europe the only part of the world to develop musical notation? Did the Chinese or other cultures come up with a similar musical 'language' allowing orchestra? I assume Chinese and Japanese had their own form but was probably similar in nature.

- Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, the Wolfman, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, Michael Jackson, and the Bride of Frankenstein are in an empty room with a stereo. a) Do they fight, or do the Monster Mash? b) Who's the scariest? and c) Who hits on the Bride of Frankenstein first?
a) with MJ in the room.. .they'll probably gang up on him.

b) silly question... Micheal Jackson.

c) well lets see...

Dracula: probably not. the Bride is a construct so probably old blood in her veins... if at all.

Frankenstein's Monster: he tried... she rejected him... nuff said.

Wolfman: he's a werewolf so we know, nose to groin...

the Creature from the Black Lagoon: can't lift her to take her back... and the water would probably short out her bolts...

Michael Jackson: the bride is 1) an Adult and 2) a Woman... so definately not.

so the answer is... Wolfman... he'll probably hump her leg or something untill she get's him spayed.

Well I'm glad my cheese question generated a lot of response. I was hoping that maybe there was some sort of mysytical Chinese-Cheese (Chi-cheese?) that I might try, but alas, not.

The 'ladies' thing is pretty much what I expected. Has a lot to do with the idea of what a 'lady' should be. There is yet no negative connotation for gentlemen (that I'm aware of.)

As for Ghandi vs. Mother Theresa; my money's on the tireless caretaker, and not the pacifist. I'm assuming that mother theresa must have boundless energy for all the work that she did, whereas Ghandi, noble pacifist that he was, did a lot of sitting around. Mother Theresa would float like a butterfly, sting like God's bee. Ghandi would take quite a beating before he went down though. He had a lot of practice taking beatings.

Some new Questions;

- Was Europe the only part of the world to develop musical notation? Did the Chinese or other cultures come up with a similar musical 'language' allowing orchestra?

- Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, the Wolfman, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, Michael Jackson, and the Bride of Frankenstein are in an empty room with a stereo. a) Do they fight, or do the Monster Mash? b) Who's the scariest? and c) Who hits on the Bride of Frankenstein first?

To the Ghandi bit: Also if you watch Seinfeld (very funny show) Ghandi had sex and also dunked his head in coconut oil and rubbed it up and dwon her body. I believe Mother Thersa was chaste (Just throwing this out there)

To the monsters:
a)They beat up Jackson b/c he weirds everyone out (even monsters) and then dance.
b)That would be Jackson hands down
c) Whoever gets drunk the quickest.

Damn it, why did I start a paradox thread?
This page would have been perfect:(

I assume Chinese and Japanese had their own form but was probably similar in nature.


a) with MJ in the room.. .they'll probably gang up on him.

b) silly question... Micheal Jackson.

c) well lets see...

Dracula: probably not. the Bride is a construct so probably old blood in her veins... if at all.

Frankenstein's Monster: he tried... she rejected him... nuff said.

Wolfman: he's a werewolf so we know, nose to groin...

the Creature from the Black Lagoon: can't lift her to take her back... and the water would probably short out her bolts...

Michael Jackson: the bride is 1) an Adult and 2) a Woman... so definately not.

so the answer is... Wolfman... he'll probably hump her leg or something untill she get's him spayed.

Your powers of logical deduction impress even me. *bows*

Damn it, why did I start a paradox thread?
This page would have been perfect:(

Oh, I almost forgot you, didn't I? I blame Ruffy!:p