Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2010 October 24

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

October 24

Islam vs. White slaves

Lion's Blood and Zulu Heart are books dealing with White slaves from Europe and non-whites being rulers and slave owners. Is there any books that has this thing? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 65.92.152.204 (talk) 01:59, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

Well, we have an article on Islam and slavery that you may be interested to read. WikiDao ☯ (talk) 03:18, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

Mr. 65's looking for Alternate history stories where Africans come out ahead of Europeans. [1] is generally a pretty good place to look for alternate history stuff. Relatives, by George Alec Effinger, is described as a world where "Europe never colonized Africa or America". "Bula Matari. La pantera y el escarabajo" is about an Africa where Carthage isn't wiped out by Rome, and the Zulus become powerful. "The Lions are Asleep This Night" talks about African slaves in America rebelling early, leading to a white decline worldwide. Buddy431 (talk) 03:49, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

As our article explains, up until the nineteenth century the Barbary corsairs, operating out of North Africa, frequently raided European villages in order to capture Christian slaves for the African market. The sailors they captured were also usually sold into slavery. Miguel de Cervantes, the author of Don Quixote, spent five years as a slave in Algiers after being captured by pirates. Byron's hero Don Juan also becomes a slave in Istanbul in the course of his adventures. Looie496 (talk) 04:26, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

For northern Europe, see Sack of Baltimore, The Turkish abductions, etc. AnonMoos (talk) 07:57, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

The Islam and slavery page doesn't mention the Ottoman practice of Devşirme, which was a tax levied on Christian families; their eldest son was enslaved at the age of 10. Not very popular that one. Alansplodge (talk) 08:50, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

We also have an article about Arab slave trade which may be informative. It needs work. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Zoonoses (talk • contribs) 16:36, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

Is there a Harrison Ford dealership in any city named Harrison?

See Harrison. There are several cities named that. Are there Ford auto dealerships in the towns named Harrison? If so, are they named Harrison Ford? --70.179.178.5 (talk) 03:35, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

So far, the closest I've found is a Cronin Ford in Harrison, Ohio but I've only looked at those "Harrison"s listed in the US. You can take your list and go to Google Maps. Type in "Ford dealerships near" and then enter the town name. Dismas|^(talk) 03:50, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

There's T.C. Harrison Ford in the U.K. -- Mwalcoff (talk) 04:01, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

There also used to be a Harrison Ford in Melton, Australia, but now they only sell Toyotas. -- Mwalcoff (talk) 04:02, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

There's a Harrison Ford Mercury dealership in Wellington, OH... --Ludwigs2 04:28, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

Dave Letterman sometimes says that he bought his first car from a Harrison Ford dealership in Indiana (probably not in a town named Harrison, though). AnonMoos (talk) 07:55, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

Here are quite a few of them. --Sean 15:30, 25 October 2010 (UTC)

On a related note, Canberra, Australia has two suburbs planned called Harrison and Forde quite close to each other.[2] Someone is really happy that they got away with it. Steewi (talk) 01:54, 26 October 2010 (UTC)

Plop, plop, fizz fizz

Oh, what a relief it is!

I have no scientific proof of this but I can tell you that it's incredibly noticeable. Fresca loses its fizz much faster than other sodas. Anyone know why? Something to do with the flavorings?--141.155.156.196 (talk) 04:08, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

It might have less dissolved CO2 in it, hence less fizz. 92.15.25.142 (talk) 20:17, 28 October 2010 (UTC)

Could someone explain this shirt?

I don't understand the significance of what someone's shirt says. The video that I'm getting this from is here (20 seconds in and then repeated throughout).

The front of the shirt reads:

M.S. Golden Dragon

Shanghai, China

76 Persons

9.4M x 3.5M

Lifeboat No.2

Thanks, Dismas|^(talk) 05:28, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

I assume it refers to the Motor Ship Golden Dragon, which is regustered in Shanghai. It further relates to one of several lifeboats. This is number 2. It holds 76 persons and is 9.6 x 3.5 metres long and wide. Why these facts are blazoned on a T shirt I do not know, but lots of odd things are put on shirts.Froggie34 (talk) 12:33, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

My guess is it would be some sort of memorial, perhaps for a sunk boat where someone he knew was lost, but I have no idea of the incident and could find nothing in a quick search. For example in Australia some survivors and families of those lost in the 2002 Bali bombings got 202/88 tattoos or had this symbol put on clothing, etc (this symbolised the number of total deaths/Australian deaths) which wouldn't mean much to anyone that didn't know, and I've heard of similar things as memorials for 9/11. Looking at the T-shirt, it hardly looks like just a random fashion design, but it may be that too. But as I say I'm just guessing. --jjron (talk) 15:43, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

Could it be from a batch of samples where the manufacturers just printed whatever they could find on it? I saw some shirts with somewhat strange wording in a discount retailer here in NZ, I'm not sure but I think these were some sort of samples, although they had details which were more suggestive of that. On the other hand since the person wearing it is appears to be a fairly unconventional artsy type it may just be a random fashion design. Nil Einne (talk) 16:52, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

What do we think about the patch on his left arm? Was that originally part of the shirt, or did Mr. Paterson sew that on himself? Otherwise, I'm willing to buy the "unconventional artsy type" explanation. The letters look like they could have been applied himself; they look shiny, like some sort of iron on material, rather than printed or sewn on. Buddy431 (talk) 02:34, 25 October 2010 (UTC)

Strange, the text reads like something you'd expect to be printed on the #2 lifeboat itself. Perhaps it's just supposed to be some sort of absurdist out of place text. I've seen shirts that are just the ingredients off a Coca-Cola bottle.

But it seems more likely that he's trying to draw attention to some incident. (Especially since the shirt looks homemade.) Google searches show me that there's been a number of ships named "Golden Dragon". (One sank in 1656.) Here's a Youtube video of the US Coast Guard rescuing people off of a boat named "Golden Dragon" that looks like it might fit those measurements. APL (talk) 03:27, 26 October 2010 (UTC)

Could it fit 76 people? I'm not so sure looking at the video. Are the measurements actually supposed to be for the original ship or the life boat? Nil Einne (talk) 11:39, 26 October 2010 (UTC)

imagination visualize

You know when books or therapists say "close your eyes and visualize a lovely peaceful day with sunshine bla bla bla" I close my eyes and see nothing. Do normal people actually see the sunny day or whatever they're told to visualize? I've tried and tried and I just see darkness. Do I lack an imagination? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 180.224.139.251 (talk) 09:57, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

As someone once said to me: "If you can't see the scene, just imagine what it would look like if you could see it". That works a treat. -- Jack of Oz ... speak! ... 11:25, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

I tend to see dazzles. But I presume the idea is to help you relax in any way that best suits you. Some people do have a visual memory, I am told, but I do not.Froggie34 (talk) 12:30, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

It doesn't mean you lack imagination. See mental image. Some people (especially children) are better at this than others. Practice can improve the ability.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 13:33, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

So some people can actually close their eyes and see something as though they were actually standing there looking at it? strange. I suppose it doesn't count if you screw your eyes up really tight and catch glimpses of random images in the bright glow? 148.197.121.205 (talk) 16:43, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

Certainly. Although I think there are different forms of it. For example, if you are folding a net into a solid shape in your head, you might only be visualising the relevant information: for me, it ends up almost like drawing with glowing grey on black, and I label things with 'thought colours' rather than actual, real colours. Which is a bit hard to explain. On the other hand, especially when I'm on the boundary between sleeping and waking, I can indeed close my eyes and see something exactly as though I were actually standing there looking at it. Is it only the second of these that you are asking about, or do you experience neither of these? 86.163.212.182 (talk) 17:35, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

I agree with all that. My spatial imagination works fine for logic with 3D objects, but it isn't vivid. Every once in a while though, on the boundary of sleeping and waking, as you say, I'll imagine the most intensely realistic and detailed image, usually of a naked lady. These images seem to be filled with insights into proportions and subtle cues of realism (I'm an artist), but of course by the time I'm awake I am (mostly) unable to remember these insights, which makes me suspect the impression of realism might be greater than the actual correspondence of the image to reality, and the impression of detailedness might be greater than its actual level of detail. It's characteristic of the dreaming mind to fail to object to incongruity, and to accept facts (such as "I see detail") without testing them. 81.131.4.93 (talk) 21:31, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

For me, it's not about physically seeing a scene, it's about pretending I'm there. (Did you play "let's pretend" or "doctors and nurses" when you were a child?) I think of a time when I was actually on the beach, or walking in a wood or a garden or wherever it is, and try and remember it. It's like dreaming really. You try and remember the sensations: the warmth on your skin, the breeze on your face, the light in your eyes... if you don't have a visual memory, the sensations might help. --TammyMoet (talk) 20:45, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

Everyone's different. I'm not so good at visualization (it's more that I know how things are arranged than that I see them in any visual sense), but I can play back entire conversations in my head, or remember large sections of symphonies, just as though I were listening to a CD (the down side is that when I do that I mostly lose track of my surroundings - faintly embarrassing if someone I know by). --Ludwigs2 21:03, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

Individual sugar packets

Does anyone know why on individual sugar sachets/packets there's often a number on the back? E.g. in a Cafe yesterday I idly flicked through the bunch of sachets and there were some 8, some 7 some 9 etc. but they were all the same thing (White sugar). They always seem to be in the 1-15 number range so assumed not batch-numbers but maybe. Anyhoo, anybody? ny156uk (talk) 12:12, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

Some sugar makers wrap catering sugar with interesting facts, games, scenes, etc. Sometimes a series of lump sugar can be assembled to make a larger picture (as in a jig saw). It is a marketing activity to add interest. With numbers one to fifteen a sixteen space random puzzle could be made. Then, by sliding, the numbered lumps could be moved into sequence.Froggie34 (talk) 12:28, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

Most likely case is that, as Froggie34 mentioned, each packet has a fact/saying/etc. on them, and the number denotes which (saying 8 in the series, etc.). Another possibly is that it has to do with production lines. I know that with plastic pieces you often see otherwise identical pieces with different numbers molded into them. These are mold numbers - there is an array of identical molds to produce the piece, and each has a different number etched into them, so if there is a consistent defect in the parts, they know which mold is the culprit. This is also the reason for the series of raised dots at the bottom of glass bottles. -- 174.31.221.70 (talk) 18:05, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

Need Help For My Dog.

My Dog is not eating his food for 10 days....i don't know why he is not eating....but help me out please as he is not eating his food he became a very thin.....my dog is a Pomeranian adult dog and his age is about 7 years....Waiting For answers..Rastogiakshay (talk) 13:28, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

It is impossible to say, but it is important that you take your dog to a vet immediately.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 13:34, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

Web md has an article on it. Albacore (talk) 14:25, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

Note the linked ref says "Even though most dogs can go a couple of days without food without significant repercussions, it is best to address the problem as early as possible." Nil Einne (talk) 11:35, 26 October 2010 (UTC)

data entry jobs

Hey I'm looking for data entry jobs --preferably within New York-- i can do from home. Anybody who knows of any can give me a link. I'm only getting transcription jobs. Anybody with a trusted work from home legit job link please help. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 41.212.86.244 (talk) 14:21, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

metallic fastners (nuts)

When did the heagonal nut debut? Square nut vs hex nut in terms of years? I always assumed the square was first and not just a financial decission-unlike today some items are supplied with crude square nuts. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.224.114.29 (talk) 15:22, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

This forum thread claims that hex heads were used in the 15th century for armour, but sadly doesn't give a source to back it up. It does establish that hex nuts date back to at least the 1830s though (with James Nasmyth inventing a milling machine for them). the wub "?!" 21:37, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

enfield 303 No.4 rifle

I would like to know what the small auxiliry spring in the magazine is for in this rifle.

 Philip Atkinson--90.196.122.244 (talk) 16:20, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

That's a fairly specialized question, and may require a specialist to answer (I don't even know to what small auxiliary spring in the magazine you may be referring). In the meantime, though, we do have a general article on the Lee Enfield No. 4 Rifle. WikiDao ☯ (talk) 16:37, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

I have a WWII Home Guard manual. Apparently the Rifle No 4 magazine is identical to the Rifle No 1 Mk III (the classic SMLE). There is a paragraph describing "To remove magazine platform and spring for cleaning" and another, "To replace magazine platform and spring". Is this the spring that you're asking about? It sits under a steel plate in the mag and pushes the rounds upwards. Sorry, I can't find a reference to any other magazine spring. Alansplodge (talk) 22:02, 25 October 2010 (UTC)

Metal in bones in airport security

If you have had surgery where your bones have been fixed with metal, does it set off the metal detectors at airport security? JIP | Talk 18:08, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

Personal research, but no, definitely no with a titanium hip joint. Richard Avery (talk) 18:12, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

My Grandpa has a metal knee, which does set off the metal detectors. He has a doctor's note, and has to get waved with a hand-held detector going through security. Buddy431 (talk) 19:57, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

It depends on the type and site of implants, the number of implants, and the sensitivity setting used on the metal detector at the airport. Small plates, nails, and screws used for fracture fixation tend not to trigger detectors, but larger or more extensive implants, prosthetics, or joint replacements may raise flags. See Basu, Packer & Himstedt "Detection of Orthopaedic Implants by Airport Metal Detectors" J. Bone Joint Surg. (1997). TenOfAllTrades(talk) 13:47, 25 October 2010 (UTC)

It was the small plates, nails, and screws used for fracture fixation that concerned me. If it's true that they don't trigger the metal detectors then I'm happy with that. JIP | Talk 18:21, 25 October 2010 (UTC)

Well, I can't make any guarantees; the level of paranoia has been rather high during the last decade, and objects that used to pass without comment now trigger secondary screening. Generally the smaller and deeper the metal object is (and the less ferromagnetic — so titantium is likely going to be less detectable than steel) the less likely it is you'll get caught. That said, it's no big deal if your surgical pins do trip the magnetometer. The security staff will generally just 'wand' you, and you can explain the location of any metallic implants. They're used to it. It helps if you're wearing loose-fitting clothing so that you can show them you're not concealing anything (and they can see you have a surgical scar), or you're good to go if you don't mind a brief pat-down. TenOfAllTrades(talk) 19:05, 25 October 2010 (UTC)

The technology is much different in different airports. An item may set off bells at DAC and sail through YYZ, or vice versa. Haus^Talk 19:33, 25 October 2010 (UTC)

fictional war

some time ago an entire fictional war was created and given an article on wikipedia as a huge hoax. Does anyone know what this was and where I can find out about it? 148.197.121.205 (talk) 21:43, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

Teenagers make up things on Wikipedia every day; most hoax articles are deleted in a matter of seconds or minutes. Can you tell us anything more- like where you heard about this article? Was it covered on a TV news show, or written about in a newspaper that you read? -FisherQueen (talk · contribs) 21:45, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

I read about in on here somewhere. it was famous, apparently, stayed there for months before anyone noticed it had never happened. 148.197.121.205 (talk) 21:47, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

I found [Upper Peninsula War]; could that be the article you are thinking of? -FisherQueen (talk · contribs) 21:48, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

Blast, beaten to it! That was what immediately sprung to my mind as well. Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Upper Peninsula War has discussion of it, and further research establishing that it was indeed a hoax. the wub "?!" 21:51, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

BTW if you are thinking of that, the article in question was created on 2 May [3], prodded with the suggestion it probably didn't exist on 7 May [4], nominated for deletion on 9 May [5] (although mention it may not be real was removed in the process), properly labelled as a probable hoax on 11 May [6] and finall deleted because of the AFD [7] and then moved as a result of a request on 15 May [8]. It was recreated a few times later although I don't know how long it lasted each time (my guess is not long). So it's not true the article existed for months undetected. Nil Einne (talk) 05:01, 25 October 2010 (UTC)

See Wikipedia:List of hoaxes on Wikipedia for some hoaxes that actually stayed for months or years. They are not about fictional wars but there is a fictional battle. PrimeHunter (talk) 00:05, 28 October 2010 (UTC)

Remove before flight

Hi all,

I work in an airport and I often see passengers or pilots having a key ring attached to their bag reading 'remove before flight'. I've also seen it on lanyards. It obviously has a link with aviation, but what it is? Could you maybe create a article with pictures about it? Thanks a lot. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.113.106.151 (talk) 23:30, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

It comes from various covers and things that need to be removed before the aircraft is to fly but are used when the aircraft is in storage. For instance, there is often a cover on the pitot tube that keeps dust and other crud out while the aircraft is in the hanger. These covers must be removed before flight, so they have big tags on them that say "Remove before flight". Dismas|^(talk) 23:48, 24 October 2010 (UTC)

I don't see how that would apply to "a key ring attached to their bag".--Shantavira|^{feed me} 08:51, 25 October 2010 (UTC)

Because it becomes a bit of kitsch. It's the same as someone having a key ring that says NYFD. They're probably not actually part of the New York Fire Department but they think it looks cool. Someone with a "remove before flight" key ring is probably just an aircraft enthusiast or an actual pilot. Dismas|^(talk) 10:50, 25 October 2010 (UTC)

It's just become a piece of daft aviation culture, and appears on all kinds of things, including (fnarr fnarr) underwear -- Finlay McWalter ☻ Talk 11:06, 25 October 2010 (UTC)

I've seen these key-fobs being given out at trade shows. Or rather, I've been at trade shows where these were being given out, but they're always gone by the time I get to that booth. They're definitely modeled on the flags that you see all over a parked airplane, but small enough to pocket. APL (talk) 22:26, 25 October 2010 (UTC)

The Cessna aircraft I learned to fly in 30-odd years ago had control locks, gadgets that kept the control surfaces from flopping around in the breeze. It was a challenge to take off with the control lock in place: It was big and red and said "Remove Before Flight" and obstructed the ignition switch. The Piper aircraft at the FBO next door had no such locks. Procedure was to haul the passenger-side yoke back and belay it with a seat belt. It was easy for a careless pilot to take off with the belt in place. Made for short flights. PhGustaf (talk) 22:50, 25 October 2010 (UTC)

As this guy found out [9]. He put the yoke lock on the co-pilot's control, and forgot to remove it, or do control range checks for fouled controls before taking off. Needless to say, alcohol was involved. CS Miller (talk) 09:27, 26 October 2010 (UTC)