100 things to do before you die

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

I recently read an article about a story purportedly in the New Scientist on a list of 100 things to do before you die compiled by a group of eminent scientists .

The article said:
“The group - which includes the evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins, astronomer Sir Patrick Moore, neuroscientist Susan Greenfield and the inventor James Dyson - urges us all to take samples of our DNA, measure the speed of light with chocolate, and solve the mathematical mystery of the number 137.”

However, I can’t find this article in the New Scientist or their website. An email to the New Scientist has not yet been answered.

I’m intrigued by this list. Does anyone know anymore about it?

2

Well, I’ve got at least five of them down. And I’d really, really love to crack 137, but I suspect that that one’s going to be a Nobel prize.

Incidentally, DNA in a concentrated form rather resembles cottage cheese.

3

It is actually a book. Here is the google search that will give you a place to buy it online.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q="new+scientist"+"100+things+to+do+before+you+die"&btnG=Google+Search

4

I must see the world’s largest frying pan (somewhere in Iowa I think) beore I go. Can’t die happy until then . . . :wally

5

One of the things listed is

I just thought I’d point that out without comment.

6

Might be best to save that one for last…

7

Don’t I create a sample of my DNA every time I spit, sneeze, cut my hair or trim my beard and toenails?

Measuring the speed of light with chocolate, however, is easy: put some in front of my wife. You can’t even see her hands move!

8

A few people did that once. i think it was the Mariana Trench. they only went once though. in 1960. for 20 minutes.

9

They are still alive and working their way down the other items on the list as we speak. One is up to #86, wrestle a porcupine for 20 minutes, and hopes to finish within two years.

10

Was it (gasp) Challenger Deep?

11

Lol… sounds like Larry the Cable Guy’s “Git R Dun.” You know… “Challenge 'er deep”…

Never mind. I thought it was funny.

12

According to one of my favorite webpages, “What’s Special About This Number?”

Somehow I think that’s not quite what they meant.

13

Phil Keoghan will star in and produce the NOW: No Opportunity Wasted reality television series on The Discovery Channel. He is the star on The Amazing Race. I saw him on TV promoting his book No Opportunity Wasted. The book was inspired by a personal experience. When he was in his early twenties he was trapped in a sinking ship and thought he was going to die. When he was rescued he decided to make **a list of things he wants to do before he dies.**He has done many things on the list, but at the same time the list keeps growing.The things on his list differ greatly from the one mentioned by the OP, but just the idea of making such a list is interesting (even at my age or should it be more interesting at my age?). :wink:

14

Thanks. I was obviously looking in the wrong place.

15

heehee. Once I imagined the voice it was funny…

16

I guess this means I’ll have to go get the book, but I have a list of my own, as I’m sure everyone else does as well.

I did expect to find “Visit Graceland and go see Rock City,” but those may be purely southern requirements. :slight_smile:

your humble TubaDiva

17

I have a list like that, with a few things crossed off, such as-

Seeing Michael Jordan play basketball in person
Seeing Mikhail Baryshnikov dance in person
Seeing Wayne Gretzky play hockey in person
Visiting Chichen Itza and climbing the main pyramid
Visiting Italy
Going to the top of the Empire State Building

Still on the list-

Going to a Yankee game in Yankee stadium (just haven’t gotten around to it)
Visiting Israel
Visiting Egypt and climbing Cheops (the great pyramid)
Pray in Chartres Cathedral
Go on an African safari
Visit Bill Wilson’s house
Visit Friendswood, TX

It’s a start…

18

I’m pretty sure they’re talking about the fine structure constant

19

Since the GQ part of this question has been answered, I’ll move this to MPSIMS where ye all can discuss your To Do lists.

-xash
General Questions Moderator

I barely get through my day’s To Do lists, I don’t know how people even attempt to complete a life’s To Do list.

20

I’ve done a buncha stuff I wouldn’t have though of putting on a list before I did them. They include:

  1. riding a camel
  2. riding a dromedary (I know, same thing . . . and they both feel like straddling a walking sawhorse with no saddle)
  3. flying in a hot air balloon
  4. visiting a kibbutz in Israel
  5. going to the top of the Empire State building
  6. photographing moonrise over the Grand Canyon
  7. riding a bullet train
  8. seeing King Tut’s treasure

Some stuff I still want to do incluides:

  1. seeing Yellowstone
  2. going to Catalina Island (I’ve lived almost within spitting distance for most of my life. I’ve been clear around the world, but never got to Catalina.)
  3. going into space (This is an impossible dream. Even if I could afford the tab, it would take a much bigger rocket to boost my “payload” into orbit.)

It’s fun reminiscing . . . and dreaming.