Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2008 March 9

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March 9

Arab/Muslim names

In western countries there are certain forenames that are more popular than others (for example John), however despite this there is a vast number of different names available for one to pick and it never really seems like your meeting too many of one name.. But why is it when I see a news report from any Arab/Muslim country (sadly normally regarding terrorists or the like)the person is almost ineveitably called one of three names - Muhammed, Ahmed or Abdullah, and sometime even a combination of two or three of them. Of course there are more popular names in any society, but it just seems to me to be unusually high even for religious names like muhammed. What is the cause of this phenomenon, is there just less foremanes to choose from in these cultures or some other factor at work? Does it cause problems for the governments to keep track of people, imagine the censuses? What about if say you spotted a friend across a busy street and shout 'Hey muhammed' surely like 20 or 30 people would turn round? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.64.111.96 (talk) 02:46, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

It is true that certain communities choose personal names for their children from bigger or smaller pools of culturally appropriate names. It is also true that some communities are much more likely to choose a few names with greater frequency. Black Americans choose from a wider range of names than white Americans, for example. There is a grouping of data sets called the Given Name Frequency Project looking at British census and other listings of names, going back hundreds of years, with discussion of the last millenium. As for the use of "Mohammed" (which can be transliterated in various ways, making tracking it in non-Arabic languages more tricky), I found this BBC article entitled "What can't be named Muhammad?", linked from our Sudanese teddy bear blasphemy case article. The BBC article says that "Mohammed" is now the second most popular name for baby boys in the UK, conflating 14 spellings. BrainyBabe (talk) 09:49, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

We have articles at Arabic name and Muhammad (name) that may aid your understanding. BrainyBabe (talk) 10:20, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

I have always understood it to be considered very lucky/blessed to use Mohammed's name within the islamic community, and once shared a flat with a Mohammed Mohammed. Perry-mankster (talk) 14:23, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

According to something in the news a few years ago, the most popular name in the world was Mohammed; the most frequent last name was Wong. As some comedian said right afterwards, how come you never meet anyone named Mohammed Wong? Gzuckier (talk) 17:01, 10 March 2008 (UTC)

Arabic names are often of multiple parts, and their 'first name' might only be used by their close friends and family. Other people would call them by another name, such as Abu X (father of X) or Ibn X (son of X) or by a name that describes a feature of their body or personality, or where they came from. The concept of a Firstname Lastname idea is relatively new in the Middle East. See Roman naming conventions for a similar system. Steewi (talk) 02:03, 11 March 2008 (UTC)

Or indeed bint, "daughter of", or ama, "mother of". BrainyBabe (talk) 08:41, 11 March 2008 (UTC) Self-correction: "mother of" is more usually umm. BrainyBabe (talk) 22:52, 11 March 2008 (UTC)

What happened to my Siamese fighting fish?

She (I dunno its gender, my family just calls it a female) has been alive for 1 or 2 years (I've had some live up to 5), and she was always swimming around in her vase and looked bright and shiny (she had bright blue and red colours). However, one day (about two weeks ago), her colours began to fade and she really slowed down at swimming. Right now, she looks dead, is nearly upside down, and she's practically a gray colour. I have no idea what happened to her; my parents always changed the water and made sure it was never too cold/hot, and its by itself in its vase, which has roots in it she sucks on occasionally (we also occasionally gave her some fish food, though barely enough to bloat her). Anyone know what happened?? Why did her colours go out, her breathing really become laboured, and barely moved? Did some sort of fungi or bacteria infect her? I feel really bad for my fishy :( :( :(--Existthestage (talk) 03:51, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

The article Siamese fighting fish linke to breathing[1] is interesting, and Betta diseases are on google because there are more symptoms such as small white spots etc that come into working out what's happening. The article also mentions a 2-year lifespan for females. Julia Rossi (talk) 08:46, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

There are many many things that could cause that. Can you give us any more details? Losing color is just a symptom of stress or sickness of some kind. It could for instance be Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ich), or poisoning of some kind (did you test the ammonia and nitrite levels?), or any number of internal or external infections. --S.dedalus (talk) 02:07, 10 March 2008 (UTC)

Slitting throat

In movies, when an attacker slits the throat of his/her victim with a knife, the victim if often portrayed as instantly dying. In such a case, death, of course, would certainly not be instant. But how would the victim die? If one's throat becomes slit, is that not similar to a Tracheotomy? Or would one choke on their own blood? Thanks. Acceptable (talk) 03:59, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

In all honesty, I have absolutely no idea. I just wanted to point out what a great phrase "If one's throat becomes slit" is. I assume the death would be painful and you'd die of blood loss pretty fast, though 81.96.160.6 (talk) 06:07, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

Forgive me if this is distasteful, but the most obvious comparison is to animal slaughter. It is a lot easier to get data about the killing of large mammals other than humans. To what extent this can be extrapolated to people is, of course, debatable, but it seems reasonable to assume that pain mechanisms and speed of bleeding would be similar; consciousness is another matter. The article on ritual slaughter gives examples of throat-slitting such as Jewish (kosher) shechita and Islamic (halal) Ḏabīḥah. BrainyBabe (talk) 09:57, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

Also have a look at http://www.moviedeaths.com/ it's quite interesting - it does a 'count' of deaths by different types. Also http://www.moviebodycounts.com/ does on-screen death body counts which is quite interesting to scan through too. Not quite in answer to the question but sort of related ny156uk (talk) 14:31, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

The speed of death will depend largely on how 'one's throat becomes slit'. A deepish cut across the front would probably result in cutting of the trachea and minor blood vessel which may lead to bleeding into the trachea with obvious painful, distressing consequences. However if the cut were deep and more to the side (laterally - as the experts say)it would hopefully sever one of the carotid arteries which would lead to rapid bleeding and almost immediate loss of blood pressure to the brain. Apart from the initial pricking or stinging of the blade the effect on the victim would almost certainly be a sensation of fainting. A 'grey-out' with rapid loss of conciousness. The body will twitch and convulse but it is not possible that the individual would be aware of anything within a few seconds. Having seen clips of goats being slaughtered in this way I was surprised at the speed of death and the apparent lack of distress in the animal. The extrapolation from animals to humans has some validity given that most of the larger 'food' animals have a neck anatomy not dissimilar to humans. Richard Avery (talk) 14:52, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

But generally, death is due to blood loss and not oxygen deprivation? Acceptable (talk) 16:44, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

I'd assume so, being as you can hold your breath for a while but going without blood seems a bit more urgent. Just guesswork, though. 81.96.160.6 (talk) 20:50, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

Death would take probably no more than a minute or two, probably through bleeding out through the jugular or carotid arteries rather than asphyxiation or drowning. However, the target would be in shock, usually as soon as the bleeding starts. People generally don't act effectively for long after they realize they're dying quickly. Faithfully, Deltopia (talk) 23:15, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

Death from blood loss is caused by the blood no longer being able to take oxygen from the lungs to the brain, so whether you can still breathe or not wouldn't matter much in this case. HS7 (talk) 10:58, 10 March 2008 (UTC)

You might want to look at our Exsanguination article. --Mdwyer (talk) 20:10, 10 March 2008 (UTC)

Richard Zednik, a forward for the Florida Panthers, recently had his carotid artery almost completely severed by the skate blade of a teammate. Zednik skated to the bench under his own power, clutching his neck with a gloved hand. Zednik is now doing fine. So no, death is not neccessarily instanteous or even inevitable. Though, if you cut deep enough, of course death become more and more probable, culminating at 100% or thereabouts at a full decapitation. Vranak (talk) 16:01, 11 March 2008 (UTC)

Hockey is such a fun wholesome sport! Zednik cut his external carotid artery; he lost five units of blood but the artery was not severed. In 1989 Clint Malarchuk sliced his internal carotid artery in a manner so gruesome that three teammates vomited and two spectators had heart attacks; in defiance of expectations, he was back skating a few days later (according to our article -- no word on the health of the spectators). So slicing one's throat is not an absolute path to death. But, kiddies, don't try this at home. BrainyBabe (talk) 23:06, 11 March 2008 (UTC)

UPenn Campus

How does the campus of University of Pennsylvania compare with the campus of Harvard in terms of scenery, geographic location and "tranquility"? Acceptable (talk) 04:10, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

I don't know about UPenn but Harvard is pretty bad in terms of scenery and tranquility. The campus greenery is only really groomed up once a year, for graduation, other than that it is usually pretty sparse, even when the whether isn't miserable. The buildings are pretty if you like that 19th-century red brick look. Harvard yard isn't very tranquil—lots of people milling about at all times, lots of tourists, lots of traffic in Harvard Square. However Harvard has a great geographic location, except for the weather: close enough to a major city (Boston) to get all of the amenities if you want them (just a few quick stops on the T), far enough away that you aren't actually living in an "urban" environment. But the New England weather is pretty miserable unless you are a glutton for cold punishment. You don't go to Harvard for the weather. --98.217.18.109 (talk) 04:53, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

US military buying

In the US Armed Forces, what shopping if any are officers expected to do for their own units, rather than using supplies and equipment ordered and sent by the Pentagon? NeonMerlin 04:48, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

None. Corvus cornix_talk 20:42, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

In the US army, as in most professional armies, the military HQ has under it a major logistical network, tasked with supplying units with what they need - within the constraints of a budget. Do you actually mean to ask about arms, ammunition, etc, being bought off of the private market? Or some other way? In terms of pure equipment (see night vision goggles, boots, etc), the military will provide these for you in all western, industrial countries. It's not a bad idea to have a watch, or say a headband-flashlight of your own. If we have misinterpreted your question, do elaborate on it. 81.93.102.185 (talk) 00:01, 10 March 2008 (UTC)

The name Buraidoty Maltba

What origin is the given name Buraidoty? I did a search on http://www.familysearch.org on the surname Maltba and found the ancestral Maltba to be one Buraidoty Maltba. Given that these Maltba people are Appalachian, they could be Melungeon, which would mean the ancestor could be something really exotic. 67.188.22.239 (talk) 06:05, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

Daylight Saving Time

Hi fellas! I have some trouble understanding the rationale behind daylight saving time. Why do people actually change their clocks to a different time rather than just having different office/school timings for the winters? That would seem much more logical and correct compared to changing the time itself. Thanks! ReluctantPhilosopher (talk) 08:17, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

Have a look at the article, there are a number of reasons there. Apparently it's controversial and bad for farmers. But apparently the original reason was to increase leisure time and save on incandescent lighting. Learn something new every day. 81.96.160.6 (talk) 08:25, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

ReluctantPhilosopher asked why clock times are changed rather than just changing office and school hours. Think how many other things would have to be rescheduled as well. You are going to work an hour earlier, say, so your bus or train needs to run an hour earlier. Or if you travel by car you want your garage to be open an hour earlier. You have to go to bed an hour earlier but you don't want to miss your favourite TV programme. You are buying your newspaper or doing your shopping an hour earlier. It is more convenient to move everyone's clocks by an hour than to keep the clocks unchanged but have to change transport timetables; opening times for shops and garages; television and radio schedules and so on. Gandalf61 (talk) 09:26, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

Ah OK I guess that answers it. Here in India the difference in daylight isn't that much so we just change the school timings for kids, everything else pretty much remains the same. Thanks for answering! :) ReluctantPhilosopher (talk) 15:53, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

Go to Arizona. That US state does'nt mess with Daylight Savings Time. 65.173.104.12 (talk) 09:27, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

Also to keep your feet warm at night, you can cut 6 inches from the top of your blanket and sew it onto the bottom. As you may guess, I find DST to be an irritant without value. Gzuckier (talk) 17:04, 10 March 2008 (UTC)

I agree with you. Now it is dark again when I wake up, after just one week of finally not having to scrape frost off my windshield because the sun melted it instead. I want to wake up to the sun, not have the sun set "later". (Also, I love your blanket analogy.) 206.252.74.48 (talk) 18:48, 10 March 2008 (UTC)

Tim Cahill family photo

Could you guys please find me a picture of Tim Cahill with his family? 220.233.83.26 (talk) 09:01, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

Until one is found, you might enjoy this[2]. There must a person of 1.78m (5'10") among them. : ) Julia Rossi (talk) 10:27, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

Great picture, love it!--Artjo (talk) 11:23, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

This was taken when the family got together. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Richard Avery (talk • contribs) 14:24, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

behind abusive paparazzi

Are there any studies which might reveal that the particular paparazzi who abuse their right of free press are actually doing so on behalf of government, organizations or individuals who are against free press so as to justify and bring about legal restrictions against free press as it exists today? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.100.0.36 (talk) 15:12, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

That would be a worthless complex conspiracy, taking far too much organisation of too many people to be realistic. I'm sure the paparazzi who ignore the rules are doing so for 'a shot' or to 'get' something that will make them money. Government would have countless more simple ways of justifying restriction of the press with the general public. ny156uk (talk) 15:36, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

...but are there any studies...? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.100.1.30 (talk) 23:14, 11 March 2008 (UTC)

Last VHS made

What was the last VHS tape made. БοņёŠɓɤĭĠ₳₯є 15:16, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

According to the VHS article it was 'A History of Violence' by David Cronenberg - though that's just the last hollywood feature, there will doubtless be more recent ones that were none-hollywood. ny156uk (talk) 15:33, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

I made one just yesterday86.219.163.48 (talk) 11:26, 10 March 2008 (UTC)ST

You made a VHS!?! What, do you own the Sony factory or something? Think outside the box 12:08, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

Wool

Where would I sell wool to in Michigan? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 64.119.61.7 (talk) 17:27, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

• You might want to get in touch with User:SallyZ from Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Mathematics/2008 January 7#Detroit / Homeslessness. --brewcrewer (yada, yada) 03:02, 10 March 2008 (UTC)

House in Boston

I cannot, for the life of me, find any spots that advertise playing house (or progressive house, techno, whatever the kids are calling it these days). Ive found places such as Axis, Avalon, Utopia which didnt have anything. And then I've found high end places in the theatre district which dont interest me. I guess im wondering if there are any places, that I cant seem to google, that play House or something of that ilk in the boston area.

Thanks!!! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.184.131.123 (talk) 18:24, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

Did you try googling "house music" venues Boston (with quotes to avoid Boston Opera House)? Stuff turned up but can't tell if it's what you already found. Julia Rossi (talk) 06:54, 10 March 2008 (UTC)

I'm in love with an anachronism

That is, with a woman who no longer exists. I'm completely addicted to watching reruns of I've Got a Secret that they're rebroadcasting on the Game Show Network from the late 1950s and early 60s. I'm infatuated with Betsy Palmer, a long time cast member: here's a bad picture that does her little justice. But then, here she is today. It's so hard to reconcile this vibrant beauty that I'm just being introduced to through these reruns, to what time did to her [and does to us all]. There's nothing deep about this I know. But never before have this been thrust upon me. I didn't know she was the mother from Friday the 13th when I started watching this show. So there I am watching the show (fascinating because of all the celebrities from the 50 on it and cultural aspects) and slowly became more and more enamored. Then one day I looked her up on Google Images. I knew of course that she would be 50+ years older today if she was alive, but somehow seeing her like that was shocking. Not sure what I'm asking; anyone ever had something like this come home to them in a similar fashion, any word for this; maybe some commisseration about this type of alienation? All comments welcome.--68.237.225.148 (talk) 18:27, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

Sure, of course. I had a big crush on Sandy Duncan after watching her bit on a 1970s episode of the Muppets. But she's much older now. I don't think there's anything pathological about it. I felt the same way about Myrna Loy in the old Thin Man movies after I first saw those a few years ago. Guess I got a thing for old-timey brassy women. Alas. --98.217.18.109 (talk) 19:55, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

I had a minor edit war a while back with an anonymous editor who kept removing this image from the Ursula Andress article because they felt she should only be shown as she looked when she was young. I see there's a different modern image there now. Corvus cornix_talk 20:46, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

That is one really unflattering picture. If someone's notability is to some degree due to her beauty, then certainly I'd like to see that person in her prime, although it wouldn't have to be the only image. Clarityfiend (talk) 22:56, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

She certainly seems to be free of plastic surgery and comfortable with her age, but that flowing brown hair makes an odd contrast. Julia Rossi (talk) 06:42, 10 March 2008 (UTC)

Btw it seems a strange article that it doesn't show an image of what made her a James Bond beauty in the first place. Julia Rossi (talk) 06:49, 10 March 2008 (UTC)

We have a big problem with getting pics that aren't copyrighted, so often a bad photo is better than no photo at all. But sometimes, the reverse is true, and I think this is one of those cases. -- JackofOz (talk) 06:57, 10 March 2008 (UTC)

This budgie just fell off her perch laughing at that. Email to: Ms Andress, We have a big problem... >–))Julia Rossi (talk) 09:46, 10 March 2008 (UTC)

Could it Help With Memory

Because your short term memory is close to the part making you feel emotions is it true that if you truly hate or dislike something you'll forget it? And if that is the case then if you did something you liked at the same time as something you dislike will you remember the thing you disliked?71.142.240.203 (talk) 20:50, 9 March 2008 (UTC)Cardinal Raven

Hi CR. Short-term memory is shorter than I thought, then there's working memory, long-term memory – maybe starting with memory is the go. I guess you've already looked at emotion and memory, method acting (ye-es) and affective memory where in psychology, emotion is the affect. It gives the impression that emotion intensifies an event making it recall-able so that it can be relived and refelt. Negative emotion can be more intense (as in why negative news sells and good news doesn't); but that doesn't explain (straight away anyway) why people reminisce about "the good old days" and selectively forget the downside of their experiences. Julia Rossi (talk) 09:37, 10 March 2008 (UTC)

Emotion and memory has a cool introduction par. I meant to add it earlier but I forgot. Julia Rossi (talk) 09:42, 10 March 2008 (UTC)

Cost of Heroin and Cocaine

Hey Wikipedia Contributors,

I know you guys don't do homework, but I have a project concerning the cost of drug addictions for gym class. I have been searching on the internet, but have been unable to find a reliable source for the cost of a)street cocaine, b)pure powdered cocaine, c)street heroin and d)pure powdered heroin in North America. Could someone point me in the right direction? Thanks. 99.240.177.206 (talk) 22:11, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

Well, it'll vary by city, and by amount (large amounts are less per gram, for example, like most bulk commodities but especially those where increased bulk means increased danger). What you're looking for is the "street value" of any given amount of drug; google "Street value cocaine" and you'll find some information, but keep in mind the methodological issues I mentioned above. --98.217.18.109 (talk) 02:06, 10 March 2008 (UTC)

It really depends where you live and who your friends are. I'm in Brighton in the UK and street cocaine is between 40 and 50 quid a gram, and pure cocaine you just can't get unless you know a serious dealer. You might get something like 80-90% being sold to you as pure, though. Heroin is a lot more variable. If you're buying it pure, you're buying loads normally, so it'll be really expensive but not that much per gram due to bulk discounts. Street heroin varies drastically with supply and demand, as junkies are customers with no money but an insane willingness to buy. It has to be said that in the UK at least, the street prices the government and papers quote are horribly off. It's normally about 1/2 or 2/3 of the quotes you'll get. Oh, and don't do drugs. 81.96.160.6 (talk) 03:17, 10 March 2008 (UTC)

Is the homework asking for the personal, health and community cost of drug addictions, or the price of addictive drugs? Julia Rossi (talk) 08:36, 10 March 2008 (UTC)

Performance of a US Military Humvee

Looking at the [3]specs of a US Humvee, the torque and horsepower does not stand out. Maximum engine torque is rated at 290 lb-ft, combined with a 2.48:1 1st gear ratio and a 2.1:1 transaxle ratio, makes roughly 1510 lb-ft of output torque. This is meager compared to a Ford Superduty. What is going on here? Is the Humvee really that "underpowered"? Acceptable (talk) 23:57, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

It was never meant to be a high-speed vehicle. It's got decent torque, and like you said, ridiculously low gearing available for offroad use. It's funny that people buy these ridiculous cars because they're "powerful"- they're not powerful in any way that provides useful benefit. I guess it's all down to the "it's big so it must be good" marketing hype. Incidentally, that's about the same amount of torque my little compact car has. In that vehicle, it's enough to make it nice and fast, but it's fairly inadequate for the much larger Hummer. Friday (talk) 15:46, 10 March 2008 (UTC)

The Humvee can tow approximately 6,000 lbs. A 2008 Ford Super Duty can tow roughly 24,000 lbs. That's quite a big difference there. Acceptable (talk) 16:38, 10 March 2008 (UTC)

Well, the Humvee wasn't made for towing. It was made to drive over rough, incredibly rocky terrain as well as ford shallow rivers. It also doesn't have cup holders, which is something it has in common with my car. 206.252.74.48 (talk) 20:37, 10 March 2008 (UTC)

The Humvee was designed as a modernized Jeep. When the Army wants to move heavy equipment, they don't fool around. See, for example, Logistics Vehicle System: the LVS MK48/14 could carry your Ford Super Duty and its 24000-pound trailer without trouble. If you're willing to consider tracked vehicles, the M88A2 tank recovery vehicle has a 140,000-pound tow capacity. --Carnildo (talk) 22:28, 10 March 2008 (UTC)