Ask the Forum

[Parasaurolophus]

I thought we should have a thread in which we can ask questions which someone here can probably answer--not tech help, but you know, 'how the world works'-type questions, or 'what does this concept mean', etc.

I'll start us off. I know that toucans have serrated beaks. But why do they have shadow-teeth on the outside?

[Katrina Gulliver]

Like ELI5 on Reddit?

No idea on the toucans though

[nebo113]

I thought we should have a thread in which we can ask questions which someone here can probably answer--not tech help, but you know, 'how the world works'-type questions, or 'what does this concept mean', etc.

I'll start us off. I know that toucans have serrated beaks. But why do they have shadow-teeth on the outside?

So an academic can pose the question on an academic forum, thereby causing us all to rush to Dr. Google.  TeeHee

[Parasaurolophus]

Like ELI5 on Reddit?

Sure, that seems about right!

So an academic can pose the question on an academic forum, thereby causing us all to rush to Dr. Google.  TeeHee

Ideally, they'll be questions Google isn't so great at answering. But whatever!

[downer]

Why is melatonin prescription-only in the UK but not in the US?

[Wahoo Redux]

I've asked this before, and perhaps it is too fraught a question, but I would really like to know just out of curiosity.

How can employers (not just colleges) legally have "diversity hires" or post "women and minorities are encouraged to apply" language in their job ads?

Also, is it true that marijuana taxation has not been the windfall it was predicted to be?

[downer]

Cannabis taxes pay off big.
https://www.wwlp.com/news/massachusetts/marijuana-surpasses-alcohol-in-sales-tax-revenue-in-massachusetts/

[secundem_artem]

Why is melatonin prescription-only in the UK but not in the US?

This is an over simplification, but a few years ago, then Senator Harkin had legislation passed that makes it fairly difficult to regulate "natural" medications.  There are some limits on what vendors of such products can say - "promotes sleep health" is fine but "effective as a sleeping pill" would not be.  But bringing these products to market and selling them is not well regulated.

[downer]

Why is melatonin prescription-only in the UK but not in the US?

This is an over simplification, but a few years ago, then Senator Harkin had legislation passed that makes it fairly difficult to regulate "natural" medications.  There are some limits on what vendors of such products can say - "promotes sleep health" is fine but "effective as a sleeping pill" would not be.  But bringing these products to market and selling them is not well regulated.

Thanks, secundem_artem.
Sometimes, just sometimes, I think a free market is perfectly fine!

[marshwiggle]

I've asked this before, and perhaps it is too fraught a question, but I would really like to know just out of curiosity.

How can employers (not just colleges) legally have "diversity hires" or post "women and minorities are encouraged to apply" language in their job ads?

Because the current zeitgeist would get anyone crucified for pointing out that it's discriminatory?

[dismalist]

I've asked this before, and perhaps it is too fraught a question, but I would really like to know just out of curiosity.

How can employers (not just colleges) legally have "diversity hires" or post "women and minorities are encouraged to apply" language in their job ads?

Because the current zeitgeist would get anyone crucified for pointing out that it's discriminatory?

Because both discrimination and disparate outcomes are illegal! It's essentially a quota system.

https://www.eeoc.gov/prohibited-employment-policiespractices

Note the internal contradictions in the first couple of paragraphs.

[mamselle]

OH, MAGIC EIGHT-BALL FORUM....

         Oh, wait, it's not that kind of 'ask the forum'?...

Oh, well...

M.

[ergative]

How do built-in bookcases work? Is it basically a bookcase attached to the existing wall, or do contractors need to pull out part of the existing wall cover to make bookcases? How much do they cost? Is it worth it to hire someone to install built-in bookcases in our new apartment* or will it turn out to be a massive hassle and I should just get a bunch of Ikeas? Anyone have experience with this sort of property modification? Any guidance?




*!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[AvidReader]

How do built-in bookcases work? Is it basically a bookcase attached to the existing wall, or do contractors need to pull out part of the existing wall cover to make bookcases?

Spouse and I designed and built (respectively) 20' of built-ins last year. I cannot comment on how professionals do it, but spouse built 6 sections of shelving (6', 8', and 6' wide, and with separate top and bottom units to make them easier to handle, with slightly deeper shelves on the bottoms for our oversize books). We looked at some templates by Anna White and a few DIY YouTube videos. Ours are basically frames with fixed shelves halfway up each unit (and at the tops and bottoms, of course) and bracing across the back; spouse drilled the bracing straight into the studs (and also some pocket holes on the fixed shelves and uprights, where they aligned with the studs) but the wall is basically the back side of the bookcase. It was definitely more hassle than Ikeas, but being able to customize our shelves to the books we have is wonderful. It took spouse about 2 weeks, but spouse is a novice with medium quality tools, so I expect a professional could do it in less than a week. Happy to answer questions via direct message if you want more details.

AR.

[apl68]

Or, for the low-budget and adventurous, there's always cinder blocks and lumber.