Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Entertainment/2007 August 1

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August 1

scorpion

i wanted to know the answer to this question.a drop of liquor kills me.if u google it the answer is scorpion but which exact type of scorpion.plse assist

Our article on Scorpions says "It is also untrue that alcohol will cause scorpions to sting themselves to death." 152.16.188.107 09:36, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

I would think most bacteria would make a suitable answer? since alcohol is used to clean wounds? Capuchin 09:57, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

I quite like "sobriety" or "teetotalhood" as alternate answers, though I may have made up the second of those words. --Dweller 14:18, 2 August 2007 (UTC)

Teetotalism? Skittle 02:09, 6 August 2007 (UTC)

mp3

i need help to identify a certain clip.am having trouble downloading it oz its in .wav format.i need to convert it.anyone know how i can go about converting it to a suitable format so that i can post it.which device should i download from the net to convert it.

You could have a peek at this search [1] or perhaps have a browse at download.com - you can check out the reviews on software from other people there rather than blind downloading. Lanfear's Bane

does wikipedia accept mp3 format?i dont thnk so.i think its org..... i cant remember the format type.i wanted to post my clip o the reference desk coz i need some help

do you mean .ogg? I don't see why wikipedia would not accept mp3s but ogg vorbis is a free alternative. You can goggle or use download.com to find encoders for ogg vorbis too. Capuchin 13:48, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

Maybe if you read the article you would see why... MP3#Licensing and patent issues —Keenan Pepper 20:42, 2 August 2007 (UTC)

Original asker, please see Wikipedia:Media#Audio. —Keenan Pepper 20:42, 2 August 2007 (UTC)

UK version of Elder scrolls Oblivion at 50hz

Does the UK PS3 version of Elders Srolls VI Oblivion run at 50hz?

thanks.

Reality TV Shows

I never understood this phenomenon. Can anyone shed any light? Thanks. When you watch a reality TV show, why is it that the people on camera act as if there is no camera there at all? I am not referring to, say, a show like Survivor -- where the people know they are being filmed all day long. I am talking about, say, a show like Cops or even The Real World. That is, a show where they "bring in" (i.e., they videotape or film) outsiders that are not part of the inner circle of the show. In other words, normal / regular people that interact with the show's cast are being filmed. So, for example, on Cops -- why aren't the criminals saying stuff like "get that camera off of me"? Rather, they all act as if there is no camera there -- like they are not even being filmed. Or, maybe a better example, say on the Real World or The Surreal Life or any show ... let's say the cast members go out on the street or a mall and (say) purchase something in a store or go out to dinner. How come the cashier at the store and other customers at the store / restaurant are acting as if nothing is out of the ordinary? When, in fact, the cashier's transaction is being videotaped by an entire film crew -- which clearly is not the normal standard day-to-day situation. I can't imagine that, before filming, the producers go into the store and say "We are taping an episode of The Real World -- just act normal". Or do they? Number one, that would destroy the spontaneity ("realness") of the reality show and, number two, gawkers and regular people in the store would be gawking anyway despite the admonition. No? I never understood this. Any input? Thanks. (JosephASpadaro 15:33, 1 August 2007 (UTC))

They edit out scenes that break the fourth wall to make it feel like the cameras are not there. -- Kainaw^(what?) 15:38, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

Also in some shows the camera will be descreet and with everything else going on it may be in the back of the individual's mind. Additionally point a camera in someone's face long enough and they get used to it/let their guard down - a classic photographers trick at weddings, always be walking around with the camera up/out, the guests will soon get bored of trying to hide from you/feeling like they have a camera pointed at them. ny156uk 17:47, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

I see your points. I am not 100% sold. Thanks. (JosephASpadaro 02:36, 3 August 2007 (UTC))

I agree with the above. Consider COPS (TV series). If you were being "subdued" by policemen, using dogs, "batons", and pepper spray, would you really be concerned with, or even notice, the cameraman across the street using a zoom lens ? StuRat 04:12, 3 August 2007 (UTC)

Yes, a zoom lens across the street is inconspicuous. It always seemed to me that a camera crew of several people were right on the tails of whom they film. Sometimes, you even see a boom mike held over their heads. (JosephASpadaro 18:12, 3 August 2007 (UTC))

In many UK cop shows they show people shouting "get that effin' camera out of my face"Maybe it's edited out in the USA?hotclaws 08:42, 3 August 2007 (UTC)

Civilization Expansions Question

My version of Civilization 4 comes from the collecter's edition/package thing, the one that comes with Civilization 1, 2, and 3, all in their complete versions, plus Civilization 4, and then all kinds of extras, you know what I'm talking about? So my question is, will the two expansion packs work on that version? I sincerely hope so, but I want to make sure before I go and buy any.

(I just checked, the package is called Civilization Chronicles). Thanks!

DoomsDay349 19:05, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

I don't see why not. it's just a dvd with all the different games on it, isn't it? Capuchin 13:04, 2 August 2007 (UTC)

Well, there's multiple disks, you know, and the Civilization 4 game is all on it's own. But, the thing is, the Civ 4 disk is labeled differently then the regular Civilization 4. I would imagine they work together, but does anyone have firsthand knowledge of it? DoomsDay349 23:22, 2 August 2007 (UTC)

You're more likely to find someone who knows the answer to this in a fan forum like CivFanatics or Apolyton. 152.16.188.107 04:06, 3 August 2007 (UTC)

More advanced> Star Trek Transporters or SG1 Asgard Beaming?

Which fictional technology seems more advanced (or has less limitation) and why? --24.249.108.133 19:22, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

The stargates seemed the most advanced, being able to transport people to other solar systems. The ring transport system seemed about equivalent to the Star Trek transporters, though. Both were short ranged. I recall that the Star Trek transporters only required a transporter at one end (although I can't imagine how that would be possible), was this also true of the ring transporters ? StuRat 03:57, 3 August 2007 (UTC)

StuRat, Asgard beaming is actually different to the ring transporters on SG1 (apparently they come from different civilisations - the "Asgard" and the "Ancients" respectively). Unsurprisingly, Wikipedia has very good coverage of TV science fiction series. I suggest that our questioner read about these technologies at Transporter (Star Trek) and Asgard technology in Stargate#Beaming technology and compare them him/herself. (And maybe come back here to post your own answer.) Here's a couple of bonus links to the other technologies StuRat mentions: Stargate (device) and Ring Transporter. Thylacoleo 07:50, 3 August 2007 (UTC)

Music question

Do any songs exist in hip-hop that have a time signature different from 4/4 or 2/4? I don't think there is, although a friend of mine who avidly listens to the genre insists otherwise, whilst not producing any examples. I'm not familiar enough with hip hop music to make a complete judgement on the matter, so I was wondering if anyone here could debunk my friend's belief—or, conversely, provide any examples of hip hop songs in a different time signature. The ikiroid (talk·desk·Advise me) 23:20, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

This list is not explicitly current hip-hop, but I do see a few modern songs that your friend may recognize. List of musical works in unusual time signatures. HYENASTE 00:39, 2 August 2007 (UTC)

The time signature of Hey Ya is the subject of much debate; many consider it non-standard.--The Fat Man Who Never Came Back 02:16, 2 August 2007 (UTC)

If I recall correctly, Big Brovaz' version of "My Favourite Things" is in 3/4. -88.110.176.254 10:45, 2 August 2007 (UTC)

"My Favorite Things (song)" was originally a show tunes waltz and does not count.--The Fat Man Who Never Came Back 21:47, 2 August 2007 (UTC)