riddler

You are saying that in standard cancer research, iridescent genes are inserted into patients' DNA so that doctors can see where the cancer is with a blacklight? I've never heard of that - maybe you can provide a link? Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

Yeah, I read the article I was expressing doubt about the scientific validity as pertains to human disease, as was the stated intention of the experiment. Chimps are closer in genome to humans than dogs, but then again, most people wouldn't buy a chimp as a pet, so there's no reason to do this with them. As I said, I doubt there was good scientific reason. Look for glow-in-the-dark cats and goldfish next. Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

The U.S. made a profit on the first gulf war. But I don't think the government expects to make a profit. I have no doubt that corporations "nudge" elected officials, and do expect to make money from it. Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

Well, I can't argue with an open-ended timeline, either. It may be that in 100 years, someone can attach glowing enzymes to cancer cells, and everyone says "this is all due to that glow-in-the-dark dog that we made 100 years ago." OTOH, I think we'll see patents on, and the sale of, iridescent dogs within the next 10 years (and by that time, $5 will be worth about $1 in today's money). So, for me, the point is, what is the real motivation of these particular scientists? Not all of them, just these ones. If they really believe that they are doing good for human medicine, more power to them. But if their motivation is a new breed of dog with even more health problems, to be sold as a novelty, then this group of scientists is out of control. Thus, I posted to Speaker's Corner, not Bonfire Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

Fuel carburation, as in internal combustion engines used by nearly all cars in the U.S. I've always respected your opinion on these forums. Since I have no evidence to support my claims, I'm willing to bet $5 that we see glow-in-the-dark dogs for sale before we see any meaningful scientific breakthrough because of this. Let me know if you want to take me up on that. Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

There is no excuse for this. Korean scientists have created, and also cloned, a dog that glows under blacklight. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090429/ap_on_sc/as_skorea_cloned_dogs I do not believe for a second that this was done in the interest of science. Iridescent dogs cannot possibly help cure human disease. It makes much more economic sense to give them a trademark name, like "Ruppy", and sell them at Wal-Mart for $1,000 per pop (Free Blacklight with every purchase!) And despite my disgust, all I can wonder is: does their poop also glow? Because if it did, it would be really easy to avoid it while walking in the park. Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

'nother hint. If your man has a sizeable life insurance policy (with no health exclusions), bring him a box o' bacon every week. You'll be rolling in DOUGH by the end of the year. Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

I will always wonder why we chose to invade Iraq, a second time, for their crime of not allowing U.N. weapons inspectors into their country, when we did absolutely nothing about a dictator that killed every intellectual, and over one million people (1/4th of the total population of his country!) in Cambodia. I mean, aside from the oil/money in Iraq, it seems we had every moral right to stop the Khmer Rouge, and no real reason to go into Iraq (unless you count some very shady "intelligence" that came from one half-wit). And yet, the second Iraq war was rife with U.S. propaganda about how we were saving all the innocent Iraqis. Could it be that the U.S. fights it's wars for money, and not for any moral reason? Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

One can only wonder what the 2012 Presidential Race will look like: Obama: "I really would like to encourage everyone to vote for my opponent. As I found out from my first term, this really is a sinking ship, and I couldn't bail water fast enough." Republican candidate: "No way, dude. We've spent the last four years blaming you for Bush's screw-ups. The new, reformulated Republican Party is smart enough to not take elected office until after the financial armageddon next week." Nader: "I'll do it." Obama: "Shut up, Ralph. I'm resigning either way, so suck it up and vote Republican." Republican candidate: "From now on, consider the U.S. a one-party government. The Democratic Party." Nader: "I'll do it." Obama and Republican candidate (both): "Shut up, Ralph!" Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

Hey, nice manta in your avatar - did you take that picture yourself? Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

My first nav course was combined with a week-long survival course. Went something like this: What's our current bearing? Man, I'm hungry ... Any idea how far to the next cairn? I think I hear a beaver ... Ever eaten beaver? No, but they probably taste pretty good ... If you pick up those red ants and pinch their heads off, put them in water, it tastes like lemon-aid Or we can boil tree-bark and eat it ad infinitum Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

Only if you're in Iraq Navigation courses are a great idea, and are sometimes very inexpensive ($50 or a donation). A lot cheaper than a tour of duty, and less likely to get shot. Here's one by the Mountaineers that costs $35: http://www.mountaineers.org/seattle/navigation/ Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

GPS and map. Many GPS have compass built-in. I have the Oregon 300, but I would recommend the 400t, which has a lot of good feature for hiking. It has a pre-loaded topo map, so you can pull both out and cross-reference them. Once you have GPS, you won't spend time with a map and compass much anymore. Always bring a spare pair of AA batteries, though. Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

The funny thing is after he ran into the police station, he then backed out and hit a parked car! Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

Oh yeah, and Donald Rumsfield owns significant stock in the company that makes the anti-viral medication to be used in the treatment of swine flu: http://www.snopes.com/politics/medical/tamiflu.asp I'm sure I can work this into the plot somehow. Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

I'm still trying to work CIA, God and the environment into the storyline without watering down the plot too much. Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

OK, I'll bite. If you are GlaxoSmithKline and/or Roche pharmaceutical, and suffering economic hardship, like everyone else in the world right now, what is the way you get the most money out of the richest people? The answer is a pandemic, world-wide, life-threatening illness that you have the cure for. GSK has Relenza, and Roche has Tamiflu. So all you need to do is propagate a new flu strain (Swine flu) that no one understands, then create a media frenzy, even getting the President of the U.S. to make announcements, and also make sure the CDC and media report on your "cure" for the virus. Finally, sit back and watch your stock prices skyrocket (Roche is up 4% and GSK is up 6% already, and most people haven't heard about Swine Flu yet). If you're going to start a world-wide virus outbreak, it makes sense to start in the most densely populated city (Mexico City), which is also quite poor, and will respond slowly to the outbreak. It will spread quickly to the U.S., because of proximity and ease of travel, and from there, it will quickly go world-wide. Plus, you can easily find people to go around the city with aerosol cans and spray people, after all, these are people that swallow drugs wrapped in condoms and take them across the border. Makings of a good Michael Crichton book - too bad he's dead. Anyone else want to step in and write it? John Grisham, maybe? Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

Wider wasn't better? Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

No more than the British taking over the US in 1812 - you know they burned down the White House, don't you? Islamabad isn't the country of Pakistan, it's one city, and the nuclear weapons are broken into pieces and scattered over many areas that are not under Taliban control. I doubt that any terrorist groups will be in control of nukes from this scenario. Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

I guess what bothers me about the story is the upper-eschelon ranks of the military/cia that not only condoned the behaviour, but apparently told the soldiers to do it. I have no military training, but it seems that the officers and top brass have to be the ones to set the tone of the conflict, as well as the ideals. In this case, if the story is true, it's a very pathetic way to orchestrate an occupation. I could see myself walking along a road, picking up some wire I saw - just because I was interested in what it is. I think children would be even more curious. Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

This news story is about 18 months old, but interesting tactics nonetheless: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/iraq/2003900614_iraqbait25.html And a link to a video, for those of you that have access to YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgNInWQI-qU&feature=rfw-rec-r2 Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

Yeah, problem with luxury cars is that sometimes things get lost in the cushions. Good luck finding that! Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

I wonder if any epileptics have ever sued a website for triggering a seizure? Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

Slight difference between an increase proposed by Congress and a budget cut proposed by Obama. He went along with the bail-outs, but he's actually proposing the cuts. Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

Does that make her the Cadillac of women? Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD