Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Humanities/2007 February 8

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[edit] February 8

[edit] In the US, are auto insurance determined in regard to vehicle type?

For example, would the rates for a sports car be higher than those for a sedan just because it's a sports car?--Arraba 00:08, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Yes, the make and model of the vehicle are taken into account when insurance premiums are determined. Carom 00:26, 8 February 2007 (UTC)
The term "sports car" can be both an objective and subjective term. Some insurance companies go by mere "horse power" of a vehicle, where others have a listing more based on if its listed as a sports car according to "official" standards. Keep in my mind, that many true sports cars of the present and past have relatively low horse power engines. Mere horse power does not make a "sports car". Technically, a sports car must also be a 2 seater. To paraphrase, a true sports car is a 2 seater that is very nimble and quick on its feet, resulting in a very high "fun to drive" factor. Those that have never been in or driven a true sports car usually have no concept of how differently a true sports car drives and feels on the road. Zeno333 20:47, 9 February 2007 (UTC)
In my experience, insurance companies set their rates based on the exact make and model of car, with additional modification for optional features such as air bags, antilock brakes, and possibly even the color of the paint. This reflects the repair or replacement cost of the car, the safety of the occupant, the odds of the car being in an accident, and many other factors. --Carnildo 23:38, 9 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Washington history Homework (LOL) (A VERY serious question)

What year did the Pacific Ocean flood? Better yet what was the exact date?

Well my (maternal) grandpa was born in 1913 and he never mentioned anything about the Pacific Ocean flooding, so I would assume it was before that date. In fact, I think if it had even happened when his father was born, then my grandpa would have known and told me about it. Now, since his father was born in 1881, it is safe to assume that this event occurred before 1881. − Twas Now ( talk • contribs • e-mail ) 06:29, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Tsunami? --Wetman 20:01, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

I've never heard of an ocean flooding. Rivers can flood (ie. break their banks, flooding the surrounding area), but oceans have tides. True, very high tides can cause flooding in certain places on land (eg. the Bay of Fundy in Canada), but this isn't the same thing as saying the ocean itself floods. See also storm tide and storm surge, neither of which mention Washington. JackofOz 00:30, 9 February 2007 (UTC)
The Pacific Ocean never flooded. Rather, due to continental drift, it slowly emerged out of its predecessor, Panthalassa, which, to the best of my knowledge, was not located anywhere near Washington. Loomis 00:38, 9 February 2007 (UTC)
Though I've never heard of any theories of entire oceans flooding, the Black Sea deluge theory posits that the Black Sea was indeed the result of a flood occurring c.5600 BC. Of course, if you ask me, I'd say the Pacific Ocean was created on or about September 23, 3760 BC. A good 5500 years before Washington attained statehood. :) Loomis 00:58, 9 February 2007 (UTC)
I think it would also make a difference between how you define a flood. If a flood is any time it goes above it's normal water level, it floods every high tide. --Wirbelwindヴィルヴェルヴィント (talk) 02:47, 9 February 2007 (UTC)

Is this a question about the Pacific Ocean flooding Washington... and if so, which Washington do you mean? --Dweller 14:00, 9 February 2007 (UTC)

I would think it would be very hard indeed for the Pacific ocean to flood Washington, D.C. Dismas|(talk) 16:09, 9 February 2007 (UTC)
After Katrina, DC deserves to be under water. TREKPHILER 03:38, 10 February 2007 (UTC) (BTW, could Washington swim? {"In the event of a water landing, your teeth can be used as a flotation device."})

[edit] Sea Ports

What were some big sea ports in Europe in the Age of Exploration?

If you mean the Age of Discovery, early 1400s to early 1600s, and if by "big sea ports" you mean playing a large role in the explorations and discoveries, then a short list might include: Lisbon, Cádiz, La Rochelle, Saint-Malo, London, Bristol, Plymouth, and Amsterdam. Pfly 06:24, 8 February 2007 (UTC)
This list looks good, but I would add Seville, which was the port from which Ferdinand Magellan sailed and the seat of the Spanish colonial enterprise, and Dieppe, which was at least as important during this period as the other French ports listed. Marco polo 15:17, 8 February 2007 (UTC)
Oh yes, huh. Here I thought Seville was the main city but located off the coast, with Cadiz acting as its port. Thanks for setting me straight! Pfly 18:24, 8 February 2007 (UTC)
Seville was a sea port until the river silted up. Corvus cornix 18:45, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

See also the Cinque Ports, of note until the end of Henry VIII's reign. --Dweller 13:57, 9 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] re-marriage

my first marriage was by church can i be married again by church?

It depends on (a) the church, (b) the priest, (c) whether or not your first marriage ended by divorce, annullment, or the death of your spouse, (d) whether your new spouse is related to your first spouse, (e) probably some other factors I can't think of. Can you be more specific about your actual circumstances? JackofOz 02:17, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Jack's right, but forgot to bring up the issue of spending cash. A lot makes it easier. DDB 08:51, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

  • The most important question. Where do you live? - 131.211.210.17 09:29, 8 February 2007 (UTC)
I suppose the simplest way to find out is to consult the priest in the church concerned. --Robert Merkel 01:15, 13 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Space

So concerning interplanetary colonization and space expolration in general, menstration cyles in women, or so i am told, coincide with the moon, (much like ocean tides) hence every 28 days. How would this be affected in a) zero gravity b)when out of the pull of the moon and c) if one were on another planet which had serveral moons or (b) no moons.

I have read the article on Menstrual cycle#Etymology_and_the_lunar_month However if one looks at the cite, I do not belive this to be conclusive as A) it was done by men. and B) they class their book with the paranormal!?!? There is nothing abnormal about menstration, or it being correlated to the moon :

^ As cited by Adams, Cecil, "What's the link between the moon and menstruation?" (accessed 6 June 2006): Abell, George O.; Barry Singer (1983). Science and the Paranormal: Probing the Existence of the Supernatural.

Thanks guys, and Ladies.

The study was done by a woman, Louise Lacey, as clearly stated in the article. It also says the results have not been reproduced. I have read somewhere, or heard somewhere, that women who spend a lot of time together may potentially have their cycles synchronized. − Twas Now ( talk • contribs • e-mail ) 15:13, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Okay, but the experiment done by Louise Lacey only supports the theory of moon-menstral correlation. But that is not my question at all. My question is: How would a menstral/estrogen cycle of a human/mammal be effected through A)zero gravity B)when out of reach of the gravitational pull of the moon and C)If one were in a multiple mooned eviroment. As I feel this would be rather important when considering fertility of man when we manage to colonize other worlds. Thanks

I don't think many studies have been done regarding the effect of gravity on menstruation. This doesn't really affect the fertility of men, since men do not menstruate. You might want to check out [1] ("because of the increased potential for decompression sickness with injury to the endothelium during menstrual periods, space walks should be avoided at the time of menstruation") and [2] ("Gravity is not essential for menstruation to occur"). − Twas Now ( talk • contribs • e-mail ) 15:31, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Okay,...(takes a deep breath as this is proving to be difficult to get an answer to) Thankyou for answering A: gravity does not affect menstruation. Of course men do not menstruate! I meant man-kind

As an aside, I was taught that the menstrual cycle of Old World monkeys was in synch with the moon, but the New World monkeys were not. I don't have a source for this.--Shantavira 16:43, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Such research is ongoing. The 28 day cycle is not physical, but socially linked, and involves pheremone signals. A woman's menstrual cycle approximates 28 days because her body finds that a convenience for timing in recycling a nutrient rich bed for a fetus. It isn't gravity linked. However, space, with it's cosmic radiation, might pose unique conditions that might effect such. Good luck with your research. DDB 19:53, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Though I can't vouch for its reliability, this [3] article would seem to be a direct answer to your question. It would appear that the similarity in duration between human menstruation and the lunar cycle is most likely coincidental. Besides, I wouldn't worry about human fertility in space in the future. By then we'll probably be either artificially conceived in Brave New World type hatcheries or we'll all be clones. Personally, I'm far more concerned about whether my computer will be able to handle Y3K. :) Loomis 00:14, 9 February 2007 (UTC)
Y3K shouldn't be a problem. You're more likely to run into either the 2038 problem or the Y10K problem. --Carnildo 23:42, 9 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Family Crest or Family Coat of Arms pictures

I am looking for "Family Crest" or "Family Coat of Arms" for two names and I cannot seem to locate where to find them. Is there any suggestions that you can give me. I need printable copies with name history if at all possible. The two names I am looking up are; Jones (Welsh ancestory) and Goltz (German ancestory). Any help will be appreciated...

Thank you. Richard

Jones and Goltz. − Twas Now ( talk • contribs • e-mail ) 18:48, 8 February 2007 (UTC)
In spite of what one may be told, coats-of-arms are not granted to names but to individuals. They are carried only by the direct descendents of those individuals. There are numerous coats granted to numerous Joneses: one may be your ancestor. Or not. --Wetman 19:55, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Yes, I understand this, but I want to know if there is a site that is available (without cost) to look for the Family Crest (or) Coat of Arms that has been issued to those individuals...(thanks for your help on this)

[edit] DJ Career

What is so attractive in this art of so called DJ business? Is it the money factor or why are things so hyped today with such a useless business?

What lures today's youth in this business? User:Garb wire 18:51, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Do you mean DJ as in radio disk jockey, or as in the turntablist? − Twas Now ( talk • contribs • e-mail ) 18:54, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

DJ to be precise the guy who plays music in clubs and bars ,mixes tracks and old wine ......18:56, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

The things that spring to mind are: The potential to become famous, the opportunity to work doing something you get pleasure from doing, being part of the 'music' scene, enjoying having fans/people hear your work, variety - the music is changing constantly so there is something new every week/month. Evidently it is not a 'useless' business since it has enough money to employ people. Whether or not they are 'worth' the money is another matter, but why do people pay to listen to orchestras when a cd of them playing would suffice? The experience of listening to a DJ mix 'live'/work live is presumably an attraction to customers of that nature. ny156uk 00:40, 9 February 2007 (UTC)
DJing doesn't seem particularly lucrative. I think most "professional" dj's barely make even or have to have another work at the side to get by. 惑乱 分からん 02:14, 9 February 2007 (UTC)
  • When I used to help out a DJ the money was poor but you got in free to every club and gig in town,got to meet bands,got free records,free beer when I worked(don't know about old wine) and the opposite sex were always interested in you.A good career if you loved music but wern't talented enough to play in a band.Other DJs such as John Peel were seminal in forming the musical tastes of a nation . Without a DJ there would be no music in clubs.Who would give up a night of leisure to spin the platters?hotclaws**== 09:28, 9 February 2007 (UTC)
Two books by Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton give a good understanding of what a DJ does: How to DJ Right: The Art and Science of Playing Records (ISBN 0-8021-3995-7) and Last Night a DJ Saved My Life: The History of the Disc Jockey (ISBN 0-8021-3688-5). --Lph 19:37, 9 February 2007 (UTC)

Its a useless career ! Just driven by passion for music and mixing old wine in A new bottle ! It can only be viewed as a viable monetary option for an individual!19:07, 12 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Leftist Documents/Books/websites on containment and Vietnam

Where can I find websites and sources analyzing the Vietnam War from a lefty point of view? I'm looking for documents, pamphlets, books and websites that analyze American intervention in Vietnam from a leftist point of view. Specifically I'm looking for sources that analyze the plicy of containment and American foreign policy. Are there any works that examine the racial and economic implications of containment policy?--Jacobin1949 18:53, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

I think any mainstream media site, like CNN, New York Times, Washington Post, Sydney Morning Herald and any of many would fit the bill. Many offer search functions on articles. Some still celebrate the triumph. DDB 19:42, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

CNN, the New York Times, the Washington Post are not leftist. American Power and the New Mandarins might be useful. Skarioffszky 21:29, 8 February 2007 (UTC)
One journalist whose writings you might find useful is John Pilger. His work is very much from a leftist point of view and he has written copiously on Vietnam, although I can't give you any precise sources. --Richardrj talk email 22:33, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

I'm not really looking for leftive perspectives on war crimes or the actual military conduct of the war. Im looking for more of a foreign policy perspective specifically focusing on containment as developed by Kennan, truman and Ike in the 19402-1950s. --Jacobin1949 23:50, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

  • There are books out there written by the Vietnamese.hotclaws**== 09:29, 9 February 2007 (UTC)
The Vietnamese are not really "leftist" either in the sense the questioner means. --24.147.86.187 13:36, 9 February 2007 (UTC)
Hmm, yes are the are certainly dozens of books which have come out since the 1970s which look at containment from a left-liberal point of view, though for the life of me a specific title doesn't come to mind. --24.147.86.187 13:36, 9 February 2007 (UTC)
Dunno if it helps, but you might look at Michael Maclear's 10000 Day War. Trekphiler 03:24, 10 February 2007 (UTC)
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