5 answers
Jun 25 26 by odo5435
The unofficial rule of awarding the Nobel Prize only to authors who have previously been nominated for it at least once is still referred to in the cultural pages as the "Lex ..."?
Hey pehinhota,
So this seems to be the "Buck Rule" named for Pearl S Buck who was awarded the Nobel in Literature, but was seen as a lightweight who just wrote popular fiction. The rule is totally unofficial, but basically says that the committee will only aware authors with proven gravitas and the best way to get that is that they are nominated more than once before receiving.
Not a lot on it on the net, to be fair, and I needed to translate a Wiki in German to get what I needed. Here is the relevant quote in English, and the site/cite below.
"In 1938, the American became Pearl S. Buck awarded the Literature Prize. This award was received with incomprehension at the time and is still often regarded as a wrong decision until the present, since Buck's works would have little literary value. From this criticism emerged the so-called "Lex Buck". It is the unwritten rule to award only authors who had been nominated at least once before."
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobelpreis_f%C3%BCr_Literatur
J (misdiaslocos)
2 answers
Jun 26 26 by pehinhota
2 answers
Jun 26 26 by pehinhota
What hunting weapon is designed to return to its owner?
I don't believe that the Harpoon would be correct, the harpoon doesn't return, it's retrieved / recovered either by reeling it in or by swimming and picking it up, the object in question is "designed to return" which means the object returns to who or where it was launched.
Thinking a bit outside the box...
How about a hunting bird (Falcon or Hawk)...
https://www.britannica.com/sports/falconry (elburcher)
5 answers
Jun 25 26 by odo5435
What hunting weapon is designed to return to its owner?
So, neither poster answered the question. I posit, from my experience as a scuba diver, that the answer is a harpoon with a retrieval line.
Unlike a projectile you throw away and hope to find later, like the aforementioned hunting boomerang, a traditional hunting harpoon relies on a mechanical tether. It is designed to maximize the hunter's chances of recovery. When the harpoon strikes an animal (like a seal, whale, or large fish), the sharp point detaches from the heavy wooden shaft. The head is securely tied to a long, braided line made of sinew, leather, or rope held firmly by the hunter.
When the animal is struck, the hunter pulls the line to reel the prey back in. If the hunter misses entirely, they simply haul the line back to recover the more valuable weapon-head immediately without losing it to deep water or a current. A shaft is a dime a dozen; the head is attached to your next meal... if you're a decent hunter. (LeoDaVinci)
5 answers
Jun 25 26 by odo5435
What hunting weapon is designed to return to its owner?
The question is partly incorrect. The returning boomerang is considered to be a toy or plaything while the non-returning type is considered a weapon.
[quote]Essentially, there are two types of this ancient Aboriginal device: the returning boomerang, and the non-returning. The former (designed to return to the thrower) was often used as a plaything - in tournaments and by hunters to imitate the sound of birds to drive them from trees; coastal Aboriginal communities favoured these lighter tools. The non-returning boomerang, however, was designed as a weapon, to be thrown straight. It's longer, straighter and heavier than its returning variety, and traditionally used by inland and desert Indigenous communities.[/quote]
https://www.discoveraboriginalexperiences.com/article/guide-to-the-boomerang-in-aboriginal-cultures
(elburcher)
5 answers
Jun 25 26 by odo5435
What hunting weapon is designed to return to its owner?
It's the boomerang.
Notably not from Australia, but widely used in several cultures from all over the world and as early as the paleolithic: the oldest specimen was found in Poland and is dated around 23000 BC. (onunodnumiar)
5 answers
Jun 25 26 by odo5435
1 answer
Jan 01 26 by DomiNeyTor
1 answer
Jun 23 26 by pehinhota
Where does a forgotten thought go?
Forgotten thoughts do not necessarily disappear. Instead, the neural connections associated with them can weaken, making the memories more difficult to access. However, under the right circumstances, these memories can become accessible again.
[quote]In a sense, thoughts memories may not go anywhere, they may just become more difficult to access. It may seem pointless, but forgetting is very important. We believe it allows our brains to only retain information that may be important for our existence and survival, and leaving room to learn more and acquire other equally important memories in the future.[/quote]
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/culture-online/case-studies/2022/feb/where-does-thought-go-when-its-forgotten (wellenbrecher)
4 answers
Jun 20 26 by misdiaslocos
4 answers
Jun 20 26 by misdiaslocos
Where does a forgotten thought go?
elburcher,
Thank you. I am kind of more interested in the physiological process of forgetting and remembering. Any thoughts?
J (misdiaslocos)
4 answers
Jun 20 26 by misdiaslocos
Where does a forgotten thought go?
According to Sigmund Freud's Theory of Forgetting, forgotten thoughts remain stored in the unconscious mind, waiting to be accessed and retrieved.
[quote]Freud's Theory of Forgetting
Freud proposed that forgetting is not merely a passive fading away of memories but an active process governed by the unconscious mind. According to his psychoanalytic theory, some memories are repressed, pushed into the unconscious due to their emotionally distressing nature. These repressed memories can resurface through dreams, slips of the tongue, or Freud's famous "Freudian slips."
Repression and the Unconscious Mind
Repression lies at the heart of Freud's theory of forgetting. It involves the unconscious mind blocking traumatic or uncomfortable memories from entering conscious awareness. Freud believed that repression acted as a defense mechanism, shielding the conscious mind from distressing thoughts and emotions.
Retrieving Forgotten Thoughts
While forgotten thoughts may seemingly vanish from conscious awareness, they are not lost forever. Freud emphasized that forgotten thoughts remain stored in the unconscious mind, waiting to be accessed and retrieved. Psychoanalysis, the therapeutic approach developed by Freud, aims to bring these forgotten thoughts to light.
One technique used in psychoanalysis is free association, where patients are encouraged to verbalize their thoughts without censorship. By allowing the mind to wander freely, hidden memories and forgotten thoughts can surface. This process helps uncover repressed emotions and unresolved conflicts that contribute to psychological distress.[/quote]
https://quotesoftheowl.com/where-does-a-thought-go-when-its-forgotten-sigmund-freud/ (elburcher)
4 answers
Jun 20 26 by misdiaslocos
Where was the first concrete road in the United States built?
Some craziness around this. The town allowed an 8-foot test strip to be paved in 1891 and watched it for 2 years to see if it would "fail" (whatever that would mean). After 2 years they allowed the rest of the road to be paved. Now that's dedication to testing.
J
https://bellefontaine.ohiodailydigital.com/news/bellefontaines-court-avenue-paving-the-way-in-american-road-history
(misdiaslocos)
2 answers
Jun 18 26 by pehinhota
2 answers
Jun 18 26 by pehinhota
7 answers
Jun 13 26 by misdiaslocos
In western European cultures, formal and family meals generally follow the order of an entrée/appetiser followed by the main meal followed by a sweet tasting dessert. When did that particular style of eating become common?
The origins of the full-course dinner trace back to the 9th century in al-Andalus (modern-day Spain), where the polymath Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn Nafi, known as Ziryab, introduced the concept of the three-course meal-soup as an appetizer, followed by a main dish of fish or meat, and ending with a sweet dessert of fruits and nuts-to the court of Cordoba.This innovation, novel even in Baghdad where Ziryab had trained, rejected the practice of serving all foods piled together in favor of separate, elegantly presented dishes, laying the foundation for modern multi-course dining etiquette that spread across Europe. By the Renaissance and into the 19th century, French culinary traditions formalized and expanded this model, evolving it into elaborate banquets with distinct stages such as potage (soup), entrée, roast, entremets, and dessert.
https://grokipedia.com/page/Full-course_dinner
(pehinhota)
1 answer
Jun 19 26 by odo5435
Where was the first concrete road in the United States built?
The first concrete road in the United States was built in Bellefontaine, OH and was completed in 1893.
[quote]The first concrete pavement constructed in the U.S. was Main Street, built next to Logan County Courthouse in Bellefontaine, Ohio.[/quote]
https://explorer.acpa.org/explorer/places/united-states/ohio/bellefontaine/street/old-us-30-lincoln-highway/ (elburcher)
2 answers
Jun 18 26 by pehinhota
2 answers
Jun 18 26 by pehinhota
What are 'plus fours', and how did they get that name?
Plus fours are one of those quintessentially British garments, immediately recognisable by their unique silhouette. The name itself gives the game away: they are cut to finish four inches below the knee, creating that signature billowy fold over the calf.
Originally finding favour on the golf courses and sporting estates of the 1920s, these trousers were designed for exceptional freedom of movement. Today, they stand as a hallmark of classic country style, a statement of sartorial confidence.
https://dandylionstyle.co.uk/plus-4-s-trousers
(pehinhota)
1 answer
Jun 18 26 by odo5435
In the taxonomic ranking of animals (Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species) what is the highest rank that has only a single species in it? An example is the tuatara which is the only species in the Order Rhynchocephalia. Are there any species that are an only example of their Class or above?
By the taxonomic ranking of animals, the highest monotypic animal (single species) rank is the Phylum of Placozoa.
Placozoa, meaning 'flat animals', are groups of cells that live in water and look like miniscule, shape-shifting disks.They are described as 'the simplest animals on Earth'. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Placozoa
It is believed that there may actually be more placozoan species existing, however they are yet to be identified and classified. The extra placozoan species may well turn out to occupy several genera and families and perhaps even a few orders. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982217315245 (vyvviking)
1 answer
Jun 17 26 by misdiaslocos
Is zircon actually rarer than diamond?
Not at all...Zircon is incredibly abundant in the Earth's crust and can be found almost anywhere in the world, while diamonds can only be found in a few places. The confusion may arise in the fact that gem quality Zircon is fairly rare, but even then, it is still more common that diamond.
https://gem-a.com/gem-hub/understanding-zircon/
https://www.gemsbiz.com/blog/explore/the-difference-between-diamond-zircon?fc=module&srsltid=AfmBOopgeqjpOsKDh3tqgYtWnYz6b2XG5pRmFJTsEGjolH5ECQdLmlDJ
https://www.jewelleryandgiftsmalta.com/index.php/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-zircones-and-diamonds
J (misdiaslocos)
1 answer
Jun 16 26 by daver852
How many African states or state-like entities maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan?
A bit of refining on that count... it is either 1 or 5,
Estwatini is the only country listed on Taiwan's MOFA site, as "countries with whom we currently have diplomatic relations"
https://en.mofa.gov.tw/AlliesIndex.aspx?n=1294&sms=1007
But clicking through to the Embassies and Missions gives 5 which include, along with Eswatini, the countries of Nigeria, Cote D'Ivoire, South Africa, and the state of Somaliland
https://en.mofa.gov.tw/CountryAreaInfoEn.aspx?CASN=2&n=1289&sms=0
J (misdiaslocos)
2 answers
Jun 16 26 by pehinhota
How many African states or state-like entities maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan?
Let's put it this way: 2.
One is a full sovereign state in the form of the Kingdom of eSwatini{Africa's last absolute monarchy}, while the other is the Republic of Somaliland{not to be confused with the Federal Republic of Somalia}, a partially recognised state in the Horn of Africa. To put it simply, the Republic of China{otherwise known as Taiwan or Chinese Taipei} enjoys official/diplomatic recognition from just two entities within Africa. One is a fully recognized sovereign state (eSwatini) while the other is a partially recognised entity (the Republic of Somaliland). Such few friends in a continent of well over 50 countries. [quote]As of 2026, Eswatini and the self-declared Republic of Somaliland are the only two African states to have official relations with Taiwan, although Eswatini is the only African UN member that officially recognizes Taiwan rather than the China.[/quote] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiwan%E2%80%93Africa_relations
(Harmattan)
2 answers
Jun 16 26 by pehinhota
2 answers
Jun 14 26 by misdiaslocos
Deposed in 887, who was the last ruler of the unified Carolingian Empire?
Poor Charles the Fat, Or worse en Francais, le Gros (the gross?). He was gifted an empire that was collapsing and managed to kind of, pull it all together, but sadly...not. His nephew deposed him in 887 and he was dead of...natural(?) causes within a few weeks.
That said, his reunification of the Empire was bought and not earned, so it's not like the Empire was long for the world anyway. As the saying goes, Vae Victis...amusing that it was a Gaul who originally said that.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charles-III-Holy-Roman-emperor
https://salutemmundo.wordpress.com/tag/charles-the-fat/
J (misdiaslocos)
1 answer
Jun 15 26 by NeuralSpicy
I have been looking for the name of a painting that appeared in DA Adam Schiff's office in the original TV series "Law and Order". The painting has a man in a suit, balding with hair still on both sides of his head. He is wearing glasses and looking down at a paper. He seems to be holding a pen or a brush in his right hand. I have been wondering what this painting was for over 20 years. Google Image searches come up with nothing, nor do any fan sites. Does anyone in FUNTRIVIA land know what this is?
lanfranco,
Thank you for your analysis, and I can see what you mean about it looking like a piece of throw together schlock. I have also wondered if it was that as well. However, there seems to be a few things that might indicate that it isn't just a piece of "fabricated" set dressing:
1) All of the other pictures in the DA's office are real (Beardless Abe Linclon, Manhattan skyline...) which would make this one an outlier
2) The camera actually focuses on it from time to time, at least twice at the end of an episode we get a full framing of it as the camera pans over to it and then fades to black.
3) Adam never refers to it, even in passing, which if it were meant to be a relative, you would think he would at least once.
But you are totally right that the painting is at least weird. I don't have your trained eye, but the angle that the man in the photo is holding his pencil is at least a choice and totally unnatural at best. Would a manufactured set piece have been that sloppy? Most of the background art that I see is anodyne rather than creative.
I know you have already replied, but could you let us know any more thoughts you had on this?
Thanks,
J (misdiaslocos)
7 answers
Jun 13 26 by misdiaslocos
7 answers
Jun 13 26 by misdiaslocos
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Jun 14 26 by misdiaslocos
7 answers
Jun 13 26 by misdiaslocos
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Jun 13 26 by misdiaslocos
3 answers
Jun 09 26 by pehinhota
Which was the first airship in World War I to be destroyed in mid-air by an airplane?
That would be the L37(LZ37) on 6-7 June 1915
[quote] That the British would take retaliatory measures became evident in April 1915 when Captain Lanoe G. Hawker, of the Royal Flying Corps based at Abeele in Belgium, flying a B.E.2c armed with a few bombs and hand grenades, attacked and destroyed the airship shed at Gontrode, within which, and also destroyed, was LZ38 (LZ38). It was an audacious attack, and highlighted just how vulnerable the airships were when on the ground.
That they might be as vulnerable, given certain conditions, whilst airborne was graphically demonstrated on 6-7 June 1915, when Lt. R.A.J. Warneford Vc, of the RNAS was flying toward Ostend on his first ever night flight. His mission, emulating the earlier effort against Gontrode, was to bomb the Zeppelin sheds at Evere. Whilst en-route he spotted L37 (LZ37) in the clouds. Warneford maneuvered his plane over the vessel and released his bombs, one or more of which hit something solid. In any event there was a great explosion which ignited the gas, and the L37 (LZ37) fell earthwards engulfed in flames. This was the first time an airship had been destroyed by an aircraft whilst in flight.[/quote]
https://20thcenturybattles.com/german-airships-in-the-great-war-1914-18/ (elburcher)
2 answers
Jun 14 26 by pehinhota
7 answers
Jun 13 26 by misdiaslocos
2 answers
Jun 14 26 by pehinhota
7 answers
Jun 13 26 by misdiaslocos
What do the hummingbird, the loon, the swift, the kingfisher and the grebe have in common?
Hey pholberton,
So...you asked this question a couple of weeks ag....WHAT!?!? 20 years and 5 months ago!?!?
Let me give a shot at answering it in a timely manner...
They the opposite of the penguin, the emu, the ostrich, and the kiwi. These birds have wings but cannot fly. The hummingbird, the loon, the swift, the kingfisher and the grebe have legs, but cannot walk.
https://www.deseret.com/1994/3/18/19098456/five-birds-that-cannot-walk/
I hope you didn't need this answer for a science report or something.
J
(misdiaslocos)
1 answer
Dec 26 05 by pholberton
In 2004 which was the first US Army ship named after an African American?
While the USAV Major General Robert Smalls is the first ARMY ship to be named for an African-American, the NAVY had one all the way back in 1943!!
The USS Harmon (DE-678), A destroyer escort, was named for Leonard Roy Harmon who, in the Battle of Guadalcanal deliberately stood in front of enemy gunfire to save a fellow sailor.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonard_Roy_Harmon
J (misdiaslocos)
2 answers
May 14 26 by pehinhota
In which country was a cordless telephone developed within nineteen months (in 1979) that was suitable for establishing a wireless voice telephony network to serve remote villages in the Mexican state of Guerrero?
This is a very specific question. Some more context.
The commission came in 1979, but was not completed until 1981, as is implied in the question.
"Am 12. September 1981 nahm DDR-Staatschef Erich Honecker in Mexiko das Netz in Betrieb."
There are other milestones
First Wireless Conversation (1880): Alexander Graham Bell and Charles Sumner Tainter invented the Photophone, which successfully transmitted a voice message wirelessly over a beam of light, rather than radio waves.
https://www.optica-opn.org/home/articles/volume_4/issue_6/features/alexander_graham_bell_s_photophone/
First Practical Wireless Telephone (1912): Japanese inventor Dr. Torigata Uichi created the "T.Y.K. wireless telephone system." It was the world's first practical, long-range wireless voice communication system that predated vacuum tubes. (Super cool looking, check it out!!)
https://www.postalmuseum.jp/column/collection/tykwirelesstelephone.html
First Commercial Cellular Network (1979): The first full-scale, commercial cellular network was launched by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) in Tokyo, Japan.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1G
J (misdiaslocos)
3 answers
Jun 09 26 by pehinhota
3 answers
Jun 12 26 by Upstart3
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