Royston

Surely it would of been the lightest first ? And not an inert gas first either...so I'm guessing hydrogen to start with.

Agreed, if I spent my time watching someone asleep for 6 hours, I can guarantee the time would go very slowly from my perspective.

Errr, I'm not sure where you're going with this. You've had some good replies defining psychiatry (albeit not mine) so as psychology progresses this will obviously have a knock on effect with psychiatric care. Coming up with a list as you've described is nigh on impossible isn't it, unless I'm not understanding your question correctly ? Are you saying that psychiatry simply won't work because we're too unique from each other, because I think there's plenty of people that would disagree with you, or are you implying something else ?

This was posted in the helium suit thread...just incase you missed the response... I can't get hold of the person I want this evening, but these may help in the mean time... This deals with equations for parafoil kites... http://www.seattleairgear.com/pd.htm and this has stacks of info on forces and torques on kites...including equations, not sure if this of any help. http://kitesurfingschool.org/kite.htm I spoke to one of my friends who's into power kiting...he wasn't too sure on the maths behind it, but the number of cells, shape of the kite, and angle you approach the currents are all factors that promote lift (though I'm sure you knew this already.) These websites should help if you want to be really precise about the kite that would best suit you.

Did you see it then ? Most of the random performing arts are there most years...I didn't personally go to 2004, but I definetly saw this in 1999, maybe 2000. I think Orbital were playing at the time.

LOL, I wish that was intentional...oh dear. I can't get hold of the person I want this evening, but these may help in the mean time... This deals with equations for parafoil kites... http://www.seattleairgear.com/pd.htm and this has stacks of info on forces and torques on kites...including equations, not sure if this of any help. http://kitesurfingschool.org/kite.htm

Power kites have really taken off where I used to live...local shop and instructor for kite surfing....the beach is regularly packed with people kite surfing, and just doing huge jumps on the beach...without boards and buggies. Sorry I can't help with the maths - but I could ask someone providing they're on messenger tonight, I'll let you know. A lot of my friends are into power kiting.

Sorry, I meant using helium as a 'fun' floaty kind of application for one person, not actually the suit idea, which clearly wouldn't work. Sadly the idea was sparked by a young girl who tragically fell to her death after holding onto a load of helium balloons that were handed to her...can't find the article, maybe confused with the same girl in the giant myler balloon incident. This is why we thought it could be possible for someone larger, to quite literally float at a more constant height...just needed the maths to see what volumes et.c were required. Thanks everyone for responding to this anyway.

You just sparked a memory from the Glastonbury festival, where they had a gymnast floating around under a giant balloon...she had a bar underneath (from which she hung onto and performed a routine) and I believe something propelling the balloon along...can't remember if it was tied to something (a vehicle) or had propellers of some sort. The balloon was huge, roughly the same size as you've described. Guess my housemates idea wasn't that daft...suit idea isn't practical, but could be a lot of fun for a well-off individual. I can see why gravity isn't required for working out the amount of helium et.c I'm only 5 weeks into the first year of my degree...so excuse my ignorance as to what's relevant with such applications.

Well, I reckon kids would enjoy the feeling of floating...it would certainly be something to try at least once...could have lots of kids floating round a gym, something tells me that would be very amusing to watch. Perhaps for the eccentric millionaire then...I did specify that the shape of the suit would be something to consider...majority of the volume above the wearer, but with figures like that, I can see why it hasn't been done before. Now that would be fun.

Well I was going to expand on the idea...which is kinda pointless now, but anyway. I was thinking of some sort of guiding system (fans maybe) which would mean even more weight obviously (I wanted one right on the butt...for lift, just don't fart or you'll shoot into space) , and some sort of helium release in case you float to high. Of course with balloons you could just detach one, and achieve the same effect. Both myself and my housemate were drunk when we were talking about it, and I was drunk when I posted it. I realise it's a silly idea, funny how it seemed like a good idea at the time (and not mine I might add) it would be purely gimmicky, and the fans would have to be pretty powerful to have the desired effect (large batteries et.c)...so the summary then...idiocy!

Mines only 25, so you're not alone Ecoli. If I get any PM's from you, I'm going to be very careful when opening it...like reading Bizarre magazine (you turn the pages very slowly to avoid shock)

Hmm, it's not particularly clear from the article what's changed...they've know about this gene for some time. Anyone able to expand on this at all ?

Well good news for eczema and asthma sufferers, they've pinpointed the gene that leads to the disorder...so hopefully this will be an end to the use of steroid creams which are not particularly good for the kidneys, please see BBC article below. http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/1/hi/scotland/4817512.stm Experts led by the University of Dundee have discovered the gene which causes dry skin, leading to eczema and asthma. The gene produces the protein filaggrin, which helps the skin form a protective outer barrier. Experts hope to use the discovery for more effective therapies to tackle the root causes of the conditions, rather than simply treating the symptoms. At the moment the only treatment is through the use of emollients and ointments or anti-inflammatory drugs. "If you imagine the disease as a burning building, up until now we've just been throwing buckets of water on the roof"

Oops, cause it is, my mistake.

Thanks for the feedback everyone, obviously totally inpractical...though would be quite amusing floating around in a large inflatable cube.

Yeah, but not as practical as filling one container for the gas. It's a gimmick if you like.

This would be purely for fun, but what is the equation for a large volume of low density gas effecting the gravitationl pull of a higher density object, if the two are attached. My housemate wondered if you could manufacture a helium suit...and quite literally float around, roughly a foot off the ground. As long as the helium volume is proportianal to the mass it's carrying, surely you could work out how to make the suit float at a regular distance from the ground, by applying earths mass. The shape of the suit maybe odd to attain lift, but a suit all the same.

Exactly, the outcome of happiness is the same, it's just what leads to happiness is different to the individual.

I'm not sure dkv was saying it enforces normality...more it's just trying to understand human behaviour, which changes as attitudes shift. I think dkv is right, and psychiatry is work in progress, it's more than addressing what seems as problematic behaviour...but all human behaviour.

Oh crap ! I'm so sorry for having a pop at your spelling of atheist Edtharan, I feel terrible, I really should of taken into account you may have dyslexia...hangs head in shame

Slightly off topic. but Aborigines become intoxicated very easily from alcohol...I think it's due to the fact they havn't developed a concentration of a certain enzyme (that could be wrong) but no history of alcohol consumption from your predecessors is also a factor to how easily you get drunk. Though if this effects the speed of intoxication and recovery, I'm not too sure ?

Practically everything we eat has some form of artifical compound in it, you breath them in just walking down the street...and why are you mentioning the immune system with regards to LSD ? Small is Power...simply saying you had a great time on it won't gain you much respect on here. Please take into account that there is still much research to do in this field, and people have had very bad times on hallucinogens, as well as any other given substance. Where there's gaps in our knowledge, it's better to acknowledge that there are dangers and that it's not for everyone, and not just saying 'well I had a great time tripping my face off, and contemplating the universe...went to work on Monday with a hop and a skip.' That's blatant promotion for something that's potentially dangerous.

Same in the UK...but I prefer brown sauce personally, or mayo and chips is great (french fries suck IMO) and we only get those in fast food 'chain' outlets. As YT2095 said a proper British (potato) chip, is chunky and saturated with salt and vinegar, and a dollop of ketchup for dunking. The perfect accompaniment would be a Pukka Pie, battered cod or haddock, or a battered sausage. Do you get traditional British fish & chip restaurants in the U.S...do they exist ?

Thanks Swansont. Although 5614 kinda already answered the question, I just wanted it clarified with regards to latent heat.