Royston

Deerrr, I really should of know that...considering what I've been studying for the last few weeks. Had a moment of stupidity I got swayed a little by Insane_aliens answer about the speed of the explosion...of course it doesn't actually change the result.

I second the notion.

Wouldn't it start with all the oceans and sedimentary layers floating off into space...that'd look pretty neat, if that's correct. EDIT: oh, the centre would expand as well as the pressure is released...still, would be very impressive to watch.

So should we give up, and just continue stamping these people out ?

Not at all, I enjoy and find dreams fascinating myself. That's not the problem though is it...read the other responses, if you can't understand why herme3 needs help. Sorry to The Tree for going off topic.

You seriously need a psychiatrist.

Oh God, that's the most tragic thing I've ever heard.

*Sigh* don't I know it...I think being single is a prime opportunity to concentrate on achieving what you want out of life, rather than having your time being eaten up with a relationship. I think since my teens, I only had a few months to myself before another girlfriend came along...it was only when I went travelling, and the last year that I've been single (and loving it.) It's actually the first time where having a girlfriend is the last thing I need, I just wouldn't have time for a relationship...a f*!k buddy would be nice, providing the feeling was mutual, and stayed mutual...but I get the impression somebody always gets hurt with those kind of scenarios. So I suggest The Tree, think about having some quality time to yourself, and use it to your advantage. You can score when you get that great job with your impressive academic credentials.

Thanks for your responses, a work colleague has just told me he really notices it when in the gents toilet. If somebody is at the urinials and you walk in...start to do your business, he says you're almost guaranteed a sniff. Hmmm, I'm wondering if it's an invasion of your personal space...or perhaps private time. This would account for why people do it as you walk past, or when you're deep in thought and somebody breaks your private time of recollection or pondering. It certainly seems to make sense when using the toilet...quietly enjoying that special moment, then somebody barges in and disturbs your 'man time.' I'm not sure this would be the same for women being in cubicles...but listen out for the unmistakable sniff, if someone is in the cubicle next to you as you enter. (no lame jokes about sniffing in cubicles please.)

Probably right...I am very aware of other peoples presence, though I do intentionally look for little quirks in behaviour. Glad I'm not the only one though who's noticed the public 'sniffing' craze.

I think you might be onto something there...I've noticed if I'm waiting for a bus (for example) and I'm just staring into space, then I realise I'm staring at someone and they return the stare (although it's more a gaze.) I'll suddenly fidget, check the time maybe...sometimes pretend to yawn. The 'sniff' could just be a toned down version of this. However, I've really noticed it when there is someone quite a distance away from me, but walking towards me...and we both clearly register the other is there (perhaps move slightly to the left of the pavement (sidewalk) and the other ambles slightly to the right.) Then there is this build up before we walk past each other...and this 'sniff' comes out, as though releasing tension of some sort, as we walk past. Though not from me, I don't tend to sniff in public unless I have a cold. This is why I was wondering if it could be some kind of nervous reaction ? Though this could just be me imagining things a little (the build up bit.) I could probably be reading into this a bit too much...but it's getting to the point now that I feel like bursting into laughter when I hear someone 'sniff' as they walk past.

I think (legal costs aside) that it's probably more beneficial to keep somebody incarcerated because (not meaning to sound cold) but it's an opportunity to study the motives of such behaviour...if the person is dead, they're not much good to anyone. If we have living examples of people that have commited terrible acts, then surely it's better to get some benefit out of a horrible situation, and learn from said person and gain some psychological insight. This could benefit others in the future. Psychology is still very much an open book, so to dictate who is sane and who is insane, is debateable.

So if I walk around with my arms raised, do you think I'll get a bigger sniff ?

Not sure if anybody has noticed this, but I've found that when you walk past somebody in the street, at work et.c usually when it's quiet, and usually when the other person is on there own (or with someone and not engaged in conversation)...they sniff just after, or when they walk past you. I get this especially near where I live, when you are the only other person about. I can't seem to work out what prompts this 'sniff.' I noticed a couple of times where a bloke walks past and I can see him 'sizing me up' which then prompts the 'sniff'...so I presume this is an expression of confidence (I'm slim and only 5ft 10in) but I've noticed the same reaction from a whole range of different people, whatever age, sex et.c. Thing is, you can't really stop someone and ask...'why did you just sniff.' I'm pretty sure they're not even aware of it. If nobody has noticed this...keep an ear out for the 'sniff' and please let me know if you've any thoughts on why people do this...I'm positive I'm not the only person on the planet that gets sniffed at.

Chilies make me salivate just at the thought of them, but that sounds a little too much. To put things in perspective the mean scoville heat unit on the Dorset chilli is 923,000 SHU. Habenero ranges from 100,000 - 300,000 SHU Scotch Bonnet 100,000 - 250,000 Thai Birdseye 50,000 - 100,000 Cayenne 30,000 - 50,000 and the humble Jalepeno just 2,500 - 5000 Want manner of beast could eat such a thing.

It's genetically determined as far as brain capacity and the lowering of the larynx...though the latter happened some 200,000 years ago. Language would probably of been a refined progression from onamatapeia (I think this was discussed in another thread.) Take a look at this bbc article, may help... http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/horizon/2003/learnthink.shtml

sunspot, you're confusing rate of energy with a measurement of distance. Photons have no mass, they are a constant. There is no such thing as a 'preferred' frame of reference. You really need a 'solid' equation to back this up. I've only just started studying QM, so anyone can correct if I'm wrong with my responses...plus it's the Easter break, and I've had a couple.

Writing things down always helps with me (when there's no distractions) especially if I reiterate in my own terms. Another trick is association with something that's easy to remember... King Philip Calmly Ordered Fried Green Snakes... Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species As for actually enhancing memory...as stated earlier, the more you exercise your brain, the better.

I voted crap, but rap is just talking over music...it's not actually the music itself. I guess you were referring to recent popular US rap...which is throw away, formulaic...err crap. I listen to all styles of music, so I'm not in the habit of saying an entire genre is rubbish. To pick an obvious popular few that aren't or were not crap...Pharcyde, Beastie Boys, De La Soul, Arrested Development et.c I personally don't listen to hip hop too much, and if any of this new bling bling stuff comes on TV or the radio, I would switch over...hence my crap vote. EDIT: my examples are relative to the genre.

...and justify why it's scientifically impossible.

This is very true in my case, it's always very close to my weekday wake time...as close as 5 mins sometimes, before the time my alarm normally goes off, and this happens regularly. It seems apparent there's activity still going on in the brain while asleep when there's 'something to do' when you wake, so this extra activity could account for the sleepiness I feel when I have to get up.

Well that's the thing, I'm definetly not work-shy, and not one for having long lie-ins...I work full time, I'm doing a degree, and write music - doing gigs on Saturday nights et.c I don't have much time for myself at all...even writing music becomes more like work, when you have to keep on coming up with new material all the time...so I think it's just the getting time for myself that makes me feel exhausted in the mornings during the week, especially when it's a company that wants my time.