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2007 Ig Nobel Awards Announced

prostoalex writes "The annual Ig Noble awards by Annals of Improbable Research were announced tonight. The winners included the scientists who discovered that impotence drugs help with jet lag recovery, "a Dutch researcher who conducted a census of all the creepy-crawlies that share our beds, Spanish scientists who found that rats sometimes could not distinguish between Japanese spoken backwards and Dutch spoken backwards, an Australian woman who documented the indexing problems caused by the word "the", a Japanese researcher who extracted vanilla flavoring from cow dung, and a Taiwanese man who patented a Batman-like device that drops a net over bank robbers," MSNBC says."

157 comments

  1. Summary forgot the best part! by SamP2 · · Score: 5, Funny

    The Gay Bomb which induces enemies to engage in homosexual behavior.

    I wonder how long before it becomes a political weapon of mass discreditation?

    1. Re:Summary forgot the best part! by User+956 · · Score: 3, Funny

      I wonder how long before it becomes a political weapon of mass discreditation?

      Given the way things are going in the GOP, I'm guessing it will become more of an excuse.

      --
      The theory of relativity doesn't work right in Arkansas.
    2. Re:Summary forgot the best part! by retro128 · · Score: 4, Funny

      I'm not sure if it's possible to get our government to screw each other and the public more than they are already.

      --
      -R
    3. Re:Summary forgot the best part! by Atario · · Score: 2, Funny

      Clearly, someone already set it off at some Republican convention.

      --
      "A great democracy must be progressive or it will soon cease to be a great democracy." --Theodore Roosevelt
    4. Re:Summary forgot the best part! by moosesocks · · Score: 1

      It would be pretty ironic if that got used against Iran.

      (Not that I would condone such a thing....)

      --
      -- If you try to fail and succeed, which have you done? - Uli's moose
    5. Re:Summary forgot the best part! by Opportunist · · Score: 1

      Watch this become the next "war on mass destruction weapons" for some conservative politicians.

      "It wasn't me. I would never do such a thing. Some terrorist must've set off a gay bomb nearby. Damn those terrorists!"

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
    6. Re:Summary forgot the best part! by ultranova · · Score: 1

      It would be pretty ironic if that got used against Iran.

      (Not that I would condone such a thing....)

      Then again, I seem to recall reading a study where it was found that monkeys who engage in sex often are less aggressive than those who don't. So maybe it should be mandated that politicians get laid at least thrice per week (once per day if they have nukes) ?

      --

      Forget magic. Any technology distinguishable from divine power is insufficiently advanced.

    7. Re:Summary forgot the best part! by Dragonslicer · · Score: 4, Funny

      Then again, I seem to recall reading a study where it was found that monkeys who engage in sex often are less aggressive than those who don't. So maybe it should be mandated that politicians get laid at least thrice per week (once per day if they have nukes) ? I guess that does explain quite a bit about Bill Clinton...
    8. Re:Summary forgot the best part! by morgan_greywolf · · Score: 1

      It would be pretty ironic if that got used against Iran. I assume, unlike the other two posters, that you are referring to the recent comments by the Iranian President given at Columbia University.

      Here's a fact of human sexuality: hetero- vs. homosexuality traits in human beings, like lots of other traits in biology and life sciences, exists on bell curve: About 10% are truely purely heterosexual, 10% are purely homosexual, and most people lie somewhere in between, with varying degrees of preferring one over the other.

      So, despite the Iranian President's remarks, Iran most certainly does have homosexuals. Statistically speaking, it should be somewhere around 10% of his population.

      Full disclosure: my wife is psychologist with degrees from a prestigious school.
    9. Re:Summary forgot the best part! by Whiteox · · Score: 1

      Would you guys please get a decent Pres? And while you're at it, an Administration as well?

      Thanks.

      --
      Don't be apathetic. Procrastinate!
    10. Re:Summary forgot the best part! by riffzifnab · · Score: 1

      This year's planned Ig Nobel program included a two-minute speech by keynote speaker Doug Zongker consisting only of the word "chicken," Ok, thats scary close to this comic from "The Parking Lot is Full" (RIP)
    11. Re:Summary forgot the best part! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This is humor? How is this at all funny? Seems like a cheap cliche to me...

    12. Re:Summary forgot the best part! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You do realize 'full disclosure' in this context is about being up-front about personal factors that could colour your opinion, like personal interests?
      Your use of it seems like kind of a non-sequitur.

    13. Re:Summary forgot the best part! by ralewi1 · · Score: 1
      I don't buy the numbers - "about 10%" has been thrown around for decades, based on the 1948 Kinsey study, but other studies point to ranges of 3-6% or even less. Here's the Google Answers report. And I haven't heard about a bell curve - you are either sexually attracted to the same gender or not. (Is there a bell curve for hair, eye or skin color?)

      In any case, Iran has homosexuals, otherwise they wouldn't need laws to execute those who commit sodomy.

    14. Re:Summary forgot the best part! by KillerBob · · Score: 1

      Ahh... but you see, in Iran, you can get a sex change operation as a "cure" for homosexuality.

      --
      If you believe everything you read, you'd better not read. - Japanese proverb
    15. Re:Summary forgot the best part! by SterlingSylver · · Score: 1

      And what does it say about George Bush? Two countries invaded and overthrown...working out some pent-up aggression?

    16. Re:Summary forgot the best part! by Tregod · · Score: 1

      Is this the same bomb you drop on your parents when coming out?

    17. Re:Summary forgot the best part! by Lord+Apathy · · Score: 1

      And what does it say about George Bush? Two countries invaded and overthrown...working out some pent-up aggression?

      Yeah, that would explain a lot. But look at the man. Would you fuck him? Didn't think so. Hell, most of the time he stands around looking like he's waiting for someone to peal his banana.

      --

      Supporting World Peace Through Nuclear Pacification

    18. Re:Summary forgot the best part! by Belacgod · · Score: 1

      We're working on it. Unlike most other countries, we can't have elections whenever we damn well please. 16 more months or thereabouts, and I promise we'll have someone better. Not necessarily someone good, but someone better.

    19. Re:Summary forgot the best part! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Sure, but... how do we get Bush to frequently engage in sexual relations with a monkey?!? After all, there are some things even a monkey won't do!

    20. Re:Summary forgot the best part! by moosesocks · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I was indeed referring to that with the heaviest of sarcasm.

      Since I suppose the slashdot nerds don't appear quite as up to speed on the situation, the President of Iran made a speech at Columbia University a week or two ago, where he proudly declared that there are absolutely no homosexuals in Iran.

      And, yes. Of course I understand that homosexuality is a naturally-occurring phenomenon (with strong statistical and biological evidence to support this). However, from what I understand, the bell-curve hypothesis isn't well-supported, especially with the peak centered around 50%. Whatever the estimates are regarding the distribution of human sexuality, it's safe to say that 50% of the population is NOT bisexual. In the gay community, there's also a surprising bit of contention over whether or not there are "real" bisexuals (especially among males).

      A more reasonable alternate proposed was a bimodal distribution with a large peak halfway between Heterosexual and bisexual, and a smaller peak halfway between bisexual and homosexual.

      --
      -- If you try to fail and succeed, which have you done? - Uli's moose
    21. Re:Summary forgot the best part! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Then again, I seem to recall reading a study where it was found that monkeys who engage in sex often are less aggressive than those who don't. So maybe it should be mandated that politicians get laid at least thrice per week (once per day if they have nukes) ?

      Sadly these monkeys have been deprecated in favour of the less libidinous garden ornament. In your analogy, I guess they would be the constitutional monarchs.
    22. Re:Summary forgot the best part! by Turmoyl · · Score: 1

      I wonder if that bomb would work against Iran considering there are no homosexuals there to begin with.

    23. Re:Summary forgot the best part! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You must be new here.

    24. Re:Summary forgot the best part! by jacksonj04 · · Score: 1

      Nope. I have several friends who identify as gay but will fool around with women, friends who identify as straight but have been known to have hand or blow jobs. I know bisexuals who prefer one over the other.

      As for hair, eye, skin colour of course there are varying degrees of preference. I prefer women with a bit of tone to their skin, which is a gradual process. Pasty-white women and jet-black women aren't for me sexually (Although I'm damn good friends with some of both), but my attraction varies depending on skin tone. There is no magical "too white - goes on holiday for 3 days to get a slight tan - wow she's nice". Same with hair (colour, length, weight) and eyes (brightness, size etc).

      Gender is interesting because you have several dimensions at once, not all of which have something different at both ends. You can probably split it into at least mental, physical and attitude for male and female aspects, giving at least 6 dimensions, any of which a person may be at any point along and which you may be attracted to any point of. I don't know if you can model it on a bell curve, but it sure as hell isn't a matter of attracted/not

      --
      How many people can read hex if only you and dead people can read hex?
    25. Re:Summary forgot the best part! by tmasssey · · Score: 1

      I love it. You mock a person's intelligence, yet can't tell the difference between ringing a bell and removing the skin of a fruit...

    26. Re:Summary forgot the best part! by sunwukong · · Score: 1

      We have a winner!

    27. Re:Summary forgot the best part! by Lord+Apathy · · Score: 1

      You mock a person's intelligence, yet can't tell the difference between ringing a bell and removing the skin of a fruit...

      Actually, I can I was just to lazy to correct it. I knew I spelled it wrong when I did. Never mistake lazyness with stupidty because when you go to correct them it only makes you look foolish too.

      Now then. I wasn't mocking anyones intelligence, but the lack of. http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/5673/angry20bushsi8.jpg

      I rest my case.

      --

      Supporting World Peace Through Nuclear Pacification

    28. Re:Summary forgot the best part! by tmasssey · · Score: 1

      Actually, I can I was just to lazy to correct it.

      You know, you make it just too easy... Like clubbing baby seals. The irony.

    29. Re:Summary forgot the best part! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You mean a weapon of ass destruction?

    30. Re:Summary forgot the best part! by Lord+Apathy · · Score: 1

      fucking nazi's....

      --

      Supporting World Peace Through Nuclear Pacification

    31. Re:Summary forgot the best part! by TriggerFin · · Score: 1

      However, from what I understand, the bell-curve hypothesis isn't well-supported, especially with the peak centered around 50%. Whatever the estimates are regarding the distribution of human sexuality, it's safe to say that 50% of the population is NOT bisexual.

      A bell curve centered at 50% with 10% each solidly homo- and hetero- would leave 80% bisexual, with 50% of that bi- population having a slight to very strong preference for the same sex rather than the opposite, which definitely is utter rubbish.

      Though I suppose there'd actually be a portion with no preference at all, and the curve leaves out the segment with a preference for no sex whatsoever, which half the people reading this stuff know full well is an actual, if small, population.
      --
      Here's your sig.
    32. Re:Summary forgot the best part! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You mean "weapon of ass destruction" surely?

    33. Re:Summary forgot the best part! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This time, it had to be intentional irony, right?

  2. Noble uses by speaker+of+the+truth · · Score: 2, Interesting

    It would actually be great for countries with overpopulation actually.

    --
    Using openSUSE instead of Windows since 9th of October, 2007 and liking it.
    1. Re:Noble uses by somersault · · Score: 1, Troll

      Actually? Like really, actually? And the people in third world conditions don't tend to have kids just because they don't know about birth control - it's for helping around the house (especially for when they get older), and also they have lots because some are bound to die, etc. Actually.

      --
      which is totally what she said
    2. Re:Noble uses by speaker+of+the+truth · · Score: 2, Informative

      Actually? Like really, actually? And the people in third world conditions don't tend to have kids just because they don't know about birth control - it's for helping around the house (especially for when they get older), and also they have lots because some are bound to die, etc. Actually. Right. But its one thing to have sex with someone because you enjoy it AND you could always use an extra pair of hands. Its quite another to have sex with someone that repulses you ONLY because you need an extra pair of hands. While the latter will still happen, it will happen less then the former.

      How is my post flamebait anyway? On average homosexuals do have less sex with women the heterosexuals.
      --
      Using openSUSE instead of Windows since 9th of October, 2007 and liking it.
    3. Re:Noble uses by somersault · · Score: 0, Redundant

      The original post does come across as flamebait, maybe you could have explained it more and then people would have seen that you meant it seriously..

      --
      which is totally what she said
    4. Re:Noble uses by speaker+of+the+truth · · Score: 1

      Kinda serious, kinda kidding. It was serious insomuch as the premise (of a bomb that turns people gay) itself allows ;)

      --
      Using openSUSE instead of Windows since 9th of October, 2007 and liking it.
    5. Re:Noble uses by somersault · · Score: 1

      I'm pretty sure it's real, heard about it a few years ago

      --
      which is totally what she said
    6. Re:Noble uses by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The bomb doesn't make them gay. Just makes them incredibly horny. When men are incredibly horny they'd fuck anything. So... do that in a room of crowded men and they'd fuck each other.

    7. Re:Noble uses by TheVelvetFlamebait · · Score: 1

      The bomb doesn't make them gay. Just makes them incredibly horny. When men are incredibly horny they'd fuck anything.
      Well, there's another noble use: parties! They could have a big warning sticker on the packaging saying, "Ensure attractive females are on hand".
      --
      You know, there is a difference between trolling and pointing out the flaws in your reasoning. Just saying.
    8. Re:Noble uses by smittyoneeach · · Score: 1

      on hand
      Literally, or synecdoche?
      --
      Get thee glass eyes, and, like a scurvy politician, seem to see things thou dost not.--King Lear
    9. Re:Noble uses by Red+Flayer · · Score: 1

      But its one thing to have sex with someone because you enjoy it AND you could always use an extra pair of hands.
      Well, I don't know about you, but I think it's another thing entirely to have sex with someone who has an extra pair of hands.
      --
      "Trolls they were, but filled with the evil will of their master: a fell race..." -- J.R.R. Tolkien on Olog-hai
    10. Re:Noble uses by tehcyder · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      How is my post flamebait anyway? On average homosexuals do have less sex with women the heterosexuals.
      It's flamebait here because the average slashdotter is (a) absolutely and positively not gay, and (b) a virgin.

      So in fact there are probably a quite a few gay men who have had more sex with women than the average "heterosexual" here.

      --
      To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
    11. Re:Noble uses by Lord+Apathy · · Score: 1

      The bomb doesn't make them gay. Just makes them incredibly horny. When men are incredibly horny they'd fuck anything.

      I was going to call you on this one but got to thinking about it. There has been some goats showing up with bare asses around here lately. That gives some credence to your idea.

      --

      Supporting World Peace Through Nuclear Pacification

    12. Re:Noble uses by darth+dickinson · · Score: 1

      Maybe in your world.

    13. Re:Noble uses by CrimsonScythe · · Score: 0

      Yes, it's true. All the scientists who originally developed the weapon changed careers after a horrible lab accident, in which the weapon accidentally discharged. Fortunately, they were quite successful in their new jobs as well.

      --
      The view was horrible and the smell was even worse; Julie severely regretted becoming a proctologist.
    14. Re:Noble uses by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Uhm... do you seriously believe it's possible to turn a straight person gay with pheromones? All they could accomplish is a general increase in libido. If anything people would be having more children.

      Presumably the only reason this notion was ever entertained in military application is the absence of women from combat units. Well actually, that and Air Force brass actually have too much money actually at their disposal and actually not enough sense actually to actually spend it wisely actually. Whee!

    15. Re:Noble uses by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      On average homosexuals do have less sex with women the heterosexuals. unless the homosexuals *are* women ...
  3. Well... by KGIII · · Score: 1

    At least no animals were harmed during the construction of their site. Or were they? (I prefer the Darwin Awards personally and think those should be televised.) Either way it seems they've got the /. effect going on there as the site isn't reachable any more.

    --
    "So long and thanks for all the fish."
    1. Re:Well... by rts008 · · Score: 1

      Televised Darwin Awards?!?!?
      For that I would actually start watching TV again! Finally, a REAL reality show!

      I am intrigued sir, and would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

      Why yes, I am cynical, and believe society has outsmarted itself. It's a case of we are educated beyond our intelligence.

      --
      Down With Slashdot BETA!!! I've been around the corner and seen the oliphant; you can only abuse me from your perspecti
    2. Re:Well... by Propaganda13 · · Score: 1

      Darwin Awards televised? Having an award show where there's no one to accept the awards?

      OK, there are a few winners that are still alive, but sterile.

    3. Re:Well... by KGIII · · Score: 2, Funny

      Be grateful they can't breed. But, well, the family could accept the award on their behalf or we could just mock them from the stands or at home while drinking. Okay. I'd do that. Other people might say that I'm politically correct or something. (I'd then call them Pinko Fags just to prove a point but they'd likely not get it.)

      --
      "So long and thanks for all the fish."
  4. just subtract the expenses from revenue by User+956 · · Score: 5, Funny

    a Taiwanese man who patented a Batman-like device that drops a net over bank robbers

    Yes, well, he only developed it because he was interested in the net profit.

    --
    The theory of relativity doesn't work right in Arkansas.
    1. Re:just subtract the expenses from revenue by clarkkent09 · · Score: 5, Funny

      Yes, and the guy extracted vanilla flavor from cow dung because he was interested in gross profit

      --
      Negative moral value of force outweighs the positive value of good intentions.
    2. Re:just subtract the expenses from revenue by julesh · · Score: 1

      So the plan goes:

      1. Patent comic book style device
      2. Subtract expenses from revenue
      3. Profit

      Hmmm.

    3. Re:just subtract the expenses from revenue by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      He just wanted to make a shitload of money.

    4. Re:just subtract the expenses from revenue by ozbon · · Score: 1

      I thought it was just a crap business plan.

      Or maybe he looked at SCO, and realised he *could* make money from bullshit...

      --
      I say we take off and nuke it from orbit. It's the only way to be sure...
    5. Re:just subtract the expenses from revenue by WED+Fan · · Score: 3, Funny

      So the plan goes:
      1. Patent comic book style device
      2. Subtract expenses from revenue
      3. Profit

      Hmmm.

      You F O O L !!!! You actually named step 2. Do you realize the consequences of such an action? The Universe could end. Entropy could accelerate. Look, it's already begun. Why? Why did you do such a thing? Were you not thinking of the children?

      Great, that and global warming.

      --
      Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong fix.
    6. Re:just subtract the expenses from revenue by misterlump77 · · Score: 1
      Yes, well, he only developed it because he was interested in the net profit.

      make.. the... pain.. stop...

    7. Re:just subtract the expenses from revenue by nuzak · · Score: 1

      Money out the wazoo, even.

      --
      Done with slashdot, done with nerds, getting a life.
    8. Re:just subtract the expenses from revenue by ashitaka · · Score: 1

      It was a woman.

      A very nice looking woman.

      And I have no idea why she came up with this.

      --
      If you don't want to repeat the past, stop living in it.
  5. Murder by 75th+Trombone · · Score: 1

    *BANG*

    --
    The United States of America: We do what we must because we can.
  6. Finally loaded... by KGIII · · Score: 1

    I wish it hadn't... ""Autotrophic Organisms in Mattress Dust in the Netherlands," B. van de Lustgraaf, J.H.H.M." Yay?!? FTW.

    --
    "So long and thanks for all the fish."
  7. The indexing thing by Daimanta · · Score: 5, Insightful

    an Australian woman who documented the indexing problems caused by the word "the" Is it just me, or is that pretty handy to know. Words like "the" and "of" pretty much clutter non-smart registers.
    --
    Knowledge is power. Knowledge shared is power lost.
    1. Re:The indexing thing by elh_inny · · Score: 1

      Indeed. "The" also causes problems with TOC and any similar lists. Any folder listing, or an online shop or anything really lists massive amount of records starting with "The", so actually I'd say it's a very useful research.

    2. Re:The indexing thing by UnHolier+than+ever · · Score: 1
      Yes, it is. The problem is not that the the's and of's aren't a problem. The problem is that this particular problem can be described, analyzed and solved in a single sentence. For example, the sentence

      Words like "the" and "of" pretty much clutter non-smart registers. does the trick. For completeness, maybe I might add "Registers that ignore words like "the" and "of" are more efficient than those that doesn't". If I really wanted to put myself into it, I guess I could do some research and say something like "47% more efficient", but when implementing an algorithm that you know will make your search engine better takes less time than figuring out exactly how much better, you can skip the study part and implement it already.
    3. Re:The indexing thing by ozbird · · Score: 1

      Won't someone think of The The, you insensitive clod.

    4. Re:The indexing thing by ajs318 · · Score: 1

      Well, normally you just s/^([tT][hH][eE])\s*(\S.*)$/\2, the/ -- but then, what do you do when filing CDs by the pop group The The ?

      --
      Je fume. Tu fumes. Nous fûmes!
    5. Re:The indexing thing by KDR_11k · · Score: 2, Informative

      This is why most lists move a leading "the" or other particle to the end of the name. If you want that taken to the extreme try military indexing, they move all adjectives behind the noun (except in France because in France everything's backwards from the start).

      --
      Justice is the sheep getting arrested while an impartial judge declares the vote void.
    6. Re:The indexing thing by armb · · Score: 3, Insightful

      > "Registers that ignore words like "the" and "of" are more efficient than those that doesn't"

      There speaks a man who has never tried finding music by The The on Amazon.

      --
      rant
    7. Re:The indexing thing by ribuck · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Heh, it's actually my sister who won this Ig Nobel prize for doing research on how to index "The". The premier geek in the family, and she doesn't even try to be one!

      As she points out in her research, how are you ever going to look up the band "The The" unless the word "the" is indexed. And if you index it sometimes, shouldn't you index it always?

    8. Re:The indexing thing by JimFive · · Score: 1

      No, obviously, you should only index the when it is used as a noun, not as an article. So the band "The The" should be indexed under "The, The" by moving the article to the end.

      Obviously
      --
      JimFive

      --
      Please stop using the word theory when you mean hypothesis.
    9. Re:The indexing thing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    10. Re:The indexing thing by Experiment+626 · · Score: 1

      But always indexing "the" would cause problems as well. For instance, some of the Eagles albums say "The Eagles", and some are just "Eagles". Would you want them to show up as two separate bands in your database and have to remember which one to look under to find Hotel California?

    11. Re:The indexing thing by autophile · · Score: 1

      As she points out in her research, how are you ever going to look up the band "The The" unless the word "the" is indexed. And if you index it sometimes, shouldn't you index it always?

      I didn't even know there was a problem with indexing "the". I thought the rule was, if a title has an article as the first word, ignore it and index from there. Or something like that. By that rule, "The The" would be indexed as "The, The".

      --Rob

      --
      Towards the Singularity.
    12. Re:The indexing thing by Deadstick · · Score: 2, Funny

      So, ummm, what will those guys call themselves if they get a gig in Russia?

      rj

    13. Re:The indexing thing by Fear+the+Clam · · Score: 1

      Tell your sister she rocks. I was just trying to search The The in my iTunes library yesterday and cursing this very problem.

    14. Re:The indexing thing by ystar · · Score: 1

      Well if you're listening to The The for any reason other than to hear Johnny Marr's post Smiths work (and thus you have it tagged with Marr as well), you're probably better off not hearing it in the first place.

    15. Re:The indexing thing by Palpitations · · Score: 1

      Congrats to your sister! Ig Noble prizes are almost always good for a laugh - but they are also almost all cases that are good for either a "why hasn't anyone thought of that before?", or a "you have to be batshit insane, but also a genius, for finding things where most people wouldn't ever think to look" award ;) At least in the context surrounding that research.

      I get the feeling your sister might fall into both of those categories - and that's certainly not anything to be ashamed of. Indeed, historically it's often people who fall into both of those categories who have the largest influence on science.

      Now then, working on indexing "the"? Yeah, not as big a deal as many other discoveries that could be described in that way... But her work could very well lead to better search algorithms in the future, which could help countless researchers. Is it groundbreaking? A monumental shift? A change in the current paradigm? No, probably not... But it could certainly lead to incremental improvements in research, and for that, I salute her!

    16. Re:The indexing thing by Lord+Apathy · · Score: 0, Troll

      my sister who won this Ig Nobel prize for doing research on how to index "The". The premier geek in the family, and she doesn't even try to be one

      Sister? Really? Is she hot? Single, married? Happlly? Is she legal? Can you post a picture?

      What? We all wanted to know, I'm just uncouth enough to ask?

      --

      Supporting World Peace Through Nuclear Pacification

    17. Re:The indexing thing by forkazoo · · Score: 1

      Is it just me, or is that pretty handy to know. Words like "the" and "of" pretty much clutter non-smart registers.


      Others have mentioned the band The The, but I'd also like to add "Invisible Man" and "The Invisible Man" to the list of reasons why The can be a bother. They are two completely different books.
    18. Re:The indexing thing by armb · · Score: 1

      Yes, they've more recently improved (than some years ago) the search by not totally ignoring "the" when indexing, and ignoring it in a search even when quoted. The point is that just ignoring it isn't the whole answer. And it's still weirdly unreliable, because when I tried it before posting, it didn't work. Trying it again now, it shows "Matt Johnson" as a "related search", which it didn't before (but searching for an album name and then clicking on the artist name did work - maybe doing that boosted the search priority).

      --
      rant
    19. Re:The indexing thing by pla · · Score: 1

      but then, what do you do when filing CDs by the pop group The The ?

      I have no problem with them, since in context it doesn't count as an article. Thus, they have the only spot in my home music archive to start with the (whole) word "The".

      Having the word repeated just makes it clear that that directory really contains what it says, rather than resulting from an accident of syntax such as "mkdir the who".

    20. Re:The indexing thing by Tablizer · · Score: 1

      I adjusted the search parameters to find "the The band", and instead came up with a bunch of websites about stuttering.

    21. Re:The indexing thing by xPsi · · Score: 1

      No, obviously, you should only index the when it is used as a noun, not as an article. So the band "The The" should be indexed under "The, The" by moving the article to the end. I always thought the first "The" was being used as an adjective...
      --
      i\hbar\dot{\psi}=\hat{H}\psi
    22. Re:The indexing thing by ibrown1 · · Score: 0

      For those who are interested, Glenda Browne's full article "The definite article: acknowledging The in index entries", which won the Literature IgNobel, is available on The Indexer's Website: http://www.theindexer.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=58&Itemid=46

    23. Re:The indexing thing by JasonBee · · Score: 1

      Jesus - no f'ing kidding.

      I was stoked to find that iTunes, at some version date, started correctly placing the band name "The Cure" BEFORE Devo in the sorting order. That way some tracks I have named "Cure" and The Cure all remain clustered.

      Stupid studies like this are what truly help make the world more productive.

      If she needs Paypal donations to fund her next study sign me up. Maybe she can turn her sights on the Slashdot "dupe" phenomenon.

      JB

    24. Re:The indexing thing by JasonBee · · Score: 1

      I didn't know Ron Jeremy was into research?

      I guess he would be indexed under Thing, The?

      JB

  8. Mice Commissioned Earth by RuBLed · · Score: 3, Funny

    Spanish scientists who found that rats sometimes could not distinguish between Japanese spoken backwards and Dutch spoken backwards.
    I don't believe that's the case...
    1. Re:Mice Commissioned Earth by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      tkend u taw eid tein mo neveg nezium eD

    2. Re:Mice Commissioned Earth by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      !keeeuqs ,keeeuqS

    3. Re:Mice Commissioned Earth by AVee · · Score: 1

      I think there is a grammar error in there somewhere. I'm not quite sure though.

    4. Re:Mice Commissioned Earth by Da+Fokka · · Score: 1

      That depends - was it supposed to be Dutch or Japanese?

    5. Re:Mice Commissioned Earth by Racemaniac · · Score: 1

      well, that was a nice word by word translation of "the mice don't care about what you think", but unfortunately, it's not dutch :p it should have been tkend u taw mo tein neveg nezium ed

    6. Re:Mice Commissioned Earth by Killjoy_NL · · Score: 1


      tkend u taw eid tein mo neveg nezium eD

      This dutch backwards :) but horrible HORRIBLE translated dutch.

      --
      This is the sig that says NI (again)
    7. Re:Mice Commissioned Earth by derjames · · Score: 0

      I'd like to know the reference of that paper...

    8. Re:Mice Commissioned Earth by JimFive · · Score: 1

      Spanish scientists who found that rats sometimes could not distinguish between Japanese spoken backwards and Dutch spoken backwards.
      Does this imply that sometimes the mice could distinguish between Japanese spoken backwards and Dutch spoken backwards.

      Those sound like some pretty smart mice.

      --
      Jimfive
      --
      Please stop using the word theory when you mean hypothesis.
    9. Re:Mice Commissioned Earth by KH · · Score: 1

      I sort of understand some Dutch, but what does "neeb evah dlouhs ti" mean? ognohin onamasakas etteros?

    10. Re:Mice Commissioned Earth by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    11. Re:Mice Commissioned Earth by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This dutch backwards :) but horrible HORRIBLE translated dutch.

      Jeez, I'd hoped you would be sufficiently impressed that a mouse was using a computer to resist quibbling the grammar !

    12. Re:Mice Commissioned Earth by nuzak · · Score: 1

      > what does "neeb evah dlouhs ti" mean?

      I don't know, but if you figure it out, you might be able to decipher the average post on a counterstrike forum.

      --
      Done with slashdot, done with nerds, getting a life.
    13. Re:Mice Commissioned Earth by vaporland · · Score: 1

      neither can I

      --
      Ask Me About... The 80's!
  9. Why don't we see Climate Science in here..? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I understand Bush has just announced a "War on Weather".......

    1. Re:Why don't we see Climate Science in here..? by KGIII · · Score: 2, Funny

      Yes and weather is 14 to 7 but it is still the first half so he's maintaining hope.

      --
      "So long and thanks for all the fish."
    2. Re:Why don't we see Climate Science in here..? by GigG · · Score: 1

      No that would be the other side that has declared that war.

      --
      Is buying a Harley Davidson as your first motorcycle since you were 16 at age 49 a midlife crisis issue?
  10. Japanese spoken backwards by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    rats sometimes could not distinguish between Japanese spoken backwards and Dutch spoken backwards

    I don't know about rats, but apparently humans cannot distinguish between Japanese spoken backwards and Howard Dean screaming backwards.

    1. Re:Japanese spoken backwards by ajs318 · · Score: 1

      Humans can't distinguish well between any languages they don't speak. This was the premise for The Murders in the Rue Morgue .

      --
      Je fume. Tu fumes. Nous fûmes!
    2. Re:Japanese spoken backwards by KillerBob · · Score: 1

      Sure they can. They just need to know a related language. I can distinguish between Italian, Spanish, Latin, Romansch and French, even though I only speak Spanish, Latin, and French. I can distinguish between German, Dutch, English, etc. Even though I only speak English. I can distinguish between Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, and Korean, even though the only language from that part of the world I speak is Japanese.

      You may not be able to distinguish the language, but all you really need is exposure to it, and an ear that's trained to hear the differences in the language. It isn't actually that hard.

      Now ask me to read a language like Korean, and I'm as useless as you.

      --
      If you believe everything you read, you'd better not read. - Japanese proverb
    3. Re:Japanese spoken backwards by ajs318 · · Score: 1

      I was a little imprecise, I think. I didn't so much mean you had to speak the language, just know what it sounds like when spoken and maybe recognise a few words. You don't have to know how to construct a sentence or anything. Funny thing, language.

      Anyone who speaks English can already read a few words in a few foreign languages, just from the ingredients lists on food packaging. Hearing a foreign language spoken, so you get the sounds (most languages don't use every single sound the human voicebox can make; English has haitches which are missing from the Southern European languages; French and German have a "u" sound that is missing from English; Dutch and German have a "ch" sound that is in Spanish but not in English {except in borrowed words}, and so forth) and the cadence (English seems unique among the Western languages, with its alternation of stressed and unstressed syllables) also helps you distinguish it.

      --
      Je fume. Tu fumes. Nous fûmes!
  11. it is common sense, why the research by someone1234 · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Any intelligent indexing already ignores the clutter. This was a completely redundant research.

    --
    Patents Drive Free Software as Hurricanes Drive Construction Industry
    1. Re:it is common sense, why the research by mooglez · · Score: 1

      Oh the irony of the Parent poster getting tagged as Redundant :)

    2. Re:it is common sense, why the research by Captain+Nitpick · · Score: 1

      Any intelligent indexing already ignores the clutter. This was a completely redundant research.

      Because being considered "common sense" does not make something true or factual. It makes it widely-believed.

      --
      But then again, I could be wrong.
  12. Itchy? Mites are eating your dead skin. by Futurepower(R) · · Score: 2, Interesting
  13. Wrong superhero by carou · · Score: 3, Insightful

    a Batman-like device that drops a net over bank robbers

    Well, that's a Spiderman-like device then, surely?
    1. Re:Wrong superhero by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I think it would be slightly more organic if it was spidermans "device." Batman bought all his toys.

  14. Soup Bowl experiment may help dieting by Russell+Coker · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The research that showed people eating more soup (without feeling more full) if the bowl was filled without them noticing is not interesting on it's own. But if the opposite is true then it may be commercially successful.

    What if you had a soup bowl that sucked soup out without the eater noticing, if they felt full after believing that they ate a large bowl of soup then it might make dieting a lot easier!

    If the appearance of food size determines how much people eat then maybe different shaped bowls could affect how much people eat. Maybe a bowl that makes a serve of food look big would encourage people to eat less.

    --
    See http://etbe.coker.com.au/ for my blog.
    1. Re:Soup Bowl experiment may help dieting by ajs318 · · Score: 1

      I read (a long time ago!) that if you ever go on a calorie-controlled diet, you should try eating from a smaller plate. The reason given was that it will look as though you have eaten more than you really have.

      I went to a restaurant once that quite assuredly did not work on this principle! The plates were enormous, but the portions were minuscule -- and a bit undercooked. The toilets were clean, though.

      --
      Je fume. Tu fumes. Nous fûmes!
    2. Re:Soup Bowl experiment may help dieting by dargaud · · Score: 1

      I have at home some old wine glasses used in some bars 100~150 years ago. The glass gets much thicker towards the bottom and if you look at a full glass it acts like a magnifier: all the glass appears to be wine. But then you finish your wine in less than half the gulps you'd expect... A neat trick.

      --
      Non-Linux Penguins ?
    3. Re:Soup Bowl experiment may help dieting by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

      Some research has indeed been done on the subject, as I recall watching a tv program detailing that sort of research work.

      IIRC, people ate more when:
      1. they had bigger plates.
      2. they were given bigger servings.
      3. they were in the company of someone they enjoyed.
      4. they listened to certain kinds of music (though I don't specifically recall what kinds, whether it was selected for enjoyment or other factors)

      there were other details which were factored in, but I don't recall them all.

    4. Re:Soup Bowl experiment may help dieting by jollyreaper · · Score: 1

      If the appearance of food size determines how much people eat then maybe different shaped bowls could affect how much people eat. Maybe a bowl that makes a serve of food look big would encourage people to eat less. You ever eat Mexican? The plates come out and you're like "Yog-Sothoth, I could never eat all this!" And sure enough, you do. But part of why it looks so huge on the plate is so much of the food is flat. Refried beans just squish out. The rice can be squished flat. The burrito may be rounded or it could be flat as well. It's still more food than you should be eating in one meal but it looks like twice as much as it actually is.
      --
      Kwisatz Haderach
      Sell the spice to CHOAM
      This Mahdi took Shaddam's Throne
    5. Re:Soup Bowl experiment may help dieting by sconeu · · Score: 1

      This is true. They tell us this in WeightWatchers(tm).

      --
      General Relativity: Space-time tells matter where to go; Matter tells space-time what shape to be.
    6. Re:Soup Bowl experiment may help dieting by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The documentary you were watching is probably the PBS special Fat: What no one is telling you. Brian Wansink, the Ig Nobel prize winner for the bottomless bowl of soup, appears in it (and is presumably the guy who presented the facts you listed).

      And, yes, even though the bottomless bowl sounds silly, it is valuable psychological research. I can't think of a better way to test for fullness independently from vessel size, and the research clearly shows that people do not logically connect the two as you'd expect. One possible implication of this research, as covered in the documentary, is that growing plate, bowl, and glass sizes may be partially responsible for the obesity problem in America; the dinner plates from the 1950s (shown in the program) are barely larger than the plates we use for side salads today.

  15. Professor Frink? by ideonode · · Score: 2, Funny

    I just noticed that the Ig Nobel mantra is "Research that makes people LAUGH and then THINK". I wonder whether Professor Frink deliberately echoed that in his little ditty: " Professor Frink, Professor Frink, He'll make you laugh, he'll make you think". After all, Professor Frink certainly deserves a few Ig Nobel Awards...

  16. Gay bomb - who tested this? by Russell+Coker · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I wonder who tested the "gay bomb" for the US air force?

    Sounds like a good excuse for some guys who were gay already "we're not gay, we're testing some new weapons". If they didn't ban gay men from joining the military this wouldn't be a problem.

    Alexander the Great seemed to be successful in his military campaigns with a significant number of homosexuals in his army. Maybe the US military would be more effective if they used the "gay bomb" on their own guys.

    --
    See http://etbe.coker.com.au/ for my blog.
    1. Re:Gay bomb - who tested this? by ThirdPrize · · Score: 1

      Could be intersting if your foe has some of those 'extreme' fundementalist beliefs. Just the thought of their army 'swapping sides' would be enough to freak em out.

      --
      I have excellent Karma and I am not afraid to Troll it.
    2. Re:Gay bomb - who tested this? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      The gay bomb was nothing more than a strong aphrodisiac "bomb". Doesn't make them gay, just temporarily horny.

    3. Re:Gay bomb - who tested this? by WilliamSChips · · Score: 4, Funny

      And more importantly, when will this show up on Torchwood?

      --
      Please, for the good of Humanity, vote Obama.
    4. Re:Gay bomb - who tested this? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      would that be very friendly fire ?

    5. Re:Gay bomb - who tested this? by Nazlfrag · · Score: 1

      In the prequel, obviously.

  17. Viagra and jet lag by oz1cz · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I must have missed something.

    Medical science is full of instances where a drug designed for one thing turns out to be useful for other things as well. Why, then, is it so amusing to consider if Viagra may have interesting and useful side effects?

    1. Re:Viagra and jet lag by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      *whoosh*

    2. Re:Viagra and jet lag by ArAgost · · Score: 5, Informative

      It is quite amusing if you think that what is now considered the main effect of Viagra was considered a side effect during the initial tests :)

    3. Re:Viagra and jet lag by MMC+Monster · · Score: 2, Informative

      I'm missing the idea as well. For a while high-dose melatonin was suggested to prevent jet lag (It worked for me, and also seems to improve my "performance" in bed as well). You never know what unusual side effects a medication has.

      Viagra in particular is also the cheapest drug to treat pulmonary hypertension. Some other drugs to treat it literally cost hundreds of thousands of dollars per year.

      --
      Help! I'm a slashdot refugee.
    4. Re:Viagra and jet lag by eataTREE · · Score: 1

      Indeed, Viagra itself was originally developed as a medication to treat high blood pressure and angina. It didn't do so well at treating either of those conditions, but the side effects proved to be very profitable!

    5. Re:Viagra and jet lag by aquatone282 · · Score: 1

      Why, then, is it so amusing to consider if Viagra may have interesting and useful side effects?

      You mean like erections lasting longer than 4 hours?

      --
      What?
    6. Re:Viagra and jet lag by The+One+and+Only · · Score: 1

      Because penises are funny.

      --
      In Repressive Burma, it's not just your connection that dies. slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=314547&cid=20819199
    7. Re:Viagra and jet lag by nuzak · · Score: 1

      Prozac was originally an anti-inflammatory drug. Friend of mine actually got it prescribed for his back pain. It probably helped that he really needed a antidepressant anyway.

      --
      Done with slashdot, done with nerds, getting a life.
  18. Really? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    a Japanese researcher who extracted vanilla flavoring from cow dung

    No matter how you sugarcoat it, that's just a load of bullshit.

  19. My fave... by fudgefactor7 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    ...a Japanese researcher who extracted vanilla flavoring from cow dung,...
     
    Ummm,....why would you even try? WTF?

    1. Re:My fave... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      All I can say is... Hey, this vanilla ice cream tastes like cow manure!


      My father claims that as a child he used to intentionally stand in fresh cow pies to keep his feet warm. Perhaps the stuff really isn't that bad?

    2. Re:My fave... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Ummm,....why would you even try? WTF?


      Real vanilla is actually quite expensive. Cow dung... not so much.
  20. From the bank robber Batman net device patent by Dachannien · · Score: 2, Funny

    27. The device according to claim 26 wherein said device goes "WHAM", "POW", or "BIFF" when used.

    1. Re:From the bank robber Batman net device patent by Tablizer · · Score: 2, Funny

      The device according to claim 26 wherein said device goes "WHAM", "POW", or "BIFF" when used.

      No, those are the names soldiers give each other after exposure to the Gay Bomb mentioned above.

  21. Ahhh... America bashing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Can you please identify your country, so we can admire its leadership?

    1. Re:Ahhh... America bashing by Whiteox · · Score: 2, Funny

      Australia.

      --
      Don't be apathetic. Procrastinate!
  22. Whither "The The"? by whyde · · Score: 3, Funny

    Simple. It goes under "The, The."

    1. Re:Whither "The The"? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ...or "Die, Die" on amazon.de.

  23. ObAllYourBase by sconeu · · Score: 2

    Somebody set us up the gay bomb!

    --
    General Relativity: Space-time tells matter where to go; Matter tells space-time what shape to be.
  24. Quilmes National University? by Garabito · · Score: 1

    Did they name the university after a beer brand?

    1. Re:Quilmes National University? by mangu · · Score: 1
      Did they name the university after a beer brand?


      I suppose they named both university and beer after a city

  25. Re:The indexing thing - to and in by Tablizer · · Score: 1

    Search engines often exclude words like "to" and "in" also. There have been a couple of times where these were paramount to find a match, but didn't since they were ignored. I wish I could remember the examples because they were frustrating. I tried other angles and eventually found matches through mostly link hopping, not the search engine.

    And no, it wasn't "dick in mouth" :-)

  26. hello cutie... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    how about you and I go and do our civic duty ?

  27. Re:The indexing thing - to and in by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    probably "dick in a box"

  28. When I was going to college this was the "Journal of Irreproducible Results", a comic relief for such "wound up" scientist and researchers. I remember one issue with the cover page picture of a shark liver cell that happen to look like a shark.