Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2008 December 24

= December 24 =

Moxie's
Moxie's has 3 "front" positions: Server, Expeditor and which other one?96.53.149.117 (talk) 01:39, 24 December 2008 (UTC)


 * Money collector? -hydnjo talk 02:40, 24 December 2008 (UTC)

Conan's last show
According to nbc.com, you're allowed a maximum of two tickets per request. Do you have to ask for those two tickets in your email or is it a default amount when they select your request? --Crackthewhip775 (talk) 06:24, 24 December 2008 (UTC)


 * Why take the chance ? I'd ask explicitly. StuRat (talk) 08:32, 24 December 2008 (UTC)

julius caesar
bring out the differences between portia and caliphurnia —Preceding unsigned comment added by 117.197.50.206 (talk) 15:40, 24 December 2008 (UTC)


 * Portia ? Caliphurnia ? The similarity is that neither did their homework. The difference is that neither ever lived in Caliphornia.
 * Portia has about 20 lines, Calpurnia maybe twice as many. This and this  site gives you nothing but their lines / clues.--Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 16:15, 24 December 2008 (UTC)


 * Although when you do do your homework about Julius, you should divide it into sections. You're sure to get a C. --- OtherDave (talk) 16:36, 24 December 2008 (UTC)
 * You might also get a better grade if you spelled the names of the characters correctly.  Little Red Riding Hood  talk  20:58, 24 December 2008 (UTC)
 * Sections? You should quarter it into three halves!  Also, Portia spent more time in drag. --Maltelauridsbrigge (talk) 18:08, 26 December 2008 (UTC)

Theoretical Physicist
Hello. Since I want to become a Theoretical Physics doctorate, I better ask this question now: Where might a theoretical physicist be able to get a job, besides the universities? Merry Christmas to everyone at Wikipedia!--DocDeel516 discuss 20:05, 24 December 2008 (UTC)


 * At a science magazine (Throw in a couple of writing or journalism classes.) United States Department of Defense if you are in the US.  Any government agency dealing with statistics and prognosis. (Quantum theory is being applied to economics sometimes.)  Theoretical physics concerns many areas of physics many of those have applications "in the real world" so it would depend on your specific background what companies or agencies would have use for your knowledge.  If all else fails you can always become a contractor, write a book or become a motivational speaker.  A lot depends on your personality, ability to network and how well you can sell yourself. o<:-)76.97.245.5 (talk) 23:27, 24 December 2008 (UTC)


 * Mostly what a degree proves is that you are a smart person who can learn - and a post-graduate degree shows that you can think independently and produce original work. This opens the doors to many jobs that are totally unrelated to Physics.  I heard a few years ago that stock trading companies were seeking physicists and software engineers because they were better at the kinds of thinking needed than people with more traditional degrees in economics or business.   But if your heart is set on actually working as a theoretical physicist as well as studying for the qualification - then you're almost certainly going to wind up in academia.  Almost everyone else wants some kind of result that either makes money or kills people...and that's more Applied Physics than Theoretical Physics. SteveBaker (talk) 01:58, 25 December 2008 (UTC)


 * There are likely to be jobs in the energy industry, broadly defined, including solar and wind power and "smart" electric grids. Edison (talk) 05:13, 25 December 2008 (UTC)

It used to be the case that a sure-fire job for theoretical physics could be found on Wall Street (they looovve number crunchers with unusual backgrounds) though I doubt that is the case at the moment. --98.217.8.46 (talk) 21:15, 25 December 2008 (UTC)

Defensive Driving
Hello. I often see papers that urge you to "Drive defensively". What does this mean? (I am asking because I don't have a driver's license!)--DocDeel516 discuss 20:08, 24 December 2008 (UTC)


 * As in most cases, we have an article. It's not a great article, but the gist is "anticipating dangerous situations, despite adverse conditions or the mistakes of others."  -- LarryMac  | Talk  20:14, 24 December 2008 (UTC)


 * I would add to that definition that it implies that one must not only be defensive about it, but also remember to actually do some driving, instead of going so slowly you become a hazard yourself.
 * It also implies that, to be prepared, you should be focused on the situation; this is why my state, plus others, have passed laws regulating what passengers teens are allowed to have in their cars, to avoid the problem of a bunch of teens having so much fun that the driver is distracted by his or her friends.209.244.30.221 (talk) 21:16, 24 December 2008 (UTC)


 * It would also usually be understood to include driving in a way that doesn't scare the bejeezus out of other drivers. Just because you know you can fit into that gap between the truck and the SUV doesn't mean that everyone else does and has the same trust in your driving abilities.  Causing other parties to have to break hard because they anticipate running into you or speed up to prevent you from breathing up their exhaust pipe is usually considered opposite to defensive driving.  76.97.245.5 (talk) 23:06, 24 December 2008 (UTC)


 * At heart it means assuming that at any instant, any other driver may do something completely wrong. So instead of assuming that (for example) someone will definitely turn left because they have their left turn signal on - you have to consider the consequences should they not do so - and make sure that you have time to stop - or a space to safely move into. As the name implies, it's a matter of being defensive.  In the UK (at least) you can actually take 'Defensive Driving' courses - which (assuming you pass) will get you a reduction in the cost of car insurance (I think I got 15% off...but that was a while ago).  SteveBaker (talk) 01:45, 25 December 2008 (UTC)


 * And then there are the people who take defensive driving to mean "defending their patch of the road". And they will defend that patch of road fiercely... ;) --Jayron32. talk . contribs  01:56, 25 December 2008 (UTC)


 * You can find hundreds of sites related to defensive driving, which makes me suspect that in the U.S., some states now require a course that calls itself by that name. What SteveBaker said above is true (I remember my driver's ed teacher saying, "You never have the right of way; you can only yield the right of way," an excellent philosophy for not getting broadsided.  There are also some advanced-defensive-driving schools that have things like skidpads (to let you safely practice panicky stops on a wet road).  As for other drivers, it's good to keep in mind that 50% of them are below average.  --- OtherDave (talk) 02:38, 25 December 2008 (UTC)


 * In NZ, if you take an approvaed defensive driving course, you reduce the amount of time you have to spend on a restricted license before you can take the full license test.  Nil Einne (talk) 12:30, 26 December 2008 (UTC)


 * As everyone knows "the best defense is a good offense". With that in mind, I practice offensive driving and run everyone else off the road (before they get a chance to cause me to get in an accident). :-) StuRat (talk) 04:48, 25 December 2008 (UTC)
 * Per Stu's suggestion, see the W.C. Fields film "If I Had A Million" starting at 1:30 in the clip. He (edited to clarify: Fields' character Rollo, not our StuRat) hires cars and drivers to follow him and run off the road anyone whose driving annoys him. Quote: "Perhaps you'll move over next time, you road hog!" Edison (talk) 05:09, 25 December 2008 (UTC)

Basically, when told to drive defensively, you should interpret the underline message as "drive to cause accidents, but do not get yourself involved in those accidents". —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.72.221.139 (talk) 04:13, 1 January 2009 (UTC)