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A Wired article reminding adult humans that siphons exist. Feels like a bad sign for humanity that we're getting this simple in the citizen-science 'laymen' ex
by serf 2y ago
A Wired article reminding adult humans that siphons exist.
Feels like a bad sign for humanity that we're getting this simple in the citizen-science 'laymen' explanations.
"Can you dig a hole without an excavator?" Wired circa 2029
- squircle 2y agoWait. Holes can be dug? > Feels like a bad sign for humanity that we're getting this simple in the citizen-science 'laymen' explanations. I agree. My gut says that if we stop reinventing the wheel and revisit time-tested tools we have at our disposal, there's plenty of low-hanging fruits to pick (in terms of innovation, future proofing, and practical everyday problem-solving.)
- moandcompany 2y agoTheir next article will discuss putting water on plants -- You know the stuff in our toilets.
- falcolas 2y agoAnd Mentos will cause Diet Coke to explode. Wait, wasn't there a XKCD about that, specifically about not making fun of people for not already knowing everything you do?
- bluefirebrand 2y agoI don't think op meant this as "making fun of" people who don't know what a siphon is or how to do it I think it's more a criticism levelled at society not teaching people such a basic concept, which arguably should be a part of elementary school, or maybe junior high school, science classes
- gerdesj 2y agoI can't read the article. I used a siphon to drain some rain collectors today at home so I could move them (the taps are a bit wank - long story). I got a gob full of rank water twice, but I used to keep tropical fish and that was worse 8)
- jimbobthrowawy 2y agoIf you can fully submerge the hose and put your finger on one end, you don't need to suck on it.
- sircastor 2y agoI remember chatting with a guy growing a decent garden on y his property. He had these tubes he’d force into the water, place his hand on the end, and pull back. He’d repeat the motion rapidly a few times and then lay the pipe down from the source into trenches between his plantings. It was obvious once you saw it, but not a technique I would think intuitive.
- gerdesj 2y agoI know how pressure works but I think there's a small hole in the hose wall. My garden has a series of drops in it. I once leapt over a low wall and down 10' on to a path four feet wide (with another drop the other side), whilst holding my thumb over the end of a hose. I'm 10 years older now and don't do ninja gardening any more. Rain water with a frisson of rotting veg, some dead insects and a hint of sulphur isn't the worse thing I've tasted but I wouldn't recommend gargling the stuff.
- ww520 2y agoWasn't it how people steal gasoline back in the days of gas caps not being locked? Guess it's a lost art.
- resource_waste 2y agosiphons are unintuitive. Heck tons of M.E. is unintuitive. Maybe its because I grew up in a world with plastic trim covering everything. Only after being a practicing mechanical design engineer for a few years did I start to pick up on this stuff. They barely teach it in school, the barely teach it in the real world, exposure is the only real way. If there isnt an economic reason to learn it, what is the point? "its kewl" uh... right.. lots of stuff is cool