TIL: Today I Learned

[PatrThom]

Grading syrup (Grade A, Grade B, etc) is done the opposite of what you probably think. The higher the grade (A, AA), the less it will have that characteristic maple flavor. Since syrup was originally used as a sweetener, the higher grades mean it is more like standard sugar, with less of the flavors that might change the taste of whatever it was used to sweeten. So, if you're buying syrup because you want it to taste all maple-y (such as when following a recipe), get grade B syrup, as it will require less of that syrup to get that delicious, mildly smoky maple flavor in whatever you are eating, and your bottle will last longer (once you finally convince everyone that they need less).

I'm pretty sure that this applies to the color, as well. Darker syrups were boiled longer, carmelizing more of the sugars. I have often wondered what maple syrup would taste like if it were boiled in a hard enough vacuum that the extraction of water could complete at room temperature. What would happen to the color? The taste? Is the boiling necessary to kill off pathogens? If only we could convince someone to give it a try and find out. I mean, we're willing to pay more than a quarter of a million dollars for a lab-grown hamburger, there has to be someone out there willing to vacuum-process some tree sap, right?

--Patrick

 

[Officer_Charon]

TIL that Hot Pepper Gaming may be my new most favorite thing on the Internet.

 

[Gusto]

TIL that I say the word 'basically' a lot.

 

[drawn_inward]

TIL how to make EBV-transformed B cells for my work. Immortality achievement unlocked!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epstein–Barr_virus#Transformation_of_B-lymphocytes

 

[drawn_inward]

There are only 7,000+ different combinations (but, of course, each combination has an infinite number of matching sequences) and it can't be shimmed like older master locks.

I didn't read the article. What's the minimum length for an effective combination?

 

[Covar]

... it can't be shimmed like older master locks.

 

[Bubble181]

I'd say four or five.
4 movements > 249 unique combos
5 movements > 645 unique combos.
11 movements > 7501 unique combos (max - any longer combo can be reached by a shorter combo as well)

 

[figmentPez]

I didn't read the article. What's the minimum length for an effective combination?

I think the more important question is, how do you know the combination you've chosen isn't one that can be reached by a much shorter sequence?

 

[CrimsonSoul]

If it's locking a geek's locker, though, you only need to try up up down down left right left right to break in.

This was the first thing I thought

 

[drawn_inward]

I learned how the new masterlock works.
http://toool.nl/images/e/e5/The_New_Master_Lock_Combination_Padlock_V2.0.pdf

Nice idea, but the reviews on Amazon aren't so great. Though it's probably user error. I still have the same Masterlock from when I was in jr high. I can't really justify buying another one. I do like the ones that protect the bar from bolt cutters.

 

[PatrThom]

I think the more important question is, how do you know the combination you've chosen isn't one that can be reached by a much shorter sequence?

I suppose there's some sort of modular function you could apply to discover this.

--Patrick

 

[Bowielee]

Today I learned:

When referring to the Central time zone, there are two delineations. CDT (Central Daylight Time) and CST(Central Standard Time). I only thought CST was ever used. CDT is used when daylight savings is in effect, and CST is used when it is not. I assume the other time zones are the same, but I can't believe I went my whole life and never knew that.

 

[Sparhawk]

Today I learned:

When referring to the Central time zone, there are two delineations. CDT (Central Daylight Time) and CST(Central Standard Time). I only thought CST was ever used. CDT is used when daylight savings is in effect, and CST is used when it is not. I assume the other time zones are the same, but I can't believe I went my whole life and never knew that.

What's really goofy, is that Daylight Saving is for roughly 8 months and Standard is only for about 4 months. How is "standard" time the least used?

 

[GasBandit]

Daylight savings time is a ridiculous sham that should be abolished.

 

[PatrThom]

Daylight savings time is a ridiculous sham that should be abolished.

It had a purpose. That purpose has been served now that we have electric lights and worldwide communication. Just move everything forward/back by half an hour all year 'round and be done with it.

--Patrick

 

[Sparhawk]

Daylight savings time is a ridiculous sham that should be abolished.

I say eliminate "standard" time, I don't need freaking light at 5am, I like light at 8pm.

 

[sixpackshaker]

What's really goofy, is that Daylight Saving is for roughly 8 months and Standard is only for about 4 months. How is "standard" time the least used?

Standard time is when actual noon is closest to actual noon. The old trick... drive a stick into the ground, and when a compass and the shadow of the stick both point to the north, it is time to set your watch.

 

[PatrThom]

Standard time is when actual noon is closest to actual noon. The old trick... drive a stick into the ground, and when a compass and the shadow of the stick both point to the north, it is time to set your watch.

From the Goofs page for National Treasure:

Until 1883, there were no standard time zones. Almost every locality used solar time* to determine the correct time (noon was the time when the sun was directly overhead in each city, and this, of course, varied depending on the location of the city). Standard time zones were established when railroad schedules necessitated them.

--Patrick
*Link added by me.

 

[sixpackshaker]

But standard time is closer, saving time is at least an hour off.

 

[bhamv3]

Today I learned the seven stars in the Big Dipper are named Dubhe, Merak, Phecda, Megrez, Alioth, Mizar and Alkaid. I have no idea what to do with this knowledge.

 

[sixpackshaker]

Today I learned the seven stars in the Big Dipper are named Dubhe, Merak, Phecda, Megrez, Alioth, Mizar and Alkaid. I have no idea what to do with this knowledge.

Use the names in your next D&D game?

 

[PatrThom]

Today I learned the seven stars in the Big Dipper are named Dubhe, Merak, Phecda, Megrez, Alioth, Mizar and Alkaid. I have no idea what to do with this knowledge.

Continue the series?

--Patrick

 

[GasBandit]

Today I Learned that the "Drifting" process in Pacific Rim isn't all that far ahead of our current technology.



Researchers at the University of Washington have just conducted a new study that shows simple communication between humans using just their brains.

They recorded two men playing a game where they shoot a target cooperatively without using verbal or visual cues. All communication is done simply through thought. The conclusion?

The results suggest that information extracted noninvasively from one brain using EEG can be transmitted to another brain noninvasively using TMS to allow two persons to cooperatively solve a task via direct brain-to-brain transfer of information. The next phase of the study will attempt to quantify this transfer of information using a larger pool of human subjects.​

 

[HCGLNS]

Today I learned the seven stars in the Big Dipper are named Dubhe, Merak, Phecda, Megrez, Alioth, Mizar and Alkaid. I have no idea what to do with this knowledge.

When will you learn the names of the other 5 stars?

 

[Neon Pirate]

Today I learned a few things!

• How much water an open Jeep JK will hold when caught in a downpour
• Where all of that water really went when I thought it was gone and we hadn't taken on an amount that arks are used to evade (I was initially incorrect about how much water we had in point one)
• Exactly where all of the drain plugs are and how the rugs are removed
• How impressive the water storage capabilities of Jeep rugs really are
• How little a safari top does for you in a storm

It was all cool! I like rain and learning new things!

 

[sixpackshaker]

TIL: That I am not alone in observing this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Street_light_interference_phenomenon

 

[bhamv3]

TIL: That I am not alone in observing this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Street_light_interference_phenomenon

I've noticed the opposite. Broken street lights will suddenly start working when I walk past them.

(Though this has only happened on campus back when I was in undergrad though, so it probably has something specifically to do with the streetlights there)

 

[klew]

TIL: That I am not alone in observing this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Street_light_interference_phenomenon

I've had this happen in three countries.

 

[CrimsonSoul]

I've had this happen in three countries.

Were they countries with reliable electricity?

 

[klew]

Were they countries with reliable electricity?

US, Canada, and Bermuda, so I expect reliable service.

 

[Gusto]

TIL: That I am not alone in observing this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Street_light_interference_phenomenon

I thought this would be about how traffic lights interfere with one's car radio. I've found fairly reliably that I lose reception at red lights, and more surprisingly, that I can perfectly predict when the light will turn green - about 1.5 seconds after radio reception mysteriously returns.

 

[CrimsonSoul]

Sliders! (not affiliated with white castle)

 

[evilmike]

Spoiler

 

[Gusto]

Wow, that's actually pretty cool.

 

[PatrThom]

^^^Emmett Kill-y?

TIL there are people who think that the logo on Monster energy drink is a sign of the end of days.
I learned this when the woman behind the table adorned with posters started shouting this at me as we walked by.

Kati almost caused her to explode when she yelled back, "Don't tell me, I'm not even a Christian!"

--Patrick