It contains Nitrogen, and Sulfur, and Phosphates--so does cat shit.

To Your Health!

Tags for this video have been changed from 'sulphuric acid, sugar, dehydrating, carbon, charcoal, energy, water vapor' to 'sulphuric acid, sulfuric, sugar, dehydrating, carbon, charcoal, energy, water vapor' - edited by calvados

water vapor is hardly a toxic product of the chemical reaction, however the Sulfur Dioxide is fairly dangerous.



"Short exposure could cause serious temporary or moderate residual injury" - NFPA 704

>> ^Ryjkyj:


It's really just a matter of perspective though. Compare a bee with a slug. Bees are way ahead of slugs as far as visible complexity, yet to us, they're complete idiots. Even if we do rely on them.
And humans have been around for what? Maybe fifty-thousand years? Yeah, we've done A LOT in that time. But what could we do with another fifty-thousand? What about a million? (If for some reason we overcome the astronomical probability that we'll destroy ourselves) I don't really think there's any telling what we could do.
Not to mention the fact that everyone just assumes that aliens will be some sort of humanoid or even just act human or share any of our characteristics at all. Sure, here on Earth, life is carbon-based. But then why does everybody just assume that if we encounter life, it will also be carbon based? Answer: because we can't possibly understand how it could work any other way. And not because we just assume, but because we looked and it seems impossible according to the laws of chemistry. But that doesn't mean we're right just because we can't see the answer.
What about this: math is an abstract concept like you say. But the system most of us use is based on the power of ten. The digit repeats and a new one is added at the tenth place. Could that have something to do with the amount of fingers we have? Well what if the alien in question used a system that repeated at the ninth place? Their whole system would follow different rules. What if they used a system that had an individual symbol for every number up to two-hundred fifty million, seven hundred sixty-seven thousand, eight-hundred and fifty-three? What if they were so evolved that powers didn't even make a difference and they could fill a quadratic equation with numbers that were all based in different powers?
And if they were a race (another human term) whose individual bodies consisted of different, interchangeable parts, then math would be essential to their existence. It would be as natural as eating. To a species like that, we would look like childish morons playing with our own snot. Even though we use separate, distinct powers to program computers.
And that's just assuming that our aliens only understand things as far as the three dimensions we live in. What about a fourth dimensional alien that only communicates through careful waves of sulfur emission? To us, it might just be a giant blur that smelled like shit. You know what we'd do? That's right, we'd light it on fire.


I will admit that a species that has absolutely no comparable experience with us would be a problem. There's a mad, wonderful chapter in Greg Egans Diaspora that discusses the idea of complex creatures that have evolved in multi-dimensional space. I don't recall the exact maths, but they essentially live "rotated" into extra dimensions. I'll grant they will pose a challenge.

But it's not unreasonable to assume that some life forms would have evolved on a similar ecosystem to ours. We're already comfortable in working outside base 10, and there are some smart people who are working out establishing common symbol patterns based on fundamental mathematical principles. I don't care if you can interchange your head with your elbow, or you reproduce by thought, 1+1 =2. That does not change. Same for Pythagoras' theorem, prime numbers and so on.

My overall point is that something that is smart enough to figure out all the problems of going out into space will figure out how to communicate with us.

Or more likely, simply harvest the planet for resources. They're bound to be low on food and fuel by then

>> ^ChaosEngine:

Much as I love Neil DeGrasse Tyson, I feel he's wrong on this. I've said it before, but I think our ability to understand abstract concepts such as math should mark us as sufficiently different from the other species on our planet.


It's really just a matter of perspective though. Compare a bee with a slug. Bees are way ahead of slugs as far as visible complexity, yet to us, they're complete idiots. Even if we do rely on them.

And humans have been around for what? Maybe fifty-thousand years? Yeah, we've done A LOT in that time. But what could we do with another fifty-thousand? What about a million? (If for some reason we overcome the astronomical probability that we'll destroy ourselves) I don't really think there's any telling what we could do.

Not to mention the fact that everyone just assumes that aliens will be some sort of humanoid or even just act human or share any of our characteristics at all. Sure, here on Earth, life is carbon-based. But then why does everybody just assume that if we encounter life, it will also be carbon based? Answer: because we can't possibly understand how it could work any other way. And not because we just assume, but because we looked and it seems impossible according to the laws of chemistry. But that doesn't mean we're right just because we can't see the answer.

What about this: math is an abstract concept like you say. But the system most of us use is based on the power of ten. The digit repeats and a new one is added at the tenth place. Could that have something to do with the amount of fingers we have? Well what if the alien in question used a system that repeated at the ninth place? Their whole system would follow different rules. What if they used a system that had an individual symbol for every number up to two-hundred fifty million, seven hundred sixty-seven thousand, eight-hundred and fifty-three? What if they were so evolved that powers didn't even make a difference and they could fill a quadratic equation with numbers that were all based in different powers?

And if they were a race (another human term) whose individual bodies consisted of different, interchangeable parts, then math would be essential to their existence. It would be as natural as eating. To a species like that, we would look like childish morons playing with our own snot. Even though we use separate, distinct powers to program computers.

And that's just assuming that our aliens only understand things as far as the three dimensions we live in. What about a fourth dimensional alien that only communicates through careful waves of sulfur emission? To us, it might just be a giant blur that smelled like shit. You know what we'd do? That's right, we'd light it on fire.

"The latest disaster for the solar system is that the United States has decided to go to Mars. And, of course, later we intend to colonize deep space with our Salad Shooters and Snot Candy and microwave hot dogs. But let me ask you this: What are we going to tell the Intergalactic Council the first time one of our young women throws her newborn baby out of a seventh-story window? And how do we explain to the Near-Stellar Trade Confederation that our representative was late for the meeting because his breakfast was cold, and he had to spend thirty minutes beating the shit out of his wife?

Do you think the elders of the Universal Board of Wisdom will understand that it’s simply because of quaint local customs that over 80 million of our women have had their clitorises and labia cut off and their vulvas sewn shut in order to make them more marriageable and unable to derive pleasure from sex and thus never be a threat to stray from their husbands’ beds?

Can’t you just sense how eager the rest of the universe is for us to show up?"

- George Carlin

Tag is wrong. It's not Drano. If I read correctly, it's a 91% sulfuric acid solution. Similar purpose, different chemical.

I like this video because of one thing. Sulfuric acid is probably the most famous acid, but this is the first time I've ever seen it do its thing in a video. Now why is that? There's a million different "playing with fire" videos, and one "playing with acid" video.

Drano is caustic, not acid. Sodium Hydroxide not Sulfuric Acid.

I'm done nit picking for now. Enjoy.

>> ^luxury_pie:

But nonetheless he IS drawing a very intimidating picture there. I for one never realized so clearly the "place" we as a human race have in the universe. Besides the fact that he uses outdated or non-accurate scientific references as it seems. Please keep in my mind that this man is a historian and as I see it he doesn't base his whole argument on the laws of thermodynamics rather then his own abstraction of complexity and development.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't many if not all of the facts he mentions about the first "steps" of the universe currently accepted facts/ assumptions of astrophysics, if one could say so?
His train of thought seems pretty straight to the point and his conclusion is absolutely true. We are indeed destroying the "goldi-locks-conditions" that led to our existence.


I agree. Yet I wish he would also point out that in the last ten years we've found extreme life in places you'd NEVER expect. This might throw the "goldi-locks-conditions" partially out the window. This year we found life not based on carbon, but phosphorous (this is by rote memory, it may have been sulfur) and even arsenic! We may actually have quite a bit of extra-terrestrial life in our own solar system. Just not sentient (or lacking ways to create incredible machinations of the mind), yet.

What humans need to learn is that we will kill ourselves as WE need that, "goldi-locks-conditions", to live. Almost all current life except the kind I mentioned would be devastated by our actions. We WILL die, and be replaced for a good 4-5 billion years. If we get to one million I'd be surprised.

If you're talking grey-goo stuff though, then I'll give you that...as the most hilarious way to screw ourselves over... I'm just thinking of alien telescopes looking at our planet and wondering WTF is that!?!

/The last bit is my sarcastic bastard side showing through.

now inhale sulfur hexafluoride!

(http://videosift.com/video/Adam-Savage-on-Helium-and-Sulfur-Hexafluoride)

I like that the sulfur actually melts, or looks like it.

It's like 52 pickup after-Aerial pinata with an after-dose of a potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur cloud ready for an army of eager Boy Scouts to breathe.

>> ^Deano:

When you say "flush" what does that mean? Dab with a wet towel or spray water in large quantities at the face?
I think I would be useful in this situation given as you state that water isn't always the most appropriate first treatment.
>> ^NordlichReiter:
Man, this seems to happen more and more. Do I need to learn how to deal with this as a potential first responder?
http://www.revolutionhealth.com/articles/first-aid-for-chemical
-burns/sig256946
Have someone call 911 and you call National Poison Control Hotline (1-800-222-1222) for assistance identifying the type of chemical you are dealing with.
If acid is in the eyes rinse with low pressure water, large amounts of water. If there is acid on the eyes, it's to late to worry about what will happen when the water contacts the chemical at least that is my take on the whole affair. Remember I'm not a lawyer or a professional emergency medical responder but at any given moment anyone can become a first responder. The best thing you can do is keep the victim under as much control as possible so as not to cause anymore damage.

Chemical burns not rinsed with water
Some chemical burns are made worse if rinsed (flushed) with water.
Carbolic acid or phenol does not mix with water, so use isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol first to flush the chemical off the skin and then flush with water. If alcohol is not available, flush with a large amount of water. Do not flush the eye with alcohol.
Sulfuric acid is flushed with a mild, soapy solution if the burns are not severe. Sulfuric acid feels hot when water is added to the acid, but it is better to flush the area and not leave the acid on the skin.
Hydrofluoric acid is flushed with a bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) solution. (Use a small amount of water to make solution.) Then flush with a large amount of water. Burns from this acid may not show at first, so flush the area even if a burn is not seen. Do not flush the eye itself with a baking soda solution.
Dry powders, such as dry lime, are brushed away first, because adding water can make a liquid that burns. After the powder is brushed away, flush with water for 20 minutes.
http://www.revolutionhealth.com/articles/first-aid-for-chemical
-burns/sig256946

>> ^NordlichReiter:

Man, this seems to happen more and more. Do I need to learn how to deal with this as a potential first responder?
http://www.revolutionhealth.com/articles/first-aid-for-chemical
-burns/sig256946
Have someone call 911 and you call National Poison Control Hotline (1-800-222-1222) for assistance identifying the type of chemical you are dealing with.
If acid is in the eyes rinse with low pressure water, large amounts of water. If there is acid on the eyes, it's to late to worry about what will happen when the water contacts the chemical at least that is my take on the whole affair. Remember I'm not a lawyer or a professional emergency medical responder but at any given moment anyone can become a first responder. The best thing you can do is keep the victim under as much control as possible so as not to cause anymore damage.

Chemical burns not rinsed with water
Some chemical burns are made worse if rinsed (flushed) with water.
Carbolic acid or phenol does not mix with water, so use isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol first to flush the chemical off the skin and then flush with water. If alcohol is not available, flush with a large amount of water. Do not flush the eye with alcohol.
Sulfuric acid is flushed with a mild, soapy solution if the burns are not severe. Sulfuric acid feels hot when water is added to the acid, but it is better to flush the area and not leave the acid on the skin.
Hydrofluoric acid is flushed with a bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) solution. (Use a small amount of water to make solution.) Then flush with a large amount of water. Burns from this acid may not show at first, so flush the area even if a burn is not seen. Do not flush the eye itself with a baking soda solution.
Dry powders, such as dry lime, are brushed away first, because adding water can make a liquid that burns. After the powder is brushed away, flush with water for 20 minutes.
http://www.revolutionhealth.com/articles/first-aid-for-chemical
-burns/sig256946

When you say "flush" what does that mean? Dab with a wet towel or spray water in large quantities at the face?
I think I would be useful in this situation given as you state that water isn't always the most appropriate first treatment.

>> ^NordlichReiter:

Man, this seems to happen more and more. Do I need to learn how to deal with this as a potential first responder?
http://www.revolutionhealth.com/articles/first-aid-for-chemical
-burns/sig256946
Have someone call 911 and you call National Poison Control Hotline (1-800-222-1222) for assistance identifying the type of chemical you are dealing with.
If acid is in the eyes rinse with low pressure water, large amounts of water. If there is acid on the eyes, it's to late to worry about what will happen when the water contacts the chemical at least that is my take on the whole affair. Remember I'm not a lawyer or a professional emergency medical responder but at any given moment anyone can become a first responder. The best thing you can do is keep the victim under as much control as possible so as not to cause anymore damage.

Chemical burns not rinsed with water
Some chemical burns are made worse if rinsed (flushed) with water.
Carbolic acid or phenol does not mix with water, so use isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol first to flush the chemical off the skin and then flush with water. If alcohol is not available, flush with a large amount of water. Do not flush the eye with alcohol.
Sulfuric acid is flushed with a mild, soapy solution if the burns are not severe. Sulfuric acid feels hot when water is added to the acid, but it is better to flush the area and not leave the acid on the skin.
Hydrofluoric acid is flushed with a bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) solution. (Use a small amount of water to make solution.) Then flush with a large amount of water. Burns from this acid may not show at first, so flush the area even if a burn is not seen. Do not flush the eye itself with a baking soda solution.
Dry powders, such as dry lime, are brushed away first, because adding water can make a liquid that burns. After the powder is brushed away, flush with water for 20 minutes.
http://www.revolutionhealth.com/articles/first-aid-for-chemical
-burns/sig256946

Man, this seems to happen more and more. Do I need to learn how to deal with this as a potential first responder?

http://www.revolutionhealth.com/articles/first-aid-for-chemical-burns/sig256946

Have someone call 911 and you call National Poison Control Hotline (1-800-222-1222) for assistance identifying the type of chemical you are dealing with.

If acid is in the eyes rinse with low pressure water, large amounts of water. If there is acid on the eyes, it's to late to worry about what will happen when the water contacts the chemical at least that is my take on the whole affair. Remember I'm not a lawyer or a professional emergency medical responder but at any given moment anyone can become a first responder. The best thing you can do is keep the victim under as much control as possible so as not to cause anymore damage.

Chemical burns not rinsed with water

Some chemical burns are made worse if rinsed (flushed) with water.

* Carbolic acid or phenol does not mix with water, so use isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol first to flush the chemical off the skin and then flush with water. If alcohol is not available, flush with a large amount of water. Do not flush the eye with alcohol.
* Sulfuric acid is flushed with a mild, soapy solution if the burns are not severe. Sulfuric acid feels hot when water is added to the acid, but it is better to flush the area and not leave the acid on the skin.
* Hydrofluoric acid is flushed with a bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) solution. (Use a small amount of water to make solution.) Then flush with a large amount of water. Burns from this acid may not show at first, so flush the area even if a burn is not seen. Do not flush the eye itself with a baking soda solution.
* Dry powders, such as dry lime, are brushed away first, because adding water can make a liquid that burns. After the powder is brushed away, flush with water for 20 minutes.

http://www.revolutionhealth.com/articles/first-aid-for-chemical-burns/sig256946