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Swimming As Easy In Syrup As In Water

Posted by timothy on from the chlorine-ratio-adjustment dept.

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."

6 of 94 comments (clear)

  1. Forget swimming by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    How about having sex in the stuff?

  2. Bad analogy by El · · Score: 3, Funny

    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...

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    "Freedom means freedom for everybody" -- Dick Cheney

  3. Best swimmer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    "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!

  4. Next up: by gardyloo · · Score: 4, Funny

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

  5. Woot. by a+whoabot · · Score: 5, Funny

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

    Edward Cussler
    University of Minnesota '

    TROGDOR!?!?

  6. Re:What about no very low viscosity? by |/|/||| · · Score: 3, Funny
    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.

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    [javac] 100 errors