Re: [Phys-l] Another YouTube hoax?

[Dan MacIsaac <danmacisaac@mac.com>]

I don't agree this is a hoax video, or that the device is actively  
controlled, and will possibly have some student build one under close  
supervision to avoid electrocution.  If you google the single word

lifter

you'll see several of these devices, often accompanied with large  
amounts of gibberish about anti-gravity, UFOs and alternative  
energy.  I think the effect is quite real, and the authors of the  
gibberish are usually well-intentioned but at least some are pretty  
delusional.  There's quite a lifter subculture extant, and some well- 
educated people are adopting the science fiction -esque trappings and  
deliberately misusing language I think in self-depreciating sport --  
like "yankee doodle."  At least some are having fun at the expense of  
mainstream science culture.

Wikipedia has a nice quip about lifters.

For cuteness, check out out "Orville the Electronaut's" page:
<http://jlnlabs.imars.com/lifters/orville/index.htm>

got to get back to grading.

Dan M

Dan MacIsaac, Associate Professor of Physics, SUNY-Buffalo State College
222SciBldg BSC, 1300 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo NY 14222 USA 716-878-3802
<macisadl@buffalostate.edu>  <http://PhysicsEd.BuffaloState.edu>

On Feb 9, 2007, at 10:34 AM, LaMontagne, Bob wrote:

> I was late picking up my email today - I apologize if I am repeating
> what others have said.
>
> As well as being a licensed pilot, one of my major hobbies is radio
> controlled planes and helicopters. I know of no devices of that size
> that can hover with that degree of stability without constant control
> input. (There is an autopilot device that can be placed in RC planes,
> but not helicopters or hovercraft.) There is nothing in the movie that
> shows how the device could be actively controlled - just the  
> connecting
> wires to maintain the high voltage for the coronal discharge.
>
> I strongly suspect that it is simply suspended, but it is still a
> fascinating movie.
>
> Bob at PC
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu [mailto:phys-l-
> > bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu] On Behalf Of Bernard Cleyet
> > Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2007 12:38 AM
> > To: PHYS-L Maillist; tap-l@lists.ncsu.edu
> > Subject: [Phys-l] Another YouTube hoax?
> >
> > Or just impractical?
> >
> > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ta1wO8EcERY&NR
> > <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ta1wO8EcERY&NR>
> >
> > bc, thanks an anonymous friend
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