Miscellaneous desk
< January 31	<< Jan \| February \| Mar >>	February 2 >

Welcome to the Wikipedia Miscellaneous Reference Desk Archives
The page you are currently viewing is an archive page. While you can leave answers for any questions shown below, please ask new questions on one of the current reference desk pages.

February 1

Wittgensteinian online game

Sometime in the last year or so I came across a page online that had a simple game on it, possibly written in Java or Flash. The online game featured a philosopher walking across the screen blathering, and when you pressed a button the philosopher would be quiet. The game was modeled around Wittgenstein's motto "Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent." The entertainment value of it wasn't so much the playability of it, but rather its mocking tone. I have a vague recollection of the link to the page having some connection with either Eliezer Yudkowsky or LessWrong, but I'm unsure.

I haven't been able to relocate the game. Any ideas where I might find it? Gabbe (talk) 12:43, 1 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

The fate of retired trains

Whilst looking at a new Metro-North New Haven Line train a thought came to mind: what happens to the older cars (which work fine but don't have electrical outlets or bathrooms) when they replace them (with cars that do have those amenities)? Is there a market for used trains? I'd kind of like to know that for Amtrak's Northeast Corridor trains, but I'm not sure those have ever been replaced.... Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie | ^{Say Shalom!} 12 Shevat 5775 21:11, 1 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Depending on condition, some are sold to smaller railroads, tourist railroads, or railroads in other countries. (Many are in Mexico.) A lot are used for parts to keep other cars of the same model operating. Some are auctioned off and used as storage buildings, diners, even homes. Those that are in very bad condition are scrapped. Amtrak does a lot of rehabilitation of its cars, often taking parts from those that can't run to maintain others. Most of Amtrak's cars are relatively new — I doubt they have any original cars anymore. → Michael J Ⓣ Ⓒ Ⓜ 21:29, 1 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

For some minor changes, like adding reclining seats, it might be economically best to upgrade the existing cars. StuRat (talk) 21:56, 1 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

That all makes sense, but sir, I think you and I differ greatly as to what counts as new. The Amtrak trains I've ridden (maybe 200) were in bad condition normally.

Nonsene, Stu, it's better to throw money at it to make it nicer for people that live in CT's Gold Coast. Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie | ^{Say Shalom!} 15 Shevat 5775 01:55, 4 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Artificial Reefs Made With Sunken Subway Cars, Navy Ships Bus stop (talk) 22:01, 1 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

That is utterly fantastic. Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie | ^{Say Shalom!} 15 Shevat 5775 01:55, 4 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

I can't speak to the US, but in the UK there are "cascades". New rolling stock is bought, allowing the older stock to be sent to other areas of the country. For instance the Class 313s which were replaced by London Overground's Class 378 units were sent to work on the south coast, freeing up the stock which had worked those routes to lengthen other services. In other cases, the trains may be sold abroad, as with some older Docklands Light Railway rolling stock, which now work in Germany. Other old stock, for instance the old "slam door" trains which were replaced in the Southern region, are generally sent to the scrapyard, though a few examples may be saved for use on heritage railways. -mattbuck (Talk) 22:44, 1 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

I always thought the South was favoured over the North. I've never ridden the Overground or DLR and so know nothing about the trains. Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie | ^{Say Shalom!} 15 Shevat 5775 01:55, 4 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

It generally is. As Class 319s are replaced on Thameslink services by new Class 377s, Class 387s and eventually Class 700s, the 319s are being sent to the Northern franchise to work in the Manchester area on newly electrified routes. -mattbuck (Talk) 10:41, 4 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

If a car has performed poorly, will it be sent to Coventry ? StuRat (talk) 01:42, 7 February 2015 (UTC) [reply]

What on earth did I buy my girlfriend for a Christmas present?

I gave my girlfriend several Christmas presents, but one of them we don't know what to call. It's a scarf, but instead of being like a | it's a closed loop. Does anyone know what it's actually called? -mattbuck (Talk) 22:41, 1 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Infinity scarf? ---Sluzzelin talk 22:43, 1 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Noose? Collect (talk) 22:46, 1 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

They're described as snoods in my local branch of Sainsbury's (and doubtless in other clothing emporia). Tevildo (talk) 22:52, 1 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

That's odd, since that article says it's something you wear on your head, not around your neck. I was thinking horse collar, but infinity scarf works too. ―Mandruss ☎ 22:56, 1 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

A snood is shaped like a bag, not a torus, at least in US English. StuRat (talk) 22:56, 1 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Everybody needs a thneed. SteveBaker (talk) 04:53, 2 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

I'd call it dangerous. Catch the back in the elevator door and the front under her chin, and you may need to find a new G/F. StuRat (talk) 22:54, 1 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

They are banned in (association) football for that very reason. Tevildo (talk) 23:36, 1 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Of course, in association football countries they don't have elevators, only "lifts". StuRat (talk) 23:38, 1 February 2015 (UTC) [reply]

When I left her house after giving it to her, it was hung by the pricetag from the curtain rail, with a toy badger inside it. I assume she will be careful when out with it though - not sure how many lifts there are in her area. -mattbuck (Talk) 23:54, 1 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

How disgraceful, leaving the price tag on a gift! — Preceding unsigned comment added by 85.211.138.77 (talk) 07:40, 3 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Sorry, I should clarify that it had the plastic hanger on it, but I had removed the actual price from said hanger. -mattbuck (Talk) 10:37, 4 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

That's ridiculous - why would such a thing be more dangerous than any other hooded garment? Even a regular scarf could produce that consequence if you had it wrapped around your neck with the dangling ends where they could get stuck in something. The FIFA ban on them was from a concern that other players might deliberately grab them - not some bizarre accidental situation involving lifts/elevators. Show me a reference that says that such a thing is more dangerous than any of those other common items of clothing. SteveBaker (talk) 04:53, 2 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, remember Isadora Duncan. AndrewWTaylor (talk) 13:57, 2 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

[EC] See, for example, the demise of Isadora Duncan. Intuitively, snoods (if that's what we're calling them) might be more likely to get snagged than non-ouroborobian scarves, but the latter are not hazardless! {The poster formerly known as 87.81.230.195} 212.95.237.92 (talk) 13:59, 2 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Ah! Thanks! I was scratching my head trying to remember her name.

Anyway...THIS means that we all have to go around without shirts on for fear of escalator-entanglement strangulation. THIS definitely rules out any possibility of wearing draw-string hoodies. THIS tweet speaks loudly of the dangers of pyjamas.

I was unable to find any incidents of people being strangled by their socks...so those are probably still OK.

SteveBaker (talk) 15:42, 2 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

In the British Army and Royal Marines, a woollen tube is called a Cap Comforter and can be worn either on the head or round the neck: "they became synonymous with the apparel of the commando of the Second World War." Alansplodge (talk) 17:37, 2 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

A friend of mine who knits such items sells them as "infinity scarves". --TammyMoet (talk) 20:46, 2 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

I'd call it a Mobius scarf. Dalliance (talk) 22:36, 2 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Wow, that's an interesting twist on the idea. SteveBaker (talk) 23:29, 2 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

That's a one-sided view if I ever heard one. Clarityfiend (talk) 00:12, 3 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Half a twist, at best. StuRat (talk) 02:43, 3 February 2015 (UTC) [reply]

So you think the competition definitely has an edge over it? SteveBaker (talk) 15:14, 3 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

It's a Mobius scarf if it was given a half twist before the ends were joined together, so that it is a true Mobius strip. Otherwise I would call it an infinity scarf.--Treesprout (talk) 02:38, 3 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Confirming User:Treesprout's response per forum query in the Ravelry web community of knitters. Further to the above, the single or multiple-looped neckwear is a cowl type of scarf. Some are wide enough to cover the wearer's hair as well, but a snood is exclusively for the head/hair. -- Deborahjay (talk) 07:51, 3 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

The trademark Buff is more or less genericized in Norway (and Spain, don't know about other European countries). The images in our article are not very good, a web image search is more likely to be successful for checking whether this was what you bought. --NorwegianBlue^talk 21:13, 3 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Middle Branch Newport Creek

Does anyone know whether the Middle Branch Newport Creek spoken of here is the same as the stream officially known as Newport Creek (GNIS page), or if they've switched around the names of some creeks since the book I linked to was written? I need to know for an article I'm working on. Thanks, --Jakob (talk) 23:01, 1 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

I'm not sure that I understand your question. Though not labeled "Middle Branch" on current topographic maps (click on "Topo" in the "ACME Mapper" row at the top of the left-hand table on the GeoHack page the following coordinates links take you to), the stream appears to be the one that rises at 41°10′19″N 76°03′48″W / 41.1719°N 76.0632°W and joins the main Newport Creek at 41°11′00″N 76°03′17″W / 41.1832°N 76.0546°W. It is labeled "Middle Branch Newport Creek" on Google Maps and the Open Street Map, and the locations I've linked to correspond to those specified on the GNIS page you've cited. That the book you've linked to specifies its source as being in Conyingham township perhaps indicates that the stream formerly arose farther to the west. It's possible that mining operations or other human activities have filled in the upper reaches of the creek since that time. Deor (talk) 00:03, 2 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]

@Deor: Thanks for your comment. I had figured that the creek's source had moved since there isn't any branch of Newport Creek in Conyngham Township. The source did state that Middle Branch Newport Creek is a tributary of North Branch Newport Creek, whereas the Middle Branch on modern maps is a tributary of Newport Creek (the main stem). Of course, "North Branch Newport Creek" could simply be Newport Creek upstream of South Branch Newport Creek, which confuses things further. --Jakob (talk) 00:23, 2 February 2015 (UTC)[reply]