So the other day I went to see the movie Ironman at the Mountain View theater. After the show as often is the case my spouse had to scamper to the ladies room, post movie Starbucks and all. And as I waited with the other patrons a thickset man in jeans and a food stained checkered shirt cornered me and said,
“Didya see Ironman,” in a nasally voice while looking past me at the snack counter.
“Ummm, yes I did.”
“That arc reactor was something else, wasn’t it.”
I glanced over my shoulder only to settle into the fact that he was indeed addressing me and he must simply be the type of person to talk around people without making eye contact.
“Ummmm, yes it was.”
“The two nested torodial surfaces gave it away.”
“Huh.”
“Well, it was obviously fashioned after a Tokamak.”
“A what???”
“A Tokamak fusion reactor.”
“Yes, definitely.”
His eyes lit up.
“Yes it was clearly a plasma containment field similar to the original Tamm/Sahkarov model …”
Just then my wife sauntered out. I had never been so happy to see her in my life.
“Sorry I’ve got to go. I left my supercomputer at home on calculating PIE.”
And I took her arm and bee-lined for the exit before he could begin reciting PI to me.
Have you ever noticed how we often come to think those around us just as smart (or dumb) as us? I guess it makes us feel more comfortable to view the world through a lens of familiarity. I often find a little passion lights up the world and gets under peoples skin. I know that for a few seconds under the indirect heated gaze of the “scientist” in Silicon Valley I felt like a nuclear engineer.
Ah, and some Onion Ironman humor to go along with my persistent silly musings …
13 Responses
“A Tokamak fusion reactor.” really?!
And you say.. “Yes, definitely.” Hahahahahaha!!!
Can you imagine how many people that guy has driven away with that kinda talk?! He thought he had a Hot One in you JD!
Posted on May 16th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
yes i draw the weirdos like a moth to a flame
Posted on May 16th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Hmmm……perhaps you radiate nuclear explosions…
boom
bam
bomb
Hmmm or perhaps you’re the bomb….poor guy was just excited to be under your nuclear radiation….
the scientist has spoken
Posted on May 16th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
ah
a true scientist you are
Posted on May 16th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Good point. Like the parent who’s cold so they tell their child to put a jacket on. That probably made no sense…
Posted on May 16th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
yes often put on a jacket when my kids say they are cold
Posted on May 16th, 2008 at 11:48 pm
What a tease you are, JD. You said, “Yes, definitely” then ran off with your wife. The poor guy probably thinks of you, as the conversation that never happened, but in the right circumstances, would have been very good.
Posted on May 17th, 2008 at 7:08 am
yes he misses me terribly i think
Posted on May 17th, 2008 at 7:48 am
Are all of you moving over here?
Posted on May 17th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
yes we’re staking our claims
Posted on May 17th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Great blog. Loved the video. I am thankful that I don’t come across too many wierdos. Maybe I should be worried though. Possibly that means I am one and just don’t know it. What kind of reactor was that?
Daniel
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
At least you didn’t first answer him with a mad scientist look and a “I’d show you mine but I’d have to kill you afterwards.”
Posted on May 28th, 2008 at 7:56 am
but then maybe i did
and changed my story
Posted on May 28th, 2008 at 8:32 am
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