# The Great Phi Theory. **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 7, 2001, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-phi-theory/92076 "2001-11-07T23:28:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![Waverly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/57b2e6/32.png) [@Waverly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waverly)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2001, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-phi-theory/92076/201 "2001-11-15T14:01:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Libertarian \* > I hung in there and asked the other posters to please explain exactly what was wrong with Hiyruu’s, um, idea. That was a fair request, IMO. Even fringe theories deserve to be considered and if necessary fairly and civilly debunked. Unfortunately hero’s lack of responsiveness makes civility difficult. Not having seen a [sym]F[/sym]antasy theory before, you were well within your rights to ask for detailed explanations. At this point, however, hero has proven himself to be a profit of silliness; witness for the inane. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2001, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-phi-theory/92076/202 "2001-11-15T14:40:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Waverly \* > \*\*At this point, however, hero has proven himself to be a profit of silliness; witness for the inane. \*\* This come too close to my trademarked role of Prophet of wackiness, witness for the inSane. I’d also like to thank all the Dopers who helped me on my recent project. Not only does the perpetual motion device work, it produces an antigravity field as a side effect! ---
**Author:** ![scotth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@scotth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotth)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2001, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-phi-theory/92076/203 "2001-11-15T14:58:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DocCathode \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Waverly \* > > \*\*At this point, however, hero has proven himself to be a profit of silliness; witness for the inane. \*\* > > This come too close to my trademarked role of Prophet of wackiness, witness for the inSane. > I’d also like to thank all the Dopers who helped me on my recent project. Not only does the perpetual motion device work, it produces an antigravity field as a side effect! \*\* Well, DocCathode, at least I have _your_ number now. (remember the email?) ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2001, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-phi-theory/92076/204 "2001-11-15T15:24:30Z")
But was I acting then, or am I acting now? Am I an acomplished Ether Scientist? or an accomplished Liar? Both? Which of the following projects am I actually working on: 1 A musical instrument played by using your hands to vary a capacitance field 2 a 3 foot long remote control Goodyear blimp 3 A series of dozens of old hard drives set up as VRAM and connected to cameras and microphones in an attempt to create a self organising AI 4 A sculpting laser made from the laser diodes of old CD players 5 An ultralight aircraft made almost entirely of parts found in dumpsters 6 An internal combustion engine that runs on atmospheric pollutants ``` 7 A radio transmitter capable of setting off all car alarms in 300 feet. 8 An emp generator capable of erasing all magnetic media in 30 feet 9 A theory of cold fusion-I keep the details secret No Scott, nobody has my number. It's unlisted and I've forgotten it. No.... scratch that. My number is PHI ;-) ``` ---
**Author:** ![scotth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@scotth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotth)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2001, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-phi-theory/92076/205 "2001-11-15T15:28:34Z")
DocCathode. You are working on items 1 and 2 btw… If you are still learning electronics, I worked as a Radar Tech for 8 years and have the military equiv of a EE. Feel free to send queries my way if need by. scott ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2001, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-phi-theory/92076/206 "2001-11-15T16:46:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DocCathode \* > \*\*Which of the following projects am I actually working on: > 1 A musical instrument played by using your hands to vary a capacitance field \*\* ``` This would be a theremin. I'm using parts salavged from trashed TV's and radios. The housing is from a 1930 vacuum tube radio. ``` 2 a 3 foot long remote control Goodyear blimp ``` The inflatable blimp was made by Goodyear, I have schematics for a transmitter and car- I'll modify the car schematic to run fans-(lesee up, down, left, right, forward, back)hmmm ``` > [@](#): > > \*\* > 3 A series of dozens of old hard drives set up as VRAM and connected to cameras and microphones in an attempt to create a self organising AI \*\* I don’t have the money for this one, But I like theory. Some basic programming and massive storage capacity. Essentially, an attempt to mimic the mental development of infants. Rather than programming in object permanence, the AI would learn the concept on its own. > [@](#): > > \*\* > 4 A sculpting laser made from the laser diodes of old CD players \*\* Well, they’re not for sculpting but I have found some info on how to wire these babies up. [/Quote] \*\* > [@](#): > > \*\* > 5 An ultralight aircraft made almost entirely of parts found in dumpsters \*\* The unvarnished truth. I’m still in the design stage on this one. I have started gathering materials though. I need a strong, lightweight frame-like the ones used in some bicycles. The only parts I’ll have to buy are the fabric for the wing and a two stroke engine. The general consensus amongst my friends is that I’ll eventually get off the ground. They mostly doubt that I’ll get back down in one piece. > [@](#): > > \*\* > 6 An internal combustion engine that runs on atmospheric pollutants \*\* It’s a nice dream though, isn’t it? It’s a shame it’s completely impossible. > [@](#): > > \*\* > 7 A radio transmitter capable of setting off all car alarms in 300 feet. \*\* I’ve wanted to do this for a long time. They make universal infrared remotes, is a universal RF remote possible? In theory a manufacturer would make all models respond to frequencies in a certain band. The trouble would be in only making the alarms go off without open any locks. That and possesion of such a device would send me to prison for quite a while. > [@](#): > > \*\* > 8 An emp generator capable of erasing all magnetic media in 30 feet \*\* I do have an AC degausser. But the power required would be enormous and would fry the thing. > [@](#): > > \*\* > 9 A theory of cold fusion-I keep the details secret \*\* Sadly, cold fusion is as real as the Ether. It sounds marvellous. But on closer examination, there’s nothing there. No Scott, nobody has my number. It’s unlisted and I’ve forgotten it. No… scratch that. ``` My number is PHI ;-) ** ``` [/QUOTE] ---
**Author:** ![scotth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@scotth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotth)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2001, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-phi-theory/92076/207 "2001-11-15T17:58:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DocCathode \* > \*\* > 4 A sculpting laser made from the laser diodes of old CD players > > 5 An ultralight aircraft made almost entirely of parts found in dumpsters > \*\* I might have gone for 4 if you hadn’t said “sculpting”… and then on 5 you admit you are gonna buy fabric and an engine? ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Ellis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@Michael\_Ellis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Ellis)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2001, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-phi-theory/92076/208 "2001-11-15T21:09:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DocCathode \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Hiyruu \* > > \*\*I am ending the thread, I have made a satisfactory case, and hope curious people will follow it up. \*\* > > You CAN’T end this thread. You see this thread is based on Phi and is thus the only thread that will continue into infinity. All other threads will cancel themselves out at some time. But this thread will recurse in to infinity. \*\* [50s SCI-FI GIRL CHARACTER] **screams NO! and AAH! for several minutes** [/50s SCI-FI GIRL CHARACTER] … My dog’s breath smells like cat. ---
**Author:** ![jab1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ee7513/32.png) [@jab1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jab1)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2001, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-phi-theory/92076/209 "2001-11-15T21:54:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Libertarian \* > **I followed this thread, and now realize that y’all were right and I was wrong.** Bravo, **Lib** , bravo. ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2001, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-phi-theory/92076/210 "2001-11-16T12:27:59Z")
Spoofe! I know what [sup]n[/sup] actually stands for! it stands for “The recursive power of Kurt Angle”. as a result, I can use Phi to tell me when Billy Gunn will get his big push. > [@](#): > > 1 A musical instrument played by using your hands to vary a capacitance field Dude, if you build this, I will buy it off you. I have been wanting to buy a theramin, and I would like to have one that was “made by hand”, so to speak instead of the pnastic cased overpriced ones for sale on the net. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2001, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-phi-theory/92076/211 "2001-11-16T16:16:06Z")
TwistTieOf Fate-Just search the net for plans. Building a theremin requires only some elementary knowledge of electronics. Further study has confirmed that all the parts you’ll need can be salvaged from busted TV’s and radios. You can do it Twister. I believe in you! ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2001, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-phi-theory/92076/212 "2001-11-16T17:02:20Z")
DocCathode wrote: > [@](#): > > Not only does the perpetual motion device work, it produces an antigravity field as a side effect! Yeah, but can you detect its emissions with an [orgone energy field meter](http://www.netcom.com/~rogermw/Reich/orgone_field_meter.html)? ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2001, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-phi-theory/92076/213 "2001-11-16T17:14:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tracer \* > \*\*DocCathode wrote: > > > [@](#): > > > > Not only does the perpetual motion device work, it produces an antigravity field as a side effect! > > Yeah, but can you detect its emissions with an [orgone energy field meter](http://www.netcom.com/~rogermw/Reich/orgone_field_meter.html)? \*\* No, I can not. This is because my perpetual motion device is real. The AG field is real. Orgone is pseuedoscientific guano! ---
**Author:** ![Dijon\_Warlock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9a28c/32.png) [@Dijon\_Warlock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dijon_Warlock)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2001, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-phi-theory/92076/214 "2001-11-17T00:58:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Hiyruu \* > \*\*I am ending the thread, I have made a satisfactory case, and hope curious people will follow it up. \*\* YEAH! So THERE, all you skeptics!!! Cheese-n-rice, **hiyruu** , what thread are you reading??? This is positively hysterical, not to mention totally at odds with reality. But then, that’s been sort of a running theme in your threads, hasn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![jab1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ee7513/32.png) [@jab1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jab1)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2001, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-phi-theory/92076/215 "2001-11-17T01:22:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dijon Warlock \* > \*\*Cheese-n-rice, **hiyruu** , what thread are you reading??? This is positively hysterical, not to mention totally at odds with reality. But then, that’s been sort of a running theme in your threads, hasn’t it? \*\* I wanna know what drugs he’s on. ---
**Author:** ![Dijon\_Warlock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9a28c/32.png) [@Dijon\_Warlock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dijon_Warlock)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2001, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-phi-theory/92076/216 "2001-11-17T01:59:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jab1 \* > \*\*I wanna know what drugs he’s on. \*\* I’m not sure I do. ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Ellis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@Michael\_Ellis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Ellis)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2001, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-phi-theory/92076/217 "2001-11-17T02:33:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by andros \* > \*\*'Cos I have some great ideas about clams . . . \*\* My clam’s breath smells like **gunshot** ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2001, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-phi-theory/92076/218 "2001-11-18T20:51:49Z")
“…and I will post the results as soon as I complete my mycological researches…” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Ellis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@Michael\_Ellis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Ellis)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2001, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-phi-theory/92076/219 "2001-11-18T22:05:46Z")
I _will_ kill this thread, dammit! ATTENTION! All your base are be – **gunshot** … **silence** ---
**Author:** ![SlickUSA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ad7895/32.png) [@SlickUSA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlickUSA)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2001, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-phi-theory/92076/220 "2001-11-20T14:24:06Z")
can we assume **Hiyruu** is asian? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-phi-theory/92076.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-phi-theory/92076.md?page=12)