Jees, why didn't they ask me this? Here is the first page, answered by me.

• What comes after 999 trillion?

999 trillion and one. Duh.

• Why do train whistles at night always sound lonely and mournful? Not so in the daytime.

Because melatonin production is dependant on sunlight, and there isn't any at night. Melatonin is an endorphin. This is also why people get the winter blues (back east, anyway; here its sunny and warm)

• Given the exchange and dispersion of matter, how likely is it/how often do we inhale/consume and/or incorporate into our own protein structure molecules that were once in some historical figure, say Abraham Lincoln?

So matter is neither created nor destroyed, really (matter is convertable to energy but only during nuclear events). Considering that during metabolism and breakdown, each individual atom is used in some other molecule, ie O2 goes to CO2, through an indirect path. The likelyhood is present but too small to measure. How many organic molecules exist in the world? Say it's X. Say the # of molecules per person is Y. Then I think the probability is Y/X. But it's a complex question and you'd pretty much have to assume that all of those molecules that Abe used are still available in the 'molecular pool'.

• Lasers are now powerful and small (at least I think they are), so why don't our troops carry laser guns?

They aren't that portable; the energy requirement is enormous. the military now has airborne lasers that are mountable on a huge aircraft, and also stationary lasers. See this article.

• Why is smooth peanut butter cheaper than nutty?

Because nutty has more stuff, ie peanuts. More stuff = more expensive.


• If we taught animals to talk, how would that affect the world?

Some animals can communicate with humans, ie primates, parrots. Others have definite verbal communication, but we can't understand it (see Happy Feet movie). But by and large only a few very intelligent animal species are capable of enough communication so that we could understand. Birds have song for warning and locating, for example. There isn't any complex stuff, its a small list of things that they can communicate (or so we think). Parrots can count and know some basics, about the mind of a 2 year old. They are not really capable of further development. Other primates have the best chance of intelligent communication. My fear is if we knew what other animals were saying, we'd take it as a threat and would destroy the species. Humans don't take well to threats.


• What would happen to the stock market if a meteor impacted the earth? What would happen to the global markets and the U.S. market? Say a meteor hits inside U.S. borders and takes out two states.
See 9/11. The market would plumett, then slowly recover.

• Is it possible to collect all the cookie dough in Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream and actually bake cookies from it?

No, because it has other stuff in there, and doesn't contain yeast which is essential for baking.

• How clean is bar soap in a public bathroom? Is it "self-cleaning," since it's soap? It seems like a health hazard to me.

Its as clean as anything else, the detergent property of soap denatures protein and emulsifies lipids. It kills bacteria regardless of how old the soap is. It probably won't kill viruses like HIV, but not much will.

• Why did Zidane head-butt his opponent in the World Cup final? Do the French not fight with their fists?

No idea, ask him. French aren't known for their fighting prowlness (see World War II - French).


• When we are approaching another person, like in a hallway, why do we step to our left? That is, try and pass right-shoulder-to-right-shoulder.

We don't here, its usual that we pass on the right. Because we drive on the right side of the street. Other places, ie Britain, drive on the left. They probably teach their kids to pass on the left.

(link)

• I have been pondering this situation for as long as I can remember (maybe age 7-8) and it drives me nuts. It makes me feel like my head will implode if I think any harder. Is the universe infinite? It must end somewhere. But when it ends … there must be something on the other side … right?

Maybe, we don't know. We can't see past the limits of this universe. Since there are many many galaxys such as the milky way that we live in, it stands to reason that there are also other universes. But this violates the big bang principle. According to that, once you get past the leading wave of matter, there is literally nothing beyond.

• If a group of passengers on a hijacked plane wanted to, could they bring a plane down by all of them using their cell phones at the same time?

No, in fact now airplanes are offering in flight cell service. Therefore, since no modifications are needed for individual cell phones, its unlikely that it could cause interference. In fact, I haven't seen any evidence showing that portable electronics can cause detectable interference. But I suppose it must be true, otherwise they wouldn't ban their use during take-off and landing.

• Why do humans die so young? In biblical times, people lived for several hundred years; now living to 100 is considered a long life. What happened?

You can't expect the bible to be literal. The life expectancy in biblical times is likely only 30 or 40 years old, since they didn't have access to modern healthcare, and lacked an understanding of hygiene (and soap for that matter).

• How can I tell if I was the first person to use the term "K-fed-up" in relation to Britney's divorce?

You could use a search engine ie google and see where your page stacks up (search for the first instance of the term by date). I'm not really sure which engine to use, but I would use that approach.

• Why is the No. 8 always the same combination (tamale, enchilada, rice, beans) in any Mexican restaurant I visit? This includes primarily the southeast United States but not obvious franchises.

Well, Americans tend to eat what we know. For us, it would be wierd to have a mexican restaurant that didn't serve margaritas and burritos. Yet in mexico they don't really eat that stuff. So, its based on customer expectations that mexican restaurants pretty much always have identical menus. I think the #8 thing is just a coincidence, though.

• Hi, how does nature make water? How does nature combine one oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms to make water? If we knew how nature makes water, then perhaps we can then find an efficient way of separating hydrogen from oxygen, thus creating the ultimate source for energy.

H2O is created due to atomic energy favorabilities which occurs after nuclear fusion and fission. Essentially, for elements containing hydrogen and oxygen, H2O is the most stable form. H2 and O2 are gases, O2 is created from fusion of multiple hydrogens (16 to be exact). So it turns out that the most common compounds are made from the gases hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen. Carbon is unique since it needs four electrons to complete its outer shell, so it can't combine with itself. (it needs some combo of N, H, and O). This is the essence of how life was created, because of energenics and the amount of existing elements after nuclear fusion reactions. A chemist would know more though.

• Why is grilled chicken tasting increasingly rubbery and odd?

How do you know, did you test? If you are referring to chicken in your freezer, the time of exposure at -20 C decreases the quality of the chicken. Similiarly in the grocery store, the time of exposure at 4C decreases quality (more rapidly than frozen chicken). Chickens are now being produced in huge factories far away, so the long processing time ensures that they taste worse and worse. Try to get locally slaughtered chicken if possible.


• i need more money.....what business can i start that will not take a lot of time...i have internet access daily...........and i have saturday morning free before 12 noon to run around. i work from 7am to 9:30 pm..............

Find a market for a product that can be produced for less money than the market would bear. Ie if you can make a product for $10 that the market would buy for $100, then you could make a profit. But if your product costs $200 to make, but the market would only support selling at $100, then you'll lose money.

• Just suppose, one day someone wants to sell you an old gold bar. You don't know if it belongs to any treasure, and you can't find out if there is any reward for it, if it was a lost treasure. How would you go about melting it and selling it? The same would go for a gemstone about the size of a dinner plate. How would you go about selling it? If you're living in a country that is corrupt and you cannot trust the government, or anyone else, what can you do?

Bring it to a wholesale jeweler. If it has markings you can auction it off as estate jewelry. In general, large semi-precious gems aren't worth that much, since they are always flawed. Small gems are worth more, since they are not flawed.

• Can you tell me how long it will take if you eat rat poison to see if it is going to affect you? Please e-mail me back. Because my niece ate some.

Toxic effects are usually seen immediately after contact or up to a day. So if there is no toxicity after a day, she'll live.


• Hi. I just wanted to know if our eyeballs roll back when we are sleeping (or closed) or do they shake? Or …

No, we have muscles behind our eyes preventing them from rolling (and falling out).

• PYGMIES: How/when/where/still in existence/do we mate with them?

All dead, sorry (so scientists believe).

• Do dolphins actually save people? If so, why do they do this?

Maybe in disney films. I haven't heard anything, but you do hear stories of dogs saving owners all the time.

• I have a sister that stresses the hell out of me. For example this one sister out of three knows that I am recovering from a serious car accident. I thank God for saving my life, and healing me each and every day. My question is can a person who complains and talks about the same complaining crap every day stress you completely out? About four days ago I had to tell this one sister (Annie) basically to get a life and stop bugging me with her problems and everybody else's. I reminded her that I am still in a neck brace and healing … I really need to know if a person can really stress you out with the same old thing over and over and over again. PLEASE ANSWER BACK ASAP.

Yes. You are living proof. This is a stupid question.

• Can someone be forced to masturbate?

No.

• Why do we make a "lip-smacking" sound when kissing closed-mouth? We do make the sound; it doesn't happen on its own ...

Hmm, I think it's due to the air being released by a tight vaccuum formed due to the two pairs of lips being pressed against each other. That or it could be a frictional sound due to the lips. I'm not sure.

• What's likely to happen to people, or what might they feel, when they're killed instantly?

Probably lots of pain, for a short period of time. Depends on how long the brain remains conscience.

• Can a state in the United States split into two or more states? If so, how? I think Texas has a special provision for being able to divide into up to five states. But I am wondering about the others.

There is no special provision for texas. There is no provision in the constitution for states seceding or splitting. Historically W Virgina split from Virginia during the civil war, when some WV counties favored the north. I would imagine the state legistlature would have to pass a law stating the state is split.


• I have noticed that a lot of mainstream movies feature men peeing. Are the actors really peeing?

Probably not, since it likely requires multiple takes. You can get it pretty realistic via a portable bladder-like container filled with yellowish liquid, that emites via pressure nozzle near the penis. That's how i'd do it anyway.

• yea i have my own 620 gang and i dont know how to run it to make not look like a little bitch gang joke it is just me and my friend how do i run it?

This is too stupid to answer.

• Hi. How did the horse in the movie about dreams make it to not only survive but to win again? Was this movie true?

Didn't see it, sorry.

• Working in my yard yesterday, I killed a gnat in my ear canal, where it had flown. I couldn't remove the body as my finger was too fat. What happens to it now?

It will decay rapidly due to the presence of environmental bacteria. Don't worry about it.

• What is the richest religion? Scientology has a lot of Hollywood stars and I think they actually make their members give money, but Catholicism is a very old religion with its own country. Also, Islam has a lot of members but I don't know about their money situation.

Scientology is young. Catholicism is one of the oldest, stable religions, my bet is on them for most capital. The Mormans have alot of US capital, they force their members to tithe, too.

• Is chicken considered meat?

Yes, it contains animal muscle protein.

• Hello ... Could you tell me if there's been any kind of medical discovery in the last 30 years besides DNA.

Literally every day there are new discoveries. Every day there is a new discovery in my lab alone. Go to a medical library and look at the new journal stacks; every single journal is filled with dozens of articles documenting new medical advances. We've made huge improvements in medical care since 30 years ago, for example diabetes drugs, much better therapy for cancer, drugs for cholesterol, etc.

• Are UFOs confirmed to be from other Alien Planets?

No documented proof.

• How do you get to write articles for Slate. Do you have to go through a process?

Likely, yes.

• I met a 40-year-old stripper back in February of this year. We had a special connection. Yet, she was homeless, going through a divorce and bankruptcy. She has three kids who live in Alabama and she pays $500 a month in child support. Moreover, she used cocaine. At one point, she was arrested for forgery. She spent a month in jail but was released under the condition that she become a narc for the police department. She gave the names of her dealers and would wear wires when drug deals were going down. I let her stay at my place and kept food in the refrigerator. This past Monday she took all her clothes, my money, and left. The night before, she hung out with some friends. I called her, and she said I was too good for her. She said she had never been treated so well. She said she would drag me down and she couldn't bear to handle that. I told her my hopes and dreams the night before. I wonder if I scared her off. I don't know what to make of it. I don't know if she met someone else the night before and doesn't want to tell me. It's killing me inside. I cried for her. I really cared for her. Can you give me some advice?

Yes, get over her, quickly, and try to find someone who doesn't have a criminal history for your next mate. It ain't true love, trust me. There are alot of fruit on the tree, just keep picking. Try to go to church and meet women. Or join local clubs (ie a biking club, a social club, not a night club).

Next time, do a background check when you first start dating. Just remember the rule; criminal history = forgetaboutit.