Swimming As Easy In Syrup As In Water

chthonicdaemon writes "Nature is running a story about scientists at the University of Minnesota who proved that swimming speed is not a large function of the viscosity of the liquid. To do this, they thickened the water in a pool with guar gum. Fun ensued. This is the type of thing that usually keeps to thought experiments. Interesting to see someone prove it."

Comments

Forget swimming

[Anonymous Coward]

How about having sex in the stuff?

Bad analogy

[El]

try running with a large newspaper held in front of you and see how much more difficult it is.Well, yeah, because you keep running into things because you can't see! Also, a newpaper does not remain flat when subjected to wind resistance. Methinks using a stiff piece of cardboard or even a windsurfer sail would be a much better example...

Best swimmer

[Anonymous Coward]

"The best swimmer should have the body of a snake and the arms of a gorilla," recommends Cussler. Well, as long as we're making ridiculous analogies, I think the best swimmer would have a propeller coming out of their ass!

Next up:

[gardyloo]

The mechanics of Natalie Portman locomotion in thermally elevated, coarsely-ground, boiled maize.

Testing in a more viscous fluid like hot grits?

[Futurepower(R)]

I think there is a need for another data point in this research. What about doing testing in a more viscous fluid? I'm sure that there are a considerable number of Slashdot readers that would like to do research on the very important question of whether Natalie Portman could swim faster in hot grits.

How can a moderator say the parent comment is off topic when so many Slashdotters would like to be on this topic? More philosophically, how can Natalie Portman be off topic? If she is off topic, that is evidence the topic needs changing, right?

Of course, this would all be for the advancement of science. No really.

--
24 wars since WW2: Creating fear so rich people can profit.

Woot.

[a whoabot]

' "The best swimmer should have the body of a snake and the arms of a gorilla."

Edward Cussler
University of Minnesota '

TROGDOR!?!?

Re:What about no very low viscosity?

[dykofone]

Sure you can. The trick is to make sure you're not touching anything (e.g. ground). At least that's the part that's slowed me down so far. Every time I try and leave the ground I just end up back on it a short time later. (an interesting note: the longer the time period between being in contact with the ground, the more it hurts when I regain contact).

Re:What about no very low viscosity?

[|/|/|||]

Everybody knows that the trick is simply to hurl your body at the ground, but miss. Try it. The best way to do it is to have somebody distract you at the last moment.

I can't believe nobody's said it yet....

[CSG_SurferDude]

Resistance is futile...

Well, I was ALMOST on topic ;-)