On Wed, Jun 27, 2012 at 10:23:34PM -0400, SteveW wrote:
> There is soooooooo much potential humor in possible scenarios that it's
> taking a great effort of will not to expand on your "list", Ben! But those
> of us who scoff (another word I rarely get to use!) are probably descended
> from our ancient ancestors who thought if we were meant to fly, we would
> have been issued wings. I guess the world need off the wall thinkers and
> tinkerers to ultimately move us forward.
I agree, creativity is in very short supply these days... but this isn't
off the wall, or even particularly creative. Google's recent driverless
car experiment in Nevada and the SARTRE car convoy in Spain are
variations on that same theme - as strictly limited experiments in a
relatively well-controlled environment.
Also, creativity (inapplicable as that is in this case) is great - but
without engineering, what you end up with is somebody trying to fly to
the moon by flapping their arms (it SHOULD work, 'cause they really
*really* want to!) So, yes, there _is_ a hard limit to creativity - but
for myself, I always try to make sure that that cap is not ignorance or
tradition for tradition's sake, but an actual physical limit. Anything
before that point, well, that's what engineers do best: take creative
input, grumble about crazy people, and then make it work.
I'll take my V-Strom 650 into a turn marked "15mph" at 60, or even 65 -
but only because I can see the empty road on the other side, the inside
crowning of the turn, the clean asphalt (no oil or gravel!), and I've
already warmed up my tires and am confident in my own abilities and the
capabilities of my bike. But I _won't_ climb onto the boat from the
dinghy while holding my helmet - because having one hand occupied at a
moment when I may need it a pointless risk with no upside (could cost me
a phone as well as a nice helmet headset, for example.) Rational
risk/return estimation, you see. :) For this idea, the number of
variables is nearly infinite, the environment is not controllable, the
platform is marginally testable, and skill is inapplicable by design.
So I wish the guy luck, and lots of fun in the process - but I'm not
looking for any NY Times front-page headlines, if you know what I mean.
:)
> But when he gets to the point of launching his little boat for crossing the
> pond, he should really put little figurines on it, maybe one who looks like
> the guy on the Mrs. Paul's Fishsticks package, including the foulies and
> pipe! Can you imagine the reaction of a cruiser coming across this in the
> middle of the ocean - especially if it's populated with tiny crew figurines?
Should we take up a collection on this list and contribute this most
important requirement to his project?
> And then have some sort of switch onboard that activated a recording
> emanating from the figurines mouth when another boat comes close - asking
> for Grey Poupon or something...
Heh, that just reminded me of a story. A friend of mine in St. Augustine
who was running a parasail business asked me to help him advertise it by
flying his parasail - a big yellow chute with a smiley on it - over the
StA beach one fine summer day. The nice onshore breeze carried me over
the beach, just as planned, while Rob idled along parallel to shore,
until I saw a trio of cute girls snoozing on the beach a hundred yards
below me. I grabbed a handful of risers and spilled some air, sliding
over to them and losing altitude, and just as they opened their eyes -
this big shadow blocked their sun! - I called out "Pardon me, do you
have any Grey Poupon?"
Rob, at that point, noticed that I was getting a bit low and gunned the
engine - and the mysterious stranger vanished into the sky...
Ben
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