Detecting the Guilty by lack of Chewing

From an old book, 'It is a common practice, in many parts of India, to oblige persons suspected of crimes to chew dry rice in the presence of officers of the law.

Curious as it may appear, such is the intense influence of fear on the salivary glands, that, if they are actually guilty, there is no secretion of saliva in the mouth, and chewing is impossible.

Such culprits generally confess without any further efforts. On the contrary, a consciousness of innocence allows of a proper flow of fluid for softening the rice.'

Using currents for discovery

Years ago I read about a mathematician who was conversant in fluid mechanics and understood how to calculate fluid flows, vortices, etc.. As I recall, the guy was a university professor and as a proof to his students of how one could use mathematics for creative purposes, he made a 3D computer model of the city center of Chicago. He then collected meteoroligical data showing wind velocity and directions, then used the placement of buildings to determine where vortices would coalesce and in the doing, perhaps collect lost items like paper money and other items of value.

From this calculate map, he took his students out to each spot where they found pockets of loose bills that netted him several thousand dollars. The students were both delighted and intrigued with this novel project and no doubt it inspired them to concentrate of their studies with regard to practical applications.

I was reminded of this vortices story when I chanced upon this brief article in a very old book;

"In the 'Gentleman's Magazine' (February 8th, 1767), is a curious notice of the mode of discovering the body of a drowned person: "An inquisition was taken at Newbury, Berks, on the body of a child nearly two years old, who fell into the river Kennet, and was drowned. The body was discovered by a very singular experiment.

After diligent search had been made in the river for the child, to no purpose, a two-penny loaf, with a quantity of quicksilver put into it, was set floating from the place where the child, it was supposed, had fallen in, which steered its course down the river upwards of half a mile, before a great number of spectators,

when the body, happening to lay on the contrary side of the river, the loaf suddenly tacked about and swam across the river, and gradually sunk near the child, when both the child and the loaf were brought up with grabbers ready for that purpose."

A case of Inordinate Self-Esteem

No doubt we all have encountered people very full of themselves who think the world revolves around them and everyone should bow to their magnificence. I found this comment in an 18th century book that expresses this very well. Note it is very old and could be any race of people, it was just the way things were written back them;

Some Frenchmen who landed on the coast of Guinea, found a negro prince seated under a tree on a block of wood for his throne, and three or four negroes, armed with wooden spears, for his guards. His sable majesty anxiously inquired; "Do they talk much of me in France?"

I think its hilarious and well stated.

Cocaine Detecting Flashlight

What a great invention. Just what we need to further stuff our prison systems… I happen to believe in legal drugs though I don’t use any of it, I think people have the right to use if it they choose and can do it responsibly…hurt no one and damage no property that doesn’t belong to you… If you want to get high by drink or drugs or whatever, its YOUR business, no one elses.

"Police are shining 'magic torches' into clubbers' faces to check for tiny traces of cocaine – and now employers and parents are being encouraged to follow suit. Forces across the country are buying the £40 torches which can make any microscopic particles of cocaine or amphetamine that are invisible to the naked eye appear bright green. Officers say the UV lights work as well as ones costing ten times as much and make it easy to spot the tin­iest traces of cocaine on nasal hair.Sgt Alan Clayton said: 'This simple piece of equipment will have a big impact on drug use in pubs and clubs. 'Traces of cocaine are also left on the cheeks and chin that are not visible to the naked eye and these show up bright green, too. It really is amazing.' The torches are produced by Wrexham-based JNE Marketing, intending them to be used to show markings on stolen property. It only realised they could be used to spot drugs when police officers starting asking about them. They will detect cocaine that is at least 87 per cent pure and 78 per cent pure amphetamine of, including some, but not all, Ecstasy pills." - Source

Free Noise

Check out this website, it offers online noise generation and free downloads. I particularly like the red/brown noise and use the oscillation feature;

"Choose from white noise, pink noise, or brown/red noise. Oscillating or not. Uses of White Noise: * Aid Sleep * Enhance Privacy * Block Distractions * Mask Tinnitus * Configure Audio Equipment * Soothe Migraines * and more..." - - Source

Time Travel Ad

Odd News Clippings, The page is dated January 15th, 2009 so the adventure might still be open, let me know if anything happens.

Do Not Send Teabags, Only the Labels

From the Glen Beck Interview

“Bob Basso became a viral sensation in March of 2009 when his two YouTube videos depicting the intellectual British pamphlet writer Thomas Paine garnered over three million viewers. The videos are in response to the banking bailouts, and feature Basso dressed as Common Sense writer Thomas Paine. He offers his political commentary via discussions on the stimulus package and calls for a second American Revolution.

Note: Basso says he was contacted by Congressional Security and told they were so far inundated by teabags which they are throwing in the trash unopened for fear of poisons or controlled substances…

So he says DO NOT SEND A COMPLETE TEABAG, just send the paper handle (label) part so they will get the message. You can also inundate the White house with a Toll Free Call to 1-866-340-9281 which is the Congressional Switchboard that will patch you to your representatives.”

and check out these inspiring videos urging a 2nd American Revolution.

You can send your teabag labels and correspondence to;