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

http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A682715

This is my first science-ish Entry - be gentle!

Caper Plip

Not bad. You have all the parts, directions, method, reasons, and disclaimer (very important). If you wanted to lengthen the entry, you could also add a 2nd way of lighting yourself on fire. Using sturno gelliton, a researcher can very easily light themselves of fire for show and not just an experiment.

heart of Darkness

Thanks for your comments!

This is actually the only way to set yourself on fire that I know of, using really simple materials. I think that the point I was making is that it was really easy to do it...

Thanks again,

Caper Plip

One question, CP. In what proportions do you dilute the washing up liquid and water?

Ba'alzamon - what's sterno gelliton?

Just plain ol' 'strawberry jelly' to thee 'n' me! No, really, just kidding folks!

*IT IS NOT SAFE TO COVER YOURSELF FROM HEAD TO TOE (YES INCLUDING THOSE BITS!) WITH STRAWBERRY JELLY AND SET FIRE TO YOURSELF!*

Sorry about that!

Hi Paper Clip,

I like it - interesting and informative (though unlikely, I suspect, to provide the answer to any pub quiz questions).

Even with the very clear disclaimers, I have to say that it seems like asking for trouble to publish this kind of thing on the web, but there is much more potentially dangerous stuff on-line elsewhere, I know. Also, I am for the freedom of information that is so positive in other ways. I am not knocking this as some kind of 'dangerous potential mass child-killer'. No. It's just a fact that some people who ought to know better could hurt themselves while attempting to do what you describe. Sorry, I gues that sounds negative, but I just thought it, and I don't think you will take it amiss.

Good luck with it,
Spiff
*no idea what the 'jelly' stuff 'really' is*

richard feynmann used to do it by a different method.

he used to dip his hand in water, and then into benzine, and then light it.

As this burns cool, then you can do this relatively safely.

until your hands start to grow hairs. At this point, the benzine clings to the hairs, which act as a wick, and it is no longer painless.

I suspect that your method suffers from the same problem.

on the other point of stuff that is more dangerous, this site already covers at least two different methods of building atomic bombs from materials that are not too dificult to get hold of.

It also discusses molotov cocktails. (but has had to have the detailed instructions edited out of the entry for safety (but not out of the peer review thread, thus invalidating the reason for moderating the entry in the first place).

Given that those things are already in the guide, I don't think that this one should have any problems.

The disclaimer at the beginning should deal with the sort of people for whom the instructions needed adding to the packet of toothpicks, and for whom the warning on sepositaries states "not to be taken orally"

if they still get themselves hurt, let us at least hope that it happens (terminally) before they get a chance to breed, as we don't need more people who are that stupid.

ok considering I can't spell either of the words (I have a real problem with that) in sterno gelliton I'll discribe it. Its a prtrolium based product that is use in resturants and caturing services to keep dishes of food warm. Comes in a little can.

hear of Darkness

Hi there!

Regarding to the hair thingy... I'm not too sure whether he had any hairs on his hands... but I'm pretty sure that all he could feel was the heat. When he did it off his head, there was no sign of burnt hair, and we cheered nonetheless.

I hope the style is ok... I tried to mimic a sort of Blue Peter thing:

"So take that empty washing-up liquid bottle and..."

Thanks for your comments!

Caper Plip

I think that Benzene is a carcinogen, so perhaps sticking your hand it some is a bad idea. Although Benzine and Benzene are different, aren't they...

I gave up on chemistry years ago.

as to benzine (or benzene) being a carcinogen, feynmann was doing it before WW2, so it wouldn't have been a problem then.

I forgot about the other form, so I will have to look it up and get back to you as to which variant it was.

Benzene is very *definitely* a carcinogen and a powerful blood poison as well. Avoid!

You know, there's an award for people who remove their genes from the gene pool through stupidity. It's called the Darwin Award, from Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, "survival of the fittest". And make it "dot com" for the website, which tells of all past winners, contenders, and honorable mentions(the ones who survived, or who had already had children).

I like the entry, too. I'm into science, and this is definitely something I would like to try someday.

I have set my hand on fire without burning it! When I did it, it was much easier than your method. Just have some lighter fluid (white gas) in a spray bottle, mist some on your palm, and light it with a lighter. The fluid burns so quickly that the flame doesn't last long enough to burn your hand. Nothing to it!

Of course the guy who showed me this trick gave himself second degree burns in his demonstration, so the key is to MIST your hand with the stuff and not POUR it on like he did.

interesting entry caper plip

some niggles

it took me quite some time to realise you meant cover your hand in washing up liquid from the bottle, not the stuff you just diluted.

you don't make it clear that the beaker should be glass/plastic etc.

there was also a bit of a confusing part where the hand was being ignited, all that stuff about stroking the bubbles.....with what?

I enjoyed this very much, well done. I hope this gets it's own graphic!

FABT

Hi!

Changes made:

-taper meaning
-diluted washing-up liquid

Writing very quickly!

Thanks!

Caper Plip

Okay, got more time to add my other changes...

- added footnote on method with benzine
- added disclaimer for benzine method

Any more comments?

Thanks!

Caper Plip

This entry has been removed from Peer Review and is hidden pending moderation.

The Researcher has been contacted.

Many thanks.

Well, there always was that element of risk.

This one may not make it, I guess.

Maybe it can be made acceptable with some editing, don't give up on it.

Spiff
Spiff

well i think the new h2g2/bbc editors all wear skirts. buncha women! hard to believe this is coming from the same place that gave the world monty python and the grand and wonderful dna. what a sad, sad state britan has come to...

... and despite the heavy disclaimers which were wrapped around it.