BUTTERED TOAST (+)
It happened this morning. Toast fell off the plate to the floor. It landed buttered side down (of course). Some think this is the natural and normal way of the world. Buttered toast always lands that way.
It surprised me to find that this phenomenon has incurred many “professional” studies. Professionals have that much extra time? I went into the wrong field of study apparently.
The site Glossy Kitchen had a recent article: “Decoding the Myth: Does Buttered Toast Always Land Butter Side Down?”
October 9, 2024 by Blake Murphy
One paragraph tells most of the story:
“The Surprising Outcomes
Contrary to popular belief, the experiments yielded a range of results, debunking the notion of a consistent outcome. Researchers discovered that the height from which the toast was dropped, the type of surface it fell onto, and even its initial orientation significantly influenced the landing position. Some studies suggested that buttered toast had a slight tendency to land butter side down, but the margin was narrow, and chance prevailed.”
OK. Thanks Glossy!
In fact, several articles pointed to the same random results, but I have to say that my real life experiences are far different from the experiments. One, I was never asked to participate in any experiment with buttered toast, so as they say, “my results may vary.” Second, in real life toast does not fall from a scientifically equal starting point each time. Sometimes I spread more butter than others. Sometimes I use a plate, sometimes a paper towel square, to carry my buttered toast. Sometimes it is caused by a fumble, other times by a collision, stumble, or some other random event. Third, butter is not the only ingredient used each time. Sometimes it is butter and jelly. Sometimes (this morning) it is peanut butter. Also this morning, it wasn’t toast but a bagel (which landed on an edge, rolled, then plopped solidly on the peanut buttered side).
As a result, there is absolutely no way to test this theory properly for real life scenarios. None of the studies included English muffins, bagels (some plain and some with raisins), cheap bread, sandwich bread, old bread, new bread, toaster waffles, etc. In my real life over 6 decades it has happened with all those options.
My actual results probably would show nearly a 70% probability of butter side down. In fact, I adhere to an ancient proverb in addition to my real-life experiences. If the toast lands buttered side up … I probably buttered the wrong side.
WHAT WE ASK FOR
“BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR, YOU MAY GET IT”
A recent article “America’s Young Men Are Falling Behind—and Shifting Right”
Richard Reeves joins Derek to talk about the state of men and what’s really happening with the gender divide in politics
By Derek Thompson Oct 11, 2024, 8:07am EDT found in “The Ringer.” details how men are now ecomomically and socially falling behind. It was a bit boring, but essentially the interview detailed how more young men are failing to find worthwhile employment, social engagement, and emotional support and thus are living at home, committing suicide, and/or shifting to the Conservative side.
Funny! Really! For years some have been telling men to give up their higher paying jobs for women, and stop being so masculine (describing it as toxic), and (especially if white) “go away.”
We are getting what we asked for.
In another instance, we have heard over and over that the rich are nasty people, they shouldn’t be able to keep what they have worked for, and they should “pay their fair share.” They have heard and they have obeyed.
Now we have a shortage of doctors, surgeons, and dentists in the US. Why should they work hard to get licensed, set up an office, hire staff … only to be told they are greedy and don’t deserve what they earn … while still paying on student loans they needed to get there? We could be getting what we asked for.
Quite seriously, there are consequences to what we say politically. If you want more violence all a politician must do is set up an “Us vs Them” type of speech. (They all do it, you know!)
Finally, the consequence of belittling prayer on behalf of those who have lost loved ones is that we, as Americans, are feeling less compassion on those who are hurting. Prayer is NOT the enemy, by the way, neither does it preclude doing more. Compassion leads to good results, belittling compassion … well, we got what we asked for.
Be careful what you ask for, you WILL get it!
[PLEASE NOTE that Don is always open to discussing the thoughts and opinions he shares here and welcomes comments as shared in the comment section. He doesn’t use other social media platforms and won’t see whatever you’d like to share with him if you post it elsewhere.
ALSO, Don is always open to offer his thoughts on various topics. If you have a specific request, you can let him know in a comment; he reads – and replies to – them all. ~ Sherry]
See more GUEST POSTS from Don!
Comments