# TBBT - 3/12/2015 "The Leftover Thermalization" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 12, 2015, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tbbt-3-12-2015-the-leftover-thermalization/714852 "2015-03-12T20:10:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2015, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tbbt-3-12-2015-the-leftover-thermalization/714852/41 "2015-03-15T07:59:42Z")
> [@rowrrbazzle](#): > > His middle name might as well be Oedipus. 😃 Do we know that it’s not? He could be Howard Oedipus “Fruit Loops” Wolowitz. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2015, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tbbt-3-12-2015-the-leftover-thermalization/714852/42 "2015-03-15T11:39:15Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > But no vent fan running. Not so bright. I have used gas stoves my entire life, and have never needed an exhaust fan. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2015, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tbbt-3-12-2015-the-leftover-thermalization/714852/43 "2015-03-15T12:52:52Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Do we know that it’s not? He could be Howard Oedipus “Fruit Loops” Wolowitz. I believe it’s “Joel.” IIRC, it was revealed at his wedding. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2015, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tbbt-3-12-2015-the-leftover-thermalization/714852/44 "2015-03-15T12:54:35Z")
> [@rowrrbazzle](#): > > No, the first time was when Bernie was bringing him breakfast in bed in his old room, and she and Mrs. W. shout back and forth. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI4qhluSwaY](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI4qhluSwaY) She first called him a “putz” at the hospital, though. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2015, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tbbt-3-12-2015-the-leftover-thermalization/714852/45 "2015-03-15T16:03:20Z")
Got around to watching this one … yes, just a sitcom, but you still don’t so much stupid that you cannot manage to suspend disbelief. Yes, just keep the damn freezer door closed putz. You are an engineer, you know that freezers filled to the brim with frozen food will keep it frozen for more than one day. Defrosting in 12 hours? Not. We’ve had power outages more than a day and the frozen food was still solid when the power came back on. Plenty of time to get ice packs, ice chsts and to transport to home freezers. But the biggest fail is what Leonard is upset over. The problem was not that the SciAm writer didn’t mention him, or that Sheldon failed to talk him up, but that Sheldon did not tell him about the interview in advance and assume that both should be there for it. Also fail when Wolowitz support exercution. Leonard was smart enough to respond harder than he did, with an “Okay, you were an engineer executing my insight. And nothing wrong with that. Pass the brisket please.” ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2015, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tbbt-3-12-2015-the-leftover-thermalization/714852/46 "2015-03-15T16:17:38Z")
> [@Quimby](#): > > I can’t find a cite but I remember reading somewhere that statistically Scientists with last names deep in the alphabet often have lesser careers because most Scientific papers only print the first couple of names alphabetically and they end up always as part of the _et al_ and thus don’t get credit for their accomplishments as easily. Really? According to John McPhee, authors of scientific papers are listed in order of their importance to the paper, i.e., the lead author is the scientist whose research was most significant to the topic of the paper. Although McPhee was talking about a state geological map, so maybe it’s different in other disciplines. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2015, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tbbt-3-12-2015-the-leftover-thermalization/714852/47 "2015-03-15T17:00:15Z")
[Not alphabetical and position does matter.](http://phys.org/news113482761.html) > [@](#): > > … In scientific circles, the long-accepted hierarchy of authorship places the one who did the lion’s share of the work first and the senior author last. “What we wanted to know was: What about everyone in between?” said Wren. “What do people think about the middle authors and their contribution to the work described in the paper?” … > > … survey results revealed that when an author’s name appears in the middle, rather than the beginning or end, of a byline on a scientific paper, their perceived role in the project diminishes quickly. That can mean that, even when the publication appears in a prestigious journal, authors receive little credit (and, consequently, diminished chances for promotion, research funding and tenure) when they are listed as one of several middle authors on a paper. > > As the number of authors per paper grows, the roles of authors listed in the middle increasingly blur. “Researchers define or rank authorship position subjectively, and there are few clear-cut standards,” said Wren. “Our survey results showed that author names appearing near the beginning of the list of authors are perceived to have contributed more to the project.” Senior authors—those listed last—tend to maintain their standing no matter how many authors are listed in the byline. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2015, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tbbt-3-12-2015-the-leftover-thermalization/714852/48 "2015-03-15T17:20:52Z")
Order of authors on papers is very tricky. Technically, order by who contributed most is best. But that leads to arguments. So people just assume alphabetical in order to avoid the fuss. Of course, when there’s a professor and some grad students, the prof almost always comes first. But usually the prof did the least. And then other crap happens. E.g., I was a co-author of a 5 author paper. But we came from several different places and the journal asked the submitting author if they could re-arrange them by school and it was okayed. Without checking with others. Somehow I ended up last in a 5 author list. But 4 of the 5 main results were mine. Ones I actually developed before 3 of the “authors” even heard about the topic. Grrrrr. Anyway. Sub-so-so episode. A couple of good jokes, especially Stuart. But dumb premises, etc. Looks good only in comparison to last week’s. What was particularly stupid was all the effort Penny put into explaining to Sheldon why Leonard would be upset. After all this time, she would have a much terser explanation at hand. Instead, she’s talking to him like she just met him. Nice vanity card. (Which, of course, he has stopped doing.) I need to find me some of those lucky pants. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2015, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tbbt-3-12-2015-the-leftover-thermalization/714852/49 "2015-03-15T20:55:57Z")
When Howard panicked from the power being off, I was afraid he was keeping parts of his mother in the freezer. For all I know he was, and passed it off as brisket (brisket can be somewhat fatty). ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2015, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tbbt-3-12-2015-the-leftover-thermalization/714852/50 "2015-03-15T21:15:18Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > BTW, I was slightly bothered by the large container in the freezer of matzo ball soup. So if Howard was ill, would his mother have thawed the entire container (perhaps a quart or two) just so he could get a serving of soup (perhaps two cups)? It would have made more sense to freeze individual servings of soup. A _serving_ of soup?!? Oy, were you never nursed by your _mother_? :eek: A whole _pot_ of soup she’d pour down Howard’s throat, until he got _better_! ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tbbt-3-12-2015-the-leftover-thermalization/714852/51 "2015-03-16T07:18:14Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > A _serving_ of soup?!? Oy, were you never nursed by your _mother_? :eek: A whole _pot_ of soup she’d pour down Howard’s throat, until he got _better_! Nu? Even here on the Straight Dope, you run across a goyishe kop. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tbbt-3-12-2015-the-leftover-thermalization/714852/52 "2015-03-16T14:44:08Z")
> [@notfrommensa](#): > > So how did Debbie afford a nice house in Pasadena when her husband abandoned her and Howard? Good question, I always wondered that, myself. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tbbt-3-12-2015-the-leftover-thermalization/714852/53 "2015-03-16T14:49:53Z")
Right up there with “Why does Sheldon have a roommate if he’s got so many uncashed checks lying in a drawer?” Obviously, he doesn’t \*need \*a roomie. OK, except for having a live-in chauffeur. Plus there wouldn’t be a much of a show otherwise. But still… ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tbbt-3-12-2015-the-leftover-thermalization/714852/54 "2015-03-16T15:03:59Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Do we know that it’s not? He could be Howard Oedipus “Fruit Loops” Wolowitz. Hilarious! ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tbbt-3-12-2015-the-leftover-thermalization/714852/55 "2015-03-16T17:02:00Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > When Howard panicked from the power being off, I was afraid he was keeping parts of his mother in the freezer. For all I know he was, and passed it off as brisket (brisket can be somewhat fatty). His mom was cremated. Which is odd given she was Jewish. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2015, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tbbt-3-12-2015-the-leftover-thermalization/714852/56 "2015-03-16T18:52:41Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > I believe it’s “Joel.” IIRC, it was revealed at his wedding. It was earlier than that. They mentioned it in the episode where Sheldon revealed too much to the FBI agent researching Howard’s background for the security clearance to go to space the first time. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tbbt-3-12-2015-the-leftover-thermalization/714852/57 "2015-03-17T13:16:27Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > Nu? Even here on the Straight Dope, you run across a goyishe kop. :rolleyes: So sue me! 😃 In the name of my Great-grandma Matkevich back in Austria-Hungary, mir ist weh! ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2015, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tbbt-3-12-2015-the-leftover-thermalization/714852/58 "2015-03-17T13:27:41Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > His mom was cremated. Which is odd given she was Jewish. Couldn’t find an oversized coffin? Couldn’t get one on the plane even if they did? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tbbt-3-12-2015-the-leftover-thermalization/714852.md?page=2)