About Me:
Single, over-60, SW England resident, with fairly wide range of interests & musical tastes - but I'd be no good in a pub quiz 'cos I know very little about TV, gadgets called i-something, competitive sports, many entertainments & "so-called celebrities!
Was on EP, but left it long before it closed. Won't touch Facebook & its ilk.
"Adult" themes: quite broad-minded, like nudity but not pornography. Against cruelty, and consider spanking as a game for consenting adults only.
Thank you for the added explanation, Rosie. As others have said, a tripod will stand without wobbling on any surface within reason provided the legs are held rigidly with respect to each other, a rule of geometry known since ancient times. Instead I ... moreThank you for the added explanation, Rosie. As others have said, a tripod will stand without wobbling on any surface within reason provided the legs are held rigidly with respect to each other, a rule of geometry known since ancient times. Instead I suspect the stool you found had a loose leg, and it was that fault causing the wobbles!Politically then, the relative sizes of the three "legs" of government are not important. What does matter, and potentially seriously, is one of the legs being its right length but faulty, in itself or in its links to the other two. If that leg is cracked, or those links are weak, perhaps likely to break, then that would undermine the government's stability.I don't know enough about your country's systems, let alone the bizarre power-games they have become, to see which leg or link has been so badly weakened it is now unable to take the weight so is bending or breaking, but it looks to me as that's what's happened. No doubt they were all of different sizes physi... less
Rosie, you do worry about the least likely events as well as the feasible ones!Humanity's greatest enemy is itself, with population increase as one major factor. Starvation and epidemics, possibly, with the latter more likely for us in the so-called "West... moreRosie, you do worry about the least likely events as well as the feasible ones!Humanity's greatest enemy is itself, with population increase as one major factor. Starvation and epidemics, possibly, with the latter more likely for us in the so-called "West".****Another Ice Age? We are probably still in one, but this has two implications.An Ice Age is not a single cold snap (albeit perhaps 100 000 years long so a "snap" only geologically). It is a series of warm / cold oscillations, with consequent ice-cover / sea-level rises.We are still emerging from the last one, which is considered to have ended 10 000 to 12 000 years ago, but the climate will still warm for perhaps few thousand years more. Whether our activities are affecting NOT the change but the RATE of change, is another matter, and I now learn that proper study of the last 100 years' weather statistics show no significant changes in overall weather patterns and less than 200mm of sea-level rise over the past 100 years.So the implications:Conti... less
Actually your analogy is not quite that bad: the stool would be stable (it has 3 legs, to stand rigidly on an uneven floor), but its seat would tilt down towards the shortened leg. So perhaps the lot won't topple, it certainly won't wobble,... moreActually your analogy is not quite that bad: the stool would be stable (it has 3 legs, to stand rigidly on an uneven floor), but its seat would tilt down towards the shortened leg. So perhaps the lot won't topple, it certainly won't wobble, but it won't be very comfortable and would constantly remind its user that one leg is faulty.In governmental terms, you'd have one branch of government being very ineffective, with the other two doing more than their fair share of supporting a country that won't fall, but cannot be comfortable or secure. less
"Day 29... " Are you referring to all those unfortunate civil-servants who are not being paid?If so:It's being reported here in Britain, but I doubt anyone here can really comprehend how it can possibly happen. We know, to a point anyway, it is ... more"Day 29... " Are you referring to all those unfortunate civil-servants who are not being paid?If so:It's being reported here in Britain, but I doubt anyone here can really comprehend how it can possibly happen. We know, to a point anyway, it is an argument between politicians about paying for that border wall; and one interviewee in a recent BBC Radio Four news programme, described the row as "childish". What is so strange to we foreigners is that such a supposedly-sophisticated, developed, rich, democratic "Western" country that loves to tell the rest of the world how to behave, should allow so many of its own, innocent people to be caught so badly in party-political cross-fire within its own government.We can only watch and hope it is resolved soon, for those workers' sakes, and the arrears paid in full. less
I suppose the authors of your Constitution thought that loyalty to the nation was sufficiently implicit in the pledges of allegiance to flag and Constitution. They were probably trying to distance Nation from Government: the former should tell the latter ... moreI suppose the authors of your Constitution thought that loyalty to the nation was sufficiently implicit in the pledges of allegiance to flag and Constitution. They were probably trying to distance Nation from Government: the former should tell the latter what to do, not vice-versa.I agree the President should not include himself in an oath that specifically does not mention people. I imagine that exclusion came about when the monarchs of the European countries whose emigrants formed the USA, had a lot more power and there was a lot of anti-Royalist feeling in Europe. Less so perhaps in Britain because we had already been steadily chipping away at the monarch's powers, starting with Magna Carta, while strengthening the powers of Parliament. Your settler forebears wanted a republic with no dynastic ruler, simply an elected senior administrator.The military oath of allegiance in Britain is to Sovereign and Country, I believe, but here the King or Queen is Head of State, taken as the geographical and polit... less
Thank-you for understanding my affliction, Rosie!.I live in a very safe area: I have no qualms about using buses to go to a lecture on a Winter evening in a town some ten miles away. Nor did I think it inconvenient. I could have used my car but... moreThank-you for understanding my affliction, Rosie!.I live in a very safe area: I have no qualms about using buses to go to a lecture on a Winter evening in a town some ten miles away. Nor did I think it inconvenient. I could have used my car but I have a "senior citizen's" bus-pass so it may take a lot longer but is free. Besides, I could go for a pint or two of beer afterwards, since I was not driving. I might be a bit nervous about being in the town-centre late at night, so I would be careful, but really, the chances of anyone attacking me are not so large that I can't have the occasional evening out.As for the oil-field... why does it sound unhealthy to you? I'm actually nearer 20 than 10 miles from the oil-field but it would not worry me if I lived next to the well-heads' boundary fence. It is a very small field, compared to anything Arabian or Texan; it is production-only, with oil raised by pumping and gas by its own pressure. It is not a refinery; and it is built and operated unde... less
I see what you mean, but there have always been both the evil and deceitful ones, and good but weak ones. And all sorts in between.The Internet has certainly made things far easier and quicker for those wanting to spread poison, or to interfere with other... moreI see what you mean, but there have always been both the evil and deceitful ones, and good but weak ones. And all sorts in between.The Internet has certainly made things far easier and quicker for those wanting to spread poison, or to interfere with other countries' political processes; but it's also made it harder for dictators to control their subjects.On the other hand, we each have a free choice to use Facebook or Twitter - I refuse both. We are each free to live our lives without a so-called "smart" phone glued to hand or ear and switched on day and night - I gave up using my "smart" phone after only a few weeks and had it unlocked, and my modest portable phone spends far more time off than on. Those who are addicted to the digital "Koolaid" are so by their own choice and actions.Even so, I do agree with you that the worst of the Koolaid is not doing society any good at all. less
I couldn't, no.However, I've wondered if I might be good at teaching very simple arithmetic and maths, because I was always weak at these. That may seem contradictory, but I have over the years encountered many people who are very good at something, ... moreI couldn't, no.However, I've wondered if I might be good at teaching very simple arithmetic and maths, because I was always weak at these. That may seem contradictory, but I have over the years encountered many people who are very good at something, but cannot teach it because they consider it easy and cannot understand why others do not. It was only a sort of lateral thinking that made certain numerical topics click with me by anchoring them in real but fairly unusual things, so I realised the formal teaching methods, and certainly almost all maths text books I have seen, are not necessarily right for all.Once there, I analysed why I found mathematics difficult, and realised one reason is that many topics are taught as rather abstract concepts with no real definition or purpose. I should clarify that I believe there is a fundamental difference between the American and British approaches to teaching maths. I have asked of this in the past but no-one seemed able to confirm or correc... less
Maybe you burst out laughing uncontrollably through a mouthful of coffee and Digestive Biscuits, over one of more worthy but less analytical views expressed on some obscure corner of Answermug.... ?
I gather you don't like the present one, but try to forget whoever is President at the moment, and look at the process.Doesn't the Constitution protect country and people, so the president of the time takes that oath of office to show his loyalty to that ... moreI gather you don't like the present one, but try to forget whoever is President at the moment, and look at the process.Doesn't the Constitution protect country and people, so the president of the time takes that oath of office to show his loyalty to that protection? It puts a safe distance between president and country, so the state and its citizens are protected by constitutional continuity, not by an individual in office for only a few years. In other words, it shows the president is a servant of the state, i.e. the citizenry and primary structure of their nation; not vice-versa. . less
It's a bit rich, an accusation like that coming from the Russian Orthodox Church, given their links with President Putin's government. It's nonsense anyway, even if you believe there is such a thing as "The AntiChrist", because it's not the Internet... moreIt's a bit rich, an accusation like that coming from the Russian Orthodox Church, given their links with President Putin's government. It's nonsense anyway, even if you believe there is such a thing as "The AntiChrist", because it's not the Internet that's the problem, but human beings mis-using it for their own ends. The sort of human beings who would have always found ways to advance their selfish ends. The threat from governments is not directly to we private individuals unless it damages public services. At an individual level, we ought worry more about the giant, mainly American, corporations who have taken over the Internet for commercial ends, but there are simple ways we can reduce that problem. For many people that would start most obviously with learning how to turn the "smart" 'phone off, and avoiding using the likes of Facebook!So Long, Sucks: you have a point in learning to skirt the hacking, but at really serious, company- or country- level it's become something of an arms race. The... less
The ones with real knowledge, or who accept their own limits, are not self-important, because either their achievements or their humility speak for them.I can't say I was excited by seeing that algebra. It aroused my curiosity to a point, but otherwise on... moreThe ones with real knowledge, or who accept their own limits, are not self-important, because either their achievements or their humility speak for them.I can't say I was excited by seeing that algebra. It aroused my curiosity to a point, but otherwise only highlighted my inability to learn maths beyond a very simple level, and that with gaps ion my knowledge and understanding. Late evening here, now. I went to a public lecture explaining the geology and oil exploration of my part of the world. I live only about 30 miles from a small oil-field. It was in a town about 10 miles away, and I used the buses - two each way. This meant I could enjoy a leisurely couple of pints of beer afterwards, in one of my favourite pubs, but it was lucky I discovered there, by chance, that the bus route back has been temporarily diverted by road works! The service late at night is hourly.So I gave myself plenty of time to walk to the alternative stop, only to spot a sign there saying use another one, in an adjac... less
That's a good question, the capacity of the hu8man brain. I suppose it must be finite, but I have no idea why we all have very individual abilities and limits. I don't think most scientists, including physicists, have exceptional brains. There are so... moreThat's a good question, the capacity of the hu8man brain. I suppose it must be finite, but I have no idea why we all have very individual abilities and limits. I don't think most scientists, including physicists, have exceptional brains. There are some who stand out even among their peers, but most simply have the gift of being able to understand difficult concepts, and especially to learn maths to a very high level. Most physics, whether quantum, "ordinary life" or astronomical, is mathematical.And when they go home after work? They might well watch a sports event on the TV, or listen to a great concerto, and envy those performers for their abilities!I worked for a company that made specialist equipment whose designs were very much applied maths and physics. My own level was very modest though! One day, one of the scientists asked if he could borrow my computer rather than traipsing all the way back to his own office, to look up a learned paper relevant to the project he was working on. When... less
Oh yes. Without my finding an atlas to investigate properly, I'd say from the sunset times JaneS gives, my Southern English home's latitude (about 52ºN) is somewhere near that of hers in Minnesota.Longitude delay (15º/hour) doesn't com... moreOh yes. Without my finding an atlas to investigate properly, I'd say from the sunset times JaneS gives, my Southern English home's latitude (about 52ºN) is somewhere near that of hers in Minnesota.Longitude delay (15º/hour) doesn't come into it because we are each referring our times to our local noons.
Each believer's own view would very much depend on his or her own view of other sects and religions here on Earth - sadly too many consider themselves to have a monopoly on "truth". If they do that even within their own faith, they can hardly be... moreEach believer's own view would very much depend on his or her own view of other sects and religions here on Earth - sadly too many consider themselves to have a monopoly on "truth". If they do that even within their own faith, they can hardly be expected to welcome the other planet's inhabitants' religions.it's important to remember the real nature of the Bible, Talmud and Q'ran - and equivalents in other ancient religions. They record their authors' and followers' religious and social beliefs at a time when no-one could possibly have conceived that there may be similarly-sentient life elsewhere in the Galaxy (let alone Universe). No-one at the time knew anything about what we would call Astronomy: they could only know that the Sun rises and sets daily, and the Moon waxes and wanes regularly, but had no idea why; and the stars were just mysterious dots of light. Hence the Bible not trying to speculate on such things. If there is a god of some sort, perhaps He/She/(or logically)... less
Thank you for that analysis.I agree that it's now hard to tell Right from Left in Britain, with both main parties meandering around very similar ideas. For example, the Conservatives led by Mrs. Thatcher started selling off huge chunks of the pu... moreThank you for that analysis.I agree that it's now hard to tell Right from Left in Britain, with both main parties meandering around very similar ideas. For example, the Conservatives led by Mrs. Thatcher started selling off huge chunks of the public services with no thought of value, only absolute cost, and Labour were very indignant about it. Then Labour, under Tony Blair first, continued this dismantling with, if anything, even more vigour than the Conservatives had shown. (My own employer was one such victim.) Apart from the main industries, the main target was probably the Scientific Civil Service, as it was an easy target, thanks to ignorance by too many politicians, journalists and members of the public, of its existence let alone roles. I think this encouraged by a rise in the so-called "professional politician" - typically a degree-holder in something like economics, becoming a Party clerk then an MP - without ever having any sort of real employment outside of politics. I think... less
Thank you Rosie!I don't know where mathematicians find those strange names for very large numbers, but I don't think they are used in professional science. I wish I could have understood mathematics. It was one of my weakest subjects at school, and there ... moreThank you Rosie!I don't know where mathematicians find those strange names for very large numbers, but I don't think they are used in professional science. I wish I could have understood mathematics. It was one of my weakest subjects at school, and there are big gaps in my understanding of it even now. All the natural sciences are like that - the more the scientists answer one set of questions, another comes along; or some new piece of evidence or improvement in equipment shows the theory so far is not quite right, or even totally wrong.The discovery of the principles of plate tectonics is a classic example. For a long time, geologists had a model of the Earth that answered important questions but not very satisfactorily. When you read old text-books with the benefit of modern knowledge you see how the scientists were rather floundering in trying to explain things like mountains, volcanoes and earthquakes. Then along came new methods for surveying the ocean floors, and studying the planet's magnetic field, ... less
Thank you! I'm afraid I've not visited the US but from a few years of conversations on sites like this, and reports by American journalists and commentators explaining US politics on BBC News programmes, I have realised the UK seems almost socialist ... moreThank you! I'm afraid I've not visited the US but from a few years of conversations on sites like this, and reports by American journalists and commentators explaining US politics on BBC News programmes, I have realised the UK seems almost socialist to many Americans. That's even when we have a Conservative government - we have overheard the arguing over any proposals to introduce even something a little like the UK's National Health Service to the US. Ironically, our own NHS is being stealthily nibbled away at, with important parts of it sold off, some to American companies for whom illness is a commodity.A few decades ago, the Far Left were regarded as more of a threat to the UK than the Far Right. The Marxists were generally much more organised, and much more subtle, than their Right-wing opponents, who were mostly a rag-bag of oddballs more noisy than effectual. Indeed, during the Cold War, Moscow was courting a lot of the Left-wing groups and trying to infiltrate the trades-unions.... less
Even the professionals cannot humanly comprehend the vast distances, times and speeds of Space. I remember an astronomer on the radio saying they understand and accept them scientifically, but no further.There is no "largest number". There are some daft n... moreEven the professionals cannot humanly comprehend the vast distances, times and speeds of Space. I remember an astronomer on the radio saying they understand and accept them scientifically, but no further.There is no "largest number". There are some daft names for Extremely Large numbers, but the number series 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 ...... goes on to infinity. Scientists usually use powers of 10 to represent very large, or very tiny numbers. For example, the Sun is 93 000 000 miles from us, so that is written as 9.3 X 10^7 miles.We can't know how many galaxies there are. For a start we have to be able to see them. The largest of the most distant are only visible in the most powerful telescopes, and a wide swathe of the night sky is obstructed by the Milky Way. Yet even if we could see the beautiful things right out at that distance, we are still limited at any one time by the horizon set by the Universe's age and the speed of light. Dear little Ultima Thula is still within our Solar System, n... less
Lot of cynicism in that thread, and flawed because you could level such charges as "waste of money" etc. at any human endeavour that has no obvious purely-functional link to the dull minutiae of everyday life for most of us. That could be anything: t... moreLot of cynicism in that thread, and flawed because you could level such charges as "waste of money" etc. at any human endeavour that has no obvious purely-functional link to the dull minutiae of everyday life for most of us. That could be anything: the natural sciences, the arts and crafts, pure academia, sports... Whilst it is right to consider financial cost, that alone is a weak reason for rejecting the study out of hand, but explains why a lot of major science research nowadays is highly co-operative internationally. If though, the criterion is of pure "use", we are on dangerous ground. If there is no useful purpose in analysing astronomical bodies, then there is no purpose either in creating great works of art, studying ancient literature and cultures, climbing mountains or exploring caves, playing football; none even in just listening to the symphony or opera, admiring the painting or the Ancient Greek play, visiting beautiful landscapes or watching the match. No po... less
Good point! The question as written is ambiguous: it is not clear if it is querying the Earth's position in the Solar System, or the etymology of the phrase.The first is a matter of astro-physics. The second is a matter of poetic word-play!
It a mutual orbit.They revolve around their common centre of mass, in a sort of stately pas-des-deux, because they are acting on each other. If the two bodies are of equal mass, they both orbit a point half-way between them. Where one body is de... moreIt a mutual orbit.They revolve around their common centre of mass, in a sort of stately pas-des-deux, because they are acting on each other. If the two bodies are of equal mass, they both orbit a point half-way between them. Where one body is denser than the other both will orbit an axis closer to the heavier (usually larger) one; and in time the smaller might be dragged "down" to the larger. With binary stars, the larger star can start eating the other by pulling gas from it. If it is sufficiently larger and denser than the other, the pair's common axis is within the larger body, so that one simply spins on an eccentric axis.Where the two bodies are sufficiently different, the orbit is very close or for all practical purposes on, the main body's own axis, like the Earth and the Sun. My maths is weak but I think the stars are obeying an important principle called the 'Conservation of Angular Momentum', such that a small mass moving in a large radiu... less
Such hydraulic tools already exist but they are not very portable! Quite heavy and bulky.Wouldn't the people trying it, be spotted fairly quickly anyway?
Yes - the more we find out about the Universe, the greater and more complicated we realise it is. We may never know how many galaxies there really are. Apart from perhaps some being obscured by nearer and larger galaxies, there must be a horizon nearly 15... moreYes - the more we find out about the Universe, the greater and more complicated we realise it is. We may never know how many galaxies there really are. Apart from perhaps some being obscured by nearer and larger galaxies, there must be a horizon nearly 15 000 000 000 light-years away. Since that number of years alone, is the calculated age of the Universe, light from anything beyond has not yet reached us, even if it is bright enough to be detectable when it does arrive.Ultima Thule's real composition won't be known for some time yet, as you explain. It is probably a lump of frozen gases and dust (of various elements and/or minerals), possibly too, water ice. I don't quite understand the remarks on News reports about it being as old as the Solar System, as if that makes it somehow different. I think it means the planets are probably coagulations of lumps like Ultima Thule - so millions of years younger. Or put another way, those fringe bits and pieces are remnants of the accretion disc of mat... less
Are they? Really? Met many of them? The more extreme their views in Britain, the fewer there are of them - Right or Left - and most people ignore them.
Regarding being "prisoners" of the things.....One of my favourite cafes in town looks out onto a busy shopping street, where I can tease the manageress by asking for "plain coffee" rather than whatever pseudo-Italian name it's compulsory by law ... moreRegarding being "prisoners" of the things.....One of my favourite cafes in town looks out onto a busy shopping street, where I can tease the manageress by asking for "plain coffee" rather than whatever pseudo-Italian name it's compulsory by law to use, and sit people-musing. On any one day a good quarter of the adult passers-by will have their now-not-so-little talking-blocks jammed to an ear, or connected to their heads by wires. The pavement opposite was partially obstructed by scaffolding for some time, and one day I saw a young woman approaching it rapidly, engrossed in whatever shopping-list or Shakespearean drama she was reading... I noted with some relief that she avoided the scaffolding though. Perhaps her so-called "smart" 'phone's so-called "apps" included one called "Collision Avoidance Radar".Of those not actually skin-grafted or hard-wired to the 'phone, many owners prominently display it protruding from a back pocket. I wonder how many telephones so carried are broken by be... less
You're right about the name but there are no ads on the BBC - though some of the items on You And Yours come perilously close to being naked ads for supermarkets and things!These things are NOT "Mobile" though - they are "portable"! This misuse of t... moreYou're right about the name but there are no ads on the BBC - though some of the items on You And Yours come perilously close to being naked ads for supermarkets and things!These things are NOT "Mobile" though - they are "portable"! This misuse of the word comes from barely-literate advertising-clerks and so-called "marketing" types, in these radio-telephones' early days.
I like my computer. It does all I want from it. It's a DELL "Vostro" about 3 or 4 years old, and had WIN 8 on it when on sale, but the dealer kindly re-rated it to WIN 7 Pro. It's also my broadband machine. I bought it from an independent dealer... moreI like my computer. It does all I want from it. It's a DELL "Vostro" about 3 or 4 years old, and had WIN 8 on it when on sale, but the dealer kindly re-rated it to WIN 7 Pro. It's also my broadband machine. I bought it from an independent dealer, not one of the supermarket-type chain emporia, as I knew I could obtain better advice that way.It's linked to a 20"-screen ACER monitor, an HP 1510 A4 scanner/printer, and an HP 7510 allegedly-A3 scanner/printer. By "alleged", I mean it will print on A3 sheets, as I want for the CAD programme I am trying to learn (Oh, it's "trying" all right!), but the scanner bed is some odd size significantly smaller, so cannot scan an A3 document in one go. If I had known that when I bought it I would have searched for something better.A year after buying it, I fell for MS wanting me to "up-grade" (actually, up-date but down-grade) it to WIN 10 for free - it was a disaster, forcing me to revert it 7 and spend hours repairing such damage as deleted web-si... less
I heard only last night on the radio that the practice of exchanging gifts came into Britain first, from Germany; when the German Prince Albert married Queen Victoria. I'm not sure if she was yet Queen then. However, the tradition in Germany at least, was... moreI heard only last night on the radio that the practice of exchanging gifts came into Britain first, from Germany; when the German Prince Albert married Queen Victoria. I'm not sure if she was yet Queen then. However, the tradition in Germany at least, was for these exchanges to be on Christmas Eve, so something changed! (Christmas Eve is not a public holiday in Britain, although many who are working, either finish early or take the day off anyway, depending partly on the day of the week.) Right, the "ghostly manifestations" (note I did not write just "ghosts") in Dickens' A Christmas Carol... There were six:1) The knocker on Scrooge's front door appeared briefly as the face of his by-then deceased business partner, Marley. Nervously, he looked at the back of the door, half-expecting to see the back of the man's head, but he saw only the knocker's securing screws. 2) Scrooge worked off his shock by slamming the door hard, not expecting the bang to echo from the cellar beneath for mu... less
Thank you Rosie!Anyone genuinely both stable and genius would not need to advertise the fact.He's seen from here as at best, baffling - firing or losing by resignations, the US equivalents of Cabinet Ministers and top civil-servants and military... moreThank you Rosie!Anyone genuinely both stable and genius would not need to advertise the fact.He's seen from here as at best, baffling - firing or losing by resignations, the US equivalents of Cabinet Ministers and top civil-servants and military personnel shows poor governance. We all see him as a man totally out of his depth in international affairs even though your country's own economic and employment situations have improved in the last two years. What we can't say of course, is if they would have improved anyway. I thought "Greenkeeper" because to other countries he's just a golf-course and hotels speculator. "Green" of course has the colloquial meaning, "naïve and ignorant", but on the other hand, a genuine sports-field or golf-links grounds-keeper is skilled at his or her work! less
Well, if we had no numbers, how could we solve equations like this? (Some spaces added, and the two differential operators in , to clarify the text.) I hope having written it in Word without being able to make the Word Equation Editor work, then... moreWell, if we had no numbers, how could we solve equations like this? (Some spaces added, and the two differential operators in , to clarify the text.) I hope having written it in Word without being able to make the Word Equation Editor work, then copying it to here, that this text-message system won't mangle it when I post it!
ʃdxdydz UδV + ʃdσ U - 4πU’’’ = ʃdxdydz VδU + ʃdσ V - 4πV’ .... (3')
I have no idea what this equation tells us, and could never have learnt mathematics to the level needed to solve it! It is rather elegant aesthetically, though a mathematician would say it is "elegant" technically. - It is attributed to (discovered by)? the British mathematician George Green (1793 - 1841). I found it quoted as decoration on a mug I saved from clearing out my section's "tea-boat" room at work; the mug also carying a drawing of the wind-mill that refers to Green being from a family of millers in the Nottinghamshire village of Sn... less
Right so far: the main ghosts who exorcised Scrooge's unhappiness are indeed those three, Christmases Past, Present and Future; but I used "ghostly manifestations", not just "ghosts". There are more.....Happy Christmas and New Year, Adaydreamebeliever.
To answer the question directly...NO! Under any circumstances, but especially with mains leads and cables.A flame not only risks melting the lead (to use the "cord"'s UK name) but setting it alight! Even if you don't do that, you will harm the insulation ... moreTo answer the question directly...NO! Under any circumstances, but especially with mains leads and cables.A flame not only risks melting the lead (to use the "cord"'s UK name) but setting it alight! Even if you don't do that, you will harm the insulation away from the damage, weakening the cable electrically and mechanically, and risking a short-circuit developing. Insulation-tape must be regarded as no more than a short-term, temporary "repair" at best, and even then is a "botch". Such a patched lead is mechanically weak at that point, and the tape cannot be guaranteed to stay in place or be waterproof.The only safe way is to replace the lead fully. If the damage is close to the plug you might get away with cutting the cable short and re-fitting the plug if it is a re-wireable type. If the plug is a moulded-on type, you can only replace it with one of re-wireable pattern. Either way depends on whether you need the full cable length and the repaired lead is still long enough. Short... less
There have been instances in Britain of goods left by couriers on front door-steps when unable to raise an answer, being stolen.Unfortunately a lot of deliveries now are by such companies, and they have no, or only weak, methods for holding parcels n... moreThere have been instances in Britain of goods left by couriers on front door-steps when unable to raise an answer, being stolen.Unfortunately a lot of deliveries now are by such companies, and they have no, or only weak, methods for holding parcels not directly deliverable to private homes. Most such firms were established for business customers, so their sorting-offices can be few and far between.If you use Royal Mail, the parcel would normally be taken back to the local sorting-office, with a card left giving the telephone-number and web address for you to re-arrange re-delivery or you to collect from Post office or sorting-office; on production of identity. It is a secure system, and in my experience, it works well.Some shops now belong to a network by which courier deliveries are to it for your collection - for a fee added to the original sale and delivery cost. less
Can you explain something to this Limey, please?Without me trying to comment on Trump's USA-only policies, or the USA's definition of "right wing", why do you, and one or two others on AM, call him "Stable Boy"?I'd have thought "Greenkeeper" more appropri... moreCan you explain something to this Limey, please?Without me trying to comment on Trump's USA-only policies, or the USA's definition of "right wing", why do you, and one or two others on AM, call him "Stable Boy"?I'd have thought "Greenkeeper" more appropriate - complete with innate pun! A Merry Christmas and Happy New year to you, Rosie!
"Black Friday" - aped in Britain for no more reason that it being American - is just a commercial invention by the money and supermarkets trades.The reason most often published for Boxing Day, a British tradition, is that the practice... more"Black Friday" - aped in Britain for no more reason that it being American - is just a commercial invention by the money and supermarkets trades.The reason most often published for Boxing Day, a British tradition, is that the practice of exchanging gifts appeared in Britain in the 19C, when most people were regular church-goers. Christmas Day itself was therefore for the religious celebration, Boxing Day for the presents and feasting.However, there is a literary flaw here: Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol appears to run both into a one-day holiday: Christmas Day. Whilst obviously the bulk of the novel is fantasy (a ghost story), Dickens grounded his stories in credible settings contemporary with his own and his readers' Victorian lives. I am told by a German on-line "pen"-friend, that German tradition has Christmas Eve as that country's equivalent of Boxing Day.In the UK, both Christmas and Boxing Days have been Bank (public) Holidays for many years, and Boxing Day is used f... less
Thank you Rosie, for explaining it!I wondered if there might just possibly be some political theme in it, given that most of your "Corner" now just rants about your President, but I couldn't see it. I know this matter of a wall along the Mexican bord... moreThank you Rosie, for explaining it!I wondered if there might just possibly be some political theme in it, given that most of your "Corner" now just rants about your President, but I couldn't see it. I know this matter of a wall along the Mexican border is very contentious in the USA but it was the thing about gold that threw me.Perhaps your gold wall ought be round the White House instead, to keep His Nibs where you've more chance of controlling him! A recent BBC Radio News report about that wall pointed out something presumably well-known in the USA, but probably not in Britain, that although Mr. Trump is making such a thing about it, parts of a wall or fence have been built during the last few presidencies, so it's not his idea. less
Yes_ the goods are the shop's property until paid for. I prefer the less aggressive version I have seen far more often though, "Breakages Must Be Paid For".Recently I bought a small lamp from Aldi's or Lidl's. Back home I realised the box had been opened,... moreYes_ the goods are the shop's property until paid for. I prefer the less aggressive version I have seen far more often though, "Breakages Must Be Paid For".Recently I bought a small lamp from Aldi's or Lidl's. Back home I realised the box had been opened, by some dim-wit unable to understand both the text and the photograph on the box. It had not been immediately obvious, and might have been all right if the twerp had not lost a small but important part packed within the box but separately from the lamp itself - and had left its own plastic bag in the box.I took the lamp back next day, with the receipt. The cashier was sympathetic and let me change it, but out of fairness I did search the display rack for the missing part - and its two securing screws also lost - first. Of course the numpty responsible had wasted my time and fuel in the process, but numpties like that care nothing for others. One of the staff members told me that they spend a good hour or more after closing time nearly e... less
What a strange question, Rosie!I've racked my brains but can't seen any obscure references in it, so I'll answer it straight....Most metals are good conductors of electricity, some better than others. Gold is very good, and it is plated onto the fine cont... moreWhat a strange question, Rosie!I've racked my brains but can't seen any obscure references in it, so I'll answer it straight....Most metals are good conductors of electricity, some better than others. Gold is very good, and it is plated onto the fine contacts used in electronics because its combination of low electrical resistance and high chemical resistance (to oxidation) greatly increases the connector's reliability.That gold is recovered, incidentally, from scrap electronic equipment, along with other salvageable metals in the components. So yes, a solid gold wall could be electrified... but as well as being a good conductor of electricity it would also be an even better conductor of money from your bank account! less
About Me:
Single, over-60, SW England resident, with fairly wide range of interests & musical tastes - but I'd be no good in a pub quiz 'cos I know very little about TV, gadgets called i-something, competitive sports, many entertainments & "so-called celebrities!
Was on EP, but left it long before it closed. Won't touch Facebook & its ilk.
"Adult" themes: quite broad-minded, like nudity but not pornography. Against cruelty, and consider spanking as a game for consenting adults only.
A review on the radio this morning, of the day's papers, touched... moreA review on the radio this morning, of the day's papers, touched on the tale of a woman who smashed her children's iPhones, with the result that their family became much happier, more cohesive and communicative.It also produced two other, conflicting third-party results; one promoting wanton waste, both sharing a theme of utter childishness and stupidity. One of these results was a (sadly predictable?) barrage of insults and abuse on social media. The other was confessions of similar actions, with some owners admitting to throwing their instruments under vehicle wheels (did they clear up the mess?) or into canals (more litter - a few prosecutions would not come amiss).By all means get rid of the device you felt apparently necessary to own in the first place, but wouldn't it far more constructive to sell it, or at least give it away, than wantonly destroy a costly, perfectly serviceable, instrument someone else could use, and perhaps use rather more sensibly?For the record, I have a basic port... less
Generally I ignore the side-bar ads though I know they pay ... moreGenerally I ignore the side-bar ads though I know they pay for the site. However I couldn't let this go without comment.It was a list of assorted suggested uses for the well-known water-repellent, WD-40, shown by its Material Safety Data Sheet to be a mineral-oil based mixture.As wells as the ingenious and the blindingly obvious ideas, the advertising feature suggested using it as an adjunct to toilet cleaners, and for cleaning shower-heads. In other words, squirt mineral-oils down the drain, despite consistent, highly publicised warnings not to do so at all from chemical manufacturers, regulatory bodies and water companies!Come on AnswerMug, get that nonsense off the site and advise WD-40's manufacturers that some ignorant advertising company is promulgating a highly irresponsible (and in some countries possibly illegal) misuse of their chemicals. less
Such as portable telephones? Bounced into buying a brand new por... moreSuch as portable telephones? Bounced into buying a brand new portable telephone - I need only to make voice calls and text messages, and then briefly and infrequently; I am not one of those teenage girls who spend all day acquiring RSI by tap-tap-tappety-tap on little blocks of plastic. Nor do I believe in walking round supermarkets and into pedestrians by concentrating on shouting at a block of plastic glued to the ear. - I ended up with a nightmarish contraption, an LG something-or-other: the model label is inside, found only by taking the back off and removing the battery.Its text feature is better than the old multi-letter press-buttons, but that's about it....It took me a while to find instructions (see above on identifying it, as I'd lost the packaging), but these revealed the telephone aspect is only peripheral. LG lists it as an application rather than main function.It's also bulky, so less portable than the previous generation, at about twice the area; and surpri... less
I quote from an item on the BT Internet's news service:"Accordin... moreI quote from an item on the BT Internet's news service:"According to NetMarketShare, Windows 7 remains the most popular operating system on PC, with 44.81% of the market share in February 2018. WIndows 10 is slowly increasing but still comes in second with 28.19%. "I do not question the statistics, but does anyone else see the flaw? You will if you are not so taken in by advertising blurb that you fail to realise what is carefully concealed.
A typical board track-game has a single, rigid route of numbered... moreA typical board track-game has a single, rigid route of numbered squares, controlled by die throws, with certain actions given in some squares - e.g. "Snakes & Ladders". One track from start to end even if you must return somewhere, miss a turn or advance N squares, etc. as ordained when landing on those given pointsNow set the game on THREE separate, identically-sized, rectangular boards of 3:2 proportions; EACH marked off into 6 squares by a longitudinal centre-line and two cross-lines at thirds length. Label the boards (for this question on the game's geometry) A, B and C. Label each meeting-point of line and edge, 1 - 6, consistently on all 3 boards so every "port" is unique, A1 to C6.Do that with the individual board in landscape mode; 1 on the left-hand end, number clockwise so the RH end is 4, round to 6 at bottom left. All 3 boards the same apart from identity-letter. The track is drawn on these lines such that when one board is set against the othe... less
I've known MS operating systems since Microsoft-DOS (Disc ... moreI've known MS operating systems since Microsoft-DOS (Disc Operating System) days: I've used DOS, 3.1, 5, NT, XP (I think MS' best), now 7, and have had an unfortunate brush with 10.Also used briefly, a SUN computer giving a half-way house between command-line and windows (not "Windows TM") screens; and my first PC was an Amstrad with CP/M O.S. BTW the windows "graphical user interface" as it was pretentiously called, was IBM's invention, not µSoft's Has MS lost its way with WIN-10 though? -- The home-page of my ISP, BTInternet, always has links to sets of instructions to deal with all sorts of obviously common WIN-10 problems that should be minimal or non-existent if the system was designed, written and tested properly before publication. -- A correspondent on another forum tells me his computer often freezes with the floods of WIN-10 automatic "up-dates" over which the user has no control - to be fair he also said the Internet speed is ver... less
Unless of course you want to buy something!However... Unless&nbs... moreUnless of course you want to buy something!However... Unless the company is Hewlett-Packard and you want to buy their printer cartridges because the blighters have programmed their printers to reject refills and third-party ones. I've tried their sales web-site - it does not work.Definitely though if the printer has suddenly decided to crop randomly, images put into documents; and you'd like the manufacturers' help in putting it right. (This is what inspired me here - I found the HP Printer sites b++++y useless and very patronising, so marked its customer-satisfaction questions one-star only and told 'em so in the 'Comments' box.)Definitely if you wish to solve a service problem with an ISP (BT in my case).Or need help with specialist software that does work, but you can't understand how to use particular features because the officially-written pdf manual doesn't tell you, and the supposed training CD contains curious errors that result in you deleting the exercise it's had yo... less
As a club committee-member preparing for the AGM I took every ca... moreAs a club committee-member preparing for the AGM I took every care to save my Report as a Word document (.doc) so the Secretary and others can collate it with other Officers' Reports. So what did M-Soft do? Only converted it automatically to a b++++y docx image! I can't even edit it, if I wanted to, on my own PC because it's now read-only and in only WordPad. It took me ages to find it because Windows had saved it as a so-called "down-load" even though on the originating PC, and not in my chosen directory and folder. If I want to convert a docx file to a doc format for further editing or collating, I'd have to pay an expensive subscription to Adobe for the converter - I don't trust Adobe anyway because its Flashplayer for a start, never loads properly. Over £30 a month I think, for something I'd need only a few times a year. This was never previously necessary - saved files stayed as you chose, in the folder you chose. It's a scam! less
Answering another question just now, I scrolled down to the ramm... moreAnswering another question just now, I scrolled down to the rammel that infests the bottom of the screen below the AnswerMug window. Among the usual collection of insignificant rhubarb necessary only to fund AM, was this gem I quote as accurately as I can. Below a portrait of a smiling, attractive woman was the caption: "Top Ten Dating Sites In Abbotsbury"Abbotsbury is a village in West Dorset (England), famous for its Swannery; but whether it is the dating capital of Britain, I cannot say.Who the Hell designs these advertisements? less
I'd not heard Breitbart (sounds German) until a guest on today's... moreI'd not heard Breitbart (sounds German) until a guest on today's BBC Radio 3's Private Passions briefly mentioned being viciously attacked by this "outfit" he called it, after he had given a lecture by invitation on the International Law aspects of climate-change, to the UK's Supreme Court.Our Supreme Court is the UK's top appeals court. It is not the same as the US one although misleadingly copying the name, and until recently was The Law Lords, judges also sitting in an advisory capacity in the House of Lords, but separated fairly recently for clearer separation between Parliament and Judiciary. Cases that reach that high, beyond Appeal Court level, may well test the Statute Law as well as the facts of the individual case. Further of course, these lawyers may have to advise Parliament on international law: the UK is a signatory to and active in, an enormous number and range of treaties, organisations and agreements. The guest was the British barrister Philippe Sands, a leading expert o... less
I need to establish if one particular UK agent for a particular ... moreI need to establish if one particular UK agent for a particular software company, is still trading.I tried to e-post to him a simple sales question, but it bounced, and I can't determine if that means the address no longer exists.I need only to ask the software firm itself two basic questions: "Is ...... still one of your UK agents; if so is the e-post address I'd used, current?"You'd think they be pleased to help what might mean another sale, but no... Customers do not matter to the IT trade beyond the purchases. After that you're on your own and if you have problems with the quality of the goods or services, or you need technical advice ... tough.I have tried the publisher's own web-site but it carries no contact details whatsoever. Lots of product ads; but no phone number, no e-mail address, no postal address. Instead, as with so many other IT and telecomms firms, it fobs you off with a list of set technical questions and a supposed "users' forum" (these admit... less
I've had problems with e-posted 'Word' and 'Excel' files being c... moreI've had problems with e-posted 'Word' and 'Excel' files being converted to a strange default file-type signified by an 'x' after the normal suffix. These are locked, un-useable images.I need occasionally to collate reports etc to help me at a club's committee meetings. These arrive as e-post attachments from different people so in a mixture of styles, software editions and files, but I want to put them in one neat style in one document I can print and archive properly. Today I tried to save two, both .pdf files so images unreliable to print, and difficult or impossible to edit, place in or render compatible with, proper documents.However, whatever handles pdf files offers saving them in several other forms including ".doc", even offering British rather than US English, though that would not have mattered there. Only, the "Convert" button merely opens a sales page expecting me to pay £££/month to subscribe to an outfit called Adobe for what should be a basic MS-"Wi... less
Come on someone, put me out of my misery! Well, all right, ... moreCome on someone, put me out of my misery! Well, all right, it's not that dramatic and certainly not serious. I'm just intrigued, in a totally light-hearted way.So:What on Earth is that Sandra & Woo cartoon at the head of the page about?We see a young woman who, to use the correct, modern Claire in the Community lingo, seems to suffer from Acute Species Dysphoria; and her boyfriend, a nut-cake addict who believes he can cast magic spells with ordinary cutlery. I hope the so-called "religious right" don't get him - you know, the supposedly-grown-ups who had severe attacks of the vapours over the children's Harry Potter stories. Go on - I don't get the joke! Does it refer to an American children's game or something?:-)))PS: Claire in the Community: a BBC Radio Four situation-comedy that started as, and still is, a newspaper cartoon strip, about a team of urban social-workers and their own personal problems, sorry, "issues". Claire is the team-leader who prissily spouts all the rig... less
Like many sites this is partly supported by companies placing ad... moreLike many sites this is partly supported by companies placing advertisements in the margins of the Home and other pages. Some are eerily local to you as user: one waffles about " Opticians... " apparently threatened by some technical development in their trade. I saw one regularly on EP, telling me things like "Sarah lives four miles from you" - it was a lie of course, but it opened a dating-site that showed it knew roughly I live, within perhaps 50 miles anyway. The advertising-agencies use your approximate location bought or gleaned from the web-site. One though, advertised a "Simple trick to see if you've ever had PPI" (Payment Protection Insurance, usually for mortgages.) I know I do not, and when I did I was not a victim of a miss-selling racket the banks ran for a while, but I selected it out of curiosity. My security software 'Bulldog' promptly leapt up, snarled at it as dangerous, and blocked it.Possibly, Bulldog is very wary of anything mentioning money on non-https web-sites ev... less
What's happened to the location in the profiles? The profile for... moreWhat's happened to the location in the profiles? The profile form asks for it but it no longer appears on the public information part. Or have I missed something?
E-posted notifications. These used to have direct links to AM - ... moreE-posted notifications. These used to have direct links to AM - you still had to sign in but at least the links worked. They no longer work. The most recent was from Just Asking, and reads "Click here to reply / profile / 145." It is not a link, and I have not been able to find the message on Am itself.The message does not tell me how to find "/profile/145". It does not tell me whose profile. Why have those links been cut and why do notifications still carry an instruction to use them?Member IndexThe list is and always was purely random by default, but offered Aphabetical and Recent sorting options. You could find individuals on the Membership list by choosing "Alphabetical", estimating which page number carrying the name, then homing in from there by the page-number arrows. Why have these index options been removed?
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Thank you for the added explanation, Rosie. As others have said,... moreThank you for the added explanation, Rosie. As others have said, a tripod will stand without wobbling on any surface within reason provided the legs are held rigidly with respect to each other, a rule of geometry known since ancient times. Instead I suspect the stool you found had a loose leg, and it was that fault causing the wobbles!Politically then, the relative sizes of the three "legs" of government are not important. What does matter, and potentially seriously, is one of the legs being its right length but faulty, in itself or in its links to the other two. If that leg is cracked, or those links are weak, perhaps likely to break, then that would undermine the government's stability.I don't know enough about your country's systems, let alone the bizarre power-games they have become, to see which leg or link has been so badly weakened it is now unable to take the weight so is bending or breaking, but it looks to me as that's what's happened. No doubt they were all of different sizes physi... less
Rosie, you do worry about the least likely events as well as the... moreRosie, you do worry about the least likely events as well as the feasible ones!Humanity's greatest enemy is itself, with population increase as one major factor. Starvation and epidemics, possibly, with the latter more likely for us in the so-called "West".****Another Ice Age? We are probably still in one, but this has two implications.An Ice Age is not a single cold snap (albeit perhaps 100 000 years long so a "snap" only geologically). It is a series of warm / cold oscillations, with consequent ice-cover / sea-level rises.We are still emerging from the last one, which is considered to have ended 10 000 to 12 000 years ago, but the climate will still warm for perhaps few thousand years more. Whether our activities are affecting NOT the change but the RATE of change, is another matter, and I now learn that proper study of the last 100 years' weather statistics show no significant changes in overall weather patterns and less than 200mm of sea-level rise over the past 100 years.So the implications:Conti... less
Actually your analogy is not quite that bad: the stool would&nbs... moreActually your analogy is not quite that bad: the stool would be stable (it has 3 legs, to stand rigidly on an uneven floor), but its seat would tilt down towards the shortened leg. So perhaps the lot won't topple, it certainly won't wobble, but it won't be very comfortable and would constantly remind its user that one leg is faulty.In governmental terms, you'd have one branch of government being very ineffective, with the other two doing more than their fair share of supporting a country that won't fall, but cannot be comfortable or secure. less
"Day 29... " Are you referring to all those unfortunate civ... more"Day 29... " Are you referring to all those unfortunate civil-servants who are not being paid?If so:It's being reported here in Britain, but I doubt anyone here can really comprehend how it can possibly happen. We know, to a point anyway, it is an argument between politicians about paying for that border wall; and one interviewee in a recent BBC Radio Four news programme, described the row as "childish". What is so strange to we foreigners is that such a supposedly-sophisticated, developed, rich, democratic "Western" country that loves to tell the rest of the world how to behave, should allow so many of its own, innocent people to be caught so badly in party-political cross-fire within its own government.We can only watch and hope it is resolved soon, for those workers' sakes, and the arrears paid in full. less
I suppose the authors of your Constitution thought that loyalty ... moreI suppose the authors of your Constitution thought that loyalty to the nation was sufficiently implicit in the pledges of allegiance to flag and Constitution. They were probably trying to distance Nation from Government: the former should tell the latter what to do, not vice-versa.I agree the President should not include himself in an oath that specifically does not mention people. I imagine that exclusion came about when the monarchs of the European countries whose emigrants formed the USA, had a lot more power and there was a lot of anti-Royalist feeling in Europe. Less so perhaps in Britain because we had already been steadily chipping away at the monarch's powers, starting with Magna Carta, while strengthening the powers of Parliament. Your settler forebears wanted a republic with no dynastic ruler, simply an elected senior administrator.The military oath of allegiance in Britain is to Sovereign and Country, I believe, but here the King or Queen is Head of State, taken as the geographical and polit... less
Thank-you for understanding my affliction, Rosie!.I live in a ve... moreThank-you for understanding my affliction, Rosie!.I live in a very safe area: I have no qualms about using buses to go to a lecture on a Winter evening in a town some ten miles away. Nor did I think it inconvenient. I could have used my car but I have a "senior citizen's" bus-pass so it may take a lot longer but is free. Besides, I could go for a pint or two of beer afterwards, since I was not driving. I might be a bit nervous about being in the town-centre late at night, so I would be careful, but really, the chances of anyone attacking me are not so large that I can't have the occasional evening out.As for the oil-field... why does it sound unhealthy to you? I'm actually nearer 20 than 10 miles from the oil-field but it would not worry me if I lived next to the well-heads' boundary fence. It is a very small field, compared to anything Arabian or Texan; it is production-only, with oil raised by pumping and gas by its own pressure. It is not a refinery; and it is built and operated unde... less
I see what you mean, but there have always been both the evil an... moreI see what you mean, but there have always been both the evil and deceitful ones, and good but weak ones. And all sorts in between.The Internet has certainly made things far easier and quicker for those wanting to spread poison, or to interfere with other countries' political processes; but it's also made it harder for dictators to control their subjects.On the other hand, we each have a free choice to use Facebook or Twitter - I refuse both. We are each free to live our lives without a so-called "smart" phone glued to hand or ear and switched on day and night - I gave up using my "smart" phone after only a few weeks and had it unlocked, and my modest portable phone spends far more time off than on. Those who are addicted to the digital "Koolaid" are so by their own choice and actions.Even so, I do agree with you that the worst of the Koolaid is not doing society any good at all. less
No - they were all wiped out without trace beyond large black re... moreNo - they were all wiped out without trace beyond large black rectangles.......
I couldn't, no.However, I've wondered if I might be good at teac... moreI couldn't, no.However, I've wondered if I might be good at teaching very simple arithmetic and maths, because I was always weak at these. That may seem contradictory, but I have over the years encountered many people who are very good at something, but cannot teach it because they consider it easy and cannot understand why others do not. It was only a sort of lateral thinking that made certain numerical topics click with me by anchoring them in real but fairly unusual things, so I realised the formal teaching methods, and certainly almost all maths text books I have seen, are not necessarily right for all.Once there, I analysed why I found mathematics difficult, and realised one reason is that many topics are taught as rather abstract concepts with no real definition or purpose. I should clarify that I believe there is a fundamental difference between the American and British approaches to teaching maths. I have asked of this in the past but no-one seemed able to confirm or correc... less
Maybe you burst out laughing uncontrollably through a mouthful o... moreMaybe you burst out laughing uncontrollably through a mouthful of coffee and Digestive Biscuits, over one of more worthy but less analytical views expressed on some obscure corner of Answermug.... ?
I gather you don't like the present one, but try to forget whoev... moreI gather you don't like the present one, but try to forget whoever is President at the moment, and look at the process.Doesn't the Constitution protect country and people, so the president of the time takes that oath of office to show his loyalty to that protection? It puts a safe distance between president and country, so the state and its citizens are protected by constitutional continuity, not by an individual in office for only a few years. In other words, it shows the president is a servant of the state, i.e. the citizenry and primary structure of their nation; not vice-versa. . less
It's a bit rich, an accusation like that coming from the Russian... moreIt's a bit rich, an accusation like that coming from the Russian Orthodox Church, given their links with President Putin's government. It's nonsense anyway, even if you believe there is such a thing as "The AntiChrist", because it's not the Internet that's the problem, but human beings mis-using it for their own ends. The sort of human beings who would have always found ways to advance their selfish ends. The threat from governments is not directly to we private individuals unless it damages public services. At an individual level, we ought worry more about the giant, mainly American, corporations who have taken over the Internet for commercial ends, but there are simple ways we can reduce that problem. For many people that would start most obviously with learning how to turn the "smart" 'phone off, and avoiding using the likes of Facebook!So Long, Sucks: you have a point in learning to skirt the hacking, but at really serious, company- or country- level it's become something of an arms race. The... less
The ones with real knowledge, or who accept their own limits, ar... moreThe ones with real knowledge, or who accept their own limits, are not self-important, because either their achievements or their humility speak for them.I can't say I was excited by seeing that algebra. It aroused my curiosity to a point, but otherwise only highlighted my inability to learn maths beyond a very simple level, and that with gaps ion my knowledge and understanding. Late evening here, now. I went to a public lecture explaining the geology and oil exploration of my part of the world. I live only about 30 miles from a small oil-field. It was in a town about 10 miles away, and I used the buses - two each way. This meant I could enjoy a leisurely couple of pints of beer afterwards, in one of my favourite pubs, but it was lucky I discovered there, by chance, that the bus route back has been temporarily diverted by road works! The service late at night is hourly.So I gave myself plenty of time to walk to the alternative stop, only to spot a sign there saying use another one, in an adjac... less
That's a good question, the capacity of the hu8man brain. I supp... moreThat's a good question, the capacity of the hu8man brain. I suppose it must be finite, but I have no idea why we all have very individual abilities and limits. I don't think most scientists, including physicists, have exceptional brains. There are some who stand out even among their peers, but most simply have the gift of being able to understand difficult concepts, and especially to learn maths to a very high level. Most physics, whether quantum, "ordinary life" or astronomical, is mathematical.And when they go home after work? They might well watch a sports event on the TV, or listen to a great concerto, and envy those performers for their abilities!I worked for a company that made specialist equipment whose designs were very much applied maths and physics. My own level was very modest though! One day, one of the scientists asked if he could borrow my computer rather than traipsing all the way back to his own office, to look up a learned paper relevant to the project he was working on. When... less
Oh yes. Without my finding an atlas to investigate properly, I'd... moreOh yes. Without my finding an atlas to investigate properly, I'd say from the sunset times JaneS gives, my Southern English home's latitude (about 52ºN) is somewhere near that of hers in Minnesota.Longitude delay (15º/hour) doesn't come into it because we are each referring our times to our local noons.
This post was edited by Durdle at January 7, 2019 4:57 PM MST
Each believer's own view would very much depend on his or h... moreEach believer's own view would very much depend on his or her own view of other sects and religions here on Earth - sadly too many consider themselves to have a monopoly on "truth". If they do that even within their own faith, they can hardly be expected to welcome the other planet's inhabitants' religions.it's important to remember the real nature of the Bible, Talmud and Q'ran - and equivalents in other ancient religions. They record their authors' and followers' religious and social beliefs at a time when no-one could possibly have conceived that there may be similarly-sentient life elsewhere in the Galaxy (let alone Universe). No-one at the time knew anything about what we would call Astronomy: they could only know that the Sun rises and sets daily, and the Moon waxes and wanes regularly, but had no idea why; and the stars were just mysterious dots of light. Hence the Bible not trying to speculate on such things. If there is a god of some sort, perhaps He/She/(or logically)... less
Thank you for that analysis.I agree that it's now hard to tell R... moreThank you for that analysis.I agree that it's now hard to tell Right from Left in Britain, with both main parties meandering around very similar ideas. For example, the Conservatives led by Mrs. Thatcher started selling off huge chunks of the public services with no thought of value, only absolute cost, and Labour were very indignant about it. Then Labour, under Tony Blair first, continued this dismantling with, if anything, even more vigour than the Conservatives had shown. (My own employer was one such victim.) Apart from the main industries, the main target was probably the Scientific Civil Service, as it was an easy target, thanks to ignorance by too many politicians, journalists and members of the public, of its existence let alone roles. I think this encouraged by a rise in the so-called "professional politician" - typically a degree-holder in something like economics, becoming a Party clerk then an MP - without ever having any sort of real employment outside of politics. I think... less
Thank you Rosie!I don't know where mathematicians find those str... moreThank you Rosie!I don't know where mathematicians find those strange names for very large numbers, but I don't think they are used in professional science. I wish I could have understood mathematics. It was one of my weakest subjects at school, and there are big gaps in my understanding of it even now. All the natural sciences are like that - the more the scientists answer one set of questions, another comes along; or some new piece of evidence or improvement in equipment shows the theory so far is not quite right, or even totally wrong.The discovery of the principles of plate tectonics is a classic example. For a long time, geologists had a model of the Earth that answered important questions but not very satisfactorily. When you read old text-books with the benefit of modern knowledge you see how the scientists were rather floundering in trying to explain things like mountains, volcanoes and earthquakes. Then along came new methods for surveying the ocean floors, and studying the planet's magnetic field, ... less
Thank you! I'm afraid I've not visited the US but from a few yea... moreThank you! I'm afraid I've not visited the US but from a few years of conversations on sites like this, and reports by American journalists and commentators explaining US politics on BBC News programmes, I have realised the UK seems almost socialist to many Americans. That's even when we have a Conservative government - we have overheard the arguing over any proposals to introduce even something a little like the UK's National Health Service to the US. Ironically, our own NHS is being stealthily nibbled away at, with important parts of it sold off, some to American companies for whom illness is a commodity.A few decades ago, the Far Left were regarded as more of a threat to the UK than the Far Right. The Marxists were generally much more organised, and much more subtle, than their Right-wing opponents, who were mostly a rag-bag of oddballs more noisy than effectual. Indeed, during the Cold War, Moscow was courting a lot of the Left-wing groups and trying to infiltrate the trades-unions.... less
Even the professionals cannot humanly comprehend the vast distan... moreEven the professionals cannot humanly comprehend the vast distances, times and speeds of Space. I remember an astronomer on the radio saying they understand and accept them scientifically, but no further.There is no "largest number". There are some daft names for Extremely Large numbers, but the number series 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 ...... goes on to infinity. Scientists usually use powers of 10 to represent very large, or very tiny numbers. For example, the Sun is 93 000 000 miles from us, so that is written as 9.3 X 10^7 miles.We can't know how many galaxies there are. For a start we have to be able to see them. The largest of the most distant are only visible in the most powerful telescopes, and a wide swathe of the night sky is obstructed by the Milky Way. Yet even if we could see the beautiful things right out at that distance, we are still limited at any one time by the horizon set by the Universe's age and the speed of light. Dear little Ultima Thula is still within our Solar System, n... less
Lot of cynicism in that thread, and flawed because you could lev... moreLot of cynicism in that thread, and flawed because you could level such charges as "waste of money" etc. at any human endeavour that has no obvious purely-functional link to the dull minutiae of everyday life for most of us. That could be anything: the natural sciences, the arts and crafts, pure academia, sports... Whilst it is right to consider financial cost, that alone is a weak reason for rejecting the study out of hand, but explains why a lot of major science research nowadays is highly co-operative internationally. If though, the criterion is of pure "use", we are on dangerous ground. If there is no useful purpose in analysing astronomical bodies, then there is no purpose either in creating great works of art, studying ancient literature and cultures, climbing mountains or exploring caves, playing football; none even in just listening to the symphony or opera, admiring the painting or the Ancient Greek play, visiting beautiful landscapes or watching the match. No po... less
Good point! The question as written is ambiguous: it is not clea... moreGood point! The question as written is ambiguous: it is not clear if it is querying the Earth's position in the Solar System, or the etymology of the phrase.The first is a matter of astro-physics. The second is a matter of poetic word-play!
It a mutual orbit.They revolve around their common centre of mas... moreIt a mutual orbit.They revolve around their common centre of mass, in a sort of stately pas-des-deux, because they are acting on each other. If the two bodies are of equal mass, they both orbit a point half-way between them. Where one body is denser than the other both will orbit an axis closer to the heavier (usually larger) one; and in time the smaller might be dragged "down" to the larger. With binary stars, the larger star can start eating the other by pulling gas from it. If it is sufficiently larger and denser than the other, the pair's common axis is within the larger body, so that one simply spins on an eccentric axis.Where the two bodies are sufficiently different, the orbit is very close or for all practical purposes on, the main body's own axis, like the Earth and the Sun. My maths is weak but I think the stars are obeying an important principle called the 'Conservation of Angular Momentum', such that a small mass moving in a large radiu... less
Such hydraulic tools already exist but they are not very portabl... moreSuch hydraulic tools already exist but they are not very portable! Quite heavy and bulky.Wouldn't the people trying it, be spotted fairly quickly anyway?
Yes - the more we find out about the Universe, the greater and m... moreYes - the more we find out about the Universe, the greater and more complicated we realise it is. We may never know how many galaxies there really are. Apart from perhaps some being obscured by nearer and larger galaxies, there must be a horizon nearly 15 000 000 000 light-years away. Since that number of years alone, is the calculated age of the Universe, light from anything beyond has not yet reached us, even if it is bright enough to be detectable when it does arrive.Ultima Thule's real composition won't be known for some time yet, as you explain. It is probably a lump of frozen gases and dust (of various elements and/or minerals), possibly too, water ice. I don't quite understand the remarks on News reports about it being as old as the Solar System, as if that makes it somehow different. I think it means the planets are probably coagulations of lumps like Ultima Thule - so millions of years younger. Or put another way, those fringe bits and pieces are remnants of the accretion disc of mat... less
Are they? Really? Met many of them? The more extreme their views... moreAre they? Really? Met many of them? The more extreme their views in Britain, the fewer there are of them - Right or Left - and most people ignore them.
Regarding being "prisoners" of the things.....One of my favourit... moreRegarding being "prisoners" of the things.....One of my favourite cafes in town looks out onto a busy shopping street, where I can tease the manageress by asking for "plain coffee" rather than whatever pseudo-Italian name it's compulsory by law to use, and sit people-musing. On any one day a good quarter of the adult passers-by will have their now-not-so-little talking-blocks jammed to an ear, or connected to their heads by wires. The pavement opposite was partially obstructed by scaffolding for some time, and one day I saw a young woman approaching it rapidly, engrossed in whatever shopping-list or Shakespearean drama she was reading... I noted with some relief that she avoided the scaffolding though. Perhaps her so-called "smart" 'phone's so-called "apps" included one called "Collision Avoidance Radar".Of those not actually skin-grafted or hard-wired to the 'phone, many owners prominently display it protruding from a back pocket. I wonder how many telephones so carried are broken by be... less
Everyone calls them "mobile", thanks to marketing illiterat... moreEveryone calls them "mobile", thanks to marketing illiterates, but they are NOT "mobile"! At least, mine has no motor and wheels. They are "portable"!
You're right about the name but there are no ads on the BBC - th... moreYou're right about the name but there are no ads on the BBC - though some of the items on You And Yours come perilously close to being naked ads for supermarkets and things!These things are NOT "Mobile" though - they are "portable"! This misuse of the word comes from barely-literate advertising-clerks and so-called "marketing" types, in these radio-telephones' early days.
I like my computer. It does all I want from it. It's a DELL "Vos... moreI like my computer. It does all I want from it. It's a DELL "Vostro" about 3 or 4 years old, and had WIN 8 on it when on sale, but the dealer kindly re-rated it to WIN 7 Pro. It's also my broadband machine. I bought it from an independent dealer, not one of the supermarket-type chain emporia, as I knew I could obtain better advice that way.It's linked to a 20"-screen ACER monitor, an HP 1510 A4 scanner/printer, and an HP 7510 allegedly-A3 scanner/printer. By "alleged", I mean it will print on A3 sheets, as I want for the CAD programme I am trying to learn (Oh, it's "trying" all right!), but the scanner bed is some odd size significantly smaller, so cannot scan an A3 document in one go. If I had known that when I bought it I would have searched for something better.A year after buying it, I fell for MS wanting me to "up-grade" (actually, up-date but down-grade) it to WIN 10 for free - it was a disaster, forcing me to revert it 7 and spend hours repairing such damage as deleted web-si... less
I heard only last night on the radio that the practice of exchan... moreI heard only last night on the radio that the practice of exchanging gifts came into Britain first, from Germany; when the German Prince Albert married Queen Victoria. I'm not sure if she was yet Queen then. However, the tradition in Germany at least, was for these exchanges to be on Christmas Eve, so something changed! (Christmas Eve is not a public holiday in Britain, although many who are working, either finish early or take the day off anyway, depending partly on the day of the week.) Right, the "ghostly manifestations" (note I did not write just "ghosts") in Dickens' A Christmas Carol... There were six:1) The knocker on Scrooge's front door appeared briefly as the face of his by-then deceased business partner, Marley. Nervously, he looked at the back of the door, half-expecting to see the back of the man's head, but he saw only the knocker's securing screws. 2) Scrooge worked off his shock by slamming the door hard, not expecting the bang to echo from the cellar beneath for mu... less
Thank you Rosie!Anyone genuinely both stable and genius would no... moreThank you Rosie!Anyone genuinely both stable and genius would not need to advertise the fact.He's seen from here as at best, baffling - firing or losing by resignations, the US equivalents of Cabinet Ministers and top civil-servants and military personnel shows poor governance. We all see him as a man totally out of his depth in international affairs even though your country's own economic and employment situations have improved in the last two years. What we can't say of course, is if they would have improved anyway. I thought "Greenkeeper" because to other countries he's just a golf-course and hotels speculator. "Green" of course has the colloquial meaning, "naïve and ignorant", but on the other hand, a genuine sports-field or golf-links grounds-keeper is skilled at his or her work! less
You are not "trash" for living in a trailer, but it's good that ... moreYou are not "trash" for living in a trailer, but it's good that you all look out for each other.Happy New Year!
Well, if we had no numbers, how could we solve equations like th... moreWell, if we had no numbers, how could we solve equations like this? (Some spaces added, and the two differential operators in , to clarify the text.) I hope having written it in Word without being able to make the Word Equation Editor work, then copying it to here, that this text-message system won't mangle it when I post it!
ʃdxdydz UδV + ʃdσ U - 4πU’’’ = ʃdxdydz VδU + ʃdσ V - 4πV’ .... (3')
I have no idea what this equation tells us, and could never have learnt mathematics to the level needed to solve it! It is rather elegant aesthetically, though a mathematician would say it is "elegant" technically. - It is attributed to (discovered by)? the British mathematician George Green (1793 - 1841). I found it quoted as decoration on a mug I saved from clearing out my section's "tea-boat" room at work; the mug also carying a drawing of the wind-mill that refers to Green being from a family of millers in the Nottinghamshire village of Sn... less
This post was edited by Durdle at December 26, 2018 5:20 PM MST
Right so far: the main ghosts who exorcised Scrooge's unhappines... moreRight so far: the main ghosts who exorcised Scrooge's unhappiness are indeed those three, Christmases Past, Present and Future; but I used "ghostly manifestations", not just "ghosts". There are more.....Happy Christmas and New Year, Adaydreamebeliever.
To answer the question directly...NO! Under any circumstances, b... moreTo answer the question directly...NO! Under any circumstances, but especially with mains leads and cables.A flame not only risks melting the lead (to use the "cord"'s UK name) but setting it alight! Even if you don't do that, you will harm the insulation away from the damage, weakening the cable electrically and mechanically, and risking a short-circuit developing. Insulation-tape must be regarded as no more than a short-term, temporary "repair" at best, and even then is a "botch". Such a patched lead is mechanically weak at that point, and the tape cannot be guaranteed to stay in place or be waterproof.The only safe way is to replace the lead fully. If the damage is close to the plug you might get away with cutting the cable short and re-fitting the plug if it is a re-wireable type. If the plug is a moulded-on type, you can only replace it with one of re-wireable pattern. Either way depends on whether you need the full cable length and the repaired lead is still long enough. Short... less
There have been instances in Britain of goods left by couriers o... moreThere have been instances in Britain of goods left by couriers on front door-steps when unable to raise an answer, being stolen.Unfortunately a lot of deliveries now are by such companies, and they have no, or only weak, methods for holding parcels not directly deliverable to private homes. Most such firms were established for business customers, so their sorting-offices can be few and far between.If you use Royal Mail, the parcel would normally be taken back to the local sorting-office, with a card left giving the telephone-number and web address for you to re-arrange re-delivery or you to collect from Post office or sorting-office; on production of identity. It is a secure system, and in my experience, it works well.Some shops now belong to a network by which courier deliveries are to it for your collection - for a fee added to the original sale and delivery cost. less
Can you explain something to this Limey, please?Without me tryin... moreCan you explain something to this Limey, please?Without me trying to comment on Trump's USA-only policies, or the USA's definition of "right wing", why do you, and one or two others on AM, call him "Stable Boy"?I'd have thought "Greenkeeper" more appropriate - complete with innate pun! A Merry Christmas and Happy New year to you, Rosie!
This post was edited by Durdle at December 26, 2018 3:44 PM MST
"Black Friday" - aped in Britain for no more reason that it bein... more"Black Friday" - aped in Britain for no more reason that it being American - is just a commercial invention by the money and supermarkets trades.The reason most often published for Boxing Day, a British tradition, is that the practice of exchanging gifts appeared in Britain in the 19C, when most people were regular church-goers. Christmas Day itself was therefore for the religious celebration, Boxing Day for the presents and feasting.However, there is a literary flaw here: Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol appears to run both into a one-day holiday: Christmas Day. Whilst obviously the bulk of the novel is fantasy (a ghost story), Dickens grounded his stories in credible settings contemporary with his own and his readers' Victorian lives. I am told by a German on-line "pen"-friend, that German tradition has Christmas Eve as that country's equivalent of Boxing Day.In the UK, both Christmas and Boxing Days have been Bank (public) Holidays for many years, and Boxing Day is used f... less
Thank you Rosie, for explaining it!I wondered if there might jus... moreThank you Rosie, for explaining it!I wondered if there might just possibly be some political theme in it, given that most of your "Corner" now just rants about your President, but I couldn't see it. I know this matter of a wall along the Mexican border is very contentious in the USA but it was the thing about gold that threw me.Perhaps your gold wall ought be round the White House instead, to keep His Nibs where you've more chance of controlling him! A recent BBC Radio News report about that wall pointed out something presumably well-known in the USA, but probably not in Britain, that although Mr. Trump is making such a thing about it, parts of a wall or fence have been built during the last few presidencies, so it's not his idea. less
Yes_ the goods are the shop's property until paid for. I prefer ... moreYes_ the goods are the shop's property until paid for. I prefer the less aggressive version I have seen far more often though, "Breakages Must Be Paid For".Recently I bought a small lamp from Aldi's or Lidl's. Back home I realised the box had been opened, by some dim-wit unable to understand both the text and the photograph on the box. It had not been immediately obvious, and might have been all right if the twerp had not lost a small but important part packed within the box but separately from the lamp itself - and had left its own plastic bag in the box.I took the lamp back next day, with the receipt. The cashier was sympathetic and let me change it, but out of fairness I did search the display rack for the missing part - and its two securing screws also lost - first. Of course the numpty responsible had wasted my time and fuel in the process, but numpties like that care nothing for others. One of the staff members told me that they spend a good hour or more after closing time nearly e... less
What a strange question, Rosie!I've racked my brains but can't s... moreWhat a strange question, Rosie!I've racked my brains but can't seen any obscure references in it, so I'll answer it straight....Most metals are good conductors of electricity, some better than others. Gold is very good, and it is plated onto the fine contacts used in electronics because its combination of low electrical resistance and high chemical resistance (to oxidation) greatly increases the connector's reliability.That gold is recovered, incidentally, from scrap electronic equipment, along with other salvageable metals in the components. So yes, a solid gold wall could be electrified... but as well as being a good conductor of electricity it would also be an even better conductor of money from your bank account! less
No. I dip into it only very rarely, and then normally when ... moreNo. I dip into it only very rarely, and then normally when someone has referred me to a particular video.
A reasonable degree of loyalty to the organisation, expressed fo... moreA reasonable degree of loyalty to the organisation, expressed for example in no slander or libel, or breach of its and its customers' confidential information.Probity.Respect - for fellow-employees as well as management and company.
StrictChristianParenting
Why does correcting have to be by violence? And if that's a quote, no, I don't accept the say-so of unknown Late Bronze Age tribal elders!
September 1, 2016
tate99
Greetings Tate99 from a fellow Briton (S> Dorset) and nudist!
Best Wishes,
Durdle.
July 29, 2016
MistyGoddess
Welcome to AM - and to a goodly number of us interested in spanking whether we advocate or oppose it in reality or think it best kept as a game for consenting adults!
Best Wishes,
Durdle
(also in UK)
July 29, 2016
timothy in London
Thank you for the compliment, Timothys Knickers. I should say I am not a full cross-dresser but like occasionally to wear a nightdress or miniskirt, at home only. Much of the time, if warm enough, I like to be nude or nearly so.
Best Wishes,
Durdle.
May 17, 2016
Capes
Hello Capes.
Welcome to Answer Mug!
Durdle here: 64 nearly, also a Briton (in Dorset), here similarly.
My profile groups list gives you some idea of me but I am happy to chat on many other topics too if they interest me and I feel I know enough about the topic. I will add that despite the implications I don't like the idea of spanking children, especially with any weapon, but feel the traditional spanking has a place for adults, as long as it's consensual!
Best Wishes,
Durdle.
July 30, 2016
VPLUK
I don't even try to look convincing - I don't cross-dress often and than only partly, in the home. liking the feel of the garments. Sometimes sleep in a nightie.
July 29, 2016
Marc
Not so much a comment as a question, Marc. I am uneasy to say the least about spanking children but what of adults feeling they need similar punishments in a therapeutic way?
July 29, 2016
harbourboy
Hi Harbourboy.
Welcome... come on then, elucidate on your specialist subjects!
Best Wishes,
Durdle.
July 30, 2016
Steve Tomms
Hello Steve.
UK too - Dorset in fact. And like to be nude or, occasionally, in panties.
As for human behaviour - yes, I agree it is fascinating... and bewildering at times, frustrating at others, but never the same twice!
Best Wishes,
Durdle.
September 16, 2016
Uncle UK
Welcome to AM, Dominic, as one of the rather few fellow-Britons on here (I live in South of England). I am not sure about the spanking of children, though I've nothing against adults being spanked if they wish, erotically or as therapeutic punishment.
Regards,
Durdle.
September 6, 2016
NudiSuzie
Hello NudieSuzie.
Thankyou - would love to be your friend!
Best Wishes,
Durdle.
August 31, 2016
Tawser22
What's your take on adult, consensual, spanking?
September 9, 2016
RB1954
May I ask, what is your take on adult, consensual spanking, e.g. in a "DD" relationship or as a sort of punitive therapy?
September 9, 2016
harry
Hello Harry.
Greetings from Dorset!
Lubrication by Beer - definitely. Naturism - Oh yes. Spanking - well, I don't support genuine CP but have been fascinated by it since boyhood, and later by the adult-fun variety.
Chatting - I can be chatty!
Best Wishes,
Durdle
July 28, 2016
french_delph
Hello French_Delph.
I don't favour spanking children but if it must be done I think it must be by hand only, and only enough to make the point. Am interested in spanking generally and think it has a place for adults who feel they need a little discipline and punishment.
Best Wishes,
Durdle.
July 30, 2016
fatherfigure
I'm probably of similar age to you then, my fascination with spanking goes back to boyhood but no I don't think the world would be better for beating children! And yet...
Adult, consensual spanking - fine, and it's odd that now I feel I ought receive the occasional, belated spanking, firm hand not weapon, I did not receive and would not have wanted in boyhood, for immature failings I believe originated at that time!
Best Wishes,
Durdle
July 29, 2016
Legion
Hi Legion!
I reckon your Miss Hamilton might have done me some good! (Doubtless others too!)
Cheers,
Durdle
July 30, 2016
Michael
18 and 20. Adults, with the full choice of protection from assault by law.
September 1, 2016
Stonehenge43
Hello Stonehenge.
Welcome! I'm 64 and an ex-EP user but left it when parts of it started to become really sleazy or stupid. My profile gives a fir idea but I'm happy to chat about a wide range of subjects in which I am interested or can give reasonably knowledgeable facts or opinions.
You mention Adultmug. I know what you mean. I ignore the worst, some of which I find unpleasant, but do dip into some of the other threads on it. I'm slightly bi and interested in nudity and adult-consensual spanking, so am not quite a shrinking violet.
I did make one or two penfriendships (e-mail) from EP but they've fizzled out, thanks to losses in house moves, changes of computer and perhaps laziness by me!
How about you? Your interests, music etc?
Best Wishes,
Durdle. (after Durdle Door).
July 30, 2016
Eva amirhom
A sad story, Eva. Yes, you were wrong to do what you did but you have realised that, not everyone in the world will hate you, and I hope you will find forgiveness and happiness.
Durdle.
July 29, 2016
Stonehenge43
I would be very happy to chat about whatever we find of mutual interest, but I can't send a private message unless I add you as a friend first. may I do so, please?
regards,
Durdle
September 9, 2016
sjf47
welcome to AM and its Naturist section!
AM Male, 63 and live in Dorset.
Cheers,
Durdle
July 28, 2016
Pofan1201
That's not "spanking" , that's whipping, and cruel! What effect did it have on you in adult life?
August 14, 2016
Pofan1201
Hi Pofan.
Interesting: many people who admit they were beaten severely as children become adults either wanting to give or receive similar in games between consenting adults, or are turned off spanking and CP entirely.
You evidently became sexually submissive, but were you aroused by either the whipping or the submission at the time or in remembering it later?
Sorry, I'm not quite clear by what you mean as a "switcher" - switching between what?
I appreciate bare bottoms including my own as well, but unfortunately mine has aged with me and is now a bit soft and sagging.
Regards,
Durdle
August 15, 2016
Pofan1201
Thank you very much Pofan. Would love to be friends with you!
Best Wishes,
Durdle.
August 15, 2016
Elshara Silverheart
Thank you for the compliment Elashara. I'm not sure what it means, but please do tell me what in particular influenced you.
Best Wishes,
Durdle.
June 9, 2016
sp4sp4
Hello Sp4sp4. I too was on EP, though I left it well before it folded. "Drawn too deeply." I know the feeling. I think I was tempted too far into some EP fora, so am becoming fairly selective on what I view on here and chosen "stop following" on some already. Is this why you've not listed any groups? You have a point, using private e-mails.
Best Wishes,
Durdle.
September 16, 2016
Stuart
Hi Stuart. Thank you very much for your greetings, and have mine to you!
I oppose real CP but have been interested in spanking since boyhood, and have enjoyed quite a few gentle, erotic, spanking games.
Best Wishes,
Durdle.
September 16, 2016
Aaron
I couldn't agree more about being naked, Aaron!
Joanne1966
Love to be in a night-dress or nude. I like Sharon1717's comment too!
September 9, 2016
Sophronius Pupoid
Thank you very much for your comment! Sophronius.
Yes, my nickname is from Durdle Door. One of my sisters held her wedding-reception at Pennsylvania Castle, well before it reverted to a private house. The new owners have hosted garden fetes there though.
'Moonfleet' was one of our set books at school, and I remember the passage about the two leading characters escaping from Ringstead (I can't remember if that name was used in the book) by using a very steep cliff path. That path, or an equivalent, exists, up White Nothe, some 400 feet high, and someone showed it me a few years ago. I was glad to have climbed it, but I found it frightening and would not care to try it again!
The normal path from the car-park to that area of beach is gentler and not at all exposed.
I suppose I'm nearly local! Our family moved to Weymouth in 1959, when I was 7, when Dad's work was moved.
September 22, 2016
Nudistdad
Hello and Welcome, Nudistdad.
I'm single but not a father (seem to be collecting quite a tribe of first and grand nephews & nieces though!); but like you enjoy being nude around the home. There is a naturist beach not far from me, and I used to visit it fairly often, but I have leg problems now that make the long, steep path to it a bit too much. Can still be undressed at home, as I am now, though!
Best Wishes,
Durdle
August 14, 2016
Donny
I oppose using CP on children - especially the sort of gratuitous violence with assorted weapons described on the site - but what is your take on adult-only, consensual spanking, be it erotic, for some sort of punitive therapy or stress-relieving, curiosity or indeed to reprise personal or vicarious past experiences?
Regards,
Durdle.
September 9, 2016
caned4doz
Hello Caned4doz.
Overlapping (!) interests. I'm not as educated as you. Don't smoke, but do drink (moderately) and not religious. Am interested in science and have a wide range of musical tastes though can't play an instrument. Fitness more by walking and manual work and play than by speed!
I too am interested in discipline and do have regressive tendencies and sometimes feel I ought to be spanked for my immature faults.
July 29, 2016
caned4doz
Hello Caned4Dozen.
Thank you for the Friend request - certainly! This site is confusing - I've not managed to work out how the Friends and Messages parts work!
Anyway I think this part is public. For example I can see the messages between you and Forever shorts, on this page. AM does not seem to have a private-message system, at least not obviously so. All it does it let you separate individual conversations from the forum section.
I will say I oppose genuine CP - some of the accounts on this site are of frankly appalling cruelty. Yet it was seeing one or two real instances at school, and finding descriptions and images in history-books, that nurtured my interest.
The regressive streak I said I have surfaced really quite recently, in my 50s I think, although I had experimented with self-spanking since "discovering" it in my teens - when no doubt I had a rather more smackable bottom than now, had the right circumstances to introduce me to spanking fun, come along!
August 1, 2016
caned4doz
I advocate discipline - a system of behaviour - but not in its euphemistic malapropism for corporal punishment of children. However I believe for a consenting adult, there need be no bar beyond sensible, individual boundaries to being spanked ( or slippered or caned) appropriately in a therapeutic or punitive sense, as well obviously as purely erotically. In the last situation it might even be a foreplay activity. Similarly, some adults find release in being under regressive discipline, with or without physical punishment.
(Discipline and punishment are NOT synonyms: the latter is for wilful breaking of the former.)
September 7, 2016
Cravingyourtouch
Welcome Cravingyourtouch.
Mot only the women of the household who would benefit from a little suitable discipline at times!
Regards,
Durdle
(in Dorset)
July 29, 2016
spanko28
Do you like adult (consensual) spanking too?
September 9, 2016
NaughtyNicola
About You: sexiest lingerie a gurl can find - indeed, and very nice too!
September 1, 2016
NaughtyNicola
A pleasure Nicola - and I like your profile picture too!
September 7, 2016
NaughtyNicola
Not a full cross-dresser myself and I've few femme clothes, but I like to sleep in a nightie now and then, or wear something at least like a loose-fitting miniskirt. Love to be nude, too! The long-legged lass in that Timothy's Knickers pic fg5 you've commented on, looks as if she's about to be spanked!
September 7, 2016
Killkenny11
That's two of us from Dorset , then, Kilkenny!
Welcome to AnswerMug!
Cheers,
Durdle - and I won't need to explain my inspiration for that nick-name.
July 29, 2016
SJS
Hello SJS
I'm uneasy about the idea of spanking children - discipline yes, punishment or at least a reprimand if they break that discipline yes, but need it be physical punishment? If it does I would hope it be by hand only, not weapons as some parents seem to think clever, and only enough to make the point. What of adult, consensual spanking though! I can see that as therapeutic or stress-relief, and eminently suitable for someone who is of middle-age upwards but rather immature or regressive.
Regards,
Durdle
(Dorset - as the nickname may have suggested!)
July 30, 2016
tonyparker1
Hello Tonyparker1
Thank you for the invitation.
I too was on EP but abandoned it a few years ago. I'm a little older at nearly 64, also short and slim, well, nearly slim. Slightly bi, and enjoy being nude though knee troubles limit my excursions such as to an unofficial naturist beach not far from my South Dorset home. Also interested in spanking fun.
Various interests and fair range of musical tastes.
Best Wishes,
Durdle
(my nickname is from a feature on the Dorset coast.)
July 29, 2016
tonyparker1
Hello Tonyparker.
I thought I'd left a message but it doesn't appear here so perhaps I didn't.
Anyway your Profile Information describes me too, almost exactly - I am 64, and with a slight tummy.
I live in S.Dorset - hence my nick-name (from famous coastal feature).
Welcome to AM!
Best Wishes,
Durdle
July 30, 2016
softlywaking
Thank you for the compliment, Softlywaking.
Regards,
Durdle.
June 14, 2016
missspanking
Welcome to AmswerMug, Missspanking.
No shortage of people here interested in spanking, whether approving or not of beating children, or are like me, approving only of adult consensual spanking.
Best Wishes,
Durdle
July 29, 2016
2Pink1s
Thank you for that brief private chat this afternoon. It was unexpected and I enjoyed it though I don't really understand how to use it.
Best Wishes,
Durdle.
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