# Tell us an interesting random fact you stumbled across (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 13, 2020, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674 "2020-04-13T03:19:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 242
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2022, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4829 "2022-07-18T21:13:47Z")
With the records held by an aerobie and a boomerang I would expect that catching and riding the wind would play a huge role in ultra distance efforts. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4830 "2022-07-19T01:57:22Z")
Let’s keep in mind that we’re talking about earth only. Apollo 14 astronaut Ed Mitchell threw a makeshift javelin for “miles and miles” and actually outdistanced Alan Shepard’s golf ball, and captured the first Lunar Olympics title. ---
**Author:** ![tofor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tofor/32/13727_2.png) [@tofor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tofor)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4831 "2022-07-19T13:18:16Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > With the records held by an aerobie and a boomerang I would expect that catching and riding the wind would play a huge role in ultra distance efforts. These records explicitly exclude wind, though how you can discount it is questionable. ---
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4832 "2022-07-19T17:23:39Z")
Don’t know about these records but land speed records are an average of two runs in opposite directions. Hopefully that takes the wind out. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4833 "2022-07-19T17:34:20Z")
Similarly, track records require that the wind speed to the runners’ backs be less than a certain amount. I get that all confounding factors must be minimized. The problem is that air is never completely still. There will always be pockets of uplift and wind speeds and movement at altitude are not equal to those on the ground. I’m skeptical those can be completely ruled out. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4834 "2022-07-19T19:17:38Z")
Competitors flinging objects over the same area in a short span of time can eliminate wind and updrafts as a factor, to some degree. Smoke could expose some of those conditions. I don’t know if doppler radar can resolve any small changes over a small area. Perhaps it’s not so much the single record throw as testing the design over multiple throws to see which will consistently travel the furthest. ---
**Author:** ![its\_the\_daddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bb73d2/32.png) [@its\_the\_daddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/its_the_daddy)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4835 "2022-07-19T19:42:09Z")
> There are now more transistors at work on this planet (some 15 quintillion, or 15,000,000,000,000,000,000) than there are leaves on all the trees in the world. (from “Exactly: How Precision Engineers Created the Modern World” by Simon Winchester. He published this in 2018; he doesn’t give a cite for the figures, but it’ll do for me!) ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4836 "2022-07-19T20:51:32Z")
The “gorillas” in “Is She Really Going Out with Him?” were originally intended to be literal gorillas. > **[Is She Really Going Out with Him?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Is_She_Really_Going_Out_with_Him%3F)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > > > "Is She Really Going Out with Him?" is a song written and performed by British musician Joe Jackson. It was released in October 1978 as his debut single and was later included on Jackson's debut album, Look Sharp! The track was one of the first Jackson recorded with his new backing band, a band he would perform with for his first three albums. Written as a humorous commentary on women dating unattractive men, the song contains a prominent bass ... ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4837 "2022-07-19T20:58:13Z")
It doesn’t say that in your link. The summary says “Written as a humorous commentary on women dating unattractive men,” and the commentary reinforces that several times. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4838 "2022-07-19T20:59:07Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > It doesn’t say that in your link. > …gorgeous girls going out with monsters… To be fair, my source isn’t the link but a classic rock station I happen to be listening to right now. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4839 "2022-07-19T21:01:49Z")
Hard to refute that. Still don’t believe it, though. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4840 "2022-07-19T22:42:25Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > literal gorillas unattractive men, even ugly men are a far cry from a handsome silverback. And, contrary to Hollywood standards, many monsters are very good looking. ---
**Author:** ![Limmin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f04885/32.png) [@Limmin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Limmin)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4841 "2022-07-19T23:24:43Z")
You should post this to the jokes thread. ---
**Author:** ![Limmin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f04885/32.png) [@Limmin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Limmin)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4842 "2022-07-19T23:32:49Z")
I wonder what it is about Fort Funston that makes it the spot where they set records for Aerobies. I believe I’ve been there in about 1995; IIRC what was memorable about the place was the strong, steady wind off the Pacific, into which some visitors were flying a glider into the wind. It just… hovered… there…as long as you like. So could this mean the Aerobies were thrown downwind?? I mean, you could crinkle up a paper ball and chuck it, and it would land 100+ meters downwind. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2022, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4843 "2022-07-20T00:33:43Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > The “gorillas” in “Is She Really Going Out with Him?” were originally intended to be literal gorillas. Littoral gorillas? Did [Elaine Morgan](https://theaquaticape.org/human-evolution/aat/) write the lyrics? ---
**Author:** ![Limmin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f04885/32.png) [@Limmin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Limmin)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2022, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4844 "2022-07-20T00:37:53Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > Littoral gorillas? Submerged up to their noses in the inter-tidal zone, watching, waiting for their time… ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2022, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4845 "2022-07-20T02:00:39Z")
> [@Limmin](#): > > Submerged up to their noses in the inter-tidal zone, watching, waiting for their time… I was trying to think of something witty (“Gorillas In The Sea Mist”?) after reading @Slithy_Tove’s remark, and then I read yours and busted out laughing. Nicely done. ---
**Author:** ![Moonrise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moonrise/32/14764_2.png) [@Moonrise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonrise)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2022, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4846 "2022-07-21T14:22:57Z")
Along with the more well-known grammatical categories of tense (past, present, future), aspect (actions seen as singular points, continuous or repeated) and mood (indicative, imperative,conditional), some languages must mark verbs for “evidentiality”, i.e. the source of information : seen/felt, reported, inferred, assumed. This is the case in many American languges notably. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2022, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4847 "2022-07-21T22:37:38Z")
Welcome Moonrise! I hope you have as much fun here as we do. Please keep posting. And, um, spell checking others is part of the fun. 😉 Signed, another pedant who has been taken down for spelling oops in the past. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2022, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4848 "2022-07-21T22:46:51Z")
That well-known story about Van Halen requesting no brown M&M candies on set as part of their contract? I’d always taken it as an example of celebrity snootiness and needing their own way. Apparently it’s [actually a safety check.](https://www.insider.com/van-halen-brown-m-ms-contract-2016-9?amp) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=241) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=243)