After all these years, Metallica is still riding the lightning. The band has become a waste of space. God willing their diesel-pusher buses will be vaporized by Zeus' instrument of choice.
@lilwillie: Vehicles aren't grounded. Something about the air filled rubber tires. It's one of those sciency things. Makes them mostly invisible to lightning, which is looking for the easiest path to ground.
Make his fight through the hills in the traffic maze Constant chill deep inside Shouting cuss, making fuss through the endless haze On the fight, for they are right, yes, by who's to say? To a job, men would slog, why? they do not know Traffic lights test their pride Men of rage, gears engaged through the gridlock, slow Gone insane from the boredom they surely know
@X3SoB: It's not really irrelevant from an environmental point of view as it shows that combustion-engined vehicles have yet another impact on the environment that we hadn't anticipated. Not saying it's a good or bad impact, just that there is one.
@beercheck: I really love my cars. But I also love my science. Do you honestly believe that there is no impact from the millions and millions of cars that are being driven, burning fossil fuels and releasing CO2, on anything? Because that's just naive.
@X3SoB: Why, exactly, is this "irrelvent bullshit?" Because you don't agree with it? Because you don't think that there's a real link between exhaust and lightning strikes? I think it's plenty "relevant." It shows that air pollution can be responsible for more than we thought. Broaden the application of the conclusions to pollution in general, and you might find it to be more relevant than if you simply view it as a criticism against cars.
@jdickson87: Amen brother. I've always asked the naysayers if they can breathe what comes out of their tailpipes. If not, doesn't that leave open the possibility that our actions/pollutants could ultimately have an impact on a larger scale? It isn't just about cars either, it's our furnaces, water heaters, powerplants, etc. Still don't believe it? Since CA cleaned up the air in LA since the 70's it's best to go overseas for a good demonstration. So, go to Bejing, go for a jog, see how you feel... this is how human actions can alter the environment.
@SlowMo: In some circumstances, the exhaust coming out of the modern tailpipe can be less polluted than the intake air. Of course, due to the nature of combustion, there is a depleted oxygen component, so trying to breathe it solely is contraindicated.
It isn't applicable near urban areas. It appears to be more of an observation than a scientific study. He probably received grant money for this, needed an answer by a certain date, and was up all night the night before it was due spewing as much bullshit as he could, hoping it made sense when he printed it.
Well, the upshot is that it's now that much easier for me to harness 1.21 gigawatts of electrical charge from a bolt of lightning in case I run out of plutonium.
If FromaBuick6 has to watch one more Chevy commercial, he's going to punch Howie Long in the face was starred
If FromaBuick6 has to watch one more Chevy commercial, he's going to punch Howie Long in the face was unstarred
If FromaBuick6 has to watch one more Chevy commercial, he's going to punch Howie Long in the face was starred
If FromaBuick6 has to watch one more Chevy commercial, he's going to punch Howie Long in the face was unstarred
its not car exhaust, for it is mighty Thor target practicing on cars in the great american deserts. mighty Thor is a merciful god an knows that there are fewer people per square mile in the great american deserts; thus less chance of a bad throw knocking out a nopales farmer.
mighty Thor also knows it is best to target cars rather then cute little desert cottontail due to the automobiles inherent grounding capabilities.
@Bumblebee: you people!!! I just called the Cable Company and cancelled my service...who needs Comedy Central, with this bunch. It is a good thing that my keyboard is sealed because I have snotted coffee at it twice now. I am going to have to just stop drinking the stuff while I read. Its a waste of both coffee and booze. :D
Sure it's not that the roadway has greater conductivity than the surrounding rock or soil, or that it might be built along a local high point or ridge?
Anyway, I'll have to fire up the old Ford Lighting and head out to ride the lightning.
@Van Sarockin: Did you read the article? Because they also cite increased rainfall. I don't think that roadways attract increased rainfall, do they? Nor do telephone poles.
Don't automatically dismiss any scientific study that blames cars for something.
@jdickson87: You're talking to the wrong guy on this one. Particulates present in vehicle exhaust can, in fact, lead to the increased formation of water droplets, which may then become rain, should conditions be appropriate.
The study, as presented, did not seem to offer an entirely convincing chain of facts or argumentation. So I suggested some alternate factors that might have a larger influence in the behavior being studied. Let's see where the facts lead.
@Van Sarockin: Fair enough. I apologize for my misinterpretation. How about this?
Exhaust--->Clouds--->Static Buildup--->Lightning.
I'll readily admit that my understanding of weather is pretty basic, but is that not unreasonable? It could essentially act as a cloud seeding agent. Add to this the generally thunderhead friendly nature of the Southwest, and I think it could be a reasonable link.
@jdickson87: And there's also a goodly amount of water vapor in exhaust gasses. In combination with pollutants, the air near a road might be more conductive, helping to attract lightning.
Would some kind soul please shovel a couple of million my way, so that I might drive the highways of our deserts and plains, seeking the scientific explanation for this quandary?
@pauljones: Believe me, you'll never see those numbers in the Infiniti. You'll be lucky if you get 8-9 around town, and 14 on the highway is more like it. The Armada is the same thing.
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Constant chill deep inside
Shouting cuss, making fuss through the endless haze
On the fight, for they are right, yes, by who's to say?
To a job, men would slog, why? they do not know
Traffic lights test their pride
Men of rage, gears engaged through the gridlock, slow
Gone insane from the boredom they surely know
For whom you pay tolls
Time marches on
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@X3SoB: Why, exactly, is this "irrelvent bullshit?" Because you don't agree with it? Because you don't think that there's a real link between exhaust and lightning strikes? I think it's plenty "relevant." It shows that air pollution can be responsible for more than we thought. Broaden the application of the conclusions to pollution in general, and you might find it to be more relevant than if you simply view it as a criticism against cars.
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mighty Thor also knows it is best to target cars rather then cute little desert cottontail due to the automobiles inherent grounding capabilities.
damn you science!!
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Besides, Thor is into "other" pursuits these days.
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hold your tongue sir or are you displaying idols of Jörmungandr in your home?
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[io9.com]
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and I must say you are on quite a streak with the funny comments this morning...I would say the extra sugar in your coffee is working out well. :)
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Hell, you don't even need the burger.
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Anyway, I'll have to fire up the old Ford Lighting and head out to ride the lightning.
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And I am suddenly in the mood for some Metallica to help me dominate some spreadsheets.
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The phrase "new study" always gets an eye roll out of me.
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I actually sing formulas to "Fade to Black"
lookup, A1, choose array
On the 13th I get paid
gotta sort the target list
A to Z or stuff gets missed
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Don't automatically dismiss any scientific study that blames cars for something.
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Worksheet imprisoning me
All that I see
Absolute values
I cannot SUM
I cannot FIND
Trapped in M12
Data corrupted cell!
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The study, as presented, did not seem to offer an entirely convincing chain of facts or argumentation. So I suggested some alternate factors that might have a larger influence in the behavior being studied. Let's see where the facts lead.
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Exhaust--->Clouds--->Static Buildup--->Lightning.
I'll readily admit that my understanding of weather is pretty basic, but is that not unreasonable? It could essentially act as a cloud seeding agent. Add to this the generally thunderhead friendly nature of the Southwest, and I think it could be a reasonable link.
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Would some kind soul please shovel a couple of million my way, so that I might drive the highways of our deserts and plains, seeking the scientific explanation for this quandary?
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Assuming that we are talking about OEM-stock vehicles, name one SUV currently on sale that is less fuel-efficient than a Hummer H2?
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[jalopnik.com]
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/puts asshat on backwards, tilted to one side, and walks away, whistling
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Infiniti QX56: 12/17
Hummer H2: 11/14
According to the Consumer Reports new car buying guide released in April of 2008.
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I thought fuel usage was what we were talking about?
[jalopnik.com]
@leavethegun-takethecannoli:
Same goes for the Hummer.
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