The Box of Chocolates Thread (You never know what you're going to get!)

The Box of Chocolates Thread (You never know what you're going to get!)

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24 December 2022 at 08:57 AM
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An aeolipile, aeolipyle, or eolipile, from the Greek "Αἰόλου πύλη", also known as a Hero's (or Heron's) engine, is a simple, bladeless radial steam turbine which spins when the central water container is heated. Torque is produced by steam jets exiting the turbine. The Greek-Egyptian mathematician and engineer Hero of Alexandria described the device in the 1st century AD, and many sources give him the credit for its invention.[1][2] However, Vitruvius was the first to describe this appliance in his De architectura (ca. 30–20 BC).[3]


As noted, one recorded rudimentary steam-powered engine was the aeolipile described by Hero of Alexandria, a Hellenistic mathematician and engineer in Roman Egypt during the first century AD.[8] In the following centuries, the few steam-powered engines known were, like the aeolipile,[9] essentially experimental devices used by inventors to demonstrate the properties of steam.


by Rococo k

Completely random thought.

Imagine that you are immediately transported back to the time of the Italian Renaissance, or if you prefer, the height of the Roman Empire. You must live the rest of your life in this historical period. You can speak the language. You can't bring anything with you. Your goal is to be regarded within this historical time period as a scientific/engineering genius.

Within reason, you have money to pay the skilled artisans of the era to do work for you. But those ar

going in yolo without a support structure and no way to organically build it up slowly over time you'd be dead or more likely robbed and enslaved pretty damn fast in the original defund the police state

would need to bring a loyal crew with you


They never thought of using the power it generated but being geniuses, we would.

It's a little bit tricky but the renaissance had a lot of very skilled artisans and the odd leonardo.


There also some stupidly named 'paradox' about how it's so much easier to do something you know can be done than something you dont know can be done .


Can we change the rules slightly to something along the lines of "you are allowed to read one Wikipedia article before you go to prepare"? For example, I don't know off the top of my head how to make ammonia, but if I were allowed to memorize some basics around the Haber process I might be able to give them instructions that would revolutionise agriculture.

Similarly, I could probably teach them to blow **** up real good if I could see how dynamite is made.


A detailed map of the globe tatooed somewhere would be handy


by d2_e4 k

Can we change the rules slightly to something along the lines of "you are allowed to read one Wikipedia article before you go to prepare"?

No. That defeats the purpose. If you gave me even two hours to prepare, my chances of succeeding would increase dramatically.


If I went back to Roman times, I might be able to explain to artisans how to make some crude version of a moveable type printing press. That would be significant.


by chezlaw k

There also some stupidly named 'paradox' about how it's so much easier to do something you know can be done than something you dont know can be done .

ie you can be a winning poker player, card counter, dfs pro, sports bettor etc

overwhelming majority of people who do that for a living pursued it only because they knew others could do it and was thus possible


by Rococo k

No. That defeats the purpose. If you gave me even two hours to prepare, my chances of succeeding would increase dramatically.

Fine, I'll have to get by on my wits then...

Go into a random bakery and tell the baker: "hey, see those loaves over there? Slice them up."


I have read many scifi/fantasy books with this same basic premise. The protagonists don't seem to have a problem getting things done. So it must be doable.


by Didace k

I have read many scifi/fantasy books with this same basic premise. The protagonists don't seem to have a problem getting things done. So it must be doable.

Hey, you could teach them double entry book-keeping.

At least you and Rococo have skills that are somewhat transferrable in time. Wtf am I gonna do, write software on a stone tablet?


by d2_e4 k

Hey, you could teach them double entry book-keeping.

At least you and Rococo have skills that are somewhat transferrable in time. Wtf am I gonna do, write software on a stone tablet?

I think the concept of "0" would be more important. Roman numerals in a ledger would suck.

You could teach them how to be snarky.


by Didace k

I have read many scifi/fantasy books with this same basic premise. The protagonists don't seem to have a problem getting things done. So it must be doable.

That's why I always assume that, if I end up in a world populated by dragons, I'll probably figure out how to ride one of them.


by Didace k

I think the concept of "0" would be more important. Roman numerals in a ledger would suck.

You could teach them how to be snarky.

It's a natural talent, I'm afraid. Either you have it or you don't.


by Didace k

I have read many scifi/fantasy books with this same basic premise. The protagonists don't seem to have a problem getting things done. So it must be doable.

I’ve only read a Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court and it was a long time ago, but pretty sure predicting eclipses was a good way to go?


by Crossnerd k

I’ve only read a Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court and it was a long time ago, but pretty sure predicting eclipses was a good way to go?


Pretty much any back-in-time scenario ends with me being burned as a witch, lobotomized, or sent to the seaside. Best plan is to stfu, attempt to smell nicer than the average peasant, and maybe land a rich old guy with a castle. Times were tough for the womenfolk until quite recently…


And I’m definitely not attempting any mathematics or engineering. That ended so well for Hypatia.


Find a gallileo type man to marry and let him think your futuristic knowledge were his ideas.


The whole thing is good, but he does a great bit on a similar premise starting in the last minute of the video.


by Crossnerd k

And I’m definitely not attempting any mathematics or engineering. That ended so well for Hypatia.

she died over 1000 years before the Italian Renaissance.

anyway I would say that over 99% of Westerners would have no ability to make any impact.


What about Northerners, Southerners, or Easterners? Can we get a percentage on those?


Country bumpkins are in the West country.

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