Anarchy and Octopus Wrestling
The Newsletter for the Strangerous Channel
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Jason Murphy is a novelist, screenwriter, and content creator. He bloodied his sword on the necks of the hoards from the West.
Holiday Felicitations!
I’m running my Dungeons and Dragons Christmas one-shot, CHRISTMAS CHAOS: A JOLLY OLD CORPSE, one more time before packing it away for the year.
Book your session here!
This Week on The Strangerous Shorts
You can watch the latest The Strangerous Shorts on Instagram or YouTube.
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These are the most popular Strangerous shorts from last week. In this first one, I dip into some knowledge that I really hope won’t get me arrested.
Fun with Anarchist Chemistry!
The spontaneous exothermic reaction between calcium hypochlorite and brake fluid is lots of fun and pretty dangerous! This is for educational purposes, okay? Don’t be daft and do this on your own. I mean, I’m not your dad, as far as I know, but … don’t be a dummy.
So now that that’s out of the way, here’s the science sauce:
Materials Needed:
Calcium Hypochlorite:
A compound commonly found in pool shock treatments, containing chlorine and known for its reactivity.
Brake Fluid:
A hydraulic fluid used in brake systems, known for its high boiling point.
Container:
A non-reactive container, such as glass or ceramic.
Safety Gear:
Gloves and eye protection are crucial, given the potential hazards of the reaction.
Safety First:
Before delving into the experiment, safety must be the top priority. Choose a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors, to conduct the reaction. Don appropriate safety gear, including gloves and eye protection, to ensure a secure environment for experimentation.
The Experimental Process:
Prepare the Reaction Container:
Begin by placing a small amount of calcium hypochlorite in the container. The quantity can be adjusted based on the desired reaction intensity and duration.
Add Brake Fluid:
Slowly introduce brake fluid to the container with the calcium hypochlorite. The reaction will commence almost immediately.
Observe the Reaction:
Witness a spontaneous exothermic reaction!
Release of Gases:
Expect the release of gases, including chlorine gas (very dangerous!). A well-ventilated area is essential to disperse these gases safely.
Color Changes:
Observe any color changes in the solution as the reaction progresses. Caution should be exercised to avoid inhaling any fumes.
Heat Production:
Feel the container warming up as a result of the exothermic nature of the reaction. Heat production is indicative of the chemical reaction in progress.
Dispose of Residues Safely:
Once the reaction concludes, dispose of the residues responsibly, following local regulations. Irresponsible disposal is strongly discouraged.
The chemical reaction involves the oxidation of the brake fluid by chlorine. Pool chlorine typically contains sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) as the active ingredient. Brake fluid, on the other hand, is commonly composed of glycols, such as polyethylene glycol or polypropylene glycol, and other additives.
The reaction can be represented as follows:
2NaClO+2R-OH→2NaCl+2R-O-Cl+H2O2NaClO+2R-OH→2NaCl+2R-O-Cl+H2O
In this reaction:
NaClONaClO represents sodium hypochlorite, which is a component of pool chlorine.
R-OHR-OH represents the glycol molecule in brake fluid.
NaClNaCl is sodium chloride, a common salt.
R-O-ClR-O-Cl represents the chlorinated product, which is an organic chloride.
The chlorine from the sodium hypochlorite oxidizes the hydroxyl groups (R-OHR-OH) in the glycol molecules of the brake fluid. This results in the formation of chlorinated compounds (R-O-ClR-O-Cl) and water (H2OH2O), along with the production of sodium chloride (NaClNaCl).
Be prepared to respond to any unexpected developments. Ensure access to a well-equipped first aid kit in place.
Let’s be clear - there’s no good reason to utilize this. Sure, you can concoct some scenario where you’re lost in the woods with only pool chlorine and brake fluid, but … just live vicariously through other dummies on the internet.
(Yes. Sometimes I am that dummy.)
https://sciencing.com/happens-pool-chlorine-break-fluid-5183586.html
https://www.solidsmack.com/fabrication/yes-mix-pool-chlorine-brake-fluid-plume-fire/
Unconventional ways to start fires are so very fun. This is one of my favorites. You can mix two totally-not-on-fire elements and then BOOM. Of course, these are things that civilized people tend to cock an eyebrow at. Is something like this an infohazard? That’s a reasonable question - one that I get asked a lot.
Sidenote: I’ve actually had an Academy Award winning producer wag her finger at me for behaving irresponsibly on the internet. Whatever. Her movie was dumb.
I think not knowing this information is much more dangerous. Also? A dangerous chemical reaction among household chemicals isn’t exactly the Manhattan Project. It could happen by accident. In your garage. So yeah … people need to know.
The Deadly Voices of Sperm Whales
230 dB is how loud a Sperm Whales echolocation click can get. Let’s explore what that can do to the human body.
The Auditory Assault:
At 230 dB, the auditory system is under immediate threat. The intense sound waves can cause irreversible damage to the delicate structures of the ear, including the eardrum and the intricate hair cells responsible for hearing. Permanent hearing loss becomes a significant risk even with short exposures to such extreme noise.
Shockwaves and Physical Trauma:
Beyond the auditory system, shockwaves generated by these deafening sounds can wreak havoc on the human body. Rapid changes in pressure can lead to barotrauma, resulting in injuries to the ears, sinuses, and lungs. Internal organs are not spared, with the potential for bruising, hemorrhaging, and more severe trauma.
Fluid Disruptions and Neurological Effects:
Disruption of the body's fluid balance is another consequence, impacting the circulatory system and potentially causing internal bleeding or the formation of air and gas embolisms. Neurological effects, akin to a concussion, may manifest, bringing confusion, disorientation, and temporary or permanent cognitive impairments.
Musculoskeletal Strain:
The force of a shockwave can exert significant pressure on the musculoskeletal system, leading to injuries such as fractures, sprains, and trauma to muscles, bones, and joints. The body becomes susceptible to a range of injuries that extend far beyond the auditory realm.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-sperm-whales-deadly-call-94653/
https://roaring.earth/sperm-whales-can-vibrate-humans-to-death/
As if the ocean wasn’t scary enough. What’s the damage roll on that attack? And honestly, if they figure this out - that they can kill us with their weird little noises? - aren’t we in a lot of trouble?
Remember the orca attacks from a few months ago? Maybe that was the beginning. Animals revolting has been a lynchpin of apocalypse movies since the 70s. We didn’t listen! Personally, I’m excited about the upcoming ‘Food of the Gods’ era of humanity.
The Octopus Rasslin’ League!
Octopus wrestling may sound like a bizarre concept, but in the mid-20th century, it gained popularity in various coastal communities. It involved divers grappling with octopuses in an underwater tug-of-war and became a part of the cultural landscape during a time when unconventional sports were on the rise.
(But let’s be honest - this whole thing was just a really nasty thing to do to the octopuses.)
The roots of octopus wrestling can be traced back to the 1940s and 1950s, primarily along the coasts of the Pacific Northwest, particularly in areas like Puget Sound and Hood Canal. The exact origins are somewhat murky.
Octopus wrestling typically involved divers venturing into the depths armed with only a knife and their bare hands. The objective was to locate an octopus, grapple with it, and then bring it to the surface. The divers faced the challenge of not only dealing with the octopus's slippery and flexible body but also managing the creature's powerful tentacles.
Contests were often timed, adding an element of competition to the sport. The diver who successfully surfaced with the largest octopus or within the shortest time frame was declared the winner.
Animal rights activists and marine biologists expressed concerns about the potential harm inflicted on octopuses during these contests, of course. Octopuses are intelligent and sensitive creatures, and the stress of being captured and handled could have detrimental effects on their well-being.
As awareness of marine conservation grew, so did the opposition to octopus wrestling. The sport began to decline in popularity as people became more conscious of the need to protect marine life and its delicate ecosystems. It was outlawed in many parts of the area where it was once celebrated.
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/62758/everything-you-need-know-about-octopus-wrestling
https://www.si.com/more-sports/2021/10/12/seattle-kraken-octopus-wrestling-daily-cover
I hate this. Let’s get that out of the way. Just … leave them alone.
That said, from a story-perspective, wrestling animals - especially ones as mysterious as an octopus - is a tradition that dates back centuries. The Romans loved it. You used to see it on the cover of men’s adventure magazines.
One rugged man, standing alone against the relentless hunger of nature! To me, octopus wrestling evokes that era - of barrel-chested men diving down with a knife between their teeth to fight an anaconda. It’s the adventure of something like bull fighting, but with more grit. It’s a struggle for survival!
It’s also abusive and pointless.
Hey Alexa? What Does “Solipsism” Mean?
Boltzmann Brains emerge from the depths of entropy, the inexorable force dictating the evolution of the cosmos. According to Boltzmann's audacious proposal, within the vast reaches of the universe, there exist pockets of temporary order amid the sea of disorder. These islands of coherence, driven by the statistical fluctuations inherent in thermodynamics, could give rise to sentient entities – Boltzmann Brains – complete with thoughts, perceptions, and self-awareness.
The implications of this hypothesis are profound and far-reaching, nudging us to question the very nature of our existence. Are we the products of a purposeful cosmic evolution, or are we merely transient anomalies arising from statistical quirks? This contemplation has heady consequences for our understanding of consciousness, reality, and the framework that governs our universe.
To delve deeper into the intricacies of Boltzmann Brains, it's essential to explore the foundations laid by Ludwig Boltzmann himself. The Austrian physicist, a pioneer in the field of statistical mechanics, introduced this notion as part of his efforts to reconcile the macroscopic world with the underlying microscopic dynamics of particles. Boltzmann's equations, now fundamental in understanding the behavior of gases and thermodynamic systems, set the stage for contemplating the emergence of complex structures within a chaotic cosmic backdrop.
However, the Boltzmann Brain hypothesis is not without its challenges and critiques. Critics argue that the probability of forming a conscious entity through random fluctuations alone is exceedingly low, raising doubts about the viability of such a scenario. Furthermore, the theory clashes with our observations of the ordered, structured universe that has given rise to galaxies, stars, and ultimately life.
As physicists grapple with the implications of Boltzmann Brains, they confront the cosmic conundrum with a range of perspectives. Some propose modifications to the theory, introducing constraints or refining the understanding of entropy and probability. Others seek to reconcile this concept with the observed structures of the universe, exploring scenarios where ordered systems emerge naturally from the laws of physics.
https://www.howandwhys.com/boltzmann-brain-explained-for-dummies/
https://www.thoughtco.com/what-are-boltzmann-brains-2699421
It was simply a thought exercise, one of those big, unanswerable questions. But of course, many weirdos are going to take it literally. Who knows? If the universe is truly infinite, doesn’t that allow for infinite possibility?
From a narrative perspective, this is a chilling idea. Giant, disembodied ‘thought forms’ floating in space. You can call it a Boltzmann Brain. I’ll call it an Elder God.
Then again, I heard about this on an episode of Star Trek, so what do I know?
The Strangerous Channel Updates
Did you know I write books? It’s true. There are some about werewolves and others about ghosts. Some of them are funny. Some of them are gross.
I don’t really have anything to say about all that just yet. But maybe you should follow my Author Page on Amazon. For reasons.
Support The Strangerous
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https://www.patreon.com/posts/joe-diamond-94129933
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Even More Strange and Dangerous!
You know what’s better than Christmas movies during Christmas? Christmas horror movies. Here’s a playlist! There are a lot of gems here.
And by that I mean, “Most of these are so so bad.”
Enjoy!
And if you want a little more Strangerous science, here’s how they’re using biological robots to encourage the growth of damaged neurons. As a curious person, I’m amazed and excited by these new developments. As a writer, I’m terrified of tiny biological robots.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/11/231130184249.htm
Got any cool Strange or Dangerous topics you’d like for us to cover? Let me know! See you next week!