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Author Topic: Useless Fact's Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 09-24-2007 09:09 AM                        Rated G Useless fact - Is it illegal to drive barefoot? While most driving schools recommend wearing proper footwear while operating a vehicle, we were unable to find any specific laws against driving sans shoes. The Urban Legends Pages groups illegal barefoot driving with other transportation myths, like the one about sea captains performing marriages and American interstates being designed for use as emergency landing strips. Several other sources claim driving barefoot in the United States is as legal as ripping off your mattress tag. Laws appear to vary by state. We can confirm that in California and Michigan, it's legal to drive barefoot, but not recommended. The AAA Digest of Motor Laws will likely be able to answer any other state-specific questions. Otherwise, consult your state highway patrol.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 09-26-2007 02:30 PM                        Rated G Useless fact - Why do we have wisdom teeth? While there is no way to verify this theory, some dentists speculate that wisdom teeth are a vestige from the days when our ancestors literally bit off more than they could chew on a daily basis. It's thought that the Stone Age diet often consisted of coarse, rough foods that required more chewing power. As a result, the jawbones of our ancestors were larger and accommodated 32 teeth with ease. In addition, in the wild, teeth had a tendency to fall prey to decay or get knocked out. If someone lost a tooth, the wisdom teeth would usually push the rest forward to fill in the gap. However, evolution continued and the human diet changed to include softer, more processed foods that were less challenging to our pearly whites and jaws. Losing teeth became less of an issue, and wisdom teeth served less and less of a purpose. Today, most of us don't have the need or room for these extra molars. Wisdom tooth extraction is a common procedure, and usually requires just a few hours in the oral surgeon's office, followed by a few days of chipmunk-cheeked discomfort.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 09-26-2007 02:58 PM                        Rated G Useless fact - What do airports do with unclaimed luggage? No one likes this scenario. Somewhere under the friendly skies, an incorrect airport bar code (or some other transit snafu) results in bags taking a ride down the wrong baggage claim conveyor belt -- and a traveler and his luggage are forever parted. On the plus side, that traveler's loss can be your gain. If an airline can't contact the rightful owner of a lost bag, the booty often finds a home at the Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro, Alabama. There, in a secret process of sorting and washing "unmentionables," items ranging from boxer shorts to ball gowns are dry-cleaned, sorted, catalogued, and prepared for resale. The Center's official site touts its service as the ultimate "one- of-a-kind" treasure hunt, with a whopping 7,000 "new and preowned" items stocked daily. They purchase unclaimed baggage and cargo by the "truckload," resulting in an interesting inventory. If you don't like the idea of your precious cargo ending up in the hands of enterprising strangers, we suggest you pack light, and take steps to avoid misdirected luggage.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 09-27-2007 08:14 PM                        Rated G Useless fact - I want to establish my own country. Is there any unclaimed land? Sadly, every bit of land is claimed, but don't let this ruin your dream of being Grand Poobah. For anywhere from the low six figures to the tens of millions, you can purchase your own private island and start from scratch. After you've got the island's facilities (electricity, safe drinking water, etc.) squared away, you're ready to build your nation. But remember, your island will still be under the jurisdiction of the country it belongs to and subject to its laws. One man, Las Vegas millionaire Michael Olivier, learned that the hard way. In the 1970s, Olivier built a South Pacific island. He named it the Republic of Minerva and claimed it sovereign from its proprietary, the Kingdom of Tonga. The King of Tonga was none too pleased. He sent a group of soldiers to squash Oliver's pursuit. They took down the "Republic's" flag and claimed the island Tongan, while a four-piece band played the Tongan national anthem. Unfortunately, starting a nation entirely on your own isn't as easy as you might hope. We recommend sticking with couch forts. [ 09-29-2007, 12:50 PM: Message edited by: Bob Maar ]  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 09-29-2007 01:27 PM                        Rated G Useless fact - Are you more likely to go bald if you often wear a hat? According to the Y chromosome sages at AskMen.com, the answer is no. It's important, however, to let your scalp "breathe" for at least seven hours each day. The column goes on to shoot down several other balding myths. Hair products, trauma, playing with your hair, and sunbathing won't cause hair loss. In the case of trauma, there have been reported incidents of hair growing back white, but not falling out. We found some details on the causes of hair loss at familydoctor.org. Contrary to popular belief, hair loss in men is often a result of an overproduction of male hormones. Of course, a healthy diet is important, and extreme stress is never good. The late Roger Maris, who lost his famous crewcut while pursuing Babe Ruth's home run record, is a prime example of stress-related balding. Head hair grows at an average rate of half an inch per month. Hairs grow for an average of two to six years, then "rest" before falling out.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 10-01-2007 02:48 PM                        Rated G Useless fact - Are people serving time in prison allowed to vote? Every state except two bars prisoners convicted of felonies (and some other crimes) from voting. Prisoners in Maine and Vermont are allowed to vote by absentee ballot. The U.S. Department of Justice lists details for each state and notes that the right to vote is controlled by states for both federal and state elections. Article 1, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution gives states this power over congressional elections, and the Constitution further allows states to run presidential elections. Of course, states govern their own internal elections, as well. In most states, a convicted felon's right to vote is automatically restored after the completion of prison time and/or parole. Some states require ex-cons to request pardons from the governor in order to vote. A couple of states don't restore the right to vote for five years after the prison sentence. Those convicted of voter fraud in Maryland and Missouri are banned from the voting booth forever.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 10-08-2007 02:26 PM                        Rated G Useless fact - What happens to guide dogs that don't qualify to help the blind? Guide dogs must go through a very rigorous training program, and naturally not all pups will graduate. Those that don't receive their diploma are referred to as "career change" dogs. Career change dogs are often adopted by regular folks seeking a companion. Because each dog has been trained so well, the number of willing adopters usually exceeds the available dogs. And just as the training can be tough on the dogs, navigating the adoption process can be an ordeal for aspiring adoptive parents. Applicants must visit with the dog to see how they get along (even if they live far away), provide proof of an adequately sized and fenced yard, and be willing to leave the final decision up to the agency. It's the agency's mission to find the best match for each dog -- they decide who the dogs go home with. Not all career change dogs are adopted by families. Others go on to "alternate careers" in Search and Rescue, pet therapy, and tracking. If you're interested in adopting a pup but aren't a good match for a career change dog, we suggest you visit your local SPCA or animal shelter. After all, mutts are often the best pets.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 10-09-2007 02:29 PM                        Rated G Useless fact - What's Scientology all about? Scientology is a religion founded by writer L. Ron Hubbard in the 1950s. His extensive writings form the whole of Scientology's scripture and belief system. While Scientologists believe in a supreme being, they don't spend much time worshipping a god. Instead, they focus on looking inward and improving the human mind and spirit. Adherents believe in a form of reincarnation and have to deal with aberrations built up in this and past lives. For Scientologists, spiritual enlightenment can be achieved through a complicated process that begins with a personal audit and continues with higher levels of training. The goal is to overcome the reactive mind and achieve a free and happy state of "Clear." Like any religion, Scientology has its supporters and critics. While believers find Scientology to be deeply fulfilling, detractors often find many of its practices alarming.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 10-10-2007 12:38 PM                        Rated G Useless fact - Who gets to name hurricanes? The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has drawn up alphabetical lists of male and female names to be used as hurricane designations from now until 2009. Unfortunately, the NHC doesn't explain the methodology it used to come up with these names. Hurricanes began officially receiving names in 1950. For two years, they were stuck with standard call sign names -- Able, Baker, Charlie, Dog, etc. Between 1953 and 1978, for reasons we are unwilling to surmise, hurricane names were exclusively female. In 1979, the situation became more progressive, and male names were added to the mix. Hurricanes only receive a name once their status is elevated from tropical storm. The names of a few particularly destructive hurricanes, such as 1992's Andrew, have been permanently retired for reasons of sensitivity. Why do hurricanes have names in the first place? According to the NHC, the use of "short, distinctive given names" is quicker and less subject to error than using latitude-longitude identification methods.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 10-11-2007 06:33 PM                        Rated G Useless fact - Why is the snooze function on alarm clocks always set to nine-minute intervals? Before researching your answer, we would have thought it's because nine minutes is the approximate length of time it takes to fall back asleep before being roused by the piercing beep of the infernal alarm clock. But as it turns out, it's really all a matter of mechanics. Back in 1956 when the snooze button was first introduced, alarm clocks had standardized gears. The snooze gear had to mesh with the teeth of the other gears. Due to the configuration of the gears, a nice, round 10-minute snooze cycle was out of the question, so the engineers had to choose between nine minutes or 10-plus minutes. As we all know, punctuality is a virtue, so the engineers went with nine minutes. Various attempts have been made to change the nine-minute snooze cycle -- manufacturers have tried five, seven, and ten minutes, but a nine-minute snooze has become the unofficial standard.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 10-11-2007 07:06 PM                        Rated G Useless fact - What's the best wood to burn in a fireplace? Everyone knows a toasty fire can turn even the chilliest night into a pleasant evening. But if your fires are more fizzle than flame, the comfort may not be worth the effort. The wood you choose to stoke your chilly days and nights does make a difference. We started with a search on "best firewood" and quickly found our answer. Master Sweep Chimney Service provides a thorough background on how to pick your wood. Most experts say it does not matter what kind of wood you burn: as long as it is really, truly seasoned. Seasoning wood is the process of letting the wood dry thoroughly over a period of a year or more. Unseasoned wood contains too much moisture, smolders instead of burns, and doesn't produce substantial heat. Putting aside the issue of seasoning wood, they recommend burning hard woods such as oak, madrone, eucalyptus, or walnut. For those who light up only occasionally, they recommend fir for its easy, consistent burn and pleasant smell.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 10-12-2007 01:23 PM                        Rated G Useless fact - Do mosquitoes prefer certain blood types? If you mean different "human" blood types, no, mosquitoes don't seem to care. But the little buggers do prefer the blood of some animals to others. In fact, each species of mosquito seems to have a definite animal preference. Surprisingly, humans aren't the preferred blood bank for many mosquitoes. It may be small consolation, but mosquitoes do have their reasons for sucking blood -- blood proteins help the females lay eggs. The insects have sensors that help them find food and blood and detect carbon dioxide, which they are naturally drawn to. Mammals and birds exhale carbon dioxide, and mosquitoes can sense it from up to 100 feet away. The bugs see movement and detect visual contrast, and can also sense heat, which helps them find warm-blooded creatures like us. Combined with carbon dioxide, certain odors like sweat and perfume can be a strong lure for mosquitoes. Curiously enough, scientists have found that drinking beer or eating Limburger cheese will make a person more attractive to mosquitoes (although probably less attractive to fellow humans).  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 10-12-2007 01:36 PM                        Rated G Useless fact - How many dead bodies are up on Mount Everest? Mount Everest is both the highest mountain and the highest graveyard in the world. As of 2002, 175 climbers had died on the mountain, and the vast majority of these bodies were left behind. There are reported to be at least 41 bodies on the north side of Everest. Some people simply run out of gas on the trail and freeze to death in place. Others are consumed by avalanches. And, as veteran mountaineer David Breashears points out, removing dead bodies from this elevation is an enormous task. Breashears describes how it took a team of 12 people eight hours to move the body of one dead Taiwanese man down a portion of the mountain. The high altitude, low oxygen, fierce winds, and intense cold make the trip extremely challenging even for an unencumbered person, so few climbers attempt to take the bodies of the deceased back with them. Some bodies are lost forever on Everest. During the tragic May 1996 expeditions when eight people died in a freak storm near the summit, two of the bodies were never found. To further complicate matters, the local Sherpas, the people most adept at climbing the mountain and transporting gear up and back, are wary of dead bodies and don't like to go near them.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 10-12-2007 05:01 PM                        Rated G Useless fact - What is a lobotomy and what does it do to you? A lobotomy or psychosurgery is a surgical technique that involves making an incision in the brain's frontal lobe, severing several nerve tracts. Today lobotomies are usually just the subject of a grim joke, but this crude procedure used to be a relatively common way to pacify aggressive mental patients. Between 1939 and 1951, over 18,000 lobotomies were performed in the United States. Egas Moniz, the physician who pioneered the practice, won a Nobel Prize for his efforts. An American physician named Walter Freeman was the procedure's biggest proponent, performing dozens of lobotomies in a single session. He used an ice pick-like instrument that was inserted through a patient's eye socket, then whisked back and forth. Horrifying, but true. Contrary to popular belief, a lobotomy did not necessarily turn the subject into a vegetable, but the results were decidedly mixed. Famous recipients of lobotomies include actress Frances Farmer, Rosemary Kennedy, and the fictional hero of Ken Kesey's "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest."  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 10-12-2007 06:30 PM                        Rated G Useless fact - Are bounty hunters legal? Bounty hunters are legal, but they have a strictly defined role. They aren't cops for hire or private investigators -- they work at the behest of bail agents. They don't have any more authority than someone making a citizen's arrest. Bail agents hire bounty hunters to locate and arrest defendants who have forfeited their bail bonds, usually by not showing up for a court appearance. The bounty hunters generally work for a percentage of the bond. Bounty hunter laws tend to vary by state. Most states require some sort of training and licensing. The majority of bounty hunters are competent professionals, but occasionally some get into trouble.  |  IP: Logged

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