– You may soon be exposed to information about a layer of carbon atoms that have been labeled “graphene.” Graphene is a super conductor of electricity and can be used for a myriad of uses including the construction of fresh-food indicators, low-cost desalinating devices, filtering machines that efficiently convert large quantities of raw sewage into potable water … and a bunch of other uses (even salon appliances that can color hair without using tress-damaging chemicals). Should Hollywood ever do a re-make of The Graduate, the hot-tip advice may be changed from “Plastics” to “Graphenes.”
– Perhaps best filed under “Who Cares”– there seems to be an emerging controversy over when and by whom the first “high-five” hand-slap was spawned. One claim is made by professional baseball players that the event occurred in Los Angeles October 2, 1977. Others say it involved two college baseball players in Louisville, Kentucky (1978). I predict that our famously competent federal government shall appoint an ad hoc committee that will conduct an expensive and prolonged search to resolve the matter. Eventually, a “no conclusion” decision will likely be rendered.
– Tree kangaroos (Dendrolagus) are remarkable creatures. When trapped high up in a tree by predators, a wily tree-roo can jump to the ground and land unharmed from heights that exceed 45 feet. Do not try that maneuver at home.
– Another for our growing NB (Not Brilliant) criminal list: A Frederick, Maryland suspect was in a police lineup for identification purposes. All the men presented were approximately the same height and weight. The perpetrator had worn a mask while committing his crime. However, one in the lineup was wearing a large tattoo on his right forearm. That fact was bad news for the guy sporting skin artwork as the perpetrator wore an identical tattoo during the robbery. The shop owner easily recognized the ink workmanship because he had personally tattooed the thief one day prior to the holdup. The self-incriminated crook likely experienced one of those “Doggone It” moments.
– We have scorpions in South Texas. However, the longest I have seen was maybe three inches long. There thrives a group of cuddly shiny black scorpions in West Africa dubbed Heterometrus swammerdami. Those arachnids can live to be seven years old and specimens exceeding eight inches in length are fairly common. It is said that the Heterometrus swammerdami’s sting is seldom fatal to humans, but the “panic get-away rate” is high. I would wager that many West Africans shake their clothing before donning garments each morning. The pincher-equipped hunters glow when exposed to ultra-violate light. Reports are that these cute crawlies are sometimes sold as pets. I do not own one. Have a groovy.
James White is a retired mathematics teacher who enjoys sharing fascinating trivia. He can be reached at [email protected].
