Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2012 February 4

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February 4

Sawing a woman to 3 parts. How does this magic done?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HUCpLZLiLY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CU5ixZG_nY

I know 3 mirrors are used in this illusion, but how this is done? It should be a simple trick. The article Sawing a woman in half doesn't provide the answer for this variation. Yegbswv (talk) 01:13, 4 February 2012 (UTC)

The first one looks like "the real deal" to me. Notice that the compartments of the box seem much larger than needed to hold a thin woman. Also notice that the bottom hand doesn't appear immediately, and "looks fake" in that it only repeats the same motion over and over. So, I think the woman just bends to fit through all 3 sections (notice that the middle section isn't moved all the way out from between the others, there's like 6 inches of overlap, with most of it hard to see because it's painted black.). The middle section hand can't be hers, though, as she couldn't reach that far. Note that there is a white square on the inside of the door in the middle section. Presumably this is part of the mechanical hand portion, where it is stored or how it is activated.

The second video appears to be from the sitcom Full House, so presumably the entire "audience" are shills (pretending the trick works no matter what the see). They can also stop filming to move people in and out of the boxes, etc. So, since I doubt if actress Lori Loughlin is a contortionist capable of doing the trick the proper way, that version was probably just "Hollywood magic". StuRat (talk) 01:51, 4 February 2012 (UTC)

See our article, Zig Zag Girl. StuRat has pretty much described it, although I doubt that a mechanical hand would be used, as it is unnecessary. Certainly, when the Masked Magician demonstrated the trick, the assistant is able to use her own hand. Actually, why not take a look. AJCham 03:51, 4 February 2012 (UTC)

This variant of the trick seems a bit harder to explain. --Saddhiyama (talk) 09:49, 5 February 2012 (UTC)

Not really a variant, that's a completely different trick. The fact that there's a dwarf in the act makes me think that the upper half of the body is another dwarf with his legs pulled up (note that the chest bows out farther in front than it should). There are lots of cuts in that clip (pun intended), so it's hard to tell just when they transition from the dwarf back to the full-sized man. StuRat (talk) 09:41, 7 February 2012 (UTC)

opera

I like opera,but do not uderstand the words being sung.most seems to be sung in italian, Is it possible to aquire eglish translation and if so,where from? thankyou in anticipation, — Preceding unsigned comment added by Bobijo (talk • contribs) 13:08, 4 February 2012 (UTC)

The words of an opera are usually called the libretto. If you search online for something like aida libretto english you'll find various translations (in this example for Aida). -- Finlay McWalterჷTalk 13:23, 4 February 2012 (UTC)

As far as I know, all major Italian works in the opera repertoire are in the public domain and should be available someplace on the web. Generally, our opera articles contain an external link, at the foot of the article, linking to a libretto. If all else fails, check sites like amazon that have secondhand books.--Wehwalt (talk) 13:41, 4 February 2012 (UTC)

As well, if you live in a larger community then your public library system is likely to have libretti and scores. Finally, if you're lucky enough to live near a large city with its own opera house, performances may be offered that are accompanied by surtitles/supertitles (English-language translation of the libretto projected above or beside the stage); more recently some venues have moved to the in-seat electronic libretto, where each seat has its own display and (often) a choice of translation languages. TenOfAllTrades(talk) 15:31, 4 February 2012 (UTC)

Shortlisting a candidate

When assessing a potential job candidate for a software developer position at an IT company, how many years or jobs into the past should be given serious consideration for useful experience? And how far back should one consider asking for references? Also, how should one consider gaps in employment, whether explained or unexplained on the candate's CV? Astronaut (talk) 15:29, 4 February 2012 (UTC)

In the UK IT sector, it tends to be the approach that jobs/CV contents more than five years in the past don't require detailed checking. (Of course, if someone has a job history that shows them working on IT projects for 25 years, one would certainly take into account the possibility that depth of experience may give them advantages over other candidates). For a position I recently accepted, references were requested for all jobs held within the last five years. The person carrying out that work commented that this policy can be a real nuisance when checking references for a candidate who changes job twice a year!

However, references are requested once a job offer has been made, certainly not at the shortlist stage. In the UK it's now common practice for CVs just to say "References available on request", rather than listing the contact details of the referees. In addition, many employers might only seek references for the most recent job, or most recent couple of jobs. (Some more careless employers might not actually obtain references at all.)

Large unexplained gaps in the CV are a definite warning sign. What if the candidate has spent six months in prison for a serious assault? (They're very unlikely to mention that on their CV). But if the gaps are explained, then they might not have much significance if the candidate's overall skillset matches the requirements better than other candidates (and if they have demonstrable experience of working in the field for an extended period, whether intermixed with gaps or not). If there are outstanding concerns about the explanations given for the gaps, that can still be checked after a job offer is made. --Demiurge1000 (talk) 17:55, 4 February 2012 (UTC)

It should be noted that discriminating against a job candidate on the basis of a past criminal record is illegal in many jurisdictions, and you should consult an expert in employment law before you make any evaulations based on – or ask any questions about – a candidate's criminal record. (The applicability and interpretation of such laws is way beyond the scope of what we can answer at the Ref Desk, however.) TenOfAllTrades(talk) 19:20, 4 February 2012 (UTC)

Anyone thinking of employing someone should certainly talk to an employment lawyer in their jurisdiction first, but I think you are overstating the rules about criminal records. There are laws like the British Rehabilitation of Offenders Act that mean you don't have to declare minor convictions that took place a long time ago, but I don't know of any jurisdiction that completely forbids discrimination of grounds of criminal record. In fact, for some jobs in the UK its compulsory to check criminal records (jobs that involve working children mostly, but also some financial jobs). --Tango (talk) 20:28, 4 February 2012 (UTC)

Did you mean "working children" (and are they still sending 6 year olds down the coal mines?); or working with children? It could have been either in this context, although only a small percentage of children have criminal records. -- Jack of Oz ^{[your turn]} 22:54, 4 February 2012 (UTC)

No Tango, I wouldn't say that my comment was overstating the rules. The sort of bona fide job requirement (working that involves children, or large amounts of cash, or national security, for example) is the kind of narrow exemption that I feel is covered by my reference to the "applicability and interpretation" of the rules against discrimination.

I'm kind of disappointed that you would suggest that there are no jurisdictions forbidding discrimination on the basis of criminal record without at least doing some basic checking. To take just a few examples, in Australia and in six Canadian provinces it is considered a human rights violation to discriminate on the basis of a criminal record (with the usual bona fide job requirement exceptions). The United States meanwhile has a state-by-state patchwork of standards varying from "do whatever you want" to Australian-style protections. TenOfAllTrades(talk) 23:58, 4 February 2012 (UTC)

Sure, but none of those jurisdictions are relevant to the OP, who states on his user page that he is in the UK. 93.97.184.230 (talk) 23:27, 6 February 2012 (UTC)

Not all of the readers of this response will be in the UK, though; when we offer region-specific information we ought to be very careful to make that clear. Moreover, IT companies often do business in more than one country. (And, for that matter, there's no guarantee that the OP's user page is up to date.) TenOfAllTrades(talk) 14:03, 7 February 2012 (UTC)

Note even in countries without direct protections, there are other potential legal considerations. For example [1] (which as it clearly says, is not legal advice) mentions that discrimination based on several things including (what school one attended,) height, and criminal convictions is not protected against in NZ. However later, it also mentions the risk of indirect discrimination. The specific example given is that if you discriminate based on height, you're likely to have an adverse impact on women and Asian people so you should still have a valid reason for the discrimination. Since men (as in a number of countries) and Māori [2] (and to a less extent Pacific Islanders [3]) are overrepresented in the criminal justice system, it seems possible you run the risk of being held to indirectly discriminate based on sex and race or ethnicity if you don't have a valid reason for the discrimination based on convictions. As for whether you have a good enough reason, that's what legal advice is for. I believe the UK has similar laws (a while back someone mentioned, I believe with references, that it's risky to discriminate based on language for this reason) and the US has a variety of federal and state laws and agencies like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. And both countries also have their race and sex based over-representation. I can't find any evidence it's even been tested in NZ, but it seems it has been considered in the US and may be problematic if you exclude all or nearly all people with convictions even minor ones [4] [5]. So yes, it's always a good idea to take legal advice. Nil Einne (talk) 15:42, 5 February 2012 (UTC)

[6] seems to have some discussion of the laws in various Commonwealth countries with a focus on NZ although it perhaps doesn't cover much more then already discussed. Nil Einne (talk) 16:07, 5 February 2012 (UTC)

Wikimedia scholarship

What is the eligibility for Wikimedia scholarship? I mean how is it determined if someone eligible for scholarship? Should I have to make a lot of featured articles or what? --SupernovaExplosion (talk) 16:35, 4 February 2012 (UTC)

Do you mean a scholarship to attend Wikimania? If so, see here. --Tango (talk) 20:30, 4 February 2012 (UTC)

I read it and it says, very high level participant is defined by "involvement and high impact in two or more projects, chapter or Wikimedia initiative". However it does not clarify what does "high impact" mean. --SupernovaExplosion (talk) 03:06, 5 February 2012 (UTC)

Yes it does. It's whatever the reviewers judge (very) high impact. It seems likely there's no way they can give much more then that, since they are taking in to account both offline and online activity. (And it seems unlikely they will only consider FA, as there are other activities they are likely to consider, e.g. those those who mentor new users, those involved as ambassadors in the schools and university projects.) Nil Einne (talk) 15:48, 5 February 2012 (UTC)

Bitten by a Pregnant Spider

Sorry, but Wikipedia cannot give medical advice per policy. Please see a doctor if you have medical concerns.
The following discussion has been closed. Please do not modify it.
Hello, My name is Joe. Since around the year 2000 I have been suffering from an unusual situation. Around 1998, a house that was near my property that was filled with very dirty and unclean people was demolished. The construction worker demolishing the property remarked to me that I wouldn't believe the bugs and insects that were in and under the house. I asked where these pests would go and was told that they would head towards “the nearest dwelling.” Unfortunately, my house was 4 feet away. Around 2000, I was laying in bed one night when I had one of the most painful bites in my life. I got out of bed and noticed two puncture wounds on my foot. I never found the spider that bit me. I assume that it was a spider and I'm almost certain now that it was. Over the course of the years, I have had my house fumigated countless times and have paid thousands of dollars in pest control feels. Nothing has helped me with my situation, which I am getting to. I believe that somehow I have become a “host” to spiders. I am bitten all the time in my house by these spiders. I honestly believe that the spiders or eggs are living within me. I know how this sounds, absurd, I know. But let me get into the details of why I feel this way before you rush into judgment of the situation. I was itching and noticed an increase of spiders in my house. I went to the dermatologist but I was told nothing was wrong with me. I went to another doctor for my heart, and when my shirt was taken off, the doctor remarked that my back had black dots and some red dots on it. He asked me if I knew what it was and I said yes, that they were small spiders and the red ones were feeding on my blood. He told me that I should see a psychiatrist. I know this is the most logical answer to this situation, namely that am crazy, but I refuse to accept that as a reasonable answer. I am not abusing drugs. I am not drinking or anything like that. I have talked to psychiatrists about the issue and they agree with me. Doctors just don't want to give me the time of day, only caring about what they know about. My solution lately to this problem seems to be taking scolding hot showers every day. I shower in water so hot that my back and body turns blood red. This is the only way I have noticed to make the itching stop. This situation is very painful for me, but I would rather endure the pain of the water than the pain and knowledge of knowing these bugs are living on me and coming out of my body. Now, I'm not entirely sure that spiders are living inside me, because it's not like I have ever seen one come out of my body... but I do know that something is going on and living inside of me, because these dots continue to appear whenever I don't take these hot water baths. I believe that these dots come off of my body and then grow into spiders or other creatures which then continue to feed on me. I thought perhaps I had scabies or bed bugs or some other kind of pest. I have never tried looking for bed bugs, but perhaps I should... but I doubt it... because I notice a ton of spiders in the house and regularly have two fang marks on my body. I am actually terrified of being in my house. I know you may think I'm making this all up but I swear I am not... I turn my thermostat down to 50 degrees at night and sleep with a hat on, on the sofa. I think that when I have the temperature down, I am not bitten as frequently. Maybe they don't come out in temperatures that low? I have also taken to sleeping my car at night and leaving my house. I have been woken up several times by the police asking if I was alright because I was sleeping in my car in parking lots to get away from that house. I have even considered moving away... but I have a fear that if I move, perhaps the spiders could come with me? I'm not entirely sure what to do. I have thought about maybe not washing my back for a while and enduring the pain of the dots and then going to the hospital and acting the fool and pretending like I didn't know what was going on... but nobody believes me. Everyone thinks that I'm crazy. Other people have noticed the spiders in my house and seen the dots on my back, but I have never been able to get the dermatologist or anyone else for that matter to pay attention to what I'm saying. I researched on the Internet and found arachnologists or people that study spiders across the country and I have e-mailed them and written letters on numerous occasions but no one seems to believe me. This isn't so unbelievable is it? People have parasites living on them all the time. I'm not asking for a medical diagnosis, because the medical community has no diagnosis for me, but really I am asking just for suggestions as to how I can combat this problem or maybe other steps I could take to try to eradicate them from my house. Does anyone know what the bugs could be? I have never checked for bed bugs, but I really don't think that's what they are. -JOE 207.255.102.180 (talk) 17:21, 4 February 2012 (UTC) First, you should read about urban myths and ask yourself whether you've fallen victim to one or are actively spreading one. [medical advice deleted]. Wikipedians certainly won't be able to help you. Choyoołʼįįhí:Seb az86556 > haneʼ 17:33, 4 February 2012 (UTC) I have closed this conversation, as Wikipedia cannot give medical advice. I have also removed one of the responses. If you feel that this was in error, feel free to discuss the matter here. Falconusp t c 17:46, 4 February 2012 (UTC) [Further responses removed]Closed means closed; if you disagree with this, please discuss it on the talk page, not here. Thanks, Falconusp t c 19:10, 5 February 2012 (UTC)

Berglas effect (reposted)

Anyone has any theory how this is done? MahAdik _usap 19:18, 4 February 2012 (UTC)

Previous answers, for those who didn't see this question the first time around: [7]. Unless there's been a spoiler recently, I don't think the answers will be any different this time. RudolfRed (talk) 00:15, 5 February 2012 (UTC)

It is ,of course, magic.--92.25.103.212 (talk) 01:27, 5 February 2012 (UTC)

The first version seems to require a shill. It might be the man holding the cards with the loose, long sleeves, who is adding/removing/reordering cards as they talk (notice that he was off camera, and there was a delay, while the magician pretended to be confused about whether the card they want is the queen of hearts or 8 of hearts). The second version had the table containing the cards suspiciously close to the black curtain (so close he had to move it when the man came up on stage). This implies to me that he changed decks at some point, perhaps when he moved the table. Also note that the odds he gave were wrong. He said that the odds of getting it right at random were "doubled odds", which he claimed meant 1/(52×52). Neither is correct. It's really only 1/52 (1/26 if he's free to count from either the top or bottom of the deck). With odds that good, he could just do the trick a hundred times in front of various audiences, and he would probably get it right a few times, then he could post those videos only. StuRat (talk) 01:48, 5 February 2012 (UTC)

In both videos the "spectator" counting the cards spends at least four seconds with the deck completely enclosed in his hands. The first guy has long sleeves. The second guy cups the deck and places his hands next to his belt buckle just before he has to show the card. Coincidence? --Itinerant1 (talk) 04:31, 5 February 2012 (UTC)