Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Humanities/2008 August 3

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August 3

Death of a presidential candidate

Does either US political party-- or the government itself-- have a formalized procedure for choosing a new presidential candidate if the party's presumptive nominee(or the person with the most primary votes so far) dies on the campaign trail? And if that candidate has chosen a running mate by the time of his/her death, does the running mate then get the nomination? 68.123.238.140 (talk) 01:56, 3 August 2008 (UTC)

The names that would appear on the ballots in such a case would depend on the various laws of each of the 50 states (and DC), but the political parties could play a role in coordinating who the Electoral College voters would vote for, instead of the deceased candidate... AnonMoos (talk) 05:36, 3 August 2008 (UTC)

Since the conventions have not yet been held, there's no nominee for the states to have placed on the ballots yet. The conventions would choose a replacement. If the nominee dies after the convention, then presumably AnonMoos's scenario would apply. Corvus cornix_talk 19:34, 3 August 2008 (UTC)

Prior to the national convention, there may be a presumptive nominee (e.g., Sen. Obama), but there cannot be a formal nominee. Hence, when (possibly?) presumptive candidate Robert F. Kennedy was killed, other candidates then rose in the rankings. I don't believe there has been a case where a formally nominated candidate of a major party died before election day, but one might postulate that the second-placed candidate -- or the vice presidential nominee -- might fill the role. DOR (HK) (talk) 01:55, 4 August 2008 (UTC)

This isn't what you asked for, but if you haven't read about what happened in the election of 1872 after Horace Greeley died, you might enjoy it. Interestingly, in that case, even though Greeley's running-mate had literally been on the ballot with him, he did not receive the bulk of Greeley's support. Of course, in that case the election was a moot point...hardly sets reliable precedent for the future. User:Jwrosenzweig editing as 71.112.34.57 (talk) 09:24, 4 August 2008 (UTC)

This has happened already. In 1972 it was reveled that George McGovern's running mate Thomas Eagleton under went electric shock treatments. This led him to quit. After he resigned, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) met and picked Sargent Shriver to replace him. In the end, McGovern did badly, with his only wins being in Massachusetts and DC (for more, see Mr. Eagleton's NYT Obit). I'm not sure if this was a solution thought up by the DNC on the fly or if there are any rules that call for this. In short, if one were to use 1972 as a precedent, that I would logically guess that the Democratic and Republican National Committees would pick a new nominee if something happens. - Thanks, Hoshie 08:38, 9 August 2008 (UTC)

Pizza Hut and McDonald's

Hello. Have the Pizza Hut and McDonald's exteriors changed so that their roofs look different? Both featured red roofs that look like the former Pizza Hut logo. Thanks in advance. --Mayfare (talk) 02:00, 3 August 2008 (UTC)

Are you talking literally about the roof of any of their branches, or the "roof" shown on their logo? Neither of them in my area have red roofs. They are sort of black/dark grey. Where are you?78.144.211.104 (talk) 20:06, 3 August 2008 (UTC)

I am talking about their former appearance in Canada and the United States. Now they have renovated. --Mayfare (talk) 14:20, 4 August 2008 (UTC)

I don't know about Pizza Hut, but here is an article from 2006 about the new McD's store design which contains the following: 'The signature mansard roof? History. "The big red roof looks too dated today," says John Bricker, creative director at design firm Gensler's brand-strategy arm, Studio 585. It's being replaced by a flat roof topped by a newly designed, contemporary, golden sloping curve. ' I have seen a couple local McD's completely razed and replaced with the new look. --LarryMac | Talk 18:12, 4 August 2008 (UTC)

Is Michael Stone (psychiatrist) American?

I need to know if he's American. Thanks 201.254.82.195 (talk) 03:40, 3 August 2008 (UTC).

The television show Most Evil filmed in America stars Michael Stone. He probably is. --Mayfare (talk) 15:49, 3 August 2008 (UTC)

Umm... that's pretty weak reasoning! Lots of TV shows are filmed in American with non-American actors. That being said, he's a professor "playing himself", so assuming he doesn't have a foreign accent, he's probably either American or Canadian. --98.217.8.46 (talk) 17:21, 3 August 2008 (UTC)

Nudity question

Are there men who do not want to appear nude in front of women because they are bothered themselves, not because of the women's reaction? I certainly have no problem appearing nude in front of women I haven't met, or even heard of, before, but only in social nudity situations where nudity is expected. In other situations, I do have a problem with it, but only out of respect for the women. There are apparently many men and women who feel the same way. But my question is, I tend to think all the men feel this way, but only a small part of the women. The way I feel, men like to see women nude whenever possible, but the reverse is only true for social nudity and intimate situations. Am I correct here? JIP | Talk 17:58, 3 August 2008 (UTC)

It's definitely not true that all men feel this way. Do you really think the only reason why the Pope won't want to appear nude in front of a woman is because of how the woman may feel? There are a lot of men, especially in conservative countries who will personally feel uncomfortable appearing nude in front of a woman because of their own personal feelings and beliefs, unrelated to the feelings of the women involved. Heck there are a lot of men who aren't even comfortable appearing nude in front of other men... Nil Einne (talk) 19:32, 3 August 2008 (UTC)

I think it's inappropriate to ever assume that everyone else feels the same way that you do. Men who are not satisfied with their own appearance are surely less likely to be happy to be seen naked by anyone, perhaps but not necessarily, women in particular. Even men who are quite satisfied with their appearance might not like to bear themselves for a variety of reasons including religion and upbringing (not out of concern for women but because they're just not used to being exposed). All men do not like to see women nude whenever possible. That's an absurd suggestion which ignores the existence of homosexual men and physically-unattractive women. ----Seans Potato Business 19:34, 3 August 2008 (UTC)

Indeed someone who's not satisfied with their appearance may not even want to look at themselves naked Nil Einne (talk) 19:59, 3 August 2008 (UTC)

Let's not forget the morality issue: some men may feel it is simply wrong to appear nude in front of anyone not a doctor, and others may feel that even a female doctor would be unacceptable. DOR (HK) (talk) 01:57, 4 August 2008 (UTC)

I should have thought more about this and not make such extreme claims. However, the point of my question is: Am I correct in understanding that men are more likely to have no problem with appearing nude in front of strange women, than women are to do so in front of strange men?

I understand the comment about homosexual men and unattractive women. Leaving out homosexual men was an unintentional oversight and I am sorry for it. As for unattractive women, I never said men want to see all women nude. =) Taking myself as an example, I would not go around nude in a situation where nudity is not expected, regardless of who is present. If a female doctor asked me to strip to be able to examine my body, all I would care about is that no others are watching. But generally, there should be a reason for the nudity - either social nudity, medical examination, or intimacy.

The whole reason I originally asked this was that I think men are more interested in seeing nude women than women are in seeing nude men. This does not apply to all men and women but I think it applies to most of them.

The bit about the Pope caused me to think of an additional question that keeps nagging at me. Who has seen the Pope nude? JIP | Talk 18:01, 4 August 2008 (UTC)

His mother? DuncanHill (talk) 23:03, 4 August 2008 (UTC)

Okay, I know I'm a bit of an odd duck, and maybe my hyposexuality, verging on asexuality, has something to do with it. But I'm fine with nudity, and I don't have the most fit body either - but hey, no one's perfect. That said, I am more comfortable being nude in situations in which nudity is called for (the doctor's office, a nude beach) than those in which it isn't (a classroom, a dinner party), but I think that's a sign of sanity. It is generally acknowledged that MOST men are more visually stimulated than MOST women. So yes, "seeing naked women" will be higher on the average man's list than "seeing naked men" will be on the average woman's. That doesn't mean that women don't enjoy some nice eye candy once in a while . . . it just means that women in general are more selective, more verbal and tactile, and want more of an emotional connection with the guy before they see him in the buff. As for the Pope question - his mother and father, the doctor or midwife who delivered him when he was born, any friends and relatives of the family who bathed him when he was a baby, whoever was in the house when he was two years old and thought it would be sooo funny to take off all his clothes and go tearing around the living room (doesn't every toddler do it once?), the boys in the locker room, all his doctors, and that committee from the Vatican that inspects the Papal candidates to make sure they don't have any physical blemishes or deformities before they're elected to the papacy. Have I left anyone out? - Lethe —Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.215.227.218 (talk) 18:55, 4 August 2008 (UTC)

OK, so an additional question - who has seen the Pope nude after he became the Pope? JIP | Talk 19:31, 4 August 2008 (UTC)

Possibly his doctor. Also, except for the current pope, his undertaker. And, accepting the pope's beliefs, his God. OtherDave (talk) 01:19, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

Indians head bobbing while speaking

I have noticed that Indians, mainly native Indians, bob their head sometimes while speaking. I just want to give a disclaimer that Im asking this based on sincere observation, and Im not trying to be racist at all. I think this head bobbing is a fact, as a lot of peoples besides me have noticed too. I was just wondering why they do that, and when, when theyre making an affirmation, asking a question, etc. and why? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 189.34.103.78 (talk) 21:41, 3 August 2008 (UTC)

Just a cultural habit. It has nothing to do with their race or biology. --98.217.8.46 (talk) 23:08, 3 August 2008 (UTC)

I think the questioner is aware of that. I have some Indian friends and, though I never asked them about it, I've noticed it. I've tried to figure it out from the context and the stereotypical one where they sort of lean it shoulder to shoulder a bit seems to be used to say something like 'I'm just throwing that out there' or 'I'm ok with whatever you want' or similar types of sentiments. -LambaJan (talk) 12:57, 4 August 2008 (UTC)

[Russell Peters]] does a very funny routine with this but I can't find it on youtube... СПУТНИК^{CCC P} 13:40, 4 August 2008 (UTC)

This gesture is known as head bobble and yes, we have an article on it. (Well, a tiny bit of one, anyway.) Friday (talk) 13:43, 4 August 2008 (UTC) PS. this sometimes caused confusion with Indian contract workers at a place I worked in. They mean "OK, I understand" but the gesture is easily seen as a head shake (meaning, essentially, "no") by a Westerner who is unfamiliar with it. Hilarity ensues. Friday (talk) 13:44, 4 August 2008 (UTC)

Is this not equivalent to asking why someone nods to say "yes"? Zain Ebrahim (talk) 13:46, 4 August 2008 (UTC)

According to westerner in India Gregory David Roberts in his book Shantaram it can also show positive empathy, like westerners nodding to another in wordless greeting, a way to say hi and is a customary mannerism in speaking generally. The author calls it head wagging. Julia Rossi (talk) 05:43, 6 August 2008 (UTC)