Friday, August 19, 2011

[jules' pics] wingnuttery

James, James, James, James

Many barking wingnuts have Galileo complexes. They think that because Galileo wasn't believed, they are as right as Galileo.

Mine is more like a Marie Curie complex. This is a special complex only for women who work with their husbands. They believe that because people only realised quite how clever Marie Curie was after her husband was tragically run over by a cart, that they are also eclipsed geniuses. Mustn't let the lack of handfuls of Nobel Prizes get in the way of the fantasy. 

Actually I cannot imagine how she kept going at such a high standard after losing her best friend and colleague... especially since people are almost always better as either a team or a solo performer.



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Posted By jules to jules' pics at 8/19/2011 04:51:00 PM

12 comments:

EliRabett said...

Marie got to screw Paul Langevin as a consolation prize

David B. Benson said...

Know I know what well dressed gaijin consider duds.

James Annan said...

Oh, she hasn't had time for the fashion stalking yet. And I don't have time for fashion :-)

Steve Bloom said...

And don't forget Marie's daughter.

Steve Bloom said...

Come to think of it, Jules, if --

great science + radiation poisoning = Nobel prixe

-- you're easily halfway there!

No comment on the proportions. :)

Although if it turns out that the flattened spouse is a necessary term of the equation, perhaps you should consider separate bicycles!

James Annan said...

I understand that isotopes from nuclear bomb tests are all round the world Steve, so I hope you keep your tinfoil hat firmly affixed at all times.

Steve Bloom said...

The latest thing pushing me farther into tinfoilery is the revelation that the maximum potential earthquake at the California Diablo Canyon plant (2x500 MW PWRs) may be ~8.0 rather than the ~7.5 for which it was designed (and note the eerie parallel to the erroneous assessment of the Fukushima fault). But who's counting? Besides, the official USNRC spokesperson is satisfied there's no problem. And with a company with a record like this running the place, all should be reassured!

James Annan said...

Well, I think "maximum potential" went out of the window on 11 March anyway, though maybe that only really affects ocean floor faults...

Always wear a cycle helmet and adopt the brace position!

Steve Bloom said...

Of course I live in between two large, dangerous and very-soon-to-slip faults, so I can't claim much consistency on the personal level.

I don't know if you're familiar with the old Warner Bros. Road Runner and Coyote animations, but a lot of the earthquake preparations undertaken around here are reminiscent of the scene where the coyote, realizing he's about to be crushed beneath a collapsing cliff overhang, tries to protect himself with a small umbrella.

PG&E, OTOH, is amazingly consistent: This is their third nuke plant, and the other two were terminated (one while building, the other after operating for a few years) for... I think you can guess.

jules said...

>And don't forget Marie's daughter.

Talking of which, have you read Galileo's daughter. It is a good read.

http://www.amazon.com/Galileos-Daughter-Historical-Memoir-Science/dp/0140280553

Steve Bloom said...

Thanks for the rec, Jules. I'll read it.

Other faults too, apparently, and let this be a lesson to all to come to the Empty Blog for well-timed, serendipitous comments! We (well, they, prevailing winds from the U.S. east coast being Yurpwards)) have been warned (via Joe Romm):

"For those that have not yet heard, the East coast USA, including the DC area, was hit today by the largest earthquake yet recorded in that area. The Washington Post reports:

"RICHMOND, Va. — Federal officials say two nuclear reactors at the North Anna Power Station in Louisa County, Va., were automatically taken off line by safety systems around the time of the earthquake.

"The Dominion-operated power plant is being run off three emergency diesel generators, which are supplying power for critical safety equipment. The NRC and Dominion are sending people to inspect the plant.

"A fourth diesel generator failed, but it wasn’t considered an emergency because the other generators are working, according to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

"Dominion said it declared an alert at the North Anna facility and the reactors have been shut down safely and no major damage has been reported.

"The earthquake was felt at the company’s other Virginia nuclear power station, Surry Power Station in southeast Virginia, but not as strongly there. Both units at that power station continue to operate safely, Dominion said.

"The quake also caused Dominion’s newest power station, Bear Garden in Buckingham County, to shut down automatically."

Consistent with recent prophecy, I now expect to see lots of news video footage of lobbyists and other DC-area denizens wearing bike helmets and assuming the brace position. :)

James Annan said...

Steve,

Keep taking the (iodine) tablets :-)