Terminus Est

Gwern Branwen · 12 Jul 2008, 04:19 · from 2008-July.txt.gz

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From: gwern0 at gmail.com (Gwern Branwen)
Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:19:46 -0400
Subject: (urth) Terminus Est
In-Reply-To: <486C52FA.3040906 at oreb.net>
References: <E996FA34C7F44E36B8E9D07A5EF78292@StuartPC>
	<882309C4-25D3-4485-8DB6-35242CED6A08 at gmail.com>
	<486B973C.2080904 at oreb.net> <486BFA89.4090502 at io.com>
	<20080702221733.GA13533@craft> <486C52FA.3040906 at oreb.net>
Message-ID: <20080712041946.GC27407@craft>

On 2008.07.02 22:18:02 -0600, Gary <stuff at oreb.net> scribbled 2.0K characters:
> Jeff Wilson wrote:
>> Like the mysterious alien artifact used to make mercury thermometers?
>>
>
> I like the Area 51 thermometer on my deck... I assume the supposed
> "bluebird" decoration is actually the depiction of an alien overlord.
>
> Gwern Branwen wrote:
>> It has a channel running down the center but is still strong? Simple, it has an I-beam shape and one void is covered up to make a channel.
>>
> I really think the channel needs to be along the centre-of-balance - the
> centre, assuming a symmetrical sword.  Otherwise the channel would make
> it much harder to wield, not easier.  So instead of an I-beam, use a
> tube... or a square rod if you prefer, with the sides being your
> "I-beam" equivalent, and the channel within.
...

Well, it would be balanced - the 'groove' runs up the middle of the blade, which gets you symmetry along one direction, and an I-beam shape has a groove going up both sides, which gets you symmetry along the other dimension, if you follow me.

--
gwern
Undercover burhop World 757 William BECCA Psyops veggie 3M Treasury
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