why not?

[mellowtigger]

Just random thoughts that frequently bubble up into my mind...

• Why not take body parts that are severely damaged, then sever them, treat them, and reattach them? I'm thinking things like poison (venom), disease (gangrene), maybe even crushed bones. Remove them, do horrendous things to them (chemicals, radiation, extensive surgery) that the systems of a full body couldn't tolerate, then reattach them to the body again after the parts are in better condition.
• Why not move to a single calendar system that is (mostly) detached from any religious reference? I advocate R.H.H. (Recorded Human History) as a year-o-meter. Just add 4000 to the current (C.E., or A.D.) year and presto, instant year count that could actually mean something relevant across all cultures. So, today is February 13th, 6008. Every human empire and civilization with recorded information would fit into this time scale without annoying pre-post negative-positive numbering issues.
  
• Why not warn people to stop buying hamsters for kids? I've had a LOT of pets over the years, and hamsters are definitely the most vicious I've ever had. Get a gerbil instead, people. Besides having much better temperament, they're also desert animals with more efficient metabolism and so are much easier to clean up after.
• Why not build cars with windshields polarized to reduce sun glare?  And then add slightly-polarized headbeams at cross-angles so that night driving is not so blinding in head-on view.
• Why not create special legislative committees the same way we create juries, with citizens chosen at random and then approved for fitness, so that difficult issues ineffectively handled by Congress could have legislation drafted by conscientious citizens?  The draft would then be passed on to Congress for normal deliberations.
  
• Why not fund one-way human exploratory missions in space?  Some people (me included) would gladly accept a one-way ticket to get off this rock and do something productive with our remaining time.

Just to get started.    ("Brain.... won't.... shut.... off!")

Comments

[furr-a-bruin.livejournal.com]

• Well, there is the problem of general life support for the part in question while they're trying to repair it.
  
  
• There's a Star Trek TNG novel - I forget the title, offhand - where someone gives Alexander a pet hamster and Worf is livid over his son having such a meek pet ... until the hamster sinks his teeth into Worf's hands and won't let go.
  
  As for why people buy hamsters - well, here in California, it's illegal to import gerbils.
  
  
• The problem with polarizing filters is that you lose about 50% of the intensity of the light source right away. So, headlights would have to be more powerful to compensate - and a polarized windshield would make it more difficult to see at night.

[dangerdhotrod.livejournal.com]

i'd sign up for the one-way trip.

well, as long as there was someone cute to keep me company coming along as well.

though i suppose if someone seriously offered me the chance to go to space, i would probably go alone. or would i? it's a great question. but still, i'd be open to the idea!

[mellowtigger]

But solving the life support question (and keeping the main body part from trying to close/heal meanwhile) would be a useful advancement, I'd think!

Yeah, a decade ago when I was job hunting, I avoided California because of the stupid ban on ferrets too.

Ah, true. *more pondering*

[mellowtigger]

Even back in 1986 when the Challenger shuttle exploded with that teacher on board, I would have immediately signed up for the next shuttle flight. I don't care about the risks/consequences when faced with the opportunity for that kind of adventure!