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12:51 pm
April 28, 2009
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Revenant
| | Hopelessly Locked In A "Fear Cage" | |
| Lead Investigator | posts 1393 |
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I just came across this article and thought I'd share:
http://arstechnica.com/science/news/2009/04/metal-enhanced-spider-silk-tougher-than-the-original.ars
Essentially, scientists have used an atomic layer deposition technique, which uses repeated pulses of vaporized material that contains metals and literally leaves a layer of metal on the surface of the spider silk, thus strengthening it beyond its already extraordinary capacity.
The applications for this are trenmendous. The technique may be useful for manufacturing super-tough textiles and high-tech medical materials, including artificial bones and tendons. It could also be used for super-strong thread in operations as well.
What does this have to do with the paranormal? Nothing. This is the real deal. However, I couldn't help but to think about Steve from Ghost Hunters and his arachnophobia. Down the road, when this technology is available, and Steve was injured…could he mentally accept artificial bones and tendons that, essentially, came from a spider?
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"Skepticism is not a position, it's a process." -Dr Michael Shermer
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9:56 pm
April 29, 2009
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Stephen
| | San Jose, CA | |
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I can just see Tango terrorizing him, a la Penny Arcade: "You have to wrestle the spider for the silk, right there in the operating room. That's how it's done."
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Stephen the Friendly Skeptic
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7:44 am
April 30, 2009
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alicat
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| Lead Investigator | posts 1215 |
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After trying to make Tango eat/drink a number of things and wearing the tiarra, etc., I think it's time for Tango to terrorize Steve. Turn abouts fair play. I'd pay to be in the gallery of the operating room watching that.
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11:56 am
April 30, 2009
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Revenant
| | Hopelessly Locked In A "Fear Cage" | |
| Lead Investigator | posts 1393 |
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alicat said:
After trying to make Tango eat/drink a number of things and wearing the tiarra, etc., I think it's time for Tango to terrorize Steve. Turn abouts fair play. I'd pay to be in the gallery of the operating room watching that.
Say Steve had the surgery on his leg, with artificial tendons made from the new spider silk. Tango just stares at Steve's leg until Steve says "What?" The only thing Tango has to say…"Do you ever feel spiders crawling around in your leg trying to get out?"
No matter what Steve would say, you know…that would eat at him. It would play with his mind.
That's why I'm kind of doubting if people with arachnophobia would even consider using this technology.
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"Skepticism is not a position, it's a process." -Dr Michael Shermer
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1:45 pm
April 30, 2009
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alicat
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| Lead Investigator | posts 1215 |
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@ Revenant: I'd have to say, not being as bad as Steve, I'd have to take a deep breath for a second or two but when you need medical treatment, you just pull up the boot straps and go for it. It's not a spider but it would play with your head. I think I'd need to up my Ambien for awhile until the thoughts passed during the night. Heaven forbid a treatment he needed used the old (and in some places current) leeches for treatment. If I remember correctly, didn't Josh Gates run into a few here and there? On the total end of the spectrum, we were watching Renovation Nation and Steve Thomas was working in a pond with a guy doing aqua gardening and, even though the guy said there were leeches in the water, he reluctantly winced and walked in to help him. Sure enough, he came up with one on his leg. So, memo to Steve, even water has creepy crawlies!
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12:00 am
May 10, 2009
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Revenant
| | Hopelessly Locked In A "Fear Cage" | |
| Lead Investigator | posts 1393 |
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@ Alicat- You mentioned leeches and I wanted to comment on it and forgot to.
About ten years or so ago, the guy who made "Survivor" also did the "Eco Challenge Race." It's like Survivor on steroids and HGH, it was utterly real and was simply insane to watch. Essentially teams of four people would race across some of the most inhospitable jungles and forests in the world. They would hike, canoe, bike, climb and whatever else. Race took about 10-12 days. Many teams wouldn't finish.
Anyway, there was one held in Malaysian Borneo. All I can remember were the leeches. Most weren't in the water. They were on land. They would literally inch along towards anyone standing still or sitting. It was gruesome. Everyone had problems with them. One guy…had a leech go where no man wants a leech to go. I squinted my eyes the entire time watching that. I had never seen leeches that aggressive before. I have officially scratched off Malaysian Borneo from my vacation list.
I'm not sure if the races are still going on. If they are, it's a shame that they aren't being televised. Talk about a testimony of the human will. And I shall always credit the show for giving me the word "bonking." Which means…when you have nothing left physically or mentally and simply collapse in a heap. Kind of what I did after watching GH's "Crossover" episode…
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"Skepticism is not a position, it's a process." -Dr Michael Shermer
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6:32 am
May 10, 2009
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alicat
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| Lead Investigator | posts 1215 |
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Revenant,
Darn it Revenant! You just ruined my vacation plans for the summer. Now I'll have to change those tickets. Guess I'll go to the Jersey shore. Those leeches I can handle! 
Seriously though, I somewhat remember hearing or seeing something about that Eco Challenge Race but my memory on that is not too clear. I have to say I occasionally watch Survivor, enjoy the show but really squirm at having to live in those conditions. It is certainly something I could never and would never participate in but it is interesting to watch even if, like me, you are watching at times with one closed eye while peeking through your hands with the other one. I'm more the Amazing Race person although that has some things I just shudder watching. Interesting places, interesting challenges, and very interesting human interactions. Talk about wanting to throw something at the tv screen! It is a true test of human relationships and how they handle what life throws them and these people know each other or are related before they start. Granted, the scenarios are ones most people would never encounter as they are larger than life, but it does tell you a lot about the person you are with in life's journey whether you are a friend or family.
Still, leeches in Borneo. I'll take my chances at the shore. 
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