Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2012 May 15

= May 15 =

Subtle colored contact lenses
Hi all! I bought colored contact lenses, "splash of color 2" but the name is misleading. I'm looking for subtle colored contact lenses, just a tinge of color. These made me look like a clown. I couldn't even wear them. I just spent the last hour trying very hard to use Google and Google image search to find pictures, a chart, anything that would allow me to look before I buy. I am amazed at how difficult it is to find information. Does anyone have any recommendations from personal experience (or maybe better Google skills than I) to help me find some actually subtle contact lenses? Thank you.--Lady in polka dot (talk) 02:42, 15 May 2012 (UTC)


 * You might try looking for "tinted lenses" instead of "colored lenses". However, note that with lightly tinted lenses, the color people see is a blend of the tint color and your eye color.  So, if you want to make blue eyes look a bit bluer, that will work, but if you want brown eyes to look blue, you're SOL. StuRat (talk) 02:51, 15 May 2012 (UTC)


 * Ah, a clue. I will now go google that. Thank you.--02:55, 15 May 2012 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Lady in polka dot (talk • contribs)


 * Have any luck ? StuRat (talk) 22:22, 15 May 2012 (UTC)


 * I got tinted contact lenses from D&A (in the UK) a few years ago - "Freshlook" I think they were called - and the optician let me try samples to find colours that worked. While my dark brown eyes showed up the blue ones very well, and quite naturally, the funky purple ones that I had really wanted made no difference at all. Morgana Fiolett  13:22, 17 May 2012 (UTC)


 * You folks just aren't listening to the right music. -- Jayron  32  13:29, 17 May 2012 (UTC)

Surfactant
1. Which have the best cleaning property: anionic surfactant, cationic surfactant or nonionic surfactant?

2. If we want to have good oil removing for the detergent, which kind of surfactant we choose: anionic surfactant, cationic surfactant or nonionic surfactant?

— Preceding unsigned comment added by 113.162.202.31 (talk) 03:07, 15 May 2012 (UTC)
 * This is probably a question for the Science desk. --Dweller (talk) 10:42, 15 May 2012 (UTC)

White markings in field
What are the white markings in the field shown in this satellite view? You can see them more clearly in the street view image here. Thanks, --Viennese Waltz 04:43, 15 May 2012 (UTC)
 * The Wiltshire Council indicates that the field is an archaeological site. Regards, Orange Suede Sofa  (talk) 04:54, 15 May 2012 (UTC)
 * Thanks, but where are you getting that from the link given? That link is to the Council's map of archaeological sites, but when I zoom into the same field on the map, there is nothing about it being an archaelogical site.  And even if it was, what do the white lines have to do with archaeology? --Viennese Waltz 07:37, 15 May 2012 (UTC)
 * All the layers in the map are turned off by default. Click the "All periods" checkbox to the left of the map, and you can see the field in question has some extra data on it. As for what the lines actually are, I have no idea. Orange Suede Sofa  (talk) 08:18, 15 May 2012 (UTC)
 * I would imagine that they are the remains of trenches used to investigate the archaeology. The street view image looks like trenches that have been back-filled but not left long enough for grass/crops to grow back. You can search the Wiltshire archives for records of the finds hereabouts - I searched on 'Bishopsdown' and found that a medieval finger ring, a bronze age burial and neolithic farm system that could all be candidates for what the trench-diggers were investigating. My favourite explanation would be the farm system - those trenches are laid out as if trying to find the edge of a large feature like that. - Cucumber Mike (talk) 09:21, 15 May 2012 (UTC)
 * Maybe stating the obvious, but Wiltshire is well known for chalky soil - hence any recent excavation looks very white. Alansplodge (talk) 09:44, 15 May 2012 (UTC)
 * Another guess is that they have used a tractor to scrape off some of the top soil so that they can look for old coins and whatnot with metal detectors. It is hard to dig a small hole through grass roots whenever your detector goes beep; take away the vegetation and it's much easier. A field is choice for metal detector scavenging, as tillage keeps burying and unburying objects. 88.114.124.228 (talk) 17:44, 15 May 2012 (UTC)

There appear to be identical but older trenches on the airfield just to the north. Digging on an aerodrome and the fact that they're rather regular make me think they're proper archaeological works. This is an area rich in sites from early and pre-recorded history. --Dweller (talk) 19:56, 15 May 2012 (UTC)

Wax buildup
We're sorry, but we cannot offer medical advice, however well-intended, on the Reference Desk. Seek the advice of a physician, pharmacist, or other qualified professional for techniques or products that might help you with this problem. TenOfAllTrades(talk) 13:21, 15 May 2012 (UTC)


 * It's not exactly a medical problem. Mr Little Irish  (talk) 申 13:38, 15 May 2012 (UTC)


 * Given that it's a condition you acknowledge you would normally visit a physician to treat, it certainly falls within Reference desk/Guidelines/Medical advice. TenOfAllTrades(talk) 13:39, 15 May 2012 (UTC)


 * Why was my post deleted? It effectively said the same thing as TenOfAllTrades, better, I would have thought because I linked to the relevant policy, and I also pointed the OP at a relevant article. Pray tell me what was wrong with that? HiLo48 (talk) 10:47, 16 May 2012 (UTC)
 * I would suggest that hatting the discussion might have been a better remedy, if one was needed, which it probably wasn't.--Wehwalt (talk) 11:41, 16 May 2012 (UTC)


 * The specified procedure for these cases is to blank the entire thread, including the question and any responses–good or bad. It's not meant to reflect on the quality or appropriateness of any one answer. Experience has shown that leaving either the question or any answers up, hatted or not, tends to lead to people giving advice that they shouldn't; unfortunately, it's the only system we've found at the Ref Desk that is reasonably effective in discouraging people from asking for, and receiving, medical advice.  (Indeed, note that such advice followed your own response as the very next post to the thread.) TenOfAllTrades(talk) 14:02, 16 May 2012 (UTC)

Black-and-white ad
There was once a black-and-white TV ad (don't remember what it advertised), which featured among others a baby carriage rolling down the stairs (subtitled "Albert Einstein") and a wheeling gymnast, subtitled "Nadia Comaneci" with gentle music. Does anyone know that ad (and possibly a link to watch?), thanks. 176.241.247.17 (talk) 14:18, 15 May 2012 (UTC)
 * Since TV ads tend to vary from country to country, it would likely be helpful if you mention precisely what countrie/s you saw the ad. If you don't remember at all, at least what language/s. Your IP address looks up to Poland but I have no idea if this is where you saw this ad. A rough time frame may also help. Nil Einne (talk) 16:54, 15 May 2012 (UTC)


 * Are you sure that it was Albert Einstein, and not Sergei Eisenstein? Deor (talk) 19:43, 15 May 2012 (UTC)
 * I saw it in Azerbaijan a couple of years ago (early 2000s or late 1990s), but the ad wasn't Azeri. There was surely a subtitle "Albert Einstein" when the baby carriage was showed (perhaps implying that it's Einstein in his childhood). It's black-and-whiteness was artistic, not because of featuring a historical tape. 176.241.247.17 (talk) 20:02, 15 May 2012 (UTC)

World War 1, question
is Private Millar Mafaking FERGUSSON, date of birth 6/12/1900 number 6082 of the Australian Imperial Force, 17th Reinforcements - 27th Battalian, the youngest Australian oldier killed in the First World War in France on the 5th of May 1917.? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 124.169.180.237 (talk) 14:28, 15 May 2012 (UTC)
 * I'm not quite sure if you are asking if he was the youngest Australian soldier killed in France during the First World War or the youngest killed on that particular day? He wouldn't have been the youngest Australian soldier killed in France; the Australian War Memorial site has a selection of boy-soldiers killed in action on their website here. As for the question of whether he was the youngest Australian killed on that day: possibly, but I would be surprised if anyone had ever compiled the statistics from the casualty lists to ever verify that.  FlowerpotmaN &middot;(t) 16:37, 15 May 2012 (UTC)
 * (addendum) I don't know if you have seen this site yet, but there is a a picture of Private Fergusson on the "World War I Pictorial Honour Roll of South Australians" website here.  FlowerpotmaN &middot;(t) 16:40, 15 May 2012 (UTC)

Diploma from a US double major
If someone in the US does a double major, what does the diploma say?
 * Does s/he get two diplomas, one for each?
 * Does s/he get one diploma saying e.g. Bachelor of Arts in Art History and English? Or does it say Bachelor of Arts in Art History and Bachelor of Arts in English? Would the university say the person has received one bachelor's degree or two?
 * What if one major gives a BS and one gives a BA -- does it say Bachelor of Arts in English and Bachelor of Science in Physics? Again, would the university say the person has received one bachelor's degree or two?

I'm hoping to get an answer from someone who has actually seen such a diploma -- no guessing please!

I got to thinking about this courtesy of ex-Yahoo CEO Scott Thompson's alleged bachelor's degree in "accounting and computer science". Duoduoduo (talk) 15:15, 15 May 2012 (UTC)
 * As a general rule, two diplomas (particularly in cases where the fields are as disparate as "accounting" and "computer science", as no one college within the university will be awarding those two degrees). Exceptions no doubt exist. &mdash; Lomn 16:02, 15 May 2012 (UTC)


 * I expect the institution will have openly published their policy and proceedures on this matter, so suggest you check out their website. Benyoch ...Don't panic! Don't panic!... (talk) 16:49, 15 May 2012 (UTC)
 * Further to my above comment, look under the topic of 'Testamur'. Benyoch ...Don't panic! Don't panic!... (talk) 17:01, 15 May 2012 (UTC)


 * I found from a google search that the University of Washington gives a single degree with a "double major" if and only if the degree name is identical for the two majors; the single degree applies even if the majors with identical degree name (e.g., Bachelor of Arts) are given by two different colleges within the university. The university gives a "double degree" -- two separate degrees -- if the degree names are different (e.g. one BA and one BS). They also point out that the named degree "Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration" is a different name from the "Bachelor of Arts" given in English, so in that case you'd get two diplomas for two degrees.


 * This approach makes so much sense that I suspect it's standard practice in the US. Anyone know any counterexamples?Duoduoduo (talk) 17:27, 15 May 2012 (UTC)
 * I am fairly sure I have heard that some US universities make a distinction between a double major on the one hand, and two bachelor's degrees on the other, with more rigorous requirements for two degrees. That makes more sense to me than the scheme you describe.  It might make sense that if one program is a BA and the other is a BS, then the double-major option would not be available, and you would be required to fulfill the extra requirements for getting two degrees. --Trovatore (talk) 04:34, 16 May 2012 (UTC)


 * I was a double major and I received 2 diplomas. Shadowjams (talk) 21:54, 15 May 2012 (UTC)


 * Bachelor of What and Bachelor of What? Duoduoduo (talk) 22:47, 15 May 2012 (UTC)


 * A Down Under story: I started off my degree as a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematical Studies, with a double maths major. I finished the first major, then switched to Russian.  This was possible under the uni's rules, but I had to accept a renaming of the degree to a BA in Modern Languages (plural, even though I studied only one language; unless you regard mathematics as a language).  I got full credit for the maths major, but still got only one degree, which makes no reference to mathematics.  --  ♬ Jack of Oz  ♬ [your turn]  22:50, 15 May 2012 (UTC)
 * What's a "double maths major"? You were majoring in two different kinds of mathematics?
 * (BTW, I never knew you did math. Are you still interested in it?  I don't see you commenting on mathematical questions much.)  --Trovatore (talk) 23:31, 15 May 2012 (UTC)
 * Yes, two (at that time completely undefined) different areas of mathematics. My left-braininess is still strongly there, but it manifests in other ways; maths as such doesn't much interest me these days.  I still check out the Mathematics Ref Desk about once a week, and contribute comments about once a month.  Same for Science.  As for Computing – I've only ever been there once in my life.  --  ♬ Jack of Oz  ♬ [your turn]  02:46, 16 May 2012 (UTC)
 * Two undefined? You mean, you wrote down on some form, "I want to major in math and math", or words to that effect, and they said OK?  I'm just having trouble picturing that, especially given that (at least in the US, don't know about Oz) undergrad math majors don't usually really pick a mathematical specialty per se. --Trovatore (talk) 02:50, 16 May 2012 (UTC)
 * Yep, that was pretty much as vague as it was (relying on my hazy memory about events that happened in 1975). It wasn't something I needed to decide on Day 1; the idea was that my area of interest for my 2nd maths major would crystallise some time during the period I was doing the 1st, and there were lots of options.  Even the 1st one was flexible; it had some standard core units that pretty much everyone did, but there were many ways of completing it.  My pathway was a rocky one, replete with withdrawals and even a couple of formal failures because I didn't withdraw before the official cut-off date.  As it turned out, I hadn't quite completed it by the time I started on my Russian major, although I wasn't aware of it at the time.  After 3 years of (part-time) Russian studies, during which I often exulted in the belief I'd never have to maths ever again, I then discovered I still had 2 maths units to complete. They proved to be the most gruelling things I ever did; not that they were so intellectually challenging per se, but because I was doing them with tremendous resistance and resentment, which I now know never works.  But I finally scraped manfully through.  From go to whoa took 9 years of part-time study while I worked full-time.  Such is the record of genius.   --  ♬ Jack of Oz  ♬ [your turn]  03:58, 16 May 2012 (UTC)
 * I'm still not sure I follow. What was the benefit of majoring in math and math, as opposed to just majoring in math?  Did your university require two majors, or was there some other advantage in having two?  Or maybe you just wanted to learn more math than they would have let you stick around for, if you had only one major?  --Trovatore (talk) 04:16, 16 May 2012 (UTC)
 * (Of course if you get tired of explaining, just say so; I don't really need to know. It's just curiosity.)  --Trovatore (talk) 04:19, 16 May 2012 (UTC)
 * (I work in the Australian Higher Education sector, and have a working knowledge of its administrative history back to 1940). Picture a scene, 1975, a young undergraduate decides to engage in a Bachelor of Arts, with a keen interest in Mathematics.  They take enough contributory units for a first major in Mathematics.  Then they take enough contributory units for another major in Mathematics.  Someone looking at their testamur will realise that they did a lot of maths in their degree.  I did the equivalent of a double major in history, but my University didn't recognise that.  It didn't matter to me, I just really really dug History.  Bachelor of Arts degrees in Australia have traditionally allowed much more specialisation than Liberal Arts type degrees from the United States.  People have done double majors in a single subject due to interest, accident and belief that it'd get them a job.  Australia also has an (internationally) unusual degree in terms of its undergraduate research honours degree as a direct pathway to PhD study. Fifelfoo (talk) 04:35, 16 May 2012 (UTC)
 * That's about a good an answer as I could give, Trovatore. Thanks, Fifelfoo.   --  ♬ Jack of Oz  ♬ [your turn]  06:22, 16 May 2012 (UTC)
 * At my undergrad school, the two halves of a double major were not supposed to be too closely related. Specifically, without special permission (which was perhaps not too hard to get), they were not supposed to come from the same "division", so if one of them was math, then the other should not be physics or astronomy.
 * Interestingly, math was in the division of Physics, Mathematics, and Astronomy, whereas applied math was in the division of Engineering and Applied Science, so by that rule you could double in math and applied math. But I seem to have heard that someone tried it and they found some way not to let him.  --Trovatore (talk) 08:29, 16 May 2012 (UTC)
 * In NZ but I think this also often applies to Australia a distinction is usually made between a conjoint programme and a double major. A double major is two majors in one degree, e.g. a BSc . A conjoint programme means 2 degrees studied concurrently, you can only do specific combinations and there may be restrictions on what you can major in, the amount of study required is a lot less compared to 2 degrees seperately because of more intensive cross crediting . However you do need careful planning and to study more then just doing one degree (even with double majors). At the very least most people even with an intensive schedule usually take at least one year extra I believe. You can also do a double degree which just means 2 degrees, whether studied concurrently or consecutively, the amount of study is obviously quite high although a small amount of cross crediting may be allowed . In both the later cases you obviously get 2 degrees, in the first case only one. AFAIK, there's generally no restrictions on what the majors can be if you choose to do a double major, e.g. maths and applies maths seems to be possible but rare. As may be obvious from the first link, most of the majors are fairly broad anyway, at least in Auckland. There's only Geology, Chemistry, Physics, Biological Science etc. You choose whatever subjects you want over the years (you need to meet any prerequisites of course) but there's no specific 'zoology', 'botany', 'biochemistry' or whatever major as there may have been in the past and still is in some universities. (Although there are a bunch of related specialisations like bioinformatics, biomedical science, marine science, ecology; which include courses from seperate majors; and there's also a BTech in biotechnology . But similarly there's no inorganic chemistry or organic chemistry major, but there is a medicinal chemistry specialisation.) With reference to the original question, while I understand the US doesn't usually have such a clear distinction, the article I linked to earlier, Double degree does mention dual degrees in the US. Nil Einne (talk) 12:12, 16 May 2012 (UTC)

Eye movement in Fringe finale
The the season finale of Fringe, a deceased character is connected to a device which revives her long enough for the protagonists to extract some information. During this time, both over her eyes are darting around in seemingly-random directions, completely independently of each other. How was this special effect achieved? I have thought of three possibilities, but I don't know if any are correct:
 * 1) The actress (Rebecca Mader) happens to be able to move both eyes independently.
 * 2) The effects crew connected electrodes to her face to stimulate the eye muscles to move this way.
 * 3) They used CGI to animate fake eyes over her real eyes.

Do any of these make sense? Are any of these what really happened?

98.103.60.35 (talk) 17:45, 15 May 2012 (UTC)


 * Didnt see it but will offer my two-bob's worth anyway ...
 * possible, though unlikely
 * doubtful, health and safety issue (who would let anyone so mess with your eyes?)
 * quite likely, as falls within the scope of CGI effects these days.
 * Benyoch ...Don't panic! Don't panic!... (talk) 18:01, 15 May 2012 (UTC)


 * Only CGI makes sense. Although, before CGI, they could have done this by holding her face still while they filmed one half with the other half covered by a black cloth, then reverse it and film the second part as a double exposure on the first.  It wouldn't have looked as good as CGI, though. StuRat (talk) 18:02, 15 May 2012 (UTC)


 * I would just add that this could be digital matte editing of a different sort, without CGI. One could imagine just filming the same scene twice and matting out one eye. It would not be extremely hard using a modern video editor and Photoshop. --Mr.98 (talk) 01:50, 16 May 2012 (UTC)

Propositioning your best friend
How does one go about asking their best friend if they want to experiment without making things awkward? Anonymous 21:34, 15 May 2012 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 173.2.164.121 (talk)


 * You will need to go into a parallel universe to do that, as long as you don't mind that your best friend has a goatee in that universe. :-) StuRat (talk) 21:51, 15 May 2012 (UTC)


 * ... I'm a girl. Anonymous 21:59, 15 May 2012 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 173.2.164.121 (talk)


 * Well, then, maybe you won't mind the goatee. :-) Care to tell us the gender of this best friend ? StuRat (talk) 22:21, 15 May 2012 (UTC)


 * She's a girl too. And straight. Which makes me worried that she'll think I'm weird if I suggest this to her. Anonymous 22:23, 15 May 2012 (UTC)


 * IMHO both sides consuming significant quantities of alcohol beforehand might make things easier, or at the very least provide an "excuse" in the morning if it were awkward. On the other hand, lacking control oneself might make things more difficult. Not sure. 163.1.163.253 (talk) 22:32, 15 May 2012 (UTC)


 * If you know she's straight, then you know she's not interested. Do you suspect she is not entirely straight ? StuRat (talk) 22:44, 15 May 2012 (UTC)
 * I just know she likes guys, but I've never seen her with a girl and she's never said anything about liking girls. I've never heard her say she isn't attracted to women, though. IDK, I would feel safer trying this with a friend than a stranger. Anonymous 22:48, 15 May 2012 (UTC)


 * I've never heard my mother denying she's lesbianistically attracted to other women, but I can guarantee you she isn't. --  ♬ Jack of Oz  ♬ [your turn]  13:40, 17 May 2012 (UTC)

This isn't really a question the Reference Desk is suited for. Try asking here 82.45.62.107 (talk) 22:31, 15 May 2012 (UTC)
 * Ew, no. People on Reddit are creepy and can be rude. Anonymous 22:48, 15 May 2012 (UTC)


 * Maybe try sliding into the topic indirectly as a hypothetical -- "What would you think if a girl propositioned you?" Maybe ask it right after some other gay/straight discussion occurs, like talking about politicians' positions on gay marriange or something. Duoduoduo (talk) 23:14, 15 May 2012 (UTC)
 * Couldn't help but notice this after posting below. The answer is:  There is no possible way for it not to be awkward if it is your best friend, regardless if it is a guy or girl, gay or straight.  You either have to "just go for it" and be prepared for rejection and the likelyhood that your existing relationship will change as a result...or just keep it a fantasy, and maintain your friendship.  Experience tells me you will likely choose the former, but then wish you had done the latter.  Good luck. Quinn &#10041;SUNSHINE  01:45, 16 May 2012 (UTC)


 * Before you go trying something like that, read this as a cautionary tale. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 01:50, 16 May 2012 (UTC)
 * Ha, yeah...be honest with someone about your feelings for them and they might kill you. Great advice . Though I have to admit that you did provide a source, which the responders above, myself included, did not. We all know verifiability trumps truth in the Wiki-world :) Quinn &#10041;SUNSHINE 01:59, 16 May 2012 (UTC)
 * That was obviously an extreme case. But think about how it works in the "straight world". If you just come out and ask someone if they want to get it on, they might well smack you, or worse. So it's better to put out "feelers", to "test the waters". In this case, for example, saying something about "wondering" what it would be like with another woman. If she runs to the bathroom to throw up, that's probably a hint. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 02:05, 16 May 2012 (UTC)
 * My best friend isn't homophobic in the slightest, so I don't think she would react in such an extreme manner. She actually hates people who act like it's something deplorable. Anonymous 02:18, 16 May 2012 (UTC)
 * Being open-minded about what others do does not equate to wanting to do it yourself. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 00:08, 17 May 2012 (UTC)

I gave this a little more thought, and I don't think I'll be going forward with my proposition. I don't think my friend would freak out and stop being friends with me if I asked her, but I don't know what she would think of me and our relationship if she knew this is what I wanted from her. It's not even that I have a crush on her or anything, but over the course of the past year, I've been feeling a bit curious about other girls, and I want to try being with one just to see how legitimate my feelings are. I'd feel dirty doing it with a complete stranger, but I need to experience the sensation at least once, just to get it out of my system. Anonymous 02:15, 16 May 2012 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 173.2.164.121 (talk)
 * Why not tell your friend exactly that (leaving out the part about the idea of the experiment being with her) and see what she advises? That sounds like a perfectly reasonable problem two best friends might discuss among one another. Quinn <sup style="color:gold;">&#10041;SUNSHINE  02:33, 16 May 2012 (UTC)
 * I may try that. Though my bigger dilemma at hand is finding a trustworthy sex partner. I'm not sure if she knows anyone she could hook me up with. Anonymous 02:57, 16 May 2012 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 173.2.164.121 (talk)
 * Well, that is indeed beyond the scope of the reference desk, and there are some medical considerations when choosing a sex partner that we can't broach. I wish you well. Quinn <sup style="color:gold;">&#10041;SUNSHINE 03:03, 16 May 2012 (UTC)


 * Your friend wouldn't be much of a friend if they were not honest with you. For example, a couple of months after we had met for the first time, when we were just walking down the street, my good friend asked me if I was straight.  I said "yes", he said he wished he was "... as certain".  We left it at that, and we stayed good friends for a long time.  Posing the question this way round was unusual and in my opinion a better way to approach the subject of a possible relationship that went beyond good friends.  Astronaut (talk) 17:35, 16 May 2012 (UTC)