h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

"Some anionic surfactants, which carry no electric charge, will stick to the hair in useful quantities."

I thought 'anionic' referred to things with negative charges. (been edited by non-scientists again?)

Yep!

shazz

Can they change stuff even once it's got into the edited guide? If they can't then they should start getting people to do more than edit for style and spelling/grammar mistakes.

Subs do - they do far more than just check spelling and grammar. It is a very intensive process and some entries can take weeks to research and prepare for the edited guide. They also contact the original author for clarification of any points which are unclear - a process sometimes hampered if the author is AWOL.

Yes, mistakes can be corrected by the towers editors after an entry has gone through. If you can be specific about what exactly you think is the fault, then I will contact them.

I am sorry if you thought my original reply somewhat flippant.

shazz

Nope, I wasn;t concerned about flippancy. I also only just realised that you were actually involed in this (sorry).

"Some anionic surfactants, which carry no electric charge, will stick to the hair in useful quantities."

This sentence makes no sense. Either the surfactants are anionic, or they carry no electric charge, they can't be both because anionic means having a negative charge. I'm not sure which is meant. If you can, ask the author. It's possible that 'anionic' should be replaced by 'nonionic'.

I see

Unfortunately the author is AWOL, so I can't ask them - but I'll make inquiries to the other subs as there are some science bofs in there. It is important that all the facts are accurate I agree.

shazz

Hi Catwoman The entry is being updated - there are some very helpful scientific bods in the subs. Thank you for pointing out the error. :-) http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/brunel/F106816?thread=231042&latest=1

*Slapped wrist*

Preview, preview, preview!!!

I was just pointing out to Greebo her early Christmas present!

shazz

Um, what?
Okay.
Fine.

Thanks for getting this sorted out (I hate it when things are just plain wrong - unless they're supposed to be)