The odd humor of the British

A true story from a university in England:

A student appealed the marking of his Physics paper to the Rector. (The Rector is a kind of ombudsman who represents student issues to the University administration, and chairs a 'court' to which students can appeal decisions.)

The question on the physics paper was "Explain how you would use a barometer to determine the height of a sky-scraper". His answer was "I would take the barometer to the top of the building, lower it on a string to the ground, then measure the string". He was failed. In his appeal, he said his method would work, so his answer should be allowed.

The Rector ordered the matter to be considered by an external examiner. The examiner met with the student. He asked the student, having had time to consider the matter, if he'd come up with any alternative answers to the question. The student replied:

"I suppose I could take the barometer to the top of the building, and drop it. Using a stop-watch I could record the exact time it took to fall. Using the equation for acceleration of a falling object, I could then work out the height.

Or I guess you were hoping that I'd take the barometer to the top of the building, and using the reading on the barometer for air pressure and the reading from the ground, I could work out the height from the change in air pressure.

But on reflection I think I would find the janitor for the building, and tell him if he gave me the correct height of the building, I'd give him the barometer".

The examiner passed the student!

Electronic Cigrarettes?

Oh my! I thought when someone told me you could get electronic cigarettes, I thought they were joking. Apparently not. eCigarettes use a battery powered heater to sublimate a charge of nicotine into an inhaleable form. You use it just like a cigarette. No smoke of course, but the same hit as with a regular cigarette. It seems because they don't produce smoke, you can use them in public places like restaurants and bars and on planes where you would not normally be allowed to smoke.

And the cartridges cost less than regular cigarettes! (Though you have to buy the starter kit of course). The kit includes two chargers, and a USB charger you can use in your laptop!

Don't believe me? Here's the How It Works video link from Blu, the manufacturer of one brand:

http://www.blucigs.com/howitworks.php

And how does she manage to stay upright standing like that?

I can't decide if I'm in favor of this or not. Clearly Blu isn't going to bother me in public places like regular smoke does; and I guess the smoker won't have smoker's breath. It's up to individuals to decide whether this is healthy for them. The only thing I worry about is whether these things give off any vapors or emissions that might damage MY health. Apparently they have not been tested and have not been approved by the FDA.