How accurate is the science in ‘The Martian’? Could a man really survive on Mars for so long as shown in the film?
I saw the movie. It was really good. A lot of the science was pretty good, but not all of it. The soil of Mars can grow food…
Why did Captain Edward J. Smith want to drown while Titanic was sinking?
We may never know what ultimately happened to Titanic’s captain, but there are eyewitnesses accounts that tell of Captain Smith and the crew struggling to figure out how…
What did the Apollo 11 astronauts see on the moon that had them so shaken up?
I had the good fortune of having a very long dinner with Gene Cernan about 15 years ago. He was the last man to walk on the moon….
What are Japanese jails like?
Since I spent 35 days in Japanese jail, I believe I’m qualified to answer this question! The day started at 7am, when the harsh fluorescent lights would flicker…
How do female soldiers manage about going to the loo on the frontline with male soldiers there?
I was on an extended field exercise with a group of senior ROTC cadets. This was a new experience for me- since I was an Infantry officer, and…
What ancient construction technique has particularly fascinated you?
Not an ancient technique, but related. The great chain of Constantinople’s harbor. It was a marvel of medieval engineering. Illustration by Georgios Anapniotis. For seven centuries, it was one of…
If all the nuclear weapons on Earth were detonated, would it be possible to destroy the whole of humanity?
No. Fun nuclear weapons fact. If you detonated ALL the nuclear bombs EVER made (over 80,000 lifetime, about 12,000 left today), the energy released would not even compare…
Why are American houses made of wood? So easy to catch on fire unlike our UK houses.
Here’s the reality of a brick building after a fire in the UK: Demolition. Here’s the reality of a brick building after an earthquake: Here’s a fully engulfed…
What is the highest density solid in the world?
It seems like you’re asking about solids found on Earth, which rules out interstellar objects like black holes or neutron stars. So the honor goes to this rare,…
Can former US presidents earn millions a month just by talking? Analysis of their sources of income
To this day, the United States remains the most powerful country in the world. As the leader of this superpower, every move made by the US president is…