RE: [tips] A bit off topic
Well, it's not humorous, but they're in the streets because it's cheaper to install and maintain sewerage under pavement (macadam or whatever it's called) than under concrete, and you pretty much have to put the manhole covers over the manholes, which are themselves necessarily over the sewerage. I think. :) m -- "[F]aculty have an obligation to the students collectively to prescribe a required course of study designed specifically for liberal education that is comprehensive, coherent, and rigorous." -- Jerry L. Martin -Original Message- From: Michael Smith [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, September 05, 2008 11:00 AM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS) Subject: [tips] A bit off topic This is a bit off topic but nevertheless an enduring mystery. It has to do with those round metal disks (previously called manhole covers, what they are called now, I don't know) which are installed on city streets in great abundance. And, they are placed in exactly the right spots so that both the right and left side wheels will (and encounter them if you drive properly in your lane. In addition, they also serve to: #1. Cause tire, shock, and suspension damage when you drive over them (for they often sink into the roadway) #2. Cause you to drive like a drunk (and risk collisions) if you don't want #1. #3. Cause major traffic disruptions when city workers feel the need to go down into them (which usually occurrs on the busiest sections at rush hour). The mystery is: Why not just put them on the sidewalks and avoid all of the above? Is it actually part of a worldwide social experiment in stress induction and management in the population at large? Is it an attempt at humor in a, perhaps, otherwise mundane job? Perhaps Tipsters have an idea. It seems an enduring mystery of human nature! :-) --Mike --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
Re: [tips] A bit off topic
Michael Smith asked why manhole covers are placed in the street rather than the sidewalk. The answer is similar to that given by celebrated criminal Willie Sutton when asked why he robbed banks. He said "Because that's where the money is". Because that's where the sewer pipes are. I was unable to find an answer to the question of what the politically correct call a manhole cover. However, I did discover that Wikipedia has an entry on these ubiquitous artifacts of advanced civilization. They don't answer that question but pose another, "Why are manhole covers round?" This is apparently a famous Microsoft psychological assessment question for job interviews, which moves this thread back into TIPS- relevant territory. Wikipedia gives 11 possible answers. Stephen - Stephen L. Black, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology, Emeritus Bishop's University e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 2600 College St. Sherbrooke QC J1M 1Z7 Canada Subscribe to discussion list (TIPS) for the teaching of psychology at http://flightline.highline.edu/sfrantz/tips/ --- --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
Re: [tips] A bit off topic
Because many I have encountered here in the midwest u.s. have "Neenah" embossed on them, I just assumed they were honoring my place of birth. I grew up breathing air from the iron factory where many were made--cough, cough. Ahh ideas of self-reference. If they are laid down properly they should not be a problem for traffic. There are also drains on the curbs where I used to find coins and all sorts of fun things as a kid...but then those were different days. gary Gerald L. (Gary) Peterson, Ph.D. Professor, Psychology Saginaw Valley State University University Center, MI 48710 989-964-4491 [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
RE: [tips] A bit off topic
I thought "manhole" covers were in the street because of the sewers, and the workers needed access. Today the covers are being stolen and sold for scrap metal. When I was younger, and learning to drive. They provided a reference point to begin making a turn onto another street. I guess my driver's ed teacher didn't think I was learning how to turn properly? Jim Jim Matiya Florida Gulf Coast University [EMAIL PROTECTED] Contributor, for Karen Huffman's Psychology in Action, Video Guest Lecturettes John Wiley and Sons. Using David Myers' texts for AP Psychology? Go to http://bcs.worthpublishers.com/cppsych/ High School Psychology and Advanced Psychology Graphic Organizers, Pacing Guides, and Daily Lesson Plans archived at www.Teaching-Point.net> Date: Sat, 6 Sep 2008 10:18:29 -0400> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: tips@acsun.frostburg.edu> Subject: Re: [tips] A bit off topic> > Because many I have encountered here in the midwest u.s. have "Neenah" embossed on them, I just assumed they were honoring my place of birth. I grew up breathing air from the iron factory where many were made--cough, cough. Ahh ideas of self-reference.> If they are laid down properly they should not be a problem for traffic. There are also drains on the curbs where I used to find coins and all sorts of fun things as a kid...but then those were different days. gary > > Gerald L. (Gary) Peterson, Ph.D.> Professor, Psychology> Saginaw Valley State University> University Center, MI 48710> 989-964-4491> [EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > ---> To make changes to your subscription contact:> > Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
RE: [tips] A bit off topic
PC? Try "sewerhole cover" or "sewer cover." Linda Tollefsrud Professor of Psychology University of Wisconsin - Barron County 1800 College Drive Rice Lake, WI 54868 (715) 234-8176 [EMAIL PROTECTED] -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, September 06, 2008 12:16 AM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS) Subject: Re: [tips] A bit off topic Michael Smith asked why manhole covers are placed in the street rather than the sidewalk. The answer is similar to that given by celebrated criminal Willie Sutton when asked why he robbed banks. He said "Because that's where the money is". Because that's where the sewer pipes are. I was unable to find an answer to the question of what the politically correct call a manhole cover. However, I did discover that Wikipedia has an entry on these ubiquitous artifacts of advanced civilization. They don't answer that question but pose another, "Why are manhole covers round?" This is apparently a famous Microsoft psychological assessment question for job interviews, which moves this thread back into TIPS- relevant territory. Wikipedia gives 11 possible answers. Stephen - Stephen L. Black, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology, Emeritus Bishop's University e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 2600 College St. Sherbrooke QC J1M 1Z7 Canada Subscribe to discussion list (TIPS) for the teaching of psychology at http://flightline.highline.edu/sfrantz/tips/ --- --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
Re: [tips] A bit off topic
And of course, how could you play stickball without them? On Sep 6, 2008, at 9:46 AM, Jim Matiya wrote: > When I was younger, and learning to drive. They provided a > reference point to begin making a turn onto another street. I > guess my driver's ed teacher didn't think I was learning how to > turn properly? Paul Brandon Emeritus Professor of Psychology Minnesota State University, Mankato [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
RE: [tips] A bit off topic
First, that issue of the microsoft test, is that confirmed or legend (I've had four students recently interview with them and none mentioned that- some other dumb stuff but not that). BTW- in terms of practical reasons that the sewer-covers are round - isn't it an engineering problem- and the only shape for the cover that has no short axis is the circle? (Cause in a rectangle if you place the cover so the long axis of the hole and short axis of the cover are lined up - the cover becomes stuff in the hole). But I don't think this is really off topic too far. I can think of lots of ways or instances when this could be used in classes. Tim ___ Timothy O. Shearon, PhD Professor and Chair Department of Psychology The College of Idaho Caldwell, ID 83605 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] teaching: intro to neuropsychology; psychopharmacology; general; history and systems "You can't teach an old dogma new tricks." Dorothy Parker --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED])<>
Re: [tips] A bit off topic
>>> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 09/06/08 1:15 AM >>>wrote: I was unable to find an answer to the question of what the politically correct call a manhole cover. -- I assume it is the "manhole" part and not the "cover" that is politically incorrect. Many manufacturers of these objects now call them sewer entry covers. Bill Scott --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
