What is Digg?93 Comments
- HarryBauzonia, on 10/12/2007, -6/+32If the magnetic poles reverse, will north become south? Will that mean I'll be a Yankee? God help us in our hour of need.
- JoshuaWood, on 10/12/2007, -2/+27Actually the direction that the water goes down, counter-clockwise or clockwise is dependent on the shape of the toilet bowl or sink, not the corleosis effect. This was disproved on Brainiac and a couple other places.
- RyeBrye, on 10/12/2007, -0/+23The poles have reversed several times in the past. There is plenty of evidence in the geological record for this.
- Eccles, on 10/12/2007, -2/+18Well, Don Corleosis is a disease you can't refuse.
- jav1231, on 10/12/2007, -0/+15The sad thing is that as the magnetic field weakens there will be pockets of the atmosphere subject to solar radiation (causing "Northern Lights" in these areas). It is likely that people will suffer more problems as a result. Undoubtedly, some fanatic group will use this as a means of extracting cash and publicity by proclaiming this a crisis and implying we can do something about it.
- lane.montgomery, on 10/12/2007, -0/+13Don't worry citizens, that burning sensation is just evolution in progress. There is no reason to be alarmed.
- koweja, on 10/12/2007, -17/+29I blame this on global warming
- mutant, on 10/12/2007, -1/+11Bush's fault.
- Arkz, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9back to the subject at hand...
WERE ALL GONNA DIE!!! - DBCubix, on 10/12/2007, -3/+11I blame this on global warming too. If it weren't for global warming we would have a utopian existence free of disease, insects, responsibilities and clothes. But unfortunately that evil Bush has ended ice ages, increased sunspot activity, and has a secret weather machine in the White House basement to punish everyone. haha
But seriously, if meteorologists can't get a 3 day forecast right, how can we trust them for a 100 year forecast as in the case of 'global warming'? - MrUnderbridge, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8Um, just because it's natural doesn't mean it will be pleasant to experience. Earthquakes are a natural cycle too, but they ain't that much fun.
- mercano, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8"Christ, did you think *gravity* was reversed in the southern hemisphere?"
Well, obviously, it must, or else all those folks would fall off into space. - Tomos, on 10/12/2007, -4/+12Uh... get a sense of humour. Oh, and learn to spell you igmuramt fule!
- boycy, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9comment = joke
dknighton = ignorant & humourless - Kitsune818, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8dknighton: Are you incapable of detecting written sarcasm or something?
(What would that be called? sarcastalexic?)
Also, natural selection would only select those most capable of reproducing.. it isn't concerned with intelligence unless that increases reproduction rates. - strictnein, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8"it's just the polatiry that the magnetic field puts out will be reversed."
Animals use the magnetic field to guide their migration... - ramiro, on 10/12/2007, -5/+12It is CORIOLIS effect. Corleosis sounds like the name of a disease.
- GruntboyX, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8soooo does this mean animals will start migrating north instead of south for the winter?
- Kitsune818, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6No, the south poll is generally Republican.
- bubbagump, on 10/12/2007, -7/+13We're all going to die!
- ohmar, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Just in case ANYONE is using CRTs ~2000 years from now
- Toast1185, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5This is true. In fact, the reversal of the magnetic poles provided crucial 'proof' for the solidification of the plate tectonics theory of the structure of the earth. (Thank you geosci mini course :) )
It is is generally accepted fact that the poles do shift, what is unknown is why they shift or when it happens. The data indicates an apparently sporadic shift in the Earth's polarity over time, adhering to no specific schedule. - coolgeek61813, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5i don't see why people are bothered by this its a natural cycle that's been happening for billions of year. The only side effect is that for awile there will be a slight radiation increase and better looking northern lights.
- Tomos, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5I believe animals use the field lines for direction, but not their magnetic polarity, so they won't be affected. Even so it's just a guide, they use their eyes too.
A few generations and they'll have it sorted. - adolfojp, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6I wonder what effects this will have in bird migration, magnetotactic bacteria and CRTs.
- humanpowered, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Actually, I saw an experiment of a goose in a wind tunnel once. The scientists kept switching the diretion of the north and south pole and the goose would change directions almost instantly.
However I do agree, most animals will probably figure things out relatively fast. - 1010011010, on 10/12/2007, -6/+10The Republicans must be responsible, somehow... they tried to use the "it's a natural cycle" defense regarding the temperature of the planet, and they'll try to use it again now! You just watch! We need a new Kyoto protocol to curb magnetic field fluctuation! The US consumes too many resources!
- nOOBert, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5i thnk he was joking.
- crazypip666, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4The Danger of what would happen if we lose the magnetic field is not a loss of atmosphere but being bombarded by solar radiation. The Aurora borealis is the visual result of the magnetic field protecting us from solar radiation.
- mbsurf, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6"It is likely that people will suffer more problems as a result. Undoubtedly, some fanatic group will use this as a means of extracting cash and publicity by proclaiming this a crisis and implying we can do something about it."
It's a sign from [INSERT RELIGIOUS DEITY]. Follow me, and I will save you. What? That? It's just a small Administrative fee. - SmokeN-DC, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3there was a great NOVA on this like 2 years ago
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/magnetic/about.html - in4mation, on 10/12/2007, -1/+42000 years from now!!! Like we're actually going to survive another two millennia to witness it ;) Haven't you read the other scientific headlines recently? We are heading for global warming, melting of the ice caps, increase in severe natural disasters, air pollution, depletion of potable water, depletion of the ozone layer, and the list goes on and on... fun times ahead
- TugsMcgroin, on 10/12/2007, -3/+6The magnetic field could dissapear in about 2000 years! Someone, warn my great great great great ^4 grand children that they will probably evolve faster with more mutation due to more energy from the sun reaching the surface.
- drpentode, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4It's Clinton's fault. This pole reversal started in his administration.
- noahhoward, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Christ, did you think *gravity* was reversed in the southern hemisphere?
Um.. relatively it is reversed in the southern hemisphere. It the force pulls towards the center so it is down no matter where you are, but your down is someone elses up. - wesmoc, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Why is this considered "new" news? This topic has been brought up in the scientific arena for years and it is a known cycle. The cycle itself has been shown, through historical evidence (including ships logs from Cook and the like) that the cycle does not have consistent gaps (eg. it could swap after 2000 years, then swap again after 4500 years, then again after 1000 years, etc, etc).
Yes, the belief is also that during the period of time (50-100 years) that it takes for the poles to completely reverse, the earth itself will be subject to more direct solar radiation since the magnetism of the earth as a whole is what helps protect the planet. Actually, it's pretty cool.. I remember seeing something on TV about 2yrs ago covering this. - Kitsune818, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Trivially, compases are hosed, bird migration patterns may get messed up, sea going creatures may also end up confused..
Less Trivially: A large increase of dangerous solar radiation reaching the earths surface.. charged particles from the solar wind are normally redirected by the magnetosphere. The ionosphere will act differently affecting global HF RF communications.. All that increased solar activity reaching the surface could mean power grid problems and problems with other electrical devices..
Assuming humanity survives another 2000 years and still has such technology. - satori3000, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2The thing that keeps coming up when my friends and I discuss this is what will happen while the poles are in transition. Sure the entire flip of poles is supposed to happen in a relatively short amount of time, that is simply speaking geologically. That could be anywhere from months to decades. What happens to all the sensitive machines out there that use magnetic fields to operate? I'm guessing MRIs will fail, Pacemakers may screw up... some subway and monorail systems that rely on magnetics to displace weight and make travel faster.
- boycy, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Lol @ gravity reversal comment :D and the rest of everything too. What a humorous friday it is.
- strictnein, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3The effect on CRTs would be minimal. The Earth's current magnetic field causes only a small movement over the distance that most CRTs fire electrons. Most CRT based devices would be able to be adjusted, if there are any around when/if this happens.
- spamzor, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Ok so how will this actually affect us?
- thejadedmonkey, on 10/12/2007, -3/+5Halajula, the south poll will be south again!
- cwcheang, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2dknighton:
sarcastelestictard
humorlesstard
check and see what has gone wrong in your life - satori3000, on 10/12/2007, -0/+12000 years? this is supposed to be happening as I type this. According to the PBS show on this it will likely start to happen in most of our lifetimes, it's just not clear how quickly it will occur.
- jabelar, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Actually the worst thing would be being bombarded by ions and solar wind ...
Our magnetosphere protects from a lot of wierd crap from space. - jakv5, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1If you are interested in ship's navigation I have some good links including one on magnetic compasses here:
http://www.master-mariners.com/tools-links/LINKS-navigation.htm - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Aeronautical data recognize the Earth's changing magnetic field. Dotted purple lines on charts indicate magnetic variation references with respect to true north. Since runway headings are indicated with reference to magnetic north, they occasionally need to be repainted. I'm assuming this is why satellite images of KMMU (Morristown Airport) indicate runway 30/12 instead of 31/13. See http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=07950&ll=40.798737,-74.417953&spn=0.007147,0.021458&t=k&om=1
and
http://www.airnav.com/airport/KMMU
I'm not sure if this is the same phenomenon this article speaks of, but it would seem plausible. - satori3000, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I was just thinking that as I was going through all this. It's hardly news, but always an interesting discussion point.
- Xalorous, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Depending on point of view, you can say that it is reversed in southern hemisphere. Everything is relative.
Draw the vectors of the gravitic force felt by two people on exact opposite sides of a globe and what do you find? - Flashman, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1***** that's an ingenious way to measure magnetic field change over time.
-
Show 51 - 92 of 92 discussions
Browsing Digg on your phone just got easier with our enhancements to the 
© Digg Inc. 2009
— Content created and posted by Digg users is