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Bug Juice
Posted by Dr. Science on 08/27/2014
What are the exact contents of that which is described as “bug juice”?
———- from Big Lou Rosenbaum ofLas Vegas, NV
It depends on your personal taste. Some enjoy plain cricket juice, some like beetle juice. purists tend to prefer fresh-squeezed juice, obtained by making grasshoppers nervous so they’ll drool in a glass or by strangling caterpillars. Others use a concentrate (usually frozen wasps or ants) or the more traditional powdered spiders. Now the FDA requires that true bug juice, in order to be labeled organic, must contain at least 10% real bugs, whether they’re whipped, pureed or chopped up whole. If you haven’t tried bug juice, by the way, I urge you to fill a tall chilled glass filled to the brim with liquefied June bugs. On a hot summer day, mmm, good! (By the way, Lou, if you give Rodney the Broncos plus 12 1/2, he’ll take ’em.)
It depends on your personal taste. Some enjoy plain cricket juice, some like beetle juice. purists tend to prefer fresh-squeezed juice, obtained by making grasshoppers nervous so they’ll drool in a glass or by strangling caterpillars. Others use a concentrate (usually frozen wasps or ants) or the more traditional powdered spiders. Now the FDA requires that true bug juice, in order to be labeled organic, must contain at least 10% real bugs, whether they’re whipped, pureed or chopped up whole. If you haven’t tried bug juice, by the way, I urge you to fill a tall chilled glass filled to the brim with liquefied June bugs. On a hot summer day, mmm, good! (By the way, Lou, if you give Rodney the Broncos plus 12 1/2, he’ll take ’em.)Hard Drive Smoke
Posted by Dr. Science on 08/25/2014
I’ve noticed that when I tried to install my new hard drive, smoke came out of several components. Is this a problem?
———- from Rick Alber ofSanta Monica, CA
You’ve got to find some way to get the smoke back inside. Chances are you didn’t act quickly enough, and the smoke dissipated. If this is the case, you must procure fresh smoke. A soldering iron can often manufacture smoke, if you can’t buy the necessary smoke direct from the manufacturer. Ask your Radio Shack sales associate for advice. And be sure to keep a bucket under the computer, in case extra bits fall out while you’re moving things around. Often the redistribution of electrons can cause data over-run, which can damage even the most heavily varnished floor.
You’ve got to find some way to get the smoke back inside. Chances are you didn’t act quickly enough, and the smoke dissipated. If this is the case, you must procure fresh smoke. A soldering iron can often manufacture smoke, if you can’t buy the necessary smoke direct from the manufacturer. Ask your Radio Shack sales associate for advice. And be sure to keep a bucket under the computer, in case extra bits fall out while you’re moving things around. Often the redistribution of electrons can cause data over-run, which can damage even the most heavily varnished floor.Internet Wiretaps
Posted by Dr. Science on 08/22/2014
Is there an easy way I can tell if there’s a Federal wiretap on my Internet account?
———- from Jill Pendergast ofSan Mateo, CA
If your account is tapped, you’ll be able to confirm it if you know what to look for. Be on the lookout for several subtle changes. Has your dial tone been replaced by the sound of an FBI agent belching? Does you telephone service man have the letters ATF on his hat? When you change your password, does someone change it back? Does your E Mail look like something released through the Freedom of Information Act? If so, burn your computer, move to another state, and start over under a pseudonym. The odds are against you, but still, you might shake them if you act early.
If your account is tapped, you’ll be able to confirm it if you know what to look for. Be on the lookout for several subtle changes. Has your dial tone been replaced by the sound of an FBI agent belching? Does you telephone service man have the letters ATF on his hat? When you change your password, does someone change it back? Does your E Mail look like something released through the Freedom of Information Act? If so, burn your computer, move to another state, and start over under a pseudonym. The odds are against you, but still, you might shake them if you act early.Doppler Light Lab
Posted by Dr. Science on 08/20/2014
I was on a 767 airliner yesterday and noticed that there was a split-second between the time I pressed the switch for the overhead lamp and the time the lamp actually came on. What is this period of time called and what happens during it?
———- from David Coursey ofSan Mateo, CA
You experienced what scientists call Doppler Light Lag, which happens on all the bigger airplanes. To compute the amount of Doppler Light Lag, take the seating capacity of the airline you’re on, multiply by the speed at which it’s cruising, usually 500 miles per hour, and then divide by the cost of your ticket, in dollars. If you’re using a frequent flier ticket, take the number of miles used to purchase that ticket and divide by forty. You’ll see that the more expensive your ticket, the smaller the lag time between pressing the switch and the light turning on. If your ticket cost over a thousand dollars and the airplane is taxiing, the Doppler Lag will be so short it’s unnoticeable. I know it’s not much of a perk, but then all the romance and sense of luxury went out of flying years ago.
You experienced what scientists call Doppler Light Lag, which happens on all the bigger airplanes. To compute the amount of Doppler Light Lag, take the seating capacity of the airline you’re on, multiply by the speed at which it’s cruising, usually 500 miles per hour, and then divide by the cost of your ticket, in dollars. If you’re using a frequent flier ticket, take the number of miles used to purchase that ticket and divide by forty. You’ll see that the more expensive your ticket, the smaller the lag time between pressing the switch and the light turning on. If your ticket cost over a thousand dollars and the airplane is taxiing, the Doppler Lag will be so short it’s unnoticeable. I know it’s not much of a perk, but then all the romance and sense of luxury went out of flying years ago.Hair Bangs
Posted by Dr. Science on 08/18/2014
Why do I get headaches when I let my bangs grow too long?
———- from Kitty Evans ofOmaha, NB
You’re suffering from a condition known as the Veronica Syndrome. Although it wasn’t well known in comic book circles, Betty’s dark-haired rich girlfriend suffered from intense migraine headaches. She hoped, fleetingly, that Archie or Reggie or Jughead could divert her from this pain but was unsuccessful. The only cure would have consisted of simply cutting her bangs — something Veronica was unwilling to do. It seems Veronica had no forehead — a condition far more grotesque than Veronica Syndrome. So seek professional help if you wish but be prepared to face an ugly truth about yourself that may make a simple headache look like a picnic.
You’re suffering from a condition known as the Veronica Syndrome. Although it wasn’t well known in comic book circles, Betty’s dark-haired rich girlfriend suffered from intense migraine headaches. She hoped, fleetingly, that Archie or Reggie or Jughead could divert her from this pain but was unsuccessful. The only cure would have consisted of simply cutting her bangs — something Veronica was unwilling to do. It seems Veronica had no forehead — a condition far more grotesque than Veronica Syndrome. So seek professional help if you wish but be prepared to face an ugly truth about yourself that may make a simple headache look like a picnic.