Science

Update

So, someone commented yesterday asking about the status of the Lunchtime Science Experiment/Betting Opportunity. This has been a common question, so I thought I’d give you the update.

Just before I left on vacation, I told the story to a coworker in a different department. She perked up and was immediately interested in helping. Her husband works at this firm as well, so they always have two remotes to the car ready to go. The day I told her about it was Thursday — they had driven in a different car that day, but she said they would be bringing in their SUV with the remote entry the next day, Friday (my last day before vacation). Great!

On Friday, my boss whisked the entire department out for a free lunch, in the midst of a harrowing day when I was attempting to do 800 things at once in an attempt to get to the airport in time for my flight. Returning from lunch, there was just no time. In fact, the office closed at 3pm because the 4th of July was the following Tuesday. Yes, I understand all this makes my place of work sound awesome, which it is, but of course it doesn’t help much with the LSE/BO.

When I returned two weeks later, I immediately went to the desk of the girl who had offered her car for the experiment. She wasn’t there. Why? Because she had a baby.
She is now on maternity leave for at least the next month or three.

Last week, someone in upper management gave me a lift to another free lunch (I know, I know). Noticing his keyless remote, I told him the story of Napoleana. He said, “But don’t these work by radio waves? You can’t do that with a cell phone.” I explained that we needed a test to convince the true believers and asked if we could use his car. His response: “Oh, don’t burst her bubble, let her believe whatever she wants.” Sigh.

So here I am now, really really wanting to do this but standing on the verge of becoming “the asshole who won’t let it go.” I’m now keeping quiet, waiting for the perfect opportunity to get people interested again so we can get this done. If I keep badgering people, they’re going to get annoyed and it’ll have the opposite effect. Such is the life of an office skeptic.

Of course, as soon as any headway is made I will keep you all updated.

***

In other news, registration is now open for The Amaz!ng Meeting 5 in Las Vegas, hosted by the James Randi Educational Foundation! I’ll be there, naturally, as will plenty of other Skepchick regulars. Those of you interested in scholarships stand by, as I’m working on a way to give out a few to Skepchick fans, but we need to get a little more formalized with a small application-y sort of thing. I’ll let you all know when it’s set up.

Rebecca Watson

Rebecca is a writer, speaker, YouTube personality, and unrepentant science nerd. In addition to founding and continuing to run Skepchick, she hosts Quiz-o-Tron, a monthly science-themed quiz show and podcast that pits comedians against nerds. There is an asteroid named in her honor. Twitter @rebeccawatson Mastodon mstdn.social/@rebeccawatson Instagram @actuallyrebeccawatson TikTok @actuallyrebeccawatson YouTube @rebeccawatson BlueSky @rebeccawatson.bsky.social

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4 Comments

  1. Bubbles are meant to be popped. Just look at nature. Do you see permanent bubbles in nature? No you don't, because nature wants them popped. If popping wasn't a good thing we wouldn't love bubble wrap so much. Or "comfort wrap" as it's known here.

  2. "Or 'comfort wrap' as it’s known here."

    This has me envisioning people wrapped up in bubble wrap with contented looks on their faces.

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