Wednesday, January 26, 2011

The 1st Post: Dry Quicksand

I have to admit that while I'm fascinated by the Holstein topic, I'm a bit afraid of what I'll find in researching it.

That problem was solved last night while watching the Chinese film "Kekexili: Mountain Patrol."  (more about the film below, but first: dry quicksand)

In the movie, which is great by the way, a Tibetan anti-poaching patrolman sinks in dry quicksand. And rather quickly actually.  Hence the name "quick" sand?  Anyway, his sinking has prompted much discussion (arguments, really) regarding whether or not such a thing exists outside of Hollywood movie sets.

So, it has become the 1st topic for QGirl: Does Dry Quicksand Exist?

Today's research has determined that it does exist based on a group of scientists being able to create dry quicksand in the lab, where a ping pong ball does disappear amazingly quickly (as reported by Nature Magazine, but here's a synopsis of the experiment).  Does it exist in the Sahara and other arid places? Most likely not, but since I want to win this argument and since it has been proven that it could feasibly exist, I consider that all the evidence needed.  Just ask the Tibetan guy.

Here's a link to info on the movie Kekexili, and another one on the amazing story of the Tibetan antelope.

Oh, and the reason for the post in the first place - the sinking ping pong ball video.

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