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Grad Student Wins Alan Alda's Flame Challenge

Posted by Soulskill on from the wins-free-M*A*S*H-dvd-set dept.

eldavojohn writes "Scientists have long been criticized of their inability to communicate complex ideas adequately to the rest of society. Similar to his questions on PBS' Scientific American Frontiers, actor Alan Alda wrote to the journal Science with a proposition called The Flame Challenge (PDF). Contestants would have to explain a flame to an eleven-year-old kid, and the entries would be judged by thousands of children across the country. The winner of The Flame Challenge is quantum physics grad student Ben Ames, whose animated video covers concepts like pyrolysis, chemiluminescence, oxidation and incandescence boiled into a humorous video, complete with song. Now they are asking children age 10-12 to suggest the next question for the Flame Challenge. Kids out there, what would you like scientists to explain?"

7 of 161 comments (clear)

  1. Fucking magnets how do they work? by h4rr4r · · Score: 5, Funny

    âoeFUCKING MAGNETS, HOW DO THEY WORK?
    And I don't wanna talk to a scientist

    1. Re:Fucking magnets how do they work? by v1 · · Score: 3, Funny

      FUCKING MAGNETS, HOW DO THEY WORK?

      yes, that would be an attractive video to watch!

      --
      I work for the Department of Redundancy Department.
  2. How Women's Minds Work by fallen1 · · Score: 3, Funny

    I'd enjoy hearing the explanation behind how women's minds work. Seriously. I'm sure most guys out there have experienced the "I think I've finally figured out most of what makes her tick. Now I just need to.. what the fuck?! She just did the opposite of what I.. never mind, I give up."

    Oh, wait, this is /. I'm talking about... ;-)

    --

    Dream as if you'll live forever.
    Live as if you'll die tomorrow.
    ~Anonymous~

    1. Re:How Women's Minds Work by lpp · · Score: 2, Funny

      I'm just guessing here, but probably:

      Give me this.
      Buy me that.

  3. Re:The burning question... by ZeroSumHappiness · · Score: 3, Funny

    Can you explain why you're never gonna give me up?

  4. Re:1 of my favorite Antenna channels by Rogue+Haggis+Landing · · Score: 5, Funny

    Is it just me, or has the quality of the trolls at Slashdot absolutely plummeted in the last several years? I really appreciate quality trolling, but I'm afraid that it's turned into a lost art form around here.

  5. Re:Usefulness? by ae1294 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Mankind has learned and used fire for over 100,000 yrs without needing to explain in words to a 10-12 year old something that is best grasped through the senses.

    Pretty sure the number you where looking for was 6000... 6000 years.... your welcome...