what I have learned today.

[rafletcher]

I've seen people in India "bypassing the meter" (where there was never even a meter) by means of crocodile clips and oversized jump leads on to the overhead cables. I've never seen anyone die doing this or even require medical attention, which definitely doesn't mean I'm recommending it.

Like birds on a wire,p presumably, if you don’t earth yourself you should be ok.

[Wombat]

That there's a drunk bloke going viral on TikTok teaching people how to safely^[1] bypass electricity meters.  And moreover, this is a response to the many videos teaching people how to do it unsafely.


_{[1] FCVO 'safely'.  I doubt that anyone desperate enough to resort to bypassing a meter is in a state to go out and spend tens of pounds on suitable electrical fittings.}

In my limited experience of the seedy and illegal side of life, as a social housing inspector in a drug and prostitution ridden part of Southampton, there are two types of folk who bypass meters. 1. Those who are indeed desperate, and want heat without having the money to pay for it, and 2. Cannabis growers.  The latter will spend a significant amount of money on fancy lights etc., but obviously don't want to pay for the large amount of electricity they consume, as it cuts into their profit margin.  A thermal imaging survey of the city by aircraft showed up several cannabis growing establishments, one of them in a pub.

[Kim]

I believe the problem with the cannabis growers is that while they're relatively well resourced, and probably have someone with half a clue to perform the initial wiring, they rely on exploitative labour with a lax attitude to safety for the day-to-day tending of the crop.

Or they're enterprising potheads, who shouldn't be trusted with a screwdriver.

[Cudzoziemiec]

A couple of decades ago a friend moved into a top-floor flat in Lansdown Crescent, Bath (the one that's higher up the hill – and hence above – Royal Crescent). Discovered he had access to loft space, which contained fancy lighting, heating, hydroponics and a substantial quantity of withered plants. Presumably left by the previous tenant, who may or may not have had to leave in a hurry. Or possibly property of the landlord?!

[Pingu]

Snakes have a clitoris

Obviously not discovered by male scientists.

[Kim]

Snakes have a clitoris

Barakta informed me of this while I was busy wiring a plug without remembering to thread the strain relief over the cable earlier.  I realised that my understanding of the mechanics of reptilian mating was almost non-existent, so made her google things for me.

[mrcharly-YHT]

Some nutters built a tank with jet engines on top to put out oil well fires.

https://hackaday.com/2021/12/06/big-wind-is-the-meanest-firefighting-tank-you-ever-saw/

[Cudzoziemiec]

Snakes have a clitoris

Barakta informed me of this while I was busy wiring a plug without remembering to thread the strain relief over the cable earlier.  I realised that my understanding of the mechanics of reptilian mating was almost non-existent, so made her google things for me.

'Reptilian mating' is the stage after 'kissing a Tory'.

[Paul]

Snakes have a clitoris

Barakta informed me of this while I was busy wiring a plug without remembering to thread the strain relief over the cable earlier.  I realised that my understanding of the mechanics of reptilian mating was almost non-existent, so made her google things for me.

'Reptilian mating' is the stage after 'kissing a Tory'.

Fangs for that.

[Kim]

That back in the days before they invented safety, asbestos cigarette filters were a thing.

[Basil]

That the longest river in the world, the Amazon is not crossed by any bridges.
According to Victoria Coren Mitchell on tonight's Only Connect.

 Really?

[Mr Larrington]

YA RLY.  Not even in the EAA map extension to Euro Truck Simulator 2.

[Snakehips]

King Farouk 1 of Egypt had a collection of pornographic neckties. Has anybody ever seen such a thing?

[Mr Larrington]

King Farouk 1 of Egypt had a collection of pornographic neckties. Has anybody ever seen such a thing?

Professor Larrington claims to have seen Japanese ties with slightly lewd pinup girls on the inside but that they hardly qualify as pr0n.

[Mrs Pingu]

Bored? Want something to read with a bowl of popcorn?
Academic plagiarism for the lols at #Receptiogate
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1608146988511690753.html

[Mr Larrington]

Professor L has been following that one avidly since it first broke

[Cudzoziemiec]

That the last death sentence for witchcraft in Britain was passed on Jane Wenham of Walkern, Hertfordshire in 1711. She was pardoned by Queen Anne and the case led to the law against witchcraft being repealed in 1736. But the best thing is that the evidence against her included having been seen flying on a broomstick by several locals (as they were walking back from the pub...), to which the judge said there was no law against flying as long as due care was taken. A useful precedent to quote if you should get your broomstick aerial!

[T42]

That the last death sentence for witchcraft in Britain was passed on Jane Wenham of Walkern, Hertfordshire in 1711. She was pardoned by Queen Anne and the case led to the law against witchcraft being repealed in 1736. But the best thing is that the evidence against her included having been seen flying on a broomstick by several locals (as they were walking back from the pub...), to which the judge said there was no law against flying as long as due care was taken. A useful precedent to quote if you should get your broomstick aerial!

Thus Wiki:

In her final years, she was visited by Bishop Francis Hutchinson (1660–1739), author of an Historical essay concerning witchcraft (1718) in which he applied an extremely rational approach to the subject. Hutchinson, who had met other survivors of witch-hunts, regarded their persecution as Tory superstition.

Hmmm.

[andrewc]

That my Sebo K9 vacuum cleaner has a rotary power control built into the on/off button.   I lent the machine to my sister a couple of weeks ago.  I tried to use it today & found that the bag was full to splitting and the flexible hose was jammed full of new carpet fluff.  I had to take the hose off & blow down it to clear the blockage.   Then i put a new bag in & found that it wasn't sucking as well as it usually does (clean your filthy minds...) and that it was a lot quieter than usual.   


I'd already sent a text accusing her of knackering it when I worked out that the power switch looked odd, so twiddled it & things returned to normal.  I think I've had it for about 6 years.....  I must read the manual some time....

[Wowbagger]

I learned that Pele's mother is still alive.

[sg37409]

I knew shimano started out as a fishing reel manufacturer, but I didnt realise they used the same names.

Ultegra upgrade anyone ?

https://www.anglingdirect.co.uk/shimano-ultegra-fc-reel?msclkid=31e4d64a28a81fae9e59b5f8955c5be6&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping%20-%20Product%20Category&utm_term=4585100931477577&utm_content=Reels

[Mr Larrington]

Don't click the link, unless you want your social media to be inundated with shitverts featuring some spud gurning at a dead fish.

[Tim Hall]

What foreigner is in Polish.

Dziękuję Jurek.

[The Family Cyclist]

That the clock icon for the er clock/stopwatch/timer app on my phone actually tells the time. Just thought it was a picture of a clock

[Kim]

That the clock icon for the er clock/stopwatch/timer app on my phone actually tells the time. Just thought it was a picture of a clock

That's the sort of attention to detail that I find unreasonably pleasing.