Spanish lessons on a gambling forum?

Quote: Doc

Wizard, I think that now you need to come up with second, third, fourth, etc., threads with similar characteristics that could bump a few others off the Top Threads list.

As you wrote, I am studying Spanish out of the love of learning. I think of myself first as a teacher, and if I can instill a love for any kind of learning, whether it be math or languages, I feel my mission is accomplished. So, I make no apologies for trying to bring up a fresh discussion about the language every day, thanks in large part to the help of Nareed and PacoMartin. Let's give them a round of applause.

However, the SWD of the day already takes up a fair bit of my day, and I don't see trying to do this with another topic. I could see something like the math fact of the day, but I just don't have the time to spare. If you want to try to teach us youngsters a science fact every day, your contribution would be more than welcome.

Quote: Wizard

If you want to try to teach us youngsters a science fact every day, your contribution would be more than welcome.

Sorry, but science (or what humanity understands of it) has changed too much since the last time I studied it. Why, back in my day, the chemists only had to deal with four elements.

Quote: Doc

Sorry, but science (or what humanity understands of it) has changed too much since the last time I studied it. Why, back in my day, the chemists only had to deal with four elements.

Those were easy days. you didn't even need to find out which elements made up something: they were all present always in all things. all you had to determine were the ratios. Did anyone ever publish the ratios or earth, fire, air and water in glass? or in anything else? I'd be curious to know.

Then, of course, phlogiston came along and FUBARed it all :(

I'll think about a science fact of the day. It would be a huge job if done right, including background and explanations like the Good Doctor used to do it...

I see there are no takers for a science fiction novel of the week.

Wizard: When I was your age I could name all the presidents.
Wizard's teenage daughter: It was easier for you, there weren't as many then.

Tell her to go to her room and practice her music. (Those #*$&@# smart-alecky teenagers!)

There were only three U.S. presidents from the time I was born until I finished high school. Then I was enrolled as a college student during eight consecutive presidential administrations. Sometimes I'm slow to complete a task.

Quote: Nareed

I'll think about a science fact of the day. It would be a huge job if done right, including background and explanations like the Good Doctor used to do it...

I see there are no takers for a science fiction novel of the week.

I would be interested in such a thread. Since I am the leading expert in the properties of invincibilium, I might even contribute. But like my other contributions, I fear I'd be a discussion catalyst at best, with no real answers supplied, and a derailer at worst, with nonsense notions of fake elements and hypothetical situations.

By the by, the snow has begun here in the northeast, therefore so too has reading season. Any suggestions? Keep in mind I'm a Sci-Fi rookie, but I've been looking to branch out into something I haven't done before. Why don't you give me two, say, something you think an idiot would like, and a "if you could only have one book for the rest of your life" type book. If you only have one suggestion, that's fine, but I don't think I've ever judged a book by it's cover and I smell opportunity ;)

Quote: Face

I would be interested in such a thread. Since I am the leading expert in the properties of invincibilium, I might even contribute. But like my other contributions, I fear I'd be a discussion catalyst at best, with no real answers supplied, and a derailer at worst, with nonsense notions of fake elements and hypothetical situations.

Fake elements can be fun. I've toyed with the idea of doing a "hard" SF story using outdated science. Things like the 4 elements, phlogiston, alchemy, etc. Stories with more recently outdated science are out there. Stories with scientific misconceptions are quite common...

Derailing a science thread is hard, as a propped thread would mender all over the landscape.

And hypothetical situations are called hypotheses :)

Quote:

By the by, the snow has begun here in the northeast, therefore so too has reading season. Any suggestions?

Nothing snow specific, sorry :P

Quote:

Keep in mind I'm a Sci-Fi rookie, but I've been looking to branch out into something I haven't done before. Why don't you give me two, say, something you think an idiot would like, and a "if you could only have one book for the rest of your life" type book. If you only have one suggestion, that's fine, but I don't think I've ever judged a book by it's cover and I smell opportunity ;)

Tall order....

My tastes run to the old-fashioned side, mostly Asimov, Clarke, Heinlein and such. So:

Isaac Asimov: The End of Eternity, The Gods Themselves
Arthur C. Clarke: The Fountains of Paradise
Robert Heinlein: The Door Into Summer, Friday
Larry Niven: Ringworld
Clifford D. Simak: Way Station
Robert Silverberg: The World Inside


If you like short story collections, I suggest you look up:

Nightfall and Other Stories by Asimov
The Man Who Sold the Moon by Heinlein
His Share of Glory by Cyril Kornbluth
The Complete Paratime by H. Beam Piper (this is more of an alternate universes story collection but not in the classic sense)

Feel free to ask questions.

Quote: 1BB

It's a fun, educational thread and the brilliant minds on this forum need constant stimulation. Your second post after joining today had nothing to do with gambling.

Observar y aprender.

Observa y aprende is 2nd person imperitive mood (You watch and Learn!) or a command, as opposed the infinitive forms of the verb (To watch and to Learn).
Observa y aprende Tequila Suicide in Sweden

For what it's worth, I was the top contributor before that thread started. I suspected it would help knock me down a peg or two on that list.

I'm still bitter about what happened in Junior High School regarding learning Spanish, to the point where I haven't even viewed that thread.

However, I do not think there's anything wrong with having the thread here. Nor do I think there's anything wrong with having FrGamble's threads on a gambling website. Nor any of the other off topic threads.

Quote: Wizard

Wizard: When I was your age I could name all the presidents.
Wizard's teenage daughter: It was easier for you, there weren't as many then.

Yeah, and you only had 5 channels on TV.
And if the president was on, your night was shot!

Quote: DJTeddyBear

I'm still bitter about what happened in Junior High School regarding learning Spanish, to the point where I haven't even viewed that thread.

Now there are over a million Spanish speaking citizens of New Jersey. What happened to make you bitter?