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“Dihydrogen monoxide” joke gets DJs suspended

arstechnica.com

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Re: “Dihydrogen monoxide” joke gets DJs suspended

#41

Post by Shenglong »

lifeisstillgood wrote: post #35

Oh stop being so high and mighty. Chemophobia! Really? H2O is probably the most widely known chemical formula - go out and ask twenty random people what it is and you will get 19 answers for water. Ask those same 19 people what dihydrogen monoxide is at 8am on a Tuesday when they are trying to get kids dressed and out the door, then say "contaminated" and the answer will be "I don't know but it sounds nasty" Yes it's…

You're probably correct that those 19/20 won't know at first what dihydrogen monoxide is. The pressing question is though, whether those 19 would/should call the water commission before either:

A. Thinking about it

B. Spelling the chemical formula out

C. Googling it

This has very little to do with being high-and-mighty. I don't believe the author's point was to illustrate how uneducated the general population is, but rather, highlight how little thinking/work the general population does before complaining/protesting/getting up in arms.

Re: “Dihydrogen monoxide” joke gets DJs suspended

#42

Post by dasil003 »

mschuster91 wrote: post #2

As an European, all I can say is "Fuckin' stupid American rednecks". Jeez, do the US have at least A BIT chemistry lessons in their education system?

You might want to examine the underpinnings of your desire to find fault with Americans since this kind of comment raises much more questions about your psychology than it does about Americans.

The fact is that this joke sometimes even temporarily fools people who are familiar with water's molecular make-up (and yes they do teach this in every American high school) because most common substances are not referred to by their chemical name.

Re: “Dihydrogen monoxide” joke gets DJs suspended

#44

Post by dasil003 »

mschuster91 wrote: post #27
velodrome wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To the European - I previously visited Europe and one thing I remember is the Europeans love to smoke cigarettes. If Europeans are so clearly educated in chemistry they would clearly not inhale something that contains formaldehyde (used in rat poison and bug spray) and other toxic chemicals. Also, I suggest asking your father or mother if they understand what "Dihydrogen Monoxide" actually is. The article does not me…

What's cigarettes for us, is alcohol and firearms in the USA, especially the firearms part, given the near-anarchist position in the USA, and the abolishment position prevalent in most of Europe.

I'm a Brazilian-American living in London. Binge drinking here is worse than any of the 5 North and South American cities I've lived in.

Re: “Dihydrogen monoxide” joke gets DJs suspended

#46

Post by drdaeman »

Shenglong wrote: post #41
lifeisstillgood wrote: post #35

Oh stop being so high and mighty. Chemophobia! Really? H2O is probably the most widely known chemical formula - go out and ask twenty random people what it is and you will get 19 answers for water. Ask those same 19 people what dihydrogen monoxide is at 8am on a Tuesday when they are trying to get kids dressed and out the door, then say "contaminated" and the answer will be "I don't know but it sounds nasty" Yes it's…

You're probably correct that those 19/20 won't know at first what dihydrogen monoxide is. The pressing question is though, whether those 19 would/should call the water commission before either: A. Thinking about it B. Spelling the chemical formula out C. Googling it This has very little to do with being high-and-mighty. I don't believe the author's point was to illustrate how uneducated the general population is, but…

I wonder how this discussion would go if they'd call it oxidane.

Re: “Dihydrogen monoxide” joke gets DJs suspended

#47

Post by veemjeem »

mschuster91 wrote: post #27
velodrome wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To the European - I previously visited Europe and one thing I remember is the Europeans love to smoke cigarettes. If Europeans are so clearly educated in chemistry they would clearly not inhale something that contains formaldehyde (used in rat poison and bug spray) and other toxic chemicals. Also, I suggest asking your father or mother if they understand what "Dihydrogen Monoxide" actually is. The article does not me…

What's cigarettes for us, is alcohol and firearms in the USA, especially the firearms part, given the near-anarchist position in the USA, and the abolishment position prevalent in most of Europe.

I still think the europeans drink more than americans. The germans have an entire week of festivities focused on beer; I don't recall the americans having anything similar. Their drinking age is lower, and you can always find beer/wine dispensers at local bistros where you can just fill up your cup without showing any ID.

Re: “Dihydrogen monoxide” joke gets DJs suspended

#48

Post by mschuster91 »

spindritf wrote: post #30
mschuster91 wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What's cigarettes for us, is alcohol and firearms in the USA, especially the firearms part, given the near-anarchist position in the USA, and the abolishment position prevalent in most of Europe.

> What's cigarettes for us, is alcohol and firearms in the USA, especially the firearms part Since we're on topic of science and ignorance, no it's not. >> Using cross-sectional time-series data for U.S. counties from 1977 to 1992, we find that allowing citizens to carry concealed weapons deters violent crimes and it appears to produce no increase in accidental deaths.[1] This whole thread denouncing ignorance is ful…

What about the gang-related murders and gun violence in the "black" regions of cities? The multiple school shootings which happen EVERY YEAR in the US? And still nothing, absolutely NOTHING happens on the weapons control laws?

I can't even remember when the last gun-related school shooting was here in Germany.

Re: “Dihydrogen monoxide” joke gets DJs suspended

#49

Post by mschuster91 »

dasil003 wrote: post #42
mschuster91 wrote: post #2

As an European, all I can say is "Fuckin' stupid American rednecks". Jeez, do the US have at least A BIT chemistry lessons in their education system?

You might want to examine the underpinnings of your desire to find fault with Americans since this kind of comment raises much more questions about your psychology than it does about Americans. The fact is that this joke sometimes even temporarily fools people who are familiar with water's molecular make-up (and yes they do teach this in every American high school) because most common substances are not referred to b…

I have to admit that especially in Germany there is a huge, huge bias (from our news media) towards pointing the USA as a nation of radical right-wing retards.

US-related news here is mainly about: Tea Party, gun violence, wars, more Tea Party, corruption and dumbness on both popular parties, sheer political idiocy (sequester), and a record amount of bigotry throughout the society.

To the USA: deal with your external image before starting to whine when other people laugh at you.

Re: “Dihydrogen monoxide” joke gets DJs suspended

#50

Post by d23 »

lifeisstillgood wrote: post #35

Oh stop being so high and mighty. Chemophobia! Really? H2O is probably the most widely known chemical formula - go out and ask twenty random people what it is and you will get 19 answers for water. Ask those same 19 people what dihydrogen monoxide is at 8am on a Tuesday when they are trying to get kids dressed and out the door, then say "contaminated" and the answer will be "I don't know but it sounds nasty" Yes it's…

Also, mentioning on a radio station that it's in the local water supply as though it's news is very different from off-handedly mentioning it in a friendly conversation where you can immediately let them know what the joke is.
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