Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2008 March 14

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March 14

racism confusion

i have always heard of racism as being a bad thing, but i was always raised that it was just showing pride for your ethnic background. so does anyone know exactly the meaning? i've been to different dictionary sites but all say different information. i'll admit, i'm proud of the color of my skin, does that make me racist? even though i would never judge another by their skin. can anyone give me any ideas? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.141.0.179 (talk) 03:22, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

Pride in one's ethnic background is not racism. Racism is when you turn that pride into a reason to hate or hold prejudice against people who are not of your ethnic background. The problem with the KKK isn't that they like being white, it's that they hate everyone who isn't. Note that there are some exceptions, the term Black pride refers to something generally seen as positive, while White pride is usually a euphemism for racial hatred. The reasons that some terms mean one thing in one context and something else in another are historical, based on who used them and how. Say It Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud is seen as a positive form of racial pride, whereas this is thinly-veiled (if that) support for Nazism. In this case, one is a statement by people without much power about pulling themselves up, the other is a statement by people who have historically had great power about pushing others down. Make sense? --98.217.18.109 (talk) 03:24, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

So it's ok to be proud of your skin colour as long as you are black? (sarcasm) To be honest - No - it doesn't make sense - it seems like that would only 'self-perpetuate' any problems.87.102.83.204 (talk) 10:35, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

87.102.83.204 (talk) 09:47, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

Also, race and ethnicity are not the same thing. It seems odd to me to be proud of one's skin color, unless it is a particularly beautiful hue perhaps. Pride in one's ethnicity, culture, heritage, etc, seems better (though the word "pride" makes me wary -- but maybe I'm too humble!). Sometimes, I think, things like skin color "stands for" ethnicity, culture, heritage, etc. The danger of slipping into racism comes, I think, when one assumes a person of a certain skin color is of a certain ethnicity. Pfly (talk) 08:00, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

With white pride as opposed to black pride, the difference isn't that it's racist to be proud of being white, it's that people who goaround mentioning how proud they are of being white normally have a racist motive. Racist movements took white pride as slogan because it makes it seem like they are no different (apart from skin colour) from black pride groups. What both want is very different. The white pride guys like the KKK and the NF are usually white seperatists too. There's little point being publicly proud of your whiteness as it is unlikely to ever be a hindrance, whereas your African or Mexican roots easily can. Being publicly proud of a natural advantage is just poor form. Like laughing at people who wear glasses. 81.96.160.6 (talk) 11:09, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

Yes I mostly agree - but most white people don't get the advantage that 'middle class white poeple' get. Most white people in the UK (and I'd imagine in the USA) have a little better start in life that the average korean, mexican, black person etc. In otherwords most white people are 'trash' (as it turns out including me) and don't like being told about or benefit from 'positive discimination' by the ruling classes (ie middle class liberals) etc. Just a little rant. Not directed at you personally.87.102.83.204 (talk) 15:44, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

"Racist" is what the subjugated ethnic group calls the dominant one. It's no wonder you can't come up with a definition anywhere; the word is meaningless outside the context of inter-ethnic struggle. Everybody is racist if it means "prefers to be with people who look and smell like they do", so why even mention it except as a smear? --Milkbreath (talk) 11:25, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

Also, studies in Britain have shown that the multiculturalism policy that has been pursued, encouraging things like pride in ancestry and emphasising differences, has actually lead to increased racism on all sides as it developes an us vs them mentality, and encourages segreation of communities, leading to situations like that in Bradford where the town is basically half-white half-Asian, but with two distinctly seperate halves rather than one whole. So it's a viable argument that caring about your ancestry whether Anglo-Saxon or African will lead to divisions, and it makes much more sense to focus on an individuals acheivements and just be interested in their origins. 81.96.160.6 (talk) 11:35, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

How can you be proud of the colour of your skin? --Taraborn (talk) 15:59, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

Did you ever take a good look at Traci Bingham? --Milkbreath (talk) 17:26, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

Maybe if you have never done anything else of note or to be proud of? Or as an obvious analogy - someone who was teased/bullied at school for being ginger might in later life be proud of being a red-top despite it all, or simply because of the need for a sense of self worth. 87.102.83.204 (talk) 17:20, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

It matters somewhat where you are. I have just found that the IP address of the person who asked the original question is located in San Francisco, California. If this person, by chance, attends the San Francisco Public Schools, then he or she experiences life as a member of a minority group, since whites are outnumbered in San Francisco schools by (East) Asians, Latinos, and Blacks/African Americans. Even in the general population of San Francisco, whites are a minority outnumbered by Asians (who are a larger minority in a city with no majority group). San Francisco until recently had a black mayor. It is true that whites probably have a higher average net worth than any of the other groups and occupy a majority of the leadership positions in the private sector of San Francisco, but the experience of the questioner, if he/she is a public school student, may not be one of privilege. So it may be difficult for this person to see a problem with "white pride" particularly if he she is surrounded and even outnumbered by people proclaiming "Asian pride", "black pride", or whatever. In this context, I think that ethnic pride in general starts to be divisive and counterproductive. It really should not be encouraged by school authorities, though it probably is encouraged or even sponsored out of partisanship and/or a sense of political correctness. But in this context, it probably isn't fair to exclude the innocent and unknowing white student from the game, although the implications of "white pride" are disturbing for those of us who know the broader historical and cultural context. Marco polo (talk) 18:48, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

Fair enough, but shouldn't we respect or at least assume a right to anonymity here. I really don't think we should be tracing IP's at all. I will leave a short message and question on the discussion page should you wish to discuss this.87.102.21.171 (talk) 11:06, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

If you want anonymity, you need a log-in name. It's much less personally identifying than an IP address. - Nunh-huh 11:49, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

That's all very well but I took action on the part of the above to trace the IP address - should they really be doing that, we are after all here to help. It's not some sort of free for all. Responsibility.87.102.21.171 (talk) 12:21, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

Racism comes in many forms, often unintentionally. An announcement of a forthcoming concert by "the famous black Uruguayan saxophonist Esteban Spinetti" is racist. What harm the description "black" might do in this particular case is a moot point, but that's not the point. Had Esteban been white, it wouldn't have been "the famous white Uruguayan saxophonist Esteban Spinetti". You see similar things when someone comes in for criticism and they're not from the predominant group in the society. Rather than saying "That bastard ripped me off", it sometimes becomes "That Vietnamese (Mexican/Kazakhstani/whatever) bastard ripped me off", when (assuming you're in the USA) if the bastard had been a white guy named George Smith, it would not have been "That white American bastard ripped me off". The fact that the bastard happened to be Vietnamese or whatever is utterly irrelevant to him having done whatever he's accused of, so why introduce it? Why, because any chance to identify a person who's not of your "race", particularly if it's a chance to associate that race with undesirable activity, is fair game to racists. -- JackofOz (talk) 02:13, 16 March 2008 (UTC)

Apple vs Donut

Does one's body distinguish between the sugar in fruits, such as apples, (frucose, presumably) and the sugar in unhealthy donuts? i.e. will both contribute equally to weight gain? Acceptable (talk) 04:20, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

They're not exactly equivalent. See Glycemic index. Also, your body distiguishes between the concentrations of sugar, in that it's easier to eat a thousand calories of donuts (3 glazed donuts) than a thousand calories of apples (a dozen apples). —Keenan Pepper 05:50, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

Fructose and sucrose are not the same thing. BrainyBabe (talk) 07:29, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

Besides the differences between fructose and sucrose, as I understand it, the "unhealthiness" of donuts is related to (1) "empty calories" and (2) saturated fats. —Steve Summit (talk) 13:17, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

Donuts have sugar, but they also have lots of fat, which has 9 calories per gram compared to 4 calories per gram of carbohydrate or protein. The digestive system converts the sugar or other carbohydrate into Glucose in the bloodstream so that cells can use it as fuel. Edison (talk) 19:47, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

Actius

Does anybody know whether the Actius line of notebooks has been discontinued by Sharp, or do they still sell it? Thanks! :-) 125.21.165.158 (talk) 04:35, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

Try the Computing desk. Zain Ebrahim (talk) 11:38, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

The Olden Days

How did people in the olden days obtain heat and light in their homes before electricity was available? 220.233.83.26 (talk) 09:18, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

It depends very much where and when you mean, but gas was available in many towns before electricity, and bottled gas is still used for both purposes in caravans and isolated houses. Before that, candles were very common, and heating was often by coal or wood fire.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 10:02, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

The fireplace was a fixture and country people tended to rise with the sun and make the most of daylight. Travellers had the campfire, festivals the bonfire. Lanterns and hurricane lamps were the go. Gas lamps lit streets in England in the 1800s. Even more primitively there were torches with a rod or stick topped off with a rag soaked in something flammable and set in a wall sconce or bracket. The rush light, oil lamps, candles and the diya cast light in the dark even wa-ay back in time. Julia Rossi (talk) 12:01, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

Even the poorest would have had some way to make a fire, which was used for cooking as well as heat. However, the fire would die down at night, and it could be quite cold even indoors. There was less distinction before modern times between outdoor and indoor clothing. People tended to wear their coats or jackets indoors and to use heavy blankets or hides in bed. As for lighting, most people relied largely on daylight and on limited firelight and moonlight at night. Candles, torches, and other artificial lighting relied on relatively expensive oils that ordinary people could not afford to burn except perhaps on special occasions. Of course the rich made more regular use of candelight and torches. Marco polo (talk) 18:22, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

The olden days? When and where? Inuit built beautifully insulated winter homes in which they could go around semi-naked. Medieval European peasants built their living quarters over the cow byre, to benefit from mammalian heat. Some people (some Ancient Greeks? reference not to hand) oriented their homes to the winter sun and used thermal mass and braziers. Many people in many places have lived in caves, but not most of our Neolithic ancestors misnamed "cavemen". One of our main needs for light is to read, but of course not all that long ago almost no one could read. Detailed sight-work, such as sewing, was done in daylight; rough knitting could be done by firelight and by touch. BrainyBabe (talk) 23:18, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

One of the things that struck me looking down at Paris from the Eiffel Tower -- though I'm sure the same can be seen in other places as well -- was the number of large, old buildings that looked sort of like Swiss cheese from above, due to the large number of vertical shafts, which are there so that interior rooms can have windows, too. —Steve Summit (talk) 23:37, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

In rural areas in my grandparents' youth, a fireplace furnish heat with wood as fuel. A kerosene lamp furnished light Edison (talk) 19:45, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

Well in my youth in the 1960s and 70s we still used coal fires to keep the living room warm (and also keep the oven hot, too), and we still used the old paraffin mantle lamps and candles during power cuts. Mind you, in winter we could only keep one room in the house decently warm, so we had lots of heavy blankets on our beds, and more blankets over the windows in the midwinter to keep the draughts out (though we did get beautiful frost ferns on the inside of the glass, which you don't get with this new-fangled double glazing!). -- Arwel (talk) 21:47, 16 March 2008 (UTC)

The vertical shafts are called light wells. Plenty of people still heat with wood, charcoal, peat, coal, animal dung, etc. George Mikes said in How to be an Alien (1947) that "Continental people have sex lives; the English have hot-water bottles." (A paperback sex manual from circa 1970 said the single biggest thing that would change the British sex life was central heating, and this prediction has more or less come true.) The old saw about wood warming you thrice -- in the chopping, stacking and burning -- is also true of baking -- pies warm from the inside when eaten, but the oven warms the house while cooking. Human ingenuity knows no end. If you ever have the chance to visit the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford, do go: it is absolutely extraordinary. I would go so far as to say that if you are the sort of person who poses such questions on the humanities refdesk, and thus are curious about people and cultures around the world and across time, it is worth planning a visit to England around an afternoon there. (I would not overegg the pudding by claiming the museum itself warrants a visit to England, but if you are in the country, this small annexe is a fascinating eye-opener.) BrainyBabe (talk) 20:25, 17 March 2008 (UTC)

More about skin colour

From what was said earlier about skin colour and ethnicity, why are black people called black people, but Chinese/Korean/Japanese people aren't called yellow? At least not in a non-racist context very often. Is it likely that in say 50 years, Arabs and East Asians will be called yellow people? What are the factors that make this the case or not? 81.96.160.6 (talk) 11:18, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

In Norway, you generally wouldn't call a person "black". (and the word "race" also carries negative connotations). Just to remind you that these things tend to vary between countries. (It's still a good question! :-) ) Jørgen (talk) 18:21, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

The answer to your question has to do with history. Historically, the term yellow had connotations of "cowardly" and was used derogatorily toward East Asians, at least in the United States. So most people of East Asian descent object to being called "yellow". On the other hand, at least in the United States, people of sub-Saharan African descent were for many years labeled with the patently offensive term "nigger", which is so offensive that I almost dare not write it. (I think that it is clear that I don't condone it.) More polite, but somewhat condescending and euphemistic-sounding labels, were colored or Negro. The term African was also used, mostly before the 20th century, but people of African descent objected to being called "African" since few of them had set foot in Africa and because the term tended to suggest that they were exotic or savage. So, during the 1950s, people of African descent began to call themselves "black" and to ask that others use that label as a positive affirmation of their color. (Since then, some blacks in the United States have expressed a preference for the label African-American, and that label has gained currency among non-blacks as well.) Marco polo (talk) 19:00, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

About the African-American thing. It seems unlikely that that would spread too much. AFAIK, few other countries use a similar name for other ethnicities. In Britain, you're black or white or (insert country name here). But it seems that in a few generations when people don't really feel Chinese or Iraqi or Nigerian, they feel American or British or French, so if we're using racial identity we'll probably have to refer to skin colour. Maybe in America the -American thing will be the norm, but I've always pictured that one getting complained about as it could easily be taken as being qualifiedly American rather than unqualifiedly so. Will WASPs become Anglo-Saxon-Americans? 81.96.160.6 (talk) 20:46, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

I have a feeling that African-American will fade from use. "Black" is much more commonly used, at least in speech, in the United States. I think that African-American is somewhat the pet term of people of a certain political perspective from a certain generation. But we shall see. Also, these groups are less and less endogamous in the United States. Already, there are more and more young Americans of mixed or indeterminate race. I think that this trend is certain to continue in the future to the point (after my lifetime) where the current labels are meaningless. Marco polo (talk) 21:16, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

Just a thought, which may be way off the mark. The people who identify others by their skin colours, and make judgments about them accordingly, tend to see the world in black-and-white terms. For example, a "white" racist might feel that all "white" people are inherently good unless proven otherwise, but all "black" people are inherently bad unless proven otherwise. "Yellow", "red" or other coloured-people don't fit into this paradigm, so the racists might be relatively indifferent to them and see them, metaphorically speaking, as just so many shades of "grey". I know there are many exceptions to the indifference hypothesis. -- JackofOz (talk) 23:24, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

If you want some historical context as to when, in the US, race became a strictly "black and white" issue, two pages that might be useful: Madison Grant and his successor Lothrop Stoddard. --98.217.18.109 (talk) 16:54, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

Wikitravel

Hi, I may be being a bit stupid, but at my age that's alright I guess, but how do I get to Wikitravel from the Wiki Main Page? I used Wikitravel before travelling to Nice in France a couple of weeks ago, and just want to say how very grateful I am, and was, for the oodles of very useful and current information I found on that site. Just a couple of comments pertinent to Nice that were not mentioned though; firstly, always carry plenty of small change for use on the trams and buses and public lavatories; and secondly, watch where you tread - seriously - I have never been anywhere else in the world so imminently in peril of sinking beneath the waves under it's own weight in Dogshit, it doesn't matter where you look, from the steps of the Cathedral to the hundreds of excellent pavement cafes - and the locals all acknowledge the problem when it is brought to their attention, but everyone shrugs their indifference to it. Not nice if your wife just happens to be wearing a new pair of open-toe sandals from Prada. Oh, and thanks again - we really enjoyed Nice - the Dogshit apart. 81.145.242.24 (talk) 11:21, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

Wikitravel isn't affiliated with Wikipedia or the Wikimedia Foundation and therefore won't be listed as a sister project on the Main Page. It uses the same software and general ethos as Wikipedia, but with different licensing and contribution guidelines - as do hundreds of other wiki's of varying subjects. Nanonic (talk) 11:28, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

Am I to assume that the dogshit in Nice has become so integrated and notable in the city's culture as to have earned a capital 'D' ;-)) Richard Avery (talk) 15:05, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

Anyway, just go to the Wikitravel article and click on the link from there. Same as you might get to Wiktionary or Wikiquote or whatever.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 18:11, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

pellet gun accuracy

I was wondering if anyone could tell me the effective and maximum ranges of the Beeman SS1000S-AW Combo air rifle after it has been broken in. Or alternatively, where I can find this information. I realize I could gather my own empirical evidence, but I haven't broken it in yet, and I was just wondering what to expect after I fire another 1,500 rounds or so. Thanks in advance. --AtTheAbyss (talk) 12:10, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

This page gives some specifications,

• Loudness: 3-Medium
• Weight: 8.50 lbs
• Overall Length: 45.50"
• Capacity: 1 round(s)
• Barrel: Rifled
• Front Sight: Fiber Optic
• Rear Sight: Adjustable for windage and elevation
• Scopeable: 11mm dovetail
• Buttplate: Ventilated rubber
• Suggested for: Plinking/Fun
• Action: Break barrel
• Powerplant: Spring-piston
• Safety: Automatic
• Repeater: No/Single-shot

and this page gives the max velocity as 1000 ft/sec. I was unable to find any information on the effective and maximum ranges though. Think outside the box 16:18, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

Thanks for trying. It's more than I could find. --AtTheAbyss (talk) 12:21, 17 March 2008 (UTC)

The front sight fell out. Anyone know where I can get a replacement? I'm assuming I can just get a fiber optic (stick?) of equal diameter and cut it to length. Any other ideas?--AtTheAbyss (talk) 13:40, 20 March 2008 (UTC)

UNITED RAILWAYS, BALTIMORE, MD - RECORDS

After finding this railway in Wikipedia's initial response, I would like to find any extant records for this company. In particular, as the family genealogist, I am looking for employment records for my gr-grandfather from 1900 to 1914.

Are these records available for research? If so, would you know where I can find them?

Thank you for any help. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Hdawson1206 (talk • contribs) 16:52, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

The United Railways and Electric Company is now part of the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA). Whether they have kept employment records from 100 years ago, I don't know. Here is their contact page. I would try the "media relations/communications" number or the "directory assistance" number and ask about archives for the Baltimore Transit Company, which was the successor to United Railways and the forerunner of the MTA. Marco polo (talk) 18:13, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

Cincinnati, "The Queen City"

Why is Cincinnati called, "The Queen City?" Have many Miss America's come from Cincinnati? Does the nickname have anything to do with gay people? Is it shaped like a crown if one uses her imagination? Thank you. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Eleanor1721 (talk • contribs) 17:21, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

Queen City states that "Cincinnati, Ohio, after experiencing rapid growth in the early 19th century, and becoming one of the first major inland cities in the U.S., was dubbed the "Queen of the West", or the Queen City." jeffjon (talk) 17:23, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

Here (http://library.cincymuseum.org/cinfaq7menu.htm#queencity) has the answer you are looking for ny156uk (talk) 17:24, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

Democratic Republic of Congo Diet

Can you tell me what tea is drunk by people in Democratic Republic of Congo?Bunnypup (talk) 18:05, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

Zoo

What is the largest zoo in Canada?Jwking (talk) 19:46, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

A Google search for "largest zoo in Canada" (hint, hint) says it's the Toronto Zoo. --Sean 19:49, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

I thought it was the Canadian Parliament. Clarityfiend (talk) 21:27, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

Epilepsy

how often would someone have to have seizures to be considered epileptic? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.101.7.240 (talk) 19:33, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

According to our article "Non-epileptic seizure", epilepsy is not diagnosed by frequency of seizures but by "abnormal, rhythmic discharges of cortical neurons." Epilepsy (see) is not a single disorder but rather "a group of syndromes with vastly divergent symptoms but all involving episodic abnormal electrical activity in the brain." Also, a "diagnosis of epilepsy requires that the seizures be unprovoked". Non-epileptic seizures are caused by external factors (not brought on by "triggers" as in epilepsy) and would only recur if the external cause was applied again. Non-epileptic seizures therefore do not have a "frequency" to them at all. --Milkbreath (talk) 19:49, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

(Removed dangerous mocking nonsense) --Milkbreath (talk) 13:54, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

Karyotype Doctor

What kind of doctor would generally administer a Karyotype test to examine your chromosomes for chromosomal defects in a typical North American hospital? Thanks. Acceptable (talk) 20:24, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

A geneticist, maybe ? Gandalf61 (talk) 13:42, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

More specifically, a cytogeneticist. Rockpocket 19:43, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

Name my wikipedia account

I've just realised I dislike being anonymous, and because I suck at naming internet accounts, I want to hear your suggestions. A vaguely amusing play-on-words would be nice, but all suggestions will be appreciated, and one will be granted IMMORTALITY as my wikihandle. LET THE GAMES BEGIN! 81.96.160.6 (talk) 20:48, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

Are you male or female? bibliomaniac15 20:59, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

You don't want to just go by your actual name? 81.187.153.189 (talk) 21:18, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

One problem is that Wikipedia ranks very highly in Google searches. If you have a particularly unusual name *cough* then it can make tracing you very easy. Sure, there are worse things to be seen associated with than Wikipedia (from the point of view of colleges, employers, and so on), but there are valid privacy concerns. Angus Lepper^{(T, C, D)} 21:28, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

I'm male, and I don't really want to go by my actual name just because it bores me a little. i just thought this might be a bit more fun. Not too bothered about the google thing really, I'm not going to have a real userpage like facebook or anything 81.96.160.6 (talk) 21:53, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

Publicgirluk. HYENASTE 22:14, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

SmexBlah haha, i saw that on some nasa sticker in my american history room. БοņёŠɓɤĭĠ₳₯є 22:20, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

You have my permission to adopt one of these. But if you choose one of my special favourites, I'll kill you. You have been warned.  :) -- JackofOz (talk) 22:59, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

he is not kiding either...Perry-mankster (talk) 23:13, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

User:Random IP Address? -- Flyguy649 ^talk 23:56, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

Hey, I just picked out a name too! Oh...sorry, that's one less, isn't it? How about this? T-T-Teeth _(t-t-talk) 00:12, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

Immortality-Lite. Clarityfiend (talk) 01:11, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

Unacceptable? Acceptable (talk) 01:26, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

Is LethegamesBgin too long? Then there's Playonwords, Grantedimmortality, Bitmofun, Not2bothered and variations. Who said your ideas suck! Julia Rossi (talk) 01:59, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

Any martini name could be cool, or a weapon such as Bouncingbomb. Geez, why is mine so plain? Julia Rossi (talk) 02:06, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

If I were you I'd go with Remora Fedora. Pfly (talk) 06:27, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

How about User:Four Tildes. I've been meaning to take this myself but never got round to it.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 09:18, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

User:Eighty-One Dot Ninety-Six? --98.217.18.109 (talk) 14:43, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

Two recommendations: )Do not choose a name which people may argue shows bias toward or against anything, or people will question your objectivity when you edit articles related to the username. 2)Choose a novel spelling or humorous misspelling, so that if you Google you will be able to find your own contributions. Edison (talk) 19:42, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

I just chose a "real-sounding" name that was more...interesting than my real one. -Elmer Clark (talk) 22:06, 18 March 2008 (UTC)

What's your favorite language? —Tamfang (talk) 06:36, 19 March 2008 (UTC)

User Manual for my Toyota

I have a Toyota Premio 2002. The car is supposed to be manufactured for Japan only, so the user manual that it comes with is only in Japanese. Could anyone tell me where, if at all, I can find a user manual for this vehicle in english? Ive been looking for it over the internet for quiet sometime now. But i guess my online searching abilities are limited. Reference: Toyota Premio 2002, 1.5 F If someone could help, it would be appreciated. I still havent figured out half the functions of my vehicle :) Thanks —Preceding unsigned comment added by 216.9.243.111 (talk) 21:18, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

On Google I found others in the same situation, looking for that manual in English. Have you tried your Toyota dealer? See what they have to say. Julia Rossi (talk) 23:50, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

great discovery

i need help with a riddle,he discovered it but he hates it.who is he and what is it? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 41.220.113.117 (talk) 23:12, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

Alfred Nobel? and Tnt, or dynamite or what ever the fuck he made. БοņёŠɓɤĭĠ₳₯є 00:24, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

Dynamite. bibliomaniac15 02:14, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

In what sense did Nobel ever hate dynamite? Algebraist 17:12, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

It's a commonly stated meme that Nobel regretted inventing it and started the Nobel prize out of something akin to guilt. I haven't any evidence as to whether this is true or not. But you can search for 'nobel+regret' if you wish. Not sure if nobel is the riddle's answer though.87.102.2.103 (talk) 18:29, 15 March 2008 (UTC)

If you look at our article on Nobel, you'll see this is discussed. It's not so much that he hated dynamite as he was unhappy that his only legacy would be his armaments companies, or something along those lines. Dynamite by itself isn't really something worth hating; it's not a weapon, really, not like other explosives are. --98.217.18.109 (talk) 01:46, 16 March 2008 (UTC)

Einstein and the atomic bomb? That guy who made cocaine and cocaine? Yamakiri ^T_C § 03-15-2008 • 19:06:11

Eh, Einstein didn't discover the atomic bomb. --98.217.18.109 (talk) 01:42, 16 March 2008 (UTC)

I hate these internet "riddles"—poorly formed, uncleverly devised. How about—any person who discovers their loved one is dead/cheating on them/whatever something negative? There's no reason to think "discovery" means invention and there's no reason to think that everything discovered is enjoyed. --98.217.18.109 (talk) 01:43, 16 March 2008 (UTC)

I can only imagine that the people who first found the existance of the HIV or Ebola virus aren't exactly in love with their discoveries. Raven4x4x (talk) 11:48, 16 March 2008 (UTC)

Another good one would be Thomas Midgley, Jr. In an attempt to fix engine knocking, he came up with the wonderful idea of leaded gasoline (petrol). Later, when asked to come up with a non-toxic refrigerant, the guy scratched his noodle and came back with dichlorodifluoromethane, the first of the now-banned chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). And to top it off, he was quite literally hoisted by his own petard — strangled by the pulley system he himself devised to get him out of bed. It has been quite accurately pointed out that Mr Midgely has "had more impact on the atmosphere than any other single organism in Earth history." GeeJo ^(t)⁄_(c) • 13:43, 16 March 2008 (UTC)

If an inventor gets the blame for all use of his product, what about the ancestor of all green plants? —Tamfang (talk) 06:38, 19 March 2008 (UTC)

Me and the dog turd I found on the sole of my shoe this morning? --Dweller (talk) 12:35, 17 March 2008 (UTC)

Ah you've discovered that poohsticks! Nanonic (talk) 12:39, 17 March 2008 (UTC)