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'Kryptonite' Discovered in Serbian Mine

Rubinstien writes "A mineralogist at London's Natural History Museum was contracted to help identify an unknown mineral found in a Serbian mine. While he initially thought the miners had discovered a unique compound, after its crystal structure was analyzed and identified the researcher was shocked to find the material already referenced in literature. Fictional literature. Dr. Chris Stanley, from the BBC article: 'Towards the end of my research I searched the web using the mineral's chemical formula — sodium lithium boron silicate hydroxide — and was amazed to discover that same scientific name, written on a case of rock containing kryptonite stolen by Lex Luthor from a museum in the film Superman Returns ... I'm afraid it's not green and it doesn't glow either — although it will react to ultraviolet light by fluorescing a pinkish-orange.'"

38 of 272 comments (clear)

  1. The plan is almost complete! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Step 2: Send email to Superman
    Step 3: Build wheelchair ramp ...
    Step 4: Rule the world!

  2. Time to rename the Serbian mine? by Iphtashu+Fitz · · Score: 5, Funny

    ... to the Fortress of Solitude?

  3. Excitingly unexciting by tttonyyy · · Score: 4, Funny

    Summary

    Exciting: Contains same elements as described in fictional cartoon

    Unexciting: Superman could use it as a paperweight without feeling like he's dying of man-flu

    --
    biopowered.co.uk - catalytically cracking triglycerides for home automotive use since 2008. Just say no to big oil!
    1. Re:Excitingly unexciting by QuickFox · · Score: 5, Funny

      superman doesn't exist How do you know? Do you have proof?
      --
      Terrorists can't threaten a country's freedom and democracy. Only lawmakers and voters can do that.
  4. No wonder by CSHARP123 · · Score: 4, Funny

    No wonder all my super powers are gone.

    1. Re:No wonder by blake3737 · · Score: 2, Funny

      you and me both buddy.
      ~Batman

      PS. Have you seen any of my equipment? I sent it to "funny Man cleaners" and still haven't gotten it back yet. im going batshit crazy trying to reach them on the batcellphone, but their line just has some message with some guy laughing maniacally and talking about the end of batm.... I gotta go.

  5. Really Kryptonite? by ATestR · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's been a while since I've seen the movie, but the question that comes to my mind is: "Was the box in superman Returns correctly labeled?". Perhaps it was only labeled sodium lithium boron silicate hydroxide, but someone had mistakenly identified the kryptonite as that substance. After all, why would Lex Luther steal a box containing white powdery substance... oh, wait, never mind.

    --
    âoeAny society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.
    1. Re:Really Kryptonite? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      and that's terrible!

  6. duh by Dance_Dance_Karnov · · Score: 4, Funny

    of course it doesn't glow or kill superman, it wasn't effected by either the destruction of krypton or a trip through space. What exactly do they pay these so called scientists for anyway?

    1. Re:duh by OnyxNoir · · Score: 2, Funny

      disagree. this compound has not been tested on Superman, therefore, we cannot seriously say it cannot kill him.

      "Pocket-protected scientists dove a car made of pure Kryptonite at a wall composed entirely of superman.."

  7. Beware! by Billosaur · · Score: 5, Funny

    Instead, it will be formally named Jadarite when it is described in the European Journal of Mineralogy later this year.

    And somewhere on Earth, in an unknown fortress, a stranger from planet Jadar knows fear...

    --
    GetOuttaMySpace - The Anti-Social Network
  8. Re:"Superman could use it as a paperweight" by ScrewMaster · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's the greenish glow. It's all about the glow.

    --
    The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
  9. Re:So... by Rob+T+Firefly · · Score: 5, Funny

    Just as long as you don't add "tar" to the formula...

  10. Nah thanks.. by kadat · · Score: 2, Funny

    Sodium lithium boron siliaksdjalshk lajwbvbsbj? Nah, thanks, I think I'll stay with good old C2H5OH packed in a beer form. After all, few bottles of that make me a Superman too.

    1. Re:Nah thanks.. by errxn · · Score: 2, Funny

      It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a...drunk in a cape.

      --
      In Soviet Russia, Chuck Norris will still kick your ass.
  11. Re:So... by EveryNickIsTaken · · Score: 3, Funny

    Superman could oxidize Krypton with his laser eyes.

  12. Re:"Superman could use it as a paperweight" by gEvil+(beta) · · Score: 2, Funny

    Again, how do they know?

    Because the scientist used it to hold down his stack of Superman comics...

    --
    This guy's the limit!
  13. For sale? by LLuthor · · Score: 4, Funny

    Where can I buy some? Its still not on EBay!

    My henchmen are already on their way to pay the scientists a visit.

    --
    LL
  14. Even deadlier to Superman... by Dystopian+Rebel · · Score: 3, Funny

    is the case of Serbian slivovica found in the same mine.

    --
    Rich And Stupid is not so bad as Working For Rich And Stupid.
  15. Re:So... by SixFactor · · Score: 5, Funny

    Oh yeah? Well, Chuck Norris can create a thicker oxide layer with a well-placed roundhouse kick. :D

    --
    Science never settles, never rests.
  16. Why does nobody read the article by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    "The new mineral does not contain fluorine (which it does in the film) and is white rather than green but, in all other respects, the chemistry matches that for the rock containing kryptonite."

    So basically,
    1) it's not green,
    2) it's doesn't cause radiation of any kind,
    3) it's not a crystal
    4) it's not even the same set of elements

    How about "I was dating a girl a while back, I realised she was Cindy Crawford, oh yeah, she's not actually Cindy Crawford, just has some similarities. PS, She's a man."

  17. Re:Apparently no one reads..... by DikSeaCup · · Score: 4, Funny

    Watch out, Jimmy Olsen.

  18. Re:Kryptonite colors by Whiney+Mac+Fanboy · · Score: 4, Funny
    Wikipedia sez:

    Pink Kryptonite: From an alternate timeline in a 2003 Supergirl storyline by Peter David, this bizarre variety of Kryptonite apparently turned heterosexual Kryptonians temporarily into homosexuals; it was seen in just one panel, with Superman giving flattering compliments to Jimmy Olsen about his wardrobe and decorative sense. It spoofs the more "innocent times" of the Silver Age (Lois Lane is depicted in this story as not understanding what's gotten into Superman).[1]
    So, pink kryptonite turns superman gay. No word on orange kryptonite tho'

    This is one of those situations where you realise wikipedia's superiority over the competition. (I mean how much help would Encyclopedia Britannica have been for this question?;)
    --
    There are shills on slashdot. Apparently, I'm one of them.
  19. Re:"Superman could use it as a paperweight" by Minwee · · Score: 5, Funny

    Unless of course it is really Red Kryptonite or Blue Kryptonite or even the Pink Kryptonite that has the power to turn Superman gay.

    Then it wouldn't have to glow green.

  20. Re:So... by Rob+the+Bold · · Score: 2, Funny

    But it does apparently contain Jadar.

    So, in Serbian mines, Jadar contains kryptonite.

    --
    I am not a crackpot.
  21. Re:Which mine? by genooma · · Score: 3, Funny

    They probably don't want Superman to storm in and fuck up the place.

  22. Re:So... by jaavaaguru · · Score: 2, Funny

    So, in Serbian mines, Jadar contains kryptonite.

    That would read better as:

              "In Socialist Serbia, Jadar contains Kyyptonite"

    (AFAIK, Serbia was never a Soviet state, but was allied with Russia)
  23. This is VERY significant by Supercooldude · · Score: 3, Funny

    You guys are all missing the main reason this find is so significant for Serbia: The Croatians are gonna be super jealous!

  24. Re:"Superman could use it as a paperweight" by Stupidfat · · Score: 5, Funny

    Before commenting, please RTFA. I quote:

    "mineral blah blah kryptonite blah blah blah they know it is kryptonite because a GIANT FUCKING SEMITRANSPARENT HEAD APPEARED IN THE CAVE AND TOLD THEM IT WAS"

  25. Re:So... by Bloke+down+the+pub · · Score: 5, Funny

    What if you oxidise Sh?

    --
    It's true I tell you, feller at work's next door neighbour read it in the paper.
  26. Re:Sigh... by QuickFox · · Score: 3, Funny

    What? Are you saying that you wouldn't notice a chemical formula on the side of a box in a movie? You must be new here.

    --
    Terrorists can't threaten a country's freedom and democracy. Only lawmakers and voters can do that.
  27. Re:"Superman could use it as a paperweight" by Smidge204 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Mostly Harmless.

    =Smidge=

  28. Re:So... by MobileTatsu-NJG · · Score: 3, Funny

    "Oh yeah? Well, Chuck Norris can create a thicker oxide layer with a well-placed roundhouse kick. :D"

    Oh yeah? Well, Vin Diesel could pronounce Kryptonite.

    --

    "I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)

  29. Re:So... by EvanED · · Score: 2, Funny

    Only on /. would "Chuck Norris can create a thicker oxide layer with a well-placed roundhouse kick" get modded "insightful".

    Actually I'm sure that's not true.

  30. Re:So... by bheekling · · Score: 5, Funny
    --
    "..."
  31. Re:"Superman could use it as a paperweight" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    "Lois Lane is depicted in this story as not understanding what's gotten into Superman"

    Jimmy Olsen, obviously.

  32. Re:So... by TommydCat · · Score: 3, Funny
    Oh yeah? Well, Vin Diesel could pronounce Kryptonite.

    I can imagine that Vin's repertoire of movies is indeed quite toxic to Superman, as well as the average viewer...

    --
    This comment does not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the author.
  33. Re:So... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    What if you oxidise Sh?

    command.com?