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

The furthest point from the center of the earth isn't Everest, but the top of Mount Chimborazo, in Ecuador.

How can that be, if Everest is "supposed" to be the tallest mountain in the world?

Fact: If the universe is infinite in all directions, then I /am/ the center of the universe.

how does that work

simlpost

From

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimborazo_(volcano)


Although the summit of Mount Everest reaches a higher elevation above sea level, the summit of Chimborazo is the farthest point from earth center (Senne 2000). Chimborazo is just one degree south of the equator and the earth's diameter at the equator is greater than at Everest's latitude (nearly 28° north), with sea level also being elevated. So, despite being 2,581 m (8,568 ft) lower in elevation above sea level, it is 6,384.4 km (3,968 mi) from the Earth's center, 2.1 km farther than the summit of Everest

You will need to add a ")" to the link above. It won't let me post the link properly.

Absolutely brilliant.

This type of useless fact is why I love this thread.

It's perfect for a bar bet.


Thanks Guru Roghan Josh.

I agree,

My poor offering:

3 Scots die each year testing if a 9v battery works on their tongue.

142 Scots were injured in 1999 by not removing all pins from new shirts.

58 Scots are injured each year by using sharp knives instead of screwdrivers.

31 Scots have died since 1996 by watering their Christmas tree while the fairy lights were plugged in.

19 Scots have died in the last 3 years believing that Christmas decorations were chocolate.

Scottish Hospitals reported 4 broken arms last year after Xmas cracker-pulling accidents.

18 Scots had serious burns in 2000 trying on a new jumper with a lit cigarette in their mouth.

A massive 543 Scots were admitted to A&E in the last two years after trying to open bottles of beer with their teeth.

5 Scots were injured last year in accidents involving out-of-control Scalextric cars.

and finally...

In 2000 eight Scots were admitted to hospital with fractured skulls incurred whilst throwing up into the toilet.

I thought those were all of Britain rather than just Scots. I've heard them before and the one about watering the christmas tree always gets me.

It's reassuring to hear about all this bad shit happening to Scottish people.

Swing low, sweet, chariot...

RF

Doesn't the English chariot need a new axle? The wheels keep falling off, so I'm led to believe.

Watch out for the mod fairy RF, you could get done for that.

I just accidentally unsubscribed from this conversation for the third time.

that's not useless - now i know i'm not the only one who does that.

One of Spike Milligan's friends while he was in the army was gunner Harry Edgington, and they remained good friends after de-mob.
Whenever Edgington turned up at recordings of The Goons, Harry Seacombe would shout "SPIKE, It's EdgERton to see you"

After putting up with his name being prismonounced for many months Edgington could stand it no more and said to Seacombe;

"It's ING ton, ING ton"

To which Seacombe replied "Tiddle i po" And so a song was born.

It's Secombe

Cary Grant once turned down the role of 007.

A South African novelist named Mary Faulkner wrote 904 books in her lifetime (let's hope Jade Goody isn't reading this, eh? )

A normal weight person would have to gain 100 pounds to equal the health risks of smoking.

I SHOULD pretend i did that deliberately........but it's just that i'm an awful spellist.

Spike actually met Secombe after one of his Baterry's guns rolled down a hill and through a tented encampment. Spike chased after it and encountered Secombe crawling from the wreckage of his tent.

"Excuse me, have you seen a big gun go past here?" enquired Spike

Useless fact, I met Spike whilst Stage Managing a show about his life in 1989. Top Bloke.

I SAW Spike live in 1989, at the Oxford Appollo.......doing a show about his life.

Surely not the one you were managing SWL?


Favourite Spikism;

"Over that hill a large force of enemy tanks appear, and threaten your position. What steps do you take Milligan?"

"Bloody big ones sir"

"What are you talking about?"
"About 60 words per minute"

No, the show I was involved with was a biography. He came in to final rehearsals to give his approval. I can't remember where we staged it. Battersea Arts Centre? And a small theatre in North London near a park wher Nicholas Parsons lives