The Centennial Light is the world’s longest-lasting light bulb. Housed at the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department in Livermore, California, the bulb was donated to the department in 1901. The longevity of the four-watt, carbon-filament, hand-blown bulb has been recognized by several sources, including Guinness World Records. It has reportedly only been turned off a handful of times, and it has been on continuously since it was switched off for 22 minutes in 1976 for what reason? Discuss
Month: June 2021
freebooter
prove
probe, prove, probable – Latin probare, “approve, prove, test,” is the source of English probe and prove. From that came Latin probabilis, “provable,” which became English probable. More…
sooth, soothsayer, soothe – Sooth, “true, truth,” or “that which is,” is part of soothsayer; it is related to soothe, which once meant “assent to be true; say yes to,” or “to prove or show a fact to be true.” More…
approve – Its original sense was “prove, demonstrate.” More…
rebut, refute – To rebut a statement is to offer clear evidence or a reasoned argument against it; to refute a statement is to prove it wrong (neither means “contradict” or “deny”). More…
SpaceShipOne Completes First Privately Funded Human Spaceflight (2004)
Unlike its privately funded predecessors, SpaceShipOne was actually manned, by a pilot and two passengers, when it flew to the edge of space in 2004. Developed by aerospace engineer Burt Rutan and funded by billionaire Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, the suborbital space plane won the $10 million Ansari X Prize for launching three people—or their weight equivalent—into space twice within two weeks in a privately developed, reusable spacecraft. Where is SpaceShipOne currently on display? Discuss
living impaired
A jocular, pseudo-politically correct term for being dead. Watch the video
Magnetoencephalography
Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is an imaging technique that maps brain activity by recording magnetic fields produced by electrical currents in the brain. Unlike electroencephalography, which uses electrodes attached to the head, MEG uses sensors positioned over the head and takes place in a vaultlike machine that eliminates interference from magnetic fields produced by various sources. MEG is sometimes used to pinpoint areas of pathological activity before surgery to treat what conditions? Discuss
mawkish
Eritrean Martyrs' Day
Following its defeat of Ethiopian government forces in 1991 to establish national independence, Eritrea instituted an official holiday to pay tribute to those who died for the country’s liberation. The struggle, which lasted from 1961 to 1991, claimed the lives of an estimated 65,000 freedom fighters and tens of thousands of civilians. Many Eritreans observe Martyrs’ Day by filing into mass mourning processions that conclude at the “Martyrs’ Graveyards” located throughout the country. In 1997, the government opened the National Martyrs’ Park outside the capital city, Asmara. Discuss
scare the (living) daylights out of (someone)
To shock or frighten someone very suddenly and/or severely. Watch the video
Rock Climbing
In rock climbing, participants scale natural rock formations or artificial rock walls using ropes and special equipment—or, sometimes, just their hands and feet. Though humans have been rock climbing for millennia, the activity emerged as a sport in the 19th century. Aid climbing, in which artificial handholds and footholds are used, allowed climbers to reach heights that once seemed inaccessible. Today, the sport continues to evolve. What are some of the ethical considerations of rock climbing? Discuss